Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review: One-minute review
The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro may just have 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 looks like Razer made good use of that 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 Pro, and 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, specifically, will happily put them on rotation. There are so many excellent options out there that it almost doesn’t make sense to just get one. And, if you’ve ever checked out other gamer’s setups on social media and YouTube, you know that there are many others who do the same.
At the same time, for gamers who only need one or don’t have the budget to start a collection, choosing that one keyboard to rule them all is the way to go. And, the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro might be, in several ways, superior to those that have come before. 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 of them.
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 that we’re in. Or is it especially because Roccat’s Vulcan Pro is much more affordable and the G915 is cheaper now?
Either way, it does take a little bit of its shine away. Still, we also can’t blame you if you do splurge on it or save up a little to get it.
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review: price
- How much does it cost? $249 (£249, AU$359)
- Where is it available? Linear optical switch version available now
- Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
Available for purchase now in the US, the UK, and Australia for $249 (£249, AU$359), the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro might not be for the budget-minded and those feeling the effects of the rising inflation rates. That’s especially with the wired Roccat Vulcan Pro only setting you back $159 (£179, AU$329) and the Logitech G915 Lightspeed now discounted at $229 / £209.
Spending more might be worth it to some people, however, if they want the fastest wireless connectivity and simultaneous connectivity to several devices. However, if they don’t mind being tethered to their PC or having an ever so slightly slower wireless connection that isn’t discernible to most people anyway, one of the aforementioned options above might be of better value to you.
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review: design
- One of the lightest ultra-low-profile gaming keyboards
- Several connectivity options and multi-device connectivity
- Vibrant customizable RGB
The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro might not be the thinnest ultra-low-profile gaming keyboard on the market. That honor might still belong to the Logitech G915 Lightspeed whose beautiful brushed metal desk and thin keys together keep it under 25mm (Razer’s entry sits at 26.5mm at its thickest). However, it manages to be the lightest of the optical bunch, weighing a travel-friendly 776.5g (27.4oz).
The gaming keyboard is solidly-built, despite its thin and light form factor, boasting a 5052 Aluminium Alloy top panel, high-quality plastic bottom panel, and detachable braided fiber Type-C cable, as well as ultra-durable coated ABS keycaps. It promises a 70 million keystroke lifespan rating, which is a lifetime to most users. And, it looks good as well, thanks to Razer’s customizable Chroma RGB that we found to be more than vibrant enough even in brighter lighting conditions.
The one thing we love most about the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro’s design is the set of three quick-switch buttons that are conveniently located in front. This keyboard boasts three connectivity modes – 2.4GHz HyperSpeed wireless, Bluetooth, and USB-C. In Bluetooth mode, it can connect simultaneously to three different devices, and those three buttons make it easy for you to switch from one device to another, which is super nifty.
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review: performance
- Slightly mushy, but great feeling keys/switches overall
- 1.2mm actuation distance and 45g actuation force
- Battery life
Optical switches tend to have a bit more resistance than mechanical switches, which does put some people off. The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro splits the difference, much like the Logitech G915 (although we do think that the Logitech does it slightly better), so it still satisfies mechanical switch fans without being as bouncy 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.
Its linear optical switch is indeed “ultra-fast” and “ultra-reliable,” not to mention, very quiet. What we love most about it is that while key travel is 2.8mm (that’s incredibly short, but the G915 is 0.1mm shorter – not that it matters much to most users), it boasts an actuation distance of 1.2mm and an actuation force of 45g.
Most users might not see a big difference outright, but they will over time as that combination truly means the keyboard requires less effort from you, especially when typing. We’ve found ourselves putting in less force when typing this review or playing either Cyberpunk 2077 or Stray, and our wrists, arms, and shoulders have been reaping the benefits.
The battery life is decent and just about on par with the G915. Razer has given it a 40-hour rating, but that’s only if you’ve got your RGB lighting set at 50%. Increase its brightness to 100%, and you’ve got about 24 hours of use, which means 3 days of 8-hour gaming/typing sessions.
That still isn’t bad. However, if you’re one to forget to regularly charge or you just despise having to charge in general, you probably should reduce RGB brightness to 50%.
The media button and roller are great as well, but you’ll need to go into the Razer Synapse 3 app to change their settings. At 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 for many gamers than the G915 are its fully-programmable keys. While the G915 only has its five G-keys that you can key reassign or program with macros, every key in the DeathStalker V2 Pro has that capability, which makes it the more versatile option. It also has a hybrid on-board 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
| Value | 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 | Apart from its bigger footprint as a full-sized keyboard, we love its thin, lightweight design and design elements like its multi-device buttons. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Performance | It’s fast and it requires less effort from its users thanks to that impressive actuation point + actuation force combo. | 5 / 5 |
| Total | We’d give this a perfect score if it wasn’t for that high price and the timing of its release during the current inflation crisis. | 4.5 / 5 |
- First reviewed August 2022
How we test
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained – regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it’s on our radar.
