Razer Huntsman Mini Linear Optical Gaming Keyboard

The Razer Huntsman Mini is a top-notch illuminated portable gaming keyboard. It offers outstanding performance and visually appealing RGB backlit keys that can be illuminated in a nearly infinite array of lighted patterns and effects.Right out of the box I noticed two things. The first being how compact this keyboard is. Even next to a 14-inch laptop keyboard (pictured), the small form factor is very noticeable. The second thing I noticed is how solid the construction feels. The Huntsman is made of aluminum and does not feel flimsy whatsoever. In fact, it feels like it can easily withstand multiple hours of punishing gameplay. The keys have a nice amount of travel and typing is substantially better than most laptop keyboards. A premium braided USB-C to USB-A cable ... MoreThe Razer Huntsman Mini is a top-notch illuminated portable gaming keyboard. It offers outstanding performance and visually appealing RGB backlit keys that can be illuminated in a nearly infinite array of lighted patterns and effects.Right out of the box I noticed two things. The first being how compact this keyboard is. Even next to a 14-inch laptop keyboard (pictured), the small form factor is very noticeable. The second thing I noticed is how solid the construction feels. The Huntsman is made of aluminum and does not feel flimsy whatsoever. In fact, it feels like it can easily withstand multiple hours of punishing gameplay. The keys have a nice amount of travel and typing is substantially better than most laptop keyboards. A premium braided USB-C to USB-A cable is included in the box.Even though it is compact, then keys are standard size. This is because the small factor was achieved by eliminating the function keys and the numeric pad. The missing functions are assigned to other keys and can be accessed using the function key. I typed this review on this keyboard and found the experience to be quite easy. The only dedicated keys I found myself initially missing were the directional arrows and the home and end keys, but I quickly adjusted to using a mouse to get around the screen.Most keys can be reprogrammed using the Razer Synapse software. The software is not required to use the keyboard, but is necessary to change the key mapping. Many functions can be accessed without using the software but using the software allows many more layers of control and customization.This keyboard is beautifully illuminated and looks especially nice in low light. Each key is individually illuminated and each can be configured individually up and down the color wheel. Several lighting presets can be selected via key press, but many, many more lighting options are available using the software. I found the Synapse software application very easy to use to customize and control the functions.If you need a top performing compact gaming keyboard because space is limited or for travel, then look no further than the Razer Huntsman Mini. If you prefer a standard size keyboard, then I recommend you look at one of the larger Razer models. I am going to use this keyboard at a secondary computer station where space is somewhat limited. It is also going to be my new travel keyboard, as its compact size will make it perfect to put in a bag and take on the go

