Razer Huntsman Elite (EN)

Light, compact design. Optical switches are accurate and have hair-trigger actuation. Detachable cable enhances portability.

Featherlight actuation can lead to lots of typing mistakes.

Bottom Line: Razer's Huntsman Tournament Edition is a solid twitch-response keyboard for competitive players comfortable prioritizing gaming over typo-free typing.

Opto-Mechanical switch is speedy and clean feeling ; RGB-enabled wrist rest is gaudy but cool ; Finally, dedicated media keys on a Razer keyboard

Opto-Mechanical switch is deafeningly loud ; Volume wheel is hard to use without looking ; Wrist-rest illumination requires both USB cables to be plugged in

Of course, it’s also a $200 keyboard. That puts it right up there with the aforementioned Corsair K95 Platinum, a keyboard we currently have listed as our “splurge” keyboard pick—meaning there are a hell of a lot of great mechanical keyboards you could...

Fast, tactile switches with light touch. Per-key RGB backlighting and underglow. Dedicated media keys and volume dial. Onboard memory for profiles and settings. Magnetic leatherette wrist rest.

Expensive. Only one switch type. No dedicated macro keys.

Bottom Line: With a new kind of key switch, plus wild RGB backlighting, dedicated media keys, and a volume dial, Razer's Huntsman Elite gaming keyboard offers plenty, but for the price, it's missing a few bits some gamers will deem crucial.

Light, compact design. Optical switches are accurate and have hair-trigger actuation. Detachable cable enhances portability.

Featherlight actuation can lead to lots of typing mistakes.

Razer's Huntsman Tournament Edition is a solid twitch-response keyboard for competitive players comfortable prioritizing gaming over typo-free typing.

I think the Huntsman TE will be a tough sell for most gamers. But for esports enthusiasts who love Razer's gear and want to take a gamble on a novel key switch, the keyboard definitely provides everything they need, and nothing they don't. Just be sure...

Novel hybrid switches ; Robust lighting options ; Great performance ; Smart design

High price ; Inconsistent software

The Razer Huntsman Elite is a good keyboard with novel optical switches that have the potential to be something special.

Fastest key actuation ever ; Tactile and audible key switch clicks ; Nearly perfect keyboard layout

Requires two USB ports for power ; Sharp edges on palm rest ; Whiplash-inducing price

The Razer Huntsman Elite combines the best qualities of multiple mechanical switches with lightspeed optical technology, for the fastest and most satisfying typing experience yet.

Top-notch design and build quality ; Opto-mechanical switches are hyper-tactile

Expensive ; Key innovations aren't quite a game-changer

Detachable USB-C cable ; Doubleshot PBT keycaps ; Smooth, optical switches ; Standard bottom row allows for more custom keycap options

Inconsistent backlighting in certain areas ; Still requires Synapse 3 to be installed on PC to access onboard profiles

Opto-Mechanical switches feel great and are objectively faster than traditional mechanical switches.

I couldn’t tell the difference in speed between an Opto-Mechanical and a Cherry MX Brown.

The Huntsman Elite is undoubtedly a successful keyboard, and the Opto-Mechanical switches are undeniably impressive. It is not cheap, though, and you may not even notice the difference between these switches compared to your old Cherry MX board.