Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro review: More than enough buttons, too much software

Enlarge / Razer's BlackWidow V4 Pro wired mechanical keyboard. (credit: Scharon Harding)

Specs at a glance: Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro
Switches	Razer Green (clicky) or Yellow (linear)
Keycaps	Doubleshot ABS plastic
Connectivity options	USB-A cable
Backlighting	Per-key RGB
Size (with wrist rest)	18.3×9.35×1.73 inches (466×237.5×44 mm)
Weight (with wrist rest)	3.37 pounds  (1,530 g)
Warranty	2 years
Price (MSRP)	$230
Other	1x USB-A passthrough port, detachable wrist rest

If you've ever wished your keyboard had more buttons, Razer's BlackWidow V4 Pro may be for you. It expands the full-size keyboard layout to include a column of macro keys and three non-mechanical buttons on the keyboard's left edge. The keyboard also has a volume roller and a so-called Command Dial, which lets you twist your inputs to control zoom, scroll through a long spreadsheet, or tweak the size of a Photoshop brush.

Despite Razer's gaming focus, the BlackWidow V4 Pro fits well in work settings thanks to its extreme, multi-layer programmability, a strong but imperfect typing experience, and a USB-A passthrough port. It's easy to dim the RGB lighting and get to work with complex key bindings; you can launch frequently used apps and sites with a keypress and navigate programs with the dial.

But many of the BlackWidow V4 Pro's best features require you to keep Razer's Synapse app open, and while this isn't a new complaint, the introduction of the multi-function dial puts a harsh spotlight on this limitation.

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