I’m shocked by the price for Asus’ ultra-innovative Falcata split gaming keyboard

Split keyboards are hard to find, especially if you’re looking for something in the gaming niche, and doubly so if you want something from a mainstream retail store. But we have just such an example available today. First appearing at CES 2025 in January, the Asus ROG Falcata 75% keyboard is now available at Best Buy. The price? An eye-watering $420.

This version of the Falcata is an interesting beast. As the full-length title implies, it’s a 75% layout, which basically means laptop-style with a full function row and arrow keys but no numpad. The keyboard’s signature feature is its ability to split in half, separating into two sections tethered by a USB cable. Many typists prefer this option for ergonomic layouts, and gamers like it for similar reasons. Notably, this keyboard is wireless—you still need that cable for the left side of the board, even when it’s positioned in its conventional layout, but Bluetooth, 2.4GHz dongle-based wireless, and standard USB are all options.

The rest of the keyboard is a laundry list of in-demand features. PBT keycaps, interior layers of foam, and, of course, RGB lighting are included. You get magnetic Hall effect switches with adjustable actuation, which are hot-swap capable… but exactly how many switch options you’ll have access to aren’t known at the moment. (The ones in the box are linear, pre-lubed, with 49 grams of resistance.) A scroll wheel on the left side can be set to adjust actuation and show results with the LEDs that run along the edge, but thankfully there’s no LCD or OLED screen included, because that would be really dumb. 8K polling is available even in wireless mode, with a maximum battery life of 200 hours.

Critically, Asus is not claiming that the ROG Falcata 75% is an ergonomic keyboard. This is, first and foremost, a keyboard for gaming. But it does offer more options than usual for anyone who wants adjustment, as only makes sense for a split design. You get two silicone wrist rests that can be installed and fastened to the split portions of the board, and eight screw-in feet that raise up the keyboard’s back or inner sides, depending on your preference. It’s not a full tenting kit, but it’s a lot more than you get with any conventional keyboard layout.

It’s an impressive offering, to be sure… but $420 is a lot for a keyboard in anybody’s money. That’s reaching well beyond even the pricey range of wireless gaming boards from major manufacturers, soaring into the lower portions of custom keyboard designs. And this isn’t the first time Asus has pushed so hard on a super-expensive design.

For that money, you could get the well-loved Dygma Raise 2, which includes more ergonomic options (but admittedly doesn’t have wireless at that price, requiring an expensive upgrade). Split keyboard fans are a small but enthusiastic bunch, and they don’t mind spending a lot, but I wonder how much they’d be willing to trust Asus with a first-gen design.