RAZER Huntsman Tournament Edition Review Summary
The Razer Huntsman TE is a top-notch keyboard for professional gamers. All of the keys may be programmed individually or as a group using the Synapse 3 software, and they have a very quick response time and are lightweight. The legends on the Doubleshot PBT keycaps will last long without fading, and the full RGB lighting is perfect for gaming in the dark. The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition itself is lightweight and quite responsive. It’s pricey but well worth it if you want speed and portability. It’s one of the few portable tenkeyless keyboards with PBT keycaps, optical switches, lighting, and a lightweight design. Worth every penny if you are into e-sports.
- Design – 9/10
- Features – 9/10
- Build Quality – 8/10
- Software – 8/10
- Value For Money – 8/10
Pros
- Doubleshot PBT keycaps
- Programmable macros
- Detachable USB-C cable
- Actuation point of 1.0mm
- Standard Bottom Row Layout
- Excellent performance
- Stunning Aesthetics
- Good compatibility with software
- Robust Build Quality
- The optical switches have a rapid actuation
- Compact Form Factor
Cons
- Inconvenient for typists
- A bit expensive
- Neither any carrying case or a way to manage the cables
- The lack of a wrist rest, multimedia keys, and other convenient features
- Exclusively focused on a small niche of gamers
- The switches are quite lightweight
Razer’s three-headed snake is a prominent icon in competitive gaming and esports. The company has created the greatest ecosystem of hardware, software, and services geared toward gamers worldwide, and its fans can be found all over the globe. Regarding gaming accessories, Razer has made tremendous progress and captured large portions of the market, and with Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, they are looking to capture beyond.
Key Takeaways
- The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition has Razer’s Linear Optical Switch, which feels light and instant. It is a Tenkeyless keyboard with no support of an additional wrist rest, media control keys, and USB passthrough. You can store up to five profiles on the onboard memory. While the RGB lighting can be customized using the accompanying Razer Synapse software with Razer Chroma.
- You should get Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition if you want ultra-fast optical switches to have a slight edge over your esports games.
- You should not get Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition if you want to use it for multiple purposes. For instance, office work as it does not have a number pad. You might have some difficulty maintaining excel sheets. Or, if you are a typist, the low actuation point can lead to typos and adjusting to it requires a lot of time.
- The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a perfect fit for dedicated professional e-sports gamers looking to achieve tremendous heights in their career. The keyboard is quite small. So, it is relatively quite easy to take it to LAN tournaments. Moreover, it has ultra-fast optical switches, a detachable cord, a portable design, solid build quality, Doubleshot PBT keycaps, and RGB aesthetics.
Razer is a well-known brand that has been creating high-end items, particularly peripherals, for a long time. I’ve seen considerably fewer esports keyboards. Therefore, I wouldn’t exactly be able to describe their specific characteristics. However, the Huntsman Tournament Edition, Razer’s latest offering, seems to be an exemplary approach.
It’s portable, the keys respond to the lightest touch, and it’s pleasant to use in various positions. There are certainly downsides to this, but the Huntsman TE allows you to feel swift and ready to strike whenever you hit the keys. Put another way, if you play games with an advantage, your switches might convert into victories.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition attempts to bring the original keyboard’s popularity to a more portable, esports-focused design factor. It was designed to be the most powerful and dependable keyboard in a form factor suitable for traveling to competitions. Indeed, Razer accomplished this through creative design, although others may balk at the hefty asking price.
This keyboard may be pricey at $129, particularly for a wired tenkeyless model, but such is the price of flagship products. The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition was created with competitive video gaming in mind. This means focusing only on raw performance and removing any unnecessary frills. After using it as my primary keyboard for the last several weeks, I feel confident answering the burning question: should this be your new gaming keyboard, or is it all an optical illusion?
Overview
Different mechanical keyboards exist, and Razer alone offers a plethora of options. But, how can you tell which will help you perform at your highest level and beat your competition? Well, in 2019, Razer stunned the gaming world by introducing the Huntsman and Huntsman Elite gaming keyboards. Keyboards with innovative clicky Opto mechanical switches were widely lauded for their rapid response and long lifespan. Considering it is a “tenkeyless” keyboard, the Huntsman TE feels and looks relatively small.
