Razer Huntsman V2 Review: Performance, Comfort, and Customization
The Razer Huntsman V2 is a high-performing, comfortable, and customizable keyboard that stands out in a crowded marketplace. Despite a few drawbacks, its sturdy build, low latency, and quiet keystrokes make it a strong contender in the realm of premium keyboards.
Welcome to our thorough review of the Razer Huntsman V2, a keyboard that has made waves in the gaming community.
In the tech world, Razer has carved out a reputable name, known for their high-quality gaming equipment. Their newest release, the Huntsman V2, claims to continue this legacy with its superior performance and improved design. Are you curious to know if this product lives up to the hype? Well, you've come to the right place.
In this review, we will explore the Huntsman V2’s design, features, and performance. Our approach involves rigorous testing and careful evaluation to give you a well-rounded view of the product. We'll also gather thoughts from other customers to ensure our assessment isn't just a one-sided opinion.
So, buckle up and get ready for an in-depth tour of the Razer Huntsman V2. Let's embark on this journey together!
The Razer Huntsman V2 is an ideal choice for professionals, gamers, and programmers who value comfort, speed, and customization. It offers a top-tier typing experience with quiet keystrokes, and it's built to last with a robust structure.
- Customizable RGB backlighting on a per-key basis
- Sturdy build quality with durable doubleshot PBT keycaps
- Exceptionally low latency with an 8000Hz polling rate
- Quiet, smooth, and responsive keystrokes
- Comfortable ergonomics with a detachable wrist rest
- Lack of wireless connectivity and USB passthrough
- Lack of dedicated macro keys
- Potential wrist rest quality deterioration with heavy use
- Limited compatibility, not designed for use with mobile devices or tablets
- Backlighting doesn't illuminate keycaps well in dark conditions
If you're seeking a full-sized, wired keyboard with high performance and comfort, the Razer Huntsman V2 could be an excellent pick. Its standout features include low-latency, macro-programmable keys, and customizable RGB backlighting. However, if you require wireless connectivity or extensive compatibility with mobile devices, you may want to explore other options.
Test Results
Design
Let's take a closer look at the Razer Huntsman V2's design aspects. We'll examine its dimensions, build quality, ergonomics, and more to paint a clear picture of what you're getting.
The Razer Huntsman V2 is a full-size keyboard with a number pad and dedicated media keys. It's also available in tenkeyless and 60% form factors, offering flexibility to those seeking less bulky options.
This keyboard boasts a well-built, sturdy design. Comprising a plastic body with an aluminum top plate, it ensures minimal flex under stress. Its double-shot PBT keycaps add to the durability, while maintaining a matte finish. However, some larger keys, such as the Spacebar, Shift, Enter, and Backspace, exhibit slight wobble. A point of concern is the wrist rest, which might degrade with heavy usage, indicated by an occasional crackling sound.
Ergonomically, the Huntsman V2 shines with two incline settings and a detachable leatherette wrist rest that offers a plush cushioning experience. Its default incline is comfortable for prolonged usage. However, the plush material on the wrist rest may cause discomfort in warmer conditions. Note, it's not designed for mobile devices or tablets due to its wired-only setup.
The Huntsman V2 offers customizable per-key Chroma RGB backlighting, controllable through Razer Synapse. However, the LEDs may not illuminate the included keycaps effectively, making some symbols hard to see in low light.
As a wired keyboard, the Huntsman V2 uses a braided fiber cable positioned on the left side. Unlike its tenkeyless and 60% counterparts, this full-size model does not feature a detachable cable. It also lacks the capability to pair with multiple devices or operate wirelessly.
Additional features of the Huntsman V2 include dedicated media keys, a multi-function knob for volume control in 2% increments, and macro-programmable keys. Factory-lubed switches and built-in dampening foam contribute to quieter keystrokes.
Typing Experience
Next, we'll delve into the actual typing experience on the Huntsman V2. We'll discuss the feeling of the keystrokes, the noise level, and even the keyboard's latency to ensure you understand its full capabilities.
The Razer Huntsman V2 utilizes linear optical switches, available in both red and purple variants. These switches feel light, smooth, and responsive with a 47g actuation force and 1mm activation point. However, it lacks dedicated macro keys, which could be a downside for some users.
Offering high-quality typing experience, the Huntsman V2 is excellent for office use, programming, and gaming. The keycaps are premium, aiding in comfortable and efficient gliding across the board. However, its linear switches, lacking tactile feedback, may feel overly sensitive for some. Additionally, larger keys have a different feel and sound, and exhibit a slight wobble.
Thanks to the factory lubed switches and built-in dampening foam, the Huntsman V2 is quiet during operation. The linear switches used further contribute to its minimal noise output, making it suitable for a quiet office environment.
With an exceptionally low latency, the Huntsman V2 stands out as the first Razer keyboard featuring an 8000Hz polling rate and 0.2ms response times. However, this heightened responsiveness might not be significantly noticeable in real-world usage compared to other mechanical keyboards. The total input delay is just 1/8th of a millisecond, or 0.125ms, showcasing its high-speed capabilities.
Software
Finally, we'll explore the software aspects of the Huntsman V2. How programmable is it, and what devices is it compatible with? We'll answer these questions and more in this section.
