Gaming gear deep dive: Razer

Based in 2005, Razer is likely one of the oldest esports and gaming peripheral manufacturers on the planet.

Its first merchandise, such because the Boomslang mouse and the primary version of its Blackwidow keyboard, are a few of the most notable in gaming {hardware}. At present, Razer is a worldwide model with a variety of merchandise on provide, together with peripherals, sound programs, chairs, attire, and cameras. 

On this article, Esports Insider takes a deep dive into the Razer product lineup to know what’s on provide. Razer normally names their merchandise by utilizing a mix of three issues: the identify(Deathadder), then the model (V3) which describes the technology of the product, and the extra function, akin to Hyperspeed or Professional. The mixture of the three phrases precisely locations a product someplace within the Razer vary.

Normally, the merchandise which might be named with simply the model are the corporate’s entry-level fashions. For instance, the Deathadder V3 is the most cost effective present technology of the Deathadder — however that’s not all the time the case. 

With Razer, the ‘Hyperspeed’ fashions are normally stripped-down performance-oriented fashions, whereas the ‘Professional’ fashions are aimed toward skilled gamers and have lighter weight and performance-optimised options. The common fashions are someplace in between the 2, relying on the mannequin.

Razer is arguably most recognized for its mice lineup, spanning a number of merchandise aimed toward totally different ranges of play and recreation sorts. Named after snakes and reptiles, in addition to the mythological beast Naga, Razer’s core lineup of mice consists of 5 fashions: Deathadder, Cobra, Viper, Basilisk and Naga, with each mannequin vary additional expanded by particular fashions.

The Deathadder vary begins with the Deathadder V3, a wired model of the cult traditional mouse weighing 59g. Above it sits the V3 Hyperspeed, a wi-fi model that’s barely lighter at 55g, and the vary tops with the V3 Professional, obtainable in a number of finishes and colors, together with a customized design co-created with T1’s Faker. 

Extra compact in its form and type, the Razer Cobra is maybe the least-known present mannequin in Razer’s lineup but additionally maybe probably the most visually interesting. The Cobra vary has simply two fashions: the common Cobra and the Cobra Professional, with the Professional model having 11-zone RGB lighting, making it a really attention-grabbing piece of kit to have a look at. 

The Razer Viper was created as the corporate’s esports-focused symmetric ultralight wi-fi mouse and has confirmed to be a success with customers throughout esports and informal avid gamers alike. The Viper is at the moment in its third iteration, and the lineup has two fashions: the Hyperspeed wi-fi mannequin is its entry-level product, adopted by the V3 Professional as Razer’s top-of-the-line mouse. There may be additionally the Razer Viper Mini Signature Version, which is Razer’s solely semi-hollow mouse, just like the honeycomb-inspired choices from different manufacturers akin to Superb or Xtrfy. Lastly, there’s the Razer Viper V3 Professional Sentinels Version, that includes a shiny crimson end. 

To assist a distinct sort of gamer, there’s the Naga, one of many world’s most famous MMO gaming mice. The Naga is in its second iteration and is aimed toward a really area of interest MMO market, with simply the Professional and Hyperspeed variations on provide. There may be additionally the left-handed model of the Naga obtainable, and several other different fashions, such because the Razer Orochi cellular wi-fi gaming mouse.

The final mouse in Razer’s lineup is extra targeted on residence use and extra informal gamers, with the Basilisk V3 being an ergonomic right-handed mannequin. The Basilisk V3 X Hyperspeed is the entry-level mannequin, adopted by the common V3 35K and the Basilisk V3 Professional 35k, with 35K being the utmost sensitivity of the mouse sensor (dpi). 

With keyboards, Razer has three distinct product strains, the mechanical change outfitted BlackWidow vary, the Huntsman vary with optical switches, and the low-profile Deathstalker and Ornata ranges of boards. Every of the strains has an array of merchandise that differ in form, measurement, and change used. Razer additionally gives an office-friendly keyboard referred to as the Razer Professional Sort Extremely, which is aimed toward each workplace employees and avid gamers alike, with a extra subdued color scheme and presence. 

