Razer Blackwidow Lite

Razer is green, it's gaming, it's RGB lighting, and it's esports - that is, of course, when Razer isn't up to something entirely different. The company is experimental at heart and has shown no fear in terms of throwing themselves into spaces where they haven't been before and where you'd think they wouldn't belong.

Blackwidow Lite is Razer's attempt to create a new product category, namely a premium office keyboard. It comes with a metal-plated, detachable braided USB cable for easy transport, and Razer's own Orange switches, a more silent version of its green switches, but still with tactile feedback. The keys are individually backlit with an industrial white LED light, and yes, it can be turned off. It has a skeleton design, a favourite of ours. And much like most keyboards, you can alter its angle with two plastic flaps on the back.

Additionally, it comes with orange o-rings that can be mounted underneath each key to further dampen the sound as you press the keys. Razer is of the opinion that this is something that will be a benefit in an office environment where you may end up annoying your colleagues, but then perhaps membrane keyboards are a better option if the sound is all you care about.

There are other Razer products that fit nicely with Blackwidow Lite. The Razer Atheris, a very compact but well-functioning mouse, a Stealth Edition mousepad (basically just black without RGB), and the Razer Hammerhead USB-C ANC, which unlike normal Hammerhead in-ears don't come with green cables.

So far, so good. It's functional, well crafted, and good value at £100. But there are also a couple of things in the transformation process that aren't optimal. There is no wrist support. And as we tend to do a lot of writing that's something we miss. The same must be said for the lack of a numeric keypad, which is particularly troublesome if Excel is part of your daily routine. It may mean a more compact design, but the average desk has room for both wrist support and a numeric keypad.

Then there is the fact that the orange o-rings shine through the keys - the light under the keyboard shines through, and all the keys with the extra cushion get an orange glow as a result. Feature or bug, you be the judge.

It's a great attempt, and we like the addition of the o-rings for added stealth, but the lack of wrist support and a numeric keypad in a keyboard meant for office use is very odd.