Its dimensions of 1.5×14.2×5.5 inches are precisely right for its keys, and its slim borders provide a comfortable hold. Lights, media buttons, or logos occupy no unnecessary area. The Huntsman TE is only available with ultra-fast Razer Optical Linear switches, so if you want tactile, clicky, or even regular linear switches, you’re out of luck.
If you like a silent keyboard, this is not the switch since it generates a sharp bottom-out sound. Although nice, the lack of a Numpad and the keys’ switches don’t provide any concrete benefit over Razer’s standard mechanical models, making the Huntsman TE less than ideal for work. Other than that, several of the nicest features of the Huntsman Elite, including the media bar and the wrist rest, did not move to the smaller device.
With that said, if you’re interested in optomechanical switches but don’t have room for a full-size keyboard in your workspace, this keyboard may be for you. The Razer Hunstman TE is a must-have for the growing esports community, but only if you can afford it. It is attractive if you want a basic keyboard with some enthusiast-grade touches. This keyboard has various improvements that put you ahead of the competition, and in this review, we will walk you through all of them, along with the price, our likes and dislikes, and other features.
Specifications
| PRODUCT | RAZER Huntsman Tournament Edition Gaming Keyboard |
|---|---|
| SWITCH TYPE | Razer™ Linear Optical Switch |
| KEY FEEL | Light and Instant |
| APPROXIMATE SIZES | Tenkeyless |
| LIGHTING | Razer Chroma™ RGB customizable backlighting with 16.8 million color options |
| WRIST REST | None |
| ONBOARD MEMORY | Hybrid onboard storage – up to 5 profiles |
| MEDIA KEYS | None |
| PASSTHROUGH | None |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wired – Detachable Type-C |
| KEYCAPS | Razer Doubleshot PBT Keycaps |
The keyboard’s lightweight and portable build isn’t just for looks; it’s made for taking to competitions, as the name indicates. It weighs just 1.7 pounds, which is light for a gaming keyboard, and its cord may be removed if desired. The board’s USB Type-C connector is located in the lower-left corner of the base, next to the keyboard.
The Type-C connection includes built-in security rails to prevent it from being accidentally unplugged, which is a legitimate issue while competing in crowded events like professional game competitions. Razer’s latest Linear Optical Key switch technology is used on the Huntsman TE. When compared to mechanical switches, optical ones are a unique subset.
Packaging and Unboxing
Like all Razer packaging, Huntsman Tournament Edition’s packaging is thoughtfully designed. The box does have a matte finish, and the keyboard’s design is prominently displayed on the front with brief specifications for the keyboard’s switch, keycaps, and cable.
The keyboard’s name, in whatever font, also seems to be a colorful pattern.
The remaining sides include further information on the keyboard, like its size, weight, and many more. When you open up the package, you find… another box. The design is straightforward, but the addition of the distinctive triple-headed snake logo makes it appear rather good. Also, the box comes in useful while you’re traveling.
Box Contents
A detachable braided USB-C cable is included in the packaging. The keyboard’s ends are equipped with removable caps for protection during travel. Like the ones included with other Razer products, a Razer sticker lets you proudly proclaim your support for the brand and its products. Then, of course, there’s the keyboard itself. The product comes in minimal, aesthetically pleasing packaging.
Since there aren’t any grooves for wire management, optimizing your setup is more of a hassle, particularly while you’re on the go. My only gripe is that previous Razer Tournament Edition keyboards included stylish carrying bags to keep the equipment secure while being carried to and from tournaments. At $130, I would have expected Razer to include one instead of forcing gamers to go out and buy an extra accessory they are almost certain to require.
Design
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition’s compact size is the first significant aspect. Compared to the area around the keys, the keyboard’s body is somewhat bigger, but not enough to consider it a full-sized keyboard. Its modest black metal build and the fact that there is just about half an inch of spacing on either side after the end of the keys give it a sophisticated, understated appearance that is at once subtle and modest. In a nutshell, it’s a basic keyboard that’s rectangular in design and has a matte black coating.
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a tenkeyless keyboard; this exclusion of a Numpad may cause concern among spreadsheet workers, but it makes sense, given the product’s intended market. Having a number pad on a desk is inconvenient since it takes up so much room and prevents the mouse from moving freely.
