Once we first reviewed the HyperX Pulsefire Haste in 2021, we praised its light-weight nature, {powerful} sensor, and cheap worth. These options made it our top-recommended esports mouse, they usually proceed to shine in its successor, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2. This wonderful sequel has a more-powerful sensor, and it weighs even much less. Though barely dearer, at $59.99, the Haste 2 improves on almost each top-of-the-line qualities of its predecessor, which makes it an Editors’ Alternative choose for esports mice.
Extra Haste, Much less Waste
The unique Haste used a sample over its physique of small hexagonal cutouts to achieve its light-weight (2-ounce) standing. The Haste 2 weighs a fair lighter 1.92 ounces, whereas together with just one restricted space of cutouts. It is on the underside of the mouse this time, principally hidden by the product info label.
We obtained the white wired model for overview, however HyperX additionally presents a black variant on the similar worth, in addition to a wi-fi model, in each colours, for $79.99.
The mouse measures 1.5 by 2.6 by 4.9 inches (HWD), with a 5.9-foot braided cable. Without any consideration-handed mouse, it has two buttons on the left aspect the place your thumb would relaxation, two buttons for left and proper clicks, and a transparent, rubbery scroll wheel you may click on. Additionally on the physique is a DPI switcher that swaps amongst 4 totally different dot-per-inch (DPI) settings by default, making a grand complete of six buttons.
Anybody promoting a wired gaming mouse in 2023 ought to at the very least contemplate including a little bit of customizable RGB lighting to it. The Pulsefire Haste 2 does have some, however solely sufficient to shine by way of the clear a part of the scroll wheel. We might have favored to see a bit extra RGB, recognizing that the numerous avid gamers who do not desire it could actually merely flip it off. By default, biking by way of the DPI settings will even change the RGB impact to a special shade for 4 seconds, however this habits will be modified by way of the HyperX NGenuity software program utility (mentioned beneath).
The Haste 2’s HyperX 26K sensor can deal with a 26,000dpi most with a polling price of 8,000Hz, up from the unique Haste’s 16,000dpi. A excessive polling price permits inputs from the mouse get to your laptop as quick as doable. An off-the-cuff gamer may not discover, but it surely might ship the sting {that a} aggressive participant would want in a match.
The Haste 2 adopts a palm-style design that nestles comfortably in a medium-size hand, which implies that bigger fingers could must resort to a claw-style grip. That is not essentially a destructive, as some esports gamers truly desire the claw grip. Total, the mouse’s fashion appears and feels much like that of the unique Haste, however it’s taller and wider, making it simpler to seize. If additional grip is required (because the mouse shell is sort of easy), HyperX consists of rubber grip tape within the packaging, in addition to substitute PTFE ft.
The Software program: Simply Sufficient NGenuity
HyperX presents its NGenuity utility to customise the Haste 2. Very like with the unique Haste, you may regulate the 4 DPI presets, add your individual, or take away them to fit your play fashion. You can too regulate your polling price and add new RGB results for personalised aptitude.
The Haste 2 doesn’t have onboard storage for a number of profiles, so that you’re restricted to the default profile in case you take your mouse with you. However NGenuity itself allows you to create and save settings in a number of profiles, and you may even export them to a USB drive, so the dearth of onboard storage is much less of an inconvenience than it would in any other case be.
There’s solely a lot customization you are able to do with an esports mouse, since this class of mouse usually trades extra options for much less weight. Nonetheless, what NGenuity presents is greater than sufficient for the aggressive gamer trying to fine-tune the gaming expertise.
After tweaking settings on our overview unit, it was time for some real-world gameplay. In our hands-on testing utilizing AimLab, an esports coach, the Haste 2 proved a definitive enchancment over a base common from a a lot heavier Logitech G502X Plus. However it was not rather more correct than different ultralight mice we have examined just lately, just like the Darkish Matter Hyper-Okay or the Superb Mannequin O 2.
Verdict: An Ready Replace to a Favourite
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 would not want to supply rather more than its award-winning predecessor did, however what modifications HyperX does make within the new technology allow the Haste 2 to proceed its domination. Its bigger dimension makes it extra comfy to carry, and in a cheerful paradox, its lighter weight in contrast with its predecessor offers the aggressive edge that many hardcore avid gamers crave. It isn’t precisely a feature-laden premium mouse, however at $60, it would not must be. It merely presents nice bang in your buck, making it an Editors’ Alternative honoree for esports mice.