When it comes to keyboards there's a lot of personal preference to them. Key height, key travel, and key feedback are all things that can vary greatly between them but is more subjective in regards to what's better. Having said that, I'll do my best to keep this review more about the objective features and functionality.The latter, arguably also most importantly, is where we'll start. In this regard, it meets all expectations of a higher end keyboard. The keys are responsive and fast and there's almost a clarity when typing with it. Best I can describe it is that each keystroke is just smooth and it has no issues keeping up when typing fast. And even though there's a bit of key travel, there's no need to pound them into the ground. In fact, because of the type of ... MoreWhen it comes to keyboards there's a lot of personal preference to them. Key height, key travel, and key feedback are all things that can vary greatly between them but is more subjective in regards to what's better. Having said that, I'll do my best to keep this review more about the objective features and functionality.The latter, arguably also most importantly, is where we'll start. In this regard, it meets all expectations of a higher end keyboard. The keys are responsive and fast and there's almost a clarity when typing with it. Best I can describe it is that each keystroke is just smooth and it has no issues keeping up when typing fast. And even though there's a bit of key travel, there's no need to pound them into the ground. In fact, because of the type of switches these keyboards use, the keys can almost act like the triggers on a game console controller.That takes us to one of the coolest features of this keyboard. It doesn't take much travel at all for the analog optical switch to register a keystroke. And because of that and the way the optical sensors work, using the Razer software, you can actually set each key to have 2 different commands, 1 for a light touch with little travel and the other when pressing it further down. This may not be a big deal for everyday use, and can take some getting used to, but for gaming this is an amazing feature. For example, one key can control different rates of fire in a shooter, or whether you move fast or slow in the game.Speaking of the Razer software, called Synapse, that is another invaluable feature with this keyboard. Best of all though the software works across many of the Razer devices. This is actually my 5th Razer device, I have 2 other keyboards and 2 mice (disclaimer, I like Razer devices so much that I bought a second duplicate keyboard/mouse set to use at my work office), and I can control the settings on all of them with Razer Synapse.Another great feature is that this keyboard has on-board memory. Straight out of the box it already has several lighting effects preloaded on it, so you can change it up or turn it off without ever having to download Synapse. But if you do download it, you can also take advantage of the on-board memory and store different keyboard profiles. This can come in handy, like if you use it for gaming at home and then also take it to the office to use for work!And traveling it does well. Just the fact it's a small keyboard makes that easier, and might even be a reason why you'd consider buying a 60% sized keyboard. It is a wired keyboard, but they made the cable detachable, and that makes traveling with it so much easier. And honestly, the packaging is simple enough that if you don't have a dedicated case, you can use it for that purpose instead of throwing it out and it barely takes up any more space than the keyboard itself, and again, makes it really easy to travel with. Finally, the build quality is excellent and solid and just feels like it can easily handle any abuse from moving around.The few things to note with this keyboard, because it's small, you're not going to get a lot of the features of a larger keyboard. That's obviously a given, but if you absolutely depend on having a 10-key, then this wouldn't be for you. If you like a 'clicky' style keyboard, then this isn't really for you either.Overall, if it fits your keyboard style preferences, I honestly can't think of any negatives with this keyboard. I've been a fan of Razer products for some time now and they continue to not only meet, but exceed my expectations and I can't recommend this keyboard highly enough.

I've been wanting to dive in to using a smaller keyboard for some time now, but I've always been attached to full size keyboards and those with media keys.Ditching the 10 Key is easy enough. Ditching the FN keys and the media keys of course is a bit harder, moreso the function key's.That out of the way, so far, with some re-learning and getting used to the smaller footprint and finger placement since I'm so used to a 100% keyboards, it's been a great keyboard.My previous has also been a Razer, specifically the Huntsman Elite, so there wasn't a whole lot in the way of needing any new S/W or anything.Being able to confiigure the keys to function as controller input is a potential game changer. I don't know if it will catch on, but it could. It naturally won't ... MoreI've been wanting to dive in to using a smaller keyboard for some time now, but I've always been attached to full size keyboards and those with media keys.Ditching the 10 Key is easy enough. Ditching the FN keys and the media keys of course is a bit harder, moreso the function key's.That out of the way, so far, with some re-learning and getting used to the smaller footprint and finger placement since I'm so used to a 100% keyboards, it's been a great keyboard.My previous has also been a Razer, specifically the Huntsman Elite, so there wasn't a whole lot in the way of needing any new S/W or anything.Being able to confiigure the keys to function as controller input is a potential game changer. I don't know if it will catch on, but it could. It naturally won't replace your controller, but for some games where you would prefer a controller, but at the same prefer using the keyboard, this helps to bridge that gap.Testing it out in some games like Horizon Zero Dawn, GTA and others similar where depending on how much pressure you apply to the key it controls how fast or slow your character moves. This actually really helps in GTA cause of the driving. There's nothing really that offers as great a control as the joysticks on a controller, but again, this really helps to simulate that experience.The configuration through the Synapse software is easy, but also very in depth cause you can adjust each and every single key on the keyboard. It isn't something that's just jump in and setup, it does require some time and effort. There's differing levels of actuation that can be setup as well.The noise of the keyboard is a lot softer than my Elite. This keyboard rarely gets picked up in my discord calls or streaming, but this is preference and I much prefer loud and clicky keyboards be it for everyday typing or gaming.If you're looking for a good quality keyboard thats got a smaller footprint that a 100% model and gives you some adjustability with actuation and better usability for some games that require a more precise amount of control but don't want to rely on a controller, this may very fit the bill for you.