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Razer Pro Type Keyboard Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0
Reviewed Sep 18, 2020 at 08:25 am
Latest change: Retest Nov 30, 2022 at 02:23 pm
Razer Pro Type Picture
8.7
Gaming
6.2
Mobile/Tablet
7.3
Office
7.9
Programming
6.9
Entertainment / HTPC

The Razer Pro Type is a good wireless mechanical keyboard intended for productivity. Designed to complement the Razer Pro Click mouse, it has a simple design with a matte white finish. It can connect to one device via a wireless USB receiver or three over Bluetooth at once, and you can switch between them easily. The backlighting is bright enough to be visible in well-lit environments; however, it's limited to a single color and doesn't allow for custom lighting effects. The Razer Orange switches provide an excellent typing experience, with satisfying tactile feedback and incredible responsiveness. It isn't fatiguing to type on, but the lack of a wrist rest is rather disappointing. Although every key is programmable, customization requires the Synapse 3 software, only available for Windows.

Our Verdict

8.7 Gaming

The Razer Pro Type is excellent for gaming. The Razer Orange switches are easy to actuate, and their short pre-travel distance provides incredible responsiveness. It's well-built, and it has backlighting for those who like to play in the dark. Every key is programmable, but sadly, there aren't any dedicated macro keys for MMO games.

Pros
  • Programmable keys.
  • Bright backlighting.
  • Good build quality.
  • Low pre-travel distance.
Cons
  • Doesn't come with wrist rest.
  • No dedicated media controls.
6.2 Mobile/Tablet

The Razer Pro Type is mediocre for use with mobile devices. Due to its Bluetooth support, it can connect to most mobile devices. Most keys function properly; however, there's no software support for customization. Also, it's too big and heavy to carry around.

Pros
  • Multi-device pairing.
  • Good build quality.
Cons
  • Doesn't come with wrist rest.
  • No dedicated media controls.
  • Too big and heavy for portable use.
7.3 Office

The Razer Pro Type is a good keyboard for office use. It provides an excellent typing experience that feels light and responsive without causing too much typing noise. It isn't fatiguing to type on, but some people may need a wrist rest due to the keyboard's relatively high profile, and there isn't one included in the box. Unfortunately, while it has full compatibility with Windows, macOS users don't have access to customization options due to the lack of software support.

Pros
  • Good typing experience.
  • Quiet typing noise.
  • Multi-device pairing.
  • Good build quality.
Cons
  • No software support for macOS.
  • Doesn't come with wrist rest.
  • No dedicated media controls.
7.9 Programming

The Razer Pro Type is a great keyboard for programmers. The Razer Orange switches provide a good amount of tactile feedback and are easy to actuate, resulting in an amazing typing experience. There's backlighting if you like to work in the dark, but it isn't customizable. Every key is macro-programmable, and it has a multi-device pairing feature that lets you connect up to three Bluetooth devices simultaneously for easy switching. Some people may need a wrist rest due to the keyboard's fairly high profile; however, there isn't one included.

Pros
  • Good typing experience.
  • Programmable keys.
  • Bright backlighting.
  • Good build quality.
Cons
  • No software support for macOS.
  • Doesn't come with wrist rest.
  • No dedicated media controls.
6.9 Entertainment / HTPC

The Razer Pro Type is decent for use with a home theater PC. It has Bluetooth connectivity, which means you don't need to have a cable running from your PC to the couch. However, you need a separate mouse to navigate the user interface because there's no trackpad. On the upside, it has backlighting so that you can see the keys when watching a movie or gaming in the dark.

Pros
  • Good build quality.
Cons
  • Doesn't come with wrist rest.
  • No dedicated media controls.
  • 8.7 Gaming
  • 6.2 Mobile/Tablet
  • 7.3 Office
  • 7.9 Programming
  • 6.9 Entertainment / HTPC
  1. Updated Nov 30, 2022: Due to a well-known and experienced double-clicking issue, the scores of the Build Quality and Typing Experience boxes have been lowered. The text now shows the issues experienced.
  2. Updated Dec 15, 2021: We incorrectly listed that you can pair with four Bluetooth devices instead of three.
  3. Updated Feb 04, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
  4. Updated Sep 18, 2020: Review published.
  5. Updated Sep 04, 2020: Early access published.
  6. Updated Aug 27, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
  7. Updated Aug 27, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  8. Updated Aug 24, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the Razer Pro Type keyboard in white, and there are no other variants. It's the older version of the Razer Pro Type Ultra, which has Razer Yellow switches and a wrist rest. You can see our unit's label here.

