Razer is renowned for its gaming products. With every new release, it aims to push the boundaries. The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is the latest example of this pursuit. Designed to be the centerpiece of your battlestation, this keyboard features immersive Chroma backlighting to elevate your gaming experience. Additionally, it boasts Razer Mechanical Switches, providing exceptional durability and tactile feedback that gamers and typists will appreciate. The BlackWidow V4 Pro also features a new Command Dial, designed to offer you granular control of a wide array of preset actions. This sleek and stylish addition to the keyboard is not only striking but is genuinely useful on a daily basis. At $229.99, is it worth your upgrade dollars?
Specifications
- Current Price: $229.99 (Razer)
- Switch: Yellow Linear
- Actuation Point: 1.2 mm
- Reset Point: 1.2 mm
- Actuation Force: 45g
- Travel: 3.5 mm
- Lifespan: 100-million Keystrokes
- LED lens: Yes
- Stem: Box-style Cross Stem
- Housing: Transparent
- Sound Dampener: yes
- Lighting: Razer Chroma RGB
- Per-key blacklight
- 3-side underglow with wrist-rest attached
- Zones: 38
- Layout: Full-size
- Keycaps: Doubleshot ABS
- Top case: 5052 Aluminum Alloy
- Internal Sound dampening
- PCB Foam
- Bottom case foam
- Wrist Rest: Magnetic Plush leatherette with underglow
- Dedicated Media Keys
- Multi-function roller
- 4 Dedicated Media Buttons
- Dedicated Macro Keys
- Razer command Dial
- 5 dedicated macro keys on-board
- 3 dedicated marco keys on the side
- USB Passthrough: Yes - USB 2.0
- Polling Rate: Up to 8000 Hz
- Cables
- 2x Detachable Type-C (Signal & Passthrough)
- Others
- 5 On-board profiles
- Pre-lubed stabilizers
- 2-level dual kickstands
The BlackWidow line-up is the OG in Razer’s catalog, so it’s only fitting that it would receive special treatment over the years. With each new iteration, it’s been upgraded and enhanced with new features like upgraded switches, an improved chassis and keycaps, additional programming, and even wireless connectivity.
The BlackWidow V4 is the latest example of this upgrade treatment and comes packed with a shiny new bag of tricks. One of the standout features of the BlackWidow V4 is its fully immersive lighting, a full 360-light ring that wraps around the chassis and onto the wrist rest. There’s a total of 38 programmable lighting zones, and you can customize each with static colors of full animations using Razer Synapse.
It is also worth noting that each switch features an LED Lens and transparent housing. This allows the light to shine through and spread more evenly to each keycap.
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro - Return of the Macro keys
While lighting is an integral part of most gaming keyboards, it doesn’t make a keyboard great all on its own. True gaming features and the quality of the keys accomplish that, which is where the BlackWidow’s dedicated macro keys come in. Just as importantly, these keys can be programmed and utilized outside of games for shortcuts, launching programs and more.
Unlike any other gaming keyboard we’ve reviewed, the V4 has a traditional column of five macro buttons along the left, as well as a trio of low profile macro switches embedded in the side. Like the full-size buttons, these can be configured to perform additional functions, like swapping profiles, but certainly aren’t limited to that. Given their small size, you want to use them for anything too critical mid-match.
The new Command Dial is another interesting addition. And make no mistake — this isn’t a volume wheel. There’s already a dedicated multimedia roller on the right side above the Numpad. Out of the box, the dial has 4 active modes: Keyboard Brightness, Zoom, Switch Applications and Track Jogging. It also doesn’t require Synapse to function. If you do run the software, four more modes are available: Track Selector, Vertical Scrolling, Horizontal scrolling and Switch Browser Tabs. Each has two-way functions that are activated by going either clockwise or counterclockwise.
Perhaps most importantly, the dial can also be programmed with custom commands. Using the software, you can tie shortcuts to each directional, allowing for rapid fire “Undos” in Adobe, changing brush sizes, or spamming F5 to secure a pre-order.
I’ve come to really like the Command Dial. While my use case has been limited, I found it increasingly helpful to be able to adjust lighting and object sizes in Blender. The knurling on the knob also feels great and offers a great sense of reliability and grip.
The multimedia keys have also seen a slight upgrade. The volume roller is made of aluminum and can be mapped to other commands if the Command Dial isn’t enough. The media keys have even grown in quantity with the inclusion of a dedicated Mute button. I found this perfect for those streaming sessions where I needed to mute my mic without having to stumble for a toggle elsewhere.
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro - Quality and Features
While there are plenty of extra keys added to the mix with this release, it’s the switches under the normal keys that make this a satisfying keyboard to use. Available in both clicky and linear variants, they’re rated for an impressive 100 million keystrokes. I was able to test the yellow linear switches for this review. They’re lightweight, similar to Cherry MX Reds, with an actuation force of 45g. Additionally, it's worth noting that each of the stabilizers on this keyboard is pre-lubed, providing a smoother typing experience with less rattle. They’re undeniably smooth, but there’s still a bit of hollowness to the typing experience.
The V4 Pro continues the tradition of using an aluminum top plate for rigidity and excellent keycaps atop its switches. Each cap is doubleshot ABS, so the legends are made from a separate piece of molded plastic and will never fade (though the plastic could shine over time). These are a big improvement from the BlackWidow keycaps a handful of years ago which were thin and didn’t feel great to use. These are quite good.
Another small but impactful change is that the USB cables are now detachable. It uses two, one for the connection and the other for USB passthrough. Each can be swapped out if you want to upgrade or repair a damaged original without replacing the whole keyboard. I did find it odd that the USB passthrough is USB 2.0, however, and would have liked to have a faster USB 3.1 or Type-C.
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro - Daily Use Impressions
The BlackWidow V4 Pro is my favorite BlackWidow so far. This latest variant not only offers some of my favorite features, they managed to cram in a few more that I honestly did not expect. One feature that is super easy to overlook and for a good reason. The V4 Pro is the first of Razer’s keyboards to have a startup animation to the RGB. While briefly visible, it's clearly something different and I like it. The V4 Pro is solid in its construction, almost flawless in its design. The only exception I’ve found is that the macro keys on the side are overly easy to press.
(As an aside, my cat has instinctively figured this out and made a point to rub himself on it. I now have a wide range of unintentional screenshots borne of pure cat love.)
I have been daily driving this keyboard for some time now and I can say without a doubt that it works exactly as intended: it is a top-tier gaming keyboard that leaves almost nothing to be desired in its performance. I have tested this with Doom Eternal, Minecraft, CS:Go, and even 3D Modeling. The additional dial, side switches, and dedicated macro keys absolutely came in handy once I took the time to program them.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, whether the BlackWidow V4 Pro is worth the cost will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It’s not cheap. If you crave gaming features and customization options, then the BlackWidow V4 Pro is definitely worth considering. Its improved lighting, customizable macros, and Synapse integration make it a great choice for gamers who demand all of the bells and whistles in a well put together package. It’s not very portable, so may not be the best choice if you cart your peripherals from place to place, but for everyone else, this is a very solid choice — if it fits your budget.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.
