With the Hunstman V3 Pro TKL, Razer offers a high-end gaming keyboard equipped with analog switches with adjustable activation height and a host of advanced features.
Razer recently expanded its Huntsman lineup with the V3 Pro version, which we review here in TKL format. A rather rapid refresh since we reviewed the Huntsman V2 in 2022, but the formula has evolved significantly, as we will see. The V3 Pro seems to complement the slightly less equipped V2, still available on the manufacturer’s website. This high-end series focuses on competition and analog switches with adjustable activation height, along with the usual array of gaming features and RGB customization.
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The Huntsman V3 Pro TKL is priced at $219, a decidedly premium rate in line with the high-end peripherals of many brands currently. There is also a full-size model with a numeric keypad sold for $249, as well as a Mini 60% format priced at $179.
The direct competitor, Corsair’s K70 Max, is priced at $229 for the full-size format. A significant price difference for similar performance.
Ergonomics of Hunstman V3 Pro TKL
The Huntsman V3 Pro in TKL format sports a notable compact design, which saves space on your desk and leaves room for the mouse for those who prefer large movements on their mouse pad. The finish is excellent, and the keyboard measures 36 x 14 cm in total, with an additional 8.7 cm width wrist rest.
This faux leather-coated wrist rest is appreciable for slightly elevating the hands to the height of the keys. However, one wonders why Razer favored a solid model that doesn’t offer more comfort than a desk’s surface. We prefer memory foam, much more comfortable and usually found with high-end keyboards. The Huntsman V2 itself had a foam wrist rest. A good point, the one on the Huntsman V3 Pro is magnetic and can be easily installed or detached.
The keyboard design differs slightly from its predecessors in terms of dedicated multimedia keys, which were only available on the version with a numeric keypad. Here, a metal scroll wheel is present and proves to be quite practical for everyday use to manage volume or mute by pressing the wheel once. You’ll need to click the button just to its left to change tracks or pause/play (one click for pause/play, two to skip to the next track, three to go back to the previous track). By default, the leftmost button is used to open the Xbox Game Bar.
In Razer Synapse, it’s possible to customize these shortcuts, as well as all the keyboard keys. The software also offers customization of the RGB backlighting key by key with predefined lighting effects or customizable according to the user’s preferences.
The keys are made of double injection PBT to prevent symbol fading and ensure better durability. It’s regrettable that the secondary engravings of numbered keys are not backlit — unfortunately, this is still the case with the Azerty versions of the brand’s keyboards.
Under the Huntsman, there are some anti-slip pads, adjustable feet on two levels, and a USB-C port on the front edge for connection to a PC. Yes, the keyboard is wired, which is a bit of a shame considering the price demanded. It’s necessarily less portable, but that’s often the case with keyboards with adjustable keys. Few players are likely to move their keyboard regularly, but it’s worth noting.
Typing Experience
As before, the Huntsman benefits from analog optical switches with adjustable activation height between 0.1 and 4 mm. This technology is also found in other keyboards, such as the SteelSeries Apex Pro or under the name “magnetic switches” in Corsair’s K70 Max, for example.
The idea is to manage the responsiveness of each key individually (on the ZQSD zone, for example) with extremely fast activation, close to 0.1 mm, and much slower beyond 3 mm. This feature is also practical when switching from reactive gaming mode to office work (around 2.5 mm, for example) to avoid too many typing mistakes. Everything is configurable in Synapse, but Razer had the good idea to pre-register profiles directly on the small cluster of keys under the volume wheel to modify responsiveness on the fly.
A second possibility with this type of switch is double activation on the same key, halfway and pressing the key to the maximum. You can then assign walking and running to a single key in a first-person shooter (FPS) game, or crouching and lying down, for example.
The feel remains linear as on classic red switches, and enthusiasts of clicky or tactile feedback will have to look elsewhere. However, the activation force is 40 g, slightly lighter than on MX Red switches, which require 45 g. In the end, the typing experience is really pleasant. The switches are guaranteed for 100 million activations, which is currently top of the line.
The keyboard’s polling rate is 1000 Hz, a fairly standard value, although some go higher, up to 8000 Hz sometimes. But in practice, it will be impossible to notice a real difference. Also, a “quick trigger” mode can be activated in Synapse to reset the key as soon as the finger begins to lift, which can be interesting in competitive multiplayer for performing quick repeated actions.
Finally, in terms of noise, the keyboard remains noisy like any mechanical keyboard. You also perceive a metallic resonance when typing on the keys — unfortunate for such a high-end model. A downside to finish, a whistling noise due to electronics is audible when the keyboard is plugged in. You don’t hear it when playing games or listening to music, but in office work, it’s a bit annoying… This is probably a specific defect to our review model, but it’s something to watch out for if you buy this keyboard.
Pros and Cons of Hunstman V3 Pro TKL
Pros
- Meticulous finishes.
- Responsiveness.
- Adjustable key activation + quick trigger.
- Extensive RGB customization.
- Dedicated multimedia keys and scroll wheel.
- PBT keycaps.
- Detachable braided cable.
Cons
- Hardness of the wrist rest.
- Metallic resonance of the keys.
- Secondary symbols not backlit.
- Wired
Hunstman V3 Pro TKL Review Conclusion
The Hunstman V3 Pro TKL is an excellent keyboard for gamers. We especially appreciate its finishes, fully adjustable analog switches, responsiveness, and dedicated multimedia keys. It is also available in full-size or mini formats to suit everyone’s preferences, but we regret a wrist rest that is not very comfortable and a chassis resonance that is quite noticeable when typing.