Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Thin profile with cozy keys
- Nice quantity wheel
- Many connection choices
Cons
- Too costly
- No wrist relaxation
- Default mute button is hard
Our Verdict
From the smooth profile to the snug keys, the Deathstalker V2 has quite a bit to supply, however the price ticket is simply too darn excessive.
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 massive, thicc (notice the 2 Cs!) MX-style switches, it seems to be 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 sequence 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brand new Deathstalker Pro makes use of low-profile mechanical switches to land someplace between the brand new and the outdated.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 all 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 overall 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 case 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 most costly of a trio of new boards. It is available in the identical full-size kind 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 favor 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 aspect and backside.
Michael Crider/IDG
Razer’s low-profile switches are slightly stiff in comparison with the bigger MX-style keys with longer key journey, but it surely’s straightforward sufficient to get used to them. They’re rather more snug than the super-skinny Ultra Cherry Low Profile seen on the marginally dearer Corsair K100 Air and roughly corresponding to the Kailh Choc keys which were in the marketplace for some time. If you’re used to any mechanical board (or a extremely good laptop computer keyboard), you’ll really feel proper at dwelling.
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 ft 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 case you want one thing a bit extra compact.
Deathstalker V2 Pro: Thin is In
The most evident addition on the highest of the board is the cozy, extra-wide quantity scroll wheel on the far proper. This has change into one thing of a normal in premium designs, but it surely’s well-implemented right here: a stable metallic wheel with cozy kerning permits you to scroll confidently. It’s slightly 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 ok, and straightforward to differentiate.
Deathstalker V2 Pro versus full-height mechanical keyboard
Michael Crider/IDG
The aluminum high extends to the edges 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 couple 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 gadget buttons, a useful change from tucking that characteristic within the operate layer.
Michael Crider/IDG
It’s a wise structure. While I favor slightly extra key journey, I used to be capable of transition to the Deathstalker on my regular video games with no bother. Again, it was much more snug than the Corsair Okay100 Air on the acute finish of the thinness meter. Battery life was a few week of normal use (together with hours of typing for work each day) with the lights on medium. If you possibly can 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 change into easier and extra simple through the years, a much-appreciated change. I additionally like the way you don’t need to log in to make adjustments, despite the fact that Synapse makes it actually clear that it needs you to. The fast hyperlinks for reprogramming the scroll wheel are useful — by default, you possibly can set it to manage customary quantity, mic quantity, customary mouse-style scrolling, web page zoom, gadget brightness, or scroll via Windows apps.
Michael Crider/IDG
Otherwise the software program is its regular, 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 with a purpose to get that programming to stay, it’s good to hold Synapse put in and operating. I’ve seen related 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 means round this limitation, as a result of in the intervening time it seems 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 worth, after all. I notice that there are loads 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 characteristic 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, unbelievable 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 related choices just like the Logitech G915, the Deathstalker is costly. Compared to funds choices from Redragon and Keychron, it’s exorbitant. It’s a pleasant board if you would like 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.