The best gaming mice with a highly sensitive sensor

HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is an ultra-light (5-button gaming mouse with an upgraded optical sensor, durable button switches, built-in memory, as well as a lightweight and flexible HyperFlex 2 USB cable. Despite the official price of $60, it is like most gaming gadgets from HyperX fully lays claim to the status of a full-fledged e-sports device... For comparison, ultra-light and high-precision manipulators are now asking at least $100 - 150.

Under the hood, Haste 2 features a new HyperX 26K sensor that provides sensitivity levels of up to 26,000 dpi, acceleration up to 50 G and speeds up to 650 ips. The response sensitivity of the USB connection is an impressive 8000 Hz, this figure is 2 to 4 times higher than the polling rate of the first generation Haste mice. Thanks to these factors, HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 allows you to aim more accurately and react faster to the actions of your opponents in Apex Legends, Fortnite, Battlefield, Counter-Strike and other dynamic online shooters. Otherwise, the device stands out for its ergonomics, build quality, connection options and customization options.

Unlike the original model with perforation, in the second integration of Pulsefire Haste the user returned to the classic hollow body, however, due to competent rebalancing of the elements, the weight of the mouse decreased from 59 to 53 grams. The body itself is symmetrical, you can control it with both your left and right hands. Although, the side buttons are still oriented for the right hand, so keep that in mind. Our own switches with a resource of 100 million clicks are now used as push-button switches. For comparison, the first model used TTC Golden switches with a resource of 60 million clicks. Overall, HyperX turned out to be an excellent sequel without any obvious flaws or weaknesses.

A few years ago, a new category of perforated mice with a lightweight body, similar to a head of Dutch cheese, appeared on the gaming mouse market. If we are not mistaken, the Swedish company Xtrfy set the trend, and other manufacturers quickly followed suit. One of them was SteelSeries, which launched a separate Aerox line, which includes the hero of today’s review. According to the Danish manufacturer, this design increases the reliability of the grip, since the mouse slides less in the palm. Plus, the perforated case looks great with RGB lighting turned on. And so that the manipulator does not get dirty from accidentally spilled tea, the manufacturer has provided the case with IP56 moisture protection.

If we put aside the design features, then we will have another high-end eSports mouse from SteelSeries, which embodies all the best developments of the Danish brand. It supports high-rate combo connectivity (radio/bluetooth/USB), TrueMove Air optical sensor allows custom resolution up to 18,000 DPI (with up to 40G acceleration), programmable key combinations can be stored directly in the device's memory, and new Teflon feet take up more surface area . Compared to the original model, the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless 2022 Edition case has expanded slightly and is 2 grams heavier, which, according to the manufacturer, has slightly increased ease of control. Well, the main and programmable mouse buttons are now based on durable mechanical switches with a resource of 80 million clicks.

For all its coolness, the device often offers tempting discounts - for example, for the upcoming Black Friday, the manufacturer has reduced the price from almost 110 to 60 Euros, thereby raising the price-quality ratio to sky-high levels. Even without the discount, the 2022 Aerox 3, with its combo connectivity, programmable buttons, durable switches and comprehensive lighting, is still one of the best gaming mice of recent years. If you don’t plan to use Bluetooth or a radio, we recommend paying attention to the slightly more affordable model SteelSeries Aerox 3 2022 Edition.

At the beginning of 2023, the American esports manufacturer Razer announced the long-awaited third update to its legendary DeathAdder mouse, which at one time prompted many gamers to talk about Razer with aspiration. The third version of DeathAdder retained its key feature in the form of a comfortable case and acquired a number of improvements. In particular, thanks to close work with famous esports teams, Razer was able to optimize the weight of the mouse, reducing it to 59 grams. The rodent body is perfect for both finger and claw grips. And the slightly rough matte plastic does not slip in the hand and is easy to clean from hand marks.

