Razer Huntsman V2 review: no need for speed. What switches does the razer huntsman use

The Razer Huntsman TE is a unique gaming keyboard. The keys are incredibly responsive and lightweight, and all programmable via Synapse 3 software. Full RGB backlighting is great for darkroom gaming, and the PBT dual keycaps are sure to last long without the risk of fading or chipping off the key legend.

Razer Huntsman V2 review: no need for speed

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Razer’s newest keyboard, the Huntsman V2, is all about speed. It is equipped with optical mechanical switches that can theoretically register keystrokes much faster than their traditional mechanical counterparts. Then the 8000Hz polling rate means it can report the keystroke to the computer almost instantly.

So yeah, it’s theoretically very fast, possibly faster than most people will notice. But that speed doesn’t come at the expense of other vital components of a modern mechanical keyboard. It supports RGB lighting, software for customizing key maps and lighting effects, and – for the full-size model – a volume knob and dedicated media controls. But Razer has also made some choices with the linear switches in particular, which means the Huntsman V2 may not suit every gamer’s tastes.

The new Huntsman V2 comes in four different price points, depending on whether you want a numeric keypad and whether you like clicking or linear switches. The tenkeyless model starts at $ 149.99 with click switches or $ 159.99 with linear, while the full-size model costs $ 189.99 or $ 199.99. It’s relatively expensive by standard mechanical keyboard standards, which means the Huntsman V2 has a lot to prove.

Our review of Razer Huntsman V2 Tenkeyless

Good Stuff

• Economical aesthetics
• Feature-rich software
• Detachable USB-C port

Bad Stuff

• Thick writing
• No indicator lights
• A response frequency of 8,000 Hz is probably an exaggeration

As with all Razer products, the Huntsman TE supports Synapse configuration software. The software allows you to create macros, customize key mappings, and set the RGB lighting of the keyboard.

Our Verdict

The Razer Huntsman TE is a unique gaming keyboard. The keys are incredibly responsive and lightweight, and all programmable via Synapse 3 software. Full RGB backlighting is great for darkroom gaming, and the PBT dual keycaps are sure to last long without the risk of fading or chipping off the key legend.

The Razer Huntsman TE has no wireless functionality and cannot be used with mobile devices.

The Razer Huntsman TE is a decent keyboard for office use. Typing is quite comfortable and the keys are very responsive and require very little force to register a keystroke; however, some may find them too sensitive, leading to more typos. Typing noise is minimal, which is fine in noise-sensitive offices, but the stabilizers aren’t great as some keys rattle a bit.

The Razer Huntsman TE is decent for programming. It is very easy to write and does not cause fatigue. The build quality of the keyboard is superb, but there is a buzzing noise on some keys. Unfortunately, while each key is programmable, Synapse 3 is only available on Windows, so macOS and Linux users cannot customize the keyboard.

The Razer Huntsman TE is a lame keyboard for entertainment / HTPC applications. It’s wired only, so you have no choice but to keep cable distance from your connected devices. It doesn’t have a keyboard wheel or trackpad either, but at least it has full RGB backlighting and hotkeys for media control.

• 9.3 Games
• 3.9 Mobile phone / Tablet
• 7.0 Office
• 7.3 Programming
• 4.9 Entertainment / HTPC

1. Updated Feb 4, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
2. Updated on January 20, 2020: review posted.

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The Razer Huntsman TE is small because it is a keyboard without ten keys; however, it has a fairly high profile. If you need an even more compact keyboard, try the Razer Huntsman Mini.

The Razer Huntsman TE has an excellent build quality. It is mostly made of hard plastic, with an aluminum plate for stiffness. The keyboard does show some flexibility, but the overall design feels quite solid. Uses double PBT keycaps that are great for durability; however, the stabilizers are a bit worse as rattling is heard on some keys. In addition, the space bar is very sensitive as the keyboard registers the keystroke when you hit the desk. Lastly, the keyboard supports are very solid but tend to dust easily build up.

The Razer Huntsman TE has reasonable ergonomics. Although it has a fairly high profile, the keys are very light to type and won’t fatigue when typing for extended periods of time. The keyboard has two tilt settings, but unfortunately it doesn’t have a palm rest. If you need a TKL keyboard with the included palm rest, check out the Cooler Master MK730.

The Razer Huntsman TE has full RGB backlighting. It can be customized using Razer Synapse 3 software and each key can be customized individually. If you think the backlighting is too dim, check out the HyperX Alloy Origins, which is one of the brightest we’ve seen.

The keyboard uses a removable USB-C cable which is great for portability and durability as it can be easily replaced if damaged.

The Razer Hunstman TE is a wired-only keyboard.

This keyboard has a great set of extra features. Each key on the keyboard can be programmed using Synapse 3 software, and the keyboard has built-in memory for storing up to five profiles. There is a hotkey to put the computer into “sleep” mode and a hotkey to activate “game mode”. Game Mode disables the Windows key feature so you don’t accidentally minimize the game, and you can choose which keys you want to disable. There is also a macro programming key that allows you to set a macro without using Synapse 3 software.

The Razer’s Huntsman Tournament Edition is a rugged, vibration-responsive keyboard for competitive gamers who conveniently treat the game to typing without typing.

Razer Huntsman TE is not without its downsides

I have one major criticism of the Huntsman TE. If you write a lot, it’s almost too fast. And if you are a particularly heavy typist like me, you will make a lot of mistakes.

It’s not that the keyboard is bad for typing. But the nature of the technology inside and the fact that these switches are linear doesn’t make Razer the best for typing. In this regard, a regular Hunter is the better choice. I have lost count of accidental keystrokes because one of my fingers brushed the wrong key.

The Huntsman TE, however, perfectly embodies Razer’s “for gamers” mantra. If typing is secondary and what you need is a keyboard that can handle some serious competition, look no further.

Designed by pros to benefit everyone

As with the recently launched Viper, Razer enlisted the help of professional players to help build the perfect Huntsman TE. Aside from the ridiculously fast switches, you have a few small design details that may not seem so important, but are all for serious gamers.

It starts with placing the cable. It is located on the left side of the keyboard as many competing players position it at an angle during gameplay for a more comfortable use. Being on the left side does not bother anything else, especially your mouse. Razer also deserves two additional cheers on the cable. It is removable, which is crucial for a tournament-friendly keyboard that will be thrown into a good chunk of your bags. Second, it’s USB-C. The time has finally come for even gaming keyboards to ditch the ancient micro-USB standard.

Another handy addition to the Huntsman TE is the onboard storage where up to five separate profiles can be stored. If you travel a lot, to LAN events or tournaments, you can use your keyboard and preferred profiles without connecting to the Razer Synapse 3 app.

Built-in storage means there’s no need to use Razer Synapse when you hit the next LAN.

You have all the features available, including Hypershift’s helper key functions and Chroma customization, but you can just take them with you and don’t have to worry about needing a companion app. The last thing you need to do before the ESL One finale is install Razer Synapse on your main computer!

It is also built to last. The case is mostly made of plastic, but it feels durable. The top plate is made of aluminum, however, so it will stand the test of time, especially if it frequently enters and exits the bag.

If you’re looking for a luxurious typing setup, this is definitely not a mechanical keyboard for you. But if you want to improve your game, it definitely is. At $ 150, it’s halfway for optical keyboards, and it’s set at a fairly reasonable price for everything you get.

Lighting Up Synapse

As with all Razer products, the Huntsman TE supports Synapse configuration software. The software allows you to create macros, customize key mappings, and set the RGB lighting of the keyboard.

Consistent with the portable keyboard component, the Huntsman TE has a built-in memory that can store up to five keyboard profiles. This is roughly average for a medium to high-end motherboard. I would say five is too much, but all you have to do is make the defaults and specific configurations for the best games. Synapse can store any number of profiles on your home computer and sync them with any number of games and applications.

The lighting on the Huntsman TE is relatively subtle. Customizable key-by-key light with Razer Chroma Studio software gently slips through the legends, even at maximum brightness. With enough lights, it’s worth adjusting, but the look is a bit subdued for something from Razer, a company closely related to bold PC hardware lighting.

How Far Will You Go to Compete?

The Huntsman TE is definitely made for a certain type of gamer. Given the suggested retail price of $ 129.99, many buyers might be happier spending the same money and getting a high-end mechanical keyboard that will likely have more bells and whistles (like multimedia keys and USB pass-through ports) and could be better for everyday computer use.

