Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed: The Most Compact Gaming Keyboard Yet

The name of this little keyboard is the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed, which is also a tiny keyboard. The BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed compresses the conventional gaming keyboard down to a considerably more compact configuration, similar to the HyperX Alloy Origins 60, the Corsair K65 RGB Mini, and Razer’s own Huntsman Mini. The BlackWdiwo V3 Mini HyperSpeed is also wireless, in contrast to the majority of other tiny keyboards on the market. Even though it is very pricey, it is a feature that is useful.

The BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed successfully completes the majority of its objectives. The number pad, function row, and navigation keys seen on a full-size device are absent from a 65% profile. Yet, the arrow keys and a covert Delete button are yours to retain. (The loud noise you just heard was the collective sigh of relief from touch typists and gamers alike.) Whether you use USB or Bluetooth, the wireless functions operate without a hitch, and the RGB lighting is as attractive as you might expect.

Review of the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed:

The Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed succeeds where designs like the Huntsman Mini failed for one very straightforward reason: a 65% profile. A 60% profile micro gaming keyboard, which does without the number pad, navigation keys, function row, and arrow keys, is about as compact as mini keyboards get. The arrow keys and a few navigational buttons, in this example Page Up, Page Down, Insert, and, most critically, Delete, are still present in the 65% model.

To clarify: I was unable to live without the arrow and Delete keys and had to set aside the Alloy Origins 60 and K65 Mini as soon as I was finished testing them. Although there is a learning curve, after using the BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed for approximately a week, I haven’t yet had the need to defenestrate it.

In any event, the BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed is still fairly compact while having more keys than a 60% model: 12.5 x 5.1 x 1.0 inches, with two height adjustment choices, if you prefer to type on a slant. The bezels on each side are hardly there, and the keys are all lifted off the chassis. Although there isn’t a wrist rest, the RGB Razer logo is classy and is located right below the Spacebar.

A USB-C charging connector, a slider that alternates between Bluetooth and USB wireless options, and an on/off switch for the keyboard are all located on the device’s rear. The dongle fits into a tiny hole on the bottom of the keyboard, making it considerably less likely to be misplaced.

Review of the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed: Keys

Razer Green or Razer Yellow key switches are available for the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed, both of which function well. The latter (which we got in our review model) are quiet and linear whereas the former are noisy and haptic. Razer’s custom switches aren’t quite as nice, in my opinion, as Cherry MX models, but they’re also not nearly as rare, so it’s a reasonable trade-off. They feel relaxed and receptive.

I used the BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed to type 109 words per minute at 97% accuracy on a Typing.com test, compared to 111 words per minute at 98% accuracy with my regular Logitech G915. The BlackWidow V3 keys did, qualitatively speaking, feel somewhat more crowded, although this is a little change.

Review of the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed: Features

The Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed’s 65% size is what makes it unique, but that isn’t all it has going for it. Also, it is fully compatible with the Razer Synapse software, which enables you to customize the RGB lighting, program any key, and create unique profiles for games and applications. Without going into much depth, Synapse functions admirably despite occasionally being a bit challenging to use. Positively, the program is now considerably more stable than it was previously.

The wireless USB dongle that comes with the BlackWidow V3 has a more intriguing function. This dongle uses Razer’s latest HyperSpeed technology, which enables you to utilize the same dongle to connect a wireless mouse and keyboard. Currently, the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro, BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed, Naga Pro, DeathAdder Pro, and Orochi V2 are compatible with this feature. In addition to saving a priceless USB port, doing this also makes your peripherals simpler to operate and maintain overall. It’s a justification for purchasing both a Razer mouse and a BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed.

The BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed has good software and an ambitious dongle, but it does have one possible flaw: its battery life. The BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed may last up to 200 hours on a single charge, which is accurate according to Razer, but only if you’re prepared to give up RGB illumination totally. It might not be a realistic request after spending $180 on a flashy RGB gizmo.

The BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed consumes a single battery in 17 hours while operating at default settings, and it takes most of a workday to recharge. You can reach 48 hours of battery life by lowering the brightness to 30%, but the display won’t be as eye-catching. Select carefully.

Notable here is the Bluetooth capability of the BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed, which performs as promised and has three distinct profiles. This makes it simple to connect the keyboard to various devices in your house, which is a feature that is especially helpful for small wireless devices.

Performance of the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed

The BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed performs superbly in games, much as most other Razer gear. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, Doom Eternal, Baldur’s Gate III, and Final Fantasy XIV were the games I used to test the gadget. The keyboard played every game without issue. I was especially happy with Doom Eternal since the game’s simple, fast-paced controls worked nicely with the keyboard’s basic design.

Even while I enjoyed playing Final Fantasy XIV on a casual level, it’s important to note that this keyboard is definitely not the best option for MMO fanatics. Doing high-level skill rotations here may be more challenging than with comparable peripherals due to the lack of a function row and additional macro buttons. Nevertheless, the BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed is surprisingly good at handling practically any genre because to the simple addition of distinct arrow keys.

Review of the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed: Conclusion

With its 65% design and its $180 pricing, the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed is a niche device. But, it’s among the top items we’ve examined in that specific market. The BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed is not only practical and comfy, but it also looks fantastic on a desk.

To get the most out of the battery life of the gadget, you’ll have to make some sacrifices, and if this is your first small keyboard, there will be a steep learning curve. The BlackWidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed is one of the better solutions we’ve seen so far, though, if you’re desperate to save some desk space while staying competitive.