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Razer Huntsman V3 Pro [Mini, TKL] Keyboard Review

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Reviewed Nov 27, 2023 at 12:43 pm
Latest change: Writing modified Jan 12, 2024 at 02:57 pm
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro [Mini, TKL] Picture
8.8
Gaming
6.7
Office
1.1
Mobile/Tablet
7.4
Programming
3.8
Entertainment / HTPC
9.0
Raw Performance

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is a full-size (100%) gaming keyboard in Razer's Huntsman series, along with its smaller size variants, the tenkeyless (80%) Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL and the compact (60%) Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini. These keyboards use Razer's Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 and can detect how far down they're pressed. These switches allow you to customize how far down you need to press before registering a keystroke. You can also set how far they need to travel back up before you can register another keystroke with the Rapid Trigger feature. You can adjust both these settings on the fly using hotkeys or using the keyboard's software which also provides additional customization options, including RGB lighting, macros, key assignments, and custom profiles.

We bought and tested the full-size Razer Huntsman V3 Pro, but other size variants are also available. See the Differences Between Sizes and Variants section for more details about these models.

Our Verdict

8.8 Gaming

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards are outstanding for gaming. They have excellent build quality and remarkably low latency performance, and you can adjust the actuation and reset point of individual switches. They also have full RGB backlighting that you can customize along with a range of other settings using the configuration software.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality.
  • Exceptionally low latency performance.
  • RGB backlighting with shine-through keycap legends.
  • Can adjust actuation distance and Rapid Trigger settings with hotkeys or using the configuration software.
Cons
  • Typing noise is on the louder side.
6.7 Office

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards are okay for the office but aren't designed specifically with this use in mind. That said, they have excellent build quality, and both the full-size and tenkeyless sizes include a wrist rest for added support. You can also customize the sensitivity of the switches using hotkeys or the configuration software. Unfortunately, the spacebar rattles a bit, and the overall typing noise is on the louder side.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality.
Cons
  • Wired-only.
  • Typing noise is on the louder side.
1.1 Mobile/Tablet

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards are wired-only models that aren't suitable for use with mobile devices or tablets.

7.4 Programming

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards are decent for programming. They have excellent build quality, and you can customize the sensitivity of individual keys. They also have full RGB backlighting and shine-through legends that you can see in darker rooms. Unfortunately, the typing noise is on the louder side, and there aren't any dedicated macro keys, although you can record macros to any key using the configuration software.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality.
  • RGB backlighting with shine-through keycap legends.
Cons
  • Wired-only.
  • Typing noise is on the louder side.
3.8 Entertainment / HTPC

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards are a poor option for entertainment or home theater PC setups as they're wired-only models, so you'll need to sit fairly close to your computer to use them. The full-size models are also quite large and bulky but have dedicated media keys. The smaller compact (60%) size variant of these keyboards is smaller and more maneuverable but lacks dedicated media keys. That said, all size variants have full RGB lighting and shine-through legends that are easy to read in darker rooms.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality.
  • RGB backlighting with shine-through keycap legends.
Cons
  • Wired-only.
9.0 Raw Performance

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards offer superb raw performance. They have remarkably low single-key latency and excellent multi-key latency plus full N-key rollover support, the ability to send multiple USB keystrokes per USB report, and a 1000Hz polling rate that isn't limited by other latency elements. Additionally, the analog optical switches allow you to customize the actuation and reset points of individual switches. For more details about this keyboard's customizable performance features, check out the Keystrokes and Single Key Latency sections.

Pros
  • Exceptionally low latency performance.
Cons
  • 8.8 Gaming
  • 6.7 Office
  • 1.1 Mobile/Tablet
  • 7.4 Programming
  • 3.8 Entertainment / HTPC
  • 9.0 Raw Performance
  1. Updated Jan 12, 2024: We've added new text to this review's Keystrokes and Configuration Software sections, highlighting the fact that you can't adjust the actuation distance for the Windows key, Fn key, or (on larger size variants) any of the keys in the navigation cluster.
  2. Updated Dec 08, 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.
  3. Updated Nov 27, 2023: Review published.
  4. Updated Nov 10, 2023: Early access published.
  5. Updated Nov 07, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
  6. Updated Nov 01, 2023: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  7. Updated Oct 25, 2023: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

Razer's Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards come in several size variants. At the time of writing, they're only available in a black colorway. We bought and tested the full-size Razer Huntsman V3 Pro. You can see the label for our unit here. We expect our test results to broadly apply to all variants listed below.

