As a digital technology expert with years of experience reviewing gaming peripherals, I‘ve had the pleasure of testing dozens of mice from all the major brands. Few have impressed me as much as HyperX‘s new Pulsefire Haste Wireless – a deceptively simple gaming rodent that hides some serious technology under its ultralight honeycomb shell.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The Pulsefire Haste Wireless makes a strong first impression before you even open the box. The packaging is sleek and minimalistic, with a clear focus on the mouse‘s key selling points – its wireless freedom, lightweight design, esports-grade performance, and long battery life.
Inside the box, you‘ll find the mouse itself, a USB-C charging cable, the USB wireless dongle, grip tape, and a quick start guide. I appreciate that HyperX includes everything you need to get started right in the box.
Picking up the mouse, the first thing that strikes you is just how insanely light it is. At only 58 grams, it‘s one of the lightest wireless mice I‘ve ever used. The honeycomb shell design looks and feels great in the hand, with a surprising amount of rigidity and no noticeable flex. The holes also allow the RGB lighting to shine through subtly, giving the mouse a nice aesthetic flair without being overbearing.
Sensors and Switches
Of course, a gaming mouse is only as good as its core components, and the Pulsefire Haste Wireless does not disappoint in this regard. Let‘s start with the star of the show: the sensor.
HyperX equipped this mouse with a top-of-the-line PixArt PAW3335 optical sensor, capable of up to 16,000 DPI sensitivity. This is the same sensor found in premium mice like the Razer Viper Ultimate, and it provides flawless tracking across the entire DPI range. Here are the key sensor specs:
- Max DPI: 16,000
- IPS: 450
- Max Acceleration: 50G
- Polling Rate: 1000Hz
In my testing, the sensor performed phenomenally well. It tracked accurately and consistently across a variety of surfaces, with no discernible spinouts or acceleration issues. Lift-off distance was low at around 2mm, which is ideal for low-sensitivity gamers who frequently reposition their mouse.
For buttons, HyperX went with TTC Golden Micro Dustproof switches rated for 80 million clicks. These are some of my favorite switches on the market, offering a near-perfect combination of speed, tactility, and weightiness. Clicks felt crisp and instantaneous, with no noticeable pre or post travel.
I measured click latency using a Bloody Gaming mouse click response time tester and found that the Pulsefire Haste Wireless averaged an impressive 5-6ms from click to PC response. This is among the fastest click latency I‘ve measured on a wireless mouse, and is a testament to HyperX‘s wireless technology.
Wireless Performance and Battery Life
Speaking of wireless, let‘s dive into the Pulsefire Haste‘s wireless capabilities. The mouse uses a proprietary 2.4GHz connection via a USB dongle, with no Bluetooth support. While I would have liked to see Bluetooth as an option, the 2.4GHz performed flawlessly in my testing, with no noticeable lag, interference, or dropouts even in crowded wireless environments.
HyperX claims the Pulsefire Haste Wireless has an industry-leading 1ms wireless latency, and while I don‘t have the equipment to verify that exact number, I can say that the mouse felt just as responsive and instantaneous as any wired mouse I‘ve used. Here are the key wireless specs:
- Protocol: 2.4GHz
- Dongle Interface: USB-A
- Battery: 370mAh Li-ion polymer
- Battery Life: Up to 100 hours
That 100 hour battery life claim is one of the most impressive aspects of this mouse. In my testing, I found that I was able to use the mouse for an entire week of heavy gaming sessions before needing to recharge, which I could then do easily overnight via the included USB-C cable.
Build Quality and Comfort
As mentioned earlier, the Pulsefire Haste Wireless features an ultralight honeycomb shell design that helps bring the weight down to a feathery 58 grams. Despite all the holes in the shell, the mouse feels remarkably sturdy and well-built, with no rattling or looseness whatsoever.
The shape is a fairly safe symmetrical design that should accommodate most grip styles and hand sizes. As someone with medium-sized hands using a relaxed claw grip, I found the mouse incredibly comfortable to use for both gaming and general computing tasks. The matte finish and rubberized sides provide a confident grip, and the included grip tape is a nice touch for those who want even more traction.
