Razer's product lineup is heavily focused on gaming; even their office-oriented models have gaming in mind! So, if you're looking for a Razer gaming keyboard, you've got a ton of options, from entry-level rubber dome models to premium models with proprietary optical switches. Regardless of what model you spring for, you'll get a well-built unit with extremely low latency right out of the box. Since these keyboards all work with Razer's companion software, pairing a Razer keyboard with other Razer peripherals means you only need a single piece of software to customize your setup's lighting effects and other features.
Should you trust us? We test each keyboard in the same way, on the same standardized test bench, to produce fair, comparable reviews. We also buy each one ourselves, ensuring complete independence from manufacturers. See just how we test keyboards and judge for yourself. We've tested over 250 keyboards, including 27 from Razer. Below are our picks for the best Razer keyboards.
Updates
- 11/27/2023 Razer Huntsman V3 Pro [Mini, TKL] reviewed
- 10/13/2023 Razer BlackWidow V4 75% reviewed
- 09/11/2023 Razer BlackWidow V4 reviewed
- 03/08/2023 Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro reviewed
- 09/12/2022 Razer Ornata V3 X reviewed
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Best Razer Keyboard
Gaming8.8Office6.7Programming7.4Mobile/Tablet1.1Entertainment / HTPC3.8SizeFull-size (100%)Hot-Swappable SwitchesNoConnectivity WiredSwitch TypeOpticalN-Key Rollover (NKRO)YesThe Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is the best Razer keyboard we've tested. This keyboard's strength lies in its customizability. It uses Razer's Analog Optical switches that give you control over the sensitivity of individual keys. It also supports Rapid Trigger, a feature that lets you dial in how far your keys need to travel back upwards before you can activate them again. This feature can give you a small but meaningful competitive advantage over more conventional mechanical keyboards when making fast follow-up inputs. You can also make these adjustments directly on your keyboard using hotkey combinations and keeping your custom settings enabled without the configuration software running in the background.
This keyboard also comes in smaller size variants, including the compact (60%) Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini and the tenkeyless Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL. These size variants offer the same performance and features but take up considerably less space on your desk, giving you more room for dynamic mouse movement. Altogether, these keyboards are great for fine-tuning your keyboard to your play style or the games you play. However, their primary focus is gaming customizability, so they aren't standout picks for everyday browsing or productivity. They lack Bluetooth support, and their more sensitive switch settings make it difficult to type without making typos. If you're more interested in a keyboard that can pull double duty between work and play, check out our next pick, the Razer Pro Type Ultra.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Razer Keyboard
Gaming8.5Office8.0Programming8.2Mobile/Tablet6.5Entertainment / HTPC6.3SizeFull-size (100%)Hot-Swappable SwitchesNoConnectivity WirelessSwitch TypeMechanicalN-Key Rollover (NKRO)YesAt its core, the Razer Pro Type Ultra is a gaming keyboard dressed up for an office job. The design has a sophisticated office-friendly look, similar to the silver and chrome style of Apple peripherals, and with white-only instead of RGB backlighting. Under the hood lies a gaming powerhouse with exceptionally low latency that delivers a responsive gaming experience after work. This versatile unit also comes with three different connection options, so you can use it wired as it charges, with up to three devices using Bluetooth, or use the specialized USB receiver, which pairs with some other Razer office peripherals. Razer advertises a battery life of over 200 hours with backlighting off when used wirelessly to last you through the work week and beyond on a fresh charge.
Overall, it feels incredibly comfortable and pleasant to type on. It uses linear Razer Yellow switches, which are light, smooth to actuate, and quiet compared to many other mechanical switch types. The keycaps also feel great on your fingertips thanks to the soft-touch coating, which adds a bit of extra grip and is helpful if you're prone to sweaty hands. There's a cushioned wrist rest to support your wrists throughout your day.
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Best Mid-Range Razer Keyboard
Gaming8.7Office6.7Programming7.3Mobile/Tablet0.9Entertainment / HTPC3.8SizeFull-size (100%)Hot-Swappable SwitchesNoConnectivity WiredSwitch TypeMechanicalN-Key Rollover (NKRO)YesWhile the Razer BlackWidow V3 isn't Razer's most recent model, it's still one of the best Razer gaming keyboards in their catalog. This wired-only model offers exceptionally low latency, perfect for competitive and reaction-based games where every second counts. This keyboard has smooth and silent linear Yellow switches or satisfyingly tactile Green switches to suit your preferences. There's also an encoder knob and dedicated media keys along the top of the keyboard, so you can easily control your media directly without alt-tabbing out of games. The RGB backlighting is great for enthusiasts as it's bright, and the colors are mixed very well. You can finely tune your backlighting display on a per-key basis using a range of lighting effects.
