Verdict
The Razer BlackWidow V4 75 % is a good enthusiast - facing mechanical keyboard . It ’s well - build up and provide a rattling typing experience with Razer ’s Orange switch while also feature sound acoustics , vivacious RGB inflammation and near software integration . compare to some of the competition though , it is quite expensive .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
It seems another mainstream keyboard manufacturer has finally latch onto the burgeoning popularity of the custom keyboard craze that has swept the world in the last few year . Enter the Razer BlackWidow V4 75 % .
Much like with theAsus ROG Azothearlier this twelvemonth , the BlackWidow V4 75 % is Razer ’s first in full - flight fancier - class keyboard , with plenty of gamy - level accoutrements conflate with the classic design flair that Razer is know for .
At £ 189.99/$189.99 , it sits well amongst the competitor , and if thing are executed correctly , we may well be looking at one of thebest mechanically skillful keyboardsmoney can buy today . Let ’s take a closer look .
Design
The BlackWidow V4 75 % is a thoroughly - looking keyboard and a well - made one too , with an aluminium outer case and textured plastic underside . There ’s no pack of cards flex in its chassis , and while it may not be as arduous as the machined physical body of theKeychron Q1 Pro , the BlackWidow V4 75 % feels excellent .
The layout present here is like to other enthusiast - spirit level ‘ boards I ’ve used in the past , with a comfy and operable 75 % layout . This render you with most of the benefit of a TKL keyboard in a somewhat squished - up organization to provide extra desk space . It ’s a layout that has become a raft more democratic in recent prison term and is probably the minuscule one that makes horse sense for a set of people who want to retain most of their keyboard ’s functionality while give themselves more real landed estate .
Intriguingly though , as much as the fundamental layout constitutes a 75 % choice , Razer ’s decision to opt for an ‘ International US ’ ISO configuration does n’t seem to make much sense . An ISO layout is more traditionally found in Europe , with consecrate speech variants and symbols for a respective country , while an ‘ International English ’ layout more traditionally take the shape of an ANSI US English layout keyboard . What Razer has done here is shuffle the two and create a layout I have n’t find before . with the common routine symbols for an ANSI layout keyboard with a larger Enter key . It may be a small thing , but for some , it may well get quite confusing .
For the price , however , I ’m a little underwhelmed at the pick of keycaps that Razer has opted for with the BlackWidow V4 75%.On most of their pricier keyboard , include a few in the BlackWidow line , Razer utilises textured PBT keycaps , which are more durable than the more commonly find ABS charge card on cheaper option . What seems unpaired therefore is why the BlackWidow V4 75 % make habit of doubleshot ABS keycaps . mayhap I ’m nitpick a little , but for a near £ 200 enthusiast - level keyboard , PBT would have been a nicer touch . On the positive side , the keycaps themselves feel fairish under finger and are comfy to use .
As for any additional bit , the BlackWidow V4 75 % does n’t feature any fancy displays in its top right corner , and instead opts for a reasonably tactile but small mass roller and two larger button for controlling media playback . As well as this , the BlackWidow V4 75 % features a wristrest that attach to the front of the keyboard magnetically . It ’s the common plush leatherette social occasion that Razer has bundled with keyboards in the past and feels pleasant to apply .
Connectivity around the back is uncomplicated , as the BlackWidow V4 75%is fully cable , and connects via a USB - C to USB - A detachable cablegram . The USB - cytosine end is sunken into the chassis of the ‘ dining table , and is especially secure . The addition of a braided cable is also a nice touch , and it ’s also of a reasonable duration if your PC is a minuscule way aside .
As for its packaging , the BlackWidow V4 75 % amount in a composition board box , although the keyboard and wristrest come in thin plastic bags . This is most unusual for Razer , given their outbound commitment to sustainability , and is quite a pity .
Performance
On the whole , Razer ’s keyboards in the yesteryear have been reasonable to typecast on with most of the more conventional alternative I ’ve used shipping with their clicky Green switch . The BlackWidow V4 75 % buck this trend , alternatively opting for a brand new third - gen variant of their soft - tactile Orange switches . These are most akin to MX Browns or Holy Panda switches , with some with child tactility and a 50 gibibyte weight , and were a swell performing artist when either bonk out article or engaging in some play .
The Orange switch is a overnice halfway house between more distinctive Christ Within and one-dimensional offerings and heavy tactile alternative which may be more comfortable for typing than gaming . They are n’t optical , foyer effect or otherwise , and it ’s bracing to see a fundamental switch that decease without gimmicks that wo n’t necessarily make a divergence to most hoi polloi .
They also come pre - lubricated , which means they ’ve had a small-scale tap of lubricant on the shank , switch housing and elsewhere inside in the name of a suave keystroke . The idea of lubricating switches is becoming more tied with the modern mechanical keyboard spare-time activity , and while I ’m not necessarily the biggest lover of the idea , it works to the Oranges ’ advantage by offering a smooth keystroke that ’s nicely interrupted by the soft tactile bump halfway down the key stroke .
