Best Razer keyboards 2023: all the brand's top gaming decks

The best Razer keyboards carry a pedigree. These are often expensive decks, but they offer some of the most comfortable and reliable typing and gaming experiences on the market. Of course, you don't need to break the bank. There are plenty of budget and affordable models on the shelves. That's why we're bringing you all our favorite Razer keyboards across the full price spectrum - so that you're getting the best value for money however much you're spending. 

These decks come in all shapes and sizes - from full-sized control panels to stripped back, minimalist decks. We're rounding up all our favorites right here, ranking planks across the full price range based on their value and performance.

Razer keyboards are regularly considered some of the best gaming keyboards, and there are plenty of reasons for that air of prestige. These decks cover a range of styles, designs, and mechanisms, with excellent response and a premium feel. Even cheaper membrane decks are well known for their durability and price to performance ratio, offering newcomers and budget setup builders a set of luxury feeling keys without breaking the bank. 

We've had our paws all over some of the best Razer keyboards in the business, and we've rounded up our top picks right here. Not only will you find the absolute best of the best here, though, we've brought out our favorites across the full price range. 

The best Razer gaming keyboards

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The keys of the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog are designed to mimic the thumbsticks of a controller. Essentially, each key has a variable actuation point - so you can use different levels of pressure in order to produce a different response from the keyboard. That's a revelation in our books, allowing us to push harder on a key to run faster, or move with greater precision. 

In our testing, this nifty little feature offered up far smoother gameplay in Watch Dogs: Legion and Elite: Dangerous alike. We were cruising around asteroids, and subtly adjusting our flight patterns with the help of that variable actuation rate. It was a real game-changer - once we set it up. There's a lot of fiddling required to make the switches perform to their full potential. For example, mapping thumbstick controls to WASD in certain games meant the title itself thought we using a full controller. That meant some commands were being automatically mapped to non-existent trigger buttons. Of course, this was fixed by diving back into the Synapse software, but it's worth noting that this is not a plug and play affair.

Nevertheless, his is a Razer keyboard designed for FPS, racing, and flight-sim fans, with the WASD keys never feeling so in tune with our own gameplay requirements. While we wouldn't chalk it up as a necessity, it's certainly difficult to switch back to a regular deck once you've got used to it. 

Aside from that key feature, the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog still packs some considerable power under the hood. Razer's optical switches mean you're getting a super fast response, but there's still a mechanical click feel here as well. Add dedicated media keys and dial, USB passthrough, and a luxurious leatherette magnetic wrist rest, and you've got yourself a particularly premium deck with a twist. 

Read more: Razer Huntsman V2 Analog review

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The Razer Cynosa V2 manages to feel great under your hands without breaking the bank - which isn't an easy find in the world of Razer keyboards. Not only is it one of the brand's best decks for value for money, but it's one of the cheapest models worth running on the whole market as well. While it holds an MSRP of $59.99 / £59.99, we actually see this model well under $50 / £50 regularly.

While these rubber dome switches are a little cheaper by nature, the Cynosa manages to implement them in a way that still feels tactile and responsive. Plus, you're keeping that quiet typing experience of a non-mechanical deck as well. It should be said, though, that in our testing we did come across a few squeaky keys. While no means a deal-breaker, and certainly not a constant sound, the odd ting noise could become irritating if they build up over time.

We were still flying across the board with excellent actuation speed and response, which is more than can be said for the majority of budget gaming keyboards. Not only that, but you're also getting dedicated media controls and a full set of RGB LEDs as well. 

The Razer Cynosa line is very similar to the brand's other budget range - the Ornata. The Cynosa won't take you past $50, but the Ornata, with its hybrid switches, media dial, and included wrist rest will run you closer to $80. While the Ornata may boast a few more specialized features, then, those looking for a true budget buy will be better suited to the value experience that the Cynosa V2 line offers.

Read more: Razer Cynosa V2 review

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Blackwidow keyboards have been at the top of the mechanical tree for many years, and this latest Elite iteration seems likely to keep it there. With an arsenal of thoughtful features and a more streamlined design than we've seen in previous Blackwidow models, the Razer BlackWidow Elite seems to solve some of the line's early problems. While you are dropping dedicated macro keys, there's more than enough functionality in here to make up for it - including Razer Hypershift, an additional layer of programmability accessible via a modifier key. 

We found the BlackWidow Elite to be taller than other Razer decks, with a high profile design that did become cumbersome during longer testing sessions. However, the concave keycaps kept us in line.

Those keycaps are working hard as well. The clicky green switches in our testing unit were incredibly sensitive, which came in handy for twitch reflex manoeuvres. However, we did find ourselves making several mistakes with unwanted keypresses. That means we'd recommend taking a look at the orange switches if you're looking for extra precision.

