I've been testing gaming keyboards and other PC gaming peripherals for about 10 years. As a keyboard enthusiast, I also own a collection of mechanical keyboards that I've amassed over the years. A band of red light casts over the center portion of the switch, causing the area to turn holographic. Simultaneously, the keyboard’s Razer Chroma RGB lighting goes into overdrive as it changes colors at a rapid pace. We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3, which overhauls how key input is evaluated. We've added new tests for Single Key Latency, Multi Key Latency, Data Transmission, and Chord Split. We've also introduced a new Raw Performance usage and adjusted how the Gaming and Office usage scores are calculated. You can see the full changelog here.

At the rear, the maximum height of the DeathStalker V2 Pro is just 26.6mm. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)

The multi-functional media button and metal media roller are things I often forget this keyboard has since it’s been so long since I’ve used one, but they work pretty well here. As you would hope, that media scroller can be remapped via Razer Synapse software to many functions (by default, it’s system volume), including adjusting screen brightness, mic volume, scrolling, switching apps, Windows zoom, or even Office zoom. The fact Razer kept these features on even the TKL version is noteworthy. The camera cuts to a wider shot as the whole keyboard is pelted with even stronger impacts, but it remains unphased as the green energy field withstands the onslaught. The aging Logitech G915 (and G915 TKL) is the most apparent mainstream competition to the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro. However, I found that keyboard unremarkable when I bought it in 2020, and I still feel that way. For one, the keycaps are straight-up trash, and not only do they get terrible key shine, but the printed letters/numbers are also likely to wear off over time. You also get just one Bluetooth profile (instead of three), its construction is flimsy, being all plastic, it has slightly less battery life (30 hours vs. 40), and it uses mechanical switches instead of optical.

If you are using a laptop, ensure it is plugged into a wall outlet and notrunning on battery before proceeding. The camera cuts to a low angle shot of the keyboard, as it travels towards a sliver of light at the end of a passage that’s slowly closing. In a flash, the keyboard blinks sideways to reveal another pedestal with an energized Bluetooth icon. The camera cuts to the top right corner of the keyboard, highlighting the addition of a roller and media button for convenient control. With a brilliant flash of light, the shot transitions to a full-height Razer Linear Optical Switch.Apart from that, the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro TKL requires no tweaking. It’s an absolute pleasure to use, despite the fact that its keys do feel slightly mushy. The keycaps are soft to the touch, and the optical switches are lightning fast, boasting an actuation of 1.2mm and requiring only 45g of force. That allows it to be very responsive, even with minimal pressure, which I also found helps keep finger and wrist fatigue at bay. There are several connectivity options available for versatility. Naturally, it has Razer’s 2.4Ghz HyperSpeed Wireless via the included wireless dongle, but it’s also got three Bluetooth 5.0 connections so you can connect four different sources at once and easily switch from one to the other. And you won’t have to worry about losing that dongle when traveling, as there is a garage underneath. We cut to another shot as a sleek metallic material assembles, before revealing itself as part of the keyboard’s top plate.

In another blinding flash, the holographic area collapses as the switch transforms into a slimmer, lowprofile form factor. If you prefer to stay tethered for the most reliable connection, however, you can connect it to your laptop or PC with the included USB-C cable. That means that you can also use it while charging. We cut to an extreme closeup along the top edge of the keyboard—highlighting a switch that enables it to toggle between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth mode. The switch slides to 2.4GHz mode. The shot cuts to a wider angle, revealing the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro atop a pedestal in a room full of lesser keyboards which glow blue. The DeathStalker V2 Pro can store up to five onboard profiles. Wireless Experience and Battery Life on the DeathStalker V2 ProThe Deathstalker V2 Pro can be configured using Razer Synapse, which, while not my favorite companion software suite, offers a decent customization experience. It boasts an actuation distance of 1.2mm and an actuation force of 45g. (Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)