ASUS, one of the leading global PC and accessory manufacturers, offers two distinct product lines: ROG and TUF. TUF stands for The Ultimate Force, emphasizing the core traits of the line—high durability and reliability. These concepts are a perfect fit for the subject of today’s review: the most affordable gaming keyboard from the manufacturer, the TUF Gaming K3 Gen II.
The ASUS TUF Gaming K3 Gen II is a gaming keyboard that combines full functionality with a relatively compact design. It features an IP57 rating for water and dust resistance, RGB optical-mechanical switches with a lifespan of 100 million keystrokes, and improved pad mounting with cushioning foam for enhanced typing comfort. The removable top cover makes it easy to personalize the keyboard and simplifies routine maintenance. But let’s take a closer look at each aspect.
Specifications
- Keyboard type: opto-mechanical, full-size, wired, ENG/UKR layout, black, plastic
- Moisture and dust resistance according to IP57 standard
- Mechanical switches type – TUF Optical-Mech, mechanical switches type – linear, standard travel, Anti-Ghosting, Raesha Red (Linear), 100% protection against phantom keystrokes with N-Key Rollover technology
- OS compatibility: Microsoft Windows
- Weight: 1008 g without cable, dimensions: 385×153×38 mm, cable length: 2 m
- Interface: USB
- Features: mount with silicone gasket and damping foam, removable top panel, 16.8 million colors RGB key illumination (ASUS Aura Sync)
- Number of keyboard keys: 98, keystroke life: 100 million
- Warranty: 24 months
Positioning and price
I emphasize that this is the company’s most affordable keyboard for a reason. It was hard to find analogs in terms of price-quality ratio. Maybe Lenovo Legion K500 RGB, HyperX Alloy Origins 60 and Logitech G213 Prodigy. That’s it.
The TUF Gaming K3 Gen II is priced around $72 / €65 across various marketplaces. At this price, you should expect a solid mechanical keyboard with vibrant RGB backlighting, and that’s exactly what ASUS delivers.
Package contents
The keyboard came to me for review in a standard high-quality dense black and gray ASUS box, dotted with various marks and the company logo.
Firstly, the keyboard features RGB Red backlighting, a QWERTY layout, and a Ukrainian layout, all engraved using laser technology. The back of the box displays the main specifications and features of the product. Inside the box, you’ll find the keyboard itself, a Quick Start Guide, and a warranty card. That’s all for the accessories—no spare switches or decorative stickers, just basic and functional. Thank you for that, and let’s move on.
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Design, ergonomics, build quality
The compactness of the device is immediately noticeable compared to standard keyboards. This is not surprising, as the company positions it as a 96% format. Despite this, a dedicated group of navigation keys is retained. This layout makes the keyboard more compact and facilitates easier use of the mouse.
The manufacturer claims that the keyboard has received the “best-in-class IP57 rating,” which ensures full protection against dust and spills. It can even withstand immersion in water up to one meter deep for up to 30 minutes. So, you don’t need to worry about potential damage from moisture. Enjoy your coffee with peace of mind.
The bottom of the keyboard features seven large rubber pads to prevent slipping, as well as two sets of adjustable feet that allow you to set the keyboard at your preferred angle.
IMPORTANT: The IP57 rating applies to clean water only. Any misuse or abuse of the keyboard will void the warranty. Make sure the USB port is completely dry before charging.
The TUF Gaming K3 Gen II is a sturdy, reliably tactile piece of plastic. ASUS claims that its optical-mechanical switches can withstand 100 million keystrokes and feature n-key rollover and 100% anti-ghosting, which I fully believe. Each keystroke is registered independently of the others, allowing the keyboard to handle any number of simultaneous presses accurately. The RGB backlighting for each key can be customized individually. It’s a stylish, well-built input device that will look great on your desk without overwhelming it. It’s also relatively lightweight, weighing just over 1 kg.
It’s worth noting that the ASUS TUF Gaming K3 Gen II employs a Gasket mount design and includes a silicone gasket between the switches and the PCB to minimize vibrations, resulting in a very pleasant typing experience. Each ABS key provides a good tactile feedback, and, by the way, each key can be individually customized in the software. Below, you can “listen” to the keyboard in action.
The integrated cushioning foam further absorbs pinging sounds. Thanks to the compact design, all the keys are easily within reach.
The keycaps are black with a pleasing matte finish. Additionally, it’s a nice touch that the keyboard includes a Ukrainian layout.
I should mention the removable top panel separately because, with this keyboard, you essentially get both a standard form factor and the trendy skeleton design. The magnetic top panel allows you to easily personalize the keyboard’s appearance and clean it from dirt. It can be a bit tricky to remove, but it completely changes the look of the device—making it immediately more attractive and visually smaller, plus it provides easy access for cleaning. Additionally, you can route the cable to the right or left through a slot in the removable panel for a cleaner look on your desk.
Overall, I have no complaints about the design or build quality of this keyboard. Of course, with ASUS’s years of experience in hardware development, I expected nothing less. From the quality of the key presses to the lighting that shines through them, I was impressed.
Software, application
The ASUS TUF Gaming K3 Gen II keyboard offers gamers unlimited customization options with individual key backlighting and support for 16.8 million colors. However, the setup turned out to be somewhat complicated—whether it was due to ASUS’s Armoury Crate software or my relatively outdated Windows computer, it took several attempts to install and get everything running.
Of course, the keyboard will start working as soon as you connect it to a USB-A port (there’s no wireless option here), but to configure macros and manage RGB backlighting on the keyboard, you’ll need to download and install the appropriate software from the internet.
Nonetheless, ASUS Armoury Crate does offer extensive lighting customization options. You can set various visual effects, including Breathing, Flow, Breathing, Sand Flow, Rainbow, Circles, Starry Night, Cycle, Rain, Splash, and more. Additionally, you can synchronize these effects across different ASUS Aura-supported devices.
As I mentioned, the TUF Gaming K3 Gen II can be used without the proprietary software. There are a number of functions that can be accessed by pressing Fn + the corresponding key. These are indicated on the front of the keycaps. For example, Fn + numbers 1 through 4 switch profiles. Fn + F5 through F8 control multimedia functions. Fn + F9 through F11 adjust the volume. Fn + F12 minimizes all windows. Fn + the arrow keys adjust the backlighting, and so on.
If you’re a fan of customization, the RGB options on the TUF Gaming K3 Gen II will meet your needs. You can create multiple profiles and settings for each game you play, and even set up your keys to light up in sync with your favorite tracks. The only significant downside is the complexity of the system.
To achieve the most interesting RGB lighting customizations, you’ll need to download two different applications, and mastering them might take some time if you’re not familiar with them. However, ASUS enthusiasts who already have several accessories and peripherals can synchronize their RGB design using Aura Sync—a handy feature if you value uniformity in your equipment and peripherals.
Conclusions
The ASUS TUF Gaming K3 Gen II keyboard has many advantages, including its price—though it’s the manufacturer’s most affordable model, it’s not the cheapest gaming keyboard on the market. However, given the features and specifications of this model, I still believe it offers excellent value for money.
No matter what you use the ASUS TUF Gaming K3 Gen II for, it impresses with its comfort and responsiveness—keystrokes are registered instantly, and if you’re one of those gamers (or typists) who can hit keys at a fast pace, this keyboard can keep up with you. The anti-ghosting and NKRO technologies work flawlessly, so you won’t be distracted from what you’re doing. Macro programming, the removable panel, water resistance, and other bonus features are just the icing on what is already a very solid product.
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Where to buy