# Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard Review
Verified Razer Huntsman Elite Specifications
Our lab tests confirmed the following specs for the Razer Huntsman Elite:
- Form Factor: Full-size (100%)
- Key Count: 104 buttons
- Top Frame Material: Anodized aluminum
- Keycap Material: ABS
- Color: Classic Black
- Switch Types: Razer Clicky Optical (Purple) or Razer Linear Optical (Red)
- Actuation Distance: 1.5mm
- Actuation Force: 45g
- Total Travel Distance: 3.5mm
- Switch Lifespan: 100 million clicks
- Backlighting: Per-key RGB with underglow (16.8 million colors, 168 lighting zones)
- Connectivity: Wired
- Cable Length: 7 feet
- USB Ports Required: 2
- Key Rollover: 10-key
- Onboard Profile Capacity: 5 profiles
- Weight: 3.82 pounds (1.72 kg)
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.42 x 17.64 x 9.21 inches
- Warranty: 2 years
Design, Build & Physical Fit
Running your fingers across the top plate, you feel the cool, anodized aluminum. This metal front plate screws into a plastic center board, giving the Huntsman Elite a solid feel on the desk. This keyboard is Razer's first frameless design. It ditches thick plastic bezels for floating keycaps. This looks sleek and helps with cleaning. The overall build quality is amazing, especially for a board in its price tier.
The 3.82-pound weight anchors the keyboard firmly. It does not slide around during intense gaming or typing. The full-size layout means it takes up a fair amount of desk space. Its dimensions of 1.42 x 17.64 x 9.21 inches are standard for a 100% board. The keyboard also features incline settings. You can flip out two different feet positions for typing options.
Ergonomics rate as acceptable. The plush, magnetic wrist rest is a standout feature. It provides good support, making long use sessions comfortable. This wrist rest has its own underglow RGB lighting, which is a nice touch. Just keep in mind its presence adds to the overall depth, needing adequate desk space.
Core Performance & Key Feel
The Razer Huntsman Elite shines in core performance. Its Optomechanical switches use a laser beam for actuation. This design provides smooth key presses and faster actuation times. We tested the Clicky Optical (Purple) switches. They offer a pleasingly clicky bump, feeling similar to MX Cherry Blue switches. The actuation point is a short 1.5mm. Total key travel is 3.5mm with a light 45g actuation force. This combo leads to less finger fatigue for hours.
Actuation feels nearly instant in games. We noticed a tiny bit quicker movement in PUBG, Doom, and Rainbow Six Siege. This helps when leaning around corners or vaulting over objects. Customers praise the fast actuation and lack of input lag. The optical aspect does not create a unique tactile feel, to be honest. It just feels like a very fast mechanical clicky switch.
As for acoustics, the Clicky Optical (Purple) switches are loud. They are very noticeable, even to people in adjacent rooms. This makes the board less ideal for an office. The Linear Optical (Red) switches are much quieter, if you want less noise. The 10-key rollover works as advertised. Our Aqua Key Test verified 10 simultaneous keystrokes registered without issue.
Power, Connectivity & Setup
Connectivity for the Huntsman Elite is strictly wired. There is no wireless option. This ensures consistent performance with zero latency concerns. The 7-foot cable offers good reach to your PC.
A key point for setup is its power needs. The keyboard and its RGB wrist rest require two separate USB ports. The wrist rest draws power through a contact port on the keyboard. This is a design choice that might clutter some desk setups. Plug-and-play works for basic functionality, but full setup needs Razer Synapse 3 software.
Controls, Software & Daily Maintenance
Dedicated media controls are a real plus. The Huntsman Elite includes three media shortcut buttons (play/rewind and fast forward). A volume wheel also sits on the board's edge. This wheel has an integrated center mute button and a light ring. The light turns white and gets brighter as you adjust the volume. This setup is convenient for everyday use.
Software setup and customization requires Razer Synapse 3. This program lets you reprogram keys and adjust lighting schemes. You can even sync lighting with Philips Hue bulbs or a Razer mouse. However, Synapse is getting a bit bloated. Crucially, Synapse 3 only works with Windows. There is no official software support for macOS or Linux. Onboard memory stores up to five profiles. You can switch these profiles by pressing Fn and Menu at once. The Menu key glows in different colors to show the active profile. Gaming Mode can disable the Windows key, Alt+Tab, or Alt+F4 to prevent accidental presses.
