Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile Gaming Keyboard Overview – The Slim Reaper

I’ll sound like a damaged file at this level, however it bears repeating that I’ve struggled to get enthusiastic about new peripherals because the years have gone on. So, I take observe when one thing really stands out or pushes tech ahead. When it involves the most effective gaming keyboards, nevertheless, issues like different kind components, magnetic switches, or in depth customization have stored me considering an area that appears so crowded with opponents. Razer had some notable improvements with the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75 I reviewed (and made a splash with the latest updates within the BlackShark V3 headset and the Deathadder V4 mouse), and now with the slimmed-down BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile, it continues its streak of placing out noteworthy revamps inside its tried-and-true product strains. Whether you go along with the compact tenkeyless model or the full-sized mannequin, they provide a efficiency and really feel that is laborious to search out from skinny kind components, making them strong keyboards all on their very own.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile – Design and Features

The BlackWidow V4 Low-Pro makes a stellar first impression out of the field. The brushed aluminum high seems to be glossy, the ultra-thin profile is a marvel to take a look at, and the density of the keyboard itself assures a sure construct high quality. Its equally skinny double-shot PBT keycaps complement the slim kind issue, not even reaching an inch in peak from the bottom to the highest of a keycap. There are nonetheless inner layers to spherical out its construct resembling plate foam and case foam for dampening, though it is expectedly not fairly as strong as a standard-profile keyboard. Considering the efficiency and options packed into the keyboard, nevertheless, it is a powerful piece of tech.

You’ll discover the wired-wireless toggle on the topside fringe of the keyboard together with the USB-C port, and beneath the plank are the toes you possibly can kick out to regulate the keyboard’s angle at six or 9 levels. There’s additionally a handy slot to retailer the two.4GHz wi-fi receiver, which is a small however good contact that provides to the board’s sensible design. The high bar above the perform row contains a programmable clickable multimedia curler that is useful, not only for adjusting quantity, however for just about something you need to set it to do. It is a bit odd to have this whole bar on the TKL mannequin for simply the curler, nevertheless, and it looks like wasted house that might’ve both been trimmed or used for added options. On the full-size model, you get particular person play/ahead/backward media buttons not less than.

Below the scroll wheel are just a few bespoke buttons – one common media button that may be programmed, one for checking battery standing, and one referred to as the “AI Prompt Master” (the full-size mannequin has a devoted Bluetooth toggle right here as effectively). The AI button feels extra like a gimmick that is solely there for chasing a pattern; it is a shortcut that pulls up the Prompt Master program window the place you punch in textual content to have it summarized by means of an AI engine, and is an instance of AI being shoehorned in anywhere doable. On the opposite hand, the battery button is a neat function highlighting battery life by means of the RGB lighting on the quantity row. It’s additionally used to shortly swap to the keyboard’s energy saving mode that considerably extends battery life.

Otherwise, the BlackWidow V4 Low-Pro is a reasonably simple keyboard that finds its footing by nailing the basics – and that revolves round its mechanical switches. You can get it with the low-profile variations of the clicky Greens, tactile Oranges, or linear Yellows. These have shorter actuation factors (1.2mm for the Greens and Yellows, 1.6mm for the Oranges) and journey distances (2.8mm for all three). This can technically be a bonus since inputs are despatched out sooner alongside a keystroke in comparison with the everyday 2.0mm actuation level, however it’ll take a bit of getting used to for those who’re coming off of normal mechanical switches. One minor downside is that keystrokes do not sound fairly as satisfying as different keyboards, and I would not describe these as “creamy” however somewhat “clacky,” although not in a harsh means. However, what’s vital is that they are responsive and constant whether or not you are gaming or typing, which is additional supported with the extremely low-latency HyperSpeed tech by means of a 2.4GHz connection.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile – Software and Customization

As with any of its gear, Razer Synapse is required in an effort to tweak the BlackWidow V4 Low-Pro (notably Synapse 4, which is a revamped suite you may want to put in for those who’re nonetheless on Synapse 3). Like most of its keyboards, you will have full entry to Chroma RGB customization, letting you modify backlighting colours, patterns, and habits which will also be set to have completely different reactions to video games you are enjoying or keystrokes. Furthermore, you possibly can map your handful of media keys by means of Synapse, which provides the keyboard a bit of additional versatility.

Like most trendy Razer keyboards, you possibly can allow Snap Tap on the BlackWidow V4 Low-Pro, permitting simultaneous opposing cardinal route (SOCD) inputs. As I’ve talked about in earlier keyboard evaluations, it is a contentious function that has been banned within the professional gaming scene and might get you kicked from Steam video games. It offers a bonus by reducing out the human error when attempting to quickly transfer in reverse instructions as quick as doable, and in a aggressive shooter resembling Counter-Strike 2, it supplies a tangible profit with quick-strafing and exact positioning and making your self a tough goal.

When it involves the AI Prompt Master button, it features as a shortcut that pulls up a breakout window from Synapse. Here, you punch in textual content for a language mannequin of your selecting (both ChatGPT or Copilot) to then rephrase based mostly on the parameters you set – you will have choices for normal size, depth, and tone of the abstract you get again. Razer posits this as a method to get fast guide-style assist in video games or distill patch notes, so its usefulness is essentially contingent upon the effectiveness of the language mannequin. In my expertise, it is simply not definitely worth the problem because the outcomes haven’t been useful, and at greatest, are simply shortcuts to info we will simply search on our personal (versus Razer’s upcoming gaming copilot that’s not less than exhibiting promise for what it is getting down to accomplish).

Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile – Gaming and Performance

My BlackWidow V4 Low-Pro got here with the proprietary Razer Yellow linear switches, which is simply how I like my mechanical keyboards. They’ve been a few of my favourite switches exterior of the Hall Effect magnetic ones on my present high keyboards just like the Keychron K4 HE or Pulsar PCMK 2 HE. It’s proof that mechanical continues to be viable for prime efficiency in gaming, evident within the time I put into Battlefield 6 and Counter-Strike 2.

I performed roughly 10 hours of the Battlefield 6 beta on PC utilizing this keyboard and the quick throw of the low-profile switches made me really feel nimble within the warmth of fight. That agility might not have made a distinction in my kill-death ratio on the finish of the day, however it’s the extent of consolation and efficiency these switches provide me in a aggressive sport. Sprinting out and in of firefights, mantling over rubble to achieve cowl, or swapping between gear to help my staff within the midst of Battlefield’s chaos all occur in fast succession so it is crucial that my keyboard retains up, and the BlackWidow V4 Low-Pro definitely did.

For a sport that calls for precision resembling Counter-Strike 2, it took just a few rounds for me to regulate to the precise throw distance and actuation power of those Razer Yellow switches (and muscle reminiscence performs a significant half in a sport resembling this). But as soon as I obtained used to them, it was easy crusing when it comes to feeling answerable for my actions and keyboard-based actions. I’d haven’t any downside recommending it to those that take aggressive gaming critically.

Typing will not be as smooth to the contact as different mechanical keyboards such because the Pulsar Xboard QS (which makes use of Kailh Box Ice Mint switches), and that is due partially to much less strong absorption by advantage of this being a a lot thinner keyboard. Still, as kind out this evaluation with the BlackWidow V4 Low-Pro, I’m reminded of its pinpoint precision and easy-going nature of its keystrokes, as if I’m typing on a laptop computer that has top-tier mechanical switches.