razer keyboard lcd screen quotation

Razer has announced the DeathStalker Ultimate, a gaming keyboard equipped with a 4-inch integrated touchpad that doubles as an auxiliary LCD display. The peripheral was announced at Gamescom 2012, and it"ll cost $249.99 when it ships in September. You"ll likely note that the gaming peripheral bears a striking resemblance to the RazerStar Wars: The Old Republic branded keyboard — the design is identical, and while the DeathStalker lacks a cheery color palette and strips of LED lighting, it bears the same 10 customizable LCD keys and integrated touchpad.

The DeathStalker Ultimate joins a long line of keyboards with integrated LCD displays — the most recent addition beingMad Catz"s Strike 7. But Razer is attempting to build out a selection of touchscreen apps with its Switchblade UI, coupling its ability to display critical character and game data with tools to take screenshots or check email and browse YouTube while you game. We got an early glimpse of the Switchblade UI on a keyboard with the Razer Blade laptop where it proved to be a so-so touchpad, but promised to make for an awesome independent peripheral — it isn"t quite there yet, but putting it on a keyboard remains a step in the right direction. If the $250 price tag doesn"t give you pause, the DeathStalker Ultimate will begin shipping in September. A $79.99 variant is available for the rest of us, but it scraps the auxiliary display in favor of a traditional number pad, and offers fewer backlighting options.

How many different products can modern manufacturers incorporate a touch screen? You know, with that question now out in the open air, I’m not sure I want the answer. Touch screens are popping up like mad. I have one on my phone, of course, a digital video recorder, a fan controller for my PC, and now I have one on two different keyboards. If you want more epic gaming products, take a look at our best gaming keyboards list.

The main feature list is nothing particularly noteworthy until you get to the touch screen. The chiclet-style keys are fully programmable, the backlighting is tri-color, and can be customized via Synapse 2.0 software. We have 1000Hz ultra polling with a 1ms response time. A dedicated game mode can be set so you can disable certain keys, which tend to get accidentally pressed while gaming. These include Alt, the Windows key, and others. Also, while in Gaming mode or logged in to Synapse 2.0, users get a 10-key rollover, where 10 keys can be pressed simultaneously, and all are recognized. Yet the features that set the Deathstalker Ultimate apart from the rabble are the aforementioned multi-touch LCD track-panel and the sophisticated 10 dynamic display keys (80Hz response time)

How about “elegance” is that for you? Because this one radiates it like a high fashion GQ model. From the solid, less-modular look to the lowered chiclet-style keys to the 800×600 capacitive multi-touch screen interface. The Razer Deathstalker Ultimate is a showstopper! You can even display your favorite images on the touch screen for a more tailored appeal. These can be pulled right from your computer directories. I should note this feature is untested as I could not get my images to appear on-screen. But that’s a minor crumb from a very rich table.

It’s a nuisance for sure, but Synapse 2.0 seems “…better. Stonger. Faster”. In the past, it was plagued with freezing and crashing. There is no sign of that. Bravo Razer! Moreover, it’s intuitive and makes creating and editing macros just as easy as the Smart Technology used by Mad Catz. I did run into a couple of issues. One is mentioned above–the wallpaper problem. The other… The LCD touch screen replaces a traditional Numpad. You can pull up a virtual Numpad, which looks very similar to what you see on your touch screen smartphone when looking at the dial pad. But sometimes, when I hit a series of numbers, only the first digit appears and removes the cursor from whatever field or file I was working in. I have to manually move the mouse cursor back to the file and then punch in the numbers using the garden variety keys found at the top of the keyboard. I’m sure this can be fixed, but currently, it makes the Numpad app quite unreliable.

Again, this is a full capacitive touch screen. It supports gestures such as two-finger scrolling up, down, or sideways. You can also use 3-fingers to single-swipe left and access the game profiles(3-finger swipe right to return), the screenshot app, and a title-specific set of timers. The timers are more fluff. But the game profiles…? There are profiles tailored to Team Fortress 2, Battlefield 3, Counter-Strike: GO, and SWTOR. Choose one of these profiles, and a nice corresponding game title image will appear on the touch screen. For instance, if you select BF3, then you must choose which class you plan to play (Recon, Assault, etc.) right from the touch screen. The 10 display keys then show an image that corresponds to one of the in-game actions. Go prone, switch to your pistol, or specialty item, are but a few of the baked-in options. You can even customize and edit this further. Or go and create a completely different profile. You can also have the display keys show your custom-created button images. It’s kind of neat but not really what I want from a touch screen-on-a-keyboard solution.

I wish there was something here more compelling regarding the apps. Both the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 and Deathstalker fall short of a game-changing killer app. The best each offers is the screenshot dealy on the Deathstalker Ultimate, and the Team Speak integration on the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7. Razer, like Mad Catz, is aware that gamers want more from their screens. So hopefully, we will see more apps in the future.

But I can’t complain a lick about the general keyboard performance. The Deathstalker Ultimate is not a mechanical keyboard by any means. Yet I really like typing on it–a lot!! I thought I preferred the mock-mechanical feel of the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 over the Deathstalker Ultimate. But I can type so much faster on these lowered chiclet-style keys. There is no lag, and everything seems very responsive. The flat keys have a bit more surface area and are easy to reach all around. I have no issues with typing or gaming.

