Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro Review: Specification And Price

 Introduction

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Razer's marketing team must be getting creative with their names, because their latest keyboard, the DeathStalker V2 Pro, revives a line that went quiet for a while.

The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro is a full-sized, slim-profile, wireless optical gaming keyboard that looks and feels very different from its predecessor. The original Deathstalkers from Razer were membrane keyboards with flat keys, and this new Deathstalker V2 Pro continues that tradition of having a flat design.

However, the new DeathStalker V2 Pro comes with Razer's low-profile optical switches, flat keycaps (although not chiclet-style), and a completely fresh design that could easily have its own tough military code name. If I had to suggest one, it might be "Hellbender," inspired by those large, flat salamanders found in the Ozarks.

In any case, the DeathStalker V2 Pro is Razer's new super-slim, flat, low-profile keyboard. It features the company's optical switches, which can be linear or clicky, per-key RGB lighting powered by Chroma technology, wireless connectivity through both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.0, and an impressive 40 hours of continuous battery life. It's an attractive, well-constructed keyboard, and that's probably why it comes with a price tag of $249.99.

That's quite a hefty price for a gaming keyboard, especially one that isn't technically mechanical (there are many more affordable mechanical gaming keyboards available). However, Razer seems confident in its new DeathStalker V2 Pro, even dubbing it their flagship keyboard in the low-profile optical gaming category.

Razer also has plans to release a wireless tenkeyless (TKL) version called the DeathStalker V2 Pro Tenkeyless, priced at $219.99, and a wired full-sized version named the DeathStalker V2, which will retail for $199.99, both in the third quarter of this year.

Specifications

Switches: Razer Low-Profile Optical (Available in Linear or Clicky Variants)

Lighting: Individual RGB Backlighting for Each Key

Onboard Storage: Supports Up to 5 Custom Profiles

Media Controls: Multi-functional Scroll Wheel and Media Button

Gaming Mode: Enabled

Connectivity Options: 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB Type-C

Extra Ports: None

Keycap Material: Made of ABS

Build: Crafted from Aluminum Alloy and High-Quality Plastic

Software Compatibility: Razer Synapse

Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 17.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches or 437 x 139 x 26mm

Weight: 1.7 pounds or 776.5 grams

Pros And Cons

Advantages:

•  Swift low-profile optical switches
•  Unexpectedly pleasant typing experience
•  Sleek and minimalistic design with high-quality details

Disadvantages:

• Battery life could use improvement
• Typing sensation lacks crispness

Design 

The DeathStalker V2 Pro keyboard looks nice, but its design isn't very special or attention-grabbing. It's a slim and compact keyboard with clean lines and not much branding. The keyboard is made of lightweight plastic with a tough aluminum alloy top surface, all in a smooth, fingerprint-resistant black finish. The only noticeable branding is a small Razer logo at the bottom center.

This keyboard is full-sized and includes all the usual keys, like the number pad and navigation keys. There's also a fancy aluminum multi-function roller and media key in the upper right corner. Despite its full-size layout, it doesn't take up much space, measuring 17.2 x 5.5 inches (437 x 139mm) and is just over an inch (26.6mm) thick at its thickest point. You can adjust its tilt angle using the two flip-out feet on the back, which adds about 0.25 inches (6.4mm) to the keyboard's height. It weighs 1.7 pounds (776.5g) but feels robust and sturdy when you type.

The DeathStalker V2 Pro features low-profile matte black keycaps with laser-etched legends that let the keyboard's per-key RGB lighting shine through nicely. Razer claims these keycaps have a strong coating for extra durability, but after carrying it in my bag for a while (along with another keyboard, a Razer laptop, and my wallet), some keys got small scratches.

On the top left edge of the keyboard, you'll find controls for connectivity: a power switch for switching between 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.0, three buttons for changing Bluetooth profiles, and a USB Type-C port.

The keyboard comes with a six-foot braided USB-C to USB-A cable and a USB extender. Additionally, there's a 2.4 GHz wireless USB-A dongle that's stored in a small compartment on the back of the keyboard, though the cover for this compartment feels a bit flimsy.

Typing and Gaming Experience

The DeathStalker V2 Pro comes with Razer's unique low-profile optical switches that use light to register keypresses instead of the usual physical contact. This light-based actuation results in faster response times, especially when combined with the keyboard's low-profile design and shorter key travel. Razer offers two types of optical switches: linear (red) and clicky (purple), and our review unit is equipped with the linear option.

