Hey guys! So you're stuck trying to decide between the Razer Huntsman and the BlackWidow V3, huh? It's a tough call, I know. Both are fantastic keyboards from Razer, but they cater to slightly different needs and preferences. Don't worry; by the end of this article, you'll know exactly which one deserves a spot on your desk. We're going to break down everything from the switches to the build quality, the features, and of course, that all-important price tag. Let's dive in and get you typing on the perfect keyboard!

Keyboards Overview

Before we get into the nitty-gritty comparison, let's get a general idea of what each keyboard brings to the table.

Razer Huntsman: The Speed Demon

The Razer Huntsman line is all about speed and responsiveness. These keyboards are known for their optical switches, which use light to register keystrokes. This results in incredibly fast actuation and minimal input latency, making them a favorite among gamers who need every millisecond advantage they can get. The Huntsman family includes several models, like the Huntsman V2 Analog and the Huntsman Mini, each offering unique features and form factors, but they all share that core focus on speed.

Razer BlackWidow V3: The Classic Mechanical

The BlackWidow V3, on the other hand, is a more traditional mechanical keyboard. It uses Razer's mechanical switches, which come in different flavors like Green (clicky), Yellow (linear and silent), and Orange (tactile and silent). The BlackWidow line is known for its robust build quality, comfortable typing experience, and a wider range of features, such as dedicated media controls and a USB passthrough. It's a versatile keyboard that's great for both gaming and everyday use. The BlackWidow V3 also comes in different sizes including full-size, tenkeyless (TKL) and mini.

Switches: The Heart of the Matter

The type of switch is arguably the most important factor when choosing a mechanical keyboard. It dictates the feel, sound, and overall typing experience. Let's take a closer look at the switches offered in the Huntsman and BlackWidow V3.

Razer Huntsman: Optical Switches

The Huntsman keyboards utilize Razer's optical switches, which are fundamentally different from traditional mechanical switches. Instead of relying on physical contact to register a keystroke, optical switches use a beam of light. When you press a key, it breaks the light beam, and the keyboard registers the input.

The primary advantage of optical switches is their speed. Because there's no physical contact involved, the actuation point is much faster, resulting in virtually zero input lag. This can be a game-changer in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. Razer offers two main types of optical switches in the Huntsman line:

• Razer Optical Linear Red Switches: These switches are designed for pure speed. They have a light actuation force of 45g and a short actuation point of 1.0mm. This means that the keys register with very little pressure and travel, making them incredibly responsive.
• Razer Optical Clicky Purple Switches: These switches offer a tactile bump and a clicky sound, similar to Cherry MX Blue switches. They have an actuation force of 45g and an actuation point of 1.5mm. The tactile feedback and audible click provide a satisfying typing experience and let you know exactly when a key has been registered.

Razer BlackWidow V3: Mechanical Switches

The BlackWidow V3 uses Razer's mechanical switches, which are based on the traditional mechanical switch design. These switches use physical contact to register a keystroke, providing a tactile and audible feedback. Razer offers three main types of mechanical switches in the BlackWidow V3:

• Razer Green Switches: These are clicky and tactile switches, similar to Cherry MX Blue switches. They have an actuation force of 50g and an actuation point of 1.9mm. The Green switches provide a distinct tactile bump and a loud clicky sound, making them ideal for typists who enjoy strong feedback.
• Razer Yellow Switches: These are linear and silent switches, similar to Cherry MX Red switches. They have an actuation force of 45g and an actuation point of 1.2mm. The Yellow switches are smooth and quiet, making them a good choice for gamers and office users who don't want to disturb others.
• Razer Orange Switches: These are tactile and silent switches, similar to Cherry MX Brown switches. They have an actuation force of 45g and an actuation point of 2.0mm. The Orange switches provide a subtle tactile bump without the clicky sound, making them a good compromise between typing feedback and noise level.

Build Quality and Design

Both the Razer Huntsman and the BlackWidow V3 boast excellent build quality, but there are some key differences in their design and materials.

Razer Huntsman

The Huntsman keyboards typically feature a sleek, minimalist design with an aluminum top plate and a plastic bottom case. The keycaps are made of doubleshot PBT plastic, which is more durable and resistant to shine than ABS plastic. The Huntsman V2 Analog also includes a plush leatherette wrist rest for added comfort.

The overall construction feels solid and premium, and the keyboard sits firmly on the desk without any noticeable flex. The Huntsman keyboards also feature Razer's Chroma RGB lighting, which is customizable through the Razer Synapse software.

Razer BlackWidow V3

The BlackWidow V3 also features an aluminum top plate for durability, but the bottom case is made of plastic. The keycaps are made of doubleshot ABS plastic, which is still durable but may develop a shine over time with heavy use. However, some BlackWidow V3 models, like the BlackWidow V3 Pro, come with doubleshot PBT keycaps.

The BlackWidow V3 has a more traditional keyboard design with a slightly larger footprint than the Huntsman. It also includes dedicated media controls and a multi-function digital dial, which can be used to adjust volume, brightness, and other settings. Like the Huntsman, the BlackWidow V3 also features Razer Chroma RGB lighting.

Features and Functionality

Beyond the switches and build quality, the Razer Huntsman and BlackWidow V3 offer a range of features that can enhance your gaming and typing experience.

Razer Huntsman

The Huntsman keyboards are packed with features designed for gamers. Some notable features include:

• Optical Switches: As mentioned earlier, the optical switches provide incredibly fast actuation and minimal input latency.
• Razer Chroma RGB Lighting: Customizable per-key lighting with a wide range of effects and colors.
• Onboard Memory: Allows you to save your lighting and macro profiles directly to the keyboard.
• Hypershift: Lets you assign a secondary function to each key, effectively doubling the number of available commands.
• Analog Input (Huntsman V2 Analog): The Huntsman V2 Analog features analog input, allowing you to control the degree of actuation, similar to a gamepad joystick.

Razer BlackWidow V3

The BlackWidow V3 offers a more versatile set of features that cater to both gamers and everyday users. Some key features include:

• Mechanical Switches: A variety of switch options to suit different preferences.
• Razer Chroma RGB Lighting: Customizable per-key lighting with a wide range of effects and colors.
• Dedicated Media Controls: Allow you to easily adjust volume, play/pause, and skip tracks.
• Multi-Function Digital Dial: Can be used to adjust volume, brightness, and other settings.
• USB Passthrough: Provides a convenient USB port for connecting peripherals.
• Wrist Rest: A plush leatherette wrist rest for added comfort during long typing sessions.

Price and Value

Alright, let's talk money. The Razer Huntsman and BlackWidow V3 occupy similar price points, but there can be variations depending on the specific model and features. Generally, the Huntsman tends to be slightly more expensive due to its optical switches and advanced features like analog input.

Consider your budget and prioritize the features that are most important to you. If you're a competitive gamer who needs the fastest possible response time, the Huntsman might be worth the extra investment. However, if you prefer the feel of mechanical switches and want a more versatile keyboard with dedicated media controls, the BlackWidow V3 is an excellent choice.

Which Keyboard Should You Buy?

So, after all that, which keyboard should you actually buy? Here's a quick rundown to help you decide:

Choose the Razer Huntsman if:

• You're a competitive gamer who needs the fastest possible response time.
• You prefer the feel of optical switches and want a lightweight, responsive typing experience.
• You want advanced features like analog input (Huntsman V2 Analog).
• You like a sleek, minimalist design.

Choose the Razer BlackWidow V3 if:

• You prefer the feel of mechanical switches and want a variety of switch options.
• You want a more versatile keyboard for both gaming and everyday use.
• You need dedicated media controls and a multi-function digital dial.
• You want a more traditional keyboard design with a larger footprint.

Ultimately, the best keyboard for you depends on your individual preferences and needs. Consider what's most important to you in a keyboard – whether it's speed, feel, features, or price – and choose the one that best fits your requirements. Happy typing!