The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition (TE) is a superb gaming keyboard that features Razer's proprietary Linear Optical switches. These switches provide a responsive typing and gaming experience; however, some may find them overly sensitive, as they can often cause unintended keystrokes to register. The overall build quality is excellent, and the keyboard has full RGB backlighting, which can be easily customized via Razer's Synapse 3 software. This keyboard is part of Razer's optomechanical switch lineup that includes the Huntsman and the Razer Huntsman Elite.
Our Verdict
The Razer Huntsman TE is an amazing gaming keyboard with very low and consistent latency performance. The keys are extremely responsive and light and can be programmed via the Synapse 3 software. The full RGB backlighting is also great for gaming in darker rooms, and the doubleshot PBT keycaps feel very durable.
- Linear switches are light and extremely responsive.
- Excellent build quality.
- Full RGB backlighting.
- Superbly low and consistent latency.
- No wrist rest.
The Razer Huntsman TE is a decent keyboard for office use. It's fairly comfortable to type on, and the keys are very responsive, requiring very little force for a keystroke to register; however, some may find them overly sensitive, leading to more typos. Typing noise is minimal, which is good for noise-sensitive offices, but the stabilizers aren't all great, as some keys rattle a bit.
- Excellent build quality.
- The linear switches can be overly sensitive for some.
- No wrist rest.
The Razer Huntsman TE doesn't have wireless capabilities and can't be used with mobile devices.
The Razer Huntsman TE is decent for programming. It's very easy to type on and doesn't cause any fatigue. The keyboard's build quality is excellent, but there's some rattling on certain keys. Unfortunately, even though every key can be programmed, the Synapse 3 software is only available on Windows, so macOS and Linux users can't customize the keyboard.
- Every key is macro-programmable.
- Excellent build quality.
- Full RGB backlighting.
- The linear switches can be overly sensitive for some.
- No wrist rest.
The Razer Huntsman TE is a poor keyboard for entertainment/ HTPC use. It's wired-only, so you have no choice but to be within cable distance of your connected devices. It also doesn't have a keyboard wheel or a trackpad, though at least it has full RGB backlighting and media control hotkeys.
- Full RGB backlighting.
- Media control hotkeys.
- Wired-only.
- No wheel or trackpad.
The Razer Huntsman TE offers amazing raw performance. It has excellent single and multi-key latency performance that's also very consistent thanks to its effective polling rate of 1000Hz that isn't bottlenecked by scan rate or other latency components. Overall, it delivers a very responsive-feeling experience for gaming in any genre at any competitive level.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 29, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3.1, which adds a new estimated PCB latency test to the Single-Key Latency section and a new Analog test to the Switches section of this review. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Nov 15, 2023: We've found that latency results are impacted by the placement of the testing solenoid, so we retested this keyboard for consistency with other reviews. This review has been updated, and you can find more information regarding this retest here.
- Updated Aug 30, 2023: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in TBU 1.3.
- Updated Aug 30, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3, which overhauls how key input is evaluated. We've added new tests for Single Key Latency, Multi Key Latency, Data Transmission, and Chord Split. We've also introduced a new Raw Performance usage and adjusted how the Gaming and Office usage scores are calculated. You can see the full changelog here.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
This keyboard is part of Razer's optomechanical switch lineup that includes the Razer Huntsman and the Razer Huntsman Elite. The Tournament Edition only comes in black with Razer Linear Optical switches.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is an outstanding mechanical gaming keyboard. Its linear optical switches have an incredibly short pre-travel distance that makes it one of the most responsive keyboards we've tested; however, it's overly sensitive for general typing. If you want a similar keyboard that provides a better typing experience, the Razer Huntsman Mini is a better choice, as it's available with Clicky Optical switches that have a longer pre-travel distance. For other options, check out our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best mechanical keyboards, and the best RGB keyboards.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is slightly better for gaming than the ROCCAT Vulcan Pro. The Razer feels better-built, and its switches actuate quicker thanks to the very short pre-travel distance. You can also program macros on all its keys, which you can't do on the ROCCAT. However, the ROCCAT has a much better typing quality, and it has better ergonomics because it has a wrist rest.
The Corsair K70 RGB TKL and the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition are two fantastic gaming keyboards. The Razer has proprietary linear optical switches, making for a light gaming experience, but they're too sensitive for typing, so the Corsair has better typing quality. The Corsair also has dedicated media keys, which the Razer doesn't have. Other than that, they're pretty similar in terms of performance.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition and the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog are both fantastic gaming keyboards. They both come with linear optical switches, but the Tournament Edition has the Razer Linear Optical switches, while the V2 Analog has the Razer Analog Optical switches, which are a bit heavier to press but offer a much better typing experience. As the name suggests, the V2 Analog has a feature that allows you to control the keys like an analog joystick, providing greater control over fine movements. It's also a full-size option with a wrist rest, while the Tournament Edition is TKL and doesn't come with a wrist rest.
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 is a more versatile keyboard than the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition. While they're both outstanding choices for gamers, the V2 is also a great choice for programmers and office work. It has better typing quality and ergonomics. Both keyboards have outstanding RGB backlighting and have programmable macros. That said, the Huntsman has PBT plastic keycaps and has onboard memory.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition and the Razer Huntsman Elite are two fantastic gaming keyboards with similar features. The Elite is full-size while the Tournament Edition is TenKeyLess, and they're both wired-only. They're each available with the Razer Linear Optical switches, which are light to press, but the typing quality is just okay. The Elite is also available with Clicky Optical switches if that's what you prefer, and it comes with a wrist rest, which the Tournament Edition doesn't.
The Razer Huntsman Mini and the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition are similar keyboards with outstanding gaming performance. The major difference is that the Tournament Edition is a TKL keyboard, while the Mini is compact. The Mini is available with Razer Linear Optical and Clicky Optical switches, while the TE is only available with Linear Optical switches, which are more sensitive than the clicky switches, so the typing quality is worse, but it provides quicker actuation for gaming.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition (TE) and the Razer Huntsman V2 are wired mechanical gaming keyboards. The V2 is Razer's first keyboard with an 8000Hz polling rate, and its latency is slightly lower than the TE's. Also, the V2 comes with a nice plushy wrist rest, which the TE doesn't. On the other hand, the TE is a TenKeyLess board, which some people might prefer; however, its smaller size means it lacks some of the features that the V2 has, like a numpad, dedicated media keys, and a volume control knob. Both boards are available with Razer Linear Optical switches, but the V2 is also available with Razer Clicky Optical switches. The linear switches on our V2 unit feel a bit heavier than those on our TE unit, and some of the keys had a different feel and sound than others.
The ASUS ROG Claymore II is a wireless full-size gaming keyboard, while the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a wired TenKeyLess gaming keyboard. The ASUS has a modular numpad that you can place on either side of the board or remove it completely for a TKL size. Also, it has a volume control wheel, a USB passthrough, four dedicated macro keys, and a plushy wrist rest. You can use it wirelessly via its USB receiver, and it's available with linear and clicky ROG RX Optical Mechanical switches. On the other hand, the Razer has lower latency, and it's available with Razer Optical switches only.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a wired TenKeyLess board, while the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed is a wireless 65% compact board. The V3 Mini can pair with up to three devices via Bluetooth, and you can also use it wired. It's available with clicky Razer Green and linear Razer Yellow switches. On the other hand, the Huntsman TE feels better built and uses PBT keycaps instead of ABS keycaps like the V3 Mini. It's available with Razer Linear Optical switches only.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition and the Fnatic miniSTREAK are wired TenKeyLess mechanical gaming keyboards, but the Razer may be a slightly better choice since it has significantly lower latency. Otherwise, both have customizable RGB backlighting, media hotkeys, and all keys are macro-programmable with their separate dedicated software. The Razer is available with Razer Linear Optical switches only, and the Fnatic is available with Cherry MX Silent Red and Kailh Speed Silver switches.
The Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro and the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition are very different keyboards. The V3 is a full-size wireless keyboard with dedicated media controls and Linear Optical switches. On the other hand, the Huntsman TE is a wired TKL keyboard available with clicky Razer Green or linear Yellow switches. Also, the Huntsman TE doesn't include a wrist rest like the V3 does.
Both the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition and the Corsair K65 RGB MINI are outstanding mechanical gaming keyboards. The Razer is a TenKeyLess keyboard with two incline settings and Razer Linear Optical switches that have a shorter pre-travel and require a lower operating force but offer only an okay typing experience. On the other hand, the Corsair is a compact 60% keyboard with linear Cherry MX Speed switches that offer a great typing quality, though the pre-travel is slightly longer and the operating force is somewhat higher. Both keyboards have remarkably low latency, and while the Corsair's is marginally lower, it's unlikely to be a noticeable difference.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a better gaming keyboard than the ROCCAT Vulcan TKL. The Razer has much lower latency, all of its keys are macro-programmable, and its software is more intuitive. However, It's only available with Razer Linear Optical switches. On the other hand, the ROCCAT has lower profile keycaps with transparent switch housings that showcase the RGB lighting and a dedicated mute button and volume wheel. It's available with either ROCCAT Titan tactile or linear switches. Unfortunately, only half its alphanumeric keys are macro-programmable.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition and the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog are similar mechanical keyboards designed for gaming use, but they have a few differences. The Huntsman TE is a TKL-size board that still has arrow keys, and it uses Razer's proprietary optical-mechanical switches, which are very sensitive. On the other hand, the Huntsman Mini Analog uses optical analog switches, which allow you to adjust the pre-travel distance on a per-key basis, so you're less likely to have typos or accidental keypresses.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition and the Corsair K70 RGB PRO are both wired, mechanical gaming keyboards, but the Razer performs slightly better since its latency is lower. Also, it has a TKL form factor, which frees up more space on your desk. Alternatively, the Corsair comes with an included wrist rest, has a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz, and it's full-size.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 and the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition are both mechanical gaming keyboards, but the HyperX is a compact 60% size and the Razer is a TenKeyLess size. If having a dedicated F-row and dedicated arrow keys is important to you, the Razer is a better choice since the HyperX lacks both. Also, the Razer has a lower latency, and it's better at color mixing. Both boards are only available with proprietary linear switches, but the Razer uses Razer Linear Optical switches and the HyperX uses HyperX Red switches.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition and the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 are both wired, mechanical gaming keyboards, but the Razer performs better for this use. It has better latency, and it uses linear Optical switches, which have a very low pre-travel distance, so keys feel sensitive. On the other hand, the HyperX has proprietary linear switches that have a slightly longer pre-travel distance, so you're less likely to make typos, and the overall typing experience feels significantly better.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope TKL and the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition are very similar wired TKL keyboards. The main difference is that the Razer has much lower latency, making it better for gaming. The SteelSeries is available in various Cherry MX switch options, but the Razer only comes with Razer's Linear Optical switches. The ASUS provides a much better typing experience mainly because the Razer's switches are extremely sensitive, which might lead to more typos.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition and the Logitech G PRO X Keyboard are both TenKeyLess gaming keyboards. However, the Razer is a better choice overall as it has a better build quality, more durable keycaps, and onboard memory, meaning you can save and store your profile settings on the keyboard. On the other hand, the Logitech has a hot-swappable PCB, meaning you can change out your stock switches.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition and the Logitech G715 are both high-performing TenKeyLess keyboards with some notable differences. The Logitech is a wireless unit that comes with your choice of GX mechanical switches whereas the Razer is a wired-only unit that uses Razer's optical linear switches that have a much shorter pre-travel and are significantly lighter to press, so they feel more sensitive. That said, if you're strictly gaming, the Razer is a better choice as its latency is also slightly lower, but if you're looking for one keyboard to use for both work and play, the Logitech is much more versatile.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition (TE) and the Razer BlackWidow V3 are very different keyboards. The TE is a TKL keyboard with linear optical switches, while the V3 is full-size and is available with Razer Yellow or Green mechanical switches. The TE's Linear Optical switches have a shorter pre-travel distance and lower operating force than the Yellow switches on the V3, making them more responsive. However, they're not as good for general typing because they're overly sensitive, which leads to more typos. The V3 comes with a wrist rest and has dedicated media controls, which the TE lacks.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro is a better keyboard than the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition overall. Both keyboards use linear switches, but the SteelSeries provides a much better typing experience. It's also full-sized, and it comes with a wrist rest and more extra features. Also, the companion software is compatible with both Windows and macOS. That said, the Razer is an 80% TKL, so it takes less space on your desk. It also has a shorter pre-travel and a lower latency, giving you an extremely responsive gaming experience.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a better-wired keyboard than the Durgod Taurus K320. The Razer has full RGB backlighting and much lower latency for gaming. It's only available with Razer Linear Optical switches, which are light to press but don't offer tactile feedback. That said, the Durgod is available in a wider variety of switches and colors, and some of these include RGB backlighting.
The Ducky One 2 RGB TKL is more versatile than the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, but the Razer performs better for gaming. The Ducky offers a much better typing experience overall. It also has spare keycaps and a wide range of switches to choose from, whereas the Razer is only available with proprietary linear switches. That said, the Razer has dedicated media hotkeys and superior companion software. It also has a much lower latency, which is great for fast gaming.
