Razer BlackWidow vs Corsair Strafe (An In-Depth Comparison of Gaming Keyboards)
Are you confused about choosing the perfect keyboard between the Razer BlackWidow and Corsair Strafe for your gaming rig?
Both the Razer BlackWidow and Corsair Strafe are at the top of the list when it comes to gaming keyboards. Only the main differences between these keyboards are the switches, a few features, and the overall design. Other than that, both keyboards are almost the same in quality, functionality, and pricing.
For this reason, comparing and choosing between these two keyboards may seem difficult to you. But don’t worry, we’ll provide you with an in-depth comparison and review of the Razer BlackWidow and Corsair Strafe in this article. Let’s check them out below.
Razer BlackWidow vs Corsair Strafe – Which One Is Better?
To compare Razer BlackWidow and Corsair Strafe, let’s check their specifications first.
Specifications: Razer BlackWidow vs Corsair Strafe
Name | Razer BlackWidow | Corsair Strafe |
Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
Size | Full-size (100%) | Full-size (100%) |
Color | Black | Black |
Type | Mechanical | Mechanical |
Backlight | RGB | RGB |
Key Switch | Razer Green Switch | Cherry MX Red |
Height | 1.6″ (4.0 cm) | 1.6″ (4.0 cm) |
Width | 17.7″ (45.0 cm) | 17.7″ (45.0 cm) |
Depth | 6.4″ (16.3 cm) | 6.4″ (16.3 cm) |
Weight | 2.76 lbs (1.250 kg) | 3.09 lbs (1.400 kg) |
Wrist Rest Pad | N/A | Yes (Detachable) |
Media Keys | Hot Keys | Dedicated Media Keys |
Macro Programmable Keys | All | All |
Trackpad/Trackball | N/A | N/A |
Wheel | N/A | Available |
USB Passthrough | N/A | Available |
Numpad | Available | Available |
Latency | 4.4 ms | 4.1 ms |
Compatibility | Windows (Full) macOS (Partial) Linux (Partial) Android (No) iOS (NO) iPadOS (NO) | Windows (Full) macOS (Partial) Linux (Partial) Android (No) iOS (NO) iPadOS (NO) |
Extra Accessories | Quick Start Guide | Wrist rest Extra Keys (2x A, S, D, F, Q, W, E, R, O) Keycap Puller User Manual |
Price | Check Price | Check Price |
As you can now see the brief differences in specifications between the Razer BlackWidow and Corsair Strafe keyboards, let’s discuss these differences in detail below:
Differences Between Razer BlackWidow and Corsair Strafe
Though there are a lot of similarities between Razer BlackWidow and Corsair Strafe, here are some core differences between these keyboards:
1. Key Switches
There is a huge difference in key switches for Razer BlackWidow and Corsair Strafe.
The Razer BlackWidow uses its own branded switches made by a Chinese company – “Kailh”. The name of the key switches is Razer Green switches. They come in two different colors – orange and yellow. Both color switches are silent. But the difference is that the yellow switches are more linear whereas the orange switches are more tactile.
Corsair, on the other hand, uses the famous Cherry MX switches. It comes with 3 different Cherry MX options – Red, Brown, and Silent. The Cherry Strafe is the first keyboard to use the “Silent” key switches. The “Silent” key switches are designed with an internal sound-dampening feature.
2. RGB Backlight
Both the Razer BlackWidow and the Corsair Strafe keyboards have RGB backlight. However, there is a small difference in the design of the backlight for these keyboards.
The Razer BlackWidow has its traditional “Sunken” design whereas the Corsair Strafe is raised from the backplate and the lights spill out from the side.
According to the user static, the lighting effect of the Corsair Strafe is more attractive than the Razer BlackWidow.
3. Extras & Features
The Corsair Strafe has more interesting features than the Razer BlackWidow. Here are the differences in features for both keyboards:
- The Corsair Strafe has dedicated Media Keys whereas the Razer BlackWidow uses Hotkeys as media keys.
- The Corsair Strafe has a wheel to control the volume but the Razer BlackWidow doesn’t have this exclusive feature.
- The Razer BlackWidow missing the USB Passthrough feature but this feature is available in the Corsair Strafe.
- The Corsair Strafe comes with a detachable wrist rest, extra keys of different colors, a keycap puller, and a user manual. But the Razer BlackWidow comes with the quick start guide only.
Our Verdict: Razer BlackWidow or Corsair Strafe?
We found the Corsair Strafe keyboards better than the Razer BlackWidow keyboards.
The outer design of the Corsair Strafe keyboard looks better and the combination of switches and RGB lights is perfect in this keyboard.
Though the functionality and price of both keyboards are almost the same, you can get many interesting features such as a wrist rest, extra keys, and a keycap puller, by spending around more than $20 bucks.
However, if you don’t need these extra features and don’t want to cross your budget, then the Razer BlackWidow is the best option for you.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is Razer Keyboard Better than Corsair?
Razer and Corsair both are outstanding gaming keyboards. As the functionality of both keyboards is almost the same, it is really hard to choose the better between them. However, if you want lower latency, a better typing experience, and comfortable wrist rest, then Corsair keyboards as slightly better than the Razer keyboard.
Is Razer Black Widow Still Good?
The Razer BlackWidow keyboard is a very high-quality keyboard at a reasonable price. Despite being a gaming keyboard, it also great for programming and office use. However, if the environment of your office demands silence, then this keyboard isn’t preferred. But overall Razer Black Widow keyboard is still great.
Is Corsair Strafe MK2 Worth It?
Yes, Corsair Strafe MK2 is obviously a great mechanical keyboard for gaming and office use. The build and design are much more comfortable for long usage. It has a wrist rest that makes it more comfortable while playing games. Again, it uses the Cherry MX Red switches which are popular for smoothness and these switches are silent. So, the Corsair Strafe MK2 is also worth office use too.
Is Corsair Strafe Mechanical?
Yes, the Corsair Strafe is a mechanical keyboard as it meets all the features of a mechanical gaming keyboard. It also uses Cherry MX mechanical switches which are the most popular and higher-end optical-mechanical switches.
Conclusion
We hope, you’ve found this guide helpful in identifying the differences between the Razer BlackWidow and the Corsair Strafe keyboards. After reviewing all the differences between these two keyboards, you can easily determine which keyboards between these two can meet your criteria. But if you want to know our personal opinion, then we’d go for the Corsair Strafe.
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