Moving the mouse arm closer to the keyboard may improve comfort by reducing the distance you have to reach. Additionally, a small keyboard helps maintain a more organized appearance on a table. The Huntsman Tournament Edition keyboard, in contrast to the “60%” style now popularized by keyboard manufacturers, has a complete function command row, navigation/editing cluster, and arrow keys.
In my opinion, the detachable cable is the best part of this design. The detachable cable may be safely stored during travel, especially in professional gaming tournaments. A USB-C connector is hidden behind the left side of the keyboard, and it connects to your computer through a USB-C to USB-A connection. This seemingly insignificant Function is great when you’re on a trip and want to be certain nothing twists your connections.
Furthermore, if the cable is lost or broken, you can easily swap it out for another USB-C cable instead of buying a new keyboard. This is not a wireless device, even though the cord may be removed. Accuracy and durability are paramount to esports players, and they go hand in hand with the mobility offered by wireless peripherals.
The “floating key” design that exposes the Key switches also returns on the Huntsman TE. Because of this, the keyboard has an appealingly simple design. In contrast to Cherry MX switches, Razer’s Optical switches have opaque housings, so the lighting is contained and subdued. Keycap enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the Huntsman TE’s bottom row is fully compatible with regular keycap sizes. This appears to be a clear gesture toward the keyboard enthusiast community, which has been asking for this for years. It will make it much simpler to personalize your keyboard using aftermarket keycap sets.
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Features
For starters, I’ll go through the typical keyboard marketing sales pitch: the keyboard features an “ultra” polling rate of 1000 hertz and n-key rollover. Most of the current keyboards, including this one, will not slow you down, even if you’re inputting at insanely high rates of WPM. Huntsman’s tournament edition is filled with customizable RGB lights. Razer Chroma has evolved to become more adaptable and aesthetically pleasing.
The program lets you choose from various presets, and the bright, attractive RGB lighting is a bonus. Unlike the Razer Huntsman Elite, this keyboard does not include illuminated sidebars. The legends are located at the top of the keycaps since the RGB LEDs are located on the upper side of the switches.
These lighting arrangements are aesthetically beautiful, but if you’re trying to maximize your gaming performance, you could do better with a mono-lightning setup. Generally speaking, the RGB lighting should be more than adequate if you’re looking for an aesthetically beautiful keyboard. Also, the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition looks fantastic with its understated design.
Preset effects range from classic standbys, such as the rainbow wave, to even more specialized alternatives, like those that adjust your screen’s brightness to match the room’s brightness. The backlighting is strong without being dazzling, and I like that the legends for the numbers are positioned on the top of the row for more consistent visibility. However, lengthier legends might suffer from black gaps due to the LED’s placement.
The notable absence of specialized media controls. Instead, they are assigned to secondary functions. The volume (mute, decrease, increase) may be adjusted with Fn+F1/F2/F3, while Fn+F5/F6/F7 manages playback. Additional functions, such as recording macros on the fly, disabling the Windows key with Game Lock, adjusting the screen’s brightness, and even putting the computer to sleep, may all be found on the function row.
Optical Switches
Owners of the original Huntsman will recognize most of these features, but the Tournament Edition was the first keyboard to use Razer’s innovative Linear Optical Switch. The Razer Huntsman TE promises to embrace the best players in the world with its innovative optical switches.
A linear “Red” optical switch from Razer is new to the TE. The Razer Reds are nice to use on their own, which is common for optical switches. With an actuation distance of under 1 mm, this switch is 20 percent faster than the Cherry MX Speeds featured on the Corsair K70 RGB Rapidfire and, generally, a lot quicker than the competition.
It has a lower actuation force of 40g compared to 45g for on competitors’ switches, making it easier to use. As “actuation at the rate of light,” as Razer puts it, this technology has a few advantages over standard mechanical switches. In theory, the switches shouldn’t wear out as quickly as mechanical ones since they don’t have to make any physical contact.
Optical Key switches are a kind of switch that uses light instead of a physical button to initiate a signal. A beam travels from one side to the other when a key is pushed, forming a circuit and indicating that the Key has been pushed. This eliminates the need for a physical interaction inside the switch. Razer claims their Linear Optical Switch facilitates faster actuation, especially when repeatedly pressing the same Key.
Razer also says it lowers wear and tear long-term, as each Key needs fewer moving components than a normal mechanical switch. You can transmit more keystrokes quicker because the optical structure enables the actuation and resetting point to coincide and eliminates electrical interference defined as debounce.
Moreover, I can say that the Huntsman TE seems to have the lightest touch of all the keyboards I’ve tried. The minimum actuation force is 40g, and the Key activates at only 1mm of depression (out of a total of 3.5mm). Indeed, it seems as if a light touch on a key is all required to activate the desired result on display. Some moments make you feel like your thoughts are instantly projected into the screen. This has obvious ramifications for fast-paced shooters, strategic games, and MOBAs, but as an esports-focused keyboard, it has relevance for any genre of game.
However, the issue here is that. Using a keyboard that seemingly types at the slightest thought of a key touch is not always helpful. The keyboard’s limitations are more apparent outside of gaming. The mere act of keeping your fingertips placed above the keyboard might be troublesome. Transitioning from a ready posture to pressing down a key requires just a little pressure to go unnoticed.
The Razer Linear Opticals are not the sole feather-trigger switches available. Cherry MX Reds and Razer Yellows are two more examples of sensitive linear switches that may also lead to accidental key presses. Therefore some serious gamers familiar with their gear are used to the greater likelihood of typos and mistakes.
To some extent, you learn to live with it. In contrast, the Razer Linear Optical Switch raises the bar for precision. While I do not doubt that players who adopt the Huntsman TE will find their rhythm, as someone who plays a little bit and writes more frequently, I found the typing element of these changes to be a little too problematic for my preferences.
In principle, it should allow you to level up your gaming speed. However, that’s only true in principle because the advantages of optical switches are so much faster than human response time that you won’t even perceive them. As an alternative, breaking beyond the limits placed on your performance seems to be the objective.
By removing these arbitrary limitations, the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition keyboard ensures that the limitations of your equipment never hold down your ability. You can’t keep blaming your gear when your performance is subpar. They are very silky to the touch and respond to your every mental command, making them ideal for video games. The Razer Linears are fantastic if you require fast inputs and your response time can handle it.
Furthermore, I remain skeptical of Razer’s advertising of its optical switches. However, this is just for the final centimeter or two of the circuit. Razer is adamant about marketing the concept of the “speed of light,” but are you aware of the speed at which a laser and a piece of circuitry transmit information? Both are instantaneous for our requirements. Making such a difference is illogical.
In all likelihood, even for competitive players. Deceptive advertising like this is unacceptable to me for many reasons, not the least of which is that it misrepresents the usefulness of optical switches. It’s possible, but it’s impossible to know whether it makes a practical difference given that light travels at 186,000 miles per second and even the fastest typists take around half a second to hit a key.
PBT Keycaps
The Tournament Edition’s keycaps are double-walled PBT, another noticeable upgrade from the appearance. This may be the first time many gamers have heard of PBT or given any thought to the material from which their keycaps are crafted. PBT material is much denser than standard ABS plastic. PBT is far more wear-resistant, so unlike previous Razer keyboards, it won’t have a glossy finish after several weeks of usage.
They’re doubly shot, too, so the legend isn’t just etched into one piece of plastic material and won’t ever wear out. According to Razer, they waited so long to release their double shot PBT keycaps to ensure the legends lined up perfectly without the gap that makes stenciled legends on gaming keyboards so distracting. Razer deserves praise for creating such beautiful legends. They enable the RGB lights to show through nicely and don’t seem unduly edgy like many gaming keyboards.
Since bottoming out is so common with these light switches, the side walls above the keyboard are significantly thicker, making the keyboard seem more solid beneath the finger. As a result, the keyboard now seems considerably more robust and expensive. Many people who are into keyboards like how much clattering the keys are.
While it’s not easy to put into words why one plastic is superior to another, there is a reason why PBT is so beloved by those who are passionate about mechanical keyboards. It improves the keyboard’s usability in every way. Even the most expensive gaming keyboards with ABS keycaps might feel flimsy after becoming familiar with a high-quality set of keycaps such as those offered here.
