Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro Review: One Minute Review
The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro may have just cemented Razer’s status as the king of gaming keyboards. With this new entry, the manufacturer has finally thrown its hat into the ultra-low-profile gaming keyboard ring. And while manufacturers like Keychron, Logitech, and Roccat got there first, it seems Razer made good use of the time between its rivals’ releases and its own launch to create something better.
Don’t get us wrong; ultra-low-profile gaming keyboards like the Logitech G915 Lightspeed, Roccat Vulcan Proand the Vulcan 122 AIMO (for mechanical switch fans) still have their place in the world. We will forever be fans of these entries, and this author, in particular, will be happy to put them in rotation. There are so many excellent options that it makes almost no sense to just buy one. And if you’ve ever looked at other gamers’ settings on social media and YouTube, you know there are many others doing the same.
At the same time, for gamers who only need one or don’t have the budget to start a collection, choose those keyboard to rule them all is the right choice. And the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro is arguably superior to the previous one in several respects. It has a shorter actuation point than the Roccat Vulcan Pro, faster wireless connectivity than the Logitech G915, and a better-feeling optical switch than any other.
Really, the only thing that might put people off is the price. Over $200 / £200 is nothing to joke about, especially for a gaming keyboard in the current economic climate we find ourselves in. Or is it mainly because Roccat’s Vulcan Pro is much more affordable and the G915 is now cheaper?
Either way, it takes some of its shine away. Still, we can’t blame you if you spend it or save a little to get it.
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review: price
- How much is it? $249 (£249, AU$359)
- Where is it available? Linear Optical Switch Version Now Available
- Where can you get it? Available in US, UK and Australia
Available now in the US, UK and Australia for $249 (£249, AU$359), the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro may not be for the budget conscious and those feeling the effects of rising inflation. That’s especially with the wired Roccat Vulcan Pro that will set you back just $159 (£179, AU$329) and the Logitech G915 Lightspeed now discounted at $229 / £209.
However, spending more may be worth it for some people if they want the fastest wireless connectivity and simultaneous connectivity with multiple devices. However, if they don’t mind being tethered to their PC or having a slightly slower wireless connection that is undetectable to most people anyway, one of the above options above may be of more value to you.
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review: design
- One of the lightest ultra-conspicuous gaming keyboards
- Various connectivity options and connectivity with multiple devices
- Vivid Customizable RGB
The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro may not be the thinnest ultra-low-profile gaming keyboard on the market. That honor may still belong to the Logitech G915 Lightspeed, whose gorgeous brushed metal desk and thin keys together keep it under 25mm (Razer’s entrance is 26.5mm at its thickest). However, it manages to be the lightest of the optical group, weighing in at a travel-friendly 776.5g (27.4oz).
The gaming keyboard is built solidly, despite its thin and light form factor, with a 5052 aluminum alloy top panel, high-quality plastic bottom panel and detachable braided fiber Type-C cable, as well as ultra-durable coated ABS keys. It promises a lifespan of 70 million keystrokes, which is a lifetime for most users. And it looks good too, thanks to Razer’s customizable Chroma RGB which we found to be more than lively enough, even in brighter lighting conditions.
The one thing we like most about the design of the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro is the set of three quick-change buttons conveniently placed on the front. This keyboard has three connectivity modes: 2.4GHz HyperSpeed wireless, Bluetooth, and USB-C. In Bluetooth mode, it can connect to three different devices at the same time, and those three buttons allow you to switch from one device to another with ease, which is super convenient.
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review: performance
- Somewhat mushy, but good feeling keys/switches in general
- 1.2mm actuation distance and 45g actuation force
- Battery life
Optical switches generally have a little more resistance than mechanical switches, which puts some people off. The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro splits the difference, as does the Logitech G915 (although we think the Logitech does a little better), so it still satisfies mechanical switch fans without being as springy as the linear Vulcan Pro. As a result, it delivers a satisfying and comfortable typing experience whether you’re in the middle of a game or typing work documents.
The linear optical switch is indeed “ultra fast” and “ultra reliable”, not to mention very quiet. What we love the most is that while the key spacing is 2.8mm (that’s incredibly short, but the G915 is 0.1mm shorter – not that it matters much to most users), it has a 1. 2 mm and an operating force of 45 grams.
Most users may not see a big difference right away, but over time they will, because that combination really means the keyboard requires less effort from you, especially when typing. We found ourselves putting less effort into typing this review or playing Cyberpunk 2077 or Stray, and our wrists, arms and shoulders are reaping the benefits.
The battery life is decent and roughly comparable to that of the G915. Razer gave it a 40-hour rating, but that’s only if you have your RGB lighting set to 50%. Raise the brightness to 100% and you’ll have about 24 hours of use, which means 3 days of 8 hours of gaming/typing sessions.
That’s still not bad. However, if you’re someone who forgets to charge regularly or you just hate charging in general, you should probably reduce the RGB brightness to 50%.
The media button and roller are great too, but you have to go to the Razer Synapse 3 app to change their settings. By default, the button is only set to play and pause while the roller controls the volume (you press it to mute).
One thing that the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro has that makes it a better choice than the G915 for many gamers is its fully programmable keys. While the G915 only has five G-keys that you can remap or program with macros, every key in the DeathStalker V2 Pro has that capability, making it the more versatile option. It also has hybrid built-in memory and cloud storage so you can take those macros and RGB lighting profiles with you.
Should I buy the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider:
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review: report card
| Where the | The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro delivers excellent performance and is feature-rich, but it’s also incredibly pricey for most people. | 3.5 / 5 |
| Design | Aside from its larger footprint as a full-sized keyboard, we like the thin, lightweight design and design elements like the multi-device buttons. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Performance | It’s fast and it requires less effort from its users thanks to that impressive combination of actuation point + actuation force. | 5 / 5 |
| Total | We would give this a perfect score if it weren’t for that high price and timing of release during the current inflation crisis. | 4.5 / 5 |
- First reviewed in August 2022
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