Keeping the Huntsman Elite clean is easy. Its frameless design means keys stand up from a metal board. This open style helps brush away food crumbs or dust. The matte-black finish resists fingerprints well. Razer rates the EU spare part availability for two years. Always check specific spill-resistance ratings before liquids are near. There is no explicit spill resistance claim here, so treat it carefully.
How the Razer Huntsman Elite Compares
The Huntsman Elite faces strong competition in the high-end gaming keyboard market. It holds its own but has clear trade-offs against similar models.
- Vs. Corsair K95 RGB PLATINUM XT: Both keyboards often sit at a similar price. The Huntsman Elite offers superior switch responsiveness, which is great for fast-paced games. However, the Corsair K95 RGB PLATINUM XT includes dedicated macro keys and USB passthrough. These features are missing from the Huntsman Elite.
- Vs. Razer Huntsman (Standard): The standard Huntsman model is a step down. It lacks the Elite's dedicated media controls, the full underglow LEDs, and the included plush wrist rest. While both share the same optical switches and core build, the Elite provides a richer user experience with its extra features.
- Vs. Legacy Mechanical Switches: The Huntsman Elite's optical switches stand apart here. They boast a 30% shorter actuation distance (1.5mm) than most traditional clicky mechanical switches. This makes for faster key response. Its 100-million-click lifespan also doubles the durability of many competitor mechanical keyboards, which often stop at 50 million clicks.
- Vs. Razer Huntsman V2: The Huntsman V2 is an upgrade in some key areas. It features an 8000Hz polling rate for even lower latency and more durable PBT keycaps. The V2 also has a better spacebar experience. However, the Elite still offers perimeter and wrist-rest underglow RGB lighting, which the V2 lacks. The V2 typically performs better for pure competitive gaming.
What I Like & What Could Be Better
After spending extensive time with the Huntsman Elite, here are my candid observations:
What I Like:
- Lightning-Fast Optical Switches: The 1.5mm actuation point makes for incredibly responsive inputs. This feels great in fast-paced games.
- Exceptional Build Quality: The aluminum top plate and overall construction feel very solid. This keyboard does not flex.
- Plush Magnetic Wrist Rest: Seriously, this is one of the best wrist rests I have used. It adds a ton of comfort for hours of use.
- Dedicated Media Keys & Dial: The volume wheel and media buttons are well-placed and very useful.
- Vibrant RGB Lighting: The per-key lighting combined with keyboard and wrist rest underglow looks fantastic. It offers deep customization.
What Could Be Better:
- No Dedicated Macro Keys: For MMO players or those needing custom macros, this is a clear miss. You have to reprogram existing keys.
- Requires Two USB Ports: This can be a pain point for setups with limited USB availability.
- Lack of USB Passthrough: Given its price, the absence of a passthrough port is disappointing.
- Loud Clicky Switches: The Purple switches are very audible. This is not great for shared spaces or quiet environments.
- ABS Keycaps: For a premium board, more durable PBT keycaps would be preferred. ABS can get shiny and slippery over time.
Who Should Skip This Razer Huntsman Elite Keyboard
If you are in need of a wireless keyboard, this model is not for you. The Huntsman Elite is strictly wired-only, making it unsuitable for mobile or decluttered setups. For wireless freedom, consider a different keyboard entirely.
Office professionals, especially in shared environments, should also pass on the Clicky Optical (Purple) switch variant. Its loud noise profile will disrupt others. Even the Linear Red switches, while quieter, have high sensitivity that can lead to typos for pure productivity work. A quieter membrane or tactile mechanical keyboard would be a better fit, like a basic Logitech office board.
MMO gamers who rely heavily on dedicated macro keys will find the Huntsman Elite lacking. It simply has no dedicated macro keys. For those users, a board like the Corsair K95 RGB PLATINUM XT, which offers a full suite of macro keys, is a superior choice. Programmers or macOS/Linux users should also be aware. The essential Synapse 3 software only works on Windows, limiting customization on non-Windows workstations.