Review of the ASUS ROG Keris II ACE and Keris II Origin – who will click their way into the mausoleum of honor?

1 - ASUS Keris II ACE 2 - ASUS ROG Keris II Origin 3 - Comparison: Latency and Sound-Check 4 - Summary and Conclusion

With the ASUS ROG Keris II, ASUS presents two new e-sports mice aimed specifically at ambitious and professional gamers. The Keris II ACE and the Keris II Origin: low weight – combined with the latest sensor technology, durable switches and versatile connection options – should make these two rodents serious contenders in the high-end sector. I have had both mice at home since the beginning of May and have used them almost daily for two months. So you can look forward to hearing what I have to say about the two rodents.

Today I’m deviating from my usual review layout and keeping the report a little more compact. The reason: We have two mice on the table in direct comparison. Instead of going through each mouse in detail, I’m going to summarize the most important similarities and differences so that you can get a quicker overview of which mouse suits you better.

Design and material

The mouse is optimized for right-handers and is available in black or moonlight white. Its housing is made of sustainable plant-based nylon, which is obtained from castor oil. The material is not only non-slip, but also resistant to fingerprints. Despite its light weight, the finish is robust and retains its shape even after months of intensive use, without rattling or clattering.

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Sensor and performance

At the heart of the Keris II ACE is the ROG AimPoint Pro sensor, which operates with a resolution of up to 42,000 DPI. With a maximum speed of 750 IPS and 50 G acceleration, it is well above the industry average. ASUS also states a deviation of less than one percent, which further underlines the precision. The sensor is supported by ROG optical microswitches, which are designed for 100 million clicks. They react without delay and reliably rule out unintentional double-clicks. In practice, this ensures extremely direct input and maximum control, especially in fast-paced gaming situations. I’ll come to the subject of latency later!

The AimPoint Pro sensor offers the Track-on-Glass function. This is a further development of optical sensor technology in computer mice. Traditionally, optical mice worked best on lightly textured, matte surfaces such as wood or fabric. Glass and high-gloss surfaces posed a problem for a long time, as the sensors could not detect sufficient contrast on them. Track-on-Glass has overcome this obstacle. The sensor is so finely tuned that it precisely detects movements even on almost transparent or reflective surfaces. Technically, this is achieved through a combination of higher-resolution sensors, special lighting and improved algorithms. In the traditional working environment, this represents a significant step forward: you no longer have to rely on mouse pads, as was previously the case. Nevertheless, many users still value the traditional mouse pad today because it offers a familiar feel and consistent guidance.

Connection and scanning rates

The mouse offers tri-mode connectivity: USB-C, 2.4 GHz RF and Bluetooth. Up to four devices can be paired simultaneously via Bluetooth and dongle, and the Keris II ACE is also compatible with the ROG Omni-Receiver.

One highlight is the high polling rate. In wired mode, the mouse achieves up to 8000 Hz with the ROG Polling Rate Booster, while 4000 Hz is possible in wireless mode. This means it outperforms many competitor models and reduces latency to a minimum.

Battery and runtime

In 2.4 GHz mode, the mouse lasts up to 107 hours when the RGB lighting is set to 25 percent brightness. The battery life varies depending on the lighting setting and the selected sampling rate, but remains at a high level even under load. According to ASUS, the battery should last up to 134 hours – presumably only when the lighting is completely deactivated.

Features and software

ASUS includes a few extras with the Keris II ACE: Replacement PTFE gliding feet, grip tape for a better grip (not necessary in my opinion) and a USB extender (the connecting piece for the dongle to be placed on the table). There is also the USB-A to USB-C cable, the dongle and the polling rate booster.

Configuration is carried out via Armoury Crate, where button assignment, DPI, polling rate and lighting etc. can be adjusted. For users who only use this mouse, there is also a lite version of the software with a reduced range of functions.

The mouse also has onboard controls that allow the DPI, polling rate and lift-off distance to be set directly on the mouse – handy for gamers who want to switch quickly between profiles.

Ergonomics and feel

The shape of the Keris II ACE is clearly designed for comfort and precision for right-handed users. A raised curvature supports a relaxed hand position, while the laterally retracted shape enables a secure grip. The palm grip is difficult for medium to large hands, where I would rather see the finger tip or even the glaw grip. The PBT surface structure ensures an even and durable feel that remains comfortable even after intensive gaming sessions. Overall, the Keris ACE two feels rough and grippy and therefore very similar to the ROG Harpe ACE Aim Lab Edition.

Before I get to the latency and acoustics, I’ll introduce you to the ASUS ROG Keris II Origin. Next page please…