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Reviewing a mouse is hard. When it works well, it’s nearly invisible and you can forget about it for years, putting it through a solid pounding for months at a time before you have to swap out a battery or recharge it. When it doesn’t work – which is rare – the mouse is absolute junk, a frustrating amalgam of bad parts and poor interactivity.
The new $69.99 Razer Viper Hyperspeed ($84.99 with dongle) is the first kind of mouse and it’s definitely a mouse you want in your corner. Designed for pro gamers, this ultralight pointing device is super sensitive, extremely ergonomic, and is currently a fan favorite with multiple professional gamers.
The mouse itself is a study in understatement. There is a single logo on the front of the mouse and not much else. What’s really special about this mouse is how it works.
What is the Razer Viper Hyperspeed V3?
Razer has once again collaborated with esports professionals to refine their mouse design, integrating lessons learned from previous Viper releases. The result? The new Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed, is a wireless, lightweight mouse meticulously crafted for esports, emphasizing functionality and comfort. The mouse is all about performance so if you’re looking for a home office beast like the Logitech MX Master then, well, you’re probably better off going in that direction.
The Viper line, known for its lightweight design and ambidextrous shape, is a solid choice for those seeking a budget-friendly Razer mouse. However, it’s worth noting that it may not be the lightest or most economical option on the market. The Viper V3 HyperSpeed is not merely a stripped-down version of its predecessor, the Viper V2 Pro. It sports a redesign with noticeable tweaks to comfort and feel, and a forward-shifted sensor.
At the heart of the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed is the Razer Focus Pro 30k Optical Sensor. The high-resolution sensor offers sensitivity of up to 30,000 dpi and 99.8% resolution accuracy. This means that even the smallest movement will register during your gaming session. Further, the mouse tracks on glass and has “26 granular levels of height adjustment compared to only 3 in the previous version” which means you can lift and move this mouse without messing up gameplay.
Finally, one of the standout features of the Viper V3 HyperSpeed is its remarkable battery life. Powered by Razer HyperSpeed Wireless technology, this mouse can sustain up to 280 hours of high-performance gaming on a single AA battery. That means you can tackle your most intense scrimmages and tournaments without worrying about constantly recharging. It’s also completely wireless thanks to a dedicated dongle that offers a 4000 Hz wireless polling rate.
The design of the Viper V3 HyperSpeed deviates slightly from the Viper V2 Pro, featuring a smooth, untextured “soft touch” finish that debuted on Razer’s DeathAdder V3.
The mouse measures 5 inches long, 2.51 inches wide, and is 1.57 inches high at its highest point, and weighs 2.89oz with one AA battery installed. The Viper V3 HyperSpeed maintains the Viper line’s semi-ambidextrous shape, with a slim, symmetrical body and two left-side thumb buttons. The primary mouse buttons have been redesigned to prevent accidental presses and feature more pronounced finger grooves. Additional tweaks include a raised, rear-shifted hump, flatter side walls, and a slight separation between the thumb buttons. The Viper V3 HyperSpeed comes with six programmable buttons: left/right click, two left-side thumb buttons, a center DPI switch button, and a clickable scroll wheel. Razer also allows you to program the scroll wheel directions, offering a total of eight programmable controls. On the bottom of the mouse, you’ll find the battery compartment/USB dongle storage under a small plastic door, as well as a power switch. The sensor has been moved forward by about half an inch, which gives the mouse a different feel from the Viper V2 Pro.
Is the Razer Viper Hyperspeed V3 a good mouse?
The V3 is very light and responsive. If that’s what you’re looking for – and many pro gamers will agree – then it’s definitely worth the $69 price tag. I’m not the audience for this mouse but I can definitely see who is. The cursor almost skitters across the screen with this beast and tracking is sublime. Basically you’re gaining an unfair advantage when it comes to gaming.
I think the V3 is indicitive of a new style of mousing, one focused more on performance than bells and whistles. While you can customize this mouse and set the buttons to your liking, in many cases all you’re going to want to use are the left and right buttons and scroll wheel. Everything else is just gravy.
At $69 you honestly can’t go wrong with the Viper Hyperspeed V3. If you’re looking for a perfect, entry-level or even pro-level gaming mouse, Razer definitely has you covered here.