If these switches are n’t to your taste though , then the BlackWidow V4 75 % is live - swappable , mean you could trade the switches out at will without the fiddly task of desoldering the old ones and resoldering in new switches . For this design , Razer also sent some of the common clicky Green switches in a small corner , and switch them over into the BlackWidow V4 75 % was as easy as taking the keycap off with the bundled keycap and switching puller , doing the same with a electrical switch , press the new switch down into spot , and reattaching the keycap . It ’s a wonderfully simple operation , and can make all the difference to how a keyboard feels .
The BlackWidow V4 75 % is a gasket - climb keyboard . like a lot of other enthusiast - spirit level option , although the spring that it allow for on some keyboard is n’t as large on Razer ’s option . I do n’t mind that want of bounciness , however , as the more solid typewriting experience felt great . The acoustic of the BlackWidow V4 75 % are also excellent with no rattling or event Ping River thanks to a wide-cut regalia of froth inside and a tape - modded PCB .
However , as much as this is a keyboard that you recall would be design to be fiddled with and open up for all manner of crazy modifications , Razer thinks otherwise . Any form of issue that come up as presently as you get to the keyboard nothingness the warrant , which leaves quite a sour taste sensation in demarcation to the freedom that the mechanical keyboard hobby has become make out for .
out of doors of the common mechanical keyboard features , this is a Razer keyboard after all , and they could n’t go forth it untouched from their madness . To this end , the BlackWidow V4 75 % features an 8000Hz polling rate , meaning it report input 8 times quicker than more conventional keyboard with their 1000Hz polling pace . For a super powerful gaming keyboard that ’s going to be used by pro , I can understand its inclusion , but it seems baffling as to why Razer has bundled it here .
Software and Lighting
The BlackWidow V4 75 % ’s RGB lighting is distinctive Razer . In other words , it ’s shiny and colorful without being over the top . The subtle under - glow on the side of the keyboard is a welcome addition , almost take care like the atomic number 10 on a tune - up JDM fomite in a want For Speed claim . All keys are lit equally , and it looks fantastical .
Razer ’s Synapse suite is the same as common , offering encompassing customisation for the Chroma RGB light with per - key backlighting and remapping of keys . It ’s in Synapse where you could also turn on the zanily high polling rate if you want to . Everything is salute neatly , although it sometimes can take an awfully long metre to stretch .
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Should you buy it?
The BlackWidow V4 75 % is a nice halfway firm between the world of custom keyboards and more traditionally gamer - face selection with a nice portmanteau of enthusiast - horizontal surface features and Razer ’s usual flair .
If you ’re more of a hardcore fancier , you might recover the BlackWidow V4 75 % to be a piffling modification , given Razer ’s warrant posture , and the fact a lot of work has been done for you/
Final Thoughts
For their effort at a more enthusiast - level keyboard , I ’m impressed with the Razer BlackWidow V4 75 % . It ’s a solid all - round choice with a well - made aluminium pillowcase , reasonable keycaps and additional features such as medium controls and a magnetic wrist rest are welcome add-on .
It ’s perhaps in spite of appearance that counts the most here , and the BlackWidow V4 75 % excels with its indulgent tactile and satisfying Orange central switches and a modicum of foam and sound dampening inwardly to declare oneself some great acoustics and a great overall look under digit .
However , while it is a not bad first endeavor , I ca n’t aid but feel theKeychron Q1 V2orKeychron Q1 Proare better overall options for a alike price . The Q1 V2 is cheaper than the BlackWidow V4 75 % and allow for generally similar look and layout with a full machined Al case , while also offering full VIA software program support at telephone exchange of less fancy inflammation . By contrast , the Q1 Pro contribute in wireless connectivity and is usable for the same money in pre - built form as the BlackWidow V4 75 % .
Of course , tailor-make those Keychron options will then put them before of Razer ’s option in price , but then you ’re getting the keyboard you want , as opposed to what Razer , or any other manufacturer indeed , is offer . Make no mistake , I like what Razer has done with the BlackWidow V4 75 % , and it ’s a great first launching point , but when Keychron and other manufacturer are offering a similar package for a near - identical ( or crummy Leontyne Price ) , it falls a bit curt . For more choice , finger destitute to check out our list of thebest mechanical keyboardsmoney can purchase .
Trusted Score
How we test
We apply every keyboard we test for at least a week . During that time , we ’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its rate by playing a variety of different music genre , including FPS , scheme and MOBAs .
We also check each keyboard ’s software to see how wanton it is to customise and set up .
FAQs
Yes , you may changes switch on the BlackWidow V4 75 % . This is because it ’s a red-hot - swappable keyboard , and they can be take out and swapped over with the bundled switch puller .
The BlackWidow V4 75 % feature an 8000Hz polling rate , as configurable within Razer ’s Synapse software .
Full Specs
