Razer is well known for the numerous iterations and configurations it releases for its most popular PC gaming peripheral product lines, and the BlackWidow is the latest to drop. First launched in 2010, the BlackWidow mechanical gaming keyboard has developed a following among serious PC gamers, and can be found in the post-COVID era as a key component in home office setups for the gaming-inclined.

The newest version, the BlackWidow V4 Pro, received high praise from yours truly as “the closest I’ve seen a keyboard come to a successful jack-of-all-trades.” This latest release is the 75% configuration version of the BlackWidow V4 Pro, and Razer has prepared some features and upgrades to entice would-be adopters.

Price, availability, and specs

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro in 75% configuration is available from Amazon and Best Buy, as well as directly from Razer online. Its retail price is $300, though it could reasonably be expected to drop somewhat as we get a bit farther away from launch.

As a BlackWidow V4 Pro user myself, the added feature I’m most excited about in this model is wireless connectivity. The 75% version brings 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.1 onboard, capable of connecting with up to three devices via Bluetooth. At just 13 inches wide, the 75% version of the BlackWidow V4 Pro is certainly intended to be mobile, though it’s worth mentioning that taking it wireless added some weight. The full-size version of the V4 Pro, which I use daily, measures almost 18.5 inches across and weighs 2.53 pounds, while the 75% version I tested weighs 2.16 pounds, so it’s to say it’s not 75% of the weight.

Another immediately noticeable feature that I greatly appreciated when working is that the 75% V4 Pro is quiet as a mouse. This version of the BlackWidow V4 Pro sports sound-dampening foams in its case, Razer Orange tactile switches, and Razer’s in-house version of the infamous tape mod. If, for some reason, the factory sound or feel is not to your liking, the 75% V4 Pro features hot-swappable switches, so users can easily customize and change the switches.

With the release of the V4 Pro, Razer also announced that a software-level version of Snap Tap would now be available on the entire BlackWidow lineup. This hotly anticipated feature was borrowed from the Razer Huntsman Keyboard, where it exists as a hardware-level feature.

What I liked about the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%

Wireless connectivity is a huge win

The standout feature for me on the V4 Pro 75% is the added wireless capability. I’m someone who loves eliminating cables in my otherwise cable-heavy gaming PC setup. The V4 Pro 75% supports true 2.4 GHz wireless as well as Bluetooth 5.1 with support for multi-device BT connection. The ease of wireless connectivity and the reduced cable clutter on my desk was a huge win in my book.

Razer advertises a 2,100-hour battery life in “power saving mode,” though in my opinion, what’s the point of a great gaming keyboard without RGB turned to the max? In reality, the battery life is lower with normal use but never became an issue. If you care to keep closer track of battery life, you can choose to display it on the built-in OLED screen.

Work and play functionality

Recent versions of the BlackWidow lineup firmly position themselves at the intersection of work and gaming keyboards. Their RGB, Razer Synapse support, and features like Snap Tap scream gaming, but their relatively short key travel, long-session-friendly switches, and practical features like the command dial make for a truly work-friendly keyboard.

I use the command dial constantly to switch between applications, control my music while working, and adjust the volume on my PC. It’s highly customizable, and users can choose from a wide range of functions for the command dial to control.

Typing on this keyboard is a dream, which is as much an endorsement of the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% itself as it is of Razer’s Orange Tactile switches. Sometimes, mechanical keyboards are so loud and clacky that they make me want to wear headphones while writing just to drown them out.

What I didn’t like about the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%

Built-in OLED was a let-down

When Apple introduced the OLED “Touch Bar” on the MacBook Pro in 2016, I “oohed” and “ahed” for about 5 minutes, then proceeded to never use it again. That’s how I feel about the built-in OLED on the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%. The small OLED display in the top right corner of the keyboard is about 2″ x 0.5″ of actual display. It can be customized to show your PC stats, keyboard info like battery and modes, emotes and simple animations, a customizable scrolling banner, or you can upload your own image or GIF to display.

While that sounded neat initially — and honestly, I may just not be the target audience — the implementation in the real world was somewhat anti-climactic. For starters, the display is limited to grayscale, so you’ve got a gray, colorless image in the corner of your bright, colorful, RGB-enabled gaming keyboard.

To top it all off, I can’t even see the little screen most of the time because, depending on how you sit at your desk (I tend to lean back in my chair in a relaxed posture), the backspace button and delete key obstruct your view. Ultimately, this felt like a gimmick, and I’m left wondering if the keyboard would be cheaper without it.

Verdict: Should you buy the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%

The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a strong entry in Razer’s BlackWidow lineup. Its compact frame makes it perfect for mobile gamers, tournament regulars, or anyone working and gaming at smaller desks. Unless you have a huge gaming desk, sometimes saving that lateral space is worth losing a few keys.

The wireless connectivity is a huge boon to this release, though I find myself wishing Razer would release a wireless version of the full-size V4 Pro. The BlackWidow lineup remains a stellar choice for those who game and work on the same system, and the 75% V4 Pro is a powerful option for gamers on the go or short on space.