Razer shared its latest entries into the BlackWidow line: the Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-profile HyperSpeed and the Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-profile Tenkeyless HyperSpeed. These new keyboards bring a sleeker, more ergonomic design to the classic BlackWidow family while maintaining its signature performance.
These two keyboards are the first to feature Razer’s typical switches, green (clicky), yellow (linear), and orange (tactile), but in a low-profile form. These switches are built to deliver satisfying keystrokes with quick and precise actuation. The reduced key height and ultra-low 18.5mm front make for a more natural and comfortable typing experience, even during marathon gaming sessions.
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Although if you’re looking for the biggest bang for the smallest keyboard size, the Razer Joro is honestly the way to go already (it’s built for travel, but it rivals Apple’s Magic Keyboard in both durability and performance). Still, having used the Joro for months now, both on the go and at home, its ultra-low profile scissor switches have maintained the quality that you expect from a gaming keyboard and that gives me the utmost confidence in the new low-profile switches that are releasing with Razer’s BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile line.
“The Razer BlackWidow has been a staple in gaming setups for 15 years. As one of the most iconic and recognizable keyboards in the industry, it has consistently set the benchmark for performance and immersion,” Barrie Ooi, Head of Razer’s PC Gaming Division, said in a release to media. “With the BlackWidow V4 Low-profile line, we’re introducing a new form factor that meets the evolving needs of gamers, while staying true to the immersive experience that defines the BlackWidow legacy.”
Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-profile HyperSpeed
- $229.99 USD / €219.99 MSRP
- Available now at Razer.com, RazerStores, and select retailers worldwide
Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-profile Tenkeyless HyperSpeed
- $199.99 USD / €189.99 MSRP
- Available now at Razer.com, RazerStores, and select retailers worldwide
BlackWidow V4 Keyboard Signature Features
With a slimmer body, the two BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile keyboards don’t sacrifice any of the features that you’ve come to expect from the brand, at least when you’re reading the product sheet. They both have durable 5052 aluminum alloy top cases, dual sound-dampening foam layers, and pre-lubricated stabilizers for a clean, crisp typing sound.
They are also each engineered with a unique circular stem wall that ensures unobstructed light transmission, allowing Razer Chroma RGB lighting to shine brilliantly through the translucent top housing. This is a must for anyone looking for the RGB pop of color to their setup.
Additionally, the switches are factory-lubricated and rigorously tested, which leaves them rated for up to 80 million keystrokes. They are built to withstand the rigors of competitive play and surpass the industry standard by 1.6 times.
One of the key issues most gamers have with their peripherals is unreliable wireless connections. In my experience, Razer’s has been the most reliable. In the bried, the new BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile keyboards will also boast the same Razer HyperSpeed Wireless capability that users have come to expect, which provides a 2.4 GHz connection with a 1000Hz polling rate for lag-free responsiveness.
You can pair a compatible Razer gaming mouse to the same dongle and connect up to three Bluetooth devices for seamless multitasking across platforms (again, a feature that really made the Joro stand out, and I’m excited to see on another low-profile offering).
The most significant difference between the two keyboards is that one is full-size (with a 10-key) and one is smaller. The former includes dedicated macro buttons and a multi-function roller, while both models feature a Power Saving Mode that offers up to 980 hours of battery life on a single charge. Razer Snap Tap also gives a tactical advantage by instantly prioritizing the latest input between two keys without having to release the first.
