A premium keyboard at a more modest price: Razer Ornata V2 review

The Razer Ornata Chroma gets an awaited update in the Razer Ornata V2, seemingly replacing the BlackWidow Chroma, which itself had a V2 model back in 2017. The Ornata V2 comes equipped with Chroma RGB as with many other Razer keyboards so how does it stand out among its competition?

Main features

This keyboard uses a hybrid mecha-membrane switch like its Ornata predecessors, combining a softer type with the membrane and the satisfying mechanical click. It’s a quieter keyboard as a result, while still giving that nice typing feeling. The general aesthetic of the Ornata V2 has been improved from the original, the C, 1, S, M and G keys above the numberpad have been moved to above the arrow keys for easier viewing of toggled NumLock/Capslock while giving space to more keys.

Namely, the Media array of buttons above the number pad: Skip Back, Play/Pause, Skip Forward and scroll wheel are now occupying the space above the numpad. The scroll wheel can be used to change volume and can be customized through Razer Synapse 3.

Quality and appearance

The black plastic build is pretty professional looking without overly standing out in non-gaming settings. The rest cushion has a nice finish while keeping the wrists supported even during long sessions. There’s rubber on the four corners and two flip-up stands, as well as a channel to store the USB cable on the back or side of the keyboard. The USB cable itself is 80-inches.

The mid-height keys on the Ornata V2 is meant to give it a faster response time. The keys are made of ABS plastic as with the Ornata Chroma and a majority of more budget gaming keyboards. It’s not the most long lasting material but the matte finish does give it the impression of being “premium”.

User experience

The Ornata V2 was put through a few games to test several aspects of its features:

• Valorant for key response
• Civilization VI for shortcuts
• Grand Theft Auto V for freedom of movement between keys

The Ornata V2 is designed as a gaming keyboard and functions as you would expect. There were no issues when testing it out on Valorant as and when fast inputs were needed, but maybe a pro gamer would be able to discern the minute differences should there be any kind of delay.

In regards to typing speed, the average is 63WPM with the V2, and able to vary anywhere between 40 to 100 WPM. Depending on how used you are to your current keyboard or other mechanical keyboards, ours kept to a more consistent 65 to 70 WPM, but the Ornata V2 does offer more accuracy over speed.

Razer Synapse

With Razer Synapse 3, the RGB Chroma settings can be fiddled around with to save to your custom profile, for the personalization-heavy user. There are 11 Quick Effects for lighting, including Spectrum Cycling, Ripples, Audio Meter and Ambient Awareness, the latter of which changes colours according to what’s on screen.

You can also fully customize individual keys. If you don’t often listen to music, then the media keys can be changed to something more practical for yourself. Unique profiles can likewise be set up to activate automatically from a game by game basis.

Verdict

As a whole, the Ornata V2 provides a really good user experience, with the Media keys being a very appreciated addition, besides helping it stand out among other premium keyboards. The scroll wheel is handy if you need to adjusts volume on the fly which every keyboard should have, really. The mecha-membrane can’t live up to the “true” mechanical clicking sounds, but if you want something quieter, then it won’t be an issue.

As a Razer product, its compatibility with the Razer Synapse 3 lets the Ornata V2 be a great gaming keyboard that you can tweak accordingly to your needs. There could be, of course, something better for you out there at the same price point, so it depends on what you’re really looking for.

Specifications

• RM499
• Razer Hybrid Mecha-Membrane technology
• Scroll wheel & media keys
• RGB Razer Chroma
• Wrist cushion
• Razer Synapse
• Cable storage space
• N-key roll over
• Gaming mode choices
• Fiber thread cable
• Ultrapolling 1000 Hz
• Compatible with Xbox One for simple inputs

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