We greatly valued the USB passthrough on here, as well as the addition of a 3.5mm audio jack. We're often testing the best gaming headsets while we plug away on Razer keyboards, so having somewhere easy to plug that cable in was a godsend.

The Razer BlackWidow Elite still isn't a budget buy by any means. It doesn't touch the lofty heights of the Huntsman V2, but still offers enough luxury to put it several large steps ahead of budget models like the Cynosa and Ornata. That makes it the best Razer keyboard for most people - strong value for money that doesn't load up on expensive features that might not see use from everyday players.

Read more: Razer BlackWidow Elite review

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The Ornata V2 is a brilliant answer to the question: should my Razer keyboard be mechanical or membrane? The answer is, actually, it can be both. 

Utilizing a 'mecha-membrane' approach to its design, the Razer Oranata V2 blends the two approaches and techs into a glorious combination: it has a mechanical 'click' with the feel of membrane switches. As a result, it is very easy to use and proved incredibly responsive in our testing, enhanced further by the low-profile keycaps. 

The Ornata V2 feels particularly tactile under the hand, which will benefit those who don't get on with the longer travel distances of linear mechanical switches. However, you're still getting a durable set of keys with a satisfying sound here - it really is the best of both worlds. Not only that, but because of that cheaper hybrid design this is also one of the more affordable Razer keyboards out there.

Of course, it's not as cheap as the Razer Cynosa V2, but you're still getting plenty of additional features like a media dial and wrist rest to make that extra investment worth it. That said, the budget build does mean you're picking up ABS keycaps - a smoother, less durable alternative to pricier PBT models. In our testing we did notice some oily shine appearing fairly quickly.

The new Razer Ornata V3 is out in the wild now, but it doesn't actually offer as full a feature-set as its predecessor. The newer model limits users to ten zones of RGB lighting, rather than the per-key customization available on the V2, and ships with a cheaper plastic wrist rest as well. You're also dropping the volume wheel on the older device, swapping for two volume buttons instead. If you're shopping for a Mac or Linux operating system, though, compatibility is improved with the latter device. 

Read more: Razer Ornata V2 review

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There's no doubt about it - wireless gaming keyboards are pricey. That means you'll want to make sure you're getting a good amount of luxury in your deck, especially if you're spending over $200 / £200. Thankfully, the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro has bags of premium features packed in - all with a durable build quality and some nice to haves in the spec sheet as well. 

Not only are you getting one of the nicest media wheels we've ever laid hands on with a full deck of premium Razer switches and all the Chroma you can expect from the snakes, but there's a solid wireless performance here as well. Whether plugged in or tether-free, we were impressed by the speeds on offer here. Gone are the days where wireless decks lag behind their cabled counterparts - the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro absolutely flies. 

You've got a choice between 2.4GHz and a Bluetooth connection here, but we'd recommend sticking with the 2.4GHz dongle for the best response times. Bluetooth wasn't exactly a trudge, but things are certainly zippier when directly communicating with that USB attachment. 

Razer keyboards are rarely wireless - the brand generally prioritizes other features over an untethered connection. However, of the slim pickings out there, we'd recommend anyone with the budget to do so checks out the BlackWidow V3 Pro first. 

Read more: Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro review

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The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro delighted in our testing. It's been a while since the low profile design has graced the brand's shelves, but if you're looking for that quick snap and super crisp optical switch, the latest release is well worth a look. Not only is this one of the best Razer keyboards overall, but we actually found it's the best specifically for typing - all thanks to those shorter keycaps and streamlined design. 

Yes, these are particularly sensitive switches - something we struggled with in the early days of our testing. However, with a little muscle memory we were soon flying across the deck, and started to value such twitch-reflex reactivity in both work and play. Not only is this a solid piece of kit in itself, but the DeathStalker V2 Pro is also one of the few wireless options from Razer. The brand promises a 26 hour battery on full brightness, with 200 hours at no RGB. We found that this rang true during our own use - clocking an average 27 hours per charge with LEDs blaring at full whack. 

While there's no USB passthrough or wrist rest included (a shame at a full $249.99 MSRP), you're getting a sophisticated piece of kit here, with a lick of luxury on top. From the shorter profile to the sleek Razer branding along the larger bottom bezel, the DeathStalker V2 Pro certainly stands out in a setup. If you're looking to invest in a low profile Razer keyboard, this is your best option. 

Read more: Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro review

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Don't let the size of the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog fool you - it's every bit the equal of its full-size counterparts. That's because it also features the same excellent Analog Optical switches for adjustable (and variable) actuation and dual-step macro mapping as the full-sized Razer Huntsman V2 above. It's a delight for typing and as speedy as you would expect from the eSports-focused design, but its main benefits lie in that customization. 