Name Size Switches Dedicated Media Keys and Control Knob Included Wrist Rest
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Full-size (100%) Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 Yes Yes
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL TenKeyLess (80%) Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 Yes Yes
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini Compact (60%) Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 No No

Compared To Other Keyboards

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards continue Razer's Huntsman lineup of gaming keyboards. Like other entries in this wider series, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro models use optical switches that rely on infrared light beams to register keystrokes. More specifically, these keyboards use analog optical switches that can track how far down they're being pressed and allow you to customize how far you press them before they activate as well as how far they need to travel to reset before you can activate them again.

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro and its size variants directly update Razer's last generation Razer Huntsman V2 Analog. The major change between these models is the switches themselves. The newer Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards have updated switches and provide more accurate actuation point settings. Additionally, while previous models required the Razer Synapse 3 software to run in the background to enable Rapid Trigger settings, these new keyboards don't. In the broader market context, many gaming models are focused more on delivering conventional raw performance, while others adopt more design elements from custom keyboards, like sound-dampening material, gasket mounting, and pre-lubed components. In contrast, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards focus on offering customizable high-end performance. In terms of switch setting accuracy and feature set, these keyboards are roughly on par with other major analog options, like the Wooting 60HE and the SteelSeries Apex Pro, and they're a great option if you want to fine-tune your keyboard's performance to match your playstyle or for different games you play.

For more recommendations, see our picks for the best keyboards, the best gaming keyboards, and the best Razer keyboards.

Wooting 60HE

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini and the Wooting 60HE are wired compact (60%) keyboards that use analog optical switches that allow you to customize pre-travel and reset distance of individual keys. The Wooting offers marginally better gaming performance. It also provides a slightly better typing experience and is quieter. Conversely, the Razer is also available in a full-size or tenkeyless size variant, while the Wooting doesn't have size variants available at the time of writing.

Razer Huntsman V2

The Razer Huntsman V2 and the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro are wired gaming keyboards. The Huntsman V2 uses optical switches and has slightly better raw gaming performance. It's also quieter. The Huntsman V3 Pro uses analog optical switches that allow you to customize individual switches' pre-travel and reset distance.

SteelSeries Apex Pro

The SteelSeries Apex Pro and the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro are wired gaming keyboards that use analog optical switches, allowing you to customize individual switches' pre-travel and reset distance. Both offer similar gaming performance, but the SteelSeries has an OLED screen and a programmable scroll wheel, which the Razer lacks. On the other hand, the Razer has a programmable control knob, which the Razer lacks.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023)

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL and the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) are tenkeyless wired gaming keyboards that use analog optical switches that allow you to customize pre-travel and reset distance of individual keys. Both keyboards provide similar gaming performance. The SteelSeries has an OLED screen and programmable scroll wheel, which the Razer lacks. On the other hand, the Razer has dedicated media keys and a programmable control knob, which the SteelSeries lacks.

Razer Huntsman V2 Analog

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.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Dimensions
Size
Full-size (100%)
Height
1.5" (3.9 cm)
Width 17.5" (44.4 cm)
Depth
5.5" (13.9 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
8.8" (22.4 cm)
Weight
2.05 lbs (0.930 kg)

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is a full-size keyboard that takes up a considerable amount of space on your desk. The included wrist rest attaches and detaches magnetically.

If you'd prefer a smaller option, this keyboard is available in two smaller size variants: the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless and the compact (60%) Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini. For more details, see the Differences Between Variants section above. You can also reference the dimensions of these other variants on Razer's product page for the TKL here and the Mini here.

8.5
Design
Build Quality
Keycap Material PBT

These keyboards have excellent build quality. The chassis is made of plastic but doesn't feel cheap and only exhibits minor flex. The switches sit on a top plate made of aluminum. The keycaps are doubleshot PBT plastic with a pleasant, slightly textured finish.

There are rubber pads on the underside that do a great job of keeping the board in place, and each flip-out incline foot also has a rubber pad to help prevent the board from sliding around.

The stabilizers also do a good job of ensuring the stability of larger keys. However, they're on the nosier side. The spacebar also rattles a bit, but this is fairly typical of many gaming keyboards.

6.0
Design
Ergonomics
Curved/Angled
No
Split Keyboard
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Minimum Incline
Medium Incline
Maximum Incline
Home Row Height
31.4 mm (1.2")

These keyboards have acceptable ergonomics. They have a standard, straight-profile design, and plastic flip-out feet on the bottom provide two additional inclined angles.

The full-size Razer Huntsman V3 Pro and the TenKeyLess Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL include a wrist rest that attaches magnetically. These rests are firm and have a leatherette covering. They provide good support but aren't as soft as the full plush wrist rests included with some gaming keyboards.

The compact (60%) variant of this keyboard, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini, doesn't include a wrist rest.

3.8
Design
Hardware Customizability
Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
No
Stabilizer Fixation
Non-Customizable Design
Spacebar Stabilizer Size
6.25u
Size Of Right Mod Keys
1.25u
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
Switch Stem Shape
Cherry MX Style
Switch PCB Socket
Soldered
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
Yes

These keyboards have poor customizability. The PCB isn't hot-swappable, and the stabilizers are a non-customizable design that clip in from the back of the PCB rather than the front, which is somewhat unusual.

The switches have conventional Cherry MX Style stems, and the right modifier keys on the full-size Razer Huntsman V3 Pro are standard-sized 1.25u keys, providing good compatibility with aftermarket Cherry MX-style keycaps. However, the LEDs are north-facing, which can cause interference with some Cherry MX-style keycaps.

10
Design
Backlight Features
Backlighting Yes
RGB
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
Yes
Effects
Yes
Software Controllable
Yes

These keyboards have full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys. You can adjust backlighting settings using hotkeys directly on the keyboard or using the configuration software.

8.0
Design
Backlight Clarity

These keyboards provide impressive backlight clarity, and the shine-through legends are easily read in a darker room. However, like previous models in Razer's Huntsman lineup, some legends have minor light obstructions, and the backlight distribution is somewhat uneven.

Design
Cable & Connector
Connectivity Wired
Detachable
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Length 6.5 ft (2.0 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
USB type-C

These keyboards include a braided USB-A to USB-C cable. It retains some kinks from its packaging.

0
Design
Wireless Versatility
Bluetooth
No
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
No
Proprietary Receiver
No
Battery Type
No Batteries

These are wired-only keyboards.

5.5
Design
Macro Keys And Programming
Dedicated Macro Keys Count 0
Onboard Macro Programming
Yes
Macro Programming With Software
Yes

These keyboards lack dedicated macro keys, but you can program macros to any key onboard using hotkeys or with the configuration software.

Design
Extra Features
Media Keys
Dedicated
Trackpad / Trackball No
Scroll Wheel
No
Control Knob
Yes
USB Passthrough
No
Numpad Yes
Windows Key Lock
Yes
Lock Indicator Caps, Scroll & Num lock

These keyboards have a range of extra features commonly found on gaming keyboards, including LED lock indicators and dedicated media keys. There's also a multi-function control knob you can program using the configuration software.

This keyboard supports various hotkeys out of the box, including commands for XBOX Game Bar, onboard macro programming, and enabling Game Mode, among others. For more details about these and other functions, you can consult Razer's user guide for these keyboards available in digital form on Razer's website here.

Design
In The Box

  • USB-A to USB-C power cable
  • Wrist rest
  • Stickers
  • User documentation

Typing Experience
7.5
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")

These keyboards deliver good typing quality. The keycaps are made of doubleshot PBT plastic and have a pleasant, slightly textured finish. The key spacing is also standard, and individual keys feel quite stable and depress evenly.

The switches operate smoothly and don't feel scratchy. However, typing noise is on the louder side as the stabilizers are a bit noisy, and the spacebar rattles slightly.

The default 2.0mm actuation point setting is comfortable to type on for most people used to typing on linear switches. However, using lower (more sensitive) actuation point settings will probably likely feel too sensitive for everyday typing as it significantly increases how easy it is to make unintentional keystrokes.

6.7
Typing Experience
Typing Noise
Average Loudness
56.0 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No

These keyboards produce typing noise that's on the louder side. Although they use linear switches that don't make high-pitched clicking noises, the typing noise may still disturb others around you in an otherwise quiet space.

Typing Experience
Switches
Switch Name
Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2
Switch Type
Optical
Feel
Linear
Analog
Yes

These keyboards use Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2. These switches detect how far they're being pressed and allow you to adjust individual keys' pre-travel and reset travel. You can also set the keys to record gradual input, much like a controller thumbstick or joystick.

You can customize switch settings using hotkeys directly on the keyboard or using the configuration software.

Typing Experience
Keystrokes
Operating Force
48 gf
Actuation Force
48 gf
Pre-Travel
1.9 mm
Total Travel
4.5 mm

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro [Mini, TKL] keyboards use Razer's Analog Optical Gen-2 switches. These are lightweight switches with a linear feel, so there is no tactile bump to overcome before actuation.

You can adjust the pre-travel distance of these switches using hotkey combinations directly on the keyboard or using the configuration software. Note that you can adjust the actuation distance for nearly all of the keys on these keyboards except for the Windows key and the Fn key. On larger size variants of this keyboard, including the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro and the Razer Huntsman V3 TKL, you also can't adjust the actuation distance of the navigation keys: Home, Insert, Page Up, Delete, End, and Page Down.

