Launched in September last year, the Huntsman V3 series is the latest entry to Razer’s analog optical keyboard line-up. In this review, we’ll be focusing on the Pro model, which was introduced alongside the tenkeyless and 60% variants.
I’ve been using the Huntsman V3 Pro as my day-to-day keyboard at home for several months now, which is ample time for me to evaluate all it has to offer. So let’s now get into the review and see whether Razer’s latest analog optical gaming keyboard is actually worth considering.
What Am I Looking At?
The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is a premium-tier keyboard through and through, featuring a brushed aluminium top plate, along with textured doubleshot PBT keycaps to complete its overall fancy feel. Unlike its siblings, it offers a full-sized layout as well as three programmable control buttons and a multi-function digital dial.
Under each key is the brand’s own second-generation Analog Optical Switches rather than its fully-mechanical Green, Yellow or Orange switches. According to Razer, these boast lighter actuation force for fast keystrokes and can be adjusted further to suit the user’s personal preference via the Synapse app.
Besides that, the keyboard comes with a detachable USB-C to USB-A cable that’s handy for portability and storage, though it does not offer any wireless connectivity. There’s also a magnetic leatherette wrist rest included in the packaging if you need it.
What’s Good About It?
The second-gen Analog Optical Switch keys on the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro (as well as its siblings) provides a linear-like feedback, though a bit more prominent than what you’d experience from its cousin, the Deathstalker V2 Pro. Regardless, typing feels as if you’re using traditional linear keys and thanks to the onboard sound dampening foam, it’s quiet enough to not cause a ruckus.
The switches also actuate faster, which is fundamental for twitch gameplay in competitive games such as first-person shooters and so on. Better still, you can even adjust the actuation for each key via Razer Synapse in order to either increase or decrease its sensitivity from 0.1 to 4.0 mm. Further enhancing this is the keyboard’s Rapid Trigger Mode, which allows you to release and repeatedly press keys at a much faster rate than on standard keyboards.
And it’s worth noting that optical switches have longer lifespans than mechanical ones. According to Razer, those featured on the Huntsman V3 Pro are touted to last around 100 million keystrokes. However, this is something to be taken at face value, as I doubt anyone actually has the time to put this claim to the test.
Apart from the keys, other things I like from the Huntsman V3 Pro include its solid brushed aluminium chassis, textured keycaps, and the useful yet customisable digital dial. Of course, there’s also the built-in Chroma RGB lighting that can be synchronised with other devices that’s compatible with Razer’s ecosystem.
What’s The Catch?
As for gripes, the first is ironically something I previously mentioned as a plus point, which is its actuation. If anything, the response rate on the Huntsman V3 Pro can be a bit too sensitive out of the box, leading to unintended inputs even when barely applying any pressure on any of the keys.
While a minor issue that can be fixed by adjusting the settings, it did get annoying after accidentally summoning the Windows Start menu on multiple occasions because I simply rested my palm on the keyboard. Credit to where it’s due, I did not experience any double inputs when typing with these keys, which is an unexpected but pleasant surprise.
And to those whom it may concern, bear in mind that the Huntsman V3 Pro or any of its siblings lack any macro keys – the three media buttons notwithstanding. This can be an issue for MOBA or MMORPG gamers, but if extra keys are what you’re after, then you may want to consider Razer’s Blackwidow series instead. Personally, I don’t mind it at all, as I don’t play any games from those genres.
Then there’s the keyboard’s price, which currently stands at RM1,249. Granted, it does boast the makings of a premium product, but four-digits is still quite intimidating for the average consumer, including myself. In short, it’s not for everyone.
Should I Buy It?
If you want a keyboard that offers a solid yet premium design, fast actuations, longer keystroke lifespan as well as customisable media buttons and dial, then the Huntsman V3 Pro is something you should consider. However, if you don’t mind losing a couple of buttons and using low-profile keys instead, Razer’s own Deathstalker V2 Pro is looking to be a favourable alternative. Not only is it considerably more affordable, coming in at RM999, it also uses linear optical switches (albeit different) and supports Bluetooth 5.0 as well as 2.4GHz Hyperspeed wireless connectivity.
At the end of the day, whether you should get the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro really depends on what you’re looking for from a keyboard, and how much you’re willing to spend. In hindsight, it is practical for both gaming and productivity, while the extra features definitely adds to the overall package. That said, there are still alternatives out there, especially when pricing and features are determining factors.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
