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 components, the BlackWidow V4 75% delivers a improbable typing expertise and sufficient premium options to make it an excellent crossover keyboard for players who wish to dip a toe into the {custom} scene.

Price When Reviewed

$189.99

Razer is the archetypal “gamer” model, and at current it sells dozens of various keyboards. But they’re all properly, gamer keyboards, with a reasonably slim give attention to that market. Aside from a brief flirtation with “office” products, the corporate hasn’t engaged with the {custom}, boutique facet of the market, exemplified by manufacturers like Keychron, Drop, and Glorious. Until now. 

Going by its title alone, the BlackWidow V4 75% is only a barely shrunken model of the excellent V4 Pro. But it’s rather 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 best 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 most likely be capable of discover a higher deal, and those that need a extra premium {custom} keyboard can get a extra focused possibility for across the similar worth. But if you end up torn between gaming keyboards and people who embrace a {custom} really feel, it’s a perfect compromise. 

What options does the BlackWidow V4 75% have?

Physically, the V4 appears much like a variety 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 best facet of the full-sized V4 Pro, chopping down the pronounced media controls to only Mute and Play/Pause. Other than that, it’s a well-recognized format (solely the best Shift secret’s shortened) in Razer’s typical jet black. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The keyboard inherited just a few different traits from the V4 Pro, together with a soft, cozy wrist relaxation that weakly attaches to the principle board by way of 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 possibility, one thing Razer dropped from the V3 series, 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 great, lengthy listing at the most well-liked semi-custom keyboards, plus the present developments on keyboard communities. The result’s a laundry listing of premium and {custom} options. And right here it’s, as a result of I don’t wish to bore you: 

• Hot-swap swap sockets 
• Aluminum physique (prime and two sides)  
• Gasket mount 
• PCB and physique foam 
• PCB “tape mod” layer
• FR4 (plastic-style) plate
• Lubricated stabilizers 
• User-accessible case…type of 

So yeah, this can be a sizeable departure from Razer’s conventional design, whereas preserving a lot of the gamer parts it’s been build up over the previous few years. The hot-swap possibility 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, inside foam, and “tape mod” — a preferred aftermarket addition that Razer has basically industrialized — are all geared 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 normal. Razer’s made a giant 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, that is based mostly on suggestions from the bigger neighborhood. 

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 surprisingly good one for a board nonetheless very a lot geared toward players. The speedy enchancment over different Razer boards, even the costliest 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 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, nevertheless it’s a undoubtedly a leg up on nearly any gaming-branded board on the market. If it weren’t for the Razer title and advertising, I’d say this board is healthier for typing than for gaming. 

Further studying: See our roundup of the best mechanical keyboards to find out about competing merchandise.

All that being stated, it’s received just a few factors in opposition to it versus a extra centered “custom” board just like the GMMK Pro or the Keychron Q1. First, it’s a plastic physique — the steel is just 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 ft. That makes it considerably lighter than different 75% boards with all steel 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 variety of sources into Synapse, together with cross-platform syncing of the Chroma lighting with such various techniques as Amazon Alexa and Phillips Hue. And as driver applications go, Synapse might be the most effective available on the market. 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} passion crowd, with a physique that may be disassembled by eradicating simply six normal Philips-head screws. And certainly, that 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 the event 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 area, 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 stated beforehand, the superb tactile Orange V3 switches virtually 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 variety of Razer fanatics do — you gained’t discover it missing. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

As with most of Razer’s current keyboards, it’s fully customizable in Synapse, could be loaded with offline profiles in native reminiscence, and might program macros on the fly. It has 8,000Hz polling, excess of any human being can truly make use of, and fast “game modes” disable the Windows button, Alt-Tab, and Alt-F4. Though as soon as once more there are just 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 believe some players might want 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 facet strips — I’m a fan of the “fire” preset that makes it glow like a Christmas fire. 

How does the BlackWidow V4 Pro evaluate 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 evaluate 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 check 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, Glorious asks $350. Razer’s a transparent and dramatic winner when it comes to worth, and relying in your tastes, its extra gaming-focused software program and far quicker polling might 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 steel body, an OLED display, and a swap lubing equipment, even whether it is reasonably barebones. But I discovered the display a poor substitute for the standard dial with little or no sensible use, and Asus’ gaming software program is abysmal. Razer’s a transparent winner until you’ll be able to’t reside with out high-speed wi-fi. 

Which brings up essentially the most fascinating comparability: the Keychron Q1. I reviewed the wireless Pro version of this board, and it remains our top overall pick for pure mechanical keyboards, however the wired-only board is a extra direct match for Razer right here. At $189 for the fully assembled knob version, 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 listing is Razer’s 8,000Hz polling, the built-in “tape mod,” and that very soft wrist relaxation…however Keychron has chosen to make its keyboards programmable with VIA and QMK. And maybe extra pertinently, there’s no guarantee problem only for opening it up, and comes with an Allen wrench included for simply that function. 

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 will probably be happier with the BlackWidow V4 75%, even with its considerably low-rent ABS keycaps and lighter plastic physique. Those who 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.

All rambling comparisons apart, the BlackWidow V4 75% is a superb keyboard, and an enormous step ahead for Razer. I want it got here with PBT keycaps, and supplied an possibility for programming apart from Synapse. But as a gaming keyboard it’s extremely snug and satisfying to make use of. It’s a superb 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 possibility that maintains Razer’s gaming heritage.