As someone who primarily uses a controller for PC gaming, I’ve always wanted to improve my mouse and keyboard gaming skills. Back in the day I was an avid RTS player, playing games like Starcraft, Warcraft, Dark Reign and Z (shoutouts if you remember that), so I do have experience using a mouse. But as my preference drifted to console gaming, I simply found it easier to use a controller, especially when it comes to shooters.
So why review a mouse then? Basically because it forces me to use a mouse and I know there are many others out there like me who would love to use a mouse but feel safer with a controller in their hands. Thanks to HyperX I was able to try out the HyperX Pulsefire Haste lightweight wired mouse and get out of my controller comfort zone.
Light it up
For context, I do own a gaming mouse – my previous mouse was a Logitech G402 and while I found it mostly comfortable, I prefer a smaller style mouse. For a long time (we’re talking more than 10 years) my primary mouse was a Logitech MX Air, a gyroscope mouse that featured a touch scroll button and allowed you to use it in the air (because why not?). I loved that mouse so much that I even bought a spare in case my original ever died (which it never did, but the battery life declined significantly). What I really loved about it was its sleekness – it was just so comfy to use, which is probably the most important aspect of a mouse for me.
This brings us to the Pulsefire Haste, which is priced upwards of $69 depending on where you shop. Weighing in at 59 grams, it has a slim and lightweight profile with a matte black honeycomb shell design that allows for increased breathability to minimise sweaty palms during a heated session. It’s super comfortable to use, more so than the MX Air, thanks to a well-designed hump in the mouse that suits my hand size and preference. If there’s one knock against the design it’s that it may be a little narrow for people with larger hands. The mouse comes with some grip pads if you do find yourself needing extra grip. The cable, which is made from paracord material is much more flexible and less likely to split than rubber cables, is the standard 1.8m, which is a good length without being too long.
The mouse is powered by a Pixart 333r sensor that tracks up to 16,000dpi (dots per inch – essentially the speed of the cursor on-screen). For comparison with similarly priced mouses, the Razer DeathAdder Essential ($59+) tracks up to 6400dpi, the Roccat Burst Pro ($99) tracks up to 16,000dpi, while a $39 gaming mouse from Officeworks tracks up to 12,000dpi (although build quality will be inferior). Whether you utilise the higher dpi is your preference, but it certainly adds to the value of the Pulsefire Haste.
Mousepad not for sale
There are two buttons on the left for tabbing back and forth between web pages, while pressing the scrolling wheel will allow you to scroll by just moving the mouse up or down, and there’s a button just beneath the scrolling wheel that adjusts the dpi of the mouse.
It’s a pretty stock standard wired gaming mouse, but if there’s one feature that gives the Pulsefire Haste a touch of flair it’s the RGB lighting on the scroll wheel, which can be customised by using the company’s NGenuity software, where users can also set different profiles for different purposes.
Perhaps best of all, it’s compatible with both current PlayStation and Xbox consoles. So, if you’re looking for a versatile mouse that you can use between PC and console platforms, this is a good and affordable option.
So now that I have spent a few weeks with the HyperX Pulsefire Haste, how was my gaming experience? While I’d love to tell you that I had an epiphany and was visited by the gods of PC gaming during my time using it, I still prefer using a controller. I do have a newfound appreciation for those who use mouse and keyboard though, but it’s just not for me. For games that gave me no choice, such as the Aussie-made Len’s Island, the Pulsfire Haste felt great to use. Often with click-heavy games like dungeon crawlers, my hand starts to feel fatigued and cramped after 30 minutes or so but using the Pulsefire Haste I could play for longer without my hand getting sore. When it comes to my general usage, such as web browsing, basic graphic design and podcast editing, the Pulsefire Haste gave me no issues, even over long periods.
NGenuity software
Final Thoughts
If you’re after an affordable wired gaming mouse that is lightweight and comfortable, then I easily recommend the HyperX Pulsefire Haste. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles but what it does have it does well. Plus, its console versatility adds another string to its bow.
Review unit supplied by the manufacturer
Click here for information on WellPlayed’s review policy and ethics
