At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
- Super-smooth switches
- Great media controls
- Comfy wrist rest
Cons
- Expensive ABS
- Keycaps are a little cheap
Our Verdict
The BlackWidow V3 Pro solidifies a case for Razer as a premium keyboard maker. Wireless flexibility, high-quality switches, and a ton of extras make it worth consideration, even at a high price.
Best Prices Today: Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro
Despite a few forays into more buttoned-down design, Razer is still the first name you think of when it comes to gaming accessory excess. The BlackWidow V3 Pro shows why. It’s a bombastic full-sized keyboard with RGB lighting, dedicated media controls, a comfy wrist rest in the box, and switches allegedly fine-tuned for gaming.
The V3 Pro is also a rare beast: a gaming keyboard with a wireless connection, one of the company’s first in a conventional form factor. The 108-key bulk and flashy presentation aside, it’s a quality board with a wonderful typing experience. The only thing that might give you pause is its $230 price tag.
The included “leatherette” wrist rest is comfy and a nice value add.
Michael Crider / IDG
Upon opening the box for the V3 Pro you’ll find everything you might want in a full-sized board: every key on the ANSI layout (in standard sizes, the better to swap in other keycap sets). A “leatherette” wrist rest that’s decadently comfy, though I wish it was magnetic. A full set of media control keys and a volume wheel in the top right corner. A main body made of jet-black aluminum—the bottom is plastic, which is perhaps just as well on a board this size. And lastly, keyboard feet with two separate stages of lift.
The USB-A dongle has multi-device support, so you can keep USB ports open.
Michael Crider / IDG
Because this is a wireless board, you’ll also find a detachable USB-C cable and a USB-A dongle for 2.4GHz wireless operation. While the V3 Pro can handle Bluetooth in a pinch, selected via the three-way toggle on the left side, you’ll want to keep it connected to the dongle when you can for ultra-low latency “Hyperspeed” wireless.
That dongle also has a new trick: multi-device pairing. While it required a firmware upgrade on both devices, I managed to get the BlackWidow V3 Pro and my Naga Pro mouse working off the same dongle. That’s one fewer USB port to worry about, a boon to any gamer. The keyboard can last for about a week and a half with lighting effects on—turn them off and it might last past your next oil change.
Razer’s new Yellow switches are incredibly satisfying.
Michael Crider / IDG
Razer has been putting a lot of work into its switches, perhaps feeling somewhat shown-up by more premium boutique keyboards, and its shows. The new Yellow switches are super-smooth and stable all the way through a generous 3.5mm of key travel, thanks to a reinforced “hall effect” stem design. These are easily the best linear switches I’ve used in a retail keyboard. Razer Green switches (loud and clicky) are also available.
The software is much improved and offers thorough programmability.
Michael Crider / IDG
I’m still not in love with Razer’s software, but I have to admit it’s improved quite a bit, especially since it doesn’t demand a login. After a few minutes any gamer (or spreadsheet wizard) can get what they want out of the programming. I also wish the keycaps had been PBT plastic: Methinks Razer is withholding them to upsell you better ones.
Bottom line
Razer asks a lot for its latest BlackWidow, but it delivers the goods. If you want a full-sized gaming board that ditches the wires, and you’re not particularly concerned with saving money, it’s a winner.
Best Prices Today: Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer
Michael is a former graphic designer who's been building and tweaking desktop computers for longer than he cares to admit. His interests include folk music, football, science fiction, and salsa verde, in no particular order.