The X2 Mini is Pulsar’s latest offering for a lightweight gaming mouse. Pulsar offers both the X2 and the X2 Mini for both large and small hands and is offered in three striking colours: black, white, and red. Certain limited-edition colourways are also available on their website.
On paper, the Pulsar X2 seems to offer many features poised to improve performance, and upon giving it a go, it appears that it may hold true to its claims.
The matte white shell is shaped symmetrically unlike the previously reviewed Pulsar Xlite V2 with its plastic feeling slightly coarse and rather slippery on the first try. It is only after a couple of gaming sessions that the mouse feels grippy.
Another stark difference is the lack of holes on the shell which makes for a more complete and comfortable grip. Pulsar has also equipped the X2 with PixArt’s flagship sensor, the PAW3395, one of the leading sensors on the market.
The first thing you’ll notice when palming the X2 is the weight, or lack thereof. The mouse weighs a measly 56 grammes or 52 grammes for the X2 and X2 Mini respectively, matching or even beating the likes of the Logitech G Pro X Superlight or the Razer Viper V2 Pro.
But unlike the G Pro X Superlight, the Pulsar X2 has a more pronounced hump, instead of a sloped back, which makes it more comfortable for users with small hands. Compared to its distant cousin, Xlite V2, the symmetrical build and the lack of holes make it more comfortable to palm and flick across the mousepad with.
With its straight sides, the X2 feels better for a fingertip or a claw grip, with the pronounced back acting as an anchor point for the palm. Palm grippers will find the mouse to be quite tall with the humped back digging into their palms. As a hybrid claw-fingertip gripper, we found that the mouse’s shape helps it comply well with rapid flicks and micro-tracking.
Both of the main buttons are crispy and provide enough tactile stimulation to indicate they have been actuated. Pulsar has also improved the scroll wheel to roll in clearly defined steps. The Xlite V2 had very soft scroll steps, which does not translate well in terms of tactile feedback. However, the X2 does not share the same issue.
Even the side buttons provide a snappy and satisfying click, signifying that it has been activated.
The PixArt PAW3395 is a popular mouse sensor found in high-end gaming mice thanks to its multitude of features. The sensor is rated for acceleration of up to 50 Gs which means it can accurately track sudden rapid movements such as flicks in games such as VALORANT or Overwatch 2.
Pair that with the new MotionSync feature which synchronises data from the sensor and the polling events from your PC which means that the mouse will deliver accurate results almost every time.
This sensor is also a very power-efficient sensor as it only sips power according to the manufacturer.
Speaking about being power efficient…
The battery life on the Pulsar X2 is reported to last up to 70 hours on a single charge, matching other competitors in the same category. This excellent battery life is achieved by shedding off any unnecessary accessories such as RGB lighting, except for one tiny indicator LED. The PixArt 3395 mentioned above also plays a massive factor in its power-saving effort.
Again, on paper, all the above seems to add up to a recipe that promises better performance, and Pulsar has managed to engineer a great example of maximising performance and minimising the extras.
In essence, the Pulsar X2 lives up to its promise of being a dependable and efficient device. Our time testing the Pulsar X2 confirms that it delivers outstanding performance. Not only does it work flawlessly, but it also boasts extensive customization options, making it an ideal gaming mouse for every user.
Thanks to its state-of-the-art sensor, long-lasting switches, precise tracking, distinctive functionalities, and robust build, we can say that it’s one of the best gaming mice for esports enthusiasts and gamers out there.