The lowest actuation point you can set is 0.1mm, and the highest actuation point you can set is 4.0mm

We tested across multiple actuation point settings. On the lowest (most sensitive) actuation settings, we found they are very accurate (typically within 0.1mm). We measured slightly more variation (a maximum of 0.5mm) at some of the higher settings, but altogether, the settings are quite accurate and consistent and markedly more accurate and consistent than the settings on the previous generation Razer Huntsman V2 Analog.

Additionally, we tested the Rapid Trigger setting at its lowest (most sensitive) setting (0.1mm) and measured the reset point at 4.4mm, indicating that this setting is very accurate as the average total travel of these switches is 4.5mm.

The Key Switch Actuation graph above was tested using the default actuation point setting of 2.0mm.

Performance
9.1
Performance
Single-Key Latency
Best Connection
3.4 ms
Best Connection Std Dev ±0.4 ms
Wired
3.4 ms
Receiver
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
PCB (Estimated)
N/A

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.

In addition to the ability to set the actuation distance of individual switches, these keyboards also have a Rapid Trigger feature that allows you to adjust the sensitivity of individual switch reset points. Setting more sensitive reset points means you can make follow-up inputs more quickly compared to most mechanical gaming keyboards that typically have to travel a longer distance to reset before you can actuate another keystroke.

Note: This test was conducted with the actuation point set to its lowest setting (0.1mm), with Rapid Trigger set to its lowest (most sensitive) setting (0.1mm).

Also note that, unlike with the previous-generation Razer Huntsman V2 Analog, you can use the Rapid Trigger settings on the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro [Mini, TKL] keyboards without the software running in the background.

We conducted tests with Rapid Trigger enabled with and without the software running in the background and found a very small but measurable latency advantage to having the software closed and not running in the background. The difference is much too small (0.4ms) for you to ever notice in a gameplay situation. However, it may be something you want to consider if you're trying to optimize for latency while playing competitive titles. You can see the comparison with the software running here.

8.9
Performance
Multi-Key Latency
Connection Evaluated Wired
Key Press
3.5 ms
Key Release
6.2 ms

These keyboards have excellent multi-key latency performance, making them very well-suited for playing games requiring new inputs while multiple keys are already pressed and held down.

This test was conducted with the actuation point set to its lowest setting (0.1mm), with Rapid Trigger set to its lowest (most sensitive) setting (0.1mm), and with the configuration software, Razer Synapse 3, not running in the background.

8.7
Performance
Data Transmission
Connection Evaluated Wired
USB Polling Rate
1,000 Hz
Effective Update Rate
1,000 Hz
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
Yes

These keyboards have excellent data transmission performance, and their polling rates aren't bottlenecked by other latency components.

9.1
Performance
Chord Split
4 Chord Split Delay
2.3 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
7.4 ms

These keyboards have remarkably good and exceptionally consistent 4- and 8-chord split performance. They're outstanding for playing rhythm games that require many simultaneous inputs.

Software and Operating System
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
Software Name Razer Synapse 3
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
No
Onboard Memory
Yes
Profiles
6+

These keyboards use Razer Synapse 3 configuration software. The software is well laid out and allows you to adjust a wide range of settings, including RGB lighting, macros, and custom profiles. You can also set game mode preferences and adjust the actuation point of individual keys or map keys to emulate gamepad controls. Note that you can adjust the actuation distance for nearly all of the keys on these keyboards except for the Windows key and the Fn key. On larger size variants of this keyboard, including the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro and the Razer Huntsman V3 TKL, you also can't adjust the actuation distance of the navigation keys: Home, Insert, Page Up, Delete, End, and Page Down.

These keyboards also support HyperShift, which lets you designate a key to toggle to a secondary layer of programmable inputs.

That said, much like the software options from other major manufacturers, this software receives criticism for requiring frequent updates and taking up disproportionate system resources. This software may be frustrating if you prefer more lightweight software options or no software at all.

10
Software and Operating System
Computer Compatibility
Windows
Fully Compatible
macOS
Fully Compatible
Linux (Ubuntu 22)
Fully Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Windows, MacOS & Linux

These keyboards are fully compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

For macOS, there is no compatible software, and the Pause and Print Screen hotkeys do nothing, which is expected. There's no compatible software on Linux, but all keys and hotkeys work as expected.

0
Software and Operating System
Wireless Mobile Compatibility
Android
Not Compatible
iOS
Not Compatible
iPadOS
Not Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Not Compatible

These are wired-only keyboards that aren't compatible with mobile devices.