At a look
Skilled’s Score
Professionals
- Glorious switches
- Scorching-swap sockets
- Comfortable wrist relaxation
- “Thocky” typing really feel
Cons
- ABS keycaps
- Synapse software program solely
- Guarantee void if opened
Our Verdict
Whereas not deviating an excessive amount of from Razer’s method, the BlackWidow V4 75% delivers a improbable typing expertise and sufficient premium options to make it an excellent crossover keyboard for avid gamers who wish to dip a toe into the {custom} scene.
Value When Reviewed
$189.99
Razer is the archetypal “gamer” model, and at current it sells dozens of various keyboards. However they’re all effectively, gamer keyboards, with a reasonably slim concentrate on that market. Apart from a quick flirtation with “workplace” merchandise, the corporate hasn’t engaged with the {custom}, boutique facet of the market, exemplified by manufacturers like Keychron, Drop, and Superb. Till now.
Going by its identify alone, the BlackWidow V4 75% is only a barely shrunken model of the superb V4 Professional. However it’s far more than that. As Razer’s first keyboard with hot-swap switches, and stuffed to bursting with high-quality elements and options, it bridges the hole between gamer and {custom} keyboards.
Additional studying: See our roundup of the very best gaming keyboards to study competing merchandise.
At an inherently middle-ground design, the V4 75% isn’t good. These wanting a “pure” gaming expertise will most likely be capable to discover a higher deal, and people who desire a extra premium {custom} keyboard can get a extra focused choice for across the identical worth. But when you end up torn between gaming keyboards and people who embrace a {custom} really feel, it’s a great compromise.
What options does the BlackWidow V4 75% have?
Bodily, the V4 appears much like a whole lot of 75% keyboards, just like the Asus ROG Azoth or the Keychron Q1. It swaps out the extra typical dial for a horizontal one, a shortened model of the one on the fitting facet of the full-sized V4 Professional, chopping down the pronounced media controls to simply Mute and Play/Pause. Aside from that, it’s a well-known format (solely the fitting Shift secret’s shortened) in Razer’s typical jet black.
If you end up torn between gaming keyboards and people who embrace a {custom} really feel, the BlackWidow V4 75% a great compromise.
Michael Crider/Foundry
The keyboard inherited a couple of different traits from the V4 Professional, together with a comfortable, cozy wrist relaxation that weakly attaches to the primary board through magnets, and RGB lighting that extends to the left and proper facet in strips (however not the remainder). It’s additionally wired, with no wi-fi choice, one thing Razer dropped from the V3 sequence, and nonetheless comes with ABS plastic keycaps as an alternative of the extra premium PBT.
Michael Crider/Foundry
The remainder of the design is all new. Razer took a very good, lengthy record at the preferred semi-custom keyboards, plus the present tendencies on keyboard communities. The result’s a laundry record of premium and {custom} options. And right here it’s, as a result of I don’t wish to bore you:
- Scorching-swap change sockets
- Aluminum physique (high and two sides)
- Gasket mount
- PCB and physique foam
- PCB “tape mod” layer
- FR4 (plastic-style) plate
- Lubricated stabilizers
- Person-accessible case…type of
So yeah, this can be a sizeable departure from Razer’s conventional design, whereas retaining many of the gamer components it’s been build up over the previous couple of years. The new-swap choice is one thing that’s a pure plus for just about anyone, except you need uncommon and proprietary optical switches, as seen on the Huntsman line. The gasket mount, inside foam, and “tape mod” — a well-liked aftermarket addition that Razer has basically industrialized — are all geared toward making the typing “really feel” extra premium.
Michael Crider/Foundry
However that’s solely half of the equation. The opposite half is the newly designed “Razer Orange V3” switches that come commonplace. Razer’s made a giant to-do about how a lot enchancment has been remodeled earlier designs, and curiously, it’s chosen tactile switches (small bump, no click on) over the completely clean linear switches current in most gaming keyboards. Once more, that is primarily based on suggestions from the bigger neighborhood.
How does it really feel to sort on the BlackWidow V4 75%?
So what has all this work achieved by way of typing and gaming? Talking as a mechanical keyboard nut, I’d say it’s made a board that has a surprisingly good typing expertise — and a surprisingly good one for a board nonetheless very a lot geared toward avid gamers. The instant enchancment over different Razer boards, even the costliest ones within the line, is straight away obvious.
Michael Crider/Foundry
The aluminum deck mixed with the froth and tape mod make the switches considerably “thocky,” to make use of the jargon of the mech passion. The slight bump is noticeable, however very clean due to thick, inflexible stems. It’s not as deep, resonant, or dramatic as a few of the multi-hundred-dollar builds from boutique sellers, but it surely’s a positively a leg up on nearly any gaming-branded board on the market. If it weren’t for the Razer identify and advertising and marketing, I’d say this board is best for typing than for gaming.
Additional studying: See our roundup of the very best mechanical keyboards to study competing merchandise.
