Buying Guide
The Best Low-Latency Gaming Mice
We weighed five gaming mice on weight and battery life; the ROG Harpe II Ace has the lightest weight, and the Pulsefire Haste 2 costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Higher polling rates report movement more often, which trims input delay in fast shooters. Every pick polls at 4,000Hz or more, ordered by polling rate.
Rankings weigh weight, max DPI and battery life as the makers state them; we did not test these gaming mice ourselves, and if a maker skips weight, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming MouseUndercutting the DeathAdder V3 on price when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the DeathAdder V3 the next step up.
Check price for HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming MouseThe DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players.
Best for: Buyers who want DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players.
Check price for Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K Wireless13 programmable controls.
Best for: Buyers who want 13 programmable controls.
Check price for Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lightest Mouse
ASUS ROG Harpe II AceThe lightest weight here (48g).
Best for: Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity.
Check price for ASUS ROG Harpe II Ace on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Razer Viper V3 Pro 8K (Faker Edition)The top of this price range, adding 8000Hz HyperPolling.
Best for: Spending more than the ROG Harpe II Ace costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Razer Viper V3 Pro 8K (Faker Edition) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse
HyperX's wired Pulsefire Haste 2 weighs 53g and reaches 8000Hz polling.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the DeathAdder V3 the next step up.
Skip if
- Pass on it if weight of 53g, behind the ROG Harpe II Ace (48g) rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Grip tape is included. It weighs 53g with a solid shell rather than holes, and the HyperX 26K sensor tracks up to 26,000 DPI. The wired cable keeps it simple.
Its paracord-style HyperFlex 2 cable reduces drag, and it polls at up to 8,000Hz, reporting every 0.125ms. Its 53g weight ranks second of 4 here, behind the ROG Harpe II Ace (48g) and ahead of the DeathAdder V3 (59g). Like the DeathAdder V3, it has a wired connection, while the ROG Harpe II Ace uses a wireless connection.
Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the DeathAdder V3 was the next step up.
Key specs
- Weight
- 53g
- Max DPI
- 26,000
- Polling rate
- 8,000Hz
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Light 53g body
- 8,000Hz polling
- No battery to charge
- Four pieces of included grip tape
Cons
- Weight of 53g, behind the ROG Harpe II Ace (48g)
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K, which runs for 140 hours.
Also Consider2 of 5
Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse
Razer's wired DeathAdder V3 is a 59g right-handed mouse with a Focus Pro 30K sensor and 8000Hz polling.
Best for
- Buyers who want DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players.
Skip if
- Skip it if weight matters most to you; the ROG Harpe II Ace offers 48g.
Why we like it
The shape was refined with esports players, per Razer. Gen-3 optical switches are rated for 90 million clicks. Its Speedflex cable reduces drag compared with a standard rubber cable.
On weight it trails the group at 59g, while the ROG Harpe II Ace weighs 48g. It shares a wired connection with the Pulsefire Haste 2; the Viper V3 Pro Faker goes with a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz connection. Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom.
When we checked, only the Pulsefire Haste 2 cost less, and the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K cost more. Weight is its weakest area, and the ROG Harpe II Ace covers it better at 48g.
Key specs
- Weight
- 59g
- Polling rate
- 8,000Hz
- Connection
- Wired
- Shape
- Right-handed ergonomic
Pros
- Light 59g body
- 8,000Hz polling
- No battery to charge
- The DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players
Cons
- Weight trails the ROG Harpe II Ace (48g)
- Costs more than the Pulsefire Haste 2 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K Wireless
Razer's Basilisk V3 Pro 35K is a 13-control thumb-rest mouse with 8000Hz wireless polling.
Best for
- Buyers who want 13 programmable controls.
Skip if
- Pass if a published weight matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It connects over HyperSpeed, Bluetooth or a cable. Its 13 controls include a multi-function trigger, and 13-zone Chroma lighting includes an underglow. The HyperScroll wheel switches modes automatically.
Keep the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom. Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows.
It was priced above the DeathAdder V3 and below the ROG Harpe II Ace at the time of writing. There is no published weight figure, whereas the ROG Harpe II Ace weighs 48g.
