Closer Examination

At first glance, you might be hard-pressed to identify whose keyboard this is, at least until you tilt the keyboard slightly, which reveals the subtle Razer marking above the arrow keys on this tenkeyless (TKL) form factor keyboard. The Huntsman V2 TKL is one of the cleanest keyboards I have seen to date, which is a big change from the Razer Lycosa I was referring to on the first page. If there is one thing that the custom keyboard market has shown, it's that there is a big market for a better-built keyboard with a clean base users can then customize to their desire. We saw this with PC cases and motherboards too, and I am quite glad to see Razer following suit here.

I have the UK ISO layout variant, which the big, fat Enter key ISO fans will relish shows. The Huntsman V2 TKL is available in multiple layouts and languages, which is one of the reasons it can truly be called a mainstream keyboard on top of the wide distribution channels Razer cherishes. This is otherwise as typical a premium TKL keyboard as you can think of from the front and sides, with an aluminium frame given a matte finish that extends slightly past the keys in all directions for averagely sized bezels. There are no beveled edges, no side or under-body lighting, and this keyboard only comes in black with white legends to keep things simple. Speaking of which, we see the general secondary legends placed alongside the primary ones at the top of the keycaps, with keyboard-specific legends below the primary ones as applicable. Single-legend placement is in the top-center, which for this RGB-backlit keyboard is indicative of north-facing LEDs.


Flipping the keyboard around, we see more of the same markings as on the wrist rest and the expected sticker in the middle that has the keyboard name, model and serial numbers, and certification information. Four square rubber pads at the corner help prevent the keyboard from sliding around on your desk. We also find two sets of keyboard feet at the top, marked 6° and 9° to indicate the added elevation options. These have tiny rubber pads on their contact surface, which feel barely worth it—I would rather Razer go with a larger contact surface for both feet.


Only wired connectivity is aboard, and the expected Type-C port is inside a case cutout at the top-left corner facing away from the user. Notice the grooves on the side, which now explain the matching cutouts in the connector housing of the included cable. This makes for a secure fit that is hidden in use, allowing for only the black, braided cable to come off and head over to the source, where you need an available USB Type-A port. USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) is recommended for power and data alike, although USB 2.0 will work if you have nothing else available.


The included wrist rest has no means of connecting to the keyboard, be it through magnets or clips. You simply push it in place against the bottom and use your hands to keep it there. It can be handy with the keyboard feet raised, which make for a higher profile that can be less-than-comfortable while typing without this plush top wrist rest. I would recommend trying touch typing first to see if you can make do without the wrist rest since it also increases the width of the package from 140 mm to 230 mm.


A look at the side shows a slightly elevated medium-height case profile that can be increased by using the two sets of keyboard feet. Razer is using the tried and tested OEM keycaps profile with the six rows sculpted and contoured accordingly. With the Huntsman V2 TKL, you get PBT plastic keycaps by default, which is great for longevity. These won't develop a shine due to finger oils, but note that the PBT has a rougher texture than some other options and aftermarket keycap sets. This is not good or bad by itself, just a matter of preference. All the general keyboard legends are doubleshot injected with backlighting compatibility, so these too will last the test of time. Unfortunately, the keyboard-specific legends do not get this treatment as they are laser-etched and opaque. It is tough to justify a change to a keycap mold for something as specific only, but these will wear out sooner than the others nonetheless.


The Huntsman V2 TKL is an optical keyboard available in two first-party switch options, the Razer Linear Optical Gen-2 (Red) and Clicky Optical (Purple) switches. I have the former here, which my Razer contact also seemed quite excited about. These are Razer-branded and manufactured to Razer's specifications by A4Tech using its LK optical switch platform, including rated performance after certain clicks. These switches are quite unique otherwise in that they all have a stabilizer to themselves, which the likes of ASUS then took to internally with first-party optical switches seen in the ROG Claymore II. These are still cross-stem designs compatible with keycaps designed for Cherry MX switches. Despite these being optical, they are not easily removable from the top—one more thing shared with ASUS—so let's hold off until the next page for that. The larger keycaps use Cherry-style stabilizers with a light amount on lube on the metal bar where it touches the plastic.