Still, there is something about Huntsman TE. I can’t guarantee it will make you a better player, but it can accentuate a certain instinctive playstyle – one where you play as fast as you can think and the best keyboard is the one that just comes out in its own way. If you’re fast enough in your favorite games to achieve this kind of near-telepathic flow, the Huntsman TE could be the perfect way to achieve speed and victory.

At this point, I usually quickly introduce keyboard toggle options and tell you to follow your heart: be it smooth linear switches, bumpy touches, or clickable… clickable switches. But it’s not that simple with the Huntsman V2, which comes with clickable or linear toggle options.

Best for gaming, not typing

Ultimately, the Razer Huntsman V2 TKL is a good gaming keyboard. While it may not have the luxuries of a high-end mechanical keyboard such as a full metal case, an unusual mounting system or removable switches, or the typing experience and build quality of a high-end finished keyboard such as the Varmilo VA87, it has incredibly high specs and great usability. The programmable macros, lights and 8000 Hz response time are huge advantages and contribute to creating a keyboard that is fantastic for playing at high levels and highlighting your multicolored setup.

If you’re looking for a luxurious typing setup, this is definitely not a mechanical keyboard for you. But if you want to improve your game, it definitely is. At $ 150, it’s halfway for optical keyboards, and it’s set at a fairly reasonable price for everything you get.

The latest Razer mechanical gaming keyboard claims to be the “fastest keyboard in the world” with a response rate in excess of 8,000 Hz. But does this speed really matter?

Razer Synapse and the Huntsman’s Features

Razer Synapse software chip that allows you to customize your Huntsman

The Huntsman, which is a Razer product, is controlled and customized using Razer’s Synapse software. Fans and users of previous Razer peripherals will have no trouble navigating and using the updated Synapse 3. However, the structure and layout are fairly simple, so no one should have any problems. With Synapse, you can customize and change the RGB layout which includes multiple patterns such as Ripple, Reactive, Starlight, Wave, and simple static. In addition to that, you can also set up different macros that can be changed on the fly.

Choose from a variety of RGB effect presets or create your own with Chroma Studio

With one button you can switch between profiles that contain different macro presets. Additionally, Huntsman also has a Gaming Mode that disables the Windows key. It’s all pretty straightforward, and I can’t say I have any complaints here. RGB radiates outward in spectacular fashion, and that’s something Razer just can’t go wrong with. For more customization you can also create your own profile using Chroma Studio. I recommend you to play around with it and see what you can come up with. This is an added bonus of RGB-enabled keyboards, you are the master and you are in control of everything.

Set macro buttons or unique functions for each individual key. You can also set up different profiles

Worth the $150? – Conclusion

For me, it all comes down to one question: is the Huntsman really worth $ 150? For the Huntsman keyboard, Razer used its new optomechanical switches and used them to sell this keyboard. When the bracket cuts the infrared beam, Huntsman clicks exactly where it is triggered. Additionally, the keys reset almost exactly at the point they fire, resulting in no rebound.

At first we should get rid of the fact that Huntsman is not intended for office use with loud clicking keys. But there is no doubt that the Hunter does what he wants to be perfect. The keys are responsive, lightning-fast (pun intended), a little loud, and give you a satisfying click. This is what you expect from a gaming keyboard. Some critics have voiced concerns about Razer’s less-than-perfect build quality, but I found nothing wrong with that. The lack of a wrist protector can be a little off-putting, but in light of what Huntsman is right, you can easily get past it.

Will having a new optomechanical switch instead of the Cherry MX really make the benefits visible? It will certainly be. With a rebound time of just 2ms compared to the 5ms of the Cherry MX, these new Razer keys will respond much faster. There will be a difference, but can you really tell? Moving from my Corsair K70 to the new Huntsman, I easily noticed the difference. To counteract this, most keyboard processors contain a mini-circuit to counteract the reflection of the metal dots. However, Huntsman doesn’t have to compensate for this as the keys are registered with an infrared beam instead of metal contacts.