Can we expect the typical individual to recognize or value a distinction? Unlikely. The Huntsman TE’s keycaps, with the usual black, include a thin sans-serif font much like those on Razer’s other keyboards. Perhaps the plastic would feel somewhat thicker, or the thock of a Key hitting its lowest point might be more audible. Still, that’s not very noticeable.
It makes no difference either way; the advantages remain. The MSRP of $30 for an individual Razer keycap replacement set is far less than that of competing enthusiast brands. Not many PBT keycaps can boast about being backlight-compatible, but these can. In other words, Razer has succeeded. At the same time, this doesn’t guarantee that mechanical keyboard purists will switch to Razer keycaps. However, they do make them more approachable to newcomers.
Build Quality
The Huntsman TE doesn’t stray too much from the Huntsman Elite, and I can see why: the Huntsman design, with its subtle branding and sleek black color, is one of my favorites. The enclosure is minimal, exposing the switch’s LEDs and sides. While the Huntsman TE is noticeably lighter than the Elite, this is more so when comparing a full-size keyboard to a TKL.
I prefer a heavier keyboard with a better Key feel and a more satisfying typing experience. Still, Razer likely created this one to make it easier to carry to tournaments and locales, thus the name. For the first time across their gaming keyboards, Razer has included a standard bottom row, which is excellent news for keyboard fans everywhere.
Tournament Edition doesn’t come with extras like a magnetic wrist rest, but we’ll take the improved keycap quality any day. When twisted, there is hardly any give or squeak in the keyboard, indicating a durable build. The Huntsman TE’s casing is somewhat light and flimsy; it would benefit from being heavier to make it seem more substantial on the desk and to soften the unit’s bottom-out sound.
The weight and thickness of the keyboard strike a nice balance. In contrast to the Blackwidow series, which used a plastic shell for the top plate, I like that this one is made of aluminum again. The plastic back shell keeps the keyboard light without moving around on your desk, while the metal front plate ensures the keyboard remains sturdy even when you’re smashing the keys at top speed.
At the back, you’ll find a set of tilt feet with two positions, giving you the option of a steeper or gentler recline. Considering that the Huntsman doesn’t include wrist support to prop up your hands as you type, I find this a beneficial addition. Like the Huntsman Elite, the Huntsman TE sports a 6-degree and 9-degree foot. A tiny strip of rubber coating on the feet helps to avoid slipping, but it’s not great. As a bonus, the “For Gamers. By Gamers.” phrase on the reverse is stylishly embossed, which is a big plus in my book. Seeing glossy and matte surfaces side by side is unusual but visually pleasing.
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Performance
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is built for competitive esports gaming, but any typing—from casual social media posts and online surfing to tedious academic papers cannot be ignored. Since this keyboard is manufactured with competitive players in mind, its performance is an essential factor. Using the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition for Valorant was a fantastic experience. There seemed to be no lag in the execution of my commands, and the character abilities were utilized quite immediately. Combined with my high-refresh-rate display, the quick actuation point made my strokes seem virtually immediate.
It should be no surprise that the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition utilizes an updated version of the same optomechanical switches seen in the Razer Huntsman Elite. Pressing any of these keys disrupts a laser beneath the switch, activating it instantly without delay. As a result, the speed of this keyboard should be noticeable to any user, regardless of experience level.
My favorite feature of these keys is their wonderful softness. All key presses are uniform, thanks to individual stabilizers on each switch. Without any tactile contact, there is less resistance while pressing them, making them more pleasant to use than Cherry MX Reds or Speeds. This keyboard’s seamless performance was a significant selling point for me.
I would often be so focused on the on-screen action that I would subconsciously tense my fingers, suddenly causing me to find myself pressing the Key. Being forced to hold my fingers vertically seemed awkward initially, but I eventually learned to embrace the change. I got used to it in time, but for the first week or two, I was always annoyed by unintentional pushes.
Despite this, the new switch is pleasant and functionally improves the situation. With 98 percent accuracy, I typed 112 words per minute on typing.com. Several convenient Function commands up top may be used if you require time-saving shortcuts or want to set up macros. It might still be useful for practice even if your tournament denies using macros or button shortcuts.
