Razer Huntsman V3 Pro review: Useful features for competitive gaming at an elevated price

The Razer Huntsman keyboards have inspired many gamers since their launch in 2018, with the series clearly focused on the competitive gaming scene. However, ever since Dutch keyboard manufacturer Wooting first introduced Rapid Trigger, which allows users to trigger keys in quick succession, the demand for this feature in the competitive space has been growing.

Following in the footsteps of the Steelseries, Razer has followed suit with the Huntsman V3 Pro, a highly configurable keyboard with analog optical switches and rapidtrigger functionality in three different sizes (100%, TKL, 60%). We took a look at the full-size version of this Razer gaming keyboard, which has a recommended retail price of €289.99 / US$249.99 / £249.99.

The full-size version of the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro tested here, with a German QWERTY keyboard layout, offers a number pad in addition to the F keys and arrow keys. There are also three multimedia keys and a volume wheel, which can also be used to configure the sensitivity of the key switches (trigger point and rapid trigger functionality). RGB lighting is common on gaming keyboards, and the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is no exception with its customisable RGB lighting.

The full-size version of the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro has a plastic body with the exception of the top, which is made of black brushed aluminium. For the first time on a Razer keyboard, Doubleshot PBT keycaps are used, which have a more comfortable matte finish and better durability than ABS keycaps. Included with the keyboard is a detachable USB Type A to Type C cable and a magnetic leatherette palm rest, which is significantly flatter and harder than previous Razer palm rests.

Without the palm rest, the keyboard measures 445 x 139 x 39 mm and weighs 880 g. With the palm rest, the keyboard measures 445 x 224 x 39 mm and weighs 1133 g. In addition to the manual and a quick start guide with the most important keyboard shortcuts, the box also contains Razer stickers. To configure all the functions of the Huntsman V3 Pro, you need to install Razer's Synapse software, which requires at least Windows 10 (64-bit).

Most exciting for e-sports gamers, however, are Razer's second-generation analogue optical key switches, which feature a freely configurable trigger point between 0.1 and 4.0 mm and a separate stabiliser for each switch. In the style of Wooting keyboards, the Razer Huntsman Pro V3 series now also features a rapid trigger function, so that keys can be reactivated immediately after being triggered, even when pressed, which can be particularly important in fast-paced competitive shooters. In Valorant or CSGO 2, for example, you can perform quick side-to-side and stop moves without taking your fingers off the WASD buttons. In the hands of highly skilled professional gamers, the faster movement provided by the Rapid Trigger feature can be a decisive factor in ranked games.

In gaming, the analogue-optical switches trigger smoothly and accurately, and the stabilisers, which, like the RGB lighting, are individually designed for each key, are well tuned. However, those who usually type or play on custom mechanical keyboards will be disappointed with the sound of the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro: The sound when you press the keys is high-frequency and a bit scratchy, but this is not unusual for a gaming keyboard. On the other hand, there is no reverberation under hard keystrokes, but overall the Huntsman V3 Pro is clearly intended for gaming with headphones, where the unpleasant sound of the keyboard is no longer noticeable.

In terms of ergonomics, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is clearly a gaming device and not a tool for frequent typists. Thanks to its flat profile, the palm rest is ideal for quick movements on the WASD keys, but despite the two possible tilt angles of the feet on the back of the keyboard, the typing experience is only mixed when writing documents. In addition, the palm rest is barely padded and only magnetically attached to the bottom of the keyboard, which means it can easily slip out of place.

The Doubleshot PBT keycaps in the OEM profile are very rough to prevent your fingers from slipping off the keycaps, even during heated online games. Although the letters or numbers on the keycaps are translucent, the Razer Chroma RGB lighting, which is created by small strips of light above each switch, is discreet and unobtrusive.

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro has a small settings panel directly above the arrow keys, which displays the selected profile as well as the activation of Num Lock or Caps Lock. In addition to a custom profile that can be configured using the Synapse software, Razer's new gaming keyboard offers five pre-configured profiles, each with different trigger points and rapid trigger sensitivities.

By pressing the Fn + Tab keys, the key trigger point can be adjusted in 10 steps from 0.1mm to 3.6mm in 0.4mm increments using the wheel on the top right of the keyboard, which also works without the Razer Synapse software installed. A quick setting mode for the rapid trigger functionality can also be activated via Fn + Caps-Lock, allowing options between 0.1 and 1.0 mm in 0.1 mm increments, either for the entire keyboard or for individual keys.

However, if you want to create your own profiles or customise the RGB lighting, you have to use Synapse. Although Razer's Synapse peripheral software does not enjoy a good reputation, the Californian hardware manufacturer has continued to optimise and tidy up the software over the years. Problems with Synapse running in the background, which were more common in the past, were no longer apparent during our use.

Razer's Synapse also has a 'gamepad mode' for the Hunterman V3 Pro, in which the WASD keys act as the analogue sticks on the controller and the Q and E keys as the trigger keys, similar to those found on Wooting keyboards, which can be used for racing games, for example. It does take some getting used to, however, and it is certainly easier to just plug in and use a regular gamepad.

In the Trigger tab of the Synapse software, the trigger point for keystrokes can be set between 0.1 and 4.0 mm, either for individual keys or for the entire keyboard, with the default setting of 1.2 mm. The Rapid Trigger feature, which resets keystrokes immediately after they are pressed for extremely fast keystrokes, can also be configured here from 1.0mm to 0.1mm. These settings are available for all keys except the Windows, Fn, Insert, Delete, Pos1, End and Page up/down keys.

The brightness of the backlighting can also be adjusted, although the maximum brightness does not seem particularly high for a gaming keyboard, which is in keeping with the rather reduced overall appearance of the Razer Huntsman V3. Various RGB lighting effects can be selected as presets, and there is also an 'environment detection' function that adjusts the keyboard lighting to the current screen content.

Pros

 +  Rapid trigger feature 
 +  Individually adjustable trigger points
 +  Selection of different profiles via shortcuts
 +  Many configuration options 

Contra

 –  Unpleasant typing sound
 –  Hard palm rest
 –  Relatively high price