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...

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

Razer Optical Switches ; Fully programmable buttons with instant macro recording function. ; Support Razer Synapse 3 software. ; Special media control buttons. ; Comes with ergonomic and magnetic wrist pads. ; 4-side underglow and 38 customization...

None I can think of ; Pricey

Wow, this

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

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...

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.