Asus just made its pricey Falcata gaming keyboard a lot more tempting. The split ergonomic keyboard that launched at $420 is now $140 off at Best Buy, dropping to $279.99 through Cyber Monday. That puts it within striking distance of cheaper ergonomic alternatives while keeping its unique Hall effect switches that gamers are craving.
Black Friday just shifted the gaming keyboard landscape in a big way. Asus slashed $140 off its Falcata gaming keyboard, bringing the split ergonomic model down to $279.99 at Best Buy through Cyber Monday.
This isn't just another peripheral discount. The Falcata represents something fairly unique in the gaming space - a 75-percent Hall effect keyboard that splits in half for ergonomic positioning. When it launched at $420, that price tag was tough to swallow for most gamers, especially given some design compromises.
"My takeaway is that $420 is way too much money for an ergonomic keyboard that doesn't do the ergonomic part as well as some cheaper models," The Verge's Cameron Faulkner noted in his review. The main issue? The inside edges closest to your thumbs don't tent as much as they should for premium ergonomic positioning.
But at $279.99, the math changes dramatically. That puts the Falcata just $80 above the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Plus, which has been the go-to recommendation for split gaming keyboards. The difference is that extra $80 gets you Hall effect switches - magnetic switches that offer precise actuation control and theoretically unlimited lifespan.
Hall effect switches have become the hot new thing in gaming keyboards this year. Unlike traditional mechanical switches that rely on physical contact, these magnetic switches can detect key presses without metal-on-metal contact. That means you can adjust actuation points on the fly, set different sensitivities for different keys, and never worry about switch degradation from wear.
The timing couldn't be better for keyboard enthusiasts on a budget. Gaming peripheral prices have been climbing steadily, with premium mechanical keyboards regularly hitting $300-400. Finding Hall effect technology at under $280 is genuinely noteworthy, even if the ergonomics aren't perfect.
Asus has been pushing hard into the premium gaming peripheral space lately, competing directly with brands like and . The Falcata's magnetic switches are part of their ROG HFX V2 lineup, which the company claims offers "unparalleled precision and durability."
