Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro review

The RazerBlackWidow V4 Professional makes me want extra gaming keyboards had been chock-full of customisation choices. Its macro keys, remappable capabilities, adjustable RGB lighting, and extra make for a stable bundle, all backed up by a class-leading 8,000Hz polling charge. Nevertheless, this highly effective degree of efficiency comes at the price of ditching wi-fi connectivity.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional simply ranks among the many best gaming keyboards I’ve used. It has a beautiful construct high quality, vibrant RGB lighting, and the quiet typing and quick response instances go a good distance for each on a regular basis use and gaming. Robust customization alternative by way of its software program and the mappable macro keys are additionally a giant plus. It’s a pricier proposition than some rivals at $230 USD / £230 GBP, however you get loads on your cash.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional design

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional is a full-sized keyboard, measuring at 18.3 x 9.35 x 1.73 inches. Proper now, there aren’t any TKL or Mini fashions obtainable, however this might change with time. Underneath the caps, the keeb comes with mechanical switches in inexperienced clicky or yellow linear flavours. Our unit makes use of the latter, which gives a quiet typing expertise, which I favor because it helps me concentrate on each video games and work.

The construct high quality of the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional displays its premium price ticket. Each its weighty aluminium alloy chassis and doubleshot ABS keycaps give the keyboard a sturdy aura, that feels and appears costly. This clear and classy vibe extends to the font too, with Razer choosing a transparent typeface that helps the RGB results shine brightly.

Beneath the wrist relaxation are seven rubber ft and eight for the keyboard. These show useful in stopping the V4 Professional from slipping throughout my desk whereas typing and gaming away. You’ll additionally discover two retractable stands on the underside, too, which improve the incline of the board, and it’s comfy to make use of each mendacity flat and raised.

The BlackWidow V4 Professional connects to your PC through a removable USB Kind-C connection, with a further wire offering passthrough. Those that favor to maintain their desk uncluttered might want to look elsewhere as there’s no wi-fi connection, however this does include a efficiency uplift when it comes to polling charge. Personally, I a lot favor having a simple to entry USB port for my wi-fi headset dongle, and it’s good for different peripherals like mice too.

I’m impressed by what’s on supply, however there are a couple of missed alternatives. The V4 Professional lacks the quicker optical switches discovered on the Razer Huntsman V2, however their omission does assist hold the value considerably in examine. I’d’ve favored to have seen some various colourways too, notably for these after one thing extra vibrant past RGB lighting.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional options

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional options listing packs nearly every little thing you possibly can need from a gaming keyboard. The cornerstone of the board is indubitably the Razer Command Dial, which significantly enhances the flexibility and intuitiveness of the board.

Out of the field, the Razer Command Dial is pre-programmed with eight behaviours, together with RGB brightness management and utility switching. That is helpful sufficient by itself, however it can be customised to regulate issues like microphone quantity for avid gamers and streamers or brush measurement for creators. Swapping between these capabilities instances is so simple as pushing the dial.

Additional bolstering its customisability are 5 macro keys that you just’ll discover on the left aspect of the V4 Professional, alongside one other three keys on its edge, for a complete of additional inputs. They’re disabled by default, however will be programmed through Razer Synapse to do kind of no matter you’d like. They will show particularly useful if you’ll want to multitask whereas gaming, as I assigned the keys to shortly mute my microphone or open Discord.

Rounding off the additional keys that populate the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional are a set of media keys and an infinite quantity roll bar. Whereas there’s nothing notably outstanding about these keys, they’re solidly constructed and are at all times a welcome and handy addition to any keyboard.

The magnetic leatherette wrist relaxation can also be very comfy, particularly in comparison with my previous Corsair K70 which makes use of a more durable materials. As somebody who spends most of my working day at a keyboard, it offers ample cushioning and help with nary an indication of ache or fatigue in my arms. Simply watch out when separating it from the V4 Professional, as I typically managed to by chance press the underside macro key when doing so.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional packs each per-key and three-side underglow RGB lighting, making for a stunning show. Whereas the function is actually extra novel than revolutionary, the keyboard is undeniably aesthetically pleasing as soon as configured to your preferences through Razer Synapse.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional efficiency

The improve to an 8,000Hz polling charge locations Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional efficiency ranges among the many most responsive gaming keyboards on the market. This can be a huge enchancment versus the V3 Professional’s 1,000Hz most, successfully speaking your inputs eight instances quicker in order that none of your essential inputs are missed.

That is most helpful in fast-paced multiplayer video games, like Overwatch 2 or Counter-Strike: International Offensive. Admittedly, I can’t say that I seen a large distinction versus 1,000Hz, however it’s reassuring to know that my keyboard received’t fail me in clutch moments and will certainly be appreciated by skilled avid gamers.

Specs apart, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional is undoubtedly a really responsive and satisfying keyboard to make use of. It handily communicates my inputs with no noticeable delay or different points, be it a aggressive shooter or a comfortable indie recreation. I additionally admire how little drive is required to actuate the mechanical switches, making for easy gaming and typing experiences.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional software program

You don’t want to put in Razer Synapse software program to make use of the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional, however I’d strongly suggest doing so to get probably the most out of the keyboard. It’ll let you additional customise the V4 Professional by creating customized profiles and behaviours for the macro keys and Razer Command Dial.

Newcomers may have a while to get your head across the numerous choices Synapse offers. Nevertheless, for me, reconfiguring macro keys establishing customized capabilities within the command dial feels simple and are positively helpful. Alongside some preset choices which aren’t robotically turned on, including new ones and swapping between them shortly feels pure.

As with different Razer keyboards, Synapse options the same old vary of lighting controls for the keyboard itself, in addition to the flexibility to synchronise together with your gaming mouse for a beautiful unified gentle present. Different helpful bits within the suite embody a gaming mode as properly, which disables the Home windows key, Alt+Tab, and Alt+F4 to keep away from any nasty unintended inputs. I personally by no means discover then eed to change it on, however it’s nonetheless a pleasant choice to have in a pinch.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional value

At $229.99 / £229.99, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional value isn’t any small chunk of change however it compares favourably to equally specced choices just like the Corsair K100. The V4 Professional offers all of the performance of its competitor and gives an alternate choice to those that’d favor to save lots of a buck and follow mechanical switches versus optical.

Nevertheless, keyboards just like the Razer Huntsman V2 might higher swimsuit these on the lookout for pure efficiency over strong performance. Each fashions supply an 8,000Hz polling charge, however the BlackWidow is dearer, and you’ll most likely discover the Huntsman at a reduction given its age.

I nonetheless keep that the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional is well worth the cash, however it’s under no circumstances the plain alternative.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional verdict

I’ve come away very impressed by the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional, and I’d name it one of many best gaming keyboard I’ve used. It’s a giant step up from the BlackWidow V3 Professional, despite the fact that it trades away wi-fi performance. However when the tip end result feels simple to make use of, comfy, very responsive, and gives a fantastic vary of customization choices, it’s laborious to complain about this trade-off an excessive amount of.

With an 8,000Hz polling charge, it’s a robust gaming keyboard, boosted by a useful set of additional keys and a beautiful design that appears nice in your desk. The devoted macro keys and Razer Command Dial make it a flexible choice too for avid gamers and extra. Nevertheless, I nonetheless want to see an optical change choice and various color designs. In case you can justify that value, this new keyboard comes heartily really useful.

Professionals:

• Nice ranges of versatility and customisation
• Sturdy construct high quality
• Strong function set, together with macro keys
• Snug wrist relaxation

Cons:

• No optical switches
• Removes earlier model’s wi-fi connectivity
• Expensive