Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Review

The V4 Pro gaming keyboard is a great product that offers abundant customization, an innovative light-up palm rest, and a volume roller. The keycaps are durable, but media key icons and macro creation could be improved. Nonetheless, it remains an excellent choice for gamers.

Performance Comparison

Lighting Customization

In the realm of lighting customization, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro gaming keyboard shines brightly, offering a wide array of options to illuminate your gaming experience. Our testers delved into six critical sub-metrics, evaluating each facet with an unbiased eye.

The overall ease of customizing garnered mixed opinions, with some finding it so-so and less intuitive than desired. Navigating through the settings and adjusting the lighting required a bit of acclimation, but once understood, it opened up a world of possibilities.

Where the V4 Pro truly excels is in the level of customization it bestows upon users. The keyboard grants users unprecedented control over its lighting effects, allowing them to layer multiple effects and program each key individually. Notably, the keyboard features a pen option, enabling users to meticulously select specific keys without the need for cumbersome selection boxes.

Per-key customization proves a delightful feature for avid gamers and enthusiasts seeking precise lighting control. Each key on the keyboard can be assigned unique effects, and the palm rest and side sections also join in the illumination symphony. Quick-select options add an extra touch of convenience, easily accessible through a drop-down menu.

With a substantial selection of 11 presets, users can experiment with various lighting themes to match their gaming setups and personal tastes. The color options seem limitless, offering a plethora of choices from vibrant color shifts to captivating color waves. Whether you desire an elegant visor effect or a mesmerizing rainbow wave, the BlackWidow V4 Pro has you covered.

Most of the lighting magic is concentrated on the lettering, illuminating your keystrokes. Additional ambient lighting and LED strips around the keyboard's perimeter create an immersive gaming ambiance that enhances the overall experience. Notably, the palm rest comes into play, featuring four zones on each side, including a wrap-around corner and 12 lighting zones along its length.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro gaming keyboard proves its mettle with impressive N-Key rollover and anti-ghosting capabilities, earning a high score in this crucial metric.

N-Key rollover and anti-ghosting features ensure flawless and precise key presses even during the most intense gaming sessions. Our testers were able to press up to 50 keys simultaneously without encountering any issues, allowing for fluid and uninterrupted gameplay.

The V4 Pro offers a choice between two switches, each catering to different preferences. The green switch boasts precise actuation with clicky, tactile feedback, ideal for those who prefer a more pronounced keypress response. On the other hand, the yellow switch provides quick actuation that is smooth and silent, perfect for those seeking a seamless and stealthy gaming experience.

The latency aspect of the performance metric complements the N-Key rollover and anti-ghosting feature. While not as heavily weighted, the low latency of the mechanical switches ensures minimal delay between key presses and on-screen actions, delivering an incredibly responsive gaming experience.

Ease of Programming and Macros

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro gaming keyboard truly shines with its highly intuitive and versatile customization features. Users will find a plethora of options to tailor the keyboard to their exact preferences, making it a powerful tool for enhancing gameplay.

One standout aspect is the availability of programmable buttons, allowing users to assign custom functions to the keyboard's keys effortlessly. While the initial setup may not be entirely intuitive, the keyboard's options eliminate the need for re-recording macros, ensuring a smoother programming experience. Moreover, the inclusion of delay settings during macro recording adds convenience, granting users the freedom to achieve precise timings without pressure.

The keyboard's on-the-fly macro-making capability further enhances its versatility. With five new backlit macro keys on the left side and a programmable control dial in the upper left corner, gamers gain increased control over their battlestations, empowering them to execute essential keybinds effortlessly.

The macro layout adopts a user-friendly list view, simplifying the editing process for individual events. Users can easily access and edit specific macros, adjusting delays and actions as needed. The option to automatically adjust event delays to correspond to the final time adds further convenience, streamlining the process for a seamless experience.

Convenience

The V4 Pro impresses with several user-friendly features that enhance the overall gaming experience.

Switch Type Availability is an essential aspect for gamers seeking the perfect tactile feedback. The V4 Pro offers two options: the Razer Green switch, known for its satisfying clicky sound, and the Razer Yellow switch, providing a smooth and linear feel. While the availability of only two switch types may limit some users' preferences, the presence of both clicky and linear options caters to a wide range of gamers seeking different tactile sensations.

Keycap swapping further adds to the keyboard's convenience, featuring a standard + shaped attachment for mechanical switches. This simple mechanism allows users to easily customize their keyboard with different keycaps, ensuring a personalized and visually appealing setup.

The presence of a volume wheel, backtrack, play/pause, forward track, and mute buttons makes adjusting audio settings effortless and efficient. These dedicated media keys are thoughtfully placed for easy access, enhancing the overall user experience during intense gaming sessions.

USB Passthrough adds a valuable feature, providing a separate cable for direct USB connectivity. This feature allows users to conveniently connect peripherals or charge devices without disrupting the keyboard's main connection. The separate cable design ensures seamless functionality and accessibility, making it a practical addition to the keyboard's convenience.

Palm Rest

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro gaming keyboard stands its ground, offering a commendable palm rest experience. The design ensures a wrist-friendly position, slightly elevated by the lighting bar underneath, providing a cozy angle that won't strain your wrists during extended play.

Thicker padding, compared to the V4 Pro, delivers ample support without causing discomfort or pressure points. Testers found the overall comfort level satisfactory, making it a great choice for most users. Those with larger or sensitive wrists might want to take note, though.

Adding both comfort and style, the magnetic plush leatherette wrist rest with under-glow complements the gaming setup. Its secure attachment keeps it in place, even during intense gameplay.

To top it off, the wrist rest features Razer Chroma RGB lighting that seamlessly syncs with the keyboard's under-glow, offering customizable lighting options that elevate the gaming experience.

Should You Buy the Razer BlackWindow V4 Pro?

The V4 Pro gaming keyboard is undeniably impressive, boasting extensive customization options, an innovative light-up palm rest, and a convenient volume roller. Those interested in an elite keyboard that balances performance and interesting visuals will certainly not be disappointed.

What Other Gaming Keyboards Should You Consider?