All that being stated, it’s bought a couple of factors towards it versus a extra centered “{custom}” board just like the GMMK Professional or the Keychron Q1. First, it’s a plastic physique — the metallic is barely on the highest deck, plus the entrance and rear sides. You may see the plastic (full with “FOR GAMERS, BY GAMERS” repeating textual content, in case you’ve forgotten) on the underside, together with the double-stage ft. That makes it considerably lighter than different 75% boards with all metallic our bodies.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Second, Razer has chosen to stay with its Synapse software program as an alternative of the standardized, multiplatform QMK or VIA for programming. It’s comprehensible — Razer has sunk a whole lot of sources into Synapse, together with cross-platform syncing of the Chroma lighting with such numerous methods as Amazon Alexa and Phillips Hue. And as driver applications go, Synapse might be the very best in the marketplace. However purists will nonetheless resent having to make use of proprietary software program.
Michael Crider/Foundry
Lastly, Razer PR emphasised to me that the BlackWidow V4 75% was made to have interaction with the {custom} passion crowd, with a physique that may be disassembled by eradicating simply six commonplace Philips-head screws. And certainly, that is the case. However the screw proper beneath the USB cable has a telltale guarantee sticker overlaying it. A dive into the consumer handbook confirms that, certainly, your guarantee is void in case you open up the keyboard, even when no additional modifications are made. That’s removed from the mod-friendly picture cultivated by a few of Razer’s opponents on this house, and such an apparent disinclination to additional customization has to rely towards it.
How is the BlackWidow V4 Professional for gaming?
As I stated beforehand, the superb tactile Orange V3 switches nearly make the BlackWidow V4 75% extra suited to typing than to gaming. However in order for you it for the latter — and I’ve to imagine that a whole lot of Razer fans do — you gained’t discover it missing.
Michael Crider/Foundry
As with most of Razer’s latest keyboards, it’s fully customizable in Synapse, will be loaded with offline profiles in native reminiscence, and might program macros on the fly. It has 8,000Hz polling, way over any human being can really make use of, and fast “sport modes” disable the Home windows button, Alt-Tab, and Alt-F4. Although as soon as once more there are a couple of buttons which are off-limits for programming, together with Win, Fn, and the play/pause button.
Michael Crider/Foundry
The V4’s super-comfy wrist relaxation makes prolonged gaming classes a breeze, and I believe some avid gamers could want the smaller, backpack-friendly dimension (to not point out the lighter plastic physique) versus the full-sized V4 Professional. And sure, the lighting does look very fairly, particularly with the facet strips — I’m keen on the “fireplace” preset that makes it glow like a Christmas hearth.
How does the BlackWidow V4 Professional examine for worth?
Right here’s the place issues get attention-grabbing for the BlackWidow V4 75%. At $190, it’s $40 lower than the a lot bigger, heavier V4 Professional. And contemplating all of the engineering and additional elements that went into the design, I’d say that’s greater than honest. However how does it examine to related keyboards from the competitors?
As a wired, gaming-focused 75% board that swings for the “{custom}” crowd, I’d say the Superb GMMK Professional is the closest mannequin to match it to. It additionally has facet lighting and a pleasant wrist relaxation, and comes with a virtually an identical format and set of options, minus the “tape mod,” however with a {custom} break-away cable and a full aluminum physique. For these luxuries, Superb asks $350. Razer’s a transparent and dramatic winner by way of worth, and relying in your tastes, its extra gaming-focused software program and far quicker polling could make it an outright winner anyway.
Michael Crider/Foundry
The V4 75% additionally competes with the Asus ROG Azoth, which incorporates wi-fi capabilities, a full metallic body, an OLED display, and a change lubing package, even whether it is fairly barebones. However I discovered the display a poor alternative for the standard dial with little or no sensible use, and Asus’ gaming software program is abysmal. Razer’s a transparent winner except you may’t stay with out high-speed wi-fi.
Which brings up essentially the most attention-grabbing comparability: the Keychron Q1. I reviewed the wi-fi Professional model of this board, and it stays our high general decide for pure mechanical keyboards, however the wired-only board is a extra direct match for Razer right here. At $189 for the totally assembled knob model, it has a slight benefit in worth, comes with RGB lighting (sans facet strips), full PBT keycaps, gasket mounting, and a full aluminum physique. All it’s lacking within the {hardware} function record is Razer’s 8,000Hz polling, the built-in “tape mod,” and that very comfortable wrist relaxation…however Keychron has chosen to make its keyboards programmable with VIA and QMK. And maybe extra pertinently, there’s no guarantee situation only for opening it up, and comes with an Allen wrench included for simply that goal.
Razer BlackWidow V4 75%, left, and Keychron Q1 Professional, proper
Michael Crider/Foundry
I’m ready to name this a wash. Those that desire a keyboard for pure gaming prowess and a few mild {custom} choices will likely be happier with the BlackWidow V4 75%, even with its considerably low-rent ABS keycaps and lighter plastic physique. Those that wish to go all-out on the {custom} facet of issues will get extra bang for his or her buck with the Keychron, which continues to be completely serviceable for gaming if not so razor- laser-focused on it.
The BlackWidow V4 75% is a good keyboard, and an enormous step ahead for Razer
All rambling comparisons apart, the BlackWidow V4 75% is a good keyboard, and an enormous step ahead for Razer. I want it got here with PBT keycaps, and provided an choice for programming apart from Synapse. However as a gaming keyboard it’s extremely comfy and satisfying to make use of. It’s a superb selection in order for you nice gaming and typing with the choice to dip your toes within the {custom} keyboard craze, or simply desire a extra premium choice that maintains Razer’s gaming heritage.
