Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL Review

Razer has long been known for its pro-level gaming keyboards and mice — and among them, its Huntsman keyboard line may be the most beloved by hard-core gamers. As the newest member of the long-running arachnid-themed lineup (yes, the huntsman is a spider), the Huntsman V3 Pro TKL ($219.99) has a lot to recommend it. Featuring analog optical switches, a lightweight build, and several preconfigured modes to customize key-switch behavior (including the all-new Snap Tap mode) to help pro gamers get on top of their favorite games. Combine all of this with Razer’s signature bold visual design and bright RGB backlighting, and you have a gaming keyboard that pros will be thrilled with.

Design: form and function

One of my favorite keyboards of 2023 was the Razer BlackWidow V4 75%, and I was expecting some similarities between it and the Huntsman V3 Pro, but it feels like a different beast entirely. Measuring 1.5 by 17.5 by 5.5 inches (HWD) and weighing 2 pounds, the Huntsman V3 Pro BlackWidow is 75% wider than the recently reviewed Asus ROG Azoth Extreme, despite being a touchless (TKL) board with no number pad. Unlike these competing keyboards, the Huntsman allows extra space for arrow keys, function keys, and an LED array that helps users make on-the-fly adjustments (more on that later in the review).

In addition to the all-white TKL version we’re reviewing here, the Huntsman V3 Pro comes in two other sizes (full size for $249.99 and 60% off for $179.99) and black. Razer’s signature RGB lighting shines through the keyboard’s double-shot PBT keycaps. Razer keyboards generally have solid build quality, which remains true with the Huntsman.

Flipping the keyboard over, you’ll see Razer’s motto (“For gamers, by gamers”) across the underside of the board using a reflective film-like material. Also, two pairs of swing-out feet add 6 or 9 degrees of height. Five rubber pads keep the keyboard steady and give it enough grip to offset its lightweight body. (Hard-core gamers prefer heavier keyboards to avoid accidental movements.)

Now, I think every keyboard should have a wrist rest and a volume roller, and the Huntsman checks both boxes. It comes with a solid magnetic leather wrist rest which is nice, though quite stiff. It’s a step up from the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96, but I miss the rest of the BlackWidow’s very nice wrist.

Of course, a keyboard should be judged primarily by the quality of its typing experience, not its wrist stability. The Huntsman, which connects to your PC via a detachable USB-C cable, largely succeeds on this count. It uses Razer’s analog optical Gen-2 key switches, which offer faster response times than mechanical switches. They also have a longer lifespan because they lack failure-prone metal contacts to detect how far a key is pressed. Instead, optical switches use infrared light and photoelectric switches to detect key presses. We’ve previously seen linear optical switches on keyboards like the NZXT Function 2 and the SteelSeries Apex Pro. optical analog Switches take this a step further, allowing for a full input range from 0% (key held up) to 100% (key pressed all the way down).

This isn’t entirely new to Razer’s keyboards. Both the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog and the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog have optical analog keys. The difference here is that the Gen-2 switches bump the maximum actuation point up to 4mm (the previous maximum was 3.6mm) and send analog input from all keys, enabling analog thumbstick or joystick movements to be emulated. Previous generations do this too, but only on the WASD keys. With Gen-2, you can enjoy joystick-like motion on every key.

It’s a special feature, and while it’s incredibly cool in practice, it doesn’t make me want to change how I play. In my opinion some games play better with a keyboard and some games play better with a controller. But for gamers never to use a controller again, this is as good as it gets.

Dual-step actuation falls into a similar niche, letting you set two different actions to one key. Pressing halfway down triggers one action, moving down again triggers the next. Power users will definitely enjoy this. Even cooler, you can adjust actuation on the fly with keyboard shortcuts—no need to create a new profile—and check the LED array above the number keys to make sure your changes are applied correctly.

While all this software-level customization is great, the keyboard isn’t hot-swappable at the key-switch level or physically customizable like the BlackWidow V4 75%. On a basic level, this is not a huge omission. The keys are sturdy and look good. The problem is that they are surprisingly loud. Even by mechanical-keyboard standards, this keyboard makes a racket and is especially annoying when you’re typing at speed. Blackwidow uses a variation of 75% “tempest” modification—applied painter’s or masking tape to the back layer of the PCB board inside the chassis—to reduce noise. I wish something similar applied here because everyone around you will know when you’re typing in Huntsman.

Software: Changing Modes in Razer Synapse

As you already know you’ve got a recent Razer product, Razer Synapse is the company’s free customization software. The app controls RGB lighting, macros and many other features across six onboard profiles.

For the Huntsman, the Synapse software offers you pre-configured modes that you can activate, and you’ll want to keep two of these in particular in mind. The first is the Rapid Trigger mode, designed with FPS games in mind This allows you to release and repeatedly press keys at a much faster rate than is physically possible on a standard keyboard by removing the fixed reset point of the key.

The second mode is the more interesting of the two and is exclusive to Huntsman. If you’re a seasoned FPS shooter, you’re probably used to strafing while shooting, but bouncing back and forth between targets on a regular keyboard can inadvertently lead to an instance where two opposite keys are pressed at the same time. They won’t register movement, leaving you a sitting duck to launch opponents’ drops. The new mode, dubbed Snap Tap mode, solves this, so if you find yourself in an instance where two opposite directions are detected, it will register the last input as priority and keep you running.

Honestly, this problem wasn’t even something I had the thought There was a real problem. But with Rapid Trigger mode, Snap Tap can improve your game without realizing it. We often say that features like these will only be appreciated by top-level esports competitors, but even for a casual gamer like myself, the difference is obvious. (Whether they should be allowed in tournaments, though, is a point of contention among gaming communities across genres.) The LED array on the keyboard comes into play again here, letting you know when modes are activated. And, like actuation adjustments, modes can be activated on the fly and confirmed using LED arrays.

Surprisingly, the Huntsman V3 Pro only reaches a maximum polling rate of 1,000Hz, which is lower than the Huntsman V2’s maximum of 8,000Hz. Polling rate refers to the speed at which your device sends your keystrokes or other input to your PC. A rate of 1,000Hz means that data is sent to the keyboard once every millisecond. Higher rates are becoming increasingly common on “pro” gaming keyboards, which makes their absence here somewhat surprising. Of course, some gamers will forgive the low turnout rate because of all the extra functionality Huntsman has to offer.

Verdict: Another successful hunt

Keyboards like the Huntsman V3 Pro TKL aren’t for casual gamers looking for a daily driver. But if you take your games seriously (and if you’ve read this far, you probably do), you’ll appreciate the extra features that, frankly, feel like you’re cheating. (But we mean that in a good way!) Our favorite high-end gaming keyboard is still the Razer Blackwidow 75%, with its silky-smooth tactile mechanical switches and all-around killer performance. But the Huntsman V3 Pro nonetheless fills a niche, and hard-core gamers tuned into that vibe will love it.