Razer Huntsman Mini vs Tournament Edition
Razer Huntsman models are among the most highly rated gaming keyboards. In this article, we will discuss the comparison between Razer Huntsman Mini vs Tournament Edition. As the latest addition to the series, Huntsman Mini offers the newest linear key switch technology in a very compact body. Meanwhile, Huntsman Tournament Edition has more buttons, some of which may be irreplaceable.
Continue reading to learn further about:
- The size and form factor of each Razer Huntsman keyboard
- How the new optical switch of Huntsman Mini compares to Huntsman Tournament Edition
- The additional features and software of Razer Huntsman Mini vs Tournament Edition
- The comparison of their noise, accuracy, and overall performance
- Whether you should get Razer Huntsman Mini or Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition
Razer Huntsman Mini vs Tournament Edition: Design
There are actually two variants of Razer Huntsman Mini, the clicky version and the linear version. The idea is that the clicky version has a loud sound like a typical mechanical keyboard, whereas the linear version has a smooth design and is quieter. We will focus our comparison on the linear version, because Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition also works with linear optical key switches.
Razer Huntsman Mini is significantly smaller at 11.5 inches long and 4.1 inches wide. According to the company, this keyboard only has 60% of the form factor of a typical full-size keyboard. As a result, it is very compact, very portable, and very space-friendly. However, it does not have a number pad, function keys, and arrow keys. Read also: Razer Huntsman Elite vs Apex Pro.
The keys have a floating design, which results in the keyboard being a little taller than usual. The aluminum construction and the PBT keycaps feel solid and robust. There is a pair of feet at the bottom that can be set to one of two positions, and the USB cable is removable for easy storage.
Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a tenkeyless keyboard. In other words, it doesn’t have a number pad on the right side like a typical full-size keyboard. However, it still has function keys and arrow keys, so it is indeed larger than the Mini. It measures 14 inches long and 5.5 inches wide. Similarly, however, the Tournament Edition comes with PBT keycaps and a removable USB cable.
| Razer Huntsman Mini | Tournament Edition | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 4.07 x 11.56 x 1.45 inches | 5.54 x 14.27 x 1.45 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 1.15 pounds | 1.63 pounds |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
Razer Huntsman Mini vs Tournament Edition: Switches
Razer Huntsman Mini comes with one major advantage. It comes with new linear optical switches, which are better in pretty much every aspect than the Tournament Edition. People use linear optical switches because they want a keyboard that provides a smooth, consistent response without noise. Razer Huntsman Mini fills this expectation really well. The keys work smoothly and consistently, while being incredibly silent. They also feel solid, precise, and durable.
As a work-around for the lack of arrow and F1 – F12 keys, some buttons have double functions that can be accessed by using the Fn button. You can see which button is which by seeing the label on the button’s side. Alternatively, you can use the Razer Synapse software to customize the keys yourself.
Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, on the other hand, works with an older generation of linear opto-mechanical switches. It is theoretically quieter than keyboards with tactile switches. However, in real use, it is not very quiet. It is easily among the noisiest linear-switch keyboards. Still, the actuation response is smooth and comfortable, as expected from linear switches.
Razer Huntsman Mini vs Tournament Edition: Features
The key switches and number of buttons aside, Razer Huntsman Mini and Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition have similar features. Both can work plug-and-play right out of the box. However, if you want to customize the keys, create different configuration profiles, or change the RGB lighting, you need to use the Razer Synapse software.
The software will allow you to reprogram every key on the keyboard. As the effect, Razer Huntsman Mini and Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition can be much more flexible than most gaming keyboards in the market, which usually only allow you to reprogram a few of their keys.
However, with the Mini, keep in mind that the default functions on some buttons that are accessed via the Fn button can’t be overridden. So, there is this small limitation. This is not a real problem because most of the time you can just assign the same function to a different key combination if the default one doesn’t work well for you.
Both Razer Huntsman Mini and Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition have internal storage. You can create up to five different profiles with different command assignments on the keys. This is very useful for quickly adjusting to different games, or for switching between game and work configurations.
Last but not least, it is not like Razer products if you can’t customize the RGB lighting. Both Razer Huntsman Mini and Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition support 16.8M different colors and are compatible with Razer Chroma. Although you can switch between 7 lighting modes without having to open any software, Razer Chroma will allow you to create more detailed customization – the software even allows you to assign a different color for every key.
Razer Huntsman Mini vs Tournament Edition: Performance
The only issue with Razer Huntsman Mini during gaming is the lack of arrow buttons. Some games, such as those from the Civilization series, use arrow keys a lot. Razer Huntsman Mini does not have these keys, and instead uses the Fn key in combination with I, J, K, and L buttons for arrow functions. This is inconvenient because pressing the Fn key together is not quick or intuitive to do.
However, via the software, it is possible to map arrow functions directly to the buttons so that pressing the Fn key won’t be necessary. This is work-around generally works nicely. You can switch between profiles if you don’t want these keys to double as arrow keys all the time.
The actuation of Razer Huntsman Mini feels really good. It is smooth, consistent, and comfortable. More importantly, the keys are very silent. There is zero noise as long as you don’t hit the key with all your might. You can use this keyboard in an office environment without having to worry about disturbing your colleagues.
Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition has the advantage of having dedicated buttons for some functions, particularly the arrow functions. However, this is the only advantage, as Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition does not provide the same actuation quality as the Mini. The keys are somewhat wobbly and do not feel as robust.
Yet, the biggest problem is the noise. Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition produces a lot of noise. A casual tap on a key produces an audible sound that can be distracting in an office environment. Hence, it is not recommended if you want something discreet.
Conclusion
In general, Razer Hunstman Mini is the better keyboard. It is much smaller, making it significantly more space-friendly and portable. The biggest advantage is the new linear optical switches, which are incredibly silent and very comfortable to use.