Razer Huntsman V2 review: The hunter becomes a sniper

After we had a look at the analog Razer Huntsman V2 keyboard in March, the manufacturer now sends the classic variant into the race in fall. However, the Razer Huntsman V2 comes up with exciting improvements despite a lower price, as our test proves.

Technical data

Scope of delivery

Razer also stays true to its design line for the Huntsman V2 in terms of packaging, packing the keyboard well secured in a lushly proportioned black and green cardboard box that showcases the keybord along with its lighting and key features and innovations.

In addition to the keyboard and its attached cable, there is only a soft palm rest in the box, which, in comparison to the Huntsman V2 Analog, has neither a magnetic connection nor an illumination. It can only be positioned directly in front of the keyboard and has a secure hold thanks to wide rubber feet. Besides that, you can expect the typical quick-start instructions and Razer stickers, which round off the scope of delivery.

Design and workmanship

In terms of design, not much has changed compared to the analog model. Thus, the Razer Huntsman V2 continues to present itself as a classic black keyboard including a matte surface and looks equally classy and high-quality.

As is typical for Razer, you can expect quite high keys including a four-part multimedia panel, which is located in the upper right corner of the full-size keyboard. This consists of one button each for skipping back, starting and pausing, switching to the next song and a considerably larger mute button, which also allows increasing or decreasing the volume as a rotary control.

The black leatherette palm rest is also similar to that of the analog model, but as already mentioned, it does not have a magnetic connection or RGB lighting. Thus, hardly anything has changed in terms of design. At the same time, the build quality is still on an excellent level.

The combination of a high-quality and durable aluminum case and the extra-durable DoubleShot PBT keycaps, which are rated for up to 100 million keystrokes lifetime per key, continues to be beyond reproach. The RGB illumination of almost all keys is also nice and even, only the brightness of longer labels like “press” or “scroll” is a bit darker towards the edges – but almost all keyboards with RGB illumination have this problem.

However, the novel, sound-absorbing foam pad, which minimizes the noise of the keystrokes, stands out positively. In fact, when testing our model with the optical clicky switches, the result is an equally tactile and pleasant as well as satisfying and yet quite quiet pressure feeling, which is simply fun.

For me personally, the test was the first encounter with Razer’s clicking switches, I usually fall back on the linear switches that are also available. Although the clicky variant is naturally louder in direct comparison, the tactile feedback in combination with the pleasant sound results in a noticeably better experience when typing or gaming. So in the future, only Clicky Switches for me.

Practical test and typing feel

Under the hood, a lot has changed compared to the analog Huntsman V2 and that in both positive and negative ways. First of all, it is noticeable that Razer has not installed any analog mechanical switches, which is of course at the expense of precision. At the same time, however, we have to note that a normal user or gamer should hardly notice the difference in practice.

Accordingly, the key drop and other options cannot be adjusted on the software side of the new Razer Huntsman V2. At the same time, the omission also results in a significantly lower price. While the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog currently goes for around 233 Euros over the counter (RRP approx. 300 Euros), the RRP for the new edition is around a third lower, i.e. 199.99 Euros (or 209.99 Euros with linear red switches). One hundred Euros less for an insignificantly lower precision is a fair trade-off in our eyes.

Especially in combination with the fast-triggering optical Clicky switches, using the Razer Huntsman V2 is an absolute pleasure in practice. The letters just fly across the screen when writing (for example, this review). When gaming, our keystrokes are implemented precisely, and the release point for this is an excellent 1.5 mm.

At the same time, the red linear switches, which are also available, are of course even more suitable for gamers thanks to an even lower release point (1.0 mm) and a lower release force (40g compared to 45g). However, those who write a lot and play a lot will get their money’s worth with the Clicky Switches.

There is also the option on the software side to switch between two modes for key-switch optimization. However, we could not determine a real difference between both profiles in the test.

The polling rate is significantly higher compared to the analog model. Although both variants rely on the same Razer HyperPolling Technology, the new model of the Razer Huntsman V2 comes with eight times the sampling rate (8,000 Hz compared to 1,000 Hz) and this plus in precision is actually noticeable, even as a normal user. By the way, the USB passthrough function of the Huntsman V2 Analog also has to be dispensed with in the new model. Again, probably for cost reasons. Not relevant, but still worth mentioning, as we find.

Sound test and volume

How different do the two switches sound? We positioned a microphone (Elgato Wave:1) directly in front of the keyboard at 100 percent volume for a comparison and banged the keys hard once.

Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition TKL – Linear Optical Switches (red)

Razer Huntsman V2 – Clicky-Optical Switches (purple)

The difference is not quite as obvious in the recording, but it is perceptible. In the practical test under real conditions, the difference in terms of acoustics is somewhat greater. We like the sound of the Clicky switches much better, neither switch type is particularly loud or quiet.

Software connectivity

The Razer Huntsman V2 is customized with the help of the Razer Synapse 3 software. Here, for example, it is possible to assign a second set of keys to the keyboard thanks to Razer HyperShift, which can be switched between at the touch of a button.

You can also activate the gaming mode in the software and thus disable the Windows key or the ALT+F4 combination, for example. Another practical feature is the polling rate setting: a total of seven presets are available, which regulate the sampling rate between 125 Hz and 8,000 Hz.

Via the already mentioned key switch optimization, you can switch between typing and gaming mode, which results in an increased debounce delay (typing) or faster triggering (gaming).

Besides that, however, there is only the option to customize the keyboard’s illumination and equip it with various effects. The Huntsman V2 naturally relies on Razer’s Chroma RGB lighting and can be combined with other connected peripherals in terms of effects. So, apart from setting the sampling rate, the keyboard’s software can also be neglected in the case of the Huntsman V2.

Conclusion

With the Razer Huntsman V2, the peripheral manufacturer delivers an all-around convincing gaming keyboard that hardly has any points of criticism worth mentioning. We especially liked the excellent build quality and the quiet foam overlay of the keys in the test.

The fact that the polling rate can be increased to up to 8,000 Hz should please the most demanding gamers – most users, however, will not notice much of the additional speed. Likewise, the difference compared to the analog model is noticeable, but negligible especially in view of the much lower price.

However, about 200 Euros for a gaming keyboard (or about 150 Euros for the smaller TKL variant) is a word and a price that by no means all gamers are willing to pay. However, a lot is offered in return: Precision, workmanship, feel and look of the gaming keyboard are on an excellent level and more than live up to the high price.

In the end, I can’t conclude my review without mentioning the excellent Clicky switches once again. Especially for frequent typists like me, the tactile feedback in combination with the satisfying click noise results in an absolute added value, thanks to which working (or writing) is a lot more fun.