Lighting and Performance

The Razer DeathStaler V2 Pro supports N-key rollover USB and 2.4 GHz, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. It defaults to 6KRO with Bluetooth as expected. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys, and as per usual for gaming keyboards, the R. Win key is replaced by an Fn key by default.

When first connected, the keyboard lights up in a slowly changing color spectrum mode, which cycles through some of the base colors. It's an interesting default effect, but not the most impressive, especially with there being a demo mode. It does help visually confirm the keyboard is recognized and powered on, so that's something.


The default static effect via the software changes all the LEDs to purple this time round, rather than the Razer green I was expecting to see. It was simple enough to change to white to test for color fidelity since RGB LEDs can struggle to put out an accurate white. The switches and keycaps also play a role, as does the keyboard plate/frame in terms of reflecting light back up. We see a white with a slight blue hue to it here, which is not bad, though and can pass as white in person. I then used Chroma Studio to use the per-key lighting to test for light bleed, and there is very little of it courtesy the matte frame with even the floating keycaps. Seen above is another a dynamic lighting effects in the form of a rainbow wave that keyboards typically utilize as default. The good thing is that you have extensive onboard controls over the lighting to where you only need to use Synapse for finer control and per-key customization, so that's another point in favor of Razer here.

The onboard configuration is strong even beyond RGB lighting with Razer providing on-the-fly macro recording in addition to also macOS support with its own set of shortcuts. Also, while the scroll wheel defaults to volume control, it can be set up to do other things including scrolling, device brightness, zooming in/out, switching between open programs, or even controlling the microphone volume for when you are recording something. Otherwise this being a full-size keyboard means there are already plenty of dedicated keys for the base layer, and the software with profiles can be used to further customize the keyboard for various different functions as we saw on the previous page. In fact, the flat nature of the keycap profile here means you can also more easily swap to a different typing layout should QWERTY not be to your liking.

Hybrid wireless connectivity is a big marketing feature for the DeathStalker V2 Pro, especially given it loses out on the integrated touchpad/num pad from the original. Most people would use this via the included 2.4 GHz dongle I imagine, at least given the gaming aspects associated with the faster switch and increased throughput over the so-called Hyperspeed connection. This also allows the user to have a single dongle paired with the keyboard and also a compatible Razer mouse too, although they have not yet managed to get a headset to work with the combination just yet. Indeed, I think the DeathStalker V2 Pro can make for an excellent living room piece of tech too, and I am typing on it on my couch as we speak to prove just that. I don't perceive any lag using it in the 2.4 GHz mode from ~10' away and even with a wall in between while testing it for the sake of it. Battery life in this mode with LEDs on gets to ~15-20 hours of use based on my testing, and this is with the battery savings mode available that turn the LEDs off and also put the keyboard to sleep after certain amount of non-activity. Bluetooth 5.0 allows for three simultaneous devices to be connected and also increases the battery life to up to 40 hours, although I think that's quite optimistic and estimate it to be closer to 25-30 based on my current testing. These are still excellent numbers considering that turning the LEDs off entirely will significantly improve battery life, as I saw only a 3% battery drop over a busy day of use this way. Fn + End also uses the indicator LEDs cleverly to show the current battery level, and charging the battery also takes only ~3-5 hours depending on the source used given the keyboard accepts 5 V/2 A (10 W) charging.


These all-new Razer Low Profile Linear Optical switches are intriguing because they are a combination of speed and silent switches. With a total travel distance of 2.8 mm, you get a similar experience as full-size speed switches and the 1.2 mm actuation distance distance further cements this comparison. If anything, this strengthens my argument that all such fast actuation switches should be low profile ones to begin with! Then there's the silicone dampening pad on the stem that makes it somewhat quiet while also preventing the feeling of an abrupt stop onto another hard surface. This can be hit or miss depending on your typing preferences however, and I can certainly see people complaining these switches are mushy. What I had an issue with instead was the travel of the stem was somewhat scratchy, and surely this has to do with the stem and the switch housing not having been molded as well as some of the more enthusiast switches in the market today. Perhaps lubing the side of the stem might help, especially given there are no other moving parts aside from the slider that interrupts the light signal at 1.2 mm resulting in the switch actuation. The tiny spring might also be affecting the typing feel though since it has to have a high Hook's constant to allow still for a rated 45 gf actuation force.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro keyboard sample at ~105 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Razer Low Profile Linear Optical switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. The slimmer nature of the case coupled with the sound-dampening foam reduced reverberations and pinging due the keys hitting the frame well, and the sound dampeners in the switches further reduce downstroke noise. This makes for a dampened sound signature that sounds better than it feels to type on. I also wish the stabilizers were lubed, and no doubt the thinner ABS keycaps also play a role here to where it feels like a halfway house to a satisfactory result overall.