Key specs
- Programmable buttons
- 13
- Max DPI
- 35,000
- Battery life
- 140 hours
- Polling rate
- 8,000Hz
- Connection
- HyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Shape
- Right-handed ergonomic with thumb rest
Pros
- 13 programmable buttons
- Up to 140 hours per charge
- 8,000Hz polling
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
Cons
- No published weight
- Costs more than the Pulsefire Haste 2 at the time of writing
Lightest Mouse4 of 5
ASUS ROG Harpe II Ace
The ROG Harpe II Ace is built around track-on-glass sensing.
Best for
- Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Pulsefire Haste 2, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it weighs 48g and offers a 42,000 max DPI. On weight it leads this guide at 48g, ahead of the Pulsefire Haste 2 (53g). No other pick in this guide offers a wireless connection; compare the Viper V3 Pro Faker, which has a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz connection.
The ROG Harpe II Ace's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom. Its price falls between the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K and the Viper V3 Pro Faker, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K, which runs for 140 hours.
Key specs
- Weight
- 48g
- Max DPI
- 42,000
- Polling rate
- 8,000Hz
- Connection
- Wireless
Pros
- Light 48g body
- 8,000Hz polling
- Track-on-glass sensing
- Wireless connection, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Pulsefire Haste 2 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Razer Viper V3 Pro 8K (Faker Edition)
The Viper V3 Pro Faker is built around 8000Hz HyperPolling, with default settings at 1800 DPI on top.
Best for
- Spending more than the ROG Harpe II Ace costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Pulsefire Haste 2 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it weighs 54g and runs for up to 95 hours. Its 54g weight ranks third of 4 here, behind the ROG Harpe II Ace (48g) and ahead of the DeathAdder V3 (59g). It is the only pick here with a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz connection; the Pulsefire Haste 2 has a wired connection instead.
The Viper V3 Pro Faker's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the ROG Harpe II Ace and the rest.
Key specs
- Weight
- 54g
- Battery life
- 95 hours
- Polling rate
- 8,000Hz
- Connection
- HyperSpeed 2.4GHz
Pros
- Light 54g body
- 8,000Hz polling
- 8000Hz HyperPolling
- Default settings at 1800 DPI
Cons
- Costs more than the Pulsefire Haste 2 at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is polling rate; for more, the Pulsefire Haste 2 offers 8,000Hz.
How We Chose These Low-Latency Gaming Mice
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We compared five mice on weight, max DPI, battery life and polling rate from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 6 fields compared are stated for every pick, while weight and max DPI have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Pulsefire Haste 2 to the Viper V3 Pro Faker, state polling rate and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K gives no weight; the DeathAdder V3 and the Viper V3 Pro Faker give no max DPI.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Pulsefire Haste 2 (under $50) to the Viper V3 Pro Faker ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Low-Latency Gaming Mouse
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Weight
Here weight runs from 59g on the DeathAdder V3 to 48g on the ROG Harpe II Ace, a 19% spread. The Pulsefire Haste 2 comes second at 53g, in the under $50 tier against $100 to $150 for the ROG Harpe II Ace. The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K gives no weight figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Battery life across these picks
Across these 2 picks battery life spans 95 hours (the Viper V3 Pro Faker) to 140 hours (the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K). If battery life is your first filter, the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K sets the ceiling at 140 hours. The Pulsefire Haste 2, the DeathAdder V3 and the ROG Harpe II Ace give no battery life figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
A hand on a white gaming mouse, and the same mouse shown from below What to check at home
Keep the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. The ROG Harpe II Ace's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse.
Extras that separate them
The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K: a HyperScroll tilt wheel. The ROG Harpe II Ace: track-on-glass sensing. The Viper V3 Pro Faker: default settings at 1800 DPI.
A hand next to a black wireless mouse on a blue mousepad Budget
Under $50 buys the Pulsefire Haste 2; $50 to $100 buys the DeathAdder V3; $100 to $150 buys the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K, the ROG Harpe II Ace and the Viper V3 Pro Faker at our last check.
