Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro Keyboard Review – Silent Killer

Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro Review

I’ve become accustomed to using my clicky mechanical keyboard for the better part of the past decade. Sure, the keystrokes can be a bit noisy, but it’s a lightning-fast keyboard with slick backlighting and the included software gives me all the customization options I could ever want. I didn’t think a keyboard could get any better than my Roccat keyboard. That is until now. To put it bluntly, Razer’s DeathStalker V2 Pro keyboard is badass and is now, quite easily, the best keyboard I have used to date.

Out of the box, the DeathStalker V2 doesn’t look like anything particularly impressive and there isn’t much in the way of extras. You get some instructions, a nice braided Type-C (to Type-A) cable, a HyperSpeed Dongle, the dongle extension, and the keyboard itself. That is it. There is no included wrist rests, which was a bit of a bummer and it all comes in at the rather hefty price of $249.99 USD.

That price would suggest the DeathStalker is a high-end keyboard. To an extent it is. It certainly feels and looks like a premium keyboard, especially with that RGB lighting on. Yet at the same time, that price is a little much for my liking. Compared to some of its competitors, a price point under $200 bucks would seem a little more reasonable. That being said, I cannot say enough good things about this keyboard and I am convinced it’s a wise long-term investment.

The minimalist linear design just works for me. Its super thin shape equipped with a 19.1mm durable aluminum chassis makes for a keyboard that fits nicely anywhere. It isn’t bulky or heavy at all. It’s super light but has some girth and also sits firmly in place thanks to those rubber grips on the bottom of the keyboard. Its black color doesn’t exactly stick out but once those RGB chroma lights come on, it’s truly a thing of beauty.

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It should stay a thing of beauty thanks to those durable keycaps that contain a coating designed to resist hand oil. Razer advertises the keys as scratch and fade resistant. With most other keyboards I have used the keys start to fade or get oily rather quickly. This does not occur with the DeathStalker as the keyboard looks as new as it did the day I took it out of the box.

Its low-profile optical switches are the stand-out for me. It is the big selling point and it shows. They feel absolutely wonderful and I love how quiet they are. Granted, they aren’t completely silent but it’s just enough of a click that is both satisfying and quiet. It’s a nice change from the loud clicking from my mechanical keyboard. Don’t get me wrong, I understand many prefer clicky keys, but for me, I appreciate how great the DeathStalker’s keys feel and perform. The responsiveness is fantastic and they just feel so natural. To top it off, I never experienced any strain at all.

I currently have the DeathStalker wired; however, it can also be connected wireless via Bluetooth 5.0 or Razer’s HyperSpeed 2.4GHz connectivity. You can find all these settings on the rear of the keyboard along with three buttons for pre-paired Bluetooth profiles. This allows you to flip between your phone, PC, or any other device. Many, especially the pros, prefer a wired keyboard gaming but I tend to prefer going wireless. Regardless, it’s great to have options.

Versatile and Durable

The wireless capabilities of this keyboard work remarkably well. Being able to re-position the keyboard without farting around with a USB cord is something I appreciate. Range-wise, I had no concerns, and not once did I experience any connectivity issues.

Performance-wise, I experienced no glaring issues. The solid wireless connectivity combined with the fabulous key switches results in a keyboard that is as good as it gets. I noticed no input lag and never felt like I was at any kind of disadvantage playing wirelessly.

I should mention that the Razer Synapse software used to adjust the lighting and set up your profiles is easy to use. It works as advertised, and is user-friendly. With the software, you can adjust the lighting, brightness, edit keyboard profiles, adjust power settings, etc. If you are one that requires different macros for different games this software will be a lifesaver.

The battery life on the keyboard is equally impressive. You get 40 hours of battery life, which is amazing and something we do not typically see with many wireless keyboards. Its ability to go wired means that when your keyboard runs out of juice, your gameplay session should never be disrupted due to lack of power.

The DeathStalker V2 Pro retails for $329.99 CND (or for around $250.00 USD on Amazon). That price will give many pause. Make no bones about it this is an expensive keyboard. Yet when you consider the overall quality of the keyboard, the amount of features, the slick customizable lighting options and how great the keys feel, the DeathStalker V2 Pro is a great investment. And one that should last you for years.

***Keyboard was provided by Razer for the purpose of this review***