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HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro: Two-minute review
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro is the latest iteration of the brand’s line of elite gaming mice, promising stellar performance and design. It adopts a sleek form fairly typical for a gaming mouse, and it looks the part. The Slate Grey finish, which is the only available, doesn’t inject the Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro with much vibrancy, but it’s inoffensive enough, and the black accents side buttons and scroll wheel add some interest.
One aspect that sets it apart from many others is the prominent central hump, as the mouse buttons rake downwards sharply, creating a unique feel. In my hand this descent began almost flush with the second knuckles of my two forefingers, which was ideal as I could easily flex to click. However, there will no doubt be gamers who won’t find this quite so ergonomically sound.
I was also surprised by how much of a handful it is, with its width looking narrower than it feels. The subtle side bulges mean your thumb and ring finger are spaced further apart than you might imagine, and again I found this suited my grip style quite well.
The Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro is solidly constructed too, and is on par with some of the best gaming mice out there. I also liked the subtle texture of its body, which feels smooth but provides just enough natural grip, although optional grip tape is included in the box.
The mouse buttons themselves feel engineered to equally high standards, as do the side buttons and scroll wheel. I was also glad to see the DPI button positioned topside, rather than hidden underneath.
At only 61g, the Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro is on the lighter end of the spectrum. There are certainly gaming mice out there that tip the scales even less, but it’s still very easy to maneuver, which is also aided by how evenly the weight is distributed.
The Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro can be customized using HyperX NGENUITY, the brand’s peripheral tool. Here you’ll find the usual RGB lighting and DPI tweaks, along with rebinding options. However, I was a little disappointed at the lack of shortcuts available for assignment, paling in comparison with other peripheral software. It also lacks multiple rebinding layers, which is a shame.
Despite the Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro being a mouse designed for elite gamers, there’s a distinct lack of advanced tweaks too, with slam click filters, angle snapping, and the like absent. You can at least alter the lift-off distance, although only 1mm and 2mm options are offered.
You can also adjust the polling rate in NGENUITY (which can also be accomplished on board via a button combination), with a maximum of 4K available. This will please pro players, although those who obsess over such numbers might wish for 8K instead, as other elite gaming mice are capable of.
Regardless, I still found the Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro very accurate when gaming. Tracking is smooth and precise, and while it might not glide as effortlessly as some others (the skates are quite thin, after all), it’s still easy enough to swipe with.
The clicks are snappy and actuation is light, with just enough damping to make them satisfying. Both buttons have a deeper travel than you might expect, but I didn’t find this negatively impacted their responsiveness. I was also fond of their indentations, which helped to keep my fingers secure.
The side buttons are similarly responsive and offer more feedback and travel than I was expecting. However, they are a little narrow, which might not suit certain play styles. The scroll wheel has some quite pronounced notching, but it’s still swift enough in action, while the middle click is easy to actuate and provides enough stability to avoid mis-flicks.
I experienced no connectivity issues with the Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro during my time with it, and it switched easily between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth modes. The light, braided USB cable that’s included created only a minimal amount of drag during wired play.
HyperX claims the Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro can last up to 90 hours on a single charge, and based on my testing, I’m inclined to believe this figure. After a few days of testing, it only depleted by several percentage points.
The Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro acquits itself well in the main, thanks to its capable performance and design, although I’m not sure every gamer will like the shape. The multiple connectivity modes are certainly welcome at this price point too, which gives it an advantage over the Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed, one of its closest competitors. While that mouse has more customization options and slightly better performance, the difference between them isn’t huge, which means the Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro is a solid choice if you’re after a gaming mouse with plenty of prowess.
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro review: Price & availability
- $119.99 / £99.98 (about AU$188)
- Available now in one colorway
- Well-priced compared to rivals
The Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro costs $119.99 / £99.98 (about AU$188) and is available now in one colorway: Slate Grey. It comes with a 2.4GHz USB dongle, an extension adapter, a braided USB cable, a spare set of skates, and optional grip tape for the sides and mouse buttons.
It’s a similar price to the Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed, which is a little lighter than the Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro, and offers many more customization options via Razer’s Synapse software. However, it lacks Bluetooth and its maximum default polling rate is 1K. This can be upgraded to 8K, but an optional dongle needs to be purchased to achieve this.
If you really want to save money on a wireless gaming mouse, the Cooler Master MM311 is a great pick. You will have to sacrifice a rechargeable battery and some other features, but the performance-to-price ratio is strong in this one.
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro review: Specs
|
Interface |
Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), wired (USB-A-to-C) |
|
Ergonomics |
Right-handed symmetrical |
|
Buttons |
6 |
|
DPI |
Up to 26,000 |
|
Switches |
Optical |
|
Weight |
2.2oz (61g) |
Should I buy the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro?
|
Value |
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro is well priced considering its features, and compares favorably with other gaming mice. |
4 / 5 |
|
Design |
The shape won’t be for everyone, but the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro is built to a high standard. It lacks advanced customization options, though. |
4 / 5 |
|
Performance |
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro is snappy and the 4K polling is a boon for pros, but it’s not quite the smoothest glider around. |
4 / 5 |
|
Overall |
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro stands tall in the face of the competition, and although it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the very best, it’s not far behind. |
4 / 5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro review: Also consider
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro |
Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed |
Cooler Master MM311 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Price |
$119.99 / £99.98 (about AU$188) |
$99 / £99 / AU$179 |
$39 (about £31 / AU$59) |
|
Interface |
Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), wired (USB-A-to-C) |
Razer HyperSpeed Wireless, wired (USB-C) |
2.4GHz wireless |
|
Ergonomics |
Right-handed symmetrical |
Right-handed asymmetrical |
Right-handed symmetrical |
|
Buttons |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
DPI |
26,000 |
26,000 |
10,000 |
|
Switches |
Optical |
Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3 |
Not specified (mechanical) |
|
Weight |
2.2oz (61g) |
55g |
2.71oz (77g) |
How I tested the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro
- Tested for a few days
- Played FPS titles
- Plentiful gaming experience
I tested the Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro for a few days, during which time I used it for gaming, productivity, and general browsing. I used its Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired modes on Windows 10 and 11 systems.
I played Counter-Strike 2, which is a stern test for mice given it requires quick movements, precise aiming, and rapid clicks. I also played S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, which is less frantic but makes wider use of a mouse’s functionality.
I have been PC gaming for over 10 years, and during that time I have experienced a great deal of mice. I have also reviewed numerous models ranging in price, features, and shape. I previously reviewed the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini as well.
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lewis.maddison@futurenet.com (Lewis Maddison)