Compared To Other Keyboards

The Razer Pro Type is an overall great keyboard. It's well-built, has good multitasking features, and provides an excellent typing experience. However, it lacks dedicated media controls, backlight customization, and it's only available with one type of switch. For other options, check out our recommendations for the best ergonomic keyboards, the best wireless keyboards, and the best mechanical keyboards.

Razer Pro Type Ultra

The Razer Pro Type and the Razer Pro Type Ultra are nearly identical, but the Ultra comes with a wrist rest. Also, the Ultra uses the Razer Productivity Dongle, meaning you can connect another device to it if it uses the same receiver as well. While the Pro Type comes with tactile Razer Orange switches only, the Ultra comes with linear Razer Yellow switches only.

Logitech G915 LIGHTSPEED

The Razer Pro Type and the Logitech G915 LIGHTSPEED are for different uses. The Razer is a full-sized productivity keyboard, while the Logitech is a low-profile keyboard intended for gaming. The Razer has white-only backlighting and is only available with tactile Razer Orange switches. You can rebind or program macros to any key on the Razer. On the other hand, the Logitech has full RGB backlighting and is available in either GL Tactile, GL Clicky, or GL Linear switches, all of which are low-profile switches. Unfortunately, you can only rebind or set macros to the dedicated macro buttons on the Logitech.

Razer BlackWidow Elite

The Razer Pro Type and the Razer BlackWidow Elite are very different keyboards. The Pro Type is a wireless keyboard designed for productivity with multi-device pairing capability, while the Elite is a wired-only keyboard intended primarily for gaming. The Elite has more features, such as full RGB backlighting, dedicated media controls, onboard memory, and a wrist rest. Also, the Elite is more customizable because it's available with different types of switches, while the Pro Type is only available with Razer Orange switches. The Elite has lower latency, and its Razer Orange switches have a shorter pre-travel distance and lower operating force than the ones on the Pro Type.

Das Keyboard X50Q

The Razer Pro Type is better than the Das Keyboard X50Q. The Razer has better wireless connectivity, and a multi-device pairing feature. It also provides a better typing experience and has better software support. On the other hand, the Das Keyboard has dedicated media controls, full RGB backlighting, and a wrist rest.

SteelSeries Apex Pro

The Razer Pro Type and the SteelSeries Apex Pro are very different. The Razer is a wireless productivity keyboard with multi-device pairing capability, while the SteelSeries is a wired gaming keyboard. The Razer has tactile switches, which are better suited for office and typing work. On the other hand, the SteelSeries has more features, such as a customizable OLED screen and a USB passthrough. Also, the SteelSeries has lower latency, and it lets you customize the pre-travel distance to your liking.

Logitech MX Keys

Overall, the Razer Pro Type is much better than the Logitech MX Keys. They're both designed with productivity in mind and share similar features like wireless connectivity, multi-device pairing, and a full-size layout with backlit keys. However, the Razer is a mechanical keyboard with Razer Orange switches and provides a different typing experience than the scissor switches on the Logitech. The Logitech has better compatibility with various operating systems, but the Razer is more customizable because every key is programmable.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Dimensions
Size
Full-size (100%)
Height
1.6" (4.0 cm)
Width 17.4" (44.1 cm)
Depth
5.2" (13.3 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
Weight
2.00 lbs (0.908 kg)

The Razer Pro Type is a large, full-size keyboard. It looks a lot like the Razer BlackWidow Lite, just with an added numeric pad. Unfortunately, there aren't any TKL or compact variants available.

7.5
Design
Build Quality
Keycap Material ABS

The build quality is good. The plastic frame has a bit of flex, but the metal top plate adds some good support. The feet are sturdy and provide enough grip to prevent the keyboard from sliding around. The keycaps are made of ABS plastic and have a soft-touch coating that feels nice. The coating doesn't feel cheap, but it might chip or fade over time. However, the stabilizers on the spacebar, Shift, and Enter keys aren't that great and rattle slightly. Notably, this keyboard has an issue that appears over time where it begins to double-click or register more than one input per keypress.

6.5
Design
Ergonomics
Board Design
Straight
Minimum Incline
3°
Medium Incline
6°
Maximum Incline
9°
Wrist Rest No

The ergonomics are okay. It isn't fatiguing to type on, but some people may need a wrist rest due to the keyboard's fairly high profile. Unfortunately, there isn't one included in the box. That said, the newest version of this board, the Razer Pro Type Ultra, comes with a wrist rest.