This switch has fewer moving components than others, indicating it should last much longer. Since esports players are notoriously rough on their equipment, it’s comforting to know that this keyboard can take a beating and continue to work. According to Razer, it can withstand 100 million clicks. I don’t have time to verify that claim, but if it’s accurate, this keyboard should survive for years, even with heavy use by the most dedicated gamers.
You can’t go wrong with this keyboard if you’re an esports player seeking something fast, dependable, and lightweight. It’s not intended for office or remote workers but for gamers. Even among gamers, it focuses more on FPS and MOBA games than on more relaxed genres like farming and role-playing games.
Many esports players highly recommend this “quick” optical switch. Reduced latency compared to standard mechanical switches looks like it could determine the outcome of a game. This mechanical keyboard from Razer is regarded as the company’s finest offering, earning praise even from mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
The PBT keycaps, detachable USB-C connection, standard layouts, clean and simple legends, and simple design are all examples of how Razer responds to feedback from its community. Some have questioned the speed of the optical switches. There is a common misconception that Razer’s mechanical switches are slower than the ones they are marketing. I can assure you that this is not the case. I applaud Razer’s initiative to explore new territory in mechanical keyboards.
Software Compatibility
The Huntsman TE, much like every other Razer keyboard, is compatible with Synapse, the company’s customizing software. Using the accompanying software, you may program keystroke macros and alter the keyboard’s key layout and RGB backlighting. To complement its portable nature, the Huntsman TE has onboard memory capable of holding up to five user profiles, and you can even use it to command your mouse. You may even assign a key to “hyper shift” into a temporary second layout, thus increasing the overall key count and doing away with the necessity for macro keys if you run out of space.
Generally speaking, that’s what you’d expect from a moderately priced to high-end board. I’d take five as the over-under, but even that’s enough to pack along your standard and preferred settings for your competitive games. Synapse allows you to create as many profiles as you want on your PC and synchronize them with as many programs as you like.
Regarding programming, I was quite pleased with the level of customization Razer has included in Synapse 3.0. New features are added to each program version while keeping the interface simple. Easily attach a macro to any key by remapping its Function with a few clicks.
The Huntsman TE has minimal lighting. Even at full brightness, the light from your custom-programmed Razer Chroma Studio keys diffuses gently across the legends. You get enough lighting to consider tweaking the aesthetic, but it seems muted for a product made by Razer, a brand usually associated with flashy PC hardware glow.
The software’s features are especially useful in MOBA games like DOTA 2. The ability to assign many skills to a single button was quite convenient. The lighting was also really atmospheric. Unfortunately, the keyboard’s reliance on Synapse for essential functions is excessive. The lighting can only be adjusted to the presets you’ve stored in a profile, and if you haven’t done so, you’ll only be able to enjoy the essential color shift.
I wouldn’t call it “on-the-fly” since even “on-the-fly” macro recording needs the software to be actively running in the background. After configuring the keyboard using Synapse, you may switch between profiles using the Fn and Context menu keys. The current profile is denoted by the white color of the context-menu key, whereas profiles 1, 2, 3, and 4 are represented by red, blue, green, and cyan colors.
Regardless, Synapse 3 allows you to fully personalize the keyboard’s RGB illumination, down to the level of individually setting the colors of the keys or using styles like Ripple, Reactive, Wave, Fire, and many more. In addition, you may use a wide variety of RGB lighting-related capabilities, such as Chroma Visualizer, Chroma connects, Hue, and many more.
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Should You Buy It?
To compete in esports, you need the quickest mechanical switches available, and the Razer Huntsman TE provides them in the smallest possible design. The Razer Huntsman TE’s selling point is straightforward: get the smallest and lightest version of the keyboard with the quickest mechanical switches on the market and utilize it to go on the competition in esports.
On the surface, the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition’s price tag may appear high for what is, in essence, a fundamental professional keyboard. This keyboard may become an essential accessory for aspiring professional gamers due to its rapid Key switches, detachable cord, and portable design.
In addition, I am not a professional gamer by any stretch of the imagination, yet I am nevertheless impressed by the quality of this keyboard. It’s aesthetically pleasing, so if you only need a gaming keyboard for your professional career, you may consider purchasing one. If you can afford it, at least.
