The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro was a promising keyboard that piqued our interest because of its RGBs. After some months, it released a 75% variant, which we will discuss in our Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard Review.
It is the first hot-swappable mechanical keyboard from the company, packed with plenty of features that make it stand out. Continue reading our Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard Review to learn about the product. We will discuss its functions, design, features, specs, and how it performs.
But before any of those, let us check out its packaging and contents.
Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard Packaging
Razer packed the V4 75% in a simple rectangular box with the brand’s green & black colour scheme. The top of the package shows the product image with its name and primary features.
Inside, you will find the keyboard with a wristrest, USB cable, and a keycap puller.
Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard Review – Design and Functionality
The product we have for our Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard Review is the white version. They also have a black version if white is not your cup of tea.
When you first look at the V4 75%, it strikes you as a scaled-down rendition of the BlackWidow V4 Pro. You will notice the absence of the triple-side underglow. Compared to its counterpart, it does not extend to illuminate the wristrest when pairing the two.
Nevertheless, the fresh V4 75% embraces a strikingly similar overall aesthetic. It resides within a robust black ABS plastic framework complemented by a sleek matte black aluminium alloy top plate. Plus, it boasts meticulously crafted metal media keys and a scrolling roller.
What can catch your eye – and might require a brief adjustment- is its compact design. As its name suggests, it is notably smaller than a full-sized keyboard.
However, it retains all the functionality you desire. You will find the function row, arrow keys, delete, page up/down, and insert keys readily accessible.
Rest assured, you are not missing out or encountering any limitations. Additionally, the keyboard includes a multi-function roller, ideal for managing audio, with two dedicated media buttons for an optimised experience.
Keycaps and Switches
The V4 75% uses the doubleshot ABS keycaps from Razer, which are full-height, subtly textured, and feature primary legends.
These allow the backlighting to shine through, along with printed (white) secondary legends. During our tests, there were no issues with the keycaps. However, the ABS keycaps tend to show signs of wear within the initial few months of usage.
If you are searching for a mechanical keyboard, the sound of the keystrokes is a pivotal consideration. Its default configuration includes Gen-3 Razer Orange Tactile Mechanical Switches, which provide a satisfying tactile feel. Additionally, you can choose the Yellow and Green variants if you prefer a different auditory experience.
The V4 75% also includes a magnetic plush leatherette wrist rest – a valuable addition as time goes on. This element effortlessly magnetically attaches to the underside of the keyboard, so your wrists remain comfortable during prolonged usage.
Whether you are typing a lot or indulging in PC gaming sessions, the cushioned wrist rest effectively eliminates any discomfort. It even keeps you comfortable during extended desk-bound stretches. This feature is an excellent accessory that deserves a dedicated spot on your setup.
Furthermore, you can customise its switches and keycaps using the provided keycap puller. You can also personalise the foam padding and PCB for a fully-tailored keyboard experience.
The keyboard boasts a robust construction, balancing between sturdiness and portability. It tips the scales at 815g, notably lighter than the Azoth. However, it is slightly heftier than other similar products.
Turning your attention underneath the base, you will find four rubber non-slip grips and two sets of fold-out feet. These feet options provide an additional six or nine degrees of elevation at the back of the keyboard. It allows you to customise your typing experience to your preference.
Key Features of the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard
In this Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard Review, we listed all the elements that make the V4 75% superior.
Razer Orange Tactile Mechanical Switches Gen‑3
The factory-lubricated Razer Orange tactile mechanical switches offer quieter actuation and a satisfying tactile bump for each keystroke. It is an excellent choice for those who want tactility without clicks.
Compact, Space-saving 75% Layout and Aluminium Top Case
This keyboard balances functionality and durability with its streamlined layout with all the essential commands. It retains the arrow keys and function row and uses an aluminium top case to ensure its sturdiness and longevity.
