Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2: An Attractive Redesign

If you prioritize a high-quality gaming keyboard and mouse over a controller, then you may already be aware of the Razer BlackWidow keyboard line. While this isn’t the companies latest line of gaming peripherals, we dare to say that it’s one of the greatest it ever created. Today, we will be discussing the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2: one of the most attractive Razer keyboards, that comes armed with bespoke key switches as well as some handy new features.

Most importantly, Razer finally included a detachable wrist cushion after constantly producing keyboards without one—it’s truly the small things that count.

Now, you’re probably wondering: “What else does this keyboard have to offer?” Well, before we jump straight into the specifics, let’s take a quick look at the specs on this bad-boy.

Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 Gaming Performance

In terms of gaming performance, we dare to say that the Razer BlackWidow is on par with its more expensive competitors. Especially if you opt for the Razer Yellow switches suitable for fast-paced gaming. As they are a linear switch, rather than a tactile switch, they don’t require much force to actuate.

For this reason, if you’re more of a casual gamer who wants to work and game, you may want to opt for the Orange switches since they have a tactile bump. This way, there’s less room for error as you won’t accidentally press keys during intense competitive games or when writing important essays.

As you can choose between three switches, this mechanical keyboard is suitable for all types of gamers and genres. On the topic of keys, we also found that the keycaps themselves are perfectly spaced out across the wide chassis. This ensures that you’re able to accurately press each key, even during intense ranked matches.

What’s more, the additional five macros keys are suitable for gaming since you can fully customize them to suit your personal requirements. These are specifically handy for those of you who enjoy playing some of the best MMOs on the market. Saying that, you must make sure you can use macros in the first place as some games don’t allow them since they provide a massive gameplay advantage.

Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 Design

As we have previously touched on, we truly believe that the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 is one of the best gaming keyboards on the market right now. One of the main reasons we say this is due to the remarkable design choices that Razer has made. First of all, Razer finally bit the bullet and included an ergonomic wrist rest on this renewed version of the Razer BlackWidow. Such a simple addition will enable you to game for hours on end without feeling uncomfortable as you play.

This is a particularly handy feature for competitive gamers who spend all day training to beat the competition.

The magnetic wrist rest spans across the wide, 18.7 x 6.7 inch all-black chassis that admittedly looks very similar to its predecessor. In addition to the Numpad, this keyboard features a separate row of five macro keys along the left-hand side—which is also why this keyboard is enormous. These macros, alongside the programmable backlit keys, can be quickly customized through Razer’s hardware configuration tool, Razer Synapse.

On the BlackWidow Chroma V2, the Razer logo found in the top right-hand corner of its predecessor has been replaced by a handy LED indicator panel. This panel is especially convenient for knowing when you can begin recording macros and to quickly check whether the game mode is turned on or off.

Underneath the keycaps, you will find either a Green, Orange or the more recent Yellow Razer key switch depending on which one you decide to choose. If you’re unfamiliar with these, Razer Green and Razer Orange switches are tactile, while Razer Yellow switches are linear. These newer Yellow switches may be preferable if you’re into first-person shooters since they are quieter and don’t require much force to activate. While some may argue that these bespoke key switches aren’t as superior as Cherry MX switches, they certainly do the job just as well.

Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 Pricing and Alternatives

One thing you may be put off by when looking to purchase the BlackWidow Chroma V2 is its hefty price tag of $170. While the pros certainly outweigh the cons, not everyone has over $150 to spend on a mechanical keyboard. And if you’re a casual gamer who doesn’t spend all night gaming, you may not wish to spend so much in the first place. If this sounds like you, we think you’ll find our guide to the best budget gaming keyboards extremely handy.

Razer Huntsman Elite – $197.99

Alternatively, if you’re after a flagship gaming keyboard, why not take a look at our review on the Razer Huntsman Elite? While it’s very pricey, we think it’s worth every penny.

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Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2.

Is the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 Waterproof?

Unfortunately, the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 is not waterproof and therefore we suggest keeping liquids away from it at all times—especially fizzy drinks. If you do end up spilling something over your brand new keyboard, we have a convenient guide on how to clean your laptop keyboard.

While the BlackWidow Chroma V2 technically isn’t a laptop keyboard, our guide works for both built-in and separate keyboards. That being said, if you’re specifically looking for waterproof peripherals, we recommend taking a look at the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate—dust and spill-resistant gaming keyboard.

Are Razer Yellow Switches Good?

While Razer Yellow switches are fantastic for fast-paced gaming, they aren’t that good for typing. This is due to the fact that you can easily double-press them as they feature a short actuation point of 1.2mm.

Therefore, if you’re after a keyboard that you can use for both work and gaming, we highly recommend opting for the Razer Orange key switches instead. These switches feature a handy tactile bump without the audible click that you’ll find in some other tactile key switches.

What Switches Does Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 Use?

When purchasing the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2, you have the option to choose between Razer Green, Orange, and Yellow key switches. While these aren’t the typical Cherry MX switches you’d see in most mechanical keyboards, they deliver high-quality performance for long hours of gaming. Each of these switches is also said to have a keystroke lifespan of up to 80 million clicks, so you’ll be able to relax knowing that they will last.

Is Razer BlackWidow Ultimate RGB?

While the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate features individually backlit keys with dynamic lighting effects, you won’t be able to change the color from green. Even though this certainly matches Razer’s snake-green color scheme, some of you may not find it very appealing. If you’re after a keyboard with millions of color options, then you might want to take a look at our guide to the best gaming keyboards.

In this guide, we have included multiple keyboards with customizable backlit keys to match the color scheme of your gaming setup.

Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2: Final Verdict

Although the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 isn’t Razer’s flagship mechanical keyboard, it’s certainly up there with some of the best gaming keyboards on the market. Sure, the $170 price tag may not seem as attractive as all of the new and exciting features it has to offer, but we say that it’s totally worth it. Especially if you’re in the market for a brand new keyboard for casual or even competitive gaming.

Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Since you can choose between three bespoke Razer key switches, you’ll be able to pick the right switches for your personal requirements. Much like its predecessor, the BlackWidow Chroma V2 is an extremely responsive keyboard that performs well in all types of games. So, regardless of whether you prefer FPS or MOBA, we can’t recommend this Razer keyboard enough.

Design: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Although the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 doesn’t look much different compared to its predecessor, it’s a very sleek and minimalistic keyboard. With that said, the all-black chassis won’t seem so ordinary once you switch on the bright, individually programmable backlit keys that can spruce up any gaming space.

Price: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

At over $150,  we wouldn’t say that this is the most budget-friendly mechanical keyboard on the market. Albeit, thanks to all of its superior features and the way it performs in-game, we say that it’s definitely worth every penny. However, if you have a very specific budget, you may wish to take a peek at our guide to the best keyboards for gaming under $100.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

With all of that being said, the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 is a fantastic mechanical keyboard suitable for all types of gamers. While the overall design is fairly similar to its predecessor, you now have a detachable wrist rest and the choice of three Razer key switches. Due to these additions, you’ll be able to play for hours on end without feeling uncomfortable or missing a single key.