Closing Thoughts
Needless to say, the result of this roundup will be a little different than one from our infamous GPU roundups as we can't simply crunch a few numbers and tell you which product offers the best value or performance. There are too many great options to bother crowning one of them, so we've sourced a mix of mid to high-end mice hoping to cover a bulk of what's popular these days.
As a side note, before testing we made sure to use the latest firmware (including betas) on Windows 8 64-bit, which helped iron out some of the floaty or laggy input on a few of the devices. It's also worth noting that we think the debate between optical and laser sensors is pointless for most gamers.
Of the top pricing tier, we have the Logitech G700s ($70), the Razer Taipan ($62) and the Razer Naga 2014 ($77). All three offer unique benefits for specific situations, but the G700s stands out as the best all-rounder with its quality wireless support, comfortable ergonomic shape and plethora of programmable buttons.
If accuracy matters most, the Razer Taipan or SteelSeries Sensei ($70) are probably more your speed, but there's honestly a really small margin of difference between most models. Those two are lighter and feel snappier, though we still wanted some weight tuning. Less importantly, we aren't overly fond of either model's looks.
If you have large hands or simply like a heavy mouse, the Tt eSports Volos ($68), Logitech G700s and Corsair M95 ($80) are the heftiest, though as a reminder, none offer weight tuning in the event that you want to shed a couple dozen grams – though we imagine most people would adapt to the heavier models with no major problems.
Software-wise, SteelSeries and Razer are definitely a notch above the rest when considering overall customization and reliability (no freezing etc.), with Gigabyte's Ghost software taking a close third. The remaining models are basically all on par except for Logitech which gets minor points for having an extra nice interface.
Overall, we think Logitech's G700s might be the safest all-rounder if money isn't an issue, Razer and SteelSeries have an edge in aggressive enthusiast styling and features, while Gigabyte's Aivia Krypton ($62) seems like the best value and Thermaltake's Volos makes a fine choice if you're seeking the road less travelled.