CONS

• Expensive
• No version for lefties
• 8,000Hz polling requires a wired connection

ASUS ROG KERIS II ACE SPECS

Number of Buttons	5
Interface	Bluetooth, USB Wired, 2.4GHz Wireless
Hand Orientation	Right-Handed

The Asus ROG Keris II Ace.Is a gaming mouse designed specifically for esports enthusiasts. Despite its compact size, this mouse boasts an impressive range of features. It offers an 8,000Hz polling rate through its included dongle and utilizes the AimPoint Pro optical sensor to achieve a maximum of 42,000 dots per inch (dpi). Not only is it technologically advanced, but it is also incredibly lightweight, weighing only 1.9 ounces. This mouse stands out from others in its category by incorporating RGB accents in the scroll wheel and providing onboard controls for DPI adjustment and Bluetooth pairing. With its exceptional performance and design, the Keris II Ace is undoubtedly a top choice for high-end gaming mice, deserving of the Editors’ Choice award.

Ace’s Curve: A Design with No Challenges.

The Asus ROG Keris II Ace could be mistaken for the Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition we assessed previously due to its comparable design, although it has a slight curve in the center for improved ergonomics. This palm-grip-style gaming mouse has two buttons on the left side, catering to the comfort of right-handed users. The mouse is available in either black or white frame options, both of which showcase the Asus Republic of Gamers branding on the upper body.

The Keris II Ace is equipped with innovative ROG Optical Micro Sensor switches for its buttons, offering a new type of switch technology. Asus claims that these switches are durable, with a rating of 100 million clicks, and they utilize light sensors to detect inputs, minimizing latency compared to traditional physical contacts. Although we may not be professional gamers, we found that the clicks were responsive and consistently registered during our testing, even if we didn’t notice a major impact on gameplay.

The Keris II Ace stands out among many esports mice as it incorporates an RGB LED within its scroll wheel, despite the common practice of limiting RGB LEDs to reduce weight. By default, the wheel cycles through a range of colors, but you have the flexibility to customize it using a control utility. In comparison, our previous recommendation for esports mice, the Razer Viper V3 Pro, lacks RGB lighting, and other competitors offer minimal lighting options. It’s worth noting that the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro features a small LED indicator above its scroll wheel, serving as a battery indicator. The inclusion of an integrated LED in the mouse wheel of the ROG Keris II Ace, while still maintaining a lighter weight than the DeathAdder, showcases the impressive advancements in mouse technology.

Maximizing Polling Capabilities with Enhanced Features and Accessories.

The box comes with a USB-C-to-USB-A cable for charging the mouse and for wired mode usage. The mouse’s 2.4GHz wireless connection dongle is located underneath the mouse’s frame. Additionally, there is a USB Polling Rate Booster, a larger device that houses the first dongle, allowing for polling rates higher than the standard 1,000Hz when used together.

The polling rate indicates how frequently the mouse interacts with the computer, and the specified rate represents the number of signals transmitted per second. A higher rate results in a more seamless and precise mouse performance, although it may consume more battery power and CPU resources. Asus approximates a battery life of up to 107 hours when the lighting is turned off and 67 hours with the default lighting enabled on a 2.4GHz connection. However, the company does not provide specific details about battery life at different polling rates.

The Keris II Ace smoothly moves across surfaces with the help of small PTFE feet, also referred to as Teflon, placed at each corner. Despite their size, these feet are exceptionally sleek and thick to prevent any damage to the underside components when in contact with a mouse pad.

The bottom of the mouse features two buttons – one for switching between four DPI levels and another for connecting the mouse to your computer via Bluetooth. Additionally, there is a toggle switch to choose between the three connection modes: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and USB wired. As you adjust the DPI settings, the RGB LED on the mouse wheel will illuminate a different color for each setting. The colors can be customized using the control software.

The underside of the mouse is equipped with two buttons – one for toggling between four DPI levels and another for pairing the mouse with your computer via Bluetooth. Also, there is a toggle switch to select from the three connection modes: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and USB wired. While changing the DPI presets, the RGB LED on the mouse wheel will display a specific color for each setting. These colors can be modified using the control utility.

Each available connection option comes with a default polling rate of 1,000Hz. However, if you want to achieve a higher polling rate of up to 8,000Hz, you will need to connect the Polling Rate Booster. It is important to note that when using a wireless connection, the maximum polling rate you can reach is 4,000Hz. To achieve the maximum polling rate of 8,000Hz, a wired connection is required, with the booster acting as an intermediary between the cable and the mouse. This implementation is similar to what we observed in the Glorious Model D 2 Pro, where the dongle connects to the USB cable and then to the mouse.

The Keris II Ace’s dongle has the capability to connect to a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter, which is provided along with it. This adapter is designed to securely attach itself to a desk mat, allowing for a more organized setup of your cable and 2.4GHz dongle in one place. Additionally, it is compatible with the booster dongle as well.

Getting to Know Armoury Crate Software.

Most features of the Keris II Ace can be adjusted directly on the mouse, including modifying the DPI profile or pairing the device. However, for more detailed settings such as the polling rate or RGB effects, Asus’ Armory Crate software utility is required.

With Armoury Crate, users have the ability to customize various settings, such as assigning new inputs to individual buttons or modifying DPI levels for different profiles. One of the key functions of this tool is the option to calibrate the mouse for various surfaces. Users can opt to manually calibrate the mouse by performing a specific motion for a few minutes on their preferred surface, or they can choose from a selection of preset surface options.

You have the option to adjust various settings related to the mouse’s power usage, such as the duration before it goes into sleep mode after a response delay, or configuring a visual notification through the wheel RGB lighting when the battery level reaches a specific percentage.

The Final Ruling: This Mouse Is Exceptional.

The Asus ROG Keris II Ace stands out as one of the most feature-packed options among superlight wireless mice. With a high DPI ceiling and a maximum polling rate of 8,000Hz (although achievable only through a wired connection), this mouse combines functionality with a sleek and lightweight design, making it a top choice for us.

The Keris II Ace has reached its peak in terms of improvement, leaving little room for further enhancements. However, it is worth noting that it remains quite expensive and lacks a left-handed version, which are also drawbacks shared by our previous top pick, the Viper V3 Pro. Additionally, while the Viper V3 Pro offers a wireless option with a maximum of 8,000Hz, it is limited by a lower-resolution sensor, has switches with a shorter lifespan, and lacks RGB lighting. Therefore, if you are in need of a new lightweight mouse for intense gaming, we highly recommend the Keris II Ace as our most recent Editors’ Choice recipient for esports mice.