If you’re ready to graduate to a gaming-specific mouse and would rather not pay over $100, the Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed could be your answer. This affordable gaming mouse is propped up by some heavy-hitting wireless and sensor technology that will even appeal to wireless gaming skeptics. Of course, there are a few trade-offs for affordability: there are no RGB settings, weight adjustments, or DPI indicators, and the overall look and feel isn’t as refined as more costly competitors. But it’s not challenging to find reasons to give this wireless gaming mouse a try.
Design: A little too simple
The Basilisk X Hyperspeed is understated design-wise with its all-black build. While utilitarian, the simple design was bland and unrefined. That said, I appreciated the simplicity with certain aspects like the wireless toggle button on the bottom of the device and the wireless receiver storage slot in the battery port. And the scroll wheel is sturdy and delivers crisp, notched feedback while the DPI switch is easy to reach and fast to respond. While all of the buttons felt responsive, the plastics used on the device looked and felt flimsy and insubstantial. Another downfall is how easily it picked up lint and how worn down the rubber feet looked just after a few hours of use. I didn’t use a mousepad, or more specifically a Razer gaming mousepad, however, which is what Razer emphasizes to prevent premature damage. The Basilisk X Hyperspeed is also very lightweight at just a little over 3 ounces with the battery—and there are no optional weights to help anchor this device if you prefer a heavier weight from your gaming mouse.
Key Features: Razer 5G sensor technology has your back
The Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed benefits from the same Razer 5G optical sensors you’ll find in wired favorites like the Razer Deathadder Elite and Razer Mamba Elite. This sensor technology delivers a maximum sensitivity of 16,000 DPI (dots per inch), a top acceleration speed of 40G (G force, or gravitational pull) and up to 450 IPS (inches per second). Higher DPI, IPS, and acceleration rates can mean less mouse effort to achieve precise and swift movements. I stuck to lower DPI sensitivity settings but more seasoned gamers will likely get more benefit from the upper ranges. What I did notice was the ultra-fast response rate from even the slightest mouse movement. That’s a result of the default 1000Hz polling rate for quick reporting and the brand’s optical mouse switch technology that delivers instant action from the moment pressure is applied. Razer says this mouse is poised to deliver up to 50 million spot-on clicks. In other words, this is one lightning-fast mouse that’s more than capable of keeping up at all times.
Performance: Quick DPI switching and lag-free control
During gameplay, DPI switching was very fast and convenient, but I often got lost as I was cycling through my customized DPI settings. There was no point of reference from an indicator light, which is where RGB settings would have been helpful. Though I didn’t test it with any FPS games, the scroll wheel has a composed feel that many say makes it natural for FPS weapon changes. I tested this mouse primarily with mouse-controlled puzzle games and single-player adventure games like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and enjoyed smooth, speedy, and controlled performance across the board with no discernible delays.
Comfort: Generally easy to use
Thanks to the responsive button technology, all of the buttons felt firm and buoyant, requiring little effort to engage. The thumb rest provided easy access to the buttons nearby and I didn’t notice any issues with handling during gaming given the lightweight. More seasoned gamers that require tweaking with weight and DPI sensitivity could feel otherwise. I did try to use it as a general mouse and it just didn’t quite live up to my needs because there’s no side-scrolling or scrolling settings. It could also be a little cramped for larger hands as it was just a little too wide for my small hand.
Wireless: Dual options in Hyperspeed
The Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed uses the eponymous Hyperspeed wireless technology that Razer says is 25% faster than any other wireless technology out there. On Hyperspeed wireless, this mouse is supposed to be good for up to 285 hours and on Bluetooth that extends to 450 hours. I only scratched the surface in terms of continuous hourly usage, but this is another considerable win in this mouse’s buying favor. Both Bluetooth and USB wireless setup were easy and reliable and switching back and forth between the two methods was seamless.
Software: Decent options but buggy overall
The Razer Synapse 3 program provides access to a pretty extensive amount of Basilisk X Hyperspeed customization. You can program keybinds, associate gaming profiles, reassign all the buttons, and adjust DPI settings and polling rates—in addition to setting up multiple profiles to save to onboard storage. While all of that is great in theory, my experience with the software was far less enjoyable than with Logitech G HUB, which also provides a deep level of control but in a much smoother and user-friendly way. There are a lot of extra bells and whistles that are optional and don’t apply to this device, like the Chroma RGB tool, which gave the software a bloated feel. It was also often quite slow to load and apply changes and other times the software just froze or didn’t clearly communicate where a change was successful.
Price: A lot of value at a very fair price
This wireless Razer mouse mounts a strong defense that gaming mice don’t have to be $100 and above or be tethered to a cord to perform well. At just around $60, you can save a decent chunk of change and still enjoy many of the trademark Razer technologies serious and even professional gamers trust. You can save that extra cash for peripherals such as a Razer gaming mousepad or gaming keyboard.
Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed vs. Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro
The Corsair is larger and heavier and even comes with an additional and interchangeable grip for more control and comfort. It’s also Qi wireless-compatible. But the Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed has the clear advantage when it comes to battery life, eclipsing its competitor’s modest-by-comparison 50 hours. The Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed is a very reasonably priced gaming mouse that could serve as a pleasant introduction to wireless gaming. If you prefer RGB settings and flashy accents, this wireless mouse will leave you wanting more. But the stellar battery life and first-rate sensors and wireless dependability far exceed the modest price point.
