Buying Guide
The Best Optical-Switch Gaming Keyboards
Four keyboards ranked on layout and switches; the TUF K3 Gen II is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Optical switches register a press with light, so there is no contact bounce. Every pick uses optical switches, ordered by polling rate.
Rankings weigh layout, switches and connection as the makers state them; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASUS TUF Gaming K3 Gen II
The lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming K3 Gen II (opens in a new tab)
Linear Optical Switches
Razer Huntsman Mini
Linear optical switches.
Best for: Buyers who want linear optical switches.
Our take Check price for Razer Huntsman Mini (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini (Analog)
Rapid trigger with on-the-fly actuation changes.
Best for: Buyers who want rapid trigger with on-the-fly actuation changes.
Our take Check price for Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini (Analog) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini
The top of this price range, adding swappable OptiPoint switches.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming K3 Gen II (opens in a new tab) |
| Linear optical switches. | Buyers who want linear optical switches. | Check price for Razer Huntsman Mini (opens in a new tab) |
| Rapid trigger with on-the-fly actuation changes. | Buyers who want rapid trigger with on-the-fly actuation changes. | Check price for Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini (Analog) (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding swappable OptiPoint switches. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
ASUS TUF Gaming K3 Gen II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASUS's TUF K3 Gen II is a 97-key wired board with optical-mechanical switches, PBT keycaps and an IP57 rating against water and dust.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wired onl is a problem.
Why we like it
A gasket mount and foam are unusual at its price. A 97-key compact layout is unique to it among these picks, while the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog uses a 60% layout. You get optical-mechanical switches here, which sets it apart from the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog and its analog optical Gen-2 switches.
You also get a detachable top plate. The TUF K3 Gen II needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Huntsman Mini the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 97-key compact
- Switches: Optical-mechanical
- Connection: Wired
- Keycaps: PBT
Pros
- Optical-mechanical switches
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- IP57 water and dust resistance
- Silicone gasket mount with dampening foam
Cons
- Wired only
Linear Optical Switches2 of 4
Razer Huntsman Mini on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Razer's Huntsman Mini uses linear optical switches and doubleshot PBT keycaps in a 60% frame.
Best for
- Buyers who want linear optical switches.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no dedicated arrow keys or function ro is a problem.
Why we like it
Hypershift adds a second layer of functions. Snap Tap prioritises the latest of two keys, and Chroma RGB syncs with games and Philips Hue. Like the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog and Apex 9 Mini, it has a 60% layout, while the TUF K3 Gen II uses a 97-key compact layout.
No other pick in this guide offers linear optical switches; compare the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog, which has analog optical Gen-2 switches. You also get optical switches with a shorter actuation distance than standard linears, per Razer. The Huntsman Mini needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. Its price falls between the TUF K3 Gen II and the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60%
- Switches: Linear optical
- Connection: Wired
- Keycaps: Doubleshot PBT
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- Linear optical switches
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Optical switches with a shorter actuation distance than standard linears, per Razer
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the TUF K3 Gen II at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 4
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini (Analog) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This analog Huntsman V3 Pro Mini listing offers rapid trigger and on-the-fly actuation changes.
Best for
- Buyers who want rapid trigger with on-the-fly actuation changes.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
It is rated for less than the Esports edition. It shares a 60% layout with the Huntsman Mini and Apex 9 Mini; the TUF K3 Gen II goes with a 97-key compact layout. You get analog optical Gen-2 switches here, which sets it apart from the Huntsman Mini and its linear optical switches.
It also offers an onboard visual guide for adjustments. The Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. It was priced above the Huntsman Mini and below the Apex 9 Mini at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60%
- Switches: Analog optical Gen-2
- Connection: Wired
- Keycaps: Doubleshot PBT
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Rapid trigger with on-the-fly actuation changes
- Onboard visual guide for adjustments
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the TUF K3 Gen II at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SteelSeries's Apex 9 Mini uses swappable OptiPoint optical switches with zero debounce.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
Why we like it
It costs less than the Apex Pro Mini. Two-point actuation switches between a light 1mm press and a deliberate 1.5mm press, and double-shot PBT keycaps resist shine. Like the Huntsman Mini and Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog, it has a 60% layout, while the TUF K3 Gen II uses a 97-key compact layout.
