The temptation will always be there for PC enthusiasts. I feel the urge to spend more hard-earned dollars every single day. If I don’t spend the maximum amount of money on a product, I somehow fear that I have been cheated or that my PC’s performance is not quite what it could be. For example, I spent a hefty sum for an RTX 2070 Super GPU only to watch the new 3000 models arrive within months after my purchase. I initially coveted the new products while cursing myself for not waiting. Low and behold, I’m still incredibly happy, and my PC performance is awesome – still ultimately beating the new consoles. I would argue putting the majority of funds into your PC – don’t buy into the “high end” peripheral marketing campaigns.
The new HyperX Pulsefire Haste mouse is a perfect example of a budget mouse that performs just as well as some of the higher-end mice I have tested. You can spend hundreds of dollars on a mouse if you choose, but is it worth it? No. It’s not. Keep in mind, I’m not a pro gamer by any standard, but I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you aren’t either. I’ve tested higher-end mice, and I’ve tested budget mice. Some perform better than others, for sure. Some absolutely feel better than others too. Most have similar speeds, and most depend on the skill of the user. Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Pulsefire Haste a rockstar in its lightweight division.
The Look
The Pulsefire Haste is a honeycomb-style, lightweight mouse that is a mere 2.1 ounces. It sounds light, and it is light. I usually avoid the honeycomb-style mice, but this one feels so comfortable that I find myself switching between my favorite (Roccat Kain 120 Aimo) mouse and this one. Like most lightweight contenders, the cord is a braided shoestring that easily prevents tangles and practically makes the mouse feel wireless. Otherwise, it is clear HyperX was going for feel and performance over style here. RGB lighting is minimal and just in the mouse wheel, and programmable buttons align well with my thumb. It also comes with optional textured grips to add on – I don’t tend to use these as I like the feel of it just as well without them.
The Performance
I tested the Pulsefire Haste with various games, including Apex, Doom Eternal, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The most noticeable performance boost clearly came from the FPS games, and Doom was a blast to play with a lightweight, quick response mouse. I found myself adjusting the DPI on the fly to find the best speeds to play with, and Doom demands high speed to simply survive. The mouse glides with ease and worked so well, and I had to ponder whether it is really worth shelling out up to $160 on some of the top gaming mice out there from Logitech and Razer. I would argue no. Sure, they boast better sensors, but in the end, I’m guessing the everyday gamer won’t see much of a difference. Perhaps I will get my hands on a few of those at some point and change my mind.
The optional Ngenuity software provided allows for programmable buttons and profiles for different games. DPI and RGB adjustments are also available, but I didn’t really find the need to change much. The software itself could use some work to add to its ease of use, but otherwise, it’s there if you need it.
The Verdict
Is the HyperX Pulsefire Haste my favorite gaming mouse? It certainly is in my top five for how simplistic and responsive it is. It is an excellent mouse for the cost, and if you don’t need all of the fancy lights, you will be overwhelmingly pleased with a purchase. I’m still partial to a slightly heavier style mouse like the Roccat I mentioned above, but I don’t feel like the cost is worth the performance difference. I’m excited to see what else HyperX has to offer in their future gaming endeavors. Happy Gaming.
