Razer Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz Review: You Could Sneeze, and this Keyboard Would Type

Among the Huntsman V3 lineup, there’s only one non-pro model: the Razer Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz. After using it for a while, it’s clear why this keyboard exists, and if gaming is what you care about, you should consider it. It’s even the most affordable Analogue Optical Switch-based keyboard on the market.

Razer Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz Review

TKL Layout Option is Nice to See

Usually, peripheral brands tend to offer few options and will skip out on every other offering. But I am happy to report that’s not the case here because the Razer Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz is one of the many variations in the Huntsman lineup you can choose. However, this is the only non-Pro Huntsman, and it comes in the Tenkeyless configuration, and it’s also the most affordable among the bunch.

More Affordable For Reasons

You might wonder how this is priced under the RM 1000 mark because the Huntsman V3 Pro lineup all starts at a higher price bracket, and you are right. Now, Razer appears to have stripped all the nice-to-have features and retained the core experience of what makes the Huntsman a Huntsman.

Immediately out of the box, you don’t get the wrist rest, which is sold separately on Razer, or you could just buy a third-party one off your favourite e-commerce site. Secondly, there are no dedicated media controls on this; however, you can use the function row to control some. The keyboard also misses out on factory-lubed switches, and there is no damping; however, it uses a simple PCB foam.

These are the immediate differences between the Pro and this keyboard we are reviewing here, but that doesn’t mean that Razer cheapened out on the experience. If at all, the core experience is still well retained.

As a Pro-Centric Keyboard, Still Packs a Punch for FPS Gaming

The Huntsman is designed for FPS and pro-level gaming. This is also where its technology to make the keyboard reactive comes into play, such as Adjustable Actuation, Rapid Trigger and Snap Tap. There’s also a reason why it is wired: to deliver 8KHz via wired is the most stable, and if you are using in competitive settings, the last thing you want to deal with wireless latency delays.

I would argue that 8 kHz is overkill because I couldn’t even notice it. It’s like asking a person to tell the difference between a 144Hz monitor and a 240Hz. You’ll be like, both are the same; what am I missing? But the thing that truly makes this keyboard shine is the features I mentioned earlier.

Snap Tap, Rapid Trigger is Crazy

Adjustable Actuation allows you to adjust where exactly you want the keys to actuate, which is nuts. So, you can even set your keys to react at like 0.1mm, and it would. By default, they are all programmed to actuate at 1.2mm. But you can adjust it all the way from 0.1mm to 4.0mm.

Rapid Trigger is interesting: so you press a key to activate, right? In order to reactivate, on a traditional mechanical keyboard, you need to completely lift off and then reactivate. Not with Rapid Trigger. You can do micro movements, and that movement could be like 0.1mm and trigger it immediately. Sounds like cheating to me, haha. So, spamming your key has become effortless.

Snap Tap is another interesting tech too. Let’s say you are moving left and right, and when you press both the left and right arrow keys or A and D, it will stop moving. So with snap tap, when you happen to press two opposing keys, the key you pressed recently will take priority. So, you could press A and say you press D; it will prioritise D over A, even with you holding down the A key.

These are features that make the Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz a very competitive keyboard right out of the box. And to have this be programmed is amazing, in a way feels borderline cheating but there’s also a reason why these kinds of features matter in tournament, as every micro movement factors into your winning probability.

Combine all these Features into this Keyboard

You are looking at a stupid-fast and responsive keyboard in games. Again, emphasis on FPS games because that’s where you need it. So, my preferred FPS is Doom Eternal, and it was fun. But I need to admit that this keyboard is a learning curve for me. But once you get accustomed to this, falling back to any other prim and proper mechanical keyboard feels a little laggy.

I can’t find a fault with this keyboard because it fits the primary goal of what it’s designed for. If at all, the only thing I would advise anyone when they get this is to try their best to get used to this keyboard’s Analogue Optical Switch. It is quite the learning curve.

I do wish they included the wrist rest with this one because of the profile this keyboard is in; it does get uncomfortable to use in the long run, and if you do have some issues with your wrist, then you might want to really use a wrist rest.

The Features inside Synapse

All the features I mentioned earlier can be controlled via Razer Synapse, and the keyboard has memory for you to save your preferred settings and some default settings, which you can play with and adjust accordingly. If RGB matters to you, well then, you can have fun with that too.

At the time of writing, we reviewed this keyboard on the new v1.02.0_r1 firmware, which can be downloaded officially from Razer Support.

Conclusion

For RM 799, the Razer Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz does strip the refinements you get on their Pro lineup, but if the only thing you want in your keyboard is to experience the Razer Analogue Optical Switch, which is stupid responsive, I wish I were kidding about the “this keyboard could type if you sneezed on it.”  It really is that reactive.

A lot might complain that you could go elsewhere for RM 799, but if you were to do a simple search, the most affordable option is still the Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHZ, especially to experience the analogue optical switch. So, try it out at a store first, and perhaps it might change your mind. That’s all we can say. But I am no pro gamer, so this keyboard is great for Pros. So, if you are one, then it’s worth considering.

But yes, for a keyboard that only does that and nothing more, lacking media keys and such is a little bit of a tough pill to swallow. And are the media keys really worth the extra penny? That’s for you to decide.

For more tech, gaming, and lifestyle content, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Better yet, stay tuned to The Adventures of Vesper.