ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate RGB Gaming Keyboard Review: 90MP02E6-BKCA00

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Features
• Performance
• Pros & Cons
• Final Verdict

Introduction

The ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate RGB Gaming Keyboard is a premium offering that aims to cater to both competitive gamers and enthusiasts seeking a highly customizable experience. This keyboard boasts a range of features, from hot-swappable switches to a vibrant custom LED display, all wrapped in a stylish and ergonomic design. In this review, I’ll dive deep into the Flare II Animate’s performance and features to see if it lives up to the hype.

Features

The ROG Strix Flare II Animate is packed with features designed to enhance your gaming experience and personalize your setup. Here’s a breakdown of some of its key highlights:

• Hot-swappable ROG NX Red Tactile Switches: This allows you to easily customize your keyboard’s feel and responsiveness by swapping out different switches without soldering. The ROG NX Red Tactile switches offer a satisfying tactile bump and a linear actuation, providing a balanced and responsive typing experience.
• Customizable LED Display: The Flare II Animate features a vibrant OLED display that can be customized with animated GIFs, logos, and other visual elements. This adds a unique and personalized touch to your setup and allows you to display critical game information or even showcase your personality.
• PBT Keycaps: These keycaps are known for their durability, resistance to shine, and excellent texture, ensuring long-lasting use and a comfortable typing experience. They are also double-shot molded, which ensures the legends won’t fade or wear off over time.
• Per-key RGB Backlighting: The Flare II Animate utilizes ASUS’s Aura Sync technology, providing millions of colors and a range of lighting effects that can be customized and synchronized with other compatible peripherals. This allows you to create a truly immersive and visually stunning gaming setup.
• Dedicated Media Controls: The keyboard features dedicated media controls that are easily accessible on the top right corner. This allows you to quickly adjust volume, play, pause, or skip tracks without having to reach for your mouse or screen. The dedicated controls also provide a more convenient way to manage your audio while gaming.
• Ergonomic Design: The Flare II Animate features a detachable wrist rest that provides excellent support for your wrists during long gaming sessions. This helps reduce fatigue and improve comfort, allowing you to focus on your game for longer periods.
• ENG-ARAB Layout: The Flare II Animate comes with a dual language layout (English and Arabic), making it an excellent choice for users in the Middle East region.

Performance

I put the ROG Strix Flare II Animate through its paces with a variety of games and tasks. The keyboard consistently delivered a smooth and responsive typing experience, thanks to the ROG NX Red Tactile switches. The tactile bump is subtle yet satisfying, and the linear actuation ensured quick and accurate keystrokes, perfect for fast-paced action games. I found the dedicated media controls to be incredibly useful, especially while gaming. The custom LED display added a fun and personalized touch to my setup, and I was able to display game information or even create custom animations.

The PBT keycaps are a definite advantage, offering a premium feel and excellent durability. I also appreciated the ergonomic design of the keyboard, with its detachable wrist rest providing comfortable support for my wrists. Overall, the Flare II Animate performed flawlessly across all my tests, delivering a truly exceptional gaming experience.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Hot-swappable ROG NX Red Tactile Switches
• Customizable OLED Display
• PBT Keycaps
• Per-key RGB Backlighting with Aura Sync
• Dedicated Media Controls
• Ergonomic Design with Detachable Wrist Rest
• ENG-ARAB Layout

Cons:

• The price might be a bit higher compared to some other keyboards with similar features.
• The OLED display can be a bit distracting for some users, especially during intense gaming sessions.

Final Verdict

The ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate RGB Gaming Keyboard is a top-tier offering that delivers a premium gaming experience. Its hot-swappable switches, customizable OLED display, and comfortable ergonomic design make it an excellent choice for both competitive gamers and enthusiasts seeking a customizable and personalized setup. While it’s on the pricier side, the quality, performance, and features make it a worthwhile investment for serious gamers. If you’re looking for a keyboard that elevates your gaming experience, I highly recommend the ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate.