Razer has launched its latest high-end wireless gaming mouse, the Viper V3 Pro. What makes a gaming mouse “high-end”? Above all, it’s super light and packed with impressive wireless and sensor technology, making it extremely responsive in competitive games. I’ve had one on hand for about two weeks now and feel like there’s almost no lag when flipping through it Halo Infinite And Apex Legends.
The other thing is the price: the Viper V3 Pro is available today for $160 in the US or €180 in Europe. That’s not uncommon – Razer’s own DeathAdder V3 Pro, the top wireless pick in our gaming mouse buying guide, costs the same – but it certainly isn’t cheap.
If you’re keeping up with the gaming mouse market, here’s the short version: The Viper V3 Pro has virtually the same shape and soft-touch coating as last year’s mid-range Viper V3 HyperSpeed, but with Significantly lighter at 54 grams and also features optical switches, a technically superior sensor and a few small design changes. It is the successor to the popular 2022 Viper V2 Pro and the ambidextrous complement to the aforementioned DeathAdder V3 Pro, which features a more dramatically contoured ergonomic shape.
For everyone else, the most important thing to know about mice like these is that they are designed primarily for competitive gaming. Therefore, the Viper V3 Pro deliberately foregoes functions that would make it more comfortable in everyday life: There is no Bluetooth and only two side buttons, while the DPI switch is on the bottom of the mouse. The scroll wheel cannot be tilted left or right and there is no lighting either. But these omissions make sense when you think of the mouse as a tool for esports: They keep the weight down and make it harder to accidentally press buttons.
The most important thing about any gaming mouse is its shape, and the Viper V3 Pro should fit most hand sizes well. It’s very similar to Logitech’s G Pro X Superlight 2, its main competitor, but slightly longer and flatter. A modest but noticeable bump in the center sits naturally in your palm, while the sides are gently contoured in and out to accommodate the tips of your thumb and ring finger (or pinky). The main click buttons are grooved, slightly flared and generously sized. Neither angle is aggressive. Razer says it works best with a fingertip or claw grip; As someone who uses the latter, I hardly have any problems. But the design isn’t so short or flat that it’s terrible for palm grips. Overall it measures 5.0 x 2.51 x 1.57 inches.
The mouse’s coating is pleasantly soft and smooth. It will get fingerprints over time, but it should be grippy enough for most people right out of the box. (In case it still feels too slippery, Razer includes some pre-cut grip tape.) Overall, the device is solidly built and hasn’t shown any signs of flexing or creaking in the two weeks I’ve been using it daily .
The Viper V3 Pro isn’t the absolute lightest gaming mouse, but to call a 54g device too heavy to move would be splitting hairs. What is remarkable is that this weight is achieved without any recesses in the upper or lower shell. Competing gaming mice like the Pwnage Stormbreaker or Pulsar X2V2 are similarly light, but leave their interiors more susceptible to dust and dirt.
The mouse’s main click buttons are fast, non-sticky, and a bit softer for a device with optical switches. They’re not as loud as the clicking noises on the G Pro (That’s more of a nitpick than a dealbreaker.) As with most optical mice, pressing the main buttons may not be as pleasant as good mechanical switches, but they’re more likely to be avoided over time Durability issues. I would also give the Viper V3 Pro a lead over the Logitech mouse when it comes to the side buttons and scroll wheel. The Viper’s steering wheel is firmer, quieter and has grippier grooves on the outside, while the side buttons are slightly less mushy in comparison.
In terms of performance, the Viper V3 Pro uses the new “Focus Pro 35K Optical Sensor Gen-2” from Razer. A maximum of 35,000 DPI can be reached, and you can adjust this sensitivity in 1 DPI increments. There is also a maximum speed of 750 IPS and a maximum acceleration of 70 G. As is usual with gaming mice, these higher numbers are partly marketing tricks: many older gaming mice hardly have any problems with sensor accuracy and consistency.
Accordingly, the mouse comes with Razer’s HyperPolling Wireless Dongle, which costs $30 on its own. It advertises a maximum polling rate of 8,000 Hz, which technically allows for more precise movements but has a negligible impact on real-world performance. Most importantly, it shortens battery life: Razer says the Viper V3 Pro can last up to 95 hours at a polling rate of 1,000 Hz, which is fine, but at 8,000 Hz the runtime drops to just 17 hours.
While I’m far from a pro gamer, I can’t think of many complaints about the Viper V3 Pro’s responsiveness or connection quality. The shape, weight and sensor play a role – as do the large PTFE feet, which allow the mouse to glide smoothly over surfaces. Slightly less pleasant is the included cable, which is cleverly angled to reduce drag but isn’t the thinnest or most flexible cable I’ve ever seen. Even for the dongle, the cable still has to be routed from a PC to a desk.
Still, the Viper V3 Pro is worth a look if you’re serious about competitive gaming, prefer an ambidextrous form factor, and have money to burn. To be clear, there are still several gaming mice that feel good and perform well for less money, especially if you’re happy with a wired model. And if you have an older Viper that you’re still happy with today, there’s no pressing need for an upgrade. A mouse like this is closer to a Ferrari, while most people can live well with a Subaru. Still, Ferraris are pretty nice, right?