It offers one of the quickest switches on the mainstream market and great PBT keycaps, making it an excellent choice for gamers. The fact that it doesn’t permit as much onboard programming is disappointing, but the enhancements here more than compensate for it.
A specific type of player will thrive in the Huntsman TE. Given its $129.99 MSRP, many consumers may be better served by spending the same amount on a high-end mechanical keyboard, which is likely to include additional features (such as multimedia keys and USB passthrough connections) and may be more suitable for general work.
In addition, the Huntsman TE now allows for the use of third-party keycaps, which have been requested for quite some time. This is because Razer has adopted the industry-standard bottom-row layout for the keyboard. In any case, the Huntsman TE does have some merit. The most excellent keyboard will be the one that gets out of the way and lets you play, but I can’t promise it will improve your skills as a player. It will, however, complement an intuitive style of play in which you play as quickly as your mind can process.
The Huntsman TE may be your best option for lightning-fast movement and ultimate success in your favorite games if you have such near-telepathic flow. This is a rare tenkeyless keyboard with a backlight, optical switches, and PBT Keycaps. Perhaps one and only. If that’s what you need, you probably already know it.
Conclusion
Even though the Razer Huntsman TE is a tenkeyless keyboard, its size and height indicate its prominence. The build quality is not an issue with the Razer Huntsman TE. Rigidity is provided by using an aluminum plate attached to the plastic frame. The keyboard bends a little, but otherwise, the device is well-made. The double-shot PBT keycaps are sturdy. However, the stabilizers leave much to be desired since certain keys rattle.
In addition, the spacebar is hypersensitive since any accidental knock on the desk may result in a keystroke being recorded. The kickstands on this keyboard are sturdy. However, they gather a lot of dust. The Razer Huntsman TE’s ergonomics are adequate. Despite its rather tall appearance, the keyboard’s keys are comfortable and easy to use even after long typing sessions. The keyboard may be adjusted to two different angles. However, there is no wrist rest included. Full RGB backlighting is included in the Razer Huntsman TE.
Razer’s Synapse 3 software allows for complete customization of the individual Key. The keyboard’s USB-C cord can be removed and replaced if it ever becomes broken, making it both portable and long-lasting. The Razer Hunstman TE can only be used with a wired connection. This keyboard provides a fantastic array of convenient extras. The keyboard’s onboard memory can hold up to five different user profiles, and each Key may be individually configured using the Synapse 3 software.
‘PC sleep’ and ‘Game mode’ can be triggered using shortcut keys. To prevent unintentional minimization of the game, the Windows Key function can be disabled in “game mode,” and other keys can be disabled if necessary. As a bonus, the macro programming key allows you to create a macro without launching the Synapse 3 application. The pre-travel on the linear optical switches of the Razer Huntsman TE is minimal. While this makes for a highly responsive experience, it frequently registers key presses that weren’t intended.
The Razer Huntsman TE keyboard provides a serviceable typing experience. Aside from a little wobble in the space bar, most keys are rock solid. The PBT keycaps’ delicate texture makes the keys feel snappy and responsive. However, as there is no tactile feedback with linear switches, it might not be easy to know whether a key has been pressed. Keyboard spacing is about typical. However, some people may find the actuation too light, leading to more errors than normal.
This keyboard operates silently. However, if you habitually type with the keys down, it may produce more noise. It shouldn’t be an issue in a professional setting where noise is minimal. This is a fantastic gaming keyboard because of its very low latency. The most ferocious competitors shouldn’t detect any lag at all. Software compatibility with the Razer Huntsman TE is excellent. In addition to the five profiles stored in the keyboard’s internal memory, the Synapse 3 software allows you to create macros and save many profiles.
Individual key backlighting is supported. However, I could not preserve our profile since it always reset to factory settings when I switched to a new computer. Cloud sync is also offered to transfer your preferences to a new computer easily; however, this feature does need an account. The compatibility of this keyboard is satisfactory. All keys work on Linux and macOS. However, users can’t change settings since the Razer Synapse program is only accessible for Windows. Buttons like “Scroll Lock,” “Pause,” and “Context Menu” are unusable on macOS.
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