Razer Huntsman V2 Review

Keyboards like the Razer Huntsman V2 are rare to find, leaving you with such an incredibly positive and lasting impression that all alternatives pale in comparison. In fact, I enjoyed its optical switches and other features so much (and there are plenty) that I almost forgot I had to review it.

I’ve been using the Razer Huntsman V2 for almost a year now, especially the full-size model with the number pad and media keys, and it’s the best gaming keyboard I’ve ever used. However, it should be noted that you can get it back in keyless and 60% form factors. While I can’t personally speak to the quality of these releases, I think most of my thoughts will translate to them.

Design

Given that the Razer Huntsman V2 costs around $200/£200, you can expect the build quality to reflect the high price tag, and thankfully it lives up to those expectations. Weighing just over 1kg, its chassis feels strong and sturdy, and the aluminum top plate doesn’t flex during normal use or stress testing.

I feel the same solidity when using the Razer Huntsman V2’s two-tier extension stand, which increases its tilt from three degrees to six or nine. Personally, I prefer the tilt as little as possible and find the keyboard’s default state very comfortable even after many hours of use. You’ll also find six rubber feet on the base of the Huntsman V2 that help keep it in place on your gaming table, reducing unwanted shifting when pressing keys.

By the way, let’s talk about the ceilings. While other keyboards like the MSI Vigor GK50 are geared more towards a gaming aesthetic with highly stylized fonts, I appreciate Razer’s decision to use a clean and simple font on the Huntsman V2. Each key is easy to read and should stay that way long after you bring the device home thanks to its double PBT coating.

Overall, I’m very happy with the look and feel of the Razer Huntsman V2, but there are a few minor issues I’d like to address in a future build. My main issue with the full-size keyboard is the lack of a detachable cable, which is present on the tenkeyless and 60% models. This isn’t just for convenience, as being able to replace the cable can also help extend the life of the device should something go wrong. Also, I would have preferred the port to be moved to the center of the dash for a more symmetrical look.

Finally, I’d really like to see the Razer Huntsman V2 in alternate colorways or with a brushed aluminum top panel instead of the matte finish like here. I think any solution would help give it a bit more punch with more contrast between the keys and the case, giving competitors like the Corsair K100 a more striking look. There is another way to fix this problem, which I will cover in the next part of this review, but this only applies to those who are willing to spend a bit more to further customize their keyboard.

The functions

My favorite features of the Razer Huntsman V2 are the factory-lubricated switches and built-in shock-absorbing foam. They may seem like minor inclusions on the surface, but both contribute significantly to this keyboard’s performance by keeping its acoustics in check. As someone whose gaming PC is in a shared space and who hates the overly loud sound that many mechanical keyboards produce, this really does make a world of difference.

Second is the magnetic wrist rest. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I don’t think I’ve found a more practical example than the one included with the Razer Huntsman V2. However, its plush material won’t be for everyone, and your wrists may get a little sweaty if you wear it in the summer or warmer weather.

One of the benefits of the full-size keyboard is a set of dedicated media keys above the number pad, each of which feels well-built and responsive. I particularly like the quick mute button and the volume rocker, whose LED brightness correlates to the volume level you set it to. Choosing a smaller form factor doesn’t mean you’ll miss out entirely, just that you’ll have to use a dedicated function key instead.

Unsurprisingly, the Huntsman V2 has all the other niceties you’d expect from a high-end keyboard. It includes Chroma RGB for each key that you can control with Razer Synapse, and hot-swappable keys if you want to replace them with your own set. Unfortunately the LEDs don’t let much light through the supplied LEDs and some characters are hard to see in the dark as they are printed and not transparent.

The one thing that I think could greatly improve its feature set is the addition of a USB pass-through port. While not a deal breaker, it would be more convenient to fit the HyperSpeed ​​wireless dongle for my Razer Viper V2 Pro.

Performance

The Razer Huntsman V2’s biggest assets are the optical switches and 8000Hz polling rate. Razer claims you can expect a response time of just 0.2ms as well as extremely low input lag, which should put anyone to shame. competitive mechanical keyboards thanks to these specifications.

While I can’t say I’ve noticed a significant difference in the Razer Huntsman V2’s responsiveness compared to other mechanical keyboards, it says more about me than the keyboard. Regardless, I can only say positive things about my gaming and writing experience.

My device uses red linear optical switches that provide smooth and relatively quiet keystrokes, but you can opt for the Razer Huntsman V2 with purple tactile switches if you prefer. Whether I’m using it to write reviews like this during my workday or jumping into a competitive FPS game like Apex Legends, there’s simply no other keyboard I’d rather use.

The 45g actuation force and 12mm travel time are perfect, ensuring that I don’t accidentally hit a key and interfere with my ability to glide across the board like I do now as I write this review. As with Nvidia Reflex, although its technical advantages are not obvious, I prefer it to any other to have the best chance of performing at its best. In short, using the Razer Huntsman V2 is an absolute joy.

software

Before we wrap up this review, let’s discuss how Razer Synapse can improve your Huntsman V2 experience if you choose to use it. True, to be clear, it’s completely optional, but I would recommend most people to install it.

You’ll find your usual array of lighting customization options here, including various effects, brightness sliders, and auto-off controls. Naturally, if you have other Razer peripherals with Chroma RGB, like the best gaming mouse, you can easily get a synchronized light show on the go. Any settings you make here can be saved to a software profile or one of four hardware profiles.

If not, the main reason you’ll want to dive into it is to create macros with Razer Hypershift. All but six of the keys can be assigned an additional function that can be activated by holding down a function key, allowing you to launch programs and other functions with custom shortcuts. In fact, I prefer this method over dedicated macro keys, as I generally prefer smaller keyboards.

You can also adjust the Razer Huntsman V2’s polling rate from within Synapse, but most modern systems should run fine at 8000Hz. You’ll also find a game mode switch that automatically disables Windows, Alt+Tab and Alt+F4 when start the Finally, you can toggle between the “Print” and “Play” key optimizations, the former of which adds a debounce delay, but I’ve personally never found one really necessary.

Verdict

The Razer Huntsman V2 is the best gaming keyboard I’ve ever used, bar none. Its red linear optical switches are responsive and great for gaming and casual typing. They’re also easy on the ears thanks to factory lubrication and built-in shock-absorbing foam. There’s just nothing else I’d rather use.

That’s not to say that I consider the Huntsman V2 the perfect keyboard, but my issues with it are of higher priority and very easy to forgive. Please Razer, if V3 is on the cards, then let’s make the detachable USB Type-C cable and USB pass-through a top priority. Otherwise, a brushed aluminum backplate and a slight tweak to the keys would do the trick to make those LEDs look a bit brighter.

At $200/£200, the Razer Huntsman V2 remains one of the cheapest ways to get a full-size optical gaming keyboard, with rivals like the Corsair K100 taking the top price. Meanwhile, other brands like Logitech and SteelSeries haven’t yet released an optical option, but that doesn’t mean you can find something that works better for you using proven mechanical switches.