It is the only pick here with OptiPoint optical switches; the TUF K3 Gen II has optical-mechanical switches instead. The Apex 9 Mini needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 60%
- Switches: OptiPoint optical
- Connection: Wired
- Keycaps: Doubleshot PBT
Pros
- Compact 60% layout
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Swappable OptiPoint switches
- Zero debounce
Cons
- No dedicated arrow keys or function row
- Wired only
- Costs more than the TUF K3 Gen II at the time of writing
How We Chose These Optical-Switch Gaming Keyboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared four keyboards on layout, switches, connection and keycaps from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the TUF K3 Gen II to the Apex 9 Mini, state layout, switches and connection and share Wired connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The TUF K3 Gen II for the lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing; the Huntsman Mini for linear optical switches; the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog for rapid trigger with on-the-fly actuation changes.
- Price range
- From the TUF K3 Gen II to the Apex 9 Mini, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in an Optical-Switch Gaming Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Switches
The TUF K3 Gen II lists optical-mechanical; the Huntsman Mini lists linear optical; the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog lists Analog optical Gen-2; the Apex 9 Mini lists OptiPoint optical. Settle this first, then compare prices.
What to check at home
The TUF K3 Gen II needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Extras that separate them
The Huntsman Mini: Hypershift for a second layer of key functions. The Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog: an onboard visual guide for adjustments. The Apex 9 Mini: zero debounce.
Where your budget lands
All 4 sat in one tier when we checked, from the TUF K3 Gen II at the low end to the Apex 9 Mini at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Keeping the budget tight: the TUF K3 Gen II. Buyers who want linear optical switches: the Huntsman Mini. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the Apex 9 Mini.
Linear, tactile or magnetic
Linear switches travel smoothly, tactile switches have a bump, and clicky switches add a click. Hall effect switches read a magnet, so actuation can be adjusted and rapid trigger resets a key as soon as it rises.
How to Choose an Optical-Switch Gaming Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | TUF K3 Gen II | The lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want linear optical switches | Huntsman Mini | Linear optical switches |
| Buyers who want rapid trigger with on-the-fly actuation changes | Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog | Rapid trigger with on-the-fly actuation changes |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Apex 9 Mini | The top of this price range, adding swappable OptiPoint switches |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The TUF K3 Gen II, the Huntsman Mini and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Keycaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUF K3 Gen II | 97-key compact | Optical-mechanical | Wired | PBT |
| Huntsman Mini | 60% | Linear optical | Wired | Doubleshot PBT |
| Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog | 60% | Analog optical Gen-2 | Wired | Doubleshot PBT |
| Apex 9 Mini | 60% | OptiPoint optical | Wired | Doubleshot PBT |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Huntsman Mini our Linear Optical Switches pick?
It earns the label for linear optical switches. It suits anyone who wants linear optical switches.
Do the TUF K3 Gen II and the Huntsman Mini differ on layout?
The TUF K3 Gen II uses 97-key compact; the Huntsman Mini, the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog and the Apex 9 Mini use 60%.
Will the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog work with my setup?
The Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. In this guide it ranks third of 4.
What extras do the TUF K3 Gen II and the Huntsman Mini include?
The TUF K3 Gen II: IP57 water and dust resistance. The Huntsman Mini: optical switches with a shorter actuation distance than standard linears, per Razer. The Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog: rapid trigger with on-the-fly actuation changes.
Do I need 8,000Hz polling?
No. It is a marginal gain on top of 1,000Hz and can cost battery life and CPU time.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the TUF K3 Gen II, chosen for the lowest price among these keyboards at the time of writing. Look at the Huntsman Mini for linear optical switches, the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog for rapid trigger with on-the-fly actuation changes and the Apex 9 Mini for the top of this price range, adding swappable OptiPoint switches if those matter more to you.
Check switch compatibility before buying replacement switches.