You're able to set your own actuation point here, which means you can opt for a more sensitive 1.5mm to a heavier 3.6mm. That means you're sorted whether you rely on the tap of a twitch reflex or prefer a more satisfying press to your keys. In our testing, we found the perfect sweet spot somewhere in between these points, but a lighter touch came in particularly handy during high octane Apex Legends moments. 

Not only can you adjust each key's behaviour in this way, but you can also set certain keys to act in a manner more similar to a thumbstick. A usual mechanical keyboard switch will register an on or off input, responding with a single command to the computer as a result. However, the Huntsman Mini Analog registers the pressure placed on each switch in as - you guessed it - analog manner, using light-based actuation. That means you can, for example, set your WASD keys to respond with movement speed based on how far you're pressing the switch. 

It's a little fiddly to set up (and it's not fully supported by all games particularly well), but once you've mastered this feature it's a real game-changer. 

The smaller footprint means it's easy to transport as well, making this the ideal choice for tournament use or those who travel a lot. It's also a good pick if you want to use it on one of the best gaming laptops (opens in new tab), as it doesn't take up a huge amount of space. If you're not fussed about those analog switches, though, you can also pick up the Razer Huntsman Mini with standard opto-mechanical clickers underneath as well. 

Read more: Razer Huntsman Mini Analog review

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Boasting 8 macro buttons (5 up the left of the main deck and an additional 3 tucked away on the side of the chassis), the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is a command centre of a keyboard. That's true of its programmability and extra control features, but also of its sheer size. This is a full gaming keyboard and then some, squeezing onto our average sized desk with barely any room for a laptop down the side and a mouse swing. That means it's not going to be the best option for anyone with less space to work with, but it's certainly the best Razer keyboard for macro-heads. 

There's plenty of room for customization in here, though we did feel the Command Dial (located above the five main macro buttons) was a little under-utilized. It's certainly packing even more macro functionality into the deck, with space for 100 different modes (toggled via a click) the options available in Synapse are limited. Where you might want to sit down and spend some time assigning in-game actions, the location of the dial is a little too far away from the main deck to truly be useful. 

However, this is simply an under-used blip in the corner of an incredibly impressive Razer keyboard. There's a speedy response to every keystroke here, worthy of tournament level precision, and a comfortable, satisfying feel and sound in the clickers as well. ABS keycaps are a little disappointing to see on a deck of this price, but they're nicely textured and feel far more premium than other cheaper caps. Add some slick RGB lighting running the full edge of the deck and even around the wrist rest as well, and you've got yourself a luxury device. 

Yes, you're dropping the wireless connectivity of previous BlackWidow models (like the V3 featured further up the page), but with USB passthrough and the sheer number of extra features packed in we're willing to forgive the extra cable on the desk top. 

Read more: Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro review

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Razer's Huntsman range of keyboards is rapidly becoming the company's premier lineup for competitive use. They are currently the only set of keyboards to feature Razer's excellent opto-mechanical switches to essentially eliminate actuation delay (the time it takes for a key-press to be registered). That means the Razer Huntsman Elite keys register the moment they touch a laser beam. 

These opto-mechanical switches are the star of the show here, offering up some of the speediest, most responsive switches we've seen in a gaming keyboard. We found that the tactile feedback and sound was similar to that of the Cherry MX Blue, but with a 15g lighter actuation force, each press was far easier and stood the test of a longer play session much better as well. Not only that, but you'll find some solid stabilizers supporting those switches as well - we were particularly impressed with the stability of the overall experience here.

Of course, there are some drawbacks to having all that speed at your fingertips. The Razer Huntsman Elite does lack some of the more peripheral features that sit on other Razer keyboards. There's no USB or audio passthrough here, and you're not getting any dedicated macro keys. However, we were grateful for the stripped back approach here, with the features that are included (dedicated media keys and RGB) performing particularly well.

Read more: Razer Huntsman Elite review

How we test gaming keyboards

We adopt each Razer keyboard as our own whenever a new model comes our way for review. That means we can make recommendations based on not only hands-on experience, but also the quality of life of a product. We use each Razer keyboard we review for work and play over a considerable amount of time, while also running a series of tests designed to stress a keyboard's performance through a range of genres. 

In particular, we're always making sure key features like the n-key rollover and scan rates are true to the brand's marketing, while also testing response times, debounce, switch speeds, ease of macro use, travel and more during our use. 

Because we use these devices every day, we're always keeping an eye on that form factor and durability as well - watching out for any flexible parts or switch wobble. However, once our initial review is finished we will continue to keep these Razer keyboards in our rotations so that we can determine long-term build quality and update our findings as well. 

For more information on how we make our recommendations, take a look at our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. You'll also find more details on how we test gaming keyboards specifically as well. 

Of course, we're also rounding up all the best cheap gaming keyboards currently on the market, as well as the best gaming mouse models and the best Razer laptops to boot.