Typing on the DeathStalker V2 Pro was a pleasant surprise. While it may not be incredible, it exceeded my expectations, considering my usual preference for loud and clicky mechanical switches. The linear optical switches feel quite similar to other linear mechanical switches, with an average actuation force of 45 grams, giving them a certain level of keypress resistance, despite not needing physical contact to activate. Like other linear switches, these optical ones are smooth and lack the tactile "bump" during keypresses.

Razer has incorporated silicon dampeners into the linear optical switches, claiming to provide a quiet typing experience while still maintaining a satisfying keypress feel. However, the DeathStalker V2 Pro does feel somewhat mushy, although less so compared to non-mechanical keyboards. The low-profile, low-travel keys enable faster typing, but the slight mushiness and lack of tactile feedback affected my accuracy. I unintentionally hit the Shift key approximately 27 times while writing this review.

On the bright side, this keyboard is exceptionally quiet, which is a welcome change for those who usually hear my typing from quite a distance.

Typing and gaming are two different activities. I prefer a tactile, clicky sensation when typing, but when gaming, I don't necessarily require physical or audible feedback. Razer's linear optical switches are actually quite impressive for gaming. Their smooth, consistent feel, quick response times, and low-profile, short key travel make them ideal for games that demand rapid and precise key presses without any tactile distractions.

Features and Software

You can set up the Deathstalker V2 Pro using Razer Synapse, which, while not my favorite software, provides a decent customization experience.

In Synapse, you can change almost all of the primary key functions on the DeathStalker V2 Pro (except for the Windows key, the "Razer HyperShift" key, and the multimedia button). You can also modify most of the secondary key functions when in "HyperShift" mode. Since the DeathStalker V2 Pro is compact and doesn't have programmable macro keys, Razer's HyperShift comes in handy, offering a whole second set of programmable macro keys.

Additionally, you can adjust the keyboard's lighting and power settings using Synapse and utilize the HyperSpeed multi-device pairing tool, allowing you to connect a second HyperSpeed-compatible device to the DeathStalker V2 Pro's HyperSpeed dongle.

The Synapse software suite includes Razer's Chroma Studio, Chroma Visualizer, and Chroma Connect tools. These tools enable you to personalize the keyboard's RGB lighting on a per-key basis with various colors and effects and synchronize the lighting with other Razer peripherals that support Chroma.

The DeathStalker V2 Pro can save up to five profiles directly on the keyboard.

Wireless Experience and Battery Life

The DeathStalker V2 Pro has three ways to connect: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, and using a USB-C cable. When you're playing games or anything where delays and slow connections are a problem, it's best to use the 2.4GHz wireless option. It comes with Razer's super-fast HyperSpeed wireless technology, which they claim is 25 percent faster than other wireless options. (By the way, 2.4GHz wireless is already pretty fast and doesn't have much delay.)

The HyperSpeed wireless tech from Razer lets you connect two Razer devices (like a keyboard and a mouse) to the DeathStalker V2 Pro's USB-A dongle at the same time. Sadly, I don't have a compatible Razer mouse to test this right now, but it's a handy feature if you're running out of USB ports. (If you want to free up USB ports, you can also use the keyboard's Bluetooth 5.0 connection instead of the 2.4GHz wireless. You can connect to three Bluetooth devices at once and switch between them using the buttons on the keyboard's top.)

Razer says the DeathStalker V2 Pro can last for 40 hours on a single charge with the backlight set to 50 percent brightness. Personally, I like a bright and flashy light display, so I had to charge the keyboard a few times while testing it. The DeathStalker V2 Pro uses more power than you might think (probably because it needs power for its light-sensitive switches), so it's a good idea to keep a charging cable nearby.

Bottom Line

Razer's latest DeathStalker V2 Pro keyboard is quite distinct from its earlier version, and that's a positive change. This sleek, compact keyboard offers all the essential features, including connectivity, customization options, and attractive lighting effects. Furthermore, it delivers a surprisingly comfortable typing experience and an outstanding gaming performance. While it may not be as robust as Razer claims, considering its small, slim, and lightweight design, it still offers reasonable durability. However, it lacks the excitement factor, and for a $249.99 keyboard investment, you should expect to be genuinely enthusiastic about it.