Razer has unveiled a new premium line of gaming keyboards today, which the company has dubbed the Razer Huntsman. The line offers two Huntsman keyboards: one fully-featured Razer Huntsman Elite keyboard with dedicated media keys, wrist rest, and underglow lighting, and a performance-focused Razer...

Having used Cherry MX Blue's for years, my initial impression was that I hated the keys. They make a much more annoying high-pitched click, and are much lighter to actuate. However, having gotten used to it, the Opto-Mechanical switches really are a dream to use.

It's hard to imagine a better time to be in the market for a gaming keyboard than now. We're at the tail-end of both the ‘make-it-RGB' and ‘make-it-mechanical' trends, with consumers poised to reap the benefits.

Top-notch design and build quality; Opto-mechanical switches are hyper-tactile

Expensive; Key innovations aren't quite a game-changer

This keyboard is beautiful. The media controls are perfect. The wrist rest feels luxurious. The laser keys are a neat addition to mechanical keyboards. So where does this product go wrong I have had several issues where the laser keys were sticking (!!!

It’s hard to imagine a better time to be in the market for a gaming keyboard than now. We’re at the tail-end of both the ‘make-it-RGB’ and ‘make-it-mechanical’ trends, with consumers poised to reap the benefits. When it comes to software, almost all of the major brands offer comprehensive RGB customizability. When we’re talking hardware, things like full N-key rollover and 30-million keystroke durability are pretty much the norm.

Time will have to tell whether opto-mechanicals are the next gold rush for the gaming accessories space. However, for now, the products like Razer Huntsman are great - but not quite a gaming necessity.

Top-notch design and build quality; Opto-mechanical switches are hyper-tactile;

Expensive; Key innovations aren't quite a game-changer;

Great mechanical action for both typing and gaming; Comfortable wrist-rest; Easy to clean; So many lights. So. Many. Lights.;

No USB passthrough; No macros; Requires two USB ports;

The Razer Huntsman Elite is a good keyboard with novel optical switches that have the potential to be something special.

Novel hybrid switches; Robust lighting options; Great performance; Smart design

High price; Inconsistent software

Razer's Huntsman Elite is the company's first keyboard to use optical switches instead of the traditional mechanical switches it has been using for years. The idea is that by using light sensors inside each switch, as opposed to physical connections, the switches can be more responsive and faster.

While Corsair, at the moment, owns our gaming keyboard throne with its killer K95 Platinum, Razer aims to usurp it with an all-new flagship keyboard, the Huntsman Elite ($199.99). To that end, Razer has deployed a new kind of key switch that uses optical light technology. The company claims it will improve durability, and it allows for a key feel that is both light and clicky. What's more, the Razer Huntsman Elite introduces dedicated media keys, a volume dial, and onboard memory for settings and profiles to a Razer keyboard for the first time. It's a solid effort, but it lacks a handful of features that were already present in more affordable Razer keyboards before it. We'd call this strike at the king brave, but a near miss. Everything But the Macro Keys Last year, the 3.31-pound Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 impressed us with its minimalist design, per-key RGB backlighting, and dedicated macro keys. The Huntsman Elite takes some of these ideas and stuffs them inside a meatier, 3.8...

With a new kind of key switch, plus wild RGB backlighting, dedicated media keys, and a volume dial, Razer's Huntsman Elite gaming keyboard offers plenty, but for the price, it's missing a few bits some gamers will deem crucial.

Fast, tactile switches with light touch; Per-key RGB backlighting and underglow; Dedicated media keys and volume dial; Onboard memory for profiles and settings; Magnetic leatherette wrist rest

Expensive; Only one switch type; No dedicated macro keys

Mechanical gaming keyboards have soared in popularity, and with a vast number of players looking to secure their slice of this lucrative pie, manufacturers are having to think outside the box in order to stand out from the burgeoning crowd.

Excellent clicky key switch; Leatherette wrist rest; Best-in-class RGB lighting; Solid build and stylish looks; Mature software utility

No USB passthrough; Media controls could be better; Costs £200