Satisfying Acoustics and the Optimal Typing Experience
The V4 75% uses lubricated stabilisers, a gasket-mounted FR4 plate, tape-enhanced PCB, and dual-layer sound-dampening foam. As a result, you can enjoy light and balanced keystrokes with satisfying sounds.
Different Sound Profiles of the Razer Switches
Aside from the Razer Orange tactile mechanical switches, the company offers other options with different sound profiles. You can change these based on your preferred acoustics to achieve the best typing experience.
Per-key Lighting with Two-side Underglow, All by Razer Chroma RGB
Sync the RGB lighting of the V4 75% with your entire PC build to enjoy enhanced immersion when gaming.
Media Keys and Multi-function Roller for Convenience
We found the multi-function roller most handy while testing the product for this Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard Review. You can adjust the brightness and volume of your screen on the fly. Plus, it has media buttons that offer easy access to pause, play, and skip functions.
Magnetic Leatherette Wristrest
The soft and cushioned wristrest offers adequate comfort for long gaming sessions.
Specifications
Here is the list of specifications to help determine if the keyboard works with your system. Learning these is essential to know if the V4 75% will also meet your needs.
- Switch Type: Razer Mechanical Switches (Tactile)
- Form Factor: 75% with function row and arrow keys
- Lighting: Razer Chroma RGB
- Onboard Memory: up to five profiles (hybrid storage)
- Connectivity: USB-C, Detachable Cable
- Keycaps: Doubleshot ABS Keycaps
Hands-on with the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard
Our Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard Review will focus on using the product and its performance in different scenarios. Before sharing our hands-on experience, we will discuss the software for configuring this keyboard.
Razer Synapse 3
Although the V4 75% works excellently out of the box, you can tweak more settings via Razer Synapse 3. The software allows adjusting the polling rate, remapping keys, and configuring the RGB lighting. For the latter, Razer Synapse 3 also works with Chroma Studio, which offers advanced features for RGB customisation.
With Razer Synapse, you can create macros and save these into the keyboard onboard memory. It can store up to five custom profiles. However, some features, like binding Windows shortcuts to the keyboard, require Razer Synapse running in the background to work.
Performance of the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard
We played various video games to test the V4 75% and see how well it would perform. As expected from Razer products, it worked perfectly for gaming. We could navigate the worlds of the games we played without any problem.
Aside from its user-friendliness, the keyboard was highly responsive, even when we played CPU-demanding games. We did not notice any latency or lag.
During our tests for this Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard Review, we noticed its compact size was excellent for FPS. Since it offered additional desk space, we had more room for mouse movement.
When typing, we loved how each keypress felt. It was tactile and slightly stiff but not difficult to press. The combination of the gasket-mounted FR4 plate and tactile switches offered a springy and quiet typing experience. Its suppressed noise made it excellent in office environments, too.
The standard polling rate of this keyboard is 1,000 Hz. However, it can reach 8,000 Hz when configured via the Razer Synapse 3. Since it is a wired keyboard, we did not have to worry about battery drainage due to increased polling rates.
Of course, higher polling rates require more processing power and may result in lower frame rates in CPU-intensive games. Fortunately, we did not experience such issues when playing demanding video games.
Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard Review Summary
The V4 75% is another high-quality keyboard from Razer. Although pricey, its performance and features make it worth every penny.
This superb keyboard functions well for working and gaming and helps save space with its compact size. Plus, it has a premium wristrest that offers a comfortable typing experience.
One of the primary selling points of this product is its hot-swappable design. Many mechanical keyboard users prefer this type since they can change the switches anytime, especially when these break. It also eliminates the need to buy a new keyboard.
When we used this product for our Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard Review, we had an enjoyable typing experience. It was responsive and tactile, making it ideal for gaming and typing. We also did not experience any issues with it since all our remapped keys and macros worked perfectly.
We highly recommend this product for its flexibility, acoustics, and tactile keypresses. It is one of the best options for a customisable keyboard that offers a fun modding experience.
Visit the official Razer product page for additional information about the BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard.
