HyperX Pulsefire Haste Gaming Mouse Review

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Reviewed by Benjamin Barr

That mouse is too heavy. This mouse is too light. With all the gaming mice out there, finding a properly-balanced option can seem nigh impossible!

Sure, you can look up a list of best gaming mice to see what’s out there, but the truth is that everyone’s budget and preferences are different. Some of us are MMO fans who want a mouse with plenty of buttons for hotkeying commands. Others among us might prefer a wireless mouse with lightning-fast connectivity to keep your desk free of clutter.

The new HyperX Pulsefire Haste has a very specific demographic of user — elite gamers who want a quick, light mouse to shave precious microseconds off their shots.

HyperX Pulsefire Haste Gaming Mouse Review

HyperX has been competing with the likes of Logitech, Razer, and Corsair for a while now. Their Pulsefire line of gaming mice covers the entire spectrum of build-types, all while maintaining an affordable price point.

We loved the Pulsefire Dart in our review, and the Pulsefire Surge got a mention in our list of the best gaming mice.

Why Ultra-Light Gaming Mice?

Ultra-lightweight gaming mice have seen an upturn in popularity recently. The Cooler Master MM710 and the Glorious Model O have been particularly successful in this category, but why?

In a word? Speed.

You don’t need to be a physicist to understand that you can move a lighter object quicker than a heavy one. The genre that benefits the most from this is shooters. Valorant, Apex, and CS: GO players know that even a fraction of a second can be the difference between life and death. Using a lightweight mouse might just be the thing that keeps you in the game when you round a corner and unexpectedly find yourself face to face with an enemy player.

Unboxing

Unboxing the Pulsefire Haste is a simple affair. Along with the device itself, you also get a quick start guide and a card detailing HyperX’s customer support hotline. In terms of accessories, you’ll find four extra skates and four pieces of grip tape cut to fit both primary buttons and either side of the mouse.

The Haste is plug-and-play, ready to go out of the box. But if you’re so inclined, there’s also a sticker on the inside of the case with a link to HyperX’s NGENUITY software.

Design and Functionality

The Haste has an ergonomic design that feels ever-so-slightly small in my hand (which is admittedly pretty big). It was never uncomfortable, though, even after multiple-hour long gaming sessions. My wife has much smaller hands than I do and found it a perfect fit, meaning the Haste is probably ideal for small to medium-sized hands.

The hex shell design looks great and certainly contributes to the mouse’s ultra-light design. After all, less mass equals less weight. My only concern is that dust and debris may build up in the gaps over time with no easy way to clean them.

To be fair, though, this same criticism could be levied against the MM710, the Model O, or any other mouse in the Haste’s weight class. I personally liked using it with the grip tape, though you have to be careful to line it up perfectly when applying it to the mouse.

The nylon braided cable is a little different from the stiff one on my Logitech. It’s much lighter and softer than what you would typically find, adding to the easy glide.

I have nothing but good things to say about this mouse in terms of how it functions. It’s quick and responsive. The scroll wheel is tight, and the action on all the buttons feels premium. The frame might be light, but they didn’t cut any corners on the components.

Software

The NGENUITY support software is simple, but easy to use. It has lighting controls for the RGB in the mouse wheel with solid, cycle, and breathing effects. The software also controls button mapping for the two customizable buttons on the side of the mouse. You can also use it to program up to four DPI profiles, which you can change mid-game via a click of the button underneath the scroll wheel. 

It’s not the most intricate support software around, but it gets the job done.

HyperX Pulsefire Haste: Wrapping Up

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste is an excellent ultra-light mouse. It feels good (even if it is a little small), and it functions the way a piece of premium hardware should. The software is minimalist, yet it still offers some added functionality.

Our only concern is that it doesn’t do much to distinguish itself from other lightweight mice in the same price bracket. Still, fans of the HyperX brand will not be disappointed when they get their hands on the Haste.

Related Reading

• Cooler Master MM720 Gaming Mouse Review
• Logitech G PRO X Wireless Headset Review
• HyperX Alloy Elite 2 Keyboard Review
• Redragon Impact Elite M913 Mouse Review