BlackWidow V4 Tenkeyless Hyperspeed Keyboard Review – Powerful And Portable

BlackWidow V4 Tenkeyless Hyperspeed Keyboard Review

I don’t often use wireless keyboards, but the BlackWidow V4 is changing that. If you want a responsive, compact, satisfying board, then the V4 Tenkeyless is an excellent choice. The orange switches feel terrific, the RGB setup is next-level, and the general heft of this thing is very satisfying. Plus, the battery life is shockingly long. So long as you’re willing to sacrifice that trademark glow, that is.

Okay, let’s talk specs. Razer’s BlackWidow V4 Tenkeyless Hyperspeed keyboard comes with Gen-3 Orange Tactile Mechanical switches. The keycaps themselves are Doubleshot ABS, and the case is aluminum alloy over a top-mounted steel plate. The kickstand has two different levels to choose from. There are also two layers of sound-dampening foam built into the rig. The metal casing gives the board respectable weight while still feeling portable. Last but not least is the battery, which can last anywhere from 32 to 980 hours.

That’s a wild discrepancy, even in lab testing conditions. This is all down to the RGB and the 1000Hz polling mode. That lightning fast response time is apparently murder on the battery. And of course, the cool glowy buttons drain this rig’s life force at an absolutely alarming rate. But if you must operate in full RGB glory, switching from wireless to wired mode is pretty seamless.

Excellent Battery Life

The V4 Tenkeyless also comes with a multi-function roller and three control buttons. They’re perfect for volume adjustment, scrolling, and turning on battery saver. You can also use these buttons to see how much charge is left in the board in general. If it’s looking dire, you can turn on battery saver and give yourself many more hours of use. While you lose that 1000Hz polling mode this way, you can still type. And play most games. And do almost anything else. But if you’re doing any esport-level play, maybe keep that battery charged?

The other major feature of the V4 Tenkeyless is the hot-swap capability. You can swap out both the keycaps and the switches. It turns out I love orange switches, so that’s never happening. But keycaps? Now we’re cooking with gas. Custom keycap setups are a lightless void from which many hobbyists never escape. There are just, so many cool ones out there, though. I appreciate Razer opening the door to this dangerous new world, even if I can’t possibly afford it.

The Hotswap Allure

I’m thankful that the V4 Tenkeyless goes to sleep after a short period of inactivity. It really helps preserve the battery life, especially with all the features active. But I do wish that it woke up from sleep mode a little faster. And though I’m grateful that this board is so portable, I kind of miss that number pad. Depending on the work you do (or the game you play), it comes in handy like, a lot. But beyond that, this is a rock-solid rig.

If you play a lot of intense, reflex-forward games, that 1000Hz polling mode is a must-have. Orange switches, after using them on a single keyboard, are now officially essential to my survival. And a battery this flexible is a huge bonus. On top of that, the profile and construction of this board are top-notch. Being able to hotswap keycaps and switches sets a dangerous precedent, but I’m prepared to take on that risk. While there’s a couple of features I’m missing (such as my precious number pad), I’ve really loved this board. If you’re looking for your next wireless mechanical keyboard, Razer’s BlackWidow V4 Tenkeyless Hyperspeed is an excellent choice.

***A retail version of the product was provided by the manufacturer***