9.3
Design
Backlighting
Backlighting Yes
Color
White
Individually Backlit Keys
Yes
Color Mixing
White Only
Effects
Yes
Programmable
Yes

The Razer Pro Type has simple white backlighting, and it gets bright enough to be visible in a well-lit environment. Unfortunately, it's limited to two lighting effects, 'Static' or 'Breathing'. It isn't possible to create custom lighting effects even though the keys are individually-lit. The brightness is adjustable directly on the keyboard or through the software.

Design
Cable & Connector
Connectivity Wireless
Detachable
Yes (Charge Only)
Length 5.9 ft (1.8 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
USB type-C

The included USB-C is braided. It's stiff and maintains kinks. It's only for charging, as data is still sent over the wireless connection when it's plugged in. Note that while this keyboard uses a USB-C charging cable, the Razer Pro Click, a mouse designed to complement this keyboard, uses a Micro-USB cable.

10
Design
Wireless Versatility
Bluetooth
Yes
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
3
Proprietary Receiver
Yes
Battery Type
Rechargeable

The Razer Pro Type can connect to one device via the wireless USB receiver or three over Bluetooth. You can switch between the devices that are connected through Bluetooth by holding 'FN' and pressing either '1', '2', or '3'. To access the device connected via the wireless USB receiver, set the switch at the top of the keyboard to 2.4GHz.

The built-in rechargeable battery is rated to last up to 12 hours with backlighting enabled, whether you use the wireless dongle or Bluetooth. With the backlighting off, it's rated to last up to 78 hours when using the wireless dongle and 84 hours if you use Bluetooth.

Design
Extra Features
Media Keys
Hot Keys
Macro Programmable Keys
All
Trackpad / Trackball No
Wheel No
USB Passthrough
No
Numpad Yes
Windows Key Lock
No
Lock Indicator Caps, Scroll & Num lock

The Razer Pro Type has media control hotkeys, not dedicated ones. Every key is macro-programmable except for the Windows key, but it requires the Synapse 3 software to set macros.

Design
In The Box

  • Razer Pro Type keyboard
  • User guide
  • Wireless USB receiver
  • USB-A to USB-C cable

Typing Experience
Typing Experience
Keystrokes
Mechanical
Yes
Key Switches
Razer Orange
Feel
Tactile
Operating Force
56 gf
Actuation Force
44 gf
Pre-Travel
2.1 mm
Total Travel
4.1 mm

Unlike Razer's gaming keyboards, the Razer Pro Type is only available with Razer Orange switches, which are similar to Cherry MX Browns. These switches provide a good amount of tactile feedback and don't require much force to actuate. The pre-travel is low, making the keyboard feel very responsive.

7.5
Typing Experience
Typing Quality

The typing quality is good. The shape and spacing of the keys are relatively standard and shouldn't require much adaptation for most people. Although most keys wobble a bit, it isn't noticeable while typing. That said, the spacebar, Shift, and Enter keys wobble a lot more and rattle. Typing feels light and responsive, and the Razer Orange switches provide satisfying tactile feedback. It doesn't feel tiring to type on, but a wrist rest would have been nice since it has a relatively high profile. However, it's important to note that this keyboard tends to suffer from a double-clicking issue. It will register more than one input per keypress, which can render the keyboard nearly unusable as it won't register what you're typing.

Typing Experience
Typing Noise
Noise
Quiet

The Razer Pro Type doesn't generate a lot of typing noise, so it shouldn't be bothersome to those around you. That said, it can be loud if you tend to bottom out the keys. Unlike the BlackWidow Lite, it doesn't come with any O-rings to reduce typing noise.

9.4
Typing Experience
Latency
Latency Wired
N/A
Latency Receiver
4.8 ms
Latency Bluetooth
12.0 ms

The Razer Pro Type has exceptionally low latency. If you want to game on it, it's recommended to use the USB dongle.

Software and Operating System
7.1
Software and Operating System
Software & Programming
Software Name Razer Synapse 3
Account Required
No
Profiles
6+
Onboard Memory
No
Cloud Sync
Yes
Macro Programming
Software
Ease Of Use
Easy
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
No

The Razer Pro Type uses Synapse 3 for customization. It allows you to program macros, remap keys, and create custom profiles. You can save as many profiles as you want within the software. There's no onboard memory, so you would need to re-install Synapse 3 and use the cloud sync function to retrieve your settings if you move to a different computer. Unfortunately, there's no backlight customization; you can only choose between a static or a breathing effect.

8.5
Software and Operating System
Keyboard Compatibility
Windows Full
macOS Partial
Linux Partial
Android Partial
iOS Partial
iPadOS Partial

The Razer Pro Type is fully compatible with Windows. On macOS, the Pause/Break, Scroll Lock, and Context menu don't work, and there's no software for customization. All keys function on Linux, Android, iOS, and iPadOS; there's just no software support.