Gaming gear deep dive: Razer

Founded in 2005, Razer is one of the oldest esports and gaming peripheral brands in the world.

Its first products, such as the Boomslang mouse and the first edition of its Blackwidow keyboard, are some of the most notable in gaming hardware. Today, Razer is a global brand with a wide range of products on offer, including peripherals, sound systems, chairs, apparel, and cameras. 

In this article, Esports Insider takes a deep dive into the Razer product lineup to understand what is on offer. Razer usually names their products by using a combination of three things: the name(Deathadder), then the version (V3) which describes the generation of the product, and the additional feature, such as Hyperspeed or Pro. The combination of the three words accurately places a product somewhere in the Razer range.

Usually, the products that are named with just the version are the company’s entry-level models. For example, the Deathadder V3 is the cheapest current generation of the Deathadder — but that is not always the case. 

With Razer, the ‘Hyperspeed’ models are usually stripped-down performance-oriented models, while the ‘Pro’ models are aimed at professional players and feature lighter weight and performance-optimised features. The regular models are somewhere in between the two, depending on the model.

Razer is arguably most known for its mice lineup, spanning several products aimed at different levels of play and game types. Named after snakes and reptiles, as well as the mythological beast Naga, Razer’s core lineup of mice consists of five models: Deathadder, Cobra, Viper, Basilisk and Naga, with every model range further expanded by specific models.

The Deathadder range starts with the Deathadder V3, a wired version of the cult classic mouse weighing 59g. Above it sits the V3 Hyperspeed, a wireless version that is slightly lighter at 55g, and the range tops with the V3 Pro, available in several finishes and colours, including a custom design co-created with T1’s Faker. 

More compact in its shape and form, the Razer Cobra is perhaps the least-known current model in Razer’s lineup but also perhaps the most visually appealing. The Cobra range has just two models: the regular Cobra and the Cobra Pro, with the Pro version having 11-zone RGB lighting, making it a very interesting piece of equipment to look at. 

The Razer Viper was created as the company’s esports-focused symmetric ultralight wireless mouse and has proven to be a hit with users across esports and casual gamers alike. The Viper is currently in its third iteration, and the lineup has two models: the Hyperspeed wireless model is its entry-level product, followed by the V3 Pro as Razer’s top-of-the-line mouse. There is also the Razer Viper Mini Signature Edition, which is Razer’s only semi-hollow mouse, similar to the honeycomb-inspired offerings from other brands such as Glorious or Xtrfy. Lastly, there is the Razer Viper V3 Pro Sentinels Edition, featuring a glossy red finish. 

To help a different kind of gamer, there is the Naga, one of the world’s most renowned MMO gaming mice. The Naga is in its second iteration and is aimed at a very niche MMO market, with just the Pro and Hyperspeed versions on offer. There is also the left-handed version of the Naga available, and several other models, such as the Razer Orochi mobile wireless gaming mouse.

The last mouse in Razer’s lineup is more focused on home use and more casual players, with the Basilisk V3 being an ergonomic right-handed model. The Basilisk V3 X Hyperspeed is the entry-level model, followed by the regular V3 35K and the Basilisk V3 Pro 35k, with 35K being the maximum sensitivity of the mouse sensor (dpi). 

With keyboards, Razer has three distinct product lines, the mechanical switch equipped BlackWidow range, the Huntsman range with optical switches, and the low-profile Deathstalker and Ornata ranges of boards. Each of the lines has an array of products that differ in shape, size, and switch used. Razer also offers an office-friendly keyboard called the Razer Pro Type Ultra, which is aimed at both office workers and gamers alike, with a more subdued colour scheme and presence. 

Currently, there are more than 50 versions of the BlackWidow on sale through Razer’s shop alone, but the current iteration is the V4 model. The lineup starts with the budget-oriented V4 X, followed by the regular V4, the V4 75%, the V4 Pro and the V4 Pro 75%. The BlackWidow series is the essential Razer keyboard, offering all of the company’s notable features, such as RGB lighting and mechanical switches designed in-house.

A step up from the BlackWidow range is the Huntsman series, now in its third iteration. The Huntsman is aimed at the competitive segment of the market and is usually the keyboard of choice for esports teams that are partnered with Razer. The Huntsman’s cheapest model is the Mini and Mini Analog boards, featuring a 60% layout with either analogue or standard optical switches. A bit larger than those two boards is the TKL version, essentially a regular board without the number pad, called the Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless. The largest model is simply called the Huntsman V3 Pro.

Besides the two main keyboard lineups, Razer also has a low-profile lineup called DeathStalker, which includes a regular keyboard, a TKL version of the Pro model, and a regular-sized Pro model. The Ornata line is similar to the DeathStalker but differs in switches. Ornata keyboards feature mecha-membrane switches, while the Deathstalkers feature optical low-profile switches.

To top it all off, Razer offers the Tartarus range, which is a crossover between a mouse and keyboard with 19 programmable keys, a joystick, a scroll wheel and a thumb button. 

Headsets are an integral part of the esports and gaming experience, and Razer has a wide range of headsets that are separated into three models: Barracuda, BlackShark, and Kraken. In addition to headsets, the company produces soundbars and speakers.

The Razer Kraken range kicks off with the Kraken V4 X, a wired headset that offers most of the Kraken features at a lower price point. Next up is the ‘regular’ model, the Kraken V4, whilst the Kraken V4 Pro model sits at the top of the lineup. Similar to previous editions of the Kraken, the top-of-the-line model also features haptic engines for a more immersive experience and adds an OLED control hub as well.

The Razer BlackShark is the company’s esports-focused headset that has no RGB lighting and resembles an aircraft headset. Focused on lightweight and performance, the range consists of three models: the BlackShark V2 X and V2 X USB, the BlackShark V2 Pro and the BlackShark V2 Pro Hyperspeed. The Pro model is the most expensive, offering Bluetooth and 2.4 Ghz wireless connectivity and a more advanced microphone. 

The Barracuda range is a hybrid headset that Razer markets as a device that can be worn on the go, as well as for gaming and one that supports multiple platforms. These models are tailored to mobile gaming and music, and come in four different variations: the Barracuda X, Barracuda, Barracuda X Chroma and Barracuda Pro. The Pro model also offers hybrid ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) for more sound isolation, and the X Chroma offers RGB lighting on the earcups. 

The Razer speaker lineup consists of two models: the Nommo, which is a 2.0 or 2.1 desktop speaker system that comes in three price ranges, and the Leviathan, a soundbar that also comes in three variations with or without a dedicated subwoofer. Razer headsets also offer a range of colours and additional features, such as cat ears that can be attached to the headsets. 

Razer is known for developing dozens of products, too many to be included in a single article. Apart from the mentioned devices, the company also produces a range of laptops, called the Razer Blade, which come in different sizes ranging from 14 to 18 inches. Moreover, the company has created an arcade controller for PS5 and PC called the Razer Kitsune, as well as monitor light bars, lighting kits, mobile, PC and console controllers, cameras and a range of carrying cases and backpacks. There are also three models of gaming chairs, each with separate levels similar to mice and keyboards called Iskur, Enki and Fujin.

Oh, and a plush snake called Sneki Snek, Razer’s mascot.