HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse Review

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Reviewed by Benjamin Barr

There are many different types of gaming mice available on the market. Some are preferred for their programmable buttons, while others are chosen for their ergonomic design. The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 was specifically designed to be as lightweight as possible, which is particularly beneficial for competitive gamers. A lighter mouse allows for faster and more responsive movement, reducing resistance and potentially shaving precious milliseconds off reaction times.

We liked the original Pulsefire Haste in our previous review, so we were thrilled when HyperX contacted us about their latest design iteration. Here’s what we found in our fair and unbiased review.

Specs

• Wired connection: Wired (wireless version also available)
• Weight: 53g (solid shell)
• Colors: Black and White
• HyperX 26K Sensor (up to 26,000 DPI)
• HyperX brand Switches (rated for 100 million clicks)
• Polling Rate: 8000Hz
• RGB on the scroll wheel
• NGENUITY software
• Price: $59.99

Unboxing and Build Quality

Inside the box, you’ll find the mouse, instructions, and a small envelope containing adhesive grip decals that can be attached to the left and right mouse buttons, as well as the sides.

While the original Haste had hexagonal holes drilled into the casing to reduce weight, the Haste 2 features a solid shell that manages to be even lighter than its predecessor, shedding an additional 6g. Though generally comfortable to hold, some users accustomed to larger, more ergonomic mice may find it a bit small.

We were sent the white version of the mouse, though it is also available in black. There are two HyperX logos printed on the shell in gray: one on the palm and one on the left side near where the thumb rests. The Pulsefire Haste has 6 buttons in total: the left and right buttons, two on the thumb-side, the scroll wheel and one just below the wheel for switching between DPI profiles.

As for the cable, it’s braided in a lightweight paracord material that glides easily over the desk without producing any noticeable drag.

Gaming Performance

HyperX has made some big strides between generations. The original Haste had a max DPI of 16,000 and a polling rate of 1,000 Hz. Meanwhile, the Haste 2 has a max DPI of 26,000 and a polling rate of 8,000 Hz. The higher max-DPI won’t be overly useful for most gamers, (especially those like me who generally keep their DPI around 2K anyways,) but having a higher ceiling is always appreciated by those who enjoy greater cursor speeds.

The mouse is incredibly light weight and its PTFE skates glide easily over most materials. This, coupled with its ultra-light cable, means that gamers will encounter minimal resistance while using the mouse in-game.

My one criticism of its design is that I feel that many gamers who use this kind of competitive mouse might enjoy a DPS Shift button near the thumb, which this mouse does not have. That might be a matter of personal preference, however.

NGENUITY Software

In addition to its physical features, the Haste 2 also has several digital customization options through the HyperX NGENUITY software. In terms of lighting, users can layer solid, cycle, and breathing effects for the RGB on the scroll wheel as well as adjust speed, color, and brightness.

Then there’s the more utilitarian features. You can use the software to map button controls, set the polling rate and lift off distance, and set the DPI for the different profiles that the mouse can cycle through. It’s not the most feature-rich software on the market, but it’s very stable and it adds a decent range of versatility to the user’s experience.

Is the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Worth the Money?

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 MSRPs at $59.99. That’s right in line with several similar lightweight wired gaming mice like the Glorious Model O and the SteelSeries Aerox 5. In fact, it’s biggest competition in terms of value seems to be from the original Pulsefire Haste, which can be had for just under $40 at the time of writing.

This is a good place for the Haste 2 to be. It’s priced competitively and offers a litany of impressive features and specs that other mice in its class will have a hard time matching. We think that makes it a good buy.