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  1. Home
  2. Keyboard
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Hardware Customizability
    5. Backlight Features
    6. Backlight Clarity
    7. Cable & Connector
    8. Wireless Versatility
    9. Macro Keys And Programming
    10. Extra Features
    11. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Typing Quality
    2. Typing Noise
    3. Switches
    4. Keystrokes
  6. Performance
    1. Single-Key Latency
    2. Multi-Key Latency
    3. Data Transmission
    4. Chord Split
  7. Software and Operating System
    1. Configuration Software
    2. Computer Compatibility
    3. Wireless Mobile Compatibility
  8. Comments

Razer BlackWidow vs Razer BlackWidow V3

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Razer BlackWidow
Razer BlackWidow V3

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:25 PM

SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:26 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Razer BlackWidow Picture
Razer BlackWidow V3 Picture
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Mechanical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Mechanical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Razer

Variants

  • BlackWidow (Black)
  • BlackWidow Lite (Black)
  • BlackWidow Lite (Star Wars Stormtrooper Limited Edition)
  • BlackWidow Lite (White)
  • BlackWidow V3 (Classic Black)
  • BlackWidow V3 (Halo Infinite)
  • BlackWidow V3 (Quartz Pink)
  • BlackWidow V3 (Roblox Edition)

Review

See Razer BlackWidow review

See Razer BlackWidow V3 review

0
0

Our Verdict

Razer BlackWidow

Razer BlackWidow V3

The Razer BlackWidow V3 is an updated version of the original Razer BlackWidow which makes several improvements. While the original is only available with clicky Razer Green switches, the newer version is also available with linear Razer Yellow switches, which are the switches we tested. They provide a lighter actuation than the Green switches and are quieter. Latency is also lower on the newer version and it has better ergonomics as it comes with a wrist rest.

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Black
BlackWidow
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Classic Black
BlackWidow V3
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Black
BlackWidow Lite
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Halo Infinite
BlackWidow V3
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Star Wars Stormtrooper Limited Edition
BlackWidow Lite
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Quartz Pink
BlackWidow V3
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White
BlackWidow Lite
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Roblox Edition
BlackWidow V3
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Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

8.5
8.7

Multi-Key Latency 
 

8.0
8.8

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Razer BlackWidow Top Picture
Razer BlackWidow V3 Top Picture

Size 
 

Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)

Height 
 

1.6" (4.0 cm)
1.7" (4.2 cm)

Width  

17.7" (45.0 cm)
17.8" (45.1 cm)

Depth 
 

6.4" (16.3 cm)
6.1" (15.4 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
9.1" (23.0 cm)

Weight 
 

2.76 lbs (1.250 kg)
2.21 lbs (1.002 kg)

Show text

Build Quality 
 

7.5
8.0

Build Quality Close Up  

Razer BlackWidow Build Quality Close Up
Razer BlackWidow V3 Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS

Show text

Ergonomics 
 

6.0
6.0

Side Picture  

Razer BlackWidow Side Picture
Razer BlackWidow V3 Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

3°
4°

Medium Incline 
 

6°
6°

Maximum Incline 
 

9°
8.5°

Home Row Height 
 

30.9 mm (1.2")
34.6 mm (1.4")

Show text

Hardware Customizability 
 

2.4
6.0

Customizability Overview  

Razer BlackWidow Customizability Overview
Razer BlackWidow V3 Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

No
Yes

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Plate-Mounted

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

Non-Customizable Design
6.25u

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

Non-Standard
1.25u

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

No
No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Cherry MX Style
Cherry MX Style

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Soldered
Soldered

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Yes
Yes

Backlight Features 
 

10
10

Backlighting Picture  

Razer BlackWidow Backlighting Picture
Razer BlackWidow V3 Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

Razer BlackWidow Brightness Max
Razer BlackWidow V3 Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min  

Razer BlackWidow Brightness Min
Razer BlackWidow V3 Brightness Min

RGB 
 

Yes
Yes

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
Yes

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Backlight Clarity 
 

9.0
8.0

White Shot  

Razer BlackWidow White Shot
Razer BlackWidow V3 White Shot

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

No
No

Length  

6.4 ft (1.9 m)
6.4 ft (2.0 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

Not Detachable
Not Detachable

Show text

Wireless Versatility 
 

0.0
0.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
No

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

No Batteries
No Batteries

Show text

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

5.5
5.5

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0
0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Yes
Yes

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Razer BlackWidow Extra Features
Razer BlackWidow V3 Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Non-Dedicated
Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

No
Yes

Control Knob 
 

No
No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

Yes
Yes

Windows Key Lock 
 

Yes
Yes

Lock Indicator  

Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock

Show text

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Razer BlackWidow Bundle Picture
Razer BlackWidow V3 Bundle Picture

Show text

Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

7.5
7.5

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")
19.0 mm (0.748")

Show text

Typing Noise 
 

4.4
7.1

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

55.0 dBA
54.1 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

Razer Green
Razer Yellow

Switch Type 
 

Mechanical
Mechanical

Feel 
 

Clicky
Linear

Analog 
 

No
No

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Operating Force 
 

54 gf
43 gf

Actuation Force 
 

54 gf
41 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

1.7 mm
1.4 mm

Total Travel 
 

3.8 mm
3.6 mm

Show text

Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

8.9
9.1

Single-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Best Connection 
 

4.9 ms
3.6 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±0.4 ms
±0.4 ms

Wired 
 

4.9 ms
3.6 ms

Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

PCB (Estimated) 
 

3.1 ms
2.3 ms

Show text

Multi-Key Latency 
 

8.0
8.8

Latency Video  

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Connection Evaluated  

Wired
Wired

Key Press 
 

5.0 ms
3.5 ms

Key Release 
 

30.5 ms
8.2 ms

Show text

Data Transmission 
 

8.7
8.7

Multi-Key Raw USB  

Razer BlackWidow Multi-Key Raw USB
Razer BlackWidow V3 Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated  

Wired
Wired

USB Polling Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Effective Update Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) 
 

Yes
Yes

Multiple Keys Per USB Report 
 

Yes
Yes

Chord Split 
 

8.8
8.6

Chord Split Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

3.6 ms
3.0 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

7.5 ms
15.7 ms
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Tour  

Software Name  

Razer Synapse 3
Razer Synapse 3

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Software macOS Compatible 
 

No
No

Onboard Memory 
 

Yes
Yes

Profiles 
 

6+
6+

Show text

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
10

Windows 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

macOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Windows, MacOS & Linux
Windows, MacOS & Linux

Show text

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

0.0
0.0

Android 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

iOS 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

iPadOS 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

Check Price

Black
BlackWidow
Searching
Finding store
Classic Black
BlackWidow V3
Searching
Finding store
Black
BlackWidow Lite
Searching
Finding store
Halo Infinite
BlackWidow V3
Searching
Finding store
Star Wars Stormtrooper Limited Edition
BlackWidow Lite
Searching
Finding store
Quartz Pink
BlackWidow V3
Searching
Finding store
White
BlackWidow Lite
Searching
Finding store
Roblox Edition
BlackWidow V3
Searching
Finding store
Back to Top

Razer BlackWidow

Razer BlackWidow V3

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Razer BlackWidow vs Razer BlackWidow V3: Main Discussion

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