The Razer Tartarus V2 Pro is a comfortable, highly configurable left-hand keypad, but its thumbstick orientation problem is a meaningful drawback for anyone buying it primarily for movement controls. In Ben Wilson’s October 3, 2026 Windows Central hands-on review, the adjustable wrist rest, smooth analog optical switches and flexible key mapping made the device enjoyable to use; the stick’s unexpected direction mapping and several lighting quirks kept it from feeling fully polished. Razer had reportedly been working on the stick issue, but the review did not give a fix date, and the sources available here do not confirm a later patch.
What the Tartarus V2 Pro is
The Tartarus V2 Pro is a left-hand PC gaming keypad designed to put extra commands close to the player’s hand. Windows Central’s launch coverage reports 31 programmable inputs, including a 27-key cluster, plus a TMR thumbstick, adjustable wrist rest, analog optical switches with adjustable actuation, Snap Tap, Rapid Trigger and up to 24 configurable keymaps in Razer Synapse. These are reported product specifications and manufacturer features, not independent performance measurements.
Wilson’s review identifies the switches as Razer Analog Optical Switch Gen-2 linear switches. The keypad also has Chroma RGB lighting, hybrid onboard storage for up to three profiles, a detachable Type-C cable, textured double-shot PBT keycaps and an LED strip that shows key travel. Two interchangeable caps are supplied for the thumbstick.
How it feels and works in practice
Comfort and key feel
Wilson praised the wrist rest’s comfort and adjustability, as well as the smooth feel of the linear switches. The adjustable actuation lets a player choose how far a key needs to travel before it registers. He also found release-triggered commands useful, giving the keypad flexibility beyond a conventional fixed-actuation pad. These are impressions from his hands-on use, not a guarantee that the shape or feel will suit every hand.
#1 Best Overall
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE MECHA-MEMBRANE SWITCHES — Provides the tactile feedback of mechanical key press on a comfortable, soft-cushioned, membrane, rubber dome switch suitable for gaming
- 32 MECHA-MEMBRANE KEYS FOR MORE HOTKEYS AND ACTIONS — Perfect for gaming or integrating into creative workflows with fully programmable keys
- THUMBPAD FOR IMPROVED MOVEMENT CONTROLS — The 8-way directional thumbpad allows for more natural controls for console-oriented players and a more ergonomic experience
- FULLY PROGRAMMABLE MACROS — Razer Hypershift allows for all keys and keypress combinations to be remapped to execute complex commands
- ULTIMATE PERSONALIZATION and GAMING IMMERSION WITH RAZER CHROMA — Fully syncs with popular games, Razer hardware, Philips Hue, and gear from 30 plus partners; supports 16.8 million colors on individually backlit keys
Analog inputs and custom mapping
One practical example in the review is mapping W as an analog accelerator in Euro Truck Simulator 2: a lighter press can produce a more gradual throttle input than a simple all-or-nothing key press. That illustrates the appeal for games where variable input is useful. Wilson also reported that onboard profiles continued to work without Synapse running.
The thumbstick issue is the key buying caveat
In Wilson’s tested setup, Synapse did not offer a way to realign the TMR thumbstick’s inputs. Moving his thumb toward the monitor registered as rightward movement, while pushing the stick straight upward produced the forward input he expected. The stick also defaulted to a controller right-stick mapping, which Wilson found awkward on a left-hand keypad intended for movement controls.
Rank #2
- 7 Onboard Macro Keys for Instant Combos - Bind multiple commands to each of the 7 keys (28 total across 4 profiles), so MMO and MOBA ability rotations fire with a single press instead of fumbling for a full keyboard.
- Swap Switches Without Soldering - The upgraded socket accepts almost any 3-pin or 5-pin switch, so you can tune the feel of your off-hand keypad to match your main board.
- USB Pass-Through Port, Detachable Wrist Rest - Plug your mouse or headset directly into the keypad for a cleaner desk, and unclip the magnetic wrist rest whenever you want a smaller footprint.
- 16.8 Million Colors, 5 RGB Modes - Vibrant lighting effects let your off-hand setup match the rest of your battlestation.
- Pro Software for Even Deeper Customization - Record your own macro sequences and design custom lighting effects, so the keypad adapts to your exact keybinds.
Wilson reported that Razer was working on the orientation issue, but the review supplied no expected fix date. A contemporaneous WindowsForum article summarized user reports of a 90-degree orientation problem discussed on Razer Insider; it found no official documentation or release note confirming a fix. That reporting corroborates that users were discussing the issue, but it does not establish the keypad’s current firmware or software status. The available sources therefore support a documented limitation in the review setup, not a claim that every unit remains affected—or that a patch has since resolved it.
