I’m not sure several hardcore sessions ofStardew Valleyare sufficient to test a device like theRazerHuntsman V3 Pro gaming keyboard, but I will admit it was hard to tear myself away from the farm to play some more demanding games during my weeks of testing.
But once I’d made millions in Pelican Town I opted for a spot ofOverwatch 2and swiftly had the realisation that Razer had crafted yet another fantastic peripheral. I’ve been a fan of the brand since my teenage years, back when Razer was lauded for its neon aesthetics. Aside from the RGB, people seemed to mock them, acting like Razer products were overpriced, poor quality, or didn’t measure up to the likes of SteelSeries or Corsair. But the Huntsman V3 Pro handily stands alongside keyboards from rival brands at the same price point with very few flaws.
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Review - A Pricey Yet Formidable Peripheral
The version I reviewed retails for £249.99, while you can get mini and numberpadless types for £179.99 and £219.99 respectively. The Huntsman V3 Pro isn’t cheap in the slightest, but you are paying for exceptional build quality and a range of features that complement a slew of titles and playstyles without being overwhelming. I’ve sampled keyboards in the past that attempt to do everything, and in the process diminish everything worthwhile about them. That isn’t the case here, and it feels like Razer has done an exceptional job refining its design language to provide something that does the job and then some.
It was oddly refreshing to have a top tier keyboard like this that I wasn’t tempted to immediately customise with a gaudy display of RGB lights.
Like most mechanical keyboards, the Huntsman V3 Pro is quite a noisy beast that’s sure to be picked up in Zoom meetings if you are typing away. There is a tangible impact on each button press thanks to excellent actuation and a tactile feel, which is brought to life in large part by the analog optical switches which use new technology to ensure there is seldom a delay between pressing a key and seeing your movements reflected on screen. I’m seeing this working as I type this sentence, but in games like Overwatch 2 or Fortnite where life and death can be decided in a fraction of a second, it can make a huge difference. I’m used to Cherry Switches on past keyboards I’ve reviewed, but the Gen-2 technology being utlised by Razer here is just as snappy, and somewhat less abrasive on the ears.
I also love the feel of the keycaps, soft to the touch and curving to the profile of your fingers as you glide across them. This consistent design also makes gliding across the entire keyboard to type up massive bodies of text or using assigned shortcuts in all manner of games that much easier. Like many pricier gaming keyboards these days, the Huntsman V3 Pro also comes with a magnetic wrist rest that connects to the bottom of the keyboard. This is great for longer play sessions, but I always developed a habit of slipping off the rest, or I’d accidentally cause it to shift up and down by putting too much weight on it. As a result, it was removed and sat on the side for the majority of my testing.
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Review - Simple, Sleek, And Stylish
You can adjust the actuation of your switches on the fly using Razer Synapse, and there is a detailed display located above the directional keys which shows you exactly where things sit at any given moment. This is also a handy way to see which functions are enabled whenever you like, although I doubt the majority of people will make use of this function except players who really want to fine-tune their response times down to the exact second. If you’re the type to simply plug in and play, this is a keyboard that honours that perspective, too.
A metallic scroll wheel for adjusting the volume sits at the top right-hand side of the keyboard, next to a trio of buttons which can be assigned to whatever functions you desire. By default, they open up the Windows Game Bar (left), display all windows you currently have opened on your PC (middle) and pause whatever media you are playing at any time or similar commands depending on how many times you press it (right). Three custom macro buttons isn’t a huge number for a keyboard like this, so hardcore gamers would likely benefit from an accompanying gaming mouse that offers a little more versatility.
These feel amazing to touch, crafted from high quality metal that blends nicely with the sleek and stylish aluminium body the rest of the keyboard sits upon. I do wish there was an extra port on the back of the keyboard like I’ve seen with similar products at this price, though, as it’s proven incredibly convenient when connecting controllers and other devices, or even a bluetooth dongle for another peripheral you might be using with your current setup.
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Review - But Is It Worth The Price?
I was surprised at how subtle the Huntsman V3 Pro actually is in everything it does, and how its defining features are certainly the adjustable switches and keys which can be catered to a ridiculous number of different scenarios, most of which your average joe won’t get much use of. If that’s you, splashing out on a keyboard this price is probably not the right idea. But for PC enthusiasts, it could be a godsend, even if they don’t have plans to play competitively in the years to come.
Don’t get me wrong, this is an excellent device. I just don’t know if that’s enough to drop £249.99. If it tickles your fancy, and you have hardly any need for the extra keys, I’d save some pennies and opt for one of the cheaper variants. Otherwise, devoted gamers won’t find anything much better than this.
