Razer has long been known for its pro-level gaming keyboards and mice—and among them, its Huntsman keyboard line might be the one 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 much to recommend it. Analog optical switches, a lightweight build, and several pre-configured modes to determine key-switch behavior (including the all-new Snap Tap mode) combine to help pro gamers take the top spot in their game of choice. Couple all that with Razer’s signature bold visual design and glowing RGB backlighting, and you have a gaming keyboard that pros will thrill to.
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 is wider than the BlackWidow 75% and the recently reviewed Asus ROG Azoth Extreme, despite being a tenkeyless (TKL) board that lacks a number pad. Unlike those competing keyboards, the Huntsman allows additional space for arrow keys, function keys, and an LED array that helps users make on-the-fly adjustments (more on this 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% for $179.99) and in black. Razer’s signature RGB lighting shines bright through the keyboard’s double-shot PBT keycaps. Razer keyboards are typically of solid build quality, which remains true with the Huntsman.
Turning the keyboard over, you’ll find Razer's motto (“For Gamers, By Gamers”) emblazoned across the board’s underside using a reflective film-like material. Also, two pairs of swing-out feet add 6 or 9 degrees of elevation. 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 movement.)
Similar Products
Montech MKey
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro
Corsair K55 RGB Pro
Logitech G Pro X TKL
Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Keyboard
Corsair K70 RGB Pro Mini Wireless
HyperX Alloy Origins 60 Gaming Keyboard
Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Split Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Asus ROG Azoth
Now, I think that every keyboard should have a wrist rest and a volume roller, and the Huntsman checks both boxes. It also comes with a firm magnetic leatherette wrist rest that is nice, albeit pretty stiff. It’s a step above the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96, but I do miss the very plush wrist rest of the BlackWidow.
Of course, a keyboard should be judged primarily by the quality of its typing experience, not its wrist rests. 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 have a quicker reaction time 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 seen linear optical switches in keyboards like the NZXT Function 2 and the SteelSeries Apex Pro before. Optical analog switches take this a step further, allowing for a full input range from 0% (the key is up) to 100% (the key is pressed all the way down).
This isn’t totally new to Razer’s keyboards. Both the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog and the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog also have optical analog keys. The difference here is that the Gen-2 switches bump the maximum actuation point up to 4mm (the previous max was 3.6mm) and transmit analog inputs from all keys, enabling them to mimic the movements of an analog thumbstick or joystick. The previous generation does this, too, but only on the WASD keys. With Gen-2, you can enjoy joystick-like motion on each key.
This is a niche feature, and while it’s incredibly cool in practice, it doesn’t make me want to change how I play. Certain games play better with a keyboard, and certain games are better with a controller, in my opinion. But for those gamers hellbent on never using a controller again, this is as good as it gets.
Dual-step actuation falls in a similar niche, letting you set two different actions on one key. Pressing halfway down triggers one action, while going all the way down triggers the next. Power users will certainly enjoy this. Even cooler, you can adjust actuation on the fly with a keyboard shortcut—no need to create a brand-new profile—and check the LED array located above the number keys to ensure that your change was correctly applied.
While all of this software-level customization is great, the keyboard is not hot-swappable at the key-switch level or physically customizable in the way the BlackWidow V4 75% is. At a basic level, this isn't a huge omission. The keys are sturdy and look good. The problem is that they’re astonishingly loud. Even by mechanical-keyboard standards, this keyboard causes a racket, and it's especially annoying when you’re typing at speed. The BlackWidow 75% uses a variation of the “Tempest” modification—painter's or masking tape applied in layers to the back of the PCB board inside the chassis—to dampen sound. I wish something similar were applied here because everyone around you will know, acutely, when you’re typing on the Huntsman.
Software: Switching Modes in Razer Synapse
As you already know if 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 you can activate, and you’ll want to keep two of these in mind in particular. The first is Rapid Trigger mode, made with FPS games in mind. It allows you to release and repeatedly press keys at a much faster rate than is physically possible on standard keyboards by removing the fixed reset point of the key.
The second mode is the more interesting of the two, and it's exclusive to the Huntsman. If you’re adept in FPS shooters, you are probably used to strafing while shooting, but the act of bouncing back and forth between targets on a regular keyboard can inadvertently lead to an instance where two opposing keys are pressed at the same time. They won’t register movement, leaving you a sitting duck for opponents to get the drop on. The new mode, dubbed Snap Tap mode, solves this, so if you find yourself in an instance where two opposing directions are detected, it will register the last input as the priority and keep you moving.
In truth, this issue wasn’t even something I thought was an actual problem. But along with the Rapid Trigger mode, Snap Tap can improve your game without you realizing it. We often say that features like these would only be appreciated by top-level esports competitors, but even for a casual gamer like me, the difference is palpable. (Whether they should be allowed in tournaments, though, is a point of contention in 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, the modes can be activated on the fly and confirmed using the LED array.
Surprisingly, the Huntsman V3 Pro reaches a maximum polling rate of only 1,000Hz, which is low compared with the Huntsman V2's 8,000Hz maximum. Polling rate refers to the speed at which your device sends your keystrokes or other inputs to your PC. A rate of 1,000Hz means that information is sent to the keyboard once per millisecond. Higher rates are becoming increasingly common in “pro” gaming keyboards, which makes their absence here a bit surprising. Of course, some gamers will excuse the lower polling rate because of all the additional functionality the Huntsman offers.
Verdict: Another Successful Hunt
Keyboards like the Huntsman V3 Pro TKL are not 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 which, honestly, make it 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 nevertheless fills a niche, and hard-core gamers tuned into that vibe will love it.
Razer's Huntsman V3 Pro is an excellent keyboard that should appeal to serious gamers looking to improve their kill/death ratios—if they can bear the cacophonous key noise.
Like What You're Reading?
Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Sign up for other newsletters
