The Razer DeathAdder has been a staple in the gaming world since its debut in 2006, earning a reputation for its ergonomic design and reliable performance. Over the years, Razer has refined this iconic mouse, and the DeathAdder V4 Pro is the latest iteration in this legendary lineup. As someone who generally prefers a good controller over mouse and keyboard, I can still appreciate the thought and innovation that went into the V4 Pro.
Razer collaborated with hundreds of esports professionals to refine the DeathAdder V4 Pro, ensuring it met the highest standards of performance and reliability. During its development, Razer stealth-tested prototype units at various tournaments, camouflaging them to prevent recognition and gather authentic feedback from competitive gaming scenarios.
The result is a featherlight 56-gram build that feels effortless to maneuver during gaming sessions. Its ergonomic shape, optimized for palm and claw grips, fits naturally in my hand, providing comfort even during extended play. The matte soft-touch finish not only feels premium but also repels sweat, ensuring a firm grip. The enlarged PTFE feet allow for smooth and friction-free glides, making every movement precise and controlled.
The new body is built with improved materials, featuring a reinforced frame that enhances durability while maintaining its lightweight design. Razer has incorporated advanced polymers that resist wear and tear, ensuring the mouse remains in top condition even after prolonged use. The matte soft-touch finish not only feels premium but also repels sweat, providing a firm grip during intense gaming sessions.
Performance-wise, the V4 Pro is equipped with the Focus Pro 45K optical sensor, which offers flawless tracking up to 900 IPS and 85 g acceleration. While even professional gamers would rarely, if ever, utilize the full 45K DPI, the sensor’s capabilities ensure unparalleled accuracy and responsiveness. This level of precision translates to smoother cursor movements and more reliable tracking, giving players an edge in competitive scenarios.
As someone who doesn’t typically use mouse and keyboard, I immediately felt comfortable using the DeathAdder in FPS games, which is a testament to its features and design. Whether I’m flicking in an FPS or orbiting in an MMO, the cursor placement is dead-on, giving me the confidence to perform at my best. The Gen-4 optical switches actuate in just 0.2 milliseconds, delivering crisp and debounce-free clicks that feel satisfying and reliable.
The mouse features eight programmable buttons, which I can easily map and remap using Razer Synapse.The all-new optical scroll wheel is a standout feature for me. It’s smooth, accurate, and immune to ghost inputs, making inventory management or weapon swaps in games instantly reliable. I do wish it had infinite scroll like the Basilisk V3 Pro, but that wouldn’t matter to serious gamers anyway.
Razer Synapse software unlocks a range of customization options that enhance the user experience. From DPI sensitivity matching for uniform speed across surfaces to smart tracking and motion sync for tailored smoothing, the software allows me to fine-tune the mouse to my preferences. Hypershift enables secondary button functions, and profile cloud sync ensures my settings are accessible across devices.
The new dome-shaped dongle is a thoughtful addition and a standout feature of the DeathAdder V4 Pro. Its sleek and compact design integrates seamlessly into any gaming setup, offering both style and functionality. Gone are the days of flimsy USB-A dongles that were prone to getting lost. This new dongle boasts enhanced durability and an intuitive LED system that provides clear feedback on polling rates, battery levels, and connection status.
Supporting 8K polling over wireless, it delivers groundbreaking responsiveness and ultra-smooth gameplay. However, the larger size does make the DeathAdder V4 Pro less portable compared to models with smaller dongles.
But, that new dongle makes connectivity another area where the DeathAdder V4 Pro shines. HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2 delivers an ultra-low latency of 0.29 milliseconds at 1,000 Hz and holds strong up to 8,000 Hz. And because the dongle sits clear on your desk instead of hidden away, you won’t struggle with connection interference or dropouts.
Charging via USB-C is straightforward, although I wish there was a dock option for added convenience — similar to the puck used on other Razer models that also houses the dongle. The battery life is impressive, offering up to 150 hours at a standard polling rate, which is more than enough for extended gaming sessions.
At AUD $300, the DeathAdder V4 Pro sits at the premium end of the market. While competitors like Logitech’s G Pro X Superlight match its weight, they fall short on polling rate. SteelSeries Aerox 5 offers modularity and Bluetooth connectivity but can’t eclipse the DeathAdder’s sensor or ergonomics. The Asus Harpe Ace isn’t too far off in terms of ergonomics, but it simply can’t match Razer’s hardware.
Razer has fine-tuned a legend with the DeathAdder V4 Pro. It excels in every core metric: comfort, tracking, speed, and battery life. As someone who generally prefers a good controller over mouse and keyboard, I can still appreciate the precision and reliability that the V4 Pro offers. It’s an elite tool for gamers who refuse to compromise on quality and makes one of the best gaming mice just that little bit better.
Razer Australia kindly provided the DeathAdder V4 unit to PowerUp for the purpose of this review.
