If you know PC gaming, then it's likely you know Razer. The brand has been on the scene since 2005 and has become synonymous with innovative, highly desirable hardware. Razer is a name found throughout the gaming industry, producing affordable mice and headsets to high-end laptops, and everything in between. If you want something a little more low-key and not as gamer-focused, we've summed up the best keyboards you can buy. However, if you want to invest in your gaming then you should consider a high-quality gaming keyboard, and maybe one of the Razer keyboards below.
These all-important gaming peripherals demonstrate the quality and innovation for which Razer is known, so much so that Razer keyboards are often the weapon of choice for e-sport competitors. But it’s not just the keyboards that get people excited: it's the aesthetic of Razer Chroma RGB and the power of the Razer Synapse software suite (which you can read more about further down).
The best Razer keyboards at a glance:
• Best overall: Huntsman V3 Pro - View on Amazon
• Best budget: Cynosa Lite - View on Amazon
• Best compact: Huntsman V3 Pro Mini - View on Amazon
There are dozens of iterations of Razer keyboards, so it can be difficult to know which to pick. Thankfully we’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to. Below you’ll find our round-up of the best Razer keyboards available today.
The best Razer keyboards:
Best overall
The Huntsman V3 Pro is the premium offering from Razer. With their signature Razer Analog switch alongside a litany of other customisable features, you can tune this keyboard to exactly how you want to win your next match.
You're also able to adjust the actuation of your switches so they actuate when you want them to. That isn't where the customisation stops, however. Thanks to a firmware update, it's now able to support the most recent advancement in PC gaming, Snap Tap. If you've ever played Counter-Strike: Global Offensive or Overwatch, you may be familiar with counter-strafing, now with Snap Tap enabled, changing movement and direction has never been quicker.
Elsewhere, the wrist rest attaches to the keyboard via magnets, a range of media keys as well as a configurable dial, and the aluminium top-plate provides a sturdy, solid typing experience.
Pros
- Great build quality, outside, and inside
- Highly configurable and customisable
- Utilises the most up-to-date gaming technology
Cons
- High price tag if you won't use for highly-competitive gaming
Size | 104 keys |
Connectivity | Wired |
Backlighting | Yes, RGB |
Switches | Razer Analog Optical Switch Gen-2 |
Battery | N/A |
Best compact
Carrying only 60% of the key found on a full-sized board, the Mini truly lives up to its name. The reduced size means that its desk footprint is significantly smaller than full and TKL boards, allowing for streamlined and low-fuss setups. The small shape also allows gamers to play with the board at a 45-degree angle, which some find much more comfortable. Besides the size, the Mini also carries Razer's signature quality and excellent switches.
Capable of all the most recent Razer updates such as Snap-Tap, this is a more compact, more affordable version of the regular sized Huntsman, the only compromise coming at the loss of the num-pad and function keys. if you think you can adapt and want a great keyboard to take with you on-the-go, then the Huntsman mini will help you wherever you need to go.
Pros
- Compact size for smaller set-ups
- All the essential features of its larger cousin
- Slightly cheaper for those concerned about budget
Cons
- No wireless options for such a small keyboard is a shame
Size | 64 keys |
Connectivity | Wired |
Backlighting | Yes, RGB |
Switches | Razer Analog Optical Switch Gen-2 |
Battery | N/A |
Best budget
While not many Razer peripherals are inaccessibly expensive, a modest budget might not stretch to the mechanical options. Luckily, Razer has furnished the marketplace with the Cynosa Lite, a membrane gaming keyboard. Keystrokes have a nice and rapid response which is notably quiet, due to the membrane, so it's good for late-night gaming as well as office work.
It carries Razer Chroma RGB, too, so it certainly looks the part. Membrane keyboards come under fire quite a bit in online forums. However, we have found the good ones – like the Cynosa Lite – are enjoyable to use day-in and day-out.
The Cynosa Lite is about a fifth of the cost of other Razer keyboards, but it's not only this low price that makes it popular. Whether you're just getting started in PC gaming, want a change from controllers, or simply want to invest in a computer itself rather than accessories; this option provides Razer quality with a friendlier RRP.
Pros
- Razer Chroma RGB despite the budget price is welcome
- Good build quality, and spill resistant
- Programmable keys for extra configuration
Cons
- Membrane keys are good for budget, but not for typing experience
Size | 104 keys |
Connectivity | Wired |
Backlighting | Yes, RGB |
Switches | Membrane |
Battery | N/A |
Best customisable
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The BlackWidow gaming keyboard is one of the best-known peripherals produced by Razer, alongside the DeathAdder mouse. The V4 improves on the series' ever-popular and affordable formula. The switches are Razer Green, offering clicky and tactile feedback which will last 80 million strokes, with robust shine-through ABS keycaps to top everything off.
