Kody Wirth 
Kody is our expert Destiny 2 and shooter genre writer. He lives in Oregon.
Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
Cooler Master seems to be carving out a nice niche for themselves in the lightweight gaming mouse market. They took bold strides earlier this year by releasing the MM710 line, which included the MM711 Gaming Mouse complete with a trendy honeycomb shell concept. To many, that looked like an experiment in minimizing weight. But with the release of the MM720, they appear to be doubling down on the concept.
But here’s the big question. Do the honeycomb design and lighter-weight materials make for a reliable gaming mouse? And does the MM720 improve upon the foundation set by the MM711?
Luckily, we got our hands on the MM720 and are here to answer those questions and more. So, let’s dive in and find out if lightning struck twice for Cooler Master, or if the lightweight design is simply another cheap gaming gimmick.
Zoom In: Specs
- Grip Type: Claw, Palm
- Surface Options: Matte, Glossy
- Sensor: PixArt PMW3389
- DPI: 7 Levels (400, 800, 1200, 1600, 3200, 6400, 16000)
- Tracking Speed: 400 ips
- Polling Rate: 1000Hz
- Mouse Processor: 32 bit ARM Cortex M0+
- Memory: 512KB
- Mouse Buttons: 6
- Cable: Fixed Ultraweave cable, 1.8m
- Weight: 49g
Unboxing
Cooler Master has never been one for extravagant presentation. They simply let the price and quality of their devices speak for themselves. And if you’ve read any of our other Cooler Master reviews, you know we love that blend of inexpensive cost and high performance.
That said, pulling the MM720 out of the box didn’t feel like anything special. It was carefully packaged, included the standard spec booklets, and reminded me of my initial experience with the MM711 from a few months ago. But then I picked up the mouse.
Light as a Feather
49 grams is so incredibly light. It feels like you’re holding virtually nothing in your hand. If it weren’t for the grippy matte surface, you might think it’d float away. Yes, it seriously feels that light.
It was so surprising that I found myself concerned about the potential negative impact on gameplay. It also made the mouse feel a bit cheap.
Thankfully, that same honeycomb design that helps it achieve such a minimal weight also reinforces the build quality. Meaning that while it may feel like you can accidentally crush the mouse with one angry click, it’ll take much more pressure than that to make a dent.
That’s what’s so impressive about this mouse right upfront. It’s so lightweight that it feels weirdly impossible to think it could be a high-quality mouse, especially for a $50 price point. And really, it’s not until you look under the hood where that quality really begins to shine.
It’s What’s on the Inside That Counts
Honestly, the decreased weight alone would’ve been enough to sell this mouse. But Cooler Master went a step further to revamp the durability and speed by adding in optical switches. While previous models utilize mechanical switches, which worked decently enough, the new optical switch felt like a definite upgrade.
Every click felt more accurate and immediate, and according to Cooler Master, should last longer and help avoid the dreaded double click due to wear and tear. Add in the 16,000 DPI PixArt PMW3389 sensor found on previous MM models, and it’s safe to say this has more than enough power, efficiency, and durability to stand up against more costly mice. It may not be a holistic refresh, but it does enough to be a worthy upgrade.
Appearances Matter Too
This could’ve easily been a simple refresh of an earlier Cooler Master model. Instead, they took the innovative honeycomb structure and merged it with a variant design that combines the classic Spawn and Xornet shapes from a few years ago. It’s a neat design that functions more like a proper claw grip ergonomic gaming mouse.
The button layouts and scroll wheel, however, don’t feel like much of an innovation. They’re positioned well enough to make the two side-buttons accessible and responsive, but they feel like the weakest part of the mouse.
That weakness in button design also extends to the primary left and right mouse buttons. While the overall design is meant to let you rest your ring finger, it actually doesn’t feel big enough to do so. Instead, I kept finding myself blindly tapping for the right mouse button and accidentally tapping on the finger rest. In short, a slightly larger right-button would’ve gone a long way here.
Value Overall
A last few odds and ends here. The threaded cord is back, which is always a fantastic feature to have. The RGB customization is as good as ever and retains the simplicity of previous models. And, the overall performance felt seamless and refined, thanks in part to the new optical switch and lightweight design.
If it weren’t for the missed button presses due to the finger rest and the weirdly lacking side buttons and scroll wheel, I would have no problems with this mouse. It’s a significant step forward for Cooler Master’s lightweight models and shows that they are not afraid to keep innovating. And for $50, this mouse is simply a steal.
Zoom Out: Verdict
Summary
Lightweight, efficient, and comfortable, the MM720 proves that a $50 mouse can compete with the big boys. It’s a natural next step for Cooler Master’s attempts at minimizing weight, and it includes a nice uptick in performance thanks to the design and optical switch. To be sure, the MM720 is more than worth the price and should last and perform far better than any other mouse under $100.
- 49-gram weight
- Optical switches
- Classic design blend
- Not a complete model refresh
- Side buttons and scroll wheel feel cheap
- Weird sizing for the right mouse button and finger rest
Suggested Reading for You
- Cooler Master MM711 Gaming Mouse Review
- Best Ergonomic Gaming Mice
- Cooler Master Control Pad Hits the Market
- Cooler Master Caliber R2 Gaming Chair Review
- Best Gaming Mice Under $50
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