Our Verdict
78%
A little heavy, and with a stiff cable, but this is still a capable and great-value gaming mouse.
Razer has surprised us with the Razer DeathAdder Essential, by offering a variant of one of its flagship mice at a price that isn’t just a little bit cheaper than its top models but is in fact one of the cheapest known-brand gaming mice available.
All the current DeathAdder models sport the same core shape but the Essential skimps on most other aspects. For a start, the extra DPI buttons behind the scroll wheel of the V2 Pro are gone, plus the sensor is a far more basic unit with a maximum DPI of 6,400, tracking speed of 220 IPS, and maximum acceleration of 30G, which compares to 20,000 DPI, 500 IPS and 50g for the V2 Pro.
Weight is another compromise, with the Essential tipping the scales at 96g. That’s 14g heavier than the V2 Pro and it’s some 20-30g heavier than many lightweight modern mice. Despite this, the Essential still feels fantastic to use, thanks to its wonderfully-contoured shape and rubber side grips. It suits most grip styles for medium-to-large hands and is great for palm and claw grips with medium and small hands.
The left and right button switches are only rated to 10 million clicks, which is low by modern standards, but they still feel precise and responsive. Similarly, the 6,400DPI sensor has lowly headline figures but still held up in our tests.
The Essential doesn’t have RGB lighting, but the rear Razer logo and scroll wheel sides light up in green. Meanwhile, the cable is braided but it’s the older stiff style of cable, so there’s quite a bit of cable pushback.
Razer DeathAdder Essential pros and cons
Pros:
- Smart styling
- Comfortable shape
- Great value
Cons:
- A little heavy
- Basic sensor
- Stiff cable
Razer DeathAdder Essential specs
The Razer DeathAdder Essential specs list is:
| Weight | 96g |
| Dimensions (mm) | 62 x 127 x 43 (W x D x H) |
| Sensor | Razer optical – 6,400 DPI, 30g acceleration, 220 IPSn |
| Buttons | 5 (left, right, scroll wheel, back, forward) |
| Cable | 1.8m, lightweight braided |
| Battery life | N/A |
| Extras | Green lighting |
Razer DeathAdder Essential price
The Razer DeathAdder Essential price is just $30 / £25 making it an exceptionally cheap gaming mouse.
Price: Expect to pay $30 / £25
Razer DeathAdder Essential review conclusion
There are definite compromises to the DeathAdder Essential. Its sensor and switches aren’t up to the level of more premium and its cable is quite stiff. However, at just $30, it’s very cheap for what’s still a very comfortable and capable mouse, making it one of our top choices for a budget gaming mouse. Find our top mouse recommendations in our best gaming mouse list.