Razer Huntsman V3 Pro: Two-minute evaluate
The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is a high-end gaming keyboard that gives quite a lot of helpful options, together with the flexibility to regulate key sensitivity, swap profiles shortly, carry out two features utilizing a single key, and way more.
It follows on from the spectacular Razer Huntsman V2 Analog, which on the time of writing occupies the highest spot in our best gaming keyboard information – and at first look, the Huntsman V3 Pro’s capabilities seem largely the identical, though there are some key variations that set them aside.
Firstly, the Huntsman V3 Pro options the second era of the Razer Analog Optical Switch, which provides the choice to change the actuation inside a spread of 0.1-4.0mm, permitting for a much wider vary of sensitivity customization in comparison with the V2’s 1.5-3.6mm. This means that you’ve much more management over how responsive the keys are, making certain they’re totally optimized for no matter you’re taking part in. Optical (or opto-mechanical) switches are additionally extra sturdy and provide quicker enter occasions than typical mechanical or membrane keys.
This upgraded degree of sensitivity is fairly unimaginable to expertise – when set at 0.1mm it takes solely the slightest contact to set off a key. While that is helpful for some video games, nevertheless, except you’re a world-class contact typer you could wish to regulate your settings if you happen to plan to make use of this keyboard for each work and play, as in my expertise, making an attempt to sort with a shallow actuation level results in typos galore.
These switches additionally facilitate the Rapid Trigger Mode perform, which makes it doable to repeatedly press and launch the keys at a quick tempo, far surpassing the capabilities of an ordinary keyboard, and probably providing you with a bonus over different gamers. In observe, this perform does certainly make a distinction in video games – it’s noticeable that the important thing doesn’t need to journey previous a set reset level, that means that it’s doable to repeat inputs with minimal motion.
Another standout function is the intuitive on-board changes. Easily triggered by urgent two keys and twisting the dial, you’re capable of improve or lower the actuation level or speedy set off sensitivity, with a super-helpful LED indicator situated above the directional keys as a way to shortly alter your ranges and keep it up taking part in.
The Huntsman V3 Pro is offered in matte black with a brushed aluminum alloy faceplate and glossy media controls, and it appears fairly satisfying even with out its RGB lights pulsing. The base of the keyboard is made from plastic and has two-stage adjustable toes, so you’ll be able to alter the angle to go well with. This full-size keyboard measures 5.5 x 1.5 x 17.5 inches / 139 x 39 x 445 mm, and is fairly weighty at simply over 2.7lb / 1.2kg. The opto-mechanical keys have a protracted journey and sound fairly clacky, so if you happen to’re not a fan of shallow laptop-style keys you then’ll in all probability be glad.
The keyboard is powered by a detachable USB-C cable on the left-hand aspect. I had no points with this, though this is perhaps one thing to notice in case your gaming machine is to the fitting of your setup. You get all the keys you’d count on from an ordinary full-size keyboard, with the addition of some multi-function media buttons on the top-right. These embrace two macro buttons that load up the Xbox Game Bar and Task View on Windows by default. These keys will be simply remapped within the Razer Synapse app to carry out a variety of features – you’ll be able to set them to launch a program, set off a Windows shortcut, carry out a keyboard or mouse operation, and so forth.
An further button provides you quick access to a number of audio controls – you’ll be able to play and pause with one press, skip tracks with two presses, and return to the earlier observe with three presses. The multi-function digital dial is a fast and tactile solution to management quantity ranges, and makes it simple to mute your audio by urgent the middle.
The keyboard comes with a detachable wrist relaxation; nevertheless the magnet attachment that’s supposed to maintain it on the entrance of the keyboard shouldn’t be very sturdy, so it may be simply knocked or moved. The rubber toes do an okay job of preserving it in place if it’s flat in your desk, but when it’s somewhat over the sting and never in full contact with the desktop it does wish to wander away with the slightest nudge. The flatter design is a substantial downgrade from the Huntsman V2 wrist relaxation, which was way more comfy.
While I perceive that the leatherette materials used on the V2 didn‘t fare too well over time, this new wrist rest is so flat that it verges on obsolete. In addition – although this doesn’t have an effect on the operation of the keyboard in any manner – I’m very upset that Razer has chosen to take away the RGB strip across the wrist relaxation. I ended up eradicating the wrist relaxation after a short time, because it was not providing any assist and was simply taking over area on my desktop.
