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The HyperX Pulsefire Haste is our go-to mouse for those gaming experiences that require ultra-lightweight hardware because, when it comes to quick flick and sweeping mouse gestures, less inertial mass is better. Supporting the unencumbered movements is an extremely supple cord that provides about as close to a cordless feeling as a corded mouse can render. The software that supports the mouse is easy to navigate and effective so that you can quickly set it to your needs and get back to gaming. Finally, the Haste is quite affordable. All told, this is the premier lightweight mouse in the class. See it ranked against other top products in our review of gaming mice.
A featherweight mouse with easy-to-use software that makes customization a breeze
This refined mouse boasts low inertial mass for quick flick FPS gaming as well as 6 remappable buttons and a spectacular light array
This is a compact unit and tether-free performer at a reasonable price
A lightweight mouse that fits large hands while offering good customization and ease of use
This corded mouse has high-end hardware, sufferers from a lack of features, and yet the price more than mitigates the deficit
Rating Categories
HyperX Pulsefire Haste
Glorious Model O-
Logitech G305
Corsair Sabre RGB Pro
Logitech G203 Prodigy
Performance(35.0%)
9.2
9.0
8.8
9.0
8.7
Customization(35.0%)
6.3
6.3
6.1
7.3
5.7
Ease of Use(15.0%)
9.5
8.5
9.8
8.0
8.0
Scroll Wheel(15.0%)
9.4
9.0
7.7
5.4
7.4
Specs
HyperX Pulsefire Haste
Glorious Model O-
Logitech G305
Corsair Sabre RGB Pro
Logitech G203 Prodigy
Sensor/ Type/ Flawless?
PAW 3335/ Optical/ Yes
PMW 3360/ Optical/ Yes
Hero/ Optical/ Yes
PMW 3392/ Optical/ Yes
Mercury/ Optical/ Yes
Number of Buttons
6
6
6
6
6
Measured Wire/Charging Cable
6 ft
6 ft, 6 in
Wireless, replaceable battery
6 ft, 10 in
6 ft, 6 in
Measured Weight
59 g
59 g
95 g w/ standard Duracell AA
74 g
87 g
Polling Rate
125, 250, 500, 1000 Hz
125, 250, 500, 1000 Hz
125, 250, 500, 1000 Hz
125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000 Hz
125, 250, 500, 1000 Hz
Software
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
RGB Lighting
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
DPI/CPI (steps)
200 - 16000 (100)
400, 800, 1600, 3200 (remappable)
200 - 12000 (50)
100 - 18000 (1)
200 - 8000 (50)
Tracking Speed (IPS/FPS)
450
250+
400
450
200+
On-Board Memory?*
Yes (1)
No
Yes (1)
Yes (1)
Yes (1)
Switch Type (Manufacturer)
Mechanical (TTC Golden)
Mechanical (Omron)
Mechanical (Omron)
Mechanical (Omron)
Mechanical (Logitech)
Handedness
Right
Both
Right
Right
Right
Size
Large
Small
Medium
X-Large
Medium
Approx. Measured Length
4.88"
4.74"
4.6"
5"
4.57"
Approx. Measured Shell Length
5.5"
5.6"
5.2"
6"
5.25"
Approx. Measured Height
1.48"
1.38"
1.51"
1.67"
1.5"
Approx. Measured Hump inset, back to hump
2.25"
2.05"
2"
2.5"
1.85"
Approx. Measured Finger Width
2.2"
2.26"
2.3"
2.33"
2.23"
Approx. Measured Waist
2.4"
2.08"
2.46"
2.24"
2.45"
Approx. Measured Palm Width
2.5"
2.23"
2.14"
2.6"
2"
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Our Analysis and Test Results
In the heat of battle, you don't want to be weighed down by a bulky mouse with a stiff cable if you can avoid it. The HyperX Pulsefire Haste cuts no corners in hardware and design to deliver one of the lightest weight mice with the nimblest of cables on the market. HyperX even managed to pack in some customizable lighting supported by its extremely well-engineered software while keeping the cost manageable for the blue-collar gamer.
Performance Comparison
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste is our favorite lightweight mouse as it excels at FPS games.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Performance
First and foremost, our evaluation of gaming mice looks at the performance because, let's face it, high-end performance is the reason we fork over extra money for a game-specific piece. Specifically, we look at the DPI/CPI, the sensor, the tracking speed, polling rate, and, of course, the weight. When the details are taken as a whole, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste checks in at the top of the class in performance. However, there are some aspects of this mouse's performance that are arguably preferential, so keep reading for those details.
