To keep DiamondLobby free to read, this post may contain affiliate links. Learn more

567

Pulsar has done it again. The gaming gear manufacturer has a pretty solid catalog of products, including mousepads, keyboards, mice and keyboard accessories, and gaming mice.

The unit I’m reviewing today is an updated version of the regular Pulsar Xlite Wireless. I already shared my thoughts about the older model in my Pulsar Xlite Wireless review, so feel free to check that out before or after you go through this one.

Spoiler alert, I thought it was a pretty solid product, so I already had high expectations for this supposedly newer and better model that was sent to me by Pulsar.

However, we all know that newer does not always mean better in reality. Sometimes, manufacturers get overexcited and botch what was a good product, or they add a bunch of new stuff that doesn’t really improve anything.

So, I decided to test the mouse for a bit and share my thoughts with my biggest fans – yeah, I’m talking about you. Stick with me to the end – this is my Pulsar Xlite V2 Wireless mouse review.

Price

At the time of writing this review, the Pulsar Xlite V2 Wireless mouse is available on Pulsar’s official website for $79.95.

You can also check the latest price on Amazon here.

Specs

specs 2

In the package, you get a paracord cable, a USB receiver, a USB adapter, and the mouse itself.

The key specs of the Pulsar Xlite V2 Wireless mouse are as follows:

Size (mm)WeightSensorPolling RateDPICable TypePort Type
122.66 (L) × 66.17 (W) × 42 (H)59 gramsPAW33701000hzup to 20000ParacordUSB-C

I’m not sure what I was expecting here. I guess, since this is a newer model, I assumed there would be something different about the key specs in comparison to the original Pulsar Xlite?

Anyway, as you’ll see if you’ve read the other review, all the key specs are the same as the previous version, so there’s nothing new to talk about here.

Design

design 2

The design of the mouse is also pretty much the same as the original. It’s a standard ergonomic design similar to what you’ll see on the Glorious Model D or the Zowie EC2.

However, when you flip the mouse over, you’ll see a big difference from the v1. There are extra-large holes beneath the Pulsar Xlite V2 Wireless mouse, and they’ve moved the location of the battery downwards for better weight distribution.

This is a pretty lightweight mouse, so balance is important and the better weight distribution helps with that. Apart from that though, the build quality is quite similar to the v1.

One thing to note, as is always the case with mice that have a lot of holes, is that there is the tendency for dirt and dust to gather inside the holes.

Since the holes in the sides have been reduced, things are slightly better in that department. However, maintenance will still be a bit more stressful compared to mice with fewer crevices and holes in them.

Shape

The shape of the Pulsar Xlite V2 is pretty comfortable. I think it will be great for most grip types, although there is some space between my thumb and the shell of the mouse on the left side.

This was also an issue on the previous version, but I think it will only be so for a specific group of people that grip their mice the same way I do and have a similar-sized palm.

Coating

coating 1

I always say there’s not a lot to discuss about coating with hole-y mice like this one, but I actually really like the feel of the coating here even with the holes.

I think it may have something to do with the shape and width of the holes not being as pronounced as other manufacturers typically use? I’m not entirely sure.

Also, the v1 had quite a number of holes in its sides too, some of which have been removed in the v2. It’s a welcome change as it makes holding the mouse more comfortable.

Feet

When I got the first Pulsar Xlite Wireless v1, I almost immediately slapped on the included superglides, so I never really got to test the mouse’s feet without them. In hindsight, I’m not so sure the superglides made a world of difference.

This time, I used the standard 100% PTFE feet without superglides, and they felt fantastic. They’re faster than the v1 was with superglides on, and they cover a decent amount of area at the bottom of the mouse.

There’s a sensor ring included too, which is always nice.

Buttons and Switches

buttons 1

The mouse one and two switches were fantastic on the Pulsar Xlite v1 Wireless, and they’re the same here. They’re using the same kailh gm8.0s so that was expected.

The scroll wheel is also the same as the previous version in terms of build quality, but they’ve raised it up a bit so you can reach it more easily.

I had an issue with the notches back then, and I still do now as Pulsar has done nothing to rectify it. They feel a bit too soft to touch, so that’s a point deducted for my overall verdict on the scroll wheel.

I also had an issue with the amount of force needed to trigger the mouse 3 clicks. There has been an attempt to make it better on this v2, but it’s still not where it should be in my opinion.

buttons 2

Performance

The PAW3370 is one of the best sensors out there, so it’s no surprise really that Pulsar has stuck with it for the Xlite Wireless v2. It has fantastic connectivity and is incredibly efficient.

I did a Glorious Model O wireless mouse review recently. The mouse is an equally solid performer and it uses the same sensor as both versions of the Pulsar Xlite Wireless mouse.

Using the mouse for gaming sessions was just as great as it was when I first got the v1. As for the slight occasional inconvenience of my grip on the sides, the extra balance provided by the adjusted weight distribution made up for it to some extent.

Battery

Pulsar promises up to 70 hours of battery life on the Xlite V2 Wireless mouse, and you can probably stretch that number out to the max if needed by reducing the polling rates and switching off all the lights.

If and when the mouse runs low on battery, the included LED light will provide warning signs so it doesn’t just go flat on you in the middle of an important session.

In cases like that, the paracord cable comes in handy to get your juice back up. It’s good quality and shouldn’t get in the way if you’re using the mouse while charging it.

If you have other USB-C cables lying around, they should work just fine for the port here too.

Software

software 1

Pulsar’s software for the Xlite v2 Wireless mouse is simple enough, but the best thing about it is that it’s optional. If you don’t have a real need for it, you never have to use it.

That, for me, puts it up there with the best software for gaming mice. Yes, for that reason alone.

If you do get into it, you’ll see options to adjust all the basic stuff – DPI values, polling rates, lift-off distance, and debounce time. Somewhere in the top right corner, you can see the battery life of the mouse as well.

Verdict

It’s hard to improve by a large margin on a product that was already pretty great. By rule of thumb, if you can’t improve on it, at least don’t mess it up.

Pulsar, I think, has done a really solid job with little updates here and there to make the overall great experience of using the Xlite Wireless mouse that much better.

They’ve taken some of the feedback provided back then on board and tried to make adjustments based on that.

The result is a more polished version of the Pulsar Xlite wireless mouse, and I can honestly say that this is one of the easiest mice to recommend.

A key takeaway from this review for me is that Pulsar is the sort of company that deserves brand loyalists.

If you’re going to stick with a particular brand for a long time, then you want it to be a brand that actually listens to you and builds products based on what you actually need and request.

That said, the final selling point is the price. The Pulsar Xlite v2 Wireless mouse is being sold for the same price that the original version was when it was released. Basically, you’re getting more for the same price, and it’s hard to beat that.