The RazerBlackWidow V4 Professional makes me want extra gaming keyboards had been full of customization choices. Macro keys, remapping capabilities, adjustable RGB lighting and extra kind a stable package deal, all backed by a class-leading 8,000Hz polling fee. Nonetheless, this sturdy stage of efficiency comes on the expense of wi-fi connectivity.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional simply ranks among the many finest gaming keyboards I’ve used. It has a satisfying construct high quality, colourful RGB lighting, and quiet typing and quick response instances go a great distance for each on a regular basis use and gaming. The highly effective customization possibility through its software program and mappable macro keys can also be a giant plus. At $230 / GBP 230 it is a dearer proposition than a few of its rivals, however you get extra in your cash.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional design

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional is a full-size keyboard measuring 18.3 x 9.35 x 1.73 inches. There are at present no TKL or Mini fashions out there, however that will change over time. Beneath the covers, the keeb comes with mechanical switches in both inexperienced clicky or yellow linear flavors. Our unit makes use of the latter, which provides a quiet typing expertise, which I desire as a result of it helps me deal with each video games and work.

The construct high quality of the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional displays its premium price ticket. Each its heavy aluminum alloy casing and double-shot ABS keycaps give the keyboard a stable aura that feels and appears costly. Whereas Razer prefers a crisp font that helps the RGB results shine brightly, it extends to this clear and classy ethereal font as effectively.

There are seven rubber toes below the wrist relaxation and eight toes for the keyboard. These are useful in preserving the V4 Professional from slipping off my desk whereas typing and gaming. You will additionally discover two retractable stands on the backside that improve the inclination of the board, and it is comfy to make use of each flat and raised.

BlackWidow V4 Professional connects to your pc through a removable USB Sort-C reference to a further pass-through cable. Those that desire to maintain their desks tidy might want to look elsewhere as there isn’t any wi-fi connectivity, nevertheless it does present a efficiency enhance when it comes to polling fee. Personally, I desire to have an easy-to-access USB port for my wi-fi headset dongle, and it is good for different peripherals like mice, too.

I am impressed with what’s on provide, however there are a couple of missed alternatives. The V4 Professional lacks the sooner optical switches discovered within the Razer Huntsman V2, however their absence helps preserve the value considerably below management. I might additionally prefer to see some different shade units as effectively, particularly for these after one thing extra colourful past RGB lighting.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional options

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional has checklist packages that comprise just about every part you would need from a gaming keyboard. The cornerstone of the board is undoubtedly the Razer Command Dial, which vastly enhances the flexibility and intuitiveness of the board.

Out of the field, Razer Command Dial is pre-programmed with eight behaviors, together with RGB brightness management and app switching. That is helpful sufficient by itself, however could be personalized to regulate issues like microphone quantity for players and streamers, or brush dimension for creators. Switching between these perform states is so simple as urgent the dial.

Additional enhancing its customizability are the 5 macro keys you will discover on the left aspect of the V4 Professional and the opposite three on the aspect for a complete of additional enter. They’re disabled by default, however could be programmed to do roughly what you need through Razer Synapse. Since I assign the keys to shortly mute my mic or open Discord, they’ll are available notably helpful when you might want to multitask whereas gaming.

Rounding out the additional keys that fill the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional are a set of media keys and infinite quantity sliders. Whereas there’s nothing notably exceptional about these keys, they’re solidly constructed and are at all times a welcome and helpful addition to any keyboard.

The magnetic fake leather-based wrist relaxation can also be very comfy, particularly in comparison with my outdated Corsair K70, which used a more durable materials. As somebody who spends most of my workday on the keyboard, it offers ample cushioning and help in my palms with out the slightest signal of ache or fatigue. Watch out when eradicating it from the V4 Professional, as I by accident managed to press the underside macro key whereas doing this.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional combines each per-key and three-sided backlit RGB lighting for a blinding show. Whereas the function is definitely new quite than revolutionary, the keyboard is undeniably aesthetically pleasing when configured to your preferences through Razer Synapse.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional efficiency

Upgrading to an 8,000Hz polling fee locations the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional efficiency ranges among the many most responsive gaming keyboards available on the market. It is a large enchancment over the V3 Professional’s most 1,000Hz, and it successfully transmits your inputs eight instances sooner, so none of your vital inputs go unnoticed.

That is most helpful in fast-paced multiplayer video games like Overwatch 2 or Counter-Strike: World Offensive. Admittedly, I am unable to say I’ve observed an enormous distinction in comparison with 1,000Hz, nevertheless it’s reassuring to know that my keyboard will not let me down in clutch moments and will certainly be appreciated by skilled players.

Specs apart, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional is undoubtedly a really responsive and nice to make use of keyboard. It simply transmits my inputs with out noticeable lag or different points, whether or not it is a aggressive shooter or an off-the-cuff indie recreation. I additionally recognize how little power is required to function the mechanical switches, which give easy gaming and typing experiences.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional software program

You need not set up Razer Synapse software program to make use of the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional, however I extremely suggest doing so to get probably the most out of the keyboard. It means that you can additional customise the V4 Professional by creating customized profiles and behaviors for the Macro keys and Razer Command Dial.

Newcomers might have a while to know the assorted choices Synapse has to supply. Nonetheless, for me, reconfiguring the macro keys that set customized capabilities on the command dial feels straightforward and is definitely helpful. Moreover some preset choices that do not open routinely, it is pure so as to add new ones and swap between them shortly.

As with different Razer keyboards, Synapse has the standard lighting controls for the keyboard itself, in addition to the power to sync together with your gaming mouse for a pleasant combo mild present. Different helpful bits within the pack embody a recreation mode that disables the Home windows key, Alt+Tab, and Alt+F4 to keep away from malicious undesirable enter. Personally, I by no means have to open it, nevertheless 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 is not a small change, nevertheless it’s a constructive when in comparison with equally specced choices just like the Corsair K100. The V4 Professional offers all of the performance of its rival and provides an alternate possibility for many who desire to save cash with mechanical switches quite than optical.

However keyboards just like the Razer Huntsman V2 could also be higher suited to these on the lookout for pure efficiency quite than stable performance. Each fashions provide an 8,000 Hz polling fee, however the BlackWidow is dearer and you’ll most likely discover the Huntsman at a reduction for its age.

I nonetheless assume the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional is definitely worth the cash, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly not an apparent alternative.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional verdict

I’m very impressed with the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional and I can say that it is among the finest gaming keyboards I’ve used. It is a large step up from the BlackWidow V3 Professional, though it compromises on wi-fi performance. However when the result’s straightforward to make use of, feels comfy, feels very responsive, and provides all kinds of customization choices, it is onerous to complain an excessive amount of about this tradeoff.

It is a highly effective gaming keyboard backed by an 8,000Hz polling fee, a helpful set of additional keys, and a ravishing design that appears nice in your desk. Devoted macro keys and Razer Command Dial make it a flexible possibility for players and extra. Nonetheless, I’d nonetheless prefer to see an optical swap possibility and different shade designs. Should you can justify this price, this new keyboard is heartily beneficial.

Professionals:

• Wonderful versatility and customization
• Stable construct high quality
• Sturdy function set together with macro keys
• Comfy wrist help

Cons:

• No optical swap
• Removes earlier model’s wi-fi connection
• Costly