Logitech G502X review: The best button configuration on a gaming mouse

Price When Reviewed

69.99

Best Prices Today: Logitech G502X

The Logitech G502, which wowed players again in 2014 has since advanced, culminating within the new and improved G502X. Yes, it has an upgraded 25Okay Hero Sensor that gives a pleasant increase to hurry and accuracy, however essentially the most spectacular factor concerning the G502X is the way in which the buttons have been honed to close perfection. Few gaming mice, if any, have such an accessible button structure, one which invariably makