The Razer Huntsman V2 is a great optical gaming keyboard, but it doesn't pack a punch in terms of features, particularly at its price point.
The keyboard comes in both a standard form factor and tenkeyless, with a variety of colour options including black and quartz, but we're testing the tenkeyless version here. As a regular user of the original Razer Huntsman, one of its few major downsides is that's quite big, even for bigger desks, so picking up the tenkeyless edition has been a lot more convenient. Swapping from mechanical to optical switches was also a welcome change when using the second iteration of the Huntsman.
This keyboard comes in at £199.99 / $199.99 / $350.80 for the full form factor with linear switches. You can also pick up the tenkeyless edition, which is the version we're reviewing here, for £159.99 / $159.99 / AU$189.99, also with linear switches. Prices slightly vary based on what colour and switch option you go for. Compared to the competition, the Huntsman V2 has a premium price, with the Corsair K70 Pro coming in at £179.99 / $179.99 / AU$299, which has the same optical switches and more features.
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Razer Huntsman V2 Design
The first thing that will hit you about the design of the Razer Huntsman V2 is the updated keycaps, which are different to those on the original Huntsman. When I say different, I mean worse. They seem to be made of a cheaper plastic, which means the RGB on the keyboard shines through the caps, not just the letters as intended, and they just don't feel anywhere near as satisfying to type on as the Huntsman V1.
For keyboard enthusiasts like myself, you'll notice that the stabs on this keyboard are pretty secure, meaning you don't get that annoying, flimsy spacebar feel. We're testing the Razer red switches which are meant to be linear and quiet, however, despite not being too loud, these switches were far from silent and slightly louder than what we'd expect from linear switches.
This keyboard is optical rather than mechanical. In technical terms, this means that a laser breaks when you press a key, which results in a faster input compared to mechanical keyboards, your inputs are way more likely to be picked up on an optical board, as the actuation point is much smaller.
You get two levels of raised feet on the bottom of this board so you can pick what feels comfortable for you. There is also an included wrist rest which perfectly matches the colour of the keyboard and is pretty comfortable. It's not directly attached, meaning you can move it to the perfect position for you, which contrasts with most other typers which come with wrist rests.
Razer Huntsman V2 Features
Unfortunately, this keyboard doesn't really offer the high-end features that you would expect at this price point, which is somewhat disappointing. Especially when compared to the original Razer Huntsman, which retailed for £149.99 / $149.99 / AU$249, and often took a 33% price cut for the full form factor version, making it significantly cheaper than the V2 edition.
Alternatives such as the Corsair K70, which comes in at a similar price, feature multimedia keys to pause, skip and mute, volume control and reassignable keyboard control buttons. Despite also being TKL, Corsair has managed to pack all of these extras into its keyboard without having to increase the price or footprint. Sadly, this is not the case with the Razer Huntsman V2 TKL.
Razer keyboards are synonymous with RGB, and the Huntsman V2 is no different. Every single key features customisable lighting, you can select any colour on the colour wheel or from a range of pre-set options, including the wave, which quickly cycles through a rainbow, and quickly became a personal favourite.
As with all Razer products, you have access to the Razer Synapse software which allows you to change the keybindings and RGB and sync all of your Razer products. It also has onboard memory that saves up to five profiles, which is great if you want different profiles for different games or you have multiple people using the same setup.
There's no USB passthrough, tut talking of USB, the power cable is detachable, so if it gets damaged you can just replace it rather than getting an entire brand new keyboard, an issue I faced personally with the original Razer Huntsman.
You get dedicated media through your function keys with this keyboard, making for more wiggle room when setting your keybindings. The full form factor of this keyboard comes with multi-media keys, something which is missing from the tenkeyless edition.
Razer Huntsman V2 Performance
his keyboard performs excellently when gaming, it picked up inputs instantly and thanks to the wired connection, I didn't have to worry about any input lag. Razer's switch to optical switches seems to have paid off, you can really feel the difference, particularly swapping between the Huntsman V1 to the Huntsman V2.
Typing, however, took some getting used to. Having optical switches which pick up every input, even if you haven't pushed the key in all the way, can lead to a ton of typos compared to mechanical switches. Though, after a period of adjustment, you will find that your fingers quickly adapt. This is something to keep in mind if you're someone who types fast, as it may take more time for you to adjust.
If you're looking for a gaming keyboard, speedy and clear inputs are essential, and this keyboard delivers in that aspect.
Final thoughts on the Razer Huntsman V2
This is a fantastic little keyboard, ideally suited for those who want extra space on their desk, and are after performance above all else, as it lacks some of the more fancy features which you'll find with competing products. It boasts impressive optical switches, has good build quality and an included wrist rest, plus loads of RGB.
However, if you're someone who wants these high-end on their keyboard, and you're not set on having optical switches, then the K65 RGB Rapidfire or the Logitech G713 could be better options for you, which come at a lower price point but have mechanical switches.
Score: 4/5
