BlackWidow V4 75% review: Razer’s first ‘custom’ board is a big step forward

Price When Reviewed

$189.99

Razer is the archetypal “gamer” model, and at current it sells dozens of various keyboards. But they’re all nicely, gamer keyboards, with a reasonably slender concentrate on that market. Aside from a brief flirtation with “office” products, 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 only a barely shrunken model of the excellent V4 Pro. But it’s way 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. 

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 have the ability to discover a higher deal, and people who desire 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 those who embrace a {custom} really feel, it’s a great compromise. 

What options does the BlackWidow V4 75% have?

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

Michael Crider/Foundry

The keyboard inherited a couple of different traits from the V4 Pro, 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 aspect in strips (however not the remaining). 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 an excellent, lengthy record at the most well-liked semi-custom keyboards, plus the present developments 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: 

• 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, it is a sizeable departure from Razer’s conventional design, whereas retaining a lot of the gamer parts it’s been increase over the previous couple of 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, inner foam, and “tape mod” — a preferred aftermarket addition that Razer has basically 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 commonplace. Razer’s made an enormous 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 easy linear switches current in most gaming keyboards. Again, that is primarily based 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 an incredibly good one for a board nonetheless very a lot aimed 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 easy because of thick, inflexible stems. It’s not as deep, resonant, or dramatic as a number of the multi-hundred-dollar builds from boutique sellers, but it surely’s a undoubtedly 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 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 a couple of factors towards 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 lots of assets into Synapse, together with cross-platform syncing of the Chroma lighting with such numerous techniques as Amazon Alexa and Phillips Hue. And as driver packages go, Synapse might be 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 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. 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 should 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 rivals on this house, and such an apparent disinclination to additional customization has to depend towards it. 

How is the BlackWidow V4 Pro 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. But if you’d like it for the latter — and I’ve to imagine that lots of Razer fans do — you received’t discover it missing. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

As with most of Razer’s current keyboards, it’s utterly customizable in Synapse, might be loaded with offline profiles in native reminiscence, and may program macros on the fly. It has 8,000Hz polling, way over 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 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 periods a breeze, and I feel some players could favor the smaller, backpack-friendly measurement (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 a fan of the “fire” preset that makes it glow like a Christmas fire. 

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 honest. 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 check it to. It additionally has aspect lighting and a pleasant wrist relaxation, and comes with a virtually similar 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 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 steel body, an OLED display, and a swap lubing equipment, even whether it is moderately 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 may’t dwell 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 aspect strips), full PBT keycaps, gasket mounting, and a full aluminum physique. All it’s lacking within the {hardware} characteristic 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 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 desire a keyboard for pure gaming prowess and a few gentle {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} aspect 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 good keyboard, and an enormous step ahead for Razer. I want it got here with PBT keycaps, and supplied an possibility 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’d like nice gaming and typing with the choice to dip your toes within the {custom} keyboard craze, or simply desire a extra premium possibility that maintains Razer’s gaming heritage.