There you have it–a big complicated review for an equally sophisticated product. The Razer Deathstalker Ultimate is an impressive board that needs a bit more time to realize its full potential. Only a couple of apps are majorly useful to gamers. I am confident more sought LCD functions will trickle down eventually. Let’s not forget Razer now has its own GameBooster client that does video capture, among many other things. Theoretically, this could be tacked on to work with the Deathstalker Ultimate multi-touch LCD screen. Until then, you get an obscenely stylish all-black keyboard, a large cache of fun but not particularly useful applications, and general-use performance that is as handsome as the aesthetics.

Bottom Line: The Deathstalker Ultimate is unlike any keyboard we’ve seen thus far. The full capacitive keyboard will turn many heads. Plus, general keyboard performance is excellent. I can easily recommend this one as I know Razer is committed to enhancing the longevity of that touch screen with more gamer-targeted applications.

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Razer, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, set a technological benchmark today with the release of its new Razer DeathStalker Ultimate gaming keyboard, featuring Razer"s award-winning Switchblade User Interface (UI).

The Switchblade UI on the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate is the same acclaimed, customizable LCD trackpad and LED keypad combo introduced on the Razer Switchblade concept, which can currently be found in production on the Razer Blade gaming laptop and the Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ gaming keyboard. This unique interface transforms gaming keyboard functionality into a customizable control panel with 10 dynamic, adaptive tactile keys that can be used to bind commands, macros, skills and spells for an unparalleled in-game competitive advantage. Each key can display any image by using Razer"s Synapse 2.0 software, offering gamers the smartest keyboard on the market.

The LCD panel below the keys is capable of two modes. The first setting displays critical in-game information, such as damage dealt and heals-per-second on the new Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ Battle Logger application, or countdown timers that keep track of in-game events with the Razer Gamer Timer application. This display also allows for intuitive multitasking, running external applications like YouTube and most social media platforms, which allows gamers to stay connected to the world by instantly updating their status for friends and followers to see, all on the LCD panel.

The Razer DeathStalker Ultimate features an anti-ghosting infrastructure of up to 10 keys in game mode. Users may actuate as many keys as they have fingers, and have them all register accurately and swiftly in-game.

Powered by Razer Synapse 2.0, the world"s first cloud-based storage software, the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate automatically saves all of a user"s custom settings and profiles for the gaming keyboard on a cloud server. These settings can then be accessed from any computer, with any Razer DeathStalker Ultimate, to ensure the keyboard is instantly ready for use.

"With the Switchblade UI on the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate, we wanted to offer gamers an enriching and intuitive gaming experience built for total game control," said Robert "RazerGuy" Krakoff, president of Razer USA. "We continue to work closely with independent software vendors to integrate the API of their games on the Switchblade UI, so that you can see more of the game as you play. I"m excited that we are making such cutting-edge technology available to gamers everywhere, and look forward to bringing more game-specific apps."

In addition to the revolutionary Razer DeathStalker Ultimate, Razer also introduced the Razer Deathstalker gaming keyboard. The Razer DeathStalker maintains a standard keyboard layout, replacing the Switchblade UI with a numpad instead. The Razer DeathStalker features the same unique design and features of the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate – a 10-key anti-ghosting infrastructure, chiclet-style keycaps, and Synapse 2.0 support.

COLOGNE (GamesCom 2012) –Razer™, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, announced the development of a Software Development Kit (SDK) for the award-winning Switchblade User Interface (UI). Game developers and users of the Razer Blade,Star Wars™:The Old Republic™gaming keyboard, and the newly launched Razer DeathStalker Ultimate will now be able to develop applications with the new Software Development kit.

The Switchblade UI"s 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys and LCD panel allow for two modes that offer a full, vibrant display and a trackpad. Users will be able to utilize the award-winning features of the SwitchBlade UI in creating applications of the developer"s choosing.

With the newly developed SDK, developers can freely create new applications for the Switchblade UI with possibilities ranging from informative guides, mini-maps, inventory slots, and other elevating features, all based in a free and open development model. Interested applicants may submit their inquiries to (SBUI_support@razerzone.com) or visithttp://www.razerzone.com/switchblade-ui/sdkfor a chance to craft out the apps of their choosing.Developers are required to have knowledge of C++ and C Sharp programming.

"With the development of the SDK for the Switchblade UI, we are pleased to offer every game developer the ability to create applications that will enhance their immersive experience for their favorite games," said Robert "RazerGuy" Krakoff, president of Razer USA. "I am eager to see the types of applications that can be made by our passionate and creative fans inside the development community."

PC enthusiasts expect to pay extra for premium peripherals, and Razer’s new Deathstalker Ultimate ($250) pushes that expectation to the breaking point by including a flashy new touchscreen interface that’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen in a gaming keyboard.

The keyboard chassis is light and durable, sporting shallow chiclet-style keys that look great but feel shallow. A rubberized wrist rest along the lower edge attracts dust and crumbs like a vacuum but keeps you comfortable during extended typing sessions. Like most Razer keyboards the DeathStalker Ultimate is fully programmable, and includes five extra macro keys on the left edge, a dedicated on-the-fly macro recording key, and a gaming mode key that functions as a toggle which disables the Windows key (and the Alt+Tab and Alt+F4 key combinations, if you like). Alongside these Razer staples you’ll find a new key sporting the Razer logo, which you can tap to revert the LCD trackpanel and accompanying keys built into the right side of the chassis back to their default interface.

