Keychron launches two new lightweight wireless gaming mouses with 8 kHz polling and 30,000 DPI
Keychron may be known for its extensive line-up of solid mechanical and Hall-effect gaming keyboards, but it has recently put a lot of work into gaming mice, previously releasing the Keychron M5 and M7 ergonomic gaming mice. Now, Keychron has returned to a more traditional gaming mouse configuration with two new wireless 8K gaming mice — the Keychron M2 8K and M3 Mini 8K.
Both gaming mice feature PixArt 3950 sensors with 8K polling, are available in black and white from Keychron's online store, and they both cost as little as $69.99, but that's about where the similarities end. Those similarities, however, mean that both mice are fully customisable in the Keychron Launcher web app, including features like LOD, Motion Sync, and angle snapping, and they are capable of up to 30,000 DPI sensitivity and tracking up to 750 IPS and 50 G acceleration.
Keychron M2 8K wireless gaming mouse
The Keychron M2 8K is a wireless gaming mouse that features an ergonomic design that's just barely asymmetrical, as usual designed for right-handed users. Overall, it seems to be a fairly bare-bones affair, with only four mouse buttons — left click, right click, two side buttons — and a clicky scroll wheel set in an all-ABS shell. There is no fancy TPU overmoulding or elaborate engraving on any surface of the mouse, although there is a slightly textured coating on the surface of the mouse, which should help improve grip.
The switches are also the well-regarded Huano 80M Micro Switches, also known as the "blue shell pink dot transparent" switches. They're mechanical switches that are known for their quick rebound and a satisfying, if somewhat loud, click. The feet are fairly standard PTFE material, and Keychron doesn't include any spare feet in the box. The M2 8K comes with a USB Type-A dongle, a type-A-to-C adaptor, a paracord USB-C-to-C cable, and a type-C-to-A adaptor that's there to bring the receiver closer to the mouse.
The Keychron M2 8K offers Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired USB-C connectivity options, with 125 Hz polling rate over Bluetooth and up to 8 kHz polling via the wired or 2.4 GHz connection. The wireless connectivity is backed up by a 600 mAh battery that Keychron claims can deliver around 140 hours of continuous use in Bluetooth mode — higher polling rates will affect battery life significantly. There are also hardware buttons to change DPI and polling rate, as well as a three-way hardware switch for connectivity modes on the bottom of the mouse. At 122 × 67 × 41 mm and 53 g in weight, the M2 is somewhat similar to, but much lighter than, the Asus ROG Keris Wireless (curr. $99.99 on Amazon), and seems largely suited for a palm or fingertip grip.
Keychron M3 Mini 8K wireless gaming mouse
The Keychron M3 Mini 8K is a little less no-frills than the M2. Although the M3 Mini 8K features the same all-ABS shell material, it is a symmetrical mouse, and it has a slightly rougher surface texture, and there is a slightly raised texture on the side panels of the M3 Mini. There are, however, still only two additional programmable mouse buttons on the left side of the M3 Mini.
The M3 Mini 8K also features all the same wireless connectivity options and battery life and performance claims as the M2 8K. Despite its significantly smaller shell, the M3 Mini 8K weighs in at 55 g. The M3 Mini also employs the same Huano blue shell pink dot transparent switches as the M2 8K, meaning they should sound and feel similar.
The M3 Mini 8K is similar in shape and size to the $129.99 Razer Cobra Pro Wireless, although it has a much more minimalist design that is likely to appeal to those who want to use their gaming mouse as a productivity or general-purpose mouse as well.
