GoKawiilOther Good Gaming Mice to Consider
Photograph: Henri Robbins
Corsair Sabre V2 Pro Ultralight for $130: When I first reviewed the new 36-gram Sabre, I was wowed by its weight but critical of its overly thin shell and flimsy construction. However, I accepted these as being a part of its innate nature as the lightest-possible mouse, and I’m incredibly glad that it exists. It’s a great option if you’re willing to sacrifice everything in the name of “simplifying and adding lightness,” as car designer Colin Chapman put it. But it's probably not the right choice if you want something that feels substantial or meaningful beyond that.
Corsair Sabre V2 Carbon Fiber and Magnesium for $170: While neither of these carry the same groundbreaking lightness of their predecessor (they both hover just below the 60-gram mark), they offer a much more refined design with premium materials and rigidity that’s unmatched by Corsair’s mainstream competitors. While they lag a bit behind in performance, they both feel fantastic to fling around a desk while providing a much more sturdy chassis that gives the impression they can withstand some serious use. Unless you really love the looks or science of carbon fiber, the less-expensive magnesium chassis is definitely the way to go in terms of both sturdiness and on-desk appeal.
Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex for $160: This sculpted mouse predates the Deathadder V4 Pro by over a year and, because of this, the specs lag slightly behind it. However, the shape is just as comfortable, and the internals are still fantastic for anyone except the absolute most-discerning. The best part of this mouse is that, these days, it can easily be found on a significant discount. If you don’t want to shell out the extra cash for Razer’s latest model, or if you prefer Logitech’s software and styling, this is the mouse for you.
Photograph: Henri Robbins
Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE for $80: While MMO-focused mice aren’t finding themselves in the spotlight anymore (much like many of the MMOs that required numpads, and even numpads themselves, for that matter), there are still a few new models kicking around. The Scimitar is one of the most modern ones, adding adjustability to the classic numpad-on-the-side formula with a sliding rail to accommodate different grip styles and hand sizes. While this mouse obviously doesn’t compete with other models on this list in terms of technical specs or weight, it’s a really great mouse for the kinds of games that still necessitate having swathes of macros at your fingertips.
Steelseries Aerox 3 for $100: While it doesn’t have nearly the same weight or speed advantages as offerings from Razer and Logitech, the Aerox 3 is still a great mouse in its own special way. Weighing in at only 66 grams and being one of the only waterproof mice on this list (I literally ran it under a sink for a couple minutes to test this), this mouse is great for multi-user gaming computers, accident-prone individuals, and/or the poolside gaming setup of your dreams. Plus, built-in Bluetooth connectivity means you aren’t stuck with a dongle! However, 1000 Hz polling and 18,000 DPI do mean that, if you aren’t looking for something that’s more durable than average, you may be able to get a good bit more performance for a comparable price.
Logitech G203 for $27: Budget gaming mice often forgo a lot of the conveniences and performance you get out of nicer models, but the Logitech G203 never feels like it's lacking. The sensor has a lower maximum sensitivity than you'll get out of a more expensive offering—8,000 dots per inch—so if you need that top-end sensitivity, you'll want to look elsewhere, but it features six buttons, compatibility with Logitech’s G Hub software, and, most importantly, has RGB lighting. Those are all things you'd typically expect to pay more for.
Photograph: Henri Robbins
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