Razer Huntsman Mini Review
Most of the keyboard was made because bigger is sometimes better. Some people wouldn’t dare give up a numpad or a set of keys for navigating on their best game keyboard. But gamers who don’t want to be limited in how they move their mouse and minimalists who want more work space swear by tiny keyboards. With the Razer Huntsman Mini, which came out on July 14, Razer is also making a big bet on small keyboards.
The Huntsman Mini ($120 to start) is the brand’s first 60% keyboard, which is said to be a reaction to social media requests. It also brings another first: The keyboard will have the second version of Razer Linear Optical switches, which should be easier on the ears of people who like quieter mechanical switches.
Razer Huntsman Mini Keyboard Specs
| Number of Keys | 61 |
| Interface | USB Wired |
| Key Switch Type | Razer Optical Clicky |
| Key Backlighting | RGB Per-Key |
| Media Controls | Shared With Other Keys |
| Dedicated Shortcut Keys | NO |
| Dimension | 29.33 x 10.33 x 3.68 cm |
| Wattage | 3600 Watts |
| Standing screen display size | 15:6 |
| Onboard Profile Storage | YES |
| N-Key Rollover Support | YES |
| Weight | 550 g |
PROS:
- Durable, compact size
- Switches with crisp illumination
- Seamless software integration makes for a perfect gaming setup.
CONS:
- Quite a hefty sum
- Missing Arrow Keys
- There is a certain absence of tactile feedback in switches.
Design
Razer says that the Huntsman Mini is a reaction to social media requests for a 60% keyboard. It is especially true since the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, which has control keys but no numpad, came out last year. Razer is taking a risk by making a keyboard that doesn’t have as many keys as a full-size keyboard. Many common users will prefer something else to this design. I liked having more room on my desk when I used a 60% keyboard, but I only got a little done outside of games because I couldn’t use the arrow keys. But a 60% keyboard that is part of the popular Huntsman line is less of a risk.
The NPD Group says that from January 2019 to March 2020, the full-sized, pricey Razer Huntsman Elite was the best-selling game keyboard in the U.S. regarding total dollar sales. The original Huntsman keyboard from Razer, the Huntsman Elite, is flashy with media settings and an RGB wrist rest. With its 60% form factor, the Huntsman Mini doesn’t have room for such a show. Aside from the fact that it has optical switches, this keyboard is very different from the Huntsman Elite and only has the most important features.
Performance
Regarding key switches, it’s no wonder that the Huntsman Mini uses Razer’s optical switches, which are new to this board. The sample used for the review was the Clicky version, which is made to make typing enjoyable. They have an actuation force of 45 cm and are lighter than the more standard clicky options from CHERRY with MX Blues or any of the clones from Gateron and Kalih. Even though the new lightness is nice, I’ve always liked to type on something a little bit heavier, and since these switches are tactile, it would have been nice to have a heavy choice.
Lighting and Software
The Huntsman Mini shows again that Razer can do anything it wants with software and lights. Its Chroma lighting engine can give the clearest, sharpest lighting possible. This power is even more focused because the frame is smaller. Razer’s more-than-versatile software, Synapse 3, lets you unlock the full potential of your devices.
For example, you can change how the keys work and make the lights as flashy and Pink Floyd-like as you want. With the Huntsman Mini, it works like a dream. As with Razer’s other keyboards and mice, the Huntsman Mini can be connected to devices. It lets you build your RGB kingdom outside of your traditional gaming bunker.
The Razer Huntsman Mini For gaming
With the Huntsman Mini, Razer has one of the full packages for 60% game keyboards, a niche market. It has all the things gamers have come to love about Razer, like excellent build quality, great lights, and controls that feel good. But the way the switches feel is a deal-breaker for me. Non-RGB rivals like the Filco Majestouch Minila have more solid CHERRY MX switches, and experts like Ducky, one of the clear kings of smaller keyboards, also use MXs. It’s great to have light optical switches, but I don’t feel the same about them as I do about their larger versions.
Conclusion
The Razer Huntsman Mini is a good start for the game brand in the 60% keyboard market. Razer’s Optical Clicky Switches and doubleshot PBT keycaps give the mini board a quality feel that makes it great for games and typing. The switches feel light, so your fingers don’t get tired and click in a pleasing way. Razer’s new Linear Optical switches are quieter than the clicky version, which is worth the extra $10 over the clicky version. In terms of price, the Huntsman Mini costs between $120 and $130, based on which switch you use. You can get the Ducky One 2 Mini for as little as $100. The Anne Pro 2 can also be $100. It makes the 60% form easier to use by giving you arrow features when you press the right Windows, Fn, Ctrl, and Shift keys.
If you only want optical switches, the Razer Huntsman is the best option in terms of price and efficiency among Razer’s current optical keyboards. The Ducky One 2 Mini and Anne Pro 2 don’t have any software, but the Huntsman Mini does. Even though there is a lot of competition, the Huntsman Mini is a winner if you like keycaps with a lot of texturing and no shine.
