At a look
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Excellent switches
- Hot-swap sockets
- Comfy wrist relaxation
- “Thocky” typing really feel
Cons
- ABS keycaps
- Synapse software program solely
- Warranty void if opened
Our Verdict
While not deviating an excessive amount of from Razer’s method, the BlackWidow V4 75% delivers a incredible typing expertise and sufficient premium options to make it a nice crossover keyboard for players who need to dip a toe into the {custom} scene.
Best Prices Today: Razer BlackWidow V4 75% keyboard
Razer is the archetypal “gamer” model, and at current it sells dozens of various keyboards. But they’re all effectively, gamer keyboards, with a pretty slim concentrate on that market. Aside from a transient flirtation with “office” merchandise, the corporate hasn’t engaged with the {custom}, boutique aspect of the market, exemplified by manufacturers like Keychron, Drop, and Glorious. Until now.
Going by its identify alone, the BlackWidow V4 75% is simply a barely shrunken model of the superb V4 Pro. But it’s way more than that. As Razer’s first keyboard with hot-swap switches, and crammed to bursting with high-quality elements and options, it bridges the hole between gamer and {custom} keyboards.
Further studying: See our roundup of the most effective gaming keyboards to find out about competing merchandise.
At an inherently middle-ground design, the V4 75% isn’t good. Those wanting a “pure” gaming expertise will in all probability have the ability to discover a higher deal, and those that need a extra premium {custom} keyboard can get a extra focused choice for across the identical value. But if you end up torn between gaming keyboards and people who embrace a {custom} really feel, it’s a super compromise.
What options does the BlackWidow V4 75% have?
Physically, the V4 appears much like a 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 correct aspect of the full-sized V4 Pro, chopping down the pronounced media controls to only Mute and Play/Pause. Other than that, it’s a acquainted structure (solely the correct Shift key is shortened) in Razer’s typical jet black.
Michael Crider/Foundry
The keyboard inherited a few different traits from the V4 Pro, together with a comfortable, comfortable wrist relaxation that weakly attaches to the principle board through magnets, and RGB lighting that extends to the left and proper aspect 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 a substitute of the extra premium PBT.
Michael Crider/Foundry
The remainder of the design is all new. Razer took a good, lengthy listing at the preferred semi-custom keyboards, plus the present traits on keyboard communities. The consequence is a laundry listing of premium and {custom} options. And right here it is, as a result of I don’t need to bore you:
- Hot-swap swap sockets
- Aluminum physique (high and two sides)
- Gasket mount
- PCB and physique foam
- PCB “tape mod” layer
- FR4 (plastic-style) plate
- Lubricated stabilizers
- User-accessible case…kind of
So yeah, this is a sizeable departure from Razer’s conventional design, whereas protecting many of the gamer parts it’s been build up over the previous few years. The hot-swap choice is one thing that’s a pure plus for just about anyone, until you need uncommon and proprietary optical switches, as seen on the Huntsman line. The gasket mount, inner foam, and “tape mod” — a widespread aftermarket addition that Razer has primarily industrialized — are all aimed toward making the typing “feel” extra premium.
Michael Crider/Foundry
But that’s solely half of the equation. The different half is the newly designed “Razer Orange V3” switches that come customary. Razer’s made a big to-do about how a lot enchancment has been remodeled earlier designs, and apparently, it’s chosen tactile switches (small bump, no click on) over the completely clean linear switches current in most gaming keyboards. Again, this is based mostly on suggestions from the bigger group.
How does it really feel to kind on the BlackWidow V4 75%?
So what has all this work achieved when it comes to typing and gaming? Speaking as a mechanical keyboard nut, I’d say it’s made a board that has a surprisingly good typing expertise — and a shockingly good one for a board nonetheless very a lot aimed toward players. The rapid enchancment over different Razer boards, even the most costly ones within the line, is instantly 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 pastime. The slight bump is noticeable, however very clean due to thick, inflexible stems. It’s not as deep, resonant, or dramatic as among the multi-hundred-dollar builds from boutique sellers, however it’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, I’d say this board is higher for typing than for gaming.
Further studying: See our roundup of the most effective mechanical keyboards to find out about competing merchandise.