As a full-size keyboard, it takes up a considerable amount of space on your desk, so if you have a smaller desk or are looking for as much real estate as possible for sweeping mouse movements, there's also a more compact, tenkeyless version of this keyboard available called the Razer BlackWidow V3 TKL.
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Best Budget Razer Keyboard
Gaming9.5Office7.6Programming8.0Mobile/Tablet5.2Entertainment / HTPC5.0If the premium options are a bit out of your price range, we recommend the Razer Huntsman Mini as a more budget-friendly choice. It uses Razer's premium optical switches instead of standard mechanical ones, available in Clicky or Linear varieties. These switches feel like standard mechanical switches but use a beam of light to register inputs, meaning they feel very responsive. They're also incredibly light to actuate, so you won't have to press too deeply on your keys to get your shots in. You also get all the standard customization features with Razer's Synapse 3 software, like macro-programming and per-key RGB lighting effects.
The build quality is excellent, too, though you could benefit from a wrist rest when using this keyboard for longer periods, and it doesn't come with one. It has a gaming-friendly compact size that takes up very little room on your desk, giving you plenty of room for dynamic mouse movements. However, this also means that it's far from ideal if you work with spreadsheets, data entry, or any other task that might require arrow keys or a numpad; you'll be better served with the pricier full-size Razer BlackWidow V3 for that kind of application.
![Razer Huntsman V3 Pro [Mini, TKL] Design Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/N8ekVbeI/razer-huntsman-v3-pro-mini-tkl/design-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Razer Huntsman V3 Pro [Mini, TKL] In-Test Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/CZl2WyZy/razer-huntsman-v3-pro-mini-tkl/in-test-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Razer Huntsman V3 Pro [Mini, TKL] Build Quality Close Up](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/yJ1DEtuN/razer-huntsman-v3-pro-mini-tkl/build-quality-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Razer Huntsman V3 Pro [Mini, TKL] Extra Features](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/m6lgPwcE/razer-huntsman-v3-pro-mini-tkl/features-small.jpg?format=auto)
![Razer Huntsman V3 Pro [Mini, TKL] Key Switch Actuation Graph](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/tCHZGQHf/razer-huntsman-v3-pro-mini-tkl/feel-graph-small.jpg?format=auto)
Compared To Other Brands
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Tons of customization options.
Most Razer keyboards let you reprogram keys, set macros, and create custom profiles. Many also offer per-key RGB lighting customization, and some models feature analog switches, allowing you to adjust actuation distance for individual keys and enable advanced gaming features like Rapid Trigger and SOCD.
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Well-built designs.
Razer builds most of its keyboards with high-quality plastics and some metal pieces. Most full-size models also come with comfortable wrist rests.
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Available in a variety of switches.
Razer keyboards use a variety of switch types and technologies, making it easy to find one that suits your preferences. Their lineup includes standard mechanical and rubber dome switches, as well as more advanced analog switches that let you adjust actuation and reset distances on a per-key basis.
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Software not compatible on all systems.
Razer's Synapse 3 software isn't compatible with macOS. -
Software can feel bloated.
While Razer's Synapse software is easy to use and provides a wide range of adjustable settings, it receives criticism for consuming a disproportionate amount of your system's resources and requiring frequent updates. Furthermore, certain settings, including custom RGB lighting, typically require the software to run in the background to function. -
Expensive for their quality.
Razer keyboards are typically a bit more expensive than keyboards from leading competitors with similar feature sets.
Razer vs Corsair
Corsair keyboards tend to use premium materials, with many models featuring high-quality aluminum top plates and durable PBT keycaps. In contrast, Razer models are generally more straightforward, with fewer bells and whistles. However, both manufacturers have significantly improved their materials and overall build quality in recent years as they take more active inspiration from the custom mechanical keyboard market. In terms of performance, both brands continue to push the envelope with features like 8000Hz polling rates and analog switch technologies. Ultimately, you can't go wrong with a model from either brand—it comes down to personal preference and the features that best suit your setup. To compare for yourself, see our recommendations for the best Corsair keyboards.
Razer vs SteelSeries
Compared to SteelSeries, Razer offers a broader selection of models, including productivity-focused options like the Pro Type Ultra. SteelSeries' flagship Apex Pro series competes directly with Razer's Huntsman lineup, both featuring adjustable actuation switches and advanced features like Rapid Trigger. However, Razer's Huntsman Analog boards stand out with an 'Analog Mode' that provides finer control over in-game movements by emulating joystick input.
