Longtime PC component maker ADATA has recently made efforts to break into the gaming hardware space, and it sticks the landing with the new XPG Alpha Wireless Gaming Mouse ($69). Checking off just about every box on our Longtime PC component maker ADATA has recently made efforts to break into the gaming hardware space, and it sticks the landing with the new XPG Alpha Wireless Gaming Mouse ($69). Checking off just about every box on our gaming mouse checklist, the Alpha comes with a respectable PixArt sensor, a surprisingly ergonomic design, and support for three connection types. It’s a bit heavy, which may draw side-eye from esports hopefuls, but the Alpha manages to find a middle ground in just about every aspect of its design, earning an Editors' Choice award for best budget-priced wireless gaming mouse. Right out of the anime-adorned box, you’ll find a handsome-looking mouse with a familiar design. With three intersecting lines meeting at the DPI button in the center, the all-black mouse comes with a built-in grip on both sides, with an extra wing on the left side for additional thumb support. Just above that, you’ll find two additional buttons easily accessible with your right thumb. The dome of the mouse is emblazoned with the RGB-infused XPG logo, and you’ll find another touch of RGB in the mouse’s scroll wheel. Between the two main clickers, you’ll find a USB-C port. At 1.57 by 3.07 by 5.04 inches (HWD), the XPG Alpha is bigger than your average gaming mouse, which seems to have been shrinking smaller and smaller over the years. Personally, I favor a thicker body on a mouse—it’s one of the reasons that I liked the Roccat Kone XP so much. But on the XPG Alpha, it feels hefty, probably because it weighs 3.4 ounces. That means it's dramatically heavier than many of the gaming mice we’ve seen recently, including the Razer Viper Pro V2 and the Roccat Burst Pro. It even outweighs the Alienware Tri-Mode’s 3.2-ounce body, claiming the heavyweight crown as far as gaming mice we've looked at lately are concerned. Mind you, when I say "heavy," I’m only speaking relatively—it’s still much lighter than some productivity-focused mice on the market. Underneath the mouse, you’ll find the PixArt PAW 3335, a worthy high-performance sensor able to reach a max tracking resolution of 16,000dpi, the bare minimum the Alpha needs to call itself a gaming mouse. It also features a polling rate of up to 1,000Hz, and is capable of tracking up to 400 inches per second (ips)—again, it’s what's to be expected from an entry-level gaming mouse. Under here, you’ll also find the toggle that switches between the 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 connections. I particularly like the panel door that hides the USB dongle for the 2.4GHz connection. Instead of pressing the dongle into the mouse, it attaches to the panel door. It's not a huge deal, but it eliminates the otherwise gaping hole left behind in other mice. Back on top, it’s worth noting that the XPG Alpha makes use of Omron switches, which promise 60 million clicks over their lifetime, and a 60-hour battery life (on a full charge) to boot. The included USB Type-A-to-C cable will handle all your charging needs. XPG’s customization software, named Prime, is where you go to adjust mouse settings to fit your gaming style. Prime has a surprising amount of customization options, including key and macro assignments, RGB lighting, and various performance settings like polling rate, lift-off distance, and de-bounce time. You can also have up to six DPI presets customized to your liking, all of which can be saved across three profiles. The Alpha doesn’t make use of XPG’s Prime Canvas app, however, so RGB customization is somewhat limited. That makes sense, given how little RGB is used across the mouse. Put to use, the Alpha doesn’t miss a beat, and it worked great with the games I tested. I used it for a few rounds of Overwatch and Halo: Infinite, and I also clicked around in Final Fantasy XIV. The Alpha worked well in all of them, though I found that the DPI level would sometimes reset on its own. Annoying as it was, the moments were few and far between, and the problem might have been a one-off occurrence. At $69, the Alpha is a fine value for a wireless gaming mouse, all things considered. Typically, a premium wireless mouse could sell for as much as $150, and at the lower end, around $80. The recently reviewed wireless HyperX Pulse Haste dipped to $79, and even that's a steal. With solid build quality, a good sensor, and capable customization software, the XPG Alpha’s budget pricing is the cherry on top of a pretty fine gaming mouse. While the XPG Alpha isn’t quite a diamond in the rough, it’s nothing to scoff at, either. Its ergonomic build and quality switches impress, but the high-performance sensor coupled with a budget price is what makes it an easy buy. Its only real sin is that it's heavier than most gaming mice. If you’re looking for a lighter mouse for serious twitch-type gaming, you’re better off with the wireless HyperX Pulse Haste. But if you can overlook the Alpha's heft, you’ll find a gaming mouse that’s suited for casual and hardcore gamers alike. [Editors' Note: We corrected this review on July 12, 2022, to reflect the proper name of ADATA's supporting software, Prime.] Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox! News From:
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(Photo: Zackery Cuevas)
(Photo: Zackery Cuevas)
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Outstanding
4.0
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4.5
Outstanding
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4.0
Excellent
4.0
Excellent
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Excellent
(Photo: Zackery Cuevas)
(Photo: Zackery Cuevas)
(Photo: Zackery Cuevas)