All that being mentioned, it’s received a few factors in opposition to it versus a extra targeted “custom” board just like the GMMK Pro or the Keychron Q1. First, it’s a plastic physique — the metallic is solely on the highest deck, plus the entrance and rear sides. You can 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 toes. 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 a substitute of the standardized, multiplatform QMK or VIA for programming. It’s comprehensible — Razer has sunk a lot of assets into Synapse, together with cross-platform syncing of the Chroma lighting with such various methods as Amazon Alexa and Phillips Hue. And as driver applications go, Synapse is in all probability the most effective in the marketplace. But 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 interact with the {custom} pastime crowd, with a physique that may be disassembled by eradicating simply six customary Philips-head screws. And certainly, this is the case. But the screw proper beneath the USB cable has a telltale guarantee sticker overlaying it. A dive into the consumer guide 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 depend in opposition to it.
How is the BlackWidow V4 Pro for gaming?
As I mentioned beforehand, the superb tactile Orange V3 switches nearly make the BlackWidow V4 75% extra suited to typing than to gaming. But if you need it for the latter — and I’ve to imagine that a lot of Razer fans do — you gained’t discover it missing.
Michael Crider/Foundry
As with most of Razer’s current keyboards, it’s utterly customizable in Synapse, could be loaded with offline profiles in native reminiscence, and may program macros on the fly. It has 8,000Hz polling, excess of any human being can really make use of, and fast “game modes” disable the Windows button, Alt-Tab, and Alt-F4. Though as soon as once more there are a few buttons which might be 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 periods a breeze, and I feel some players could favor the smaller, backpack-friendly dimension (to not point out the lighter plastic physique) versus the full-sized V4 Pro. And sure, the lighting does look very fairly, particularly with the aspect strips — I’m keen on the “fire” preset that makes it glow like a Christmas hearth.
How does the BlackWidow V4 Pro examine for worth?
Here’s the place issues get fascinating for the BlackWidow V4 75%. At $190, it’s $40 lower than the a lot bigger, heavier V4 Pro. And contemplating all of the engineering and further elements that went into the design, I’d say that’s greater than truthful. But how does it examine to comparable keyboards from the competitors?
As a wired, gaming-focused 75% board that swings for the “custom” crowd, I’d say the Glorious GMMK Pro is the closest mannequin to match it to. It additionally has aspect lighting and a good wrist relaxation, and comes with a practically similar structure and set of options, minus the “tape mod,” however with a {custom} break-away cable and a full aluminum physique. For these luxuries, Glorious asks $350. Razer’s a clear and dramatic winner when it comes to worth, and relying in your tastes, its extra gaming-focused software program and far sooner 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 swap lubing package, even when it is quite barebones. But I discovered the display a poor alternative for a customary dial with little or no sensible use, and Asus’ gaming software program is abysmal. Razer’s a clear winner until you may’t reside with out high-speed wi-fi.
Which brings up probably the most fascinating comparability: the Keychron Q1. I reviewed the wi-fi Pro model of this board, and it stays our high general choose for pure mechanical keyboards, however the wired-only board is a extra direct match for Razer right here. At $189 for the absolutely assembled knob model, it has a slight benefit in value, comes with RGB lighting (sans aspect strips), full PBT keycaps, gasket mounting, and a full aluminum physique. All it’s lacking within the {hardware} characteristic listing 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 subject only for opening it up, and comes with an Allen wrench included for simply that goal.
Michael Crider/Foundry
I’m ready to name this a wash. Those who need a keyboard for pure gaming prowess and a few mild {custom} choices can be happier with the BlackWidow V4 75%, even with its considerably low-rent ABS keycaps and lighter plastic physique. Those who need to go all-out on the {custom} aspect of issues will get extra bang for his or her buck with the Keychron, which is nonetheless completely serviceable for gaming if not so razor- laser-focused on it.
All rambling comparisons apart, the BlackWidow V4 75% is a nice keyboard, and a big step forward for Razer. I want it got here with PBT keycaps, and supplied an choice for programming except for Synapse. But as a gaming keyboard it’s extremely snug and satisfying to make use of. It’s a wonderful alternative if you need nice gaming and typing with the choice to dip your toes within the {custom} keyboard craze, or simply need a extra premium choice that maintains Razer’s gaming heritage.
…. to be continued
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