It seems like gaming peripheral companies are offering every product they possibly can nowadays. For better or worse, you can now have a whole PC setup from just one brand. HyperX is one of those companies, for sure.
They offer everything from a monitor to mice, keyboards, and even mics for streaming. In this article, we will look at the HyperX Pulsefire Raid. This mouse is targeted toward MMO players with its 11-button design.
But just cause it has 11 buttons doesn’t mean that it is perfect for every MMO player. So let’s dive into the features and specs for the HyperX Pulsfire Raid and find out if it’s any good.
Best Deal Today
If you want to pick up any new computer gear or electronics, now is the time to do it. A lot of stores and websites have pretty good deals on a lot of products. For example, the HyperX Pulsefire Raid is currently on sale on Amazon for $49.95 compared to its usual $59.99.
- Hyperx Pulsefire Raid (Amazon) – $49.95
- HyperX Pulsefire Raid (Newegg) – $54.90
- HyperX Pulsefire Raid (Best Buy) – $59.99
HyperX Pulsefire Raid Overview
Release Date and Price
HyperX originally released the Pulsefire Raid in 2019 at $59.99. Besides HyperX’s wireless and lower-end gaming mice, the Pulsefire Raid sits right in the mid-range of their mice lineup. Compared to other brands, $59.99 is also pretty much right in the middle. You can definitely find cheaper ones, and you can also spend way more on a mouse.
Different Models
Although HyperX doesn’t offer multiple Raid mouse versions, they have a couple of different mice under the Pulsefire name. While the Raid is targeted specifically towards MMO fans, their other mice focus on other things, like the Haste being ultra lightweight.
- Pulsefire FPS Pro
- Pulsefire Core
- Pulsefire Surge
- Pulsefire Dart
- Pulsefire Dart Wireless
- Pulsefire Haste
- Pulsefire Haste Wireless
Features
The biggest selling point of the Raid is the 11 programmable buttons it offers. This is perfect for MMO or MOBA gamers that like to bind their Hotbar to mouse buttons instead of hotkeys on their keyboard.
However, even if you are an FPS or battle royale gamer, these extra buttons can be an excellent addition to your toolset to swap weapons or move quickly. Plus, the main left and right-click buttons are independent, so regardless of where you click on the respective button, it will register the same.
If you are a console gamer but want the precision of a mouse, good news! This mouse is compatible with PS5™, PS4™, Xbox Series X|S™ Xbox One™, and PC.
HyperX Pulsefire Raid Specs
Sensor | Premium Pixart PMW3389 |
Resolution | up to 16,000 DPI |
DPI presets | 800 / 1600 / 3200 DPI |
Buttons | 11 |
Left / Right button switches | Omron |
Left / Right button durability | 20 million clicks |
Backlight | RGB (16,777,216 colors) |
Light effects | 2 RGB lighting zones |
Onboard memory | 1 profile |
Polling rate | 1000Hz |
Wireless | No |
Connection type | USB 2.0 |
Cable type | Braided USB A |
Cable length | 1.8m |
Dimensions | 127.8 mm x 71.0mm x 41.5 mm |
Weight (without cable) | Approximately 95g |
Weight (with cable) | Approximately 125g |
HyperX Pulsefire Raid Review
With all the specs out of the way, let’s talk about what it’s actually like to use the Pulsefire Raid. Is it worth the $49.95 price tag or even the original MSRP of $59.99?
Design
The Pulsefire Raid’s design does not hide the fact that it is a gaming mouse at all. Whether that is good or bad is up to you. It has a matte black plastic case, with the prerequisite RGB lighting in the scroll wheel and palm grip. However, if you intend to use this mouse for anything besides gaming, you might get some weird looks at the office or coffee shop.
We like the look of it, and the textured grip on the side makes it a lot easier to press the 5 buttons on the side. That being said, this design will not win any awards for ergonomics or looks. It is a pretty run-of-the-mill gaming mouse design-wise.
Comfort
There’s no use in getting a new mouse if it is uncomfortable to use. Plus, with how much time we spend on the computer, you want your mouse to treat your hand well.
We did not run into any major comfort issues with the Pulsefire Raid, but we want to point out that it is on the smaller side. So, if you have bigger hands, you might want to look for another mouse because this one might be a bit cramped for you.
Gaming Performance
Now, the reason we are all here. How does it perform with games? With the PixArt PMW3389, which can go up to 16,000 DPI, and a quick access DPI switch on the mouse, the Pulsefire Raid is a joy to game on. If you have never used a mouse on which you can quickly change the DPI while gaming, it’s hard to go back.
DPI changes how sensitive your mouse is. Typically, you want a lower DPI for FPS games, and in MMOs or MOBAs, you want a higher DPI. But being able to change that mid-game is a game-changer (pun intended).
Unfortunately, the DPI might be the best part of this mouse as far as gaming goes. The 5 side buttons on the Raid are appreciated, but we found it hard to separate the buttons sometimes, especially if your thumb is a little wider. We also have found that hitting any of these buttons accidentally is too easy when using a palm grip.
Overall this mouse has decent gaming performance, but the side buttons are a hard selling point. While it’s nice to have these extra buttons, we think the Pulsefire might be a better overall experience.
HyperX Pulsefire Raid Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable Price
- 6-foot braided USB cable
- DPI switch is easily accessible
Cons
- Side buttons are hard to press intentionally
- Too small for larger hands to sit comfortably
- No wireless option
HyperX Pulsefire Raid: Is It a Buy?
So, should you go pick up the HyperX Pulsefire Raid? Unfourtanely, this is not an across-the-board recommendation for us. If you are looking for a cheaper mouse, we would recommend checking out the Pulsefire or FPS Pro for a similar experience at either half the price or $10 less.
The side buttons do not offer enough of an advantage, in our opinion, to make the extra cost worth it. But, If you are looking for an MMO or MOBA mouse, the Raid is a good option that is comfortable to use for long periods of time and offers comparable gaming performance.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Nakhshkarian Narine/Shutterstock.com.