The standout feature of the DeathStalker Ultimate is the Switchblade user interface, ten programmable LED keys and a 4-inch LCD multi-touch trackpanel built into the right side of the keyboard. By default the keys are bound to common tasks like logging into Twitter or launching a calculator app (and they sport equally common-place icons) but you can customize them to do pretty much anything with the Razer Synapse 2.0 device management software.

It’s a really neat gimmick that works surprisingly well without a lot of setup time. The trackpanel works well for basic navigational tasks (selecting and editing files, navigating a web browser, etc.) and works as well as just about any laptop trackpad I’ve tested; the gesture controls are a nice touch that let you pull off tricks like propelling your browser backwards or forwards through your browsing history by swiping three fingers left and right.You will need to download the Razer Synapse software in order to take advantage of the dynamic keys and adaptive screen, though; otherwise, it’s just a fancy trackpanel with a glowing Razer logo.

As of this writing the Razer Synapse driver software is easy to download and frustrating to use. Conceptually, it’s great: download Synapse and create a free Razer account, then customize your peripherals and your settings will be saved to Razer servers automatically, meaning you can take your Razer gear anywhere and simply download Synapse to have access to your custom configuration. In practice, Synapse runs slowly and sports an unintuitive interface. Most frustrating of all, during testing Synapse had a hard time reliably detecting Razer peripherals; while testing the DeathStalker Ultimate I had to install Razer Synapse three times across three different PCs, and each time I had problems convincing the software that I had in fact connected our review keyboard. I was able to solve the problem on all of our test machines by either rebooting the PC or reinstalling the software, but it was always a headache. I’ve never had this problem with Synapse while testing other Razer peripherals, so it may be an issue with the DeathStalker Ultimate; if so, a driver update may have solved the problem by the time you read this.

Once you do register the DeathStalker Ultimate with Synapse the ten dynamic keys transform into the afore-mentioned pre-programmed array of common apps; tapping one will open the linked program on the touchscreen, so if you tap the YouTube key the touchscreen displays a list of popular videos while the ten LED keys morph into shortcuts for common YouTube commands (Search, Watch Later, Account, etc.) The same goes for Twitter, Gmail, and the other pre-programmed apps on the Switchblade home interface; each will run on your keyboard’s LCD trackpanel as though it were a second display, a neat but ultimately fairly useless gimmick. If you use the trackpanel to watch video or listen to music the audio will play through your PC’s primary audio output device, as though you were simply playing media in a separate app on your desktop.

The Switchblade apps were a little buggy during testing; you can scroll through websites on the trackpanel just like you were viewing them on a tablet, dragging your fingers to move and tapping on the LCD screen to make selections, but often the trackpanel would become unresponsive when launching apps. More than once I had an app crash completely, leaving the trackpanel blank (though still functional as an input device) until I unplugged and reconnected the keyboard.

If you play a lot of games on your PC you may appreciate the custom layouts and game-specific functions that can be downloaded from Razer Synapse. These profiles typically assign a bunch of game-specific commands to the dynamic keys (along with gorgeous custom icons) and employ the trackpanel screen as a secondary display for various in-game functions like changing classes, displaying health and energy bars, tracking match statistics, etc. Only a handful of games (Team Fortress 2, Battlefield 3, The Old Republic, etc.) are supported as of this review, but it’s possible that more developers will partner with Razer in the coming months to release downloadable profiles for the DeathStalker Ultimate that utilize the Switchblade interface. Hopefully any future updates will take advantage of the 4-inch LCD display to provide information that can’t already be easily gleaned from playing a game normally; as it stands, I didn’t have a better experience playing games with the DeathStalker (using Team Fortress 2 and The Old Republic profiles where applicable) than without it.

To the contrary, I had a slightly harder time gaming with the DeathStalker Ultimate because my fingers were accustomed to the satisfying tactile feedback of a mechanical keyboard and my eyes were accustomed to looking at my screen, not my keyboard. Having one of the ten dynamic LED keys light up with a custom “Call for Medic” icon when you start playing Team Fortress 2 is great in theory, but in practice you will spend precious extra seconds glancing down at your keyboard to hunt and peck the right key before it becomes second nature. You can save yourself those precious seconds (and a significant chunk of change) by skipping the DeathStalker Ultimate in favor of a mechanical keyboard designed for gaming. Razer themselves offer a number of great options, including my personal favorite, the BlackWidow Ultimate.

Building a beautiful LCD touchscreen and ten programmable LED keys into a gaming keyboard is a neat idea, but in practice the Switchblade interface feels more like a gimmick than a useful feature. Opening apps like Twitter or Facebook on your keyboard instead of your browser is pointless, and the Switchblade’s custom game interfaces are frustrating because you have to look away from the action onscreen to use them. Early adopters and LAN partiers in need of a little extra braggadocio may embrace the Deathstalker Ultimate purely on the promise of being able to check Twitter on their keyboard between bouts of Counter-Strike, andMMORPG players will appreciate the extra screen space and programmable hotkeys afforded by the Switchblade UI; everyone else is better off saving some money and investing in a sturdy mechanical gaming keyboard instead.