At the moment, there are greater than 50 variations of the BlackWidow on sale via Razer’s store alone, however the present iteration is the V4 mannequin. The lineup begins with the budget-oriented V4 X, adopted by the common V4, the V4 75%, the V4 Professional and the V4 Professional 75%. The BlackWidow sequence is the important Razer keyboard, providing all the firm’s notable options, akin to RGB lighting and mechanical switches designed in-house.

A step up from the BlackWidow vary is the Huntsman sequence, now in its third iteration. The Huntsman is aimed on the aggressive section of the market and is normally the keyboard of selection for esports groups which might be partnered with Razer. The Huntsman’s least expensive mannequin is the Mini and Mini Analog boards, that includes a 60% structure with both analogue or normal optical switches. A bit bigger than these two boards is the TKL model, primarily a daily board with out the quantity pad, referred to as the Huntsman V3 Professional Tenkeyless. The biggest mannequin is just referred to as the Huntsman V3 Professional.

Apart from the 2 primary keyboard lineups, Razer additionally has a low-profile lineup referred to as DeathStalker, which features a common keyboard, a TKL model of the Professional mannequin, and a regular-sized Professional mannequin. The Ornata line is just like the DeathStalker however differs in switches. Ornata keyboards function mecha-membrane switches, whereas the Deathstalkers function optical low-profile switches.

To high all of it off, Razer gives the Tartarus vary, 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 a part of the esports and gaming expertise, and Razer has a variety of headsets which might be separated into three fashions: Barracuda, BlackShark, and Kraken. Along with headsets, the corporate produces soundbars and audio system.

The Razer Kraken vary kicks off with the Kraken V4 X, a wired headset that provides many of the Kraken options at a lower cost level. Subsequent up is the ‘common’ mannequin, the Kraken V4, while the Kraken V4 Professional mannequin sits on the high of the lineup. Much like earlier editions of the Kraken, the top-of-the-line mannequin additionally options haptic engines for a extra immersive expertise and provides an OLED management hub as effectively.

The Razer BlackShark is the corporate’s esports-focused headset that has no RGB lighting and resembles an plane headset. Centered on light-weight and efficiency, the vary consists of three fashions: the BlackShark V2 X and V2 X USB, the BlackShark V2 Professional and the BlackShark V2 Professional Hyperspeed. The Professional mannequin is the costliest, providing Bluetooth and a pair of.4 Ghz wi-fi connectivity and a extra superior microphone. 

The Barracuda vary is a hybrid headset that Razer markets as a tool that may be worn on the go, in addition to for gaming and one which helps a number of platforms. These fashions are tailor-made to cellular gaming and music, and are available 4 totally different variations: the Barracuda X, Barracuda, Barracuda X Chroma and Barracuda Professional. The Professional mannequin additionally gives hybrid ANC (Energetic Noise Cancellation) for extra sound isolation, and the X Chroma gives RGB lighting on the earcups. 

The Razer speaker lineup consists of two fashions: the Nommo, which is a 2.0 or 2.1 desktop speaker system that is available in three worth ranges, and the Leviathan, a soundbar that additionally is available in three variations with or with no devoted subwoofer. Razer headsets additionally provide a variety of colors and extra options, akin to cat ears that may be connected to the headsets. 

Razer is thought for creating dozens of merchandise, too many to be included in a single article. Aside from the talked about gadgets, the corporate additionally produces a variety of laptops, referred to as the Razer Blade, which come in several sizes starting from 14 to 18 inches. Furthermore, the corporate has created an arcade controller for PS5 and PC referred to as the Razer Kitsune, in addition to monitor mild bars, lighting kits, cellular, PC and console controllers, cameras and a variety of carrying instances and backpacks. There are additionally three fashions of gaming chairs, every with separate ranges just like mice and keyboards referred to as Iskur, Enki and Fujin.

Oh, and a luxurious snake referred to as Sneki Snek, Razer’s mascot.