“Under the hood” of the Razer DeathAdder mouse there is a new high-precision proprietary Razer Focus Pro sensor with a maximum resolution of up to 30,000 DPI, a speed of 750 ips and a maximum acceleration of up to 70 G, which guarantees maximum accuracy and speed of aiming in e-sports shooters a la Quake, Apex Legends , COD, CS: GO and Overwatch. In general, the sensor can be an excellent solution for both professional eSports players and casual gamers who prefer high-quality and accurate gaming devices. Unlike the second version of DeathAdder, the third generation boasts a maximum polling rate of 8000 Hz (note: due to Razer HyperPolling technology), which, according to the manufacturer’s idea, increases the accuracy of the mouse cursor’s trajectory.

The set of buttons on the device remains the same - 4 main keys, a DPI switch and 1 scroll wheel. The switches used are upgraded optical switches Razer Switches of the third generation with a resource of up to 90 million clicks. The mouse also has built-in memory for storing different key combinations in different games and replaceable Teflon feet. In this place there should be a small, typical Razer “mouse is great, but” style block, but this time you will have to do without it. The manipulator turned out to be really convenient and accurate, while it costs adequate money due to the lack of backlight and wireless connection.

Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition is a gaming mouse with a combined connection (USB, Bluetooth, radio), created by Asus engineers in collaboration with the developers of the Aim Lab aiming training service. The mouse comes with software from Aim Lab with a virtual shooting range where the player can hone their precision aiming and shooting skills. Moreover, this is not just a virtual shooting range, but a smart feedback system that analyzes all the player’s actions, draws attention to the main mistakes, helps to choose a more suitable type of weapon, and also optimizes the control of the manipulator.

The main reason for pride is the AimPoint optical sensor, which provides a sensitivity level of up to 36,000 dpi (with acceleration up to 50 G and a speed of no more than 650 ips). The sensor is extremely difficult to break or dull, which is critical for any competitive online shooter, where the slightest mistake or delay can cost the entire team victory. In addition to the high-quality sensor, it stands out due to its perfectly balanced and lightweight body (only 54 grams!), on which specialists from Asus and Aim Lab worked together. According to them, they created 15 different housing options until they found the perfect option.

The main buttons are made of durable, abrasion-resistant PBT plastic. In addition to programmable buttons, the user also has access to durable ROG mechanical microswitches with an increased click life of up to 70 million. In addition, special mention should be made of replaceable Teflon feet, a proprietary ROG Paracord cable, a specialized ROG SpeedNova radio receiver with reduced input latency and three-zone RGB backlighting of the case.

The super lightweight Logitech Superlight mouse, released in 2021, quickly acquired the status of a bestseller, so it would be strange if the Swiss manufacturer decided to delay the update. Like the original model, the Superlight 2 is an extremely lightweight and precise device for eSports athletes with a lightweight body, special Teflon glides, built-in memory, Powerplay wireless charging and an advanced second-generation Hero optical sensor.

One of the main advantages of the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 is its minimal weight - only 60 grams. And this was achieved without using the now fashionable perforated case. It is also the first mouse in Logitech's arsenal to feature the new high-precision Hero 2 sensor, which has a maximum resolution of 32,000 DPI with a maximum acceleration of 40 G and overclocking to 500 ips. The sensor boasts a unique dual-array design, which Logitech says increases operating range and provides accurate motion tracking even when lifting and tilting the body.

Logitech separately noted that they decided to replace mechanical button switches with Lightforce hybrid optical-mechanical switches, which will not suffer from double clicks over time. The button structure remained unchanged compared to the first Superlight model, but the number of slots in the built-in memory for storing settings has increased. In addition to the cable connection, the mouse supports wireless radio communication - as before, a proprietary LIGHTSPEED USB dongle with a polling frequency of 2000 Hz is used for this. In general, Logitech did a good job fixing the bugs, it’s a pity that the price has increased by almost one and a half times. Moreover, many more affordable lightweight mice with 26–30K DPI sensors have recently appeared on the market.