If you're looking for the best gaming peripherals, there are a few names that will pop up quite frequently. Logitech, ASUS, Corsair, Razer are some of the most suitable brands for your configuration. In this review, I'll tell you specifically about the Razer BlackWidow V3, a mechanical gaming keyboard with lots of cool features. Scroll down to read it!
Pros:
- Made of aluminum (frame) and ABS (keycaps)
- Razer Green Switch with 1.9mm activation
- Razer Synapse software is a certainty
- Very useful digital roller
Cons:
- But sometimes uncomfortable to reach
- Sparse equipment
- For some, the noise of the switches may not be ideal
Although they cost more on average, mechanical keyboards specifically designed for gamers do offer:
- faster execution speed
- sound and tactile feedback
- several additional features
- longer reliability.
Razer's model seems to promise all of this, but will it improve your in-game experience?
This is what we will try to understand throughout the article. In the meantime, you can see the availability and price of the Razer BlackWidow V3 on Amazon.
Build quality and layout
From the outside, the Razer's keyboard seems to have an all too classic layout. In fact, it is the size of a full factor model with arrows and a numeric pad included.
However, behind the layout is a very solid build quality that frames the various plastic parts on an aluminum frame.
Razer's design choice is interesting: the keys have transparent housing, which lets you see both the travel and the outside of the switches.
In this way, in addition to making the backlight more visible, you can easily clean the keyboard even with compressed air.
The Razer BlackWidow V3 does not have multimedia keys, not even integrated into the function keys as is the case in the Logitech G413.
To overcome this lack, however, the American brand has included the new Digital Roller.
You can find it on the keyboard at the top right, and it is a fairly wide wheel thanks to which you can:
- control the volume;
- manage reproduction;
- go to the next track;
- navigate through the multifunction menus;
- check the backlight.
As we will see later, you can also customize its commands via the Razer Synapse software.
This is undoubtedly a simple and interesting solution, even if sometimes the use is not very comfortable due to the position.
Another bittersweet aspect concerns the presence of the palm rest. Compared to other gaming keyboards, the Razer BlackWidow V3 has it, but it does not latch on either mechanically or magnetically.
It is comfortable to use but sometimes tends to shift during use despite the rubber feet.
The contents of the box
The equipment of this Razer is quite essential. Inside the package you will find only:
- Razer BlackWidow V3, mechanical gaming keyboard;
- independent ergonomic palm rest;
- User Manual.
Spare keycaps and also the extractor are missing. Certainly, I would have expected something more, given the quality and price of this keyboard.
Mechanical switches and performance
The Razer BlackWidow V3 is equipped with Green Switches, switches developed by Razer specifically for its line of gaming keyboards.
In particular, these are tactile switches that have:
- a very short run;
- immediate activation;
- very pronounced sound feedback.
The values ​​are very good, thanks to the full stroke of 4.0 mm and activation at 1.9 mm, with a reset point of only 0.4 mm.
Finger pressure resistance is only 50 grams, very similar to the 45 grams of the Romer-G switches we saw in action in the Logitech G413.
The anti-ghosting up to 26 keys simultaneously and the polling rate of 1000 Hz are also excellent, with inputs communicated at a distance of 1 ms each.
Given these characteristics, you will already have understood that the Razer BlackWidow V3 is a keyboard that - from the point of view of the user experience - offers few compromises.
The excellent Green Switches work great and are certified for 80 million pressures. In addition, they can also be heard from several meters away: if at home you have problems with noise pollution or poor insulation, with this keyboard you will not improve the situation.
But if you love the sound of mechanical keys, the Razer switches are sure to be for you, with high responsiveness and a true gaming keyboard sound.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for a quieter experience without having to compromise on the quality of the beat, you may be interested in the Razer BlackWidow V3 Yellow Switch.
This is the same model but with linear switches that offer less noisy feedback. At the moment, however, only the version with the American key layout is available.
Razer Synapse and backlight
As with other Razer gaming peripherals, such as the DeathAdder V2 and the Kraken Ultimate, all software management is entrusted to Razer Synapse.
Through this application, in fact, you can:
- customize all keys (yes, you read that right: all) with macros;
- set different levels of Razer Chroma backlighting, also compatible with the one you find in the company's gaming mice and headphones;
- memorize up to 5 profiles in the onboard memory.
In particular, the Chroma RGB backlight will allow you to choose between different animations and with 16.8 million colors.
In addition to this, the customization also affects the Digital Roller and the attached button. As we saw earlier in the review, on the multifunction wheel you can memorize any type of multimedia command, a feature that compensates for the limited presence of dedicated keys on the keyboard.
Check the Latest Price on Amazon
Conclusions
In conclusion, the Razer BlackWidow V3 is a mechanical gaming keyboard for those who want to maximize game performance and don't mind compromises.
The Green Switches do theirs very well and return high-quality tactile and sonic feedback. Plus, the build is top-notch and the Razer Synapse's features are the icing on the cake.
If you can spend a little extra on a keyboard to use in your sessions, you're looking at one of the best.
If you are looking for something different, I suggest you take a look at the list of the best gaming keyboards. You will find different and for all budgets!