The Razer Synapse software program is somewhat buggy, and lagged a bit on the Acer Predator Helios 300 gaming laptop computer that I examined it with. It does, although, provide an abundance of customization capabilities. Aside from the satisfying visible results that may be achieved, corresponding to a spread of 9 totally different Chroma results that may be fine-tuned within the software program after which simply triggered on the keyboard each time you fancy altering up the RGB atmosphere, you additionally get a excessive degree of customization relating to key features and sensitivity.
One such customization is that you just’re capable of assign particular recreation controller functionalities to totally different keys just by dragging and dropping the important thing from an illustration of the controller onto the keyboard displayed on the software program – making it so easy, and simple.
However, though you might be given the flexibility to change the perform of keys, many choices require you to have Razer Synapse working within the background as a result of, regardless of its hybrid onboard storage, some features can’t be saved as a part of any of the reminiscence profiles on the keyboard itself. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it’s not precisely fascinating to have this considerably laggy software program working always within the background, which may show particularly irritating whereas gaming.
While taking part in a recreation, it’s simple to modify between totally different profiles due to easy keyboard shortcuts, that means it solely takes a matter of seconds to modify between default settings, Rapid Trigger, High Sensitivity and so forth, relying in your wants.
The Huntsman Pro is a knockout due to its huge array of customizable options, making it a formidable and high-quality gaming keyboard, nevertheless it’s positively extra suited to a professional than the common gamer. If you are in search of most of those options for a a lot lower cost, we just like the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL and MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic gaming keyboards.
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro evaluate: Price and launch date
- How a lot does it value? $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$469.95
- Where is it accessible? Available now
- Where are you able to get it? Available within the US, the UK and Australia
Priced at $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$469.95, this gaming keyboard prices critical cash. If you’re somebody that simply enjoys an informal Thursday evening Halo session with pals then that is understandably going to be off-putting, however if you happen to’re in search of a bucketload of customization choices as a way to totally fine-tune your keys throughout totally different video games and duties, then the value tag may nicely be price it.
There is, in fact, an abundance of choices accessible available on the market that can go well with totally different budgets, however if you happen to’re offered on the Huntsman V3 Pro then there’s a slight saving available with the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless, if you happen to aren’t fussed in regards to the keypad, as this lowers the price to $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$419.95.
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro evaluate: Specs
| Layout | Standard full measurement |
| Switch | Razer Analog Optical Switch Gen-2 |
| Programmable Keys | Yes |
| Dimensions | 5.5 x 1.5 x 17.5 inches / 139 x 39 x 445mm |
| RGB or backlighting | Razer Chroma RGB (16.8M colours) |
Should you purchase the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro?
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
| Features | With adjustable actuation, Rapid Trigger Mode and a load of different customization prospects, it is a control-freak’s dream. | 5 / 5 |
| Design | The optical switches and doubleshot PBT keycaps are nice, and it feels hard-wearing. Shame in regards to the wrist relaxation. | 4 / 5 |
| Performance | Very responsive, and it’s simple to modify modes and settings whereas taking part in. Razer Synapse is a little bit of a chore, although. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Value | You can’t fault the high-quality design and standout options, nevertheless it positively isn’t priced for the common gamer. | 3 / 5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro evaluate: Also contemplate
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Razer Huntsman V3 Pro | SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL | MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$469.95 | $189.99 / £189.99 / AU$219.99 | Price: $129 / £109.99 |
| Layout | Standard full measurement | TKL | Standard full measurement |
| Switch | Razer Analog Optical Switch Gen-2 | OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable switches | MSI Sonic Blue mechanical |
| Programmable keys | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable Actuation | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 17.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches / 445 x 139 x 39 mm | 14 x 5 x 1.7 inches / 355 x 128 x 42mm | 17.4 x 5.4 x 1.6 inches / 442.5 x 138 x 41mm |
| RGB or backlighting | RGB | RGB | RGB |
How I examined the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro
- Used to play video games, in addition to to jot down articles and generally use
- Tested with a gaming laptop computer to make sure good efficiency
I examined the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboard within the TechSwitch workplace, utilizing it to jot down articles and emails at work, in addition to taking part in some video games on an Acer Predator Helios 300 laptop computer.
I spent loads of time customizing totally different components, such because the RGB and key programming choices. I examined out the varied preset profiles in addition to my very own customizations, and assessed the variations for each typing and gaming when the actuation factors and speedy set off have been adjusted.
We satisfaction ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing course of, providing up long-term consideration to the merchandise we evaluate and ensuring our opinions are up to date and maintained – no matter when a tool was launched, if you happen to can nonetheless purchase it, it is on our radar.
- First reviewed: April 2024