How to Choose a Low-Latency Gaming Mouse
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the DeathAdder V3 the next step up | Pulsefire Haste 2 | Undercutting the DeathAdder V3 on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players | DeathAdder V3 | The DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players |
| Buyers who want 13 programmable controls | Basilisk V3 Pro 35K | 13 programmable controls |
| Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity | ROG Harpe II Ace | The lightest weight here (48g) |
| Spending more than the ROG Harpe II Ace costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Viper V3 Pro Faker | The top of this price range, adding 8000Hz HyperPolling |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ROG Harpe II Ace leads on weight at 48g, ahead of the Pulsefire Haste 2 at 53g. "Not listed" marks weight where the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K leaves the figure out.
| Mice | Weight | Max DPI | Battery life | Polling rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulsefire Haste 2 | 53g | 26,000 | Not listed | 8,000Hz |
| DeathAdder V3 | 59g | Not listed | Not listed | 8,000Hz |
| Basilisk V3 Pro 35K | Not listed | 35,000 | 140 hours | 8,000Hz |
| ROG Harpe II Ace | 48g | 42,000 | Not listed | 8,000Hz |
| Viper V3 Pro Faker | 54g | Not listed | 95 hours | 8,000Hz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Pulsefire Haste 2 was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the Viper V3 Pro Faker the highest ($100 to $150) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Mice |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Pulsefire Haste 2 |
| About $50 to $100 | DeathAdder V3 |
| About $100 to $150 | Basilisk V3 Pro 35K, ROG Harpe II Ace, Viper V3 Pro Faker |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the lightest weight: the ROG Harpe II Ace or the Pulsefire Haste 2?
Between the top two, it is 48g on the ROG Harpe II Ace against 53g on the Pulsefire Haste 2, a 9% difference. The DeathAdder V3 closes the ranking at 59g. The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K is left out of this ranking because its weight isn't stated; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K ahead of the Viper V3 Pro Faker on battery life?
The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K tops battery life at 140 hours; the Viper V3 Pro Faker follows at 95 hours, 47% apart. No battery life figure is published for the Pulsefire Haste 2, the DeathAdder V3 and the ROG Harpe II Ace, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
What does the Viper V3 Pro Faker add over the Pulsefire Haste 2?
The Viper V3 Pro Faker matches or trails the Pulsefire Haste 2 on weight, so pay more only for a feature the spec sheet doesn't cover. The Pulsefire Haste 2 leads on weight (53g). On our last price check the Pulsefire Haste 2 was in the under $50 tier and the Viper V3 Pro Faker in the $100 to $150 tier, with 3 other picks between them.
Why is the ROG Harpe II Ace our Lightest Mouse pick?
It carries the badge for the lightest weight here (48g). On weight it leads the Pulsefire Haste 2, 48g against 53g, a 9% margin. The Pulsefire Haste 2, the cheapest pick, sat in the under $50 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who lifts the mouse often at low sensitivity.
Will the ROG Harpe II Ace work with my setup?
The ROG Harpe II Ace's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Lightest Mouse pick, and first of 4 on weight (48g).
What extras do the Pulsefire Haste 2 and the DeathAdder V3 include?
The Pulsefire Haste 2: four pieces of included grip tape. The DeathAdder V3: the DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players. The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K: 13 programmable controls.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Pulsefire Haste 2, chosen for undercutting the DeathAdder V3 on price when we checked. Look at the DeathAdder V3 for the DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players, the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K for 13 programmable controls and the Viper V3 Pro Faker for the top of this price range, adding 8000Hz HyperPolling if those matter more to you.
8,000Hz polling uses more CPU; check your frame rate stays stable after turning it on.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Mice Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Wireless Gaming Mice for Every Grip and Budget
- Related guideThe Best FPS Gaming Mice
- Lower budgetThe Best Mice Under $150
- Similar guideThe Best RGB Gaming Mice
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Gaming Mouse
- ExplainerMouse polling rate and DPI: what each number changes
- Also see: mouse pads and desk matsHow to Choose a Mouse Pad for Gaming and Work
- Similar guideThe Best Quiet Mice
- Topic hubAll mice guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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