Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed review

When the box for this Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed dropped on my desk, I first thought there had been some mistake, and I'd been given the Viper V3 Pro to review again. I suspect this is a problem that many hardware testers come across because Razer's DeathAdder and Viper range look very similar, and the packaging is almost identical.

That's because, for the most part, they're pretty much the same gaming mouse, albeit with one important difference. All DeathAdders have a distinct curve to their shell and are for right-handed people only, whereas Vipers are symmetrical and, in theory, are suitable for left-handers.

There's a good reason why I'm mentioning the Viper V3 Pro but I'll come to that in due course. For now, let's consider what's on offer with the new DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed. A scan of the specifications would lead anyone to think that this is just a cheaper, more basic version of the DeathAdder V3 Pro, the best wireless gaming mouse round. And they'd be right.

But they'd also be slightly wrong because, in my humble opinion, the V3 HyperSpeed is better than the V3 Pro. Yeah, sorry to just throw that out so early in the review, but it's important that I set the table first and then fill it with tasty morsels.

Buttons: 5 or 8
Feet: PTFE
Connectivity: 2.4 GHz HyperSpeed (USB-A dongle) | Wired (USB-A to USB-C cable)
Sensor: Focus X 26K Optical Sensor
Max DPI: 26,000
Max acceleration: 40 g
Max speed: 500 IPS
Polling rate: 1,000 Hz
Battery life: 100 Hrs
RGB lighting: none
Warranty: 2 years
Price: $99.99 | £99.99 | AU$179.95

Let's start with the optical sensor, the device that scans the surface the mouse rests on and tracks its motion. Where the Focus Pro 30K in the V3 Pro boast a maximum DPI of 30,000 and a maximum speed and acceleration of 750 IPS and 70 g, the DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed offers figures of 26,000 and 500/40 respectively. Yes, they're lower but unless you're a professional e-sports person, you're honestly not going to tell.

It's the same with the 2.4 GHz