The Cooler Master MK730 and the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition are both great TKL keyboards. The Cooler Master is available in a few different types of switches and provides better typing quality overall. It also has better ergonomics thanks to its detachable wrist rest. That said, the Razer feels extremely responsive due to its very short pre-travel and low latency, which is great for fast gaming. It also feels more solid and durable.
The Wooting one is very different than the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition. The Wooting features optical switches that allow analog inputs, which the Razer can't do, even if it also uses optical switches. You can also customize the pre-travel distance of the Wooting's switches, although it doesn't get as short as the Razer's. On the other hand, the Razer feels much more durable and solid.
The Corsair K63 Wireless and the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition are both gaming keyboards that are versatile enough for most uses. The Razer has a slight edge when it comes to gaming as the optical switches are much more responsive, and its latency is much lower. Also, the Razer has full RGB backlighting and onboard memory to save profiles. On the other hand, if multidevice pairing is important to you, the Corsair is the better choice since it can be paired with up to two devices at a time, including mobile devices. Also, it has dedicated media control keys, and it comes with a wrist rest.
The Razer Huntsman and the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition are very similar but use different switches. The Huntsman uses clicky optical switches, and the TE uses linear optical switches that are noticeably more sensitive. The TE is also a TKL board, which means it doesn't have a NumPad.
The Razer BlackWidow Elite performs better than the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition if you want a full-sized keyboard. The BlackWidow comes with a comfortable wrist rest for those long gaming sessions, and it's available with tactile, clicky, or linear switches, so you can get the one you prefer the most. On the other hand, the Huntsman is a smaller TKL keyboard, which is good for FPS gaming, but it's only available with linear switches. Both have full RGB lighting, and each key is macro-programmable through the Synapse 3 software. Typing feels better on the BlackWidow mainly because the Huntsman's switches are overly sensitive and may cause more typos, and they don't provide tactile feedback.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a much better gaming keyboard than the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro. One of the main differences is that the Razer has dedicated software, allowing you to set macros to any key, which you can't do with the HyperX. It also has full RGB backlighting and the HyperX is limited to the color red. The Razer has much lower latency and comes with Linear Optical switches, which provide a light gaming experience, and the HyperX is available with Cherry MX Red and Blue switches. Typing feels better on the HyperX because the keys don't feel as sensitive.
The HyperX Alloy Origins and the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition are both outstanding gaming keyboards. While they both have proprietary linear switches, the HyperX provides a much better overall typing experience because the Razer's Linear Optical switches are overly sensitive, which leads to more typos. On the other hand, the Razer is more responsive because it has lower latency, and its switches have a shorter pre-travel distance. Also, some gamers might prefer its TKL design because it leaves more space to move the mouse.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a better keyboard for gaming, but the Logitech G Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is more versatile overall. The Razer has very low latency and its linear optical switches have a very short pre-travel, resulting in an extremely responsive gaming experience. However, it might be a bit too sensitive for some people, so the Logitech might be a better option for them. The Razer also feels a bit more solid, but the Logitech has slightly better ergonomics.
The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is a more versatile keyboard than the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, but they're both outstanding TKL options for gaming. The Razer uses a detachable USB-C cable for its connection which can be helpful for transportation, and it has Razer Linear Optical switches, very little pre-travel, and exceptionally low latency. However, it isn’t available with any other switch types. On the other hand, the SteelSeries doesn't have a detachable cable but is more comfortable to use thanks to its included wrist rest. It also has a small OLED screen, though this is unlikely to add much functionality for most people. Our unit has tactile SteelSeries Brown switches, though it’s also available with linear SteelSeries Red and clicky SteelSeries Blue switches.
Although the Ducky One 2 Mini V1 and the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition are both designed for gaming, the Razer performs better. The Razer has much lower latency, and its Linear Optical switches are more responsive due to their shorter pre-travel distance and lighter operating force. However, the Ducky provides a better typing experience because the Razer's Linear Optical switches are too sensitive for general typing, leading to more typos. Also, the Razer is only available with one switch type, while the Ducky can be configured with your preferred type of Cherry MX switches. The Razer has software for customization, which the Ducky lacks.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition and the Obinslab Anne Pro 2 are both excellent mechanical keyboards for gaming, but the Obinslab is a lot more versatile. The Obinslab is a more compact keyboard that connects wirelessly and can be paired with up to four devices at the same time. It also has significantly better typing quality. The Razer is a slightly larger wired-only 80% keyboard. It uses proprietary Linear Optical switches, which offer an extremely responsive gaming experience.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a better gaming keyboard than the Razer BlackWidow Lite, which is more geared for office use. The TE has one of the lowest pre-travel distances we've measured and feels very quick. The Lite offers a much better typing quality but only has white backlighting, while the TE features full RGB lighting.