The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is the best Razer keyboard we"ve tested. This flagship model comes fully loaded with features designed to elevate your gaming experience. The most notable of these features is the proprietary Optical Analog switches. These switches allow you to adjust the pre-travel distance on a per-key basis, giving you control over the sensitivity of your keypresses. The switches also support an "Analog Mode." With this mode enabled, the more pressure you apply to your keypress, the more you move in-game, like a joystick on a gamepad controller. This feature is excellent for racing games, flight simulators, or for having finer movements in FPS games. And with its split millisecond latency, the in-game experience feels very fluid and responsive.

Every key has a stabilizer underneath it, so there"s no wobble whatsoever, which is great as this reduces the chance of accidentally nicking a nearby key and messing up your shot. Plus, the keycaps are double-shot PBT, meaning they won"t get slick over time from the build-up of finger oil. Overall, it"s an incredibly high-performing keyboard right out of the box, sure to satisfy gamers of any skill level.

At its core, the Razer Pro Type Ultra is a gaming keyboard dressed up for an office job. The design has a nice, office-friendly aesthetic, similar to the silver and chrome style of Apple peripherals, with white-only instead of RGB backlighting. But, under the hood lies a gaming powerhouse offering exceptionally low latency that delivers a responsive in-game experience. This versatile unit also comes equipped with three different connection styles, so you can use it wired while it charges, with up to three devices using Bluetooth, or use the specialized USB receiver, which pairs with some other Razer office products. Razer advertises a battery life of over 200 hours when used wirelessly, so it"s sure to last you through the work week and beyond on a fresh charge.

Overall, it feels incredibly comfortable and pleasant to type on since the linear Razer Yellow switches are super light to actuate and have little resistance. Plus, there"s a cushioned wrist rest to support your wrists throughout your day. The keycaps feel great on your fingertips thanks to the soft-touch coating, and this coating adds a bit of extra grip, which is helpful if you"re prone to sweaty hands.

While the Razer BlackWidow V3 may be one of Razer"s older models, it"s still one of the best Razer gaming keyboards in their lineup. This wired-only model offers exceptionally low latency that"s perfect for competitive and reaction-based games where every second counts. And, thanks to its incredibly light switches, your keypresses feel very fluid. As a bonus, there"s a volume knob and dedicated media keys along the top of the keyboard, so you can easily control your media directly from the keyboard. The RGB backlighting is great for enthusiasts as it"s bright, and the colors are mixed very well. Plus, you can customize the backlighting on a per-key basis using Synapse 3 to display tons of cool lighting effects.

Though its full size takes up a lot of space on a desk, it"s still a solid choice for a permanent gaming setup. It also has a detachable wrist rest for extra support during those long gaming sessions. You also have the choice to get this keyboard with linear Yellow switches or clicky Green switches, which offer a loud, but satisfying click.

If the premium options are a bit out of your price range, don"t worry, there"s always the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition. Since this is an older version of their flagship Huntsman lineup, it"s available much cheaper than it was at launch, making it the best Razer gaming keyboard you can find for its price point. It uses Razer"s premium Optical switches instead of standard mechanical ones. These feel like a linear mechanical switch, but they use a beam of light to register inputs, meaning they feel much more 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.

Razer produces different proprietary switches, meaning you can find a keyboard with your preferred option. They make standard mechanical switches, optical ones, or even hybrid switches, which are rubber dome switches meant to feel like mechanical switches.

The Synapse 3 software isn"t compatible with macOS. Some of their lower-end keyboards don"t have onboard memory, so you can"t customize it on Windows and use those same settings on a Mac.

Razer keyboards are a bit pricey for their quality and aren"t necessarily the best gaming keyboards. A brand like SteelSeries has more features on its models for about the same price.

Compared to Corsair, Razer models tend to use fewer premium materials. Corsair keyboards often have aluminum top plates, PBT keycaps, and Cherry MX switches inside the boards. Razer models tend to have a sleeker aesthetic, with less noise, bells, and whistles. Also, Razer"s higher-end models use optical-mechanical switches, which have an adjustable pre-travel distance feature and a light actuation force. Essentially, you won"t go wrong with a model from either lineup, so it comes down to personal preference and the features you want.

Compared to SteelSeries, Razer offers a much wider range of options and models, with units like the Pro Type Ultra filling the productivity niche. That said, the flagship SteelSeries lineup, the Apex Pro series, is meant to compete with Razer"s flagship Huntsman lineup. Both of these lineups feature boards with an adjustable pre-travel distance feature and multi-input customization, though there are notable differences. The SteelSeries boards have a more consistent and accurate implementation of these features, while the Razer Huntsman Analog boards have an "Analog Mode" that gives you finer control over your in-game movements as the keyboards can emulate joystick controls.

Compared to Logitech, Razer has quite a narrow range of products. Logitech is a major manufacturer of keyboards for both gaming and office use, and their products come in a wide range of switch types, like membrane, scissor, and mechanical, while Razer units use membrane or mechanical switches. Razer does have a leg-up in that they use optical-mechanical switches, which have a greater range of customization over standard mechanical switches. As Razer products are designed for gaming use, they often have better latency, RGB implementation, and customization over Logitech.