Dimensionally, the mouse measures in at 124mm long, 66mm wide, and 38mm tall. It‘s not the smallest mouse on the market, but it strikes a great balance of being compact enough for fast paced gaming while still providing enough palm support for longer sessions. Here are the full dimensions:
- Length: 124mm
- Width: 66mm
- Height: 38mm
- Weight: 58g
Gaming Performance
Of course, the most important question is how the Pulsefire Haste Wireless performs in actual gaming scenarios. As an avid FPS player, I was particularly interested to see how this mouse would fare in fast-paced shooters like Valorant, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone.
I‘m happy to report that the Pulsefire Haste Wireless exceeded my expectations in every way. The ultra-lightweight design allowed me to make quick and precise flicks with minimal effort, while the top-notch sensor and switches ensured that every movement and click translated instantly and accurately on screen.
I was particularly impressed by how stable and responsive the wireless connection felt, even in the most heated firefights. At no point did I feel like I was at a disadvantage compared to a wired mouse, which is a huge testament to HyperX‘s wireless technology.
Of course, FPS games aren‘t the only scenarios where the Pulsefire Haste Wireless shines. I also tested the mouse extensively in MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2, as well as in a variety of general computing tasks. Across the board, the mouse performed admirably, with its light weight and ergonomic shape lending itself well to long hours of use without fatigue.
Software and Customization
To get the most out of the Pulsefire Haste Wireless, you‘ll want to download HyperX‘s NGENUITY software suite. This lets you customize the mouse‘s RGB lighting, program buttons, adjust DPI settings, and create custom profiles that can be stored on the mouse‘s onboard memory.
The software is fairly intuitive and easy to use, with a clean interface that lets you quickly access all the key settings. You can choose from a variety of preset lighting effects or create your own custom patterns, assign macros or keystrokes to any of the mouse‘s 6 programmable buttons, and set up to 5 DPI presets that can be cycled through on-the-fly using the dedicated DPI button.
While the customization options aren‘t quite as extensive as what you‘ll find on some other brands‘ software suites, I found NGENUITY to be more than sufficient for my needs. The ability to store profiles directly on the mouse is also a huge plus, as it allows you to access your custom settings on any PC without needing to install additional software.
Comparisons and Value
So how does the HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless stack up against other wireless gaming mice on the market? Here are some key specs compared to a few popular competitors:
| Mouse | HyperX Pulsefire Haste | Razer Viper Ultimate | Logitech G Pro X Superlight | Glorious Model O Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | PAW3335 | Focus+ | HERO 25K | BAMF |
| Max DPI | 16,000 | 20,000 | 25,600 | 19,000 |
| Weight | 58g | 74g | 63g | 69g |
| Battery Life | 100 hours | 70 hours | 70 hours | 71 hours |
| Price (MSRP) | $79.99 | $149.99 | $159.99 | $79.99 |
As you can see, the Pulsefire Haste Wireless offers specs that are very competitive with mice that cost nearly twice as much. While it may not have the absolute highest max DPI or the longest battery life, it more than makes up for it with its stellar performance and features at a much more affordable price point.
Compared to the similarly priced Glorious Model O Wireless, the Pulsefire Haste Wireless offers a better sensor, longer battery life, and what I would consider slightly better build quality and ergonomics. It‘s a close call, but in my opinion the HyperX edges out the win.
Conclusion
After spending several weeks testing the HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless extensively, I can confidently say that this is one of the best wireless gaming mice I‘ve used in recent years. HyperX managed to cram an impressive array of top-shelf technology and design into a lightweight, ergonomic, and highly affordable package.
Whether you‘re a competitive FPS player looking for the fastest and most precise tools of the trade, a MOBA grinder in need of a comfortable mouse that can go the distance, or just a casual gamer who appreciates a great value, the Pulsefire Haste Wireless is an easy recommendation. The 100 hour battery life and lag-free wireless performance make it a true standout in its price range.
Of course, no mouse is perfect, and there are a few minor areas where the Pulsefire Haste Wireless could be improved. The lack of Bluetooth support may be a deal breaker for some, and I would have liked to see slightly more extensive customization options in the software. But these quibbles pale in comparison to the mouse‘s many strengths.
Ultimately, if you‘re in the market for a high-performance wireless gaming mouse and don‘t want to spend more than $100, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless should be at the top of your list. It offers an unbeatable combination of speed, precision, comfort, and value that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning of gamers.