The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is an exceptional gaming keyboard that features Analog Optical switches. These switches allow you to adjust the pre-travel distance or 'sensitivity' of individual switches. You can also customize the switch reset point using 'Rapid Trigger' mode or enable an analog mode that mimics the feel of an analog joystick. This keyboard also has full RGB backlighting, macro-programmable keys, and a USB passthrough.
Note: We uncovered unexpected additional latency when testing this keyboard with its companion software running in the background. We recently highlighted this issue in our Test Bench 1.3 Changelog. For more details, see single key latency.
Our Verdict
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is an amazing gaming keyboard. It has very low and consistent latency, full RGB backlighting, and macro-programmable keys. It features Analog Optical switches that are easy to actuate, and it allows you to customize the pre-travel distance to your liking. You can also use its analog mode for finer movement control; however, it only works in games that support gamepads, and it might take a while to train your fingers to apply the appropriate amount of force.
- Customizable pre-travel distance and low operating force.
- Macro-programmable keys.
- Full RGB backlighting.
- Acceptable ergonomics.
- Very low and consistent latency performance.
- Analog mode only works if game supports gamepads.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is great for office use. It has acceptable ergonomics and provides a light typing experience. However, its Analog Optical switches are linear and don't give any tactile feedback, making it harder to know if a keystroke is registered. Also, typing noise is on the louder side and might not be ideal for quiet offices.
- Excellent typing quality.
- Acceptable ergonomics.
- Loud typing noise.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is a wired-only keyboard that can't be used with mobile devices.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is great for programming. It's very well-built, and it provides a light and comfortable typing experience. Every key is macro-programmable, and there's full RGB backlighting if you like working in the dark. Unfortunately, it's a wired-only keyboard with no multi-device pairing feature, which might disappoint those working on two computers. Also, while most keys work on macOS and Linux, there's no software for customization on those platforms.
- Macro-programmable keys.
- Full RGB backlighting.
- Excellent typing quality.
- Acceptable ergonomics.
- Wired-only.
- No multi-device pairing.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is inadequate for use with a home theater PC. It's a wired-only keyboard, so you need to run a cable from the couch to your PC, which isn't ideal if you're worried about kids or pets tripping over wires. Also, there's no trackpad, which means you need a separate mouse to navigate the user interface. On the upside, it has dedicated media controls and backlighting.
- Full RGB backlighting.
- Wired-only.
- No trackpad.
- Large size.
This keyboard has amazing raw performance, with excellent single-key and multi-key latency. It also has full n-key rollover and an effective update rate of 1000Hz, providing an extremely responsive and consistent experience for gaming in any genre at a casual or competitive level.
Changelog
- Updated Aug 26, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.4.1. This update removes the Key Release test and a video element from the Multi-Key Latency section, resulting in minor score changes. See our full 1.4.1 changelog for details.
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Updated May 15, 2025:
We've written text for the new Adjustable Input Granularity box, added with Test Bench 1.4, and we've made sure all text throughout the review reflects any changes.
- Updated May 15, 2025: We've updated this review with our new Test Bench 1.4 methodology. It adds a new Output Type classification in the Switches box, indicating whether the keyboard's output is non-adjustable, adjustable, or analog. It also introduces a new Adjustable Input Granularity test, which improves comparability between keyboards with adjustable input.
- Updated Jul 26, 2024: We've corrected an error in the Hardware Customizability section and changed the result of the Switch PCB Socket test from a Soldered to a Non-Customizable Design. We've also added new supporting text in this section.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog in black, and there are no other variants. You can see our unit's label here.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is an exceptional mechanical keyboard. However, its analog mode has some limitations, and it might take a long time to train your fingers to apply the appropriate amount of force, as most gamers are likely to bottom out the keys in the heat of the moment.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best mechanical keyboards, and the best RGB keyboards.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog and the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro are wired gaming keyboards that use analog optical switches that allow you to customize individual keys' pre-travel and reset distance. The V3 Pro is newer and uses an updated version of these switches. It also provides better actuation and Rapid Trigger setting accuracy. Additionally, with the V3 Pro, you can enable Rapid Trigger without having the software running in the background, which isn't possible with the older V2 model.
The Razer Huntsman V2 and the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog are very similar boards, but each has unique features. The V2 is Razer's first board with an 8000Hz polling rate, and its latency is lower than the V2 Analog's. It's available with Razer Linear Optical and Razer Clicky Optical switches. On the other hand, the V2 Analog has Razer Analog Optical Switches, which you can set to act as an analog joystick. This makes the switches reactive to the amount of pressure you apply as you move the key downwards. The V2 Analog has a USB passthrough and an RGB strip that wraps around the sides of the board and the wrist rest.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog and the Wooting 60HE are mechanical gaming keyboards with outstanding gaming performance and Hall effect analog switches that allow you to adjust the pre-travel on a per-key basis. The Razer is a full-size keyboard with an included wrist rest. On the other hand, the Wooting has a smaller, Compact (60%) form factor. The Wooting also includes several additional software features the Razer lacks, including a Rapid Trigger mode, a low latency Tacyhon Mode, the ability to assign up to four inputs to a single keypress, customizable reset points, and an Analog Mode that mimics the gradual input of a controller's joystick.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog and the Corsair K70 MAX are full-size gaming keyboards with analog switches that allow you to customize individual switches' pre-travel and reset points. Unfortunately, this setting is noticeably inaccurate on the Razer keyboard. That said, the Razer has somewhat better build quality. It also has a programmable control knob and a USB passthrough, which the Corsair lacks. On the other hand, the Corsair has a higher maximum polling rate of 8000Hz. It also has several extra features the Razer lacks, including a tournament switch, programmable scroll wheel, and dedicated profile, brightness, and lock keys.
Test Results
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is a larged full-size keyboard, and it takes up even more space if you use the wrist rest. If you'd prefer a more compact option that still has Analog switches, check out the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog.
The Razer Huntsman V2's build quality is excellent. It has a plastic frame reinforced with a metal plate that feels rigid, exhibiting little to no flex. The PBT keycaps are textured and feel high-quality, but not all the keys are stable as there's some rattle on the spacebar and right Shift. The feet aren't very grippy, so it's easy to move the keyboard around, but it's not bad enough to be an issue in regular use. The incline feet are stable and don't collapse when pushing the keyboard.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog has acceptable ergonomics. Without any incline setting, it naturally sits at a 3-degree angle. There are two incline settings, and it includes a leatherette wrist rest. It's comfortable to type on and shouldn't cause fatigue over time.
Note: The Razer Analog Optical Switches aren't soldered, and you can remove them from the PCB. However, we haven't classified these switches as hot-swappable because the switch PCB socket has a proprietary, non-customizable design, and Razer doesn't sell replacement switches.
The Razer Huntsman V2 has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys. Like the Razer Huntsman Elite, there are light strips on the sides of the keyboard and the wrist rest to create an underglow effect. The wrist rest has connectors to draw power from the keyboard, so you can't position it further away if you want the strips to light up. You can control the brightness directly on the keyboard, but you need the Synapse 3 software to customize the colors and effects.
The Backlight clarity is impressive. Unfortunately, when the keyboard displays white backlighting, it has a red hue, which is very visible through the key legends.
The cable is braided and has two connectors, a USB-A and a USB-C. Both need to be connected to use the USB passthrough. If you don't have a USB-C port on your computer, a USB-C to USB-A adaptor is included in the box.
The Razer Huntsman V2 is a wired-only keyboard.
The Razer Huntsman V2 has many features. It has dedicated media controls at the top right corner of the keyboard and a USB-A passthrough on the left side. Every key is programmable through software, and you can also set macros on-the-fly.
- Razer Huntsman V2 Analog Gaming Keyboard
- Wrist rest
- USB-C to USB-A adaptor
- USB connector covers
- User guides
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog provides an excellent typing experience. The keys are stable, except for the spacebar and Right shift, which descend unevenly and rattle a bit. The PBT keycaps are textured and feel comfortable to type on. The keys are well-spaced, so it requires very little adaptation to type accurately. However, it isn't recommended to set the actuation point too low as it becomes overly sensitive and can lead to more typos. Also, there's no tactile feedback since the switches are linear. On the upside, typing on it feels light and responsive and shouldn't cause fatigue over time.
Even though the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog uses linear switches, typing noise is still on the loud side, so it might not be ideal for quiet office environments.
Razer's Analog Optical Switches are linear, which means they don't provide any tactile feedback, and they're very easy to actuate due to their light operating force. You can adjust the pre-travel distance from 1.5 mm to 3.6 mm; however, the results are very different from the actual settings. See the Adjustable Input Granularity test for more details.
The analog mode lets you use the keys like an analog joystick, which is meant to provide finer movement control in some types of games, like racing games, FPS, and flight sims. It makes the keys feel like pedals, so you move faster as the key travels downwards. However, this feature only works in games that support gamepads, and Synapse 3 has to be running in the background. Some games can only receive inputs from a controller or a mouse/keyboard combo, but not both at the same time. In this case, you have to remap all of the controller's functions to the keyboard for the analog mode to function properly and not use the mouse at all, as any mouse input can cause erratic movements in-game.
If you'd prefer a keyboard that has a more consistent application of this adjustable pre-travel distance feature, check out the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog exhibits poor input granularity. Despite its exceptionally small minimum step depth, it has inadequate detection ratio across the total key travel. It also has large deadzones and isn't particularly well-suited for producing quick and consistent initial and follow-up inputs for movement techniques like tap-strafing in FPS titles.
The keyboard supports true analog output and features a smooth, consistent displacement curve that corresponds reasonably well to the physical position of each key. This makes it a viable option for games that benefit from gradual input, such as racing sims, flight sims, and platformers.
This keyboard uses Razer Analog Optical switches. If you're interested in another keyboard in the same lineup that uses updated Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 and provides more accurate actuation and reset point settings, see the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro.
This keyboard has superb single-key latency performance and delivers an extremely consistent and responsive-feeling experience for playing games in any genre at a casual or competitive level.
Razer added a 'Rapid Trigger' mode to this keyboard via a firmware update post-launch. This mode allows you to adjust the sensitivity of switch reset points, which Razer claims can allow you to release and repeatedly press keys much faster. This mode requires the Razer Synapse 3 configuration software running in the background to function.
The listed test results were achieved with the actuation point set to its lowest setting (1.5mm), with Rapid Trigger Disabled, and with this keyboard's configuration software, Razer Synapse 3, not running in the background. This was done intentionally, as this keyboard produces worse latency results with Razer Synapse 3 running in the background.
Additional latency with Razer Synapse 3: We conducted tests with the software running and with the Rapid Trigger mode enabled and disabled. In both cases, with the software running and with Rapid Trigger enabled or disabled, this keyboard produces a latency result of ~4.0ms higher than when Razer Synapse 3 is not running in the background.
We suspect that when the software is running, the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog no longer reports normally as a keyboard to your computer and, instead, acts as a raw position device that's read by its software. The software then processes the position of each switch and emulates a virtual keyboard to send key presses to the host, which adds considerable latency. With the software open, this keyboard sends 6 End Points per Input, as seen here. With the software not running, this keyboard only sends a single End Point per Input as seen here.
To ensure the lowest latency with this keyboard, we recommend not enabling the Rapid Trigger function and not running Razer Synapse 3 software in the background while gaming. Also, we haven't found that running Razer Synapse 3 in the background adds additional latency for any other Razer keyboard models. But this is something we'll be checking going forward.
This keyboard has amazing multi-key latency performance that's also very consistent, making it very well-suited for playing any games that require new inputs while multiple keys are already pressed and held down.
This keyboard has a 'Rapid Trigger' feature. For more details, see the Singe Key Latency section.
This test was conducted with the actuation point set to its lowest setting (1.5mm), with Rapid Trigger Disabled, and with this keyboard's configuration software, Razer Synapse 3, not running in the background.
This keyboard has excellent data transmission performance. It can send multiple keys per USB report and has full n-key rollover. It also has an effective polling rate of 1000Hz, making it capable of taking full advantage of its 1000Hz polling rate.
This keyboard has impressive and consistent chord split performance, with very low 4-chord delay and reasonably low 8-chord split delay, making it a good candidate for playing rhythm games requiring many simultaneous inputs.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is customizable through the Synapse 3 software. In addition to customizing the backlight, you can adjust performance settings such as the actuation point and the debounce height. You can also program keys to perform two actions: one when the key is pressed, and the other when the key is released. Enabling the analog mode lets you use the WASD keys like an analog joystick, but it only works in games that support gamepads.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog has decent compatibility. On macOS, the Pause/Scroll Lock key doesn't work, and there's no software for customization. All keys work on Linux, but like macOS, there's no software support.