Razer makes a good range of wired and wireless models designed mostly for gaming use. Their models are well-built and offer extremely low latency for a responsive in-game performance, but they often don"t have as many extra hardware features to make it worth their premium price tag. As a plus, they make their own in-house switches, which are optimized for gaming, and most of their keyboards come with a variety of switch types, so you can find a configuration that suits your needs right out of the box.

Amazon is offering the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard for $97.97 shipped. Down from $140, this beats our last mention by an additional $2 to mark the second-best price that we’ve tracked at Amazon. This keyboard uses Razer’s yellow mechanical switches which are “built for speed” with an actuation point of just 1.2mm and have no tactile feedback. Designed for as quiet of an experience as possible, Razer also includes sound dampeners to help keep noise levels down too. On top of that, this keyboard leverages Razer’s Chroma technology to offer 16.8 million colors and individually-backlit keys.

The perfect pair with today’s lead deal is the Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed gaming mouse. It comes in at $36 on Amazon, making it ideal to use today’s savings for. Since it’s made by Razer, you’ll find that it integrates with the same software on your PC and, while no Chroma lighting is available, it does offer six programmable buttons and wireless connectivity. Learn more about the Basilisk X in our hands-on review.

The name that started it all returns to reassert its dominance. Feel the difference with the Razer BlackWidow V3—backed by a legacy as the first and most iconic mechanical gaming keyboard, and armed with new, improved features including our world-renowned switches.

The Huntsman TKL V2 is a testament to Razer’s commitment to improving its products every year. The TKL form factor really is the sweet spot for a compact gaming keyboard that ticks all the boxes.

Razer’soptical switches are present on the Huntsman TKL V2, and they’re the best they’ve ever been. The switches feel amazingly smooth, and the response time is nearly instantaneous—so gamers can rest easy knowing that they won’t be missing any headshots because of lapses in the hardware.

The superb build quality of the Huntsman TKL doesn’t just stop at the body either. Razer uses PBT keycaps that are strong and feel great to type on. There is also a sound dampening foam pad inside the chassis to reduce vibrations, and it works flawlessly. It’s pretty clear that Razer has used its industry experience to deliver a truly well-built TKL keyboard.

You also get a nice braided and detachable USB Type C cable. Making the cable detachable was a great call on Razer’s part and allows for even more customization from the user’s end!

All in all, the Razer Huntsman TKL V2 is a great mechanical keyboard if you’re a gamer trying to spruce up their setup without having to pay an arm a leg. At $150, this is an awesome little keyboard that you won’t regret adding to your setup.

The Razer Huntsman Mini v2 is a keyboard built for hardcore eSports players who need extra desk real estate to flick their mice, or conversely, for minimalists who don’t care for arrow keys or number pads on their keyboards. It’s safe to say that this form factor is not for everyone.

In its essence, the Huntsman Mini V2 is a little brother to the Huntsman TKL V2. Razer decided to release a 60% variant of its ever-popular TKL model after overwhelming demand from fans on the internet.

Razer’s linear optical switches are present in the Huntsman Mini (just like its big brother), and still work flawlessly. They are fast and responsive, and Razer seems to have improved the sound of the switches from version one.

Starting at $100, the Razer Huntsman Mini is priced very competitively against other 60% keyboards, which usually tend to be much pricier as they’re offered by more niche keyboard manufacturers.

At $250, the Huntsman V2 Analog is Razer’s most expensive mechanical keyboard yet. But in this instance, the high price is justified (mostly) by what the Huntsman V2 Analog brings to the table.

This is Razer’s first time using analog optical switches on a keyboard. These switches are designed to mimic a controller trigger degree of inputs by allowing the user to program specific levels of actuation.

The Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed is a stellar wireless mechanical keyboard. It has 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity that’s low latency and will pose no issues when gaming.

The BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed uses mechanical switches instead of Razer’soptical ones, and you can get it in two different switch types. The yellow linears offer smooth feel and the green clicky switches cover both ends of the mechanical switch fandom. While they’re not as polished as Razer’s stellar optical switches, these mechanical switches are pretty great for what you get.

A wireless keyboard is only good as its battery life, and Razer has no worries here. The BlackWidow boasts a 200-hour battery life, and the included USB C cable allows you to charge up the keyboard relatively fast.

Unfortunately, Razer has opted for ABS keycaps on the BlackWidow, and not the far superior PBT keycaps found in their Huntsman series. But, at $120, the BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed is a solid wireless gaming keyboard that checks almost all the boxes that you need.

If the BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed is too small for your tastes, Razer has got you covered. The BlackWidow V3 Pro is a bigger brother that offers tons of extra features that kind of justifies its higher price.

Just like its little brother, the BlackWidow V3 Pro has all the same wireless connectivity features. The extra increase in real estate allows Razer to add a few extra features such as a media volume wheel and a full-size key layout. What’s more, you also get a free wrist rest in the box!

At around $200, the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro certainly isn’t cheap, but it’s a full-size wireless mechanical keyboard that offers everything you want and more.

Razer’s optical switches have set an industry standard for being well-built and reliable. They are over 30ms faster to actuate when compared to regular old mechanical switches, and have good key feel compared to the other major brands.

