DESIGN
Razer Cynosa Chroma
As a full-size keyboard, the Razer Cynosa Chroma gaming keyboard is quite large. There is no TKL (tenkeyless) variant. The build quality of the Cynosa Chroma is adequate. The keyboard is entirely made of hard plastic, but it does flex. The double-shot ABS keycaps are smooth, and the key legends should not fade or chip over time. The keys are stable, but the spacebar rattles slightly. Check out the HyperX Alloy Core RGB if you want a similar keyboard with a higher build quality. The ergonomics of the keyboard are mediocre. There are two incline settings, but no wrist rest is included. This keyboard features full RGB back lighting and can be customized per key using Razer’s Synapse 3 software. It’s useful for those who prefer to play in a dark atmosphere or who want to highlight important keys.
Razer Cynosa V2
This is a full-sized keyboard, roughly the size of the original Razer Cynosa Chroma. The Razer Cynosa V2’s build quality is average. The entire thing is made of lower-quality plastic and has the same amount of flex as the Razer Cynosa Chroma. Our unit has a slight kink and does not sit flat on the table; however, your results may differ. The key caps are made of Doubleshot ABS plastic and are slick. Except for the space bar, shift, and enter keys, the keys are fairly stable. When using the lower setting, the incline feet are stable, but less so when using the higher setting. We don’t test for spill resistance because Razer claims it is.

This keyboard’s ergonomics are adequate. The board has a 2-degree incline by default, and there are 2 additional incline settings if you need to raise it higher. Some people may require a wrist rest, but one is not included in the box. This keyboard has excellent RGB back-lighting. The keys are individually lit, and the frosted plastic plate between them and the lights enhances the gradient and smoothness of the colors. The back-lighting can be customized using Razer’s Synapse 3 software, and the brightness can be easily controlled using hotkeys.
Wireless Versatility and Cable
Razer Cynosa Chroma
The Cynosa Chroma is a wired-only keyboard. The wire from the keyboard is not detachable, therefore, and it is incompatible with mobile devices.

Razer Cynosa V2
The rubber cable of the Razer Cynosa V2 easily retains kinks. The Razer Cynosa V2 is a wired keyboard only.
FEATURES
Razer Cynosa Chroma
The Cynosa Chroma has hotkeys for media control and back light brightness, and ‘Gaming mode that prevents you from accidentally minimizing your game by locking the Windows key. With the Synapse 3 software, you can also customize which keys you want to lock. This keyboard is reasonably compatible. It is compatible to work with all desktop operating systems; however, Synapse 3 is only available for Windows. So, Linux and macOS users cannot customize the keyboard. Furthermore, while all keys work in Linux, Scroll Lock and Pause do not work in macOS.

Razer Cynosa V2
The Razer Cynosa V2 has dedicated media keys as well as the ‘Game Mode’ and ‘Sleep Mode’ buttons. All keys, including the media keys, can be macro-programmed using the Razer Synapse 3 companion software, or directly on the keyboard. This keyboard is reasonably compatible. Razer Synapse 3 is fully functional on Windows but not on macOS or Linux. On macOS, ‘Print Screen,’ ‘Pause/Break,’ and ‘Scroll Lock’ does not appear to work.

PERFORMANCE
Razer Cynosa Chroma
The Razer Cynosa Chroma employs rubber dome switches that require little force to activate, but the tactile bump is quite heavy. Furthermore, the pre-travel distance is greater than that of most mechanical keyboards, necessitating more distance before registering a keystroke. This can improve typing accuracy, but it can also make you feel less responsive, especially when gaming. Typing noise on this keyboard is modest but can be quieter for individuals who don’t bottom out the keys. However, the spacebar has a small rattling to it. Overall, it’s quiet enough to be utilized in an office without being intrusive. The Razer Cynosa is decent for gaming. Although the rubber dome switches feel a bit mushy and are not as sensitive, every key on the keyboard can be customized to a different purpose or a macro using the Synapse 3 software. It is a little unfortunate that it lacks dedicated macro keys for MMO games, however the full RGB illumination is fantastic for those who like to game in a dark area or to emphasize essential keys.
The keyboard is quite quiet and comfortable to type on; however, the mushy feel of the rubber dome switches and high actuation points can create fatigue over time. Unfortunately, no wrist rest is included, and compatibility with Linux and macOS is limited because the Synapse 3 software is only available to be used for Windows. For programming, the Razer Cynosa Chroma is adequate. It offers a relatively light typing experience, but the high actuation point can be exhausting and makes the keyboard feel less responsive overall. Despite the lack of designated macro keys, each key on the keyboard can be reprogrammed. The full RGB back lighting is a welcome bonus for people who code in the dark, but it cannot be customized in any manner for Linux or macOS users.
Razer Cynosa V2
Rubber dome switches are used on the Razer Cynosa V2. They don’t take much force to activate and are easy to press. The extended pre-travel distance can help decrease typos, but it also makes the game experience less responsive. For a wired keyboard, the latency is a little high. Most people won’t notice it, but it’s not ideal for competitive gamers. The Razer Cynosa V2 is a good workplace keyboard. It’s quiet and shouldn’t bother anyone nearby. The tactile rubber dome switches and large pre-travel distance should help prevent typos, but they may be too mushy for long typing sessions. Also, ergonomics are barely adequate because there is no wrist rest. Razer Synapse 3, the accompanying software, is not available for macOS or Linux. The Razer Cynosa V2 is an excellent gaming keyboard. Despite outperforming the original Razer Cynosa Chroma in terms of performance quality, it provides a very similar typing experience and feels practically identical. It has RGB back lighting that may be customized. Unfortunately, it employs ABS plastic key caps that are extremely slippery. Furthermore, the switches are quite light, making them unsuitable for heavy gaming.

The Razer Cynosa V2 is a good programming keyboard. Typing quality is merely adequate, and you should not have weariness over long periods of time. The build quality is also adequate, as it is built of cheap plastic and employs ABS plastic key caps. There is also no multi-device pairing, and the accompanying software is not available for Linux or macOS. The Razer Cynosa V2 is unsuitable for use with a home theater computer. It’s a wired-only keyboard, which isn’t great if your couch is far from your computer. It also lacks a track pad for navigation.
SOFTWARE
Razer Cynosa Chroma
The Razer Cynosa Chroma is well-supported by software. The Synapse 3 software allows you to individually modify the lighting of each key, and each key may be programmed or remapped to a new function. Because the keyboard lacks onboard memory,it’s necessary that all profiles and macros, must be saved via software. Moving the keyboard to another computer is fairly inconvenient as a result. However, there is indeed a cloud sync option available, but it requires an account. Unfortunately, because Synapse 3 is still in Beta, we had some difficulties getting it to operate, but we were able to remedy the issue with a simple machine restart.
Razer Cynosa V2
Razer Synapse 3 is required to personalize the RGB back lighting and program macros for the Razer Cynosa V2. Unfortunately, Synapse 3 isn’t available for macOS, and there’s no onboard memory, but because an account allows you to save up to six profiles to the cloud, you may transfer your settings from one machine to another.
CONCLUSION
The Razer Cynosa V2 keyboard outperforms the original Razer Cynosa Chroma. The V2 has dedicated media keys, but aside from that, the experience is nearly identical.