Razer vs Logitech
Razer has a comparatively narrow range of products compared to Logitech, a major worldwide manufacturer of keyboards for gaming and office use. Logitech's keyboard products come in an extremely wide range of switches, including membrane, scissor, and mechanical, while Razer units typically employ membrane or mechanical switches. However, Razer utilizes more technologically advanced optical-mechanical and analog switches on some of their higher-end models. Razer products are designed almost exclusively for gaming use, so they often have better latency, RGB implementation, and customization over Logitech. To see how they stack up yourself, see our recommendations for the best Logitech keyboards.
Razer makes a good range of wired and wireless models designed in different form factors, almost entirely intended primarily for gaming use. Their models are well-built and have extremely low latency, delivering extremely responsive in-game performance. However, they typically have fewer extra hardware features and can be pricier than similar keyboards from other gaming brands. As a plus, most of their keyboards also come in various sizes with various switch types, so you can find a configuration that suits your needs and preferences.
Lineup
Huntsman: The Huntsman series of keyboards are premium gaming models for enthusiasts and competitive players. Wired and wireless versions are available with optical or analog optical switches in either full-size, TKL, or 60% Compact form factors.
BlackWidow: Razer's BlackWidow keyboards are straightforward mid-range to upper mid-range mechanical gaming models. They are available with linear or tactile switch options, as wired or wireless models, and in full-size or TKL form factors.
Deathstalker: The Deathstalker series of keyboards are high-end, low-profile options that are much slimmer than standard mechanical gaming keyboards. This lineup currently features wired or wireless variants in a full-size or TKL form factor.
Ornata: Razer's Ornata keyboards are budget or cheaper models that use hybrid 'mecha-mechanical' switches, which are membrane switches that mimic the feel of mechanical switches. These are great choices for casual gaming but don't offer the same gaming performance as higher-priced options from Razer. Furthermore, the most recent models in this lineup have full RGB zone lighting, but you can't adjust the lighting on a per-key basis as you can with Razer's more expensive models, and the included wrist rest is made of plastic rather than memory foam.
Pro Type: The Pro Type series of keyboards are productivity-focused and fall between a mid-range and upper mid-range price point. These keyboards include more productivity features, office-friendly aesthetics, Bluetooth connectivity, and support for multi-device pairing. These keyboards also place a greater emphasis on ergonomics and typing quality but have minimal customizability in terms of lighting and are only available in a full-size form factor.
Recent Updates
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Our picks remain unchanged, but we've added text in several sections to highlight emerging market trends and how Razer's keyboards compare to other major brands.
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We've verified that all our recommendations are available and represent the best choices. We've also made small edits for clarity.
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Sep 10, 2024 : We've reviewed our recommendations and the accompanying text in this article. No changes were made, as our picks still represent the best options in their respective categories.
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Jun 18, 2024 : We haven't made any changes to our list of recommendations with this update, but we've verified the pricing and stock availability of all our current picks.
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Feb 22, 2024 : We've reviewed this article and confirmed the availability, pricing, and continued relevance of all our picks. We haven't changed our lineup of picks with this update.
Conclusion
Razer offers a wide range of keyboards with outstanding gaming performance. Their keyboards have excellent build quality and come in a wide range of switches to suit your preferences, but they can be pricey, especially immediately following their launch. Given the variety of Razer's offerings, you will likely find a keyboard that suits your needs and budget.
Test Results
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Comments
Best Razer Keyboards: Main Discussion
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- 21010
Using the Cloud Flights for last several years, buyers of the Cloud 3 wireless will find this to be a slight upgrade from the Cloud Flights. Gadgetry Tech has tested these and found the default sound profile to be very neutral and that has been my experience thus far. The sound is great, directionality seems very good, imaging seems to be good, battery life is excellent and the range of the headset is improved. Negatives for me, there is no bluetooth and there is no swivel for the ear cups. I am very interested to see the detailed reporting from RTINGS on this.
Our testers have started testing this product; is there anything specific you’re looking to see? Let us know in this thread.
- 21010
cloud 2 historical headphones is 2 or 3 better?
- 21010
I am very curious about the results of your test.
- 21010
Can you also test the DTS X thing to see if there are some situations where it actually enhances the sound.
- 54340
Can you test the differences between the EQ when driven by just the 3.5mm cord and by the USB dongle?
The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.