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Recently, there has been an increase in the release of low-profile gaming keyboards. These keyboards are thinner than standard ones, offering excellent portability and ergonomic benefits that reduce wrist fatigue. When applied to gaming keyboards, they provide faster response times and precise typing, which are significant advantages in gaming environments.
Razer, a global gaming gear specialist, previously released low-profile keyboards under the DEATHSTALKER lineup. Now, they have introduced a new low-profile model in the popular BlackWidow lineup. This wireless gaming keyboard features Razer™ low-profile mechanical switches, Razer HyperSpeed wireless, and Bluetooth connectivity, satisfying both portability and performance. Let’s take a closer look at the features of this mechanical keyboard.
Specifications and Components
Product Specifications
Size: 437mm x 161.5mm x 24.5mm (full layout model)
Weight: 1052.3g
Switch: Razer low-profile mechanical switches (Orange Tactile, Green Clicky, Yellow Linear)
Keycaps: Double-shot PBT keycaps
Connectivity: HyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, USB-C wired
Polling Rate: 1000Hz (wireless/wired)
Battery: Up to 980 hours (power-saving mode)
Lighting: Razer Chroma RGB
Housing Material: 5052 aluminum alloy top plate, ABS plastic bottom plate
The package includes the main body, a USB-A to USB-C cable, a HyperSpeed wireless dongle, a dongle connection adapter, a user manual, and Razer stickers.
Design and Features
The Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-profile HyperSpeed is available in two sizes: full layout and tenkeyless (TKL).
The full layout model I reviewed boasts a front height of just 18.5mm, making it significantly lower than typical gaming keyboards and offering a very slim silhouette on the desk.
Despite being a full layout size, the keyboard is quite lightweight at about 1kg, making it easy to carry.
The housing is made of a durable combination of a 5052 aluminum alloy top plate and an ABS plastic bottom plate. The aluminum top plate features a hairline design, adding a premium feel and sturdiness.
The top of the keyboard features a multifunction roller and 11 control buttons. The roller primarily controls volume and is clickable. On the right, there’s a dedicated button to check the battery status, which lights up the number key row to visually display the remaining battery. In the center, there’s an AI prompt master button to utilize AI features.
The Razer Snap Tap function is also supported, allowing for more precise input in games. This feature automatically ignores opposite directional inputs, aiding in more accurate movement control.
The rear side of the keyboard features a wireless/wired mode switch, status LED, and a USB-C port.
The bottom of the keyboard has five rubber feet and a two-stage adjustable stand, allowing for adjustment to 6 or 9 degrees.
A dedicated space for storing the HyperSpeed dongle is provided at the bottom, eliminating the worry of losing the dongle when carrying it. The dongle can be connected with the included adapter and connection cable, and can be directly connected to a laptop or desktop.
The keyboard supports three connection methods: HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and USB-C wired. When using HyperSpeed, the dongle can be shared with other Razer mice for convenience.
Switches and Keycaps
The Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-profile HyperSpeed features Razer’s new 3rd generation low-profile mechanical switches. The specs for the Yellow Linear switch are as follows:
Actuation Force: 45g
Travel Distance: 3.5mm
Actuation Point: 1.2mm
Reset Point: 1.2mm
The Yellow switch offers a smooth and quiet linear feedback. With a short actuation distance of 1.2mm, it provides fast response times, and the same actuation and reset points allow for rapid key presses.
An LED diffuser is applied for RGB lighting, and the switch is designed with a cross stem with side guides. The switches are factory-lubricated with Krytox GPL205.
Lubricated stabilizers are applied to minimize wobble and provide consistent keystrokes for larger keys like the spacebar.
The keycaps are made of textured double-shot PBT material, known for their durability and resistance to fingerprints. PBT keycaps are more wear-resistant than ABS and have the advantage of not having their legends fade due to the double-shot molding process.
