The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% ($189) is arguably the best mechanical keyboard Razer has ever released. With the latest version of the company's Orange Tactile mechanical switches, a compact 75% layout, and features borrowed directly from the keyboard modding community, the BlackWidow V4 75% is one of the best gaming keyboards you can buy. [As the company's first hot-swappable keyboard, you can customize this peripheral any way you like. However, I would argue that it is so great right out of the box that there is absolutely no need to mod it; the BlackWidow V4 75% has now replaced the Corsair K70 Max as my main keyboard. For more on why, please see my review.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% is currently available from Razer's website for $189. The keyboard is also available on Amazon for the same price. This peripheral is the first hot-swappable keyboard manufactured by Razer.

As its suffix suggests, the BlackWidow V4 75% features a 75% profile. It doesn't have the number pad found on full-size (100%) keyboards, but it does give you more space (and keys) than a 65% or 60% mini keyboard. For those who, like me, prefer TKL (tenkeyless) or 75% keyboards, this version of the BlackWidow V4 is the perfect size.

This is not a thin keyboard like the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro, so for the best typing experience you will want to use the included padded wrist rest. The keycaps have full RGB lighting per key, which can be programmed within the Razer Synapse app. The keycaps also have a double-shot ABS coating instead of the PBT coating, but the slightly rougher texture feels easier to type on than the typical ABS keycaps found on many keyboards.

Media controls and a small volume wheel are located in the upper right corner of the function row. The bottom of the keyboard below the space key slopes downward, allowing for the attachment of a magnetic wrist rest. A narrow band of RGB lights on the side of the keyboard adds character to the all-black peripherals.

The bottom of the keyboard has two tiers of feet that can be tilted to 6 or 9 degrees. I typically use the keyboard feet because I don't like to lay the keyboard down on a table to type. But the BlackWidow V4's wedge-shaped design gives me an almost perfect angle for typing right out of the box.

Finally, there's the included wrist rest. While the magnetic connection isn't as strong as one might expect, this accessory generally tends to stay in place on the keyboard. The soft cushion and textured leatherette cover add to the already comfortable typing experience.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% comes with Razer Orange Tactile switches. These updated keys are less noisy than previous versions, which is good if you want to use this keyboard in the office. Because they are Tactile switches, you will feel a slight jolt each time you hit a key. Also, the switches are lubricated at the factory, so each keystroke feels nice and smooth, even if there are tactile bumps.

The total travel of the keys is 3.5 mm, and the actuation point is 2.0 mm, which is very standard for most gaming keyboards. The actuation force is 50 g. I felt some resistance when typing, but nothing that would slow me down; on typingtest.com, I scored 61 words per minute, 90% accurate, a little better than my average of 55 words per minute.

Razer took a lot of inspiration from the keyboard modding community when designing the BlackWidow V4 75%; the BlackWidow V4 is easy to mod and is the perfect entry point into the world of keyboard modding.

Removing the six screws under the keyboard removes the front of the keyboard, allowing access to the interior of the keyboard; two layers of foam covering the top and bottom of the PCB (the keyboard's motherboard) soften the sound and cushion the keys. The backside of the PCB is covered with tape, a trick straight from the modding community. In addition, a Poron gasket provides cushioning and sound deadening.

The switches and keycaps can be replaced with the included keycap puller, as can the aforementioned foam pad and PCB. Of course, the keyboard design is limited to 75%, so it is not possible to change this to a 100% keyboard layout, for example. In most other respects, however, you are limited only by your imagination when it comes to modifications.

The BlackWidow V4 75% is great right out of the box, but it is nice to know that you can mod it further if you wish. I have yet to build my own keyboard, but Razer's device has inspired me to try this hobby, and when you open the BlackWidow V4, you'll see all the mods hidden inside.

As a Razer device, the BlackWidow V4 is fully compatible with the Razer Synapse software. Through this app, you can reprogram any key, change the RGB lighting, and set different profiles for games and applications. the sheer amount of options available in Razer Synapse can be daunting, but to make the keyboard work the way you want it to If you want to program your keyboard to work the way you want it to, this software will do the job.

Even when playing the best PC games, and I am an avid controller user, I enjoyed playing Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom Eternal on the BlackWidow V4. The Corsair K70 Max with its magnetic linear switches felt more responsive during gameplay, but I still had no problem moving around and fighting within the respective worlds of these games.

The BlackWidow V4 75% is ideal for playing first-person shooters because its small size leaves extra room on your desk to move the mouse around. But even if you are primarily a writer like me, such a small keyboard allows you to keep the keyboard centered in front of you, something that is not always possible with a full-size keyboard, thanks to the number pad on the right.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% is certainly pricey at $189, but I would argue it is worth every penny. Thanks to its compact size, responsive tactile keys, and overall comfortable typing experience, it's a great keyboard for both gaming and work, and its full programmability with the Razer Synapse app is a plus.

Of course, the biggest selling point of this keyboard is its hot-swappable design. It's great to see a major manufacturer take a cue from a relatively niche community and offer a product that tries to meet their exacting standards. And as I said, this is a great peripheral for people who want to see what keyboard mods look like.

Based on the above, the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% is the product I recommend most.