Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro Review: Exceptional Performance at a Premium Price

Overview

The fourth iteration of the DeathAdder series brings refined performance for demanding gamers. Weighing just 56 grammes, this wireless ergonomic mouse features the second-generation Focus Pro 45K optical sensor and aims to deliver top-tier precision for competitive gaming. Compatible with both USB-C wired and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity via the HyperSpeed dongle, it targets players who prioritise performance above all else.

At £180, this represents a significant investment. The question is whether these incremental improvements justify the premium price tag, especially when considering sacrifices made to achieve them.

Design and Build Quality

The V4 Pro maintains the same right-handed ergonomic design as its predecessor, with a pronounced curve on the outer edge to cradle the palm. This design philosophy prioritises comfort for extended gaming sessions, though it completely excludes left-handed users from consideration.

The grip remains unchanged from the V3 Pro. Optional textured adhesive strips are included, providing enhanced grip for those who prefer it. The build quality feels solid throughout, with no flex or creaking during testing.

Razer has managed to shave 8 grammes off the previous model, bringing the weight down from 64g to 56g. In practical use, this difference is barely perceptible. Whilst ultra-lightweight mice have their advocates, the real-world impact of this weight reduction for most users will be negligible.

The optical switches deliver crisp, responsive clicks, though they are notably loud—even by gaming mouse standards. The scroll wheel offers precise tactile feedback with clearly defined steps, though it lacks the free-wheeling mode found on some productivity-focused alternatives.

Performance and Sensor

The star of the show is the second-generation Focus Pro 45K optical sensor, manufactured by PixArt. With a maximum resolution of 45,000 DPI, tracking speed of 900 IPS (inches per second), and maximum acceleration of 85g, the specifications are genuinely impressive.

In testing, the sensor performed flawlessly across various gaming scenarios. Tracking remained accurate even during rapid flick shots, with no discernible acceleration or angle-snapping. The sensor handles both high-speed movements and pixel-precise aiming with equal competence.

However, it's crucial to maintain perspective: these performance gains over previous high-end sensors will only be perceptible to the top percentile of competitive players. For the vast majority of users, sensors from the past two generations already exceeded practical requirements.

The V4 Pro supports polling rates up to 8,000 Hz when used with the included HyperSpeed dongle. This means the mouse reports its position to the computer 8,000 times per second—twice the rate of many competitors.

Does this make a tangible difference? In controlled testing, the higher polling rate delivered slightly lower latency. In actual gaming, however, the difference between 4,000 Hz and 8,000 Hz polling proves imperceptible for most users. Your reaction time and skill level will remain far more significant factors in gaming performance.

Connectivity and Battery Life

The updated HyperSpeed dongle represents a thoughtful enhancement. This hemispherical USB-A device acts as a wireless relay, featuring three LED indicators on its front face showing connection quality, battery level, and current polling rate. These visual cues prove genuinely useful for monitoring the mouse's status at a glance.

Disappointingly, Razer has eliminated Bluetooth connectivity entirely—a feature present in the V3 Pro. This removes flexibility for users who might want to pair the mouse with multiple devices or use it with laptops whilst travelling without occupying a USB port. For a product at this price point, the loss of this versatility represents a frustrating step backwards.

Battery life has seen substantial improvement, with Razer claiming up to 150 hours of use. In our testing over three weeks of regular use, we charged the mouse only once. This represents a significant practical advantage over the V3 Pro. The mouse charges via USB-C, supporting use whilst charging. A full charge takes approximately 90 minutes.

Software and Customisation

Configuration utilises Razer's Synapse software, now in its fourth iteration. The interface adopts a browser-like design with multiple tabs for different settings. For the V4 Pro specifically, you can configure five DPI levels, calibrate surface tracking, adjust lift-off distance, programme button functions, set idle timeout parameters, and configure polling rate.

The software functions adequately, though it requires installation and a Razer account for full functionality. Some users may find this requirement intrusive for basic mouse configuration.

The V4 Pro features only six buttons total: left, right, scroll wheel click, two side buttons, and the DPI switch underneath. Power users accustomed to more extensive button arrays will find this limiting. Moreover, placing the DPI selection button on the underside of the mouse proves impractical. Adjusting sensitivity requires physically lifting and flipping the mouse—hardly ideal during gameplay.

Value Proposition and Alternatives

At £180, the DeathAdder V4 Pro sits firmly in premium territory. The improvements over the V3 Pro—8 grammes lighter weight, slightly better sensor, improved battery life—come at the cost of Bluetooth connectivity and a £30-40 price premium.

For most gamers, the V3 Pro (still available and now cheaper) offers 95% of the performance at significantly reduced cost. Unless you're a professional esports player where marginal gains matter, the value proposition proves questionable.

Several alternatives merit consideration: the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 offers comparable performance at similar pricing with symmetric design, whilst the Razer Viper V3 Pro provides lighter weight (59g) with ambidextrous design at slightly lower cost. The previous DeathAdder V3 Pro remains available at reduced prices with Bluetooth connectivity intact.

Our Verdict

The Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro delivers exceptional performance and refined ergonomics in an ultra-lightweight package. The Focus Pro 45K sensor represents the current pinnacle of gaming mouse technology, whilst the improved battery life addresses a practical concern from previous iterations.

However, the value proposition proves problematic. At £180, you're paying a premium for marginal improvements that most users won't perceive. The removal of Bluetooth connectivity feels like a step backwards, removing versatility without justification.

For professional esports players and the top percentile of competitive gamers who can actually utilise these specifications, the V4 Pro delivers. For everyone else, the V3 Pro offers better value, or the Viper V3 Pro provides similar performance with ambidextrous versatility.

This is an excellent mouse held back by premium pricing and unnecessary feature removal. Unless you specifically need the absolute maximum specifications and the ergonomic design suits you perfectly, alternatives offer better value without meaningful performance compromise.