Razer’s Synapse customization software is leagues ahead of many other brands.While they still have a ways to go, Razer seems to be dedicated to improving customer experiences when it comes to Synapse.

Overall, Razer has been iterating on their products and truly delivering great gaming products based on the feedback of their customers. From PBT keycaps to now after-market cables and caps, investing in the Razer ecosystem is a good bet.

If I had to pick one major competitor to Razer’s keyboards, it would be Corsair. They both share the hardcore gamer appeal with their flashy RGB and riced-up keyboards that offer a boatload of extra features.

Razer has much more offerings that span various form factors where Corsair can’t even compete. Razer’s smaller TKL and 60% offerings truly revolutionized the gaming keyboard space.

Another point in Razer’s favor is the switch variety. While neither brand is super open-ended in terms of switches used, Razer does edge out against Corsair simply because they have a wider offering of mechanical and optical switch types. Corsair in contrast usually tends to stick to Cherry MX switches—which, while not necessarily bad, does limit your options when buying a new keyboard.

To me, Razer’s design language is much more appealing than Corsair’s. If you’re someone who’s looking for a sleek keyboard with great build quality (not to mention keys that feel amazing to type on), you’ll be very happy with any of Razer’s offerings.

Corsair does win when it comes to extra bells and whistles like macro keys and volume dials (some Razer keyboards do have dials, but not all), but in my opinion, that’s not enough to convince me to buy a Corsair over a Razer keyboard.

SteelSeries is another brand that butts heads frequently with Razer in the keyboard space. They both share similar design aesthetics with cool, seek builds that appeal to RGB-loving gamers everywhere.

SteelSeries does have a few things going for their keyboards that Razer does not have. Their acclaimed line of Apex Pro series of keyboards features an OLED display on the top right corner that can display handy pieces of information (or whatever the user wants, really).

Apart from these differences, Razer and SteelSeries keyboards feel very similar. They have similar build quality; which is to say they’re both built really well. They’re also priced similarly to each other, so neither one doesn’t really offer a better deal than the other.

Razer does have the advantage of having a wider range of wireless keyboards. SteelSeries tends to stick with wired for most of their models, so if you’re looking for a reliable wireless keyboard to game on, Razer might just be what you’re looking for.

Not all gaming keyboards are created equal. The switches (the mechanism under each key that identifies a press) and key caps that a gaming keyboard is equipped with can have a huge impact on not just gaming but also on the everyday typing experience.

CNN Underscored spent a few months testing 12 gaming keyboards, checking for ease of setup, software support, performance while gaming, typing lengthy documents and connectivity options. Admittedly, personal preference is going to play a big part in deciding which gaming keyboard is best for you. Do you like something that’s loud that provides tactile feedback with each keypress? Or do you prefer a key that’s quiet and requires little pressure before a keypress is registered? Because personal preference is certainly a factor, we made sure to take into account which options give you flexibility in use and setup.

After all was said and done, the best overall pick was as close as it gets, but after a lot of debate, we settled on a premium keyboard and a budget pick.

After thousands of keypresses and countless hours of testing, the Apex Pro rose to the top of our testing pool. And at $199.99, it delivers a comfortable typing experience and fit right into our gaming style. From playing action-packed first-person shooters to a more casual session of Minecraft, it kept up without any hiccups. One of our favorite features is the adjustable switches that allow you to fine-tune how much pressure the keys require for activation (aka a keypress) — it’s the only keyboard we tested with such a feature, and it made a huge difference. The OLED display is a nice touch as well, making it easy to adjust settings without having to leave a game and open the SteelSeries Engine 3 app.

We realize that not everyone will want to spend a ton on a gaming keyboard, so we also tested a handful of affordably priced keyboards — and, well, SteelSeries was back at it again, this time with the brand’s Apex 3. It borrows some of the same core features the Pro offers but cuts corners on some of the more advanced features. The whisper-quiet switches aren’t loud at all, and they’re responsive enough that we couldn’t find any issues with them whether we were posting to Twitter or playing just one more match of Call of Duty: Warzone. Did we mention it’s spillproof? Well, it is, so you won’t have to worry about ruining your investment if you get a little animated and knock over a cup. At just $49.99, it’s the least expensive model we tested, but that didn’t take away from the high-quality build and overall experience that’s sure to make gamers smile.

When it comes to a keyboard that checks off all of the possible boxes and then some, the Apex Pro shines bright, delivering extreme value with adjustable switches, individual key lighting and an OLED display that makes quickly changing settings a breeze.

The SteelSeries Apex Pro is a full-size keyboard, complete with a number pad and volume dial in an aluminum frame. It forgoes wireless connectivity for a USB connection. The cord actually has two USB connectors that connect to your computer. One adapter is for the keyboard itself, while the other adapter allows you to use a USB port that’s built directly into the keyboard itself. Having a USB port on your keyboard is convenient if getting to the back or bottom of your gaming PC is difficult, especially if all you’re doing is plugging in a thumb drive or another temporary peripheral.

The bottom of the keyboard includes channels to route the USB cables to two different spots on the back of the housing, along with adjustable legs that will put the keyboard at different angles based on your preference.

