Razer Joro wireless keyboard review: Ideal for commuting but untapped gaming potential
More appeal for travelers than desktop gamers.
Razer hopes to expand its target audience with its most portable gaming keyboard to date. Extremely travel-friendly, the Razer keyboard uses low-profile scissor switches to weigh only 374 grams. The Joro connects to up to three Bluetooth sources with an optional Mac layout.Adam Corsetti, 👁 Enrico Frahn Published 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 ...
Verdict - An ultra-compact wireless keyboard that's not yet essential for gamers
Razer took risks with the Joro, as a pricey non-mechanical gaming keyboard. Settling for scissor switches has the benefit of an incredibly portable 374-gram design. For gamers, however, a few shortcomings result in the Joro missing the mark.
If travelling is a priority, excellent battery life makes the Razer keyboard an attractive option. An alternate Mac layout and new Synapse compatibility appeal to a wider audience.
For productivity, the Joro competes surprisingly well against stiff competition. Unfortunately, competitive gamers won't find the Bluetooth keyboard a must-buy until RF connectivity arrives.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
The Razer Joro portable wireless gaming keyboard is available at Razer.com and major retailers for $139.99.
The Razer Joro is a low-profile Bluetooth keyboard with more gaming ability than its rivals. Using slim scissor switches, the Joro becomes a highly portable peripheral for PC, Mac, and mobile users. The new Razer keyboard includes single-zone RGB lighting and supports gaming features like Snap Tap.
Specifications
| Form factor | Compact 75% |
| Dimensions | 298mm x 112mm x 16.5mm/11.7in x 4.4in x 0.65in |
| Weight | 374g/0.8lbs |
| Case materials | 5052 aluminum alloy top case/ABS plastic bottom case |
| Switch type | Ultra-low profile scissor switches |
| Keycaps | Laser-etched ABS keycaps |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0/Wired USB-C |
| Polling rate | 1000Hz ultrapolling in wired mode |
| Battery life | Maximum 1800 hours in power saving mode |
| Lighting | Single-zone Razer Chroma RGB |
| Software | Razer Synapse for PC and Mac |
Packaging and box contents
The Joro arrives in a black and green rectangular-shaped box in the traditional Razer design. Razer includes a stealthy-black quick-start guide to aid with Bluetooth pairing. The lack of a wireless dongle streamlines the package contents. Buyers will only find a USB Type-C to Type-C cable, so an adapter is necessary for Type A connections.
Design
At 16.5 mm thick, the Joro checks in at just 374 grams or 12.8 ounces. That's considerably lighter than its non-gaming competition, like the 662-gram Apple Magic Keyboard. Even with a portable form factor, the keyboard's aluminum alloy top plate provides a firm typing base.
Since it emphasizes portability, the Joro wastes little space with its design. Still, Razer managed to cram a 75% layout on its surface. Boosting productivity, users have the benefit of arrow and navigation keys. Apple fans will appreciate the available macOS-specific commands.
The thin ABS keycaps on the Joro cover the scissor switches below. With a smooth texture, they will accumulate some fingerprints. The legends are laser-etched and can withstand inevitable scuffs when travelling.
Without any adjustability, the new Razer keyboard lies flat on desktops or laps. Although it lacks adaptable ergonomics, the side of the keyboard shows a slight incline. The four rubber feet prevent the lightweight peripheral from sliding around surfaces.
For the cost of the Joro, buyers can find compact mechanical wireless alternatives with superior build quality. On the positive side, it has a more solid construction than the typical budget Bluetooth keyboard.
Setup and connectivity
The Joro involves a similar setup process to most Bluetooth accessories. The F1-F3 keys double as pairing buttons for up to three sources. Users simply press and hold each key for five seconds to connect the Razer keyboard to PCs, Macs, or mobile devices. Then, simple taps on each button toggle between connected devices.
Razer's wireless keyboard isn't yet compatible with a 2.4 GHz Hyperspeed dongle, which is a concern for gamers. Razer plans to add this option later on to use the same adapter as the recently released Basilisk Mobile mouse.
On the rear of the keyboard is a switch to choose between Bluetooth and wired modes. For now, the best way to avoid latency for competitive gaming is through a USB-C cable. A wired connection boosts the polling rate to 1000Hz.
Software
Having features locked in software can pose problems for a mobile keyboard. A web-based solution is often preferable when accessing a peripheral on multiple devices. Gamers will have basic functionality without Synapse. Also, keyboard shortcuts can tweak brightness or switch to the Mac layout. Razer recently released a Mac version of Synapse to better accommodate the multi-device keyboard.
Synapse offers many gaming features that separate the Joro from productivity keyboards. Gaming Mode disables alt-tabbing and non-essential keys that could interfere with competitive gameplay. The Joro also has Snap Tap to help fumbling fingers register only the most recent keypress.
More practically, Razer's software determines whether the top row of keys acts as function keys or multimedia keys by default. Owners can also adjust power settings to set when the keyboard turns off or dims its lighting. Limited to single-zone RGB lighting, the Joro has fewer patterns to choose from.
Synapse behaved reasonably well during testing. The app recognized the Joro immediately after waking up from sleep.
Performance and typing experience
Testing with the compact Razer keyboard involved a Windows PC, a Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet, and an Nvidia Shield media player. Switching between sources was seamless, and the Joro can quickly show its worth in a complicated setup.
The Joro is a rare premium Razer keyboard that doesn't employ mechanical switches. Instead, buyers can expect typing performance reminiscent of laptops like the Blade 16. Hammering away at its scissor switches generates minimal noise. The 1.6mm key travel is enough for a minimal tactile response, but gamers won't mistake the switches for clicky green alternatives.
As gaming gear, the Joro can't afford the latency that Bluetooth connections can introduce. During Counter-Strike 2 sessions, input delays weren't noticeable, but esports pros may have a different experience. Since more PC titles than mobile games support keyboards, the Joro is an asset for the Steam Deck or ROG Ally. That said, a compact wireless RF adapter would give competitive gamers peace of mind.
Razer's keyboard has some ability to sync with Chroma RGB light bars, mice, headsets, and speakers. Still, the single-zone lighting takes a serious toll on the Joro's maximum 1800-hour battery life. It's also not particularly bright despite illumination visible in between the keycaps and through the legends.
Conclusion
The Razer Joro succeeds as a lightweight and low-profile Bluetooth keyboard with smooth scissor switches. On the other hand, the lack of Hyperspeed connectivity limits its gaming prowess. Unless features like Snap Tap are essential, productivity options like the Logitech MX Mini and Apple Magic Keyboard are a superior value.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
