Razer has officially resurrected the DeathStalker name, launching their new flagship DeathStalker V2 line of keyboards.
Razer's new DeathStalker V2 line includes the new DeathStalker V2 Pro, DeathStalker V2 Pro Tenkeyless, and DeathStalker V2, which all have low-profile designs and Razer's new low-profile optical switches. We were given the opportunity to try out Razer's brand new DeathStalker V2 Pro and we were pretty impressed.
The V2 Pro is the premium product in Razer's new DeathStalker V2 range as a full-sized and wireless option, priced at £249.99. For that, you get a whole host of features including loads of connectivity options, good battery life, an ultra-slim durable casing, laser-etched keycaps with a durable coating, an all-metal multi-function roller and a media button plus full RGB support.
The standout feature of Razer's new DeathStalker V2 lineup is their ultra low-profile design and their new low-profile optical switches. Razer has done a great job with the design of the V2 Pro, so much so that pictures don't really do it justice, particularly in regards to just how low-profile it is.
Perhaps atypically for a Razer product, the V2 Pro is quite understated and minimalist in its design, but that doesn't mean it doesn't look super cool on your desk, with the anodized black satin finish working really well in conjunction with the RGB lighting. It doesn't feel out of place when you're working, or when gaming, which is a really nice balance.
The top plate is made of aircraft-grade aluminium alloy too, which means there is very little flex and it'll be capable of surviving even the most intense of gaming sessions.
Razer's brand new low-profile optical switches make their debut in the DeathStalker V2 range, with the switches from the Huntsman range of keyboards slimmed down into a new low-profile version. In comparison to regular mechanical keyboard switches, optical switches actuate via light rather than through metallic contact, which means less physical contact, ultra-swift actuation and added durability, with Razer claiming a 70-million keystroke lifespan.
The new low-profile switches sit lower on the keyboard and have a shorter travel, all in the name of enabling faster keystrokes. Our V2 Pro featured their red linear switches, with the keyboard also having a purple clicky switches version, with the linear switches having an actuation point of 1.2mm, a full travel distance of 2.8mm and an average force of 45 gf.
Although I've been used to using blue mechanical clicky switches on my daily keyboard, the switch to these red linear switches hasn't been too jolting, either for gaming or general typing.
They're quiet and do have a fairly satisfying key bottom-out. Razer talked about how they've got built-in silicon dampeners that have been tuned for balance, but it seems they've ever so slightly overdone it and, as a result, feel a bit mushy compared to other linear switches I've used. This mushiness has resulted in some accidental key presses during our testing, including in this review!
In saying that, it's still an enjoyable keyboard to use for both daily typing and for intense gaming sessions, I would have just preferred a slightly more tactile feel. The key caps themselves feature a unique durable coating that Razer claims prevents the keycaps from getting the dreaded shine look after long periods of use.
UPDATE: The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro is now available with purple clicky switches, which were much more to my taste. Unlike other mechanical keyboards with clicky switches, they retain the characteristic clicky sound without being obnoxiously loud, making them very satisfying to use, allowing for super quick and accurate typing.
Razer say that the clicky switches have had their springs tuned to create affirmative feedback both acoustically and when typing, and you can really tell, with the result being switches that aren't too hard to actuate but also have snappy clicks.
The V2 Pro really comes into its own in regards to connectivity, with the keyboard featuring Razer's HyperSpeed Wireless and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, which allows you to connect up to three devices at the same time, which can be toggled with 3 buttons on the back of the keyboard.
For someone who has separate PCs for work and personal use, this was an absolute dream and works brilliantly. Razer's HyperSpeed multi-device support feature is also mightily impressive, allowing you to pair the keyboard to a compatible wireless Razer mouse through the same dongle to streamline your setup.
Razer claims that the V2 Pro can last for 40 hours with the lighting at 50% brightness, with the TKL version lasting for 50 hours under the same conditions, which is excellent compared to the competition. The V2 Pro also features a multi-function roller and a media button, which can be customised to suit your workflow.
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro review score: 4/5
At £249.99, it's pretty pricey in this current climate, especially when you consider competing products will set you back significantly less, albeit without Razer's optical switches.
But overall the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro is an excellent wireless keyboard with fantastic connectivity and build quality. It's a great choice for those who are looking for a low-profile minimalist keyboard, for work or play, but you'll have to pay a little more than you probably want to.