Yes, the Apex Pro has its own OLED display. It isn’t that big, around 2 inches long and an inch tall, but it displays relevant information using various plug-ins via the Engine 3 app, and you can even customize the screen saver. Having the ability to make adjustments like switching between configurations or changing the lighting profile isn’t uncommon for gaming keyboards, with most having some sort of keyboard shortcut combination to cycle through them. The OLED display, however, lets you know exactly what you’re switching to so you’re not left guessing. More seasoned gamers will feel right at home using keyboard shortcuts and macros to switch between modes, but for those who are just getting started the display offers peace of mind.

Our favorite part of the Apex Pro — and one of the reasons it rose above the competition — is because it has OmniPoint adjustable switches on the main section of the keyboard. Meaning, you can control how far you have to push in before a keypress is registered. There’s a total of 10 different settings you can pick from, ranging from 0.4 to 3.6 millimeters of travel.

We settled for level 5, right in the middle, and found it to be responsive enough that we felt confident we wouldn’t trigger accidental keypresses (something that happened all too often with lower levels), but we didn’t need to consciously think about pressing the key all the way down. But that’s what makes the Apex Pro so appealing: Some gamers have a light touch, while others have a heavy hand. With the Pro, you don’t have to worry about which switch to buy based on your playing style. Instead, you can make changes and try different levels of pressure until you find what setting best fits your playing style. On a regular keyboard with static switches, you’re stuck with what you purchased.

Granted, the OmniPoint switches don’t let you change between a loud or quiet key switch, but the ability to customize pressure over the life of the keyboard is a huge selling point. Not only can you tailor it to fit your playing style right now, but as it changes over time you can make further adjustments.

Gaming with the Pro was a ton of fun and comfortable. Inside the box is a magnetic armrest that attaches to the bottom of the keyboard, propping your wrists up high enough to remove any discomfort of reaching for the keys.

Every keyboard we tested, including the Apex Pro, has a feature called N-key rollover. What that means for users is that the keyboard is able to process each keypress instead of relying on the computer to do it, ensuring that no presses are missed. Another staple of gaming keyboards is anti-ghosting, which is a fancy term that translates into the keyboard preventing itself from accidentally doubling keypresses when you only pressed a specific button once. In other words, every keypress is registered. Nothing less, nothing more. And that was the case during our time with the Apex Pro, even while we played games ranging from Call of Duty: Warzone to Fortnite, where being able to quickly move around during intense battles (or run away from enemies) is a key part of trying to be the last player standing.

As for everyday use, there’s nothing worse than a bunch of random typos because a keyboard keeps misfiring or not recognizing each keystroke. Between typing out messages in Slack or composing long emails, we never experienced any errant key entries that we didn’t cause ourselves.

SteelSeries didn’t stop at making a fantastic high-end gaming keyboard with the Apex Pro. The Apex 3, at $49.99, takes a no-frills approach in comparison to the Pro model. It ditches the adjustable switches and the OLED display but still keeps a robust typing experience with a few flagship features of its own.

The coolest feature of the Apex 3 would have to be the IP32 water resistance rating, which protects it from accidental spills. Accidents do happen, and when they do, it shouldn’t ruin your keyboard. It’s too bad the Pro model doesn’t have this same feature, let alone many of the other keyboards we tested, which were more expensive. Only the $59 Razer Cynosa V2 offered the same sort of spill resistance feature. It’s rare, but oh-so-appreciated.

Even at this price point and with the protective layer, the Apex 3 stands as a full-size keyboard with a number pad and media controls. Included with the keyboard is a magnetic wrist rest that attaches to the bottom for a more ergonomic feel. In our tests, it proved to give our wrists a rest, putting our hands and fingers at just the right angle so we didn’t feel like we had to stretch to reach the keys. If you’ve ever tried typing or gaming on a mechanical keyboard without any sort of wrist rest, you’ve surely experienced wrist fatigue.

And let’s dive into the typing experience of the Apex 3 — it’s lacking on switch options, but we don’t see this as a problem. Whether we threw gaming or generic typing at it, our fingers seemed to always find the right key. There was plenty of space between the keys but not so much that we felt like the keyboard was too spread out. Although louder keys are fun, our family appreciated the fact that it didn’t sound like we were constantly banging on plastic while typing long articles.

The keys, although quiet, were responsive, with a keypress feel that was similar to the Apex Pro. You’ll get N-key rollover to protect from missed keypresses on 24 keys and gaming-level anti-ghosting to prevent the keyboard from registering two keypresses.

It’s also not silent or as loud as other gaming keyboards. It comes with what SteelSeries calls “whisper quiet” switches. We wouldn’t quite say they’re whisper quiet, but they’re nowhere near the clickety-clack sound of the Apex Pro. To be clear, we rather like that sound for gaming keyboards. It’s part of the overall experience. But that said, we have no issues with those who prefer something quieter.

The bottom of the Apex 3 has a series of cable management channels, which we’ve grown to appreciate during all of our testing. Quite frankly, it’s just super handy and leaves our desk less cluttered. There are also adjustable legs that change the angle of the keyboard.

After deciding on our testing pool from user reviews, new launches and our expertise, we got to testing 12 gaming keyboards. And it all started as we unboxed them, keeping in mind if all the necessary peripherals were included and how clear the instructions were. With many of these, the setup didn’t end with just plugging in the keyboard, but we also looked at customizations around keypress and even companion software.