Compared to the typical front height of 30-40mm for mechanical keyboards, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-profile HyperSpeed boasts a thickness of less than half at 18.5mm. Even compared to Razer’s own BlackWidow V4 TKL HyperSpeed, it shows a significant difference.
The low-profile design allows for a natural wrist angle, significantly reducing fatigue during long typing or gaming sessions. It was particularly impressive that a comfortable typing posture could be maintained without a separate wrist rest.
RGB Effects
The keyboard fully supports Razer’s signature Chroma RGB lighting. Each key is equipped with an independent RGB LED, allowing for per-key lighting and rich color expression with 16.8 million colors.
Chroma RGB offers a variety of lighting effects and patterns. In addition to various preset effects like Wave, Rainbow, Breathing, and Spectrum Cycling, users can customize their own effects. It can also be synchronized with other Razer products to create a unified lighting environment.
Connection and Software
The keyboard supports three connection methods. The HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless connection offers up to a 1000Hz polling rate, optimized for gaming. Bluetooth can pair with up to three devices, making it useful in multi-device environments. USB-C wired connection is also supported, allowing for charging while in use.
Through the Razer Synapse 4 software, you can finely configure all the keyboard’s functions. The main menu includes:
In the custom settings, you can remap all key functions and set macros. You can also deactivate key combinations like the Windows key or Alt+Tab, which might be accidentally pressed during gameplay, and activate gaming mode, Snap Tap function, and key switch optimization.
In the lighting menu, you can select various preset effects of Chroma RGB. The brightness can be adjusted in 100 steps, and you can set the auto-off time for the lighting to save battery during wireless use.
The power menu offers various power-saving options. You can activate automatic brightness reduction and power-saving mode after a certain period of inactivity, as well as wireless power-saving. After setting up, you can store up to five onboard profiles on the keyboard, allowing you to use pre-configured functions without software.
User Experience
After using it for ten days, I found the typing feel of this product to be very satisfying. The natural wrist angle of the low-profile design resulted in less fatigue even after prolonged use. The 1.2mm actuation distance of the Yellow switch allowed for faster typing and gaming after getting used to it.
With the same actuation and reset points, the response time in games was notably fast. In FPS games, the quick directional changes with the WASD keys and rapid key inputs highlighted the advantages of the low-profile and Yellow Linear switch.
In terms of portability, the slim 18.5mm thickness and 850g weight made it easy to carry in a laptop bag. The dongle storage space was practical, and Bluetooth connectivity allowed for easy connection with various devices.
The battery performance was impressive, as I could use it for over a week with moderate RGB lighting. If power-saving mode was used, it seems possible to achieve the advertised 980 hours of usage time by Razer. The battery level could also be intuitively checked with a function key click.
The typing sound of the Razer 3rd generation low-profile Yellow Linear switch is clean and restrained. With a suitable pressure of 45g, you can distinctly feel the actuation, and the smooth linear feel is pleasant to the touch.
The low-profile design with a short 3.5mm travel distance is optimized for fast typing and gaming, with reduced wrist fatigue and the ability for rapid and accurate input.
Conclusion
The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Low Profile HyperSpeed is an exceptional wireless keyboard that satisfies both portability and performance needs. With the introduction of low-profile mechanical switches, it overcomes the limitations of traditional low-profile keyboards and delivers a truly authentic gaming experience.
Its greatest strengths lie in the ultra-slim 18.5mm design, premium build quality featuring a 5052 aluminum alloy top plate, and dual wireless connectivity supporting both HyperSpeed and Bluetooth. Combined with Chroma RGB lighting and powerful customization capabilities through Razer Synapse 4, this results in a highly refined product.
While the lack of 8K HyperPolling support and absence of hot-swappable switches are somewhat disappointing, this keyboard remains highly attractive for gamers and professionals who prioritize portability while still wanting that mechanical keyboard feel. I highly recommend this product to those looking to move away from bulky gaming keyboards toward a more sophisticated design and practical setup.
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