The Razer BlackWidow is the entry-level keyboard in Razer's BlackWidow lineup. It's meant to be a more budget-friendly option to the Razer BlackWidow Elite and it doesn't come with a wrist rest or dedicated media keys. However, it's still an outstanding gaming keyboard with Razer's proprietary clicky Green switches, which have a low pre-travel distance, great for gamers. You can set macros to any key either through the Razer Synapse 3 software or on the keyboard itself, and it has full RGB backlighting. Sadly, it doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics and its high profile may lead to fatigue while typing. Lastly, this keyboard is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, but the dedicated software is only available on Windows.
Our Verdict
The Razer BlackWidow is outstanding for gaming. The proprietary Razer Green switches have a low pre-travel distance, don't require much force to actuate, and they provide good, clicky feedback. It has full RGB backlighting and you can set macros to any key either through the dedicated software or on the keyboard itself. Sadly, it doesn't have a wrist rest, which may lead to fatigue during long gaming sessions.
- Low pre-travel distance.
- Full RGB backlighting.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics.
The Razer BlackWidow is okay for office use. It offers a good typing quality with good tactile feedback, but the switches are too loud to be used in an open-office environment. It doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics, so you may feel tired typing on it for long periods.
- Good typing quality.
- Good build quality.
- Doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics.
- Razer Green switches are too loud for open-office environment.
The Razer BlackWidow is a wired keyboard that isn't designed to be used with mobile devices.
The Razer BlackWidow is good for programming. All keys are macro programmable either through the dedicated software or the keyboard itself. It has a good typing quality, but without a wrist rest, it may feel tiring typing on this keyboard for long periods. On the upside, it has full RGB backlighting, great if you work in a dark environment.
- Good typing quality.
- Full RGB backlighting.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics.
- Synapse 3 software isn't available on macOS.
- Doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics.
- Doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 29, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3.1, which adds a new estimated PCB latency test to the Single-Key Latency section and a new Analog test to the Switches section of this review. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Oct 30, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3, which overhauls how key input is evaluated. We've added new tests for Single Key Latency, Multi Key Latency, Data Transmission, and Chord Split. We've also introduced a new Raw Performance usage and adjusted how the Gaming and Office usage scores are calculated. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Jun 21, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update introduces new Backlight Features and Backlight Clarity test boxes. We've also added a new Switches test box, added additional test comparisons to our Hardware Customizability test box that we introduced with our last Test Bench. For an in-depth look at our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated May 31, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.1. This update adds several new tests addressing Hardware Customization, Macro Keys And Programming, and Wireless Mobile Compatibility. We've also added new objective evaluations to the Typing Noise test, and we've simplified several tests and removed several others that were no longer relevant. For an in-depth look at all our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
Check Price
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The Razer BlackWidow is an outstanding gaming keyboard but it's not very versatile for other types of use, and there are better options like the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2. Also, if you want to pay a bit more, the Razer BlackWidow Elite has more features like a USB passthrough and it comes with a wrist rest. Also see our recommendations for the best RGB keyboards, the best gaming keyboards, and the best Razer keyboards.
The Razer Huntsman is better than the Razer BlackWidow. The Huntsman has Razer Optical switches which offer a quick and responsive gaming experience and a better typing quality, and it's also better-built. On the other hand, the BlackWidow has clicky switches that offer audible feedback.
The Razer Ornata Chroma is a better office keyboard than the Razer BlackWidow because it has a wrist rest. However, the BlackWidow is a better choice for gaming because the mechanical switches have a shorter pre-travel distance. Overall, they're similar keyboards that offer the same features, but the Ornata doesn't have onboard memory, while the BlackWidow does.
The Razer BlackWidow Elite is much better than the Razer BlackWidow. The Elite is available in three different switches, so you can get the ones you prefer, it has a wrist rest, it's better-built, it has a USB passthrough, and it has dedicated media keys.
The Razer BlackWidow V3 is an updated version of the original Razer BlackWidow which makes several improvements. While the original is only available with clicky Razer Green switches, the newer version is also available with linear Razer Yellow switches, which are the switches we tested. They provide a lighter actuation than the Green switches and are quieter. Latency is also lower on the newer version and it has better ergonomics as it comes with a wrist rest.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for videos & test results