These applications, available for Mac and Windows alike, provide users with an easy way to customize the keyboard, including everything from macros, aka shortcuts, to fun and colorful lighting around the keys. With some picks, like our overall choice, there’s even a screen on the keyboard for making these adjustments on the fly.

We also paid close attention to the connectivity provided. Did the keyboard feature 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth for easy pairing, or did it stick with a single hardwired experience?

The Alienware AW510K low-profile gaming keyboard looks amazing in person. We tested the lunar light model, but you can get it in black as well. The white showed off per-key RGB lighting effects, and low-profile Cherry MX keys scored high in our testing. Getting it set up was a bit confusing. By the time we found the link to download and install the Alienware Command Center, our PC had downloaded and installed it automatically through the Microsoft Store without us knowing what was happening.

The K96 RGB Platinum was nearly our best overall pick, with the Apex Pro only slightly beating it out. It offers nearly everything the Pro does, save for adjustable switches and the OLED display. You can pick between Cherry’s MX Brown or MX Speed keys, and a black or gunmetal finish. Using Corsair’s iCue software you can customize the K95, including assigning special functions to the column of keys on the far-left side of the keyboard with macros or whatever you want.

The K100 RGB optical-mechanical gaming keyboard has a few tricks that aren’t apparent at first. The media controls include a wheel for adjusting volume with a button in the middle, but you can program that button to change profiles or activate different lighting profiles. Like the K95, there’s an extra column of keys you can program. We tested the K100 RGB version with Corsair OPX switches, but you can also get it outfitted with Cherry MX Speed switches if you prefer.

We had high hopes for the HyperX Alloy Elite 2 gaming keyboard. It looks like a top-tier gaming keyboard for a fraction of the cost, but ultimately the typing and gaming experience on it wasn’t all that impressive. We couldn’t ever really figure out when a keypress would be registered, especially with the space bar, which either ignored presses altogether or duplicated our efforts for no reason. If you still want to give the Alloy Elite 2 a shot, we understand. It’s feature set is impressive, and the price is right, with software that will let you customize how the keyboard looks and works and dedicated media controls. Just don’t get your hopes up.

Much like the Alloy Elite 2, we struggled to ever find our rhythm with the Alloy Origins Core keyboard. Not to the same extent, but it wasn’t as smooth of an experience as other keyboards we tested. It’s a Tenkeyless (TKL) design, so it’s smaller and more compact than the Origins Core. Its all-black finish looks fantastic when all of the LEDs are lit up, and there’s a USB-C port on the back to connect it to your computer. You can store up to three profiles in its internal memory that you can quickly switch between based on your mood or the game you’re playing.

If you’re looking for a keyboard that does it all with a slim profile and don’t need a number pad, then the 915TKL is for you. You can connect it to your PC using the included 2.4 GHz adapter, Bluetooth or a Micro USB cable. Along the top of the keyboard you’ll find several custom buttons that switch from Logitech’s Lightspeed wireless tech, Bluetooth, enable/disable gaming mode and media controls. The 915TKL scored highest for typing and gaming experience, thanks to its low-profile keys that are easy to press and quickly pop back into place. Ultimately, though, we found the SteelSeries Apex Pro to provide a better overall experience at a slightly cheaper price point.

Logitech’s G Pro gaming keyboard is another TKL design; however, instead of a slim profile like the 915TKL, the G Pro has a more traditional design and footprint. It’s still fairly small, but it boasts standard keycaps and GX Clicky Switches that can be heard from across the room. It connects to your PC using a Micro USB cable and works with Logitech’s G Hub software to customize lighting, buttons and create macros. Our favorite feature of the G Pro is just how compact it is without skimping on the mechanical look and feel many gamers desire.

The BlackWidow V3 Pro combines wireless connectivity and Razer’s Green (tactile and clicky) or Yellow Switches (linear and quiet) with total customization, thanks to the Razer’s Synapse software. There are dedicated media keys and a volume dial that make it easy to make adjustments without having to remember some weird key combination. Included in the box is a leather armrest to help ease strain on your wrists during intense gaming or long writing sessions. If you’re already invested in the Razer ecosystem and want the best gaming keyboard the company has to offer, the BlackWidow V3 Pro is where it’s at.

Razer’s Huntsman Mini is a 60% mechanical keyboard. That just means that it’s even smaller than a TKL keyboard. It’s so small, in fact, that it even lacks arrow keys. It uses Razer’s Optical Switches, in clicky or linear, and to make up for the lack of all the extra keys most of us are accustomed to, some of the keys have secondary functions that require you to hold in the Fn key to access. You can easily identify those keys by a small icon printed on the side of the key. Additionally, the function keys light up when you press the Fn key. The Mini was a dream to game and type on, but it comes with a steep learning curve if you’re new to 60% keyboards.

Typing and gaming on the Razer Cynosa V2 reminded us of a high-quality office keyboard, only much, much cooler. The individually lit keys add some gaming flair to your desk, and you can use Razer’s software to customize and program the colors to fit your mood or the game you’re playing. The Cynosa V2 is spill resistant and has multiple cable routing options on the bottom to help keep your desk clean. The Cynosa V2 was nearly our top budget pick, but the Apex 3 edged it out.