Razer has created an amazing keyboard with a fresh, new take on mechanical switches. Some people may just not be able to tell the difference from the beloved Cherry MX keys. Therefore, perhaps the decision to upgrade to Huntsman may not be the best idea. However, the optomechanical keys are definitely commendable and offer significant improvements over the Cherry MX – provided you notice them. I realized that people who got their feet wet in Razer water prefer to have all of their peripherals with the Razer tri-headed snake logo. And that’s okay – for each of them. Huntsman lives up to its promise and marks its presence in the gaming keyboard market.

Upgrading to the new optomechanical switches may not be of any benefit if you don’t see any noticeable difference. Since Huntsman boasts some of the fastest mechanical switches, there’s nothing wrong with this keyboard that you can’t walk past. Who knows, maybe Razer’s new take on mechanical switches might be just what you need to take your skill to the next level.

The Razer Huntsman TE is a lame keyboard for entertainment / HTPC applications. It’s wired only, so you have no choice but to keep cable distance from your connected devices. It doesn’t have a keyboard wheel or trackpad either, but at least it has full RGB backlighting and hotkeys for media control.

Laser beams

In any case, let’s move on to the optical switch. As I said, Razer calls it “opto-mechanical,” meaning it’s a combination of optical actuation and mechanical feel. And again, it’s a bit confusing because… well, this is true for every optical switch I’ve seen, such as A4Tech’s LK Libra switch.

In fact, the Razer Optomechanical Switch looks a lot like the LK Libra, so much so I’m pretty sure A4Tech makes Razer switches – not what Razer says. The design, however, is pretty much the same, with a U-shaped piece of plastic, a Cherry tang in the center, and a metal stabilizing bar on each key. Given the fact that Razer’s green and orange switches started out as rebranded Kailhs, I wouldn’t be surprised if the same kind of deal happened here, in this case it’s doubly funny that Razer is advertising the opto-mechanical switch as a huge breakthrough.

IDG / Hayden Dingman

But Razer is a global brand and A4Tech is not, so here we are.

Regardless, the purpose of the optomechanical switch is that the signal is sent at the speed of light – literally. In a standard mechanical switch, you press a key, the metal touches the metal, a circuit is formed, and the computer interprets that circuit as the key in question.

For optical keyboards, the process is pretty much the same except that the switch uses light instead of metal. A4Tech switches have a horizontal laser under each key. A piece of plastic sticks out in the center, and when you press a key, that piece of plastic dips in, the two sides of the beam connect and the signal is recorded.

Razer’s design turns it around. In the optomechanical switch, the laser shines without obstruction until you press a key, at which point the connection is interrupted, and this in turn is transmitted as the actual signal.

In theory, it’s faster. In practice? Yes, I doubt literally anyone on the planet will notice the difference. We’re talking about just milliseconds here, the difference between a full metal circuit and one with a laser for a small stretch.

There are a few other benefits as well. Optical switches are said to be more reliable as well as more durable. You can spill beer on the keyboard and it will probably still work. These kinds of things. But these are extreme cases for the vast majority of people, and more useful to Razer marketers than to you at home.

Ironically, it’s the boring, mechanical parts of the opto-mechanical switch that are more important as they dictate how typing on the Huntsman Elite actually feels.

IDG / Hayden Dingman

First, let me say: they are loud. Really loud. I have a lot of Cherry MX Blue boards as they are my favorite switch and are known to be the bane of roommates / partners / coworkers all over the world. The optomechanical switch is louder.

Not only louder, but also higher. It makes a hollow noise when pressed, with a metallic echo on the way back. We’re not on the level of the buckling noise of the springs, but it is certainly enough to annoy anyone around.

Bottom line

Of course, it’s also a $ 200 keyboard. This puts it right in place with the aforementioned Corsair K95 Platinum, the keyboard we have now listed as our “pick” keyboard choice – meaning there are tons of great mechanical keyboards you can buy for half the price. The Huntsman Elite is unique and even impressive in some ways. I love the wrist rest, flashy, and the opto-mechanical switch is nice, if not as revolutionary as Razer does.

Media controls do require another pass, however, and there isn’t much in the Huntsman Elite, making it a must-buy. At least not for the price. Hopefully, if optical switches take hold, they’ll become more affordable as well, otherwise it’ll be smarter to stick to plain, regular metal on metal. It may not be as sexy as laser beams, but it’s already hard enough to convince people to spend $ 100 on a keyboard. Twice? Ha.