The Razer Huntsman V2 exhibits robust programming capabilities. All keys, barring six, are macro-programmable directly from the board or through Razer Hypershift, available via Synapse. While the lack of dedicated macro keys could be a drawback, secondary function assignments and programmable keys with up to two functions compensate for it. Additionally, the keyboard includes a programmable volume wheel for extra convenience.
As for compatibility, the Huntsman V2 seems to be predominantly designed for PC usage, as suggested by Synapse software. However, it might fall short in other areas. The keyboard is not optimized for use with mobile devices, tablets, or home theater PC setups due to the absence of wireless connectivity and a trackpad.
Customer Reviews
After diving into the features and technical details of the Razer Huntsman V2, it's time to look at real-world opinions. What do actual customers have to say about their experience with this keyboard? Let's delve into the benefits and complaints to see the bigger picture.
Benefits
Customers appreciate the solid construction, describing the top plate as sturdy metal and the keycaps as high quality. The keyboard's hefty weight adds to its robust feel, and its sleek design gets plenty of compliments. Reviewers are particularly impressed with the smooth and responsive linear optical switches, contributing to an enjoyable typing and gaming experience.
The keyboard's quiet operation has also been praised, making it suitable for environments where excessive typing noise might be disruptive. This quiet operation doesn't compromise on precision or the tactile feedback, which remains high.
Customers find the integrated wrist rest very comfortable, adding to the keyboard's overall usability. The RGB backlighting, customizable through the Razer Synapse software, is a big hit among users, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of their gaming setups.
Complaints
While there's plenty of praise, some customers have raised issues. A few users had complaints about receiving a damaged product. One reviewer mentioned a noticeable dent on the corner of the keyboard. However, such issues are generally tied to shipping and handling rather than the product quality itself.
Customer Conclusion
Overall, users have found the Razer Huntsman V2 to be a high-quality, responsive, and sturdy keyboard. Its quiet operation and comfortable design, combined with customizable RGB lighting and excellent performance, have left most customers highly satisfied. Some users have even gone so far as to label it their 'endgame' keyboard, indicating their search for the perfect keyboard has ended. While the complaints are few, they remind us that even the best products may not be without some minor hiccups.
Customer Questions/Answers
Is the Razer Huntsman V2 compatible with all monitors?
Yes, this keyboard is compatible with any monitor.
Does the Razer Huntsman V2 include a USB port for a mouse?
No, this keyboard does not have a USB port for a mouse.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Razer Huntsman V2 is an impressive piece of tech, offering high performance and a plethora of features. Its design boasts a sturdy, lightweight structure with an aluminum top plate and PBT plastic keycaps. Although it could benefit from a wireless option and alternate color schemes, the existing design is solid and quite functional.
On the performance front, the Huntsman V2 excels with its linear optical switches that provide smooth and responsive keystrokes. Its 8000Hz polling rate ensures extremely low input lag, although the real-world difference might not be significantly noticeable. The built-in software, Razer Synapse, allows for robust customization, especially with the RGB backlighting and macro settings.
The keyboard’s compatibility is mainly with PCs, and it’s not the best fit for mobile devices or tablets. Its wired nature also limits its versatility. The Razer Huntsman V2 is definitely not designed for everyone, but for those in its target audience, it presents a strong offering.
To wrap it all up, the Razer Huntsman V2 carries the weight of its brand reputation well. It's a solid performer with a few minor drawbacks that may not affect its overall functionality. If you're in the market for a reliable, high-quality keyboard, this could well be your next purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the Razer Huntsman V2?
The Razer Huntsman V2 is a high-performing keyboard designed for both gaming and professional use. It offers low-latency, macro-programmable keys, and customizable RGB backlighting, delivering an exceptional typing experience. Additionally, the keyboard's robust build quality and durable PBT keycaps ensure longevity. It also includes a comfortable detachable wrist rest and an adjustable keyboard incline for ergonomic typing. However, it lacks wireless connectivity and broad compatibility with mobile devices.
Is the Razer Huntsman V2 quiet?
Yes, the Razer Huntsman V2 is designed to minimize noise. The keyboard uses factory-lubed switches and built-in dampening foam to keep keystrokes quiet. The linear switches used are notably silent, making this keyboard suitable for quiet office environments.
Does the Razer Huntsman V2 support macros?
Yes, the Razer Huntsman V2 supports macros. All keys are macro-programmable directly from the board or via the Razer Synapse 3 software. It does not have dedicated macro keys, but customization is possible via Synapse.
Is the Razer Huntsman V2 suitable for office use?
The Razer Huntsman V2 is well-suited for office use. It offers a comfortable typing experience due to its red linear optical switches and provides smooth and relatively quiet keystrokes, allowing for prolonged usage without discomfort. However, it lacks wireless connectivity, which couldbe a drawback for certain office setups.
Does the Razer Huntsman V2 have a detachable cable?
Yes, the Razer Huntsman V2 comes with a detachable USB-C cable for easy transport and storage. This feature also means that in case of cable damage, you can replace the cable instead of the entire keyboard.
What type of switches does the Razer Huntsman V2 use?
The Razer Huntsman V2 uses Razer's own optical switches. In particular, it uses the Red Linear Optical Switches which provide a linear keystroke with no tactile bump and a quiet sound profile, making it ideal for both gaming and typing.