Razer Joro Keyboard Review: Portable Power with Trade‑offs
At just 374 grams and 16.5 mm thin, the Razer Joro Portable Wireless Gaming Keyboard looks like it was built for one thing — to vanish into your bag and be ready anywhere. It scores a solid 8.3/10 from aggregated user sentiment, shining as a travel companion for gamers and mobile workers, but carrying enough quirks to keep it from replacing a full desktop setup.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — excellent for portability and multi‑device use, but not ideal for those needing mechanical feel or adjustable angles.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ultra‑light and slim for easy travel | No adjustable feet or tilt |
| Strong aluminum top plate build | Scissor switches lack mechanical tactility |
| Pairs with up to 3 devices via Bluetooth 5.0 | 2.4GHz dongle not included |
| Long battery life (up to 1800h in power‑saving) | Cramped right‑side key layout trips some users |
| Full‑size arrow keys in 75% layout | Single‑zone RGB, not per‑key |
| Smooth device switching with F1–F3 shortcuts | No protective case included |
Claims vs Reality
Razer markets the Joro as "the ultimate ultra‑portable wireless gaming keyboard" with “up to 1800 hours” of battery life in power‑saving mode. While that figure is technically accurate, multiple users reveal it’s highly dependent on backlight use. Best Buy reviewer namo calculated it “goes from up to 1800 hrs to an estimated 26 hours with only 20% backlight,” calling the RGB “a heavy price” for power.
The company also touts an "ultra low-profile design for all-day gaming and work" — yet extended sessions didn’t charm everyone. GamesRadar+’s Tabitha Baker noted the scissor switches “bring fatigue during longer typing sessions,” echoing Reddit and Best Buy comments from mechanical keyboard fans who struggled with the flat angle.
And while Razer positions Bluetooth 5.0 pairing as “seamless multi‑device connectivity,” a few reports tell another story. User crasher faced PC pairing failures over Bluetooth until a firmware update, with continued issues on certain rigs, forcing wired connections.
Cross‑Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Reddit, Best Buy, and Trustpilot, portability and build quality receive near‑unanimous praise. Reddit user u/Techbuyer described it as "as thin as an ultralight laptop and weighs as much as my iPhone 15 Pro Max", making it ideal for shifting between a laptop, phone, and desktop with instant switching using the F1–F3 keys. Frequent travelers echoed this delight — cat city confessed it finally replaced their foldable keyboard due to vastly better typing feel.
The aluminum top plate impressed even skeptics. Best Buy’s jp223 admitted they expected “light flimsy plastic,” but found “premium aluminum” with weight and rubber grips preventing slide. This mix of lightness and solidity emerged as a key reason people toss it into bags without worrying about flex or breakage.
Battery life, even outside power‑saving extremes, satisfies most users. insomniak1 reported over a week of use with RGB on before hitting 50%, while stephen h enjoyed “several days on the initial charge” with high brightness.
Common Complaints
The most frequently mentioned flaw is angle — or lack thereof. Several reviewers, including johnny boy 84 and namo, lamented the absence of adjustable tilt. Those used to slanted boards found flat typing uncomfortable over time. Some mechanical loyalists also missed deeper travel and tactile “clack,” with swe money warning, “If you have a desktop with a mechanical keyboard, this is probably not going to be the best fit for you.”
Bluetooth isn’t bulletproof. crasher and namo mentioned buggy initial pairing requiring multiple attempts, though solid once connected. Notably, there’s no included 2.4GHz RF dongle for lower‑latency gaming — functionality exists via firmware if you own a compatible Razer Hyperspeed dongle from another device.
Key layout quirks caught some off guard. titan 5178 flagged the “very small right shift key” and cramped right‑side block as “tripping me up a few times,” while insomniak1 noted repeated misses on right shift and backspace.
Divisive Features
RGB lighting splits the crowd. Many enjoy its vibrancy — GamesRadar+ called it “strong, vibrant… mesmerizing” — but power users dislike its single‑zone limitation and brightness inconsistencies (“shine‑through with noticeable gaps,” per techbuyer). The chiclet‑style scissor keys also divide: ab haxus ranked them near the top of scissor boards for tactile feel, yet electrosoft dismissed it as “basically a laptop keyboard made portable poorly.”
Trust & Reliability
Long‑term durability comments trend positive for the aluminum frame; users report “zero flex” over months of travel. The UV‑coated, laser‑etched keycaps help resist shine, though some like insomniak1 noticed smudge pickup on the matte finish. Trustpilot entries show no widespread “scam” concerns — issues are more about feature omissions than product quality.
Razer’s firmware support also earns grudging respect. Multiple owners, like idoc, updated to enable Hyperspeed 2.4GHz support post‑launch, although the dongle must be purchased separately.
Alternatives
Several compare the Joro to the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile. GamesRadar+ found Falchion’s “more accurate and satisfying” mechanical feel and included cover compelling despite higher cost and less dazzling RGB. The Cherry MX‑LP 2.1 came up as a previous favorite for portability, but loses on weight and vibrance versus the Joro — and drops the function row entirely.
Price & Value
At launch MSRP $139.99, discounted in some markets to ~$60 on eBay, the Joro offers strong value for those who prioritize portability over mechanical performance. Resale chatter is minimal, but owners recommend waiting for sales if you don’t urgently need its form factor. As benb put it, having both Bluetooth and Hyperspeed dongle options made it his “favorite mobile keyboard,” worth the spend for his workflow.
FAQ
Q: Can the Razer Joro connect to multiple devices at the same time?
A: Yes — up to three via Bluetooth 5.0, switchable instantly with the F1–F3 keys, plus wired USB‑C as a fourth option.
Q: Does it come with a 2.4GHz wireless dongle?
A: No. Firmware enables Hyperspeed support, but you need to buy a compatible Razer dongle separately or pair with one from another Razer device.
Q: How long does the battery really last?
A: In power‑saving mode with no lights, up to 1800 hours. With 50% RGB brightness, user tests averaged 17–26 hours. Heavy RGB use drains it faster.
Q: Is it good for competitive gaming?
A: Not ideal over Bluetooth due to added latency. Hyperspeed dongle reduces this, but mechanical boards offer snappier response for esports.
Q: Does it have Mac compatibility?
A: Yes — includes Mac‑specific legends and can swap between Windows and Mac layouts via Fn+Tab or automatically with Synapse.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a traveler, handheld PC owner, or mobile professional seeking a premium‑feeling scissor board that slips into any bag. Avoid if you need mechanical feedback, adjustable tilt, or built‑in low‑latency wireless. Pro tip: Pair with a Razer Hyperspeed mouse to share a single dongle and unlock faster wireless on the go.
