After 13 years, Razer is reviving its Tartarus gaming keypad with a V2 Pro model, and it could end up as any keyboard hater's favorite peripheral

Razer has launched the Tartarus V2 Pro, a thumb‑stick‑equipped keypad that sits between a traditional mouse‑and‑keyboard setup and a gamepad. Priced at $199.99/£199.99, the device packs a Tactile‑Mechanical‑Resonance (TMR) thumbstick, an 8,000 Hz polling rate, and Razer’s second‑generation Analog Optical Switches, which let users dial actuation travel from a razor‑thin 0.1 mm to a full 4.0 mm. Features such as Rapid Trigger Mode and Snap Flex give each of the 31 programmable keys up to four distinct actions based on travel depth and release direction. The keypad supports three user profiles via Razer Synapse, each with eight keymaps, yielding 24 configuration slots, and includes per‑key macro capability.

The launch pits Razer against the Azeron Keyzen and Cyborg II, the current market leaders in ergonomic gaming keypads. Azeron’s offerings rely on Cherry mechanical switches, a Hall‑effect thumbstick, and a modest 1,000 Hz polling rate, and they cannot vary actuation points across keys. However, Azeron compensates with extensive physical customization: modular “tower” layouts, adjustable key height, depth, and angle, plus unlimited software profiles. Azeron’s units are typically 3D‑printed and can be finished in any colour, whereas Razer limits buyers to a single chassis colour but adds full‑RGB underglow. Despite the higher price tag on Azeron’s bespoke models, the Tartarus V2 Pro undercuts them on price while delivering a technically superior switch system and faster polling.

Looking ahead, the Tartarus V2 Pro’s success will hinge on whether gamers value Razer’s electronic flexibility over Azeron’s ergonomic tailoring. The limited colour options and fixed key layout could deter users who prefer a truly personalized hand fit. Additionally, the three‑profile cap may prove restrictive for competitive players who juggle multiple game setups. Watch for firmware updates that might expand profile storage or introduce modular accessories, and monitor community feedback on the practical benefits of 0.1 mm actuation granularity versus the more tactile feel of Cherry switches.