Razer Huntsman Mini Vs Steelseries Apex 9 Mini: Which 60% Keyboard Reigns Supreme?
What To Know
- The Razer Huntsman Mini exudes a sleek and minimalist aesthetic, featuring a tenkeyless design that sheds the numeric keypad for a more compact form factor.
- Both the Razer Huntsman Mini and the SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini are excellent compact gaming keyboards that offer impressive performance, features, and customization options.
- If you prefer adjustable actuation points and a magnetic wrist rest, the SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini might be a better fit for you.
In the realm of gaming peripherals, compact keyboards have emerged as a popular choice for gamers seeking a combination of performance and portability. Two prominent contenders in this category are the Razer Huntsman Mini and the SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini. Both keyboards boast impressive features, but which one stands out as the superior choice? In this comprehensive comparison, we delve into the key aspects of these compact gaming keyboards to help you make an informed decision.
1. Design and Build Quality:
Razer Huntsman Mini:
The Razer Huntsman Mini exudes a sleek and minimalist aesthetic, featuring a tenkeyless design that sheds the numeric keypad for a more compact form factor. Its aluminum top plate lends a sturdy and durable construction, while the keycaps are made from PBT plastic, known for its resistance to wear and tear.
SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini:
The SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini also adopts a tenkeyless layout, prioritizing a compact design. Its aircraft-grade aluminum frame provides exceptional durability, and the keycaps are crafted from double-shot PBT, ensuring long-lasting durability and resistance to fading.
2. Switches and Typing Experience:
Razer Huntsman Mini:
The Razer Huntsman Mini offers two switch options: the Razer Linear Optical switches and the Razer Clicky Optical switches. Both switches utilize optical actuation technology, delivering exceptionally fast response times and a satisfying typing experience. The linear switches provide a smooth and consistent keystroke, while the clicky switches offer a pronounced tactile feedback with an audible click.
SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini:
The SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini comes equipped with SteelSeries’ proprietary OmniPoint 2.0 switches. These switches feature adjustable actuation points, allowing you to customize the sensitivity of each key to your preference. The switches also boast a lightning-fast response time of 0.2 milliseconds, ensuring precise and responsive inputs.
3. RGB Lighting:
Razer Huntsman Mini:
The Razer Huntsman Mini is adorned with Razer’s signature Chroma RGB lighting system, offering a vast array of customizable lighting effects and colors. Each key is individually addressable, allowing for intricate lighting patterns and synchronization with other Razer Chroma-enabled devices.
SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini:
The SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini features per-key RGB lighting, granting you the ability to assign custom colors and effects to each key. The keyboard also supports SteelSeries‘ PrismSync technology, enabling synchronized lighting with other compatible SteelSeries devices for a cohesive aesthetic.
4. Additional Features:
Razer Huntsman Mini:
The Razer Huntsman Mini incorporates dedicated media keys for convenient control over audio playback, volume adjustment, and muting. It also includes a detachable USB Type-C cable for easy connectivity and portability.
SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini:
The SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini boasts a magnetic wrist rest for added comfort during extended gaming sessions. It also features dedicated macro keys that can be programmed with custom commands and macros for enhanced gaming functionality.
5. Software and Customization:
Razer Huntsman Mini:
Razer’s Synapse software provides comprehensive customization options for the Huntsman Mini. You can remap keys, create macros, adjust lighting effects, and fine-tune switch actuation points (for the linear optical switches only).
SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini:
SteelSeries’ GG software offers extensive customization capabilities for the Apex 9 Mini. You can assign macros, adjust RGB lighting, create profiles for different games, and even fine-tune the actuation points of the OmniPoint 2.0 switches.
6. Price and Availability:
Razer Huntsman Mini:
The Razer Huntsman Mini is available in two variants: the linear optical switch version and the clicky optical switch version. Both variants are priced at $119.99.
SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini:
The SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini retails for $129.99.
The Verdict:
Both the Razer Huntsman Mini and the SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini are excellent compact gaming keyboards that offer impressive performance, features, and customization options. However, the choice between the two ultimately depends on your preferences and budget. If you prioritize fast optical switches and extensive RGB lighting, the Razer Huntsman Mini is a great choice. If you prefer adjustable actuation points and a magnetic wrist rest, the SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini might be a better fit for you.
Popular Questions
1. Which keyboard has a more durable construction?
Both the Razer Huntsman Mini and the SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini feature durable construction with aluminum top plates and PBT keycaps. However, the SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini’s aircraft-grade aluminum frame may provide slightly better durability.
2. Which keyboard offers more customization options?
Both keyboards offer extensive customization options through their respective software, but the SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini has a slight edge with its adjustable actuation points and magnetic wrist rest.
3. Which keyboard is better for gaming?
Both keyboards are excellent for gaming, offering fast response times and customizable features. However, the Razer Huntsman Mini‘s linear optical switches may provide a slight advantage in competitive gaming due to their exceptionally fast actuation.