Other software and lighting frustrations
Wilson also found two lighting behaviors frustrating in his setup. The “switch off lighting” timeout left the keypad illuminated while his primary keyboard was still in use, and pressing the HyperShift button switched off the RGB key lights regardless of its assigned binding. These are observations from his review-time configuration, rather than proof that every unit or Synapse configuration behaves the same way.
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- CHOSEN BY PRO’S FOR ADVANCED FPS MOVEMENT — With Rapid Trigger, Adjustable Actuation and Razer Snap Tap, the Huntsman V3 Pro offers lightning-fast, precise movements that provides gamers an unbeatable edge especially in FPS games
- RAZER SNAP TAP — Prioritize the latest input between two selected keys without having to release the previous one, and enjoy more responsive inputs for near-instant directional changes in FPS games (latest firmware update required)
- RAPID TRIGGER — A step up from traditional mechanical or optical keyboards to achieve the most responsive and precise inputs; reset keys at the slightest lift of a finger, and experience an advantage in speed that is especially useful for movement in competitive FPS games
- ANALOG OPTICAL SWITCHES GEN-2 — Max out on precision and response with advanced switches for ultra fast repeated inputs, a 0.1–4.0 mm adjustable actuation range, and a 100 million keystroke lifespan
- QUICK ONBOARD ADJUSTMENTS — Make precise, on-the-fly adjustments to actuation height or Rapid Trigger sensitivity with the visual aid of an onboard LED array while saving the settings to the keyboard with no software required
Who should consider buying it?
A good fit for command-heavy PC gaming
The keypad makes the strongest case for MMO and MOBA players, or anyone who wants a keyboard-and-gamepad hybrid with many nearby commands. Its adjustable actuation, analog-capable keys, customizable mappings and onboard profiles can be useful when a game benefits from tailored controls. The thumbstick caveat matters especially if you expect to rely on it for directional movement, so confirm that its mapping works for your games before buying.
Less compelling as an upgrade for existing owners
Wilson suggested that owners of earlier Tartarus models may already be satisfied with their devices. For an upgrade decision, weigh the wrist-rest comfort and new control options against the thumbstick mapping and software maturity, as well as the cost of replacing a keypad that already meets your needs.
Rank #4
- PRO-LEVEL SPEED AND PRECISION — Gain ultra-fast repeated inputs with Gen‑2 Razer Analog Optical Switches featuring Rapid Trigger and a 0.1–4.0 mm adjustable actuation range for competitive FPS and esports play
- CLEANER MOVEMENT IN CLUTCH MOMENTS — Execute faster directional changes with Razer Snap Tap, which prioritizes your intended input when two assigned keys are pressed simultaneously during intense gameplay
- True 8000 Hz Polling for near-zero latency - Gain a split-second advantage over your opponents with a blistering polling rate 8 times faster than the industry standard. Experience the fastest response and pull off every play without delay.
- NEAR-ZERO INPUT LATENCY — React instantly with true 8000 Hz HyperPolling, delivering response times up to 8× faster than standard gaming keyboards for split-second advantages in shooters and competitive titles
- ONBOARD PERFORMANCE TUNING — Adjust actuation height and Rapid Trigger sensitivity directly on the keyboard using the number row, then save settings to onboard memory with no software required
Wilson speculated that Rapid Trigger and release-triggered commands might reduce finger travel for someone with hypermobile joints, drawing on personal experience in his household. That is not a clinical assessment or a general accessibility guarantee; anyone considering the keypad for a specific physical need should judge its layout and operation for themselves.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Price and purchase context
Windows Central reported a US MSRP of $199.99 and an Amazon listing at $199.99 on October 3, 2026. It reported £199.00 at Razer UK and £199.99 on Amazon UK on the same date. These are publication-time figures, not guaranteed current prices; check your location, the exact model and the live listing before purchasing. The review also cited the previous Razer Tartarus Pro at $129.99 on Amazon at that time, but that dated comparison does not establish its current availability or price.
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Best Value
- ANALOG OPTICAL SWITCHES GEN-2 — Max out on precision and response with next-gen switches featuring Rapid Trigger for ultra fast repeated inputs, a 0.1–4.0 mm adjustable actuation range, and a 100 million keystroke lifespan
- RAZER SNAP TAP — Prioritize the latest input between two selected keys without having to release the previous one, and enjoy more responsive inputs for near-instant directional changes in FPS games
- TRUE 8000 HZ HYPERPOLLING RATE — Gain a split-second advantage over opponents with a blistering polling rate 8 times faster than the industry standard to pull off every play without delay
- QUICK ONBOARD ADJUSTMENTS — Make precise, on-the-fly adjustments to actuation height or Rapid Trigger sensitivity with the visual aid of an onboard LED array; save the settings to the keyboard with no software required
- MULTI-FUNCTION DIGITAL DIAL AND DEDICATED CONTROL BUTTONS — Manage it all with a dedicated dial for volume and analog switch settings, backed by a trio of buttons for media control and custom macros
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