This HyperX Pulsefire Haste has a lot to offer — particularly at its price point, so let's get the negative points out of the way first and move on to all the goodies packed into this periphery. Firstly, while the DPI/CPI has a respectable range of 200 to 16000, the Haste limits the fine-tuned adjustments to steps of 100. Okay, not a huge deal but, the other knock against the mouse is that it uses mechanical switches — as opposed to optical ones — which leave them susceptible to all the bounce issues that plague these devices. Pretty minor issues, but some might find them to be deal-breakers. Let's move on to the numerous benefits on offer from this mouse.
Don't judge a book by its cover -- this simple-looking machine packs in top-notch hardware.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste use a flawless PAW3335 Optical sensor that eliminates any corrective software that would affect the onscreen fidelity of your hand movements. The Haste has a tracking speed of 450 inches per second — not the highest in the class, but it's pretty darn fast. Additionally, the unit has a stepped polling rate of 125, 250, 500, and 1000 Hz. Lastly, the Haste tips the scales at a mere 59 grams, making it one of the lightest we've tested.
The honeycombed shell helps bring down the weight on this featherlight mouse.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Customization
As with performance, customization is a key aspect of a gaming mouse. Three components comprise our customization analysis: lights, buttons, and scroll wheel; we also tack on the handedness of the device and whether one can adjust the unit's weight. We look at the action of the buttons and scroll wheel later on. Here, our investigation focuses on the adjustability of these components. Unfortunately, the nature of ultra-light mice limits a good deal of the customization, and so the HyperX Pulsefire Haste didn't rate highly in this area compared to its heavier counterparts. That being said, the Hyper is quite customizable where it counts such as button binds.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste allows the user to customize four of its six buttons to macros. However, the device is only capable of storing a single button profile at a time. As far as lights go, there is a single light zone on the scroll wheel and it can be set to three primary effects: solid, cycle, and breathing. There is also an array of colors and speed that you can apply to these effects. Unfortunately, there are no scroll wheel adjustments, no weight adjustments, and the shell is fit exclusively for right-handers. As a bonus, the HyperX comes with “grip tape” that you can apply to match your gripping points.
While HyperX isn't super customizable, it does have button remapping and an adjustable scroll wheel lighting.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
If the HyperX Pulsefire Haste suffers a bit in our customization assessment, then it certainly makes it up in the ease of use evaluation. This metric takes a close look at the aspects of the mouse's design that make it more or less difficult to interact with the device. Essentially, we ask, how hard is it to get this product to do what it is designed to do. In the Haste's case, it's pretty darn easy.
To be more specific, we look at the mouse's cable, which for the HyperX Pulsefire Haste is six feet and as unobtrusive as a cable gets without getting rid of the cable altogether. The software, too, is quite good. However, we thought it was a little weird that we had to download the software from the Microsoft Store as opposed to the HyperX site, but that's a small detail. The software covers customization features like DPI, lights, and button binding. These settings are easy to make and change, the software being quite easy to learn and navigate. Finally, the on-the-fly adjustments — meaning those that don't require the use of the software — are limited to a button on the top of the unit that toggles between four DPI settings. All told, it is the simplicity of the device that makes it so easy and effective to use.
The HyperX software is easy to operate, rendering the desired settings in short order.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Scroll Wheel
This metric is an evaluation of the action and sound of the HyperX Pulsefire Haste's six buttons and scroll wheel. We found the buttons of the HyperX to be comfortable and we especially like the “comfort grips” on the left and right buttons. All buttons were easy to reach and actuate.
Additionally, the scroll wheel action offers easy clicking and the scroll wheel action is super smooth with subtle, tightly spaced steps. While we liked the wheel's feel, if you're looking for something more tactile, then this is probably not what you are looking for in a scroll wheel. Taken as a whole, we found the button experience provided by the HyperX to be well balanced such that they were easy to actuate but not accidentally depress.
Value
We see value as a ratio of the performance of the product as compared to its peers and its price, again, as compared to its peers. The HyperX Pulsefire Haste is a great value as it scored nearly at the top of a very competitive class and yet it is among the least expensive models on the market. However, this model does not have many of the features (such as storage for multiple button profiles) enjoyed by the more expensive models in the class. If you desire a more heavily equipped device, the price of this model will not provide you with a reasonable value. That caveat aside, we think that this mouse is one sweet deal.
Conclusion
All told, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste is lean, mean, and ready to swing. The lightweight, and thus the speed it allows, comes at the cost of some features like more lights, adjustability in the scroll wheel, and onboard memory. Yet, for the right gamer, this will be a great tool for fast-action playing. If you rarely game or value wireless freedom, you should read our best wireless mice review.
