Razer Huntsman Mini Analog

Small but mighty keyboard

- CHRISTIAN GUYTON

WHAT DO CONTROLLERS have over the reliable old keyboard-and-mouse combo? How can they hope to match the unerring precision of the mouse? How can they keep up with less than 20 buttons to press? Pfft. There’s absolutely no reason to use a controller, no sir. No reason whatsoever. Except…

Yeah, alright, analog sticks are great. Variable input force has long been an advantage of rocking a gamepad in all sorts of games, from racing titles to shooters and fighting games. The ability to move your avatar or turn your vehicle slowly, delicately, with a single sustained input rather than constant anxious key tapping, can be an oft-underrated boon. Fortunately, keyboards are catching up.

The Huntsman Mini Analog isn’t Razer’s first foray into using analog input key switches, nor its first attempt at a 60 percent keyboard. The original Huntsman Mini was a fine example of a compact gaming keyboard, while the Huntsman V2 Analog offered Razer’s flashy switches in a full-scale layout. What we have here is a mashup of those two keyboards, the best of both worlds.

It should go without saying that you need to be comfortable with the 60 percent layout to get the most out of this keyboard. There’s no numpad, no dedicated function, or media keys, and everything is squeezed together for the smallest possible overall size. It’s impressively lightweight but sturdy, ideal for tossing in a backpack for LAN parties or maintaining a minimalist gaming space. The detachable USB-C to USB-A cable is braided for improved durability.