Price When Reviewed

$249.99

Best Prices Today: Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro keyboard

$249.00

$249.99

After a decade or extra of gaming keyboards being synonymous with large, thicc (be aware the 2 Cs!) MX-style switches, it appears as if skinny is in as soon as once more. Razer’s right here to fulfill the development with an replace to its Deathstalker line. Previously a collection of extremely–smooth, ultra-slim boards, the brand new Deathstalker Pro makes use of low-profile mechanical switches to land someplace between the brand new and the outdated. 

Razer has put nearly each one in every of its premium options into this design, with the notable exception of its analog switches, which haven’t gotten the miniaturization therapy but. Beyond that, it’s the final gaming goodness you’re acquainted with, plus dual-channel wi-fi, a snazzy quantity wheel, and a devoted media button. 

Is that sufficient for a $250 keyboard? Frankly, no. But in the event you really feel like treating your self (or a gamer present recipient), it’ll be a pleasant change of tempo from the chunky establishment. 

Deathstalker V2 Pro: Features 

The Deathstalker V2 Pro is the largest and costliest of a trio of new boards. It is available in the identical full-size type issue, sans wi-fi powers, or in a extra compact wi-fi and tenkeyless design. Beyond that you just get the selection between clicky or linear switches — most avid gamers will desire the latter. It is available in any shade you need, as long as you need black (white coming ultimately!), however Razer’s typical per-key RGB Chroma lighting is current, sans any embellishment on the facet and backside. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Razer’s low-profile switches are just a little stiff in comparison with the bigger MX-style keys with longer key journey, nevertheless it’s straightforward sufficient to get used to them. They’re far more snug than the super-skinny Ultra Cherry Low Profile seen on the marginally costlier Corsair K100 Air and roughly akin to the Kailh Choc keys which were in the marketplace for some time. If you’re used to any mechanical board (or a very good laptop computer keyboard), you’ll really feel proper at house. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Those low-profile keys make the keyboard notably extra smooth than Razer’s typical designs. With a top of only one inch on the thickest (about 1.75″ with the dual-stage toes absolutely prolonged), it’s straightforward to toss in a bag…as long as your bag can accommodate its full-size size of a tad over 17 inches. Go for the TKL design in the event you want one thing a bit extra compact. 

Deathstalker V2 Pro: Thin is In

The most blatant addition on the highest of the board is the cozy, extra-wide quantity scroll wheel on the far proper. This has grow to be one thing of a regular in premium designs, nevertheless it’s well-implemented right here: a stable steel wheel with cozy kerning permits you to scroll confidently. It’s just a little difficult to get the downward push (a la a gamepad joystick) to set quantity to mute by default — I usually discovered myself scrolling a bit after urgent and thus canceling the mute motion. The play/pause button to the left is okay, and straightforward to tell apart. 

Michael Crider/IDG

The aluminum prime extends to the perimeters earlier than transitioning to a weight-saving plastic backside. On the highest edge, you’ll discover a energy toggle that switches between Bluetooth and a pair of.4GHz wi-fi (with 1000Hz, 1ms “HyperSpeed” tech, actually too quick for me to measure) when not within the “off” place. There are additionally three devoted machine buttons, a useful change from tucking that function within the operate layer. 

Michael Crider/IDG

It’s a sensible format. While I desire just a little extra key journey, I used to be in a position to transition to the Deathstalker on my standard video games with no hassle. Again, it was much more snug than the Corsair K100 Air on the intense finish of the thinness meter. Battery life was a couple of week of normal use (together with hours of typing for work daily) with the lights on medium. If you may stay with out them, Razer claims nearly 200 hours of use, a determine I’ve no motive to doubt. 

Deathstalker V2 Pro: Software 

Razer’s Synapse driver system has grow to be easier and extra easy through the years, a much-appreciated change. I additionally like the way you don’t need to log in to make adjustments, although Synapse makes it actually clear that it desires you to. The fast hyperlinks for reprogramming the scroll wheel are useful — by default, you may set it to manage normal quantity, mic quantity, normal mouse-style scrolling, web page zoom, machine brightness, or scroll by means of Windows apps. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Otherwise the software program is its standard, serviceable self, with an enormous quantity of lighting and device-linking choices. You additionally get the selection to set time-outs for lighting and the wi-fi power-saving mode, which takes a second to wake the keyboard up. 

Unfortunately to be able to get that programming to stay, it’s essential to maintain Synapse put in and operating. I’ve seen comparable limitations on the built-in profiles earlier than (see additionally left and proper scrolling on Razer mice). It’d be good if Razer might discover a manner round this limitation, as a result of in the mean time it appears like an intentional omission to maintain Synapse round. 

Deathstalker V2 Pro: Still Too Pricey 

Aside from only one software program limitation and a barely finicky mute button — which you’ll simply program round — it’s onerous to seek out any low factors for the Deathstalker. Except for the $250 value, in fact. I understand that there are a whole lot of $200+ keyboards on the market, however that doesn’t imply any of them are pretty priced, and the Deathstalker’s low-profile keys aren’t a function that calls for such a premium. 

Michael Crider/IDG

To justify this expense, the keyboard would wish one thing with extra oomph in its spec sheet. More dramatic lighting, unimaginable battery life, the flexibility to rework and roll out, heck, I’d even take a wrist relaxation. There’s a notable lack of 1, regardless of some very cozy Razer wrist rests included in keyboards like the Huntsman and Blackwidow (the latter of which is cheaper than the Deathstalker). 

Compared to comparable choices just like the Logitech G915, the Deathstalker is expensive. Compared to funds choices from Redragon and Keychron, it’s exorbitant. It’s a pleasant board if you need one thing sleeker than regular and also you’re already invested in Razer’s ecosystem. But for normal avid gamers, it’s simply too costly to suggest.