Even with all these great features, this edition of the BlackWidow has something that others don't, the ability to change the switches. If you don't fancy the feel of the clicky switches after a while, you're able to swap them out with no fuss, no soldering, just grab the included keycap/switch puller and get to work. This allows for great customisability on top of the already amazing options available through Razer Synapse.
Simply put, if you want a quality Razer keyboard to truly make your own, this is the best choice for you.
Pros
- Bridges the gap between gaming and enthusiast keyboards
- Included wrist-rest is a great touch
- Has side-lighting as well as per key RGB
Cons
- No dedicated macro keys, for something meant to be hyper-configurable
Size | 87 keys |
Connectivity | Wired |
Backlighting | Yes, RGB |
Switches | Razer Orange |
Battery | N/A |
Best for office
If you're looking to take Razer's signature quality to work with you, but are worried about the noise, lights, or overall "gamer" vibe they bring, the Pro Ultra is for you. Featuring a sleek white/silver colourway, included leatherette wrist rest and equipped with Yellow silent mechanical switches, your work never looked so good (or sounded so quiet).
Though it may not include features such as Razer Chroma RGB, you're still able to make this keyboard yours in other ways. The keys are fully programmable and there's also the option to remap keys though the Razer Synapse. Excel shortcuts have never been this simple.
Still utilising the same mechanical switch design Razer are known for, just without the clicky tactile bump, means that at the office or at home you'll have a consistent typing experience. If you do want to use it across multiple units, it is able to connect to up to 4 other devices, including a dongle for those machines without Bluetooth.
Pros
- Great visual design, sets it apart from other keyboards
- Silent switches great for the office or shared spaces
- Full key layout for those who need it
Cons
- Lack of RGB feels a little remiss
Size | 104 |
Connectivity | Bluetooth/dongle/wired |
Backlighting | Yes, white |
Switches | Razer Yellow silent linear |
Battery | 12 hours |
Best silent
The final option on the list is for those who want to keep things calm and quiet during their gaming sessions. The Ornata V3 X has a membrane keyboard which sports extra slim keycaps, allowing for a more subtle and ergonomic typing experience as you work, or play.
Though a budget option, if you wanted to dazzle your co-workers, the included RGB is there to help you. Though there isn't too much difference between this and the Cynosa Lite, the inclusion of the wrist rest helps set it apart. It could be improved upon to further the distance between the cheapest Razer option, but for now it acts as a great, low-profile alternative.
Pros
- More budget friendly option for many
- Membrane switches to stay quiet in busy environments
- Wrist rest at this price point is a bonus
Cons
- Not much difference between this and Cynosa Lite
Size | 104 |
Connectivity | Wired |
Backlighting | Yes, RGB |
Switches | Membrane |
Battery | N/A |
What is Razer Synapse?
Razer Synapse is software that controls and configures Razer hardware, including its mice, headsets, and keyboards. In effect, it's a command centre. Razer update the software frequently – you can read more about it on the Razer site.
In Razer Synapse, you can rebind keyboards, alter mouse sensitivity, build macro commands and build game-specific profiles, among other things. You can use the software to customise the look of Razer Chroma RGB devices and synchronize the profile across compatible devices. Synapse also works in conjunction with Philips Hue smart lighting and Amazon Alexa devices.
What makes Razer keyboards so good?
For those of you who spend any amount of time gaming, you'll have heard about Razer. Not only do they produce some of the best quality keyboards, their technology is far and above the average mechanical keyboard. Their recent innovation of Snap-Tap is one of the biggest advancements in keyboard gaming in the last few years, allowing anyone to learn to counter-strafe with relative ease. This technique is popular in Overwatch, CSGO and Valorant, three of the biggest competitive games out there.
Their Analog switch design allowing the user to decide their level of actuation, allowing for even quicker inputs than before. The Rapid Trigger Mode improves on this further, allowing an actuation point of as little as 0.1 mm.
For those who compete in E-Sports tournaments, every millisecond counts, and so many choose Razer keyboards for this specific reason.
Should they only be used for gaming?
They may be best suited to gaming, but that doesn't make them exclusive for that purpose. Razer's Pro lineup feature understated branding, and focus on function and ergonomics over everything else.
Even the standard keyboards can be suited for other tasks, just keep in mind your cubicle mate may not appreciate the satisfying clicks of the Razer Green switches as much as you.
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William Austin-Lobley is the Editor for What's The Best. Here, he oversees, curates and researches listicles and reviews as many products as his home office can handle.
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