RAZER Huntsman Tournament Edition Gaming Keyboard Review

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Abdul Hannan

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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Razer’s Huntsman Tournament Edition, priced at $129, targets esports professionals with its compact design, ultra-fast optical switches, detachable cord, and solid build quality. Despite its premium price, it’s a top choice for competitive gaming on the go, emphasizing raw performance and offering a swift and reliable experience.

The portable design, responsive keys, and esports functionality make it Razer’s flagship for dedicated gamers. Its small size is ideal for professionals and convenient for LAN tournaments, featuring ultra-fast switches, a detachable cord, Doubleshot PBT keycaps, a solid build, and RGB aesthetics.

Key Takeaways

• The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a Tenkeyless keyboard with Linear Optical Switches, offering fast and responsive feedback. It lacks a wristrest, media keys, or USB passthrough. With onboard memory supporting five profiles, customizable RGB lighting via Razer Synapse and Chroma enhances the gaming experience.
• 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 avoid the Razer Huntsman Tournament for multitasking as it lacks a numpad for office tasks and may cause typos for typists due to low actuation points, requiring adjustment time.

Specifications

The keyboard, designed for portability, weighs just 1.7 pounds and features a removable cord for convenience at competitions. Its USB Type-C connector in the lower-left corner includes built-in security rails to prevent accidental unplugging during crowded events. The Huntsman TE employs Razer’s Linear Optical Key switch technology, offering a unique advantage over traditional mechanical switches.

Packaging and Unboxing

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

I love the Razer Huntsman TE for its sleek design, compact form, and convenient features like a detachable cable. The “floating key” design and compatibility with standard keycaps are great. With a 1000 Hz polling rate, seamless input is guaranteed. Customizable RGB lighting, absence of illuminated sidebars, and integrated media controls enhance the gaming experience.

I’ve tested the Razer Huntsman TE with its Linear Optical Switch, featuring a 1mm actuation distance and 40g force for rapid gaming response. While the light touch benefits esports, it led to unintended key presses in regular use. Razer claims lower wear and tear, but emphasizing the “speed of light” raises skepticism, as the practical difference in human response time is unclear. Despite gaming advantages, the ultra-sensitive switches may pose challenges for everyday typing.

The Huntsman TE features durable double-walled PBT keycaps, avoiding the glossy finish. The meticulous design aligns legends for a premium appearance, enhancing usability. The backside’s matte black surface adds to its overall appeal.

Performance

The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition excels in competitive esports, offering instant and lag-free performance with its updated optomechanical switches. The soft keypresses, individual stabilizers, and quick actuation points enhance the gaming experience, especially for FPS and MOBA titles.

The keyboard’s durability is highlighted by its 100 million-click lifespan, appealing to the rigorous demands of esports. With features like PBT keycaps, a detachable USB-C connection, and a clean design, Razer addresses community feedback, making it a top choice for fast, reliable, and lightweight gaming. Despite initial adjustments to the unique key feel, the Huntsman TE is a high-performance mechanical keyboard, challenging misconceptions about the speed of Razer’s optical switches.

Software Compatibility

The Huntsman TE, which is compatible with Synapse, excels in customization with user-friendly software. It supports macros, key layouts, and RGB backlighting adjustments, making it optimal for competitive gaming with onboard memory for five profiles. The lighting, controlled by Razer Chroma Studio, maintains a subtle yet impressive appearance.

In MOBA games like DOTA 2, features such as assigning multiple skills to a single button prove highly useful. However, reliance on Synapse limits on-the-fly adjustments without active software, and switching profiles requires specific key combinations. Synapse 3 elevates RGB customization with individual key settings and lighting styles, enhancing the overall experience.

The keyboard heavily relies on Synapse, limiting on-the-fly adjustments without active software background running. Switching between profiles uses Fn and Context menu keys, each denoted by distinct colors.

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Should You Buy It?

After looking at all the key aspects of the keyboard, the final question of our review is whether you should buy this product or not.

Buy It If

✅ You’re serious about competitive gaming: The Razer Huntsman TE, especially in esports, is tailor-made for fast-paced gameplay with quick optical switches, providing a competitive edge.

✅ You want a sleek and portable keyboard: Its compact and portable design and rapid key switches make it an essential accessory for those aiming to enter the professional gaming scene.

✅ You have a knack for PBT Keycaps: With one of the fastest switches on the market, PBT keycaps, and an appealing design, the Huntsman TE is an excellent choice for gamers who prioritize both speed and aesthetics.

Don’t Buy It If

❌ You want a keyboard for daily use: The keyboard’s focus on gaming features may not justify the price for users seeking a versatile keyboard for general work or multimedia tasks, especially when other high-end keyboards offer additional features like multimedia keys and USB passthrough.

❌ You have a lower budget: With its relatively high price of $129.99, consumers on a tight budget may find better value in other mechanical keyboards that offer more features for the same cost.

Conclusion

The Razer Huntsman TE, though tenkeyless, commands attention with its substantial size and height. Its aluminium plate and plastic frame produce solid build quality despite a slight keyboard bend. Sturdy double-shot PBT keycaps offer durability, but some keys, notably the spacebar, exhibit sensitivity issues and rattling.

The wrist rest offers comfortable ergonomics and adjustable angles for enhanced usability. With full RGB backlighting customizable via Razer Synapse 3, it adds a vibrant touch. Operating silently, it excels in gaming with very low latency, and software compatibility is excellent for Windows users.

The USB-C cord is detachable for portability, and the linear optical switches, while ideal for gaming, may register unintended key presses. The typing experience is serviceable, featuring rock-solid keys, snappy PBT keycaps, and quiet operation, but settings adjustments are limited for Linux and macOS users.

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Abdul Hannan

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com