Test Results
The Razer Huntsman TE is small, as it's a tenkeyless keyboard; however, it has a fairly high profile. If you want an even more compact keyboard, check out the Razer Huntsman Mini.
The Razer Huntsman TE has an excellent build quality. It's mostly made out of hard plastic, with an aluminum plate to provide rigidity. The keyboard exhibits some flex, but the overall build feels fairly sturdy. It uses doubleshot PBT keycaps, which is great for durability; however, the stabilizers are slightly inferior, as there's some rattling on certain keys. Also, the spacebar is very sensitive, as the keyboard registered a keystroke when we hit the desk. Lastly, the keyboard's kickstands feel very solid but tend to accumulate dust easily.
The Razer Huntsman TE has acceptable ergonomics. Although it has a fairly high profile, the keys feel very light to type on and don't cause any fatigue when typing for an extended period. The keyboard has two incline settings, but unfortunately, it doesn't come with a wrist rest. If you want a TKL keyboard with an included wrist rest, check out the Cooler Master MK730 or the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023).
The Razer Huntsman TE has full RGB backlighting. It can be customized via Razer's Synapse 3 software, and each key can be customized individually.
The keyboard uses a removable USB-C cable, which is great for portability and durability, as it's easily replaceable if it gets damaged.
The Razer Hunstman TE is a wired-only keyboard.
This keyboard has a great set of extra features. Every key on the keyboard can be programmed via the Synapse 3 software, and the keyboard has on-board memory to store up to five profiles. There's a hotkey to put the PC into 'sleep' mode, and a hotkey to activate 'Game mode'. Game mode disables the Windows Key function so that you won't accidentally minimize the game, and you can choose which keys you want to disable. Also, there's a macro programming key that lets you set a macro without using the Synapse 3 software. If you're interested in a similarly performing keyboard with dedicated media keys and a volume wheel, check out the Logitech G715.
The typing experience on the Razer Huntsman TE is okay. Besides the spacebar having a slight wobble, the rest of the keys are very stable. The PBT keycaps have a fine-textured feel, and the keys feel springy and responsive. That said, linear switches don't provide tactile feedback, making it harder to sense if a keystroke has been registered. Although the spacing of the keys is standard, some may find the actuation overly sensitive, causing more typos than usual. If you find these optical switches too sensitive, the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a good alternative, as it uses standard Cherry MX Red switches with a longer pre-travel distance. Likewise, the Durgod Taurus K320 is available with even more Cherry MX switch variants. Alternatively, there's the Logitech G PRO X Keyboard, which has a hot-swappable circuit board, so you can use pretty much any switch you want to customize your typing experience.
Typing noise on this keyboard is somewhat quiet, though it may make more noise if you tend to bottom out the keys. In a quiet environment like an office, it shouldn't be bothersome to those around you.
The Razer Huntsman TE's linear optical switches have a very short pre-travel. While this provides a very responsive feel, it can often cause unintended keystrokes to register. For tactile optical switches, check out the Razer Huntsman. If you like the idea of having optical switches, you can check out the Wooting one too, which also allows you to have analog inputs where the input depends on how much force you apply on the key, just like a controller.
This keyboard has superb single-key latency performance that's extremely consistent. It delivers a responsive-feeling experience for gaming in any genre at a casual or competitive level.
This keyboard has excellent multi-key latency performance that's extremely consistent, making it well-suited for any game that requires inputs while other keys are pressed and held down.
This keyboard has excellent data transmission performance. It has full N-key rollover and can register multiple keystrokes per USB report. Its 1000hz effective update rate also means it can take full advantage of its 1000Hz polling rate without being bottlenecked by other latency components.
This keyboard offers very good chord split performance. It has a fairly low and consistent 4-chord and reasonably low 8-chord split, making it a good candidate for playing games that require multiple simultaneous inputs.
The Razer Huntsman TE has fantastic software support. The Synapse 3 software lets you set macros and can store a large number of profiles, in addition to the five profiles that you can store on the keyboard's on-board memory. Each key's backlight can be customized individually; however, we were unable to save the backlight profile, as it constantly reverted to its default setting when moving to another computer. There's also cloud sync available, which makes it easy to carry your settings over to another computer, though it requires an account.
This keyboard has decent compatibility. Since Razer's Synapse software is only available for Windows, Linux and macOS users can't customize the keyboard in any way, though all the keys function on Linux. On macOS, however, the Scroll Lock, Pause, and Context Menu buttons don't work.