Razer Unveils Affordable Keyboards Packed with Gaming Power
Razer has long championed optical keyboard switches as the ultimate choice for competitive esports players and dedicated gamers, but now it’s branching out with more affordable options featuring magnetic switches while still packing in a solid range of gaming features. The newly launched Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Mini, priced at $120, and the $140 Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Tenkeyless are the company’s first keyboards to incorporate Hall effect switches. These wired boards are designed with gamers in mind, and I’ve had a chance to put both through their paces.
The Huntsman models boast the signature features typical of Hall effect mechanical keyboards, including programmable actuation points, Rapid Trigger for quicker key releases, and an impressive 8KHz polling rate. Their linear switches deliver an average latency of 0.6ms, which is certainly fast, though slightly behind the 0.48ms of the optical Huntsman boards like the V3 Pro. While Razer can still claim that optical analog boards are quicker, the difference is minimal.
These new magnetic models provide excellent speed at a more accessible price point, especially when compared to the optical Huntsman Pro boards that start at $220. They come equipped with Razer’s extensive suite of customizable gaming features, such as Snap Tap, which prioritizes your last movement input on the A or W keys for easier counter-strafing (a technique some consider cheating and is banned by certain platforms); Snap Flex, allowing keys to trigger specific actions upon release; and Dual-Keypress Priority, which prevents accidental movement inputs from interrupting two held keys (like diagonal movement). The last two features are also found on the mid-range optical Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz and will be available on the higher-end Huntsman V3 Pros through a firmware update.
While these features may seem niche and tailored for specific scenarios, they cater to the most competitive online shooters, particularly games with intricate movement mechanics like Counter-Strike 2. Razer is positioning itself against competitors like Wooting, Asus, and SteelSeries, matching them feature-for-feature to attract this hardcore gaming demographic. Wooting’s 80HE and 60HE v2 keyboards are highly regarded, but Razer’s new HE boards undercut them by about $60.
I spent some time testing both the 65-percent and TKL versions of the new HE Huntsman keyboards. Even though my days of competitive Counter-Strike are behind me, these keyboards feel more than responsive enough for any rapid inputs my aging fingers can manage. However, unless you’re particularly interested in their advanced gaming features and customization options through Razer’s software, there may be little reason to choose these boards over other excellent entry-level mechanical options. The Razer Synapse app remains cumbersome, but a web version is available for those who prefer not to have it running constantly.
Razer’s doubleshot PBT keycaps have a textured feel that’s coarser than standard keycaps, but I find the shine-through legends less appealing. Some of the lettering and symbols appear oddly proportioned, detracting from the otherwise sleek floating keycap design. The plastic base beneath the aluminum top case makes these keyboards lightweight and portable, but this combination can feel a bit cheap compared to full-metal alternatives. Additionally, there are no extra features like a volume knob, wrist rest, or status screen that you’d find on the Huntsman Pro models.
On the plus side, the magnetic Huntsman keyboards produce a more pleasant sound compared to Razer’s pricier models. The new HE keyboards have a satisfying clacky tone, while the Huntsman V3 Pro tends to be louder and clunkier. Sound preferences are subjective, but while Razer’s new HE boards improve in this area, I’ve encountered other 8K wired Hall effect keyboards that sound even better.
For the same price as the Huntsman V3 HE, you can find keyboards that are more visually striking and acoustically pleasing. However, if your primary focus is competitive gaming, these new models offer solid value compared to other popular (and more expensive) options. Enjoy the speedy keys and all the RGB lighting you desire—just be mindful of the rules!
