The interest in RGB gaming hardware is still alive and some can argue that no one does it better than Razer. The power of Chroma RGB is second to none when it comes to customization and compatible applications. But, what keyboards do they offer that can allow you to take full advantage of their RGB superpowers?
I’ve personally owned 5 Razer chroma RGB keyboards. Additionally, I have 3 years experience creating and providing RGB designs to thousands of users on my YouTube channel. Users who have every different kind of Razer keyboard made in recent years.
It’s important to mention that all of the keyboards I am listing below do have “per-key customization”. This means that each key can be customized independently from others. Which, in my opinion, you should avoid any keyboard that has “single zone lighting” like the Razer Cynosa Lite.
Whether you’re looking to get your first RGB keyboard or looking to upgrade your existing one to a more premium option. The following is what I believe are the 5 best Razer RGB keyboard options available right now.
Best Razer RGB Keyboard: Huntsman Elite
RGB Features
+ 165 customizable lighting zones (with wrist rest)
+ Has per-key customization
+ Has underglow lighting on keyboard and wrist rest
+ Customizable RGB on media controls
+ Has compatibility importing chroma designs from most other full size keyboards
– Has a non-standard bottom row keycap size
– Requires 2 USB ports
Even thought the Huntsman Elite keyboard is the oldest keyboard on my list it’s still the king of chroma RGB and earns the top spot.
The number 1 factor that makes this decision easy for me is that the Elite is the most compatible with RGB chroma profiles made in synapse studio. RGB lighting designs made on the Elite are compatible with almost every other keyboard that Razer offers.
At a count of 165 (including the wrist rest) this keyboard offers more custom lighting zones than any other. Also, the underglow lighting place this keyboard at god-tier when it comes to RGB.
The only real negative to this keyboard is that the bottom row keycap sizes are not what can be considered “standard”. Therefore, finding after market keycaps that fit on Razer’s keycap sizing can be a bit tricky. Razer did just release their new Phantom Keycap set recently which remedies this issue.
Additionally, with actuation at the speed of light, the optical switches are a huge plus as well. You get the option to choose the red linear (silent) or the purple (clicky) optical switches.
Second Best Razer RGB Keyboard: Huntsman V2 Analog
RGB Features
+ 146 customizable lighting zones (with wrist rest)
+ Has per-key customization
+ Has underglow lighting on keyboard and wrist rest
+ Customizable RGB on media controls
+ Has a standard bottom row keycap size
– Requires 2 USB ports
– Currently can have some compatibility issues importing/exporting designs made on other keyboards
I have to be perfectly honest. When I first sat down to write this post I had the Analog as my best chroma keyboard. Mainly because it was the first full-sized keyboard that Razer released with a standard bottom row keycap size. So finding after market keycaps, like GSkill’s Crystal Crown Keycaps, that can really make your light shine is a cinch.
The Analog falls to number two on my list because of two main reasons.
First, it has less lighting zones than the Elite due to not having underglow lighting zones on the Monitor side of the keyboard. Which really is not a huge deal because you can’t see them anyway.
Second, and most importantly, it seems like Razer kind of rushed this keyboard out to the market on the software side. Lighting designs made on this keyboard are not very compatible when sharing with users of other Razer Keyboards.
Like the Elite above, the Analog is also an optical switch that uses the speed of light to actuate. However, the analog switch is unique in that it has adjustable actuation. More information on this can be found on Razer’s site.
Best Mini Chroma RGB Keyboard: BlackWidow V3 Mini Phantom Edition
RGB Features
+ 69 customizable lighting zones
+ Has per-key customization
+ Comes with Razer’s new shine-through Phantom Keycaps
+ Has customizable Razer logo
– Has a non-standard bottom row keycap size
– Currently can have some compatibility issues importing designs made on other keyboards
The best mini option goes to the newest keyboard that I have listed, the BlackWidow V3 Mini Phantom Edition.
This 65% keyboard is catapulted to the top of it’s category due to it’s primary feature, the Phantom Keycaps. RGB is what these keycaps are designed for. They have a flat translucent side so that when the key lights up more light passes through.
The BlackWidow V3 Mini Phantom Edition has mechanical switches which come in yellow (silent) or green (clicky).
Also what makes this keyboard better than the Huntsman Mini is that it has arrow keys and a delete key that doesn’t require a FN key. But I guess that’s just personal preference.
Best Wireless Chroma RGB Keyboard: Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro
RGB Features
+ 107 customizable lighting zones
+ Has per-key customization
+ Customizable RGB on media controls
+ Has customizable Razer logo
+ Has a standard bottom row keycap size
– Currently can have some compatibility issues importing designs made on other keyboards
Your best wireless option in Razers lineup goes to the BlackWidow V3 Pro. The main reason I chose this keyboard over the regular BlackWidow V3 is that the Pro has customizable lighting zones on the media keys. Whereas, the regular V3 does not.
Outside of the regular keycaps there’s not much offered in terms of RGB lighting when it comes to the wireless options. Which is probably a good thing considering it surely cuts into the battery life.
The BlackWidow V3 has mechanical switches which come in yellow (silent) or green (clicky).
Best Budget Razer RGB Keyboard: Razer Cynosa V2
RGB Features
+ 106 customizable lighting zones
+ Has per-key customization
+ Customizable RGB on media controls
+ Membrane background projects additional lighting
+ Has compatibility importing chroma designs from most other full size keyboards
– No known options for aftermarket keycaps
I chose the best budget keyboard mainly based on the cheapest available that also has individual key customization.
The last thing you want to do is buy a keyboard for it’s RGB capabilities, get home, and then find out it’s severely limited when it come to customizing. With the Cynosa V2 you will not have that issue.
Although, Cynosa is a membrane keyboard with soft and cushioned keys, the membrane is definitely a positive when it comes to RGB lighting. The entire translucent membrane backplate under the keycaps actually helps to project more lighting than the out-of-the-box mechanical and optical switch options from Razer.
Conclusion
Finally I’d just like to mention that as long as you can find an option with per-key customization that fits your budget and purpose, then the doors are wide open to the world of RGB. Thanks to the epic powers of Razer Chroma you can be immersed in your game or the endless amount of custom lighting options available.
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