Razer Huntsman Mini Analog Review
A tiny gaming keyboard with a superb performance
Verdict
The Razer Huntsman Mini Analog is a fantastic gaming keyboard if you’re looking for both analog switches and a smaller layout. It’s well made with some good looks, and features some incredible-feeling switches for gaming. As long as you don’t mind the steep price, the Mini Analog is well worth a pick up.
Pros
- Incredibly compact and sturdy
- Analog switches are a game changer
- Gorgeous lighting
Cons
- No arrow keys or number pad
- Expensive for a smaller keyboard
Availability
- UKRRP: £149.99
- USARRP: $149
- EuropeRRP: €159.99
Key Features
- Razer Analog SwitchesThe Huntsman Mini Analog features Razer’s analog switches, allowing for multiple commands in one key press.
- Zero-latency wired connection:There’s speedy, wired connection with a 1.8m detachable USB-C to USB-A cable
- Synapse 3 software & Chroma lighting:You’ll find plenty of customisation with Razer’s Synapse 3 software & bright Chroma RGB lighting
Introduction
Last year proved that analog gaming keyboards could become mainstream with the award-winning Razer Huntsman V2 Analog.
But, a 60% analog gaming keyboard, surely that’s unheard of? Enter Razer’s newest entry, the Huntsman Mini Analog.
With a retail price of £149.99/$149/€159.99, it isn’t the cheapest gaming keyboard option out there, but if you’re desperate to experience the powers of a smaller footprint keyboard with analog switches, then it may just be a price worth paying.
Design
- Compact layout can be great for productivity
- Sturdy frame with no deck flex
- PBT keycaps are a nice addition
Much like its non-analog sibling – the standard Razer Huntsman Mini – this Analog variant is sturdy and well built with a nice feeling aluminium outer casing and minimal deck flex.
Since it’s 60% the size of a standard gaming keyboard, you’re getting less keys here, with Razer only providing the essentials. You’re just getting the usual alphanumeric keys with no nav cluster, additional number pad, or even arrow keys.
This can take some getting used to if you’ve never used a 60% keyboard before, but on the whole, the layout can be great for saving desk space. If you do want more keys though, then a TKL board without a number pad can give you a happy medium, such as the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini or even the modular Asus ROG Claymore II.
The Huntsman Mini Analog Mini flaunts the classy and premium feeling double-shot PBT keycaps that Razer seems to reserve for its more expensive keyboards. It helps to make the board feel more durable with higher quality plastics than the more commonly used ABS plastics.
On the underside, you’ll find some sturdy flip-out feet that allow for a more comfortable typing angle, as well as simply reinforcing how durable the Huntsman Mini Analog feels.
Performance
- Analog switches offer incredible accuracy
- Can be pretty loud
- Full NKRO & anti-ghosting are useful to have
The main reason you’d pick up the Huntsman Mini Analog isn’t arguably for how it looks and feels, but majorly for what’s inside. It features Razer’s incredible analog switches that I have no hesitation in calling some of the best out there on a gaming keyboard today.
If you aren’t familiar with analog switches, they essentially give you controller-like accuracy in a keyboard by allowing for more progressive inputs than a normal gaming keyboard. For example, you can set a single key to have multiple functions, depending on how hard you press it. A light press on ‘W’ could see your character slowly walk forward, while a firm push will activate a sprint, just like how you’d use a joystick.
It can take some getting used to if you’re been a long time PC gamer, but you most likely won’t find a better keyboard experience than with analog switches, especially in such a small form factor keyboard.
Alongside the power of analog switches, the Huntsman Mini Analog also feature some other nice-to-haves such as full NKRO and anti-ghosting, which can just help to offer maximum accuracy and precision when you’re in the heat of battle.
I also found the Huntsman Mini Analog to be a competent board for day-to-day usage. Its switches offer a pleasant typing experience but it can get pretty loud when the switches bottom out. This is something to be aware of if you do plan on using the Huntsman Mini Analog anywhere else other than the confines of your own home.
Software and lighting
- Synapse 3 is a versatile software suite
- Chroma lighting is vibrant and sharp
- Plenty of customisation on offer
The Razer Huntsman Mini Analog can only truly be unlocked with Razer’s Synapse 3 software, an additional download that is one of the best in the business. You can tweak individual key inputs, alter the colour and effects of the lighting and even link certain setups to specific games.
With analog switches, there’s inherently more customisation as you can customise the individual actuation points for even snappier inputs on certain keys, which I found to be incredibly handy. You can even map keys to mirror respective controller inputs, which is really clever.
I will confess to spending more time than I should have done customising the Huntsman Mini Analog’s inputs, and to be truthful, it may be less time-consuming to just plug in a controller.
As for lighting, it looks as though Razer has taken a different approach with the Huntsman Mini Analog as presets can be set using hotkeys and keyboard shortcuts. There are seven in total, ranging from static colour to it cycling through a spectrum, and as usual with Razer products, its Chroma RGB lighting engine makes everything look fantastic.
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Should you buy it?
You want to try analog switches:
The Huntsman Mini Analog is a marvellous way of trying analog switches, adding controller-like functionality to your keyboard setup.
You want a larger layout keyboard:
60% keyboards aren’t for everyone. If you want a more standard layout with the additional functionality of a number pad and nav cluster, then you may be better off with the full-size Huntsman V2 Analog.
Final Thoughts
The Razer Huntsman Mini Analog is a great compact gaming keyboard. Its analog switches are some of the best out there, and this is also a marvellously well-built keyboard with no deck flex whatsoever. Its lighting is also smooth and sharp, as is typical with Razer, and its 60% size can be handy for productivity tasks.
In a wider sense, the Huntsman Mini Analog is perhaps indicative of a wider trend within the keyboard world where enthusiast-level features such as analog switches and smaller layouts are making their way into the mainstream.
How we test
We use every keyboard we test for at least a week. During that time, we’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by playing a variety of different genres, including FPS, strategy and and MOBAs.
We also check each keyboard’s software to see how easy it is to customise and set up.
Spent at least a week testing
Tested the performance on a variety of games
Compared the build quality with similar priced keyboards.
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FAQs
An analog keyboard features analog switches, which can be configured to have multiple inputs per stroke. For example, pushing a key lightly could make you aim down the a gun’s sight, while pushing it down completely could see you fire your gun.
No, the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog is only available with wired connectivity.
Full specification
Jargon buster
RGB
RGB stands for Red Green Blue, and essentially means a device is capable of producing colourful lighting, rather than just a white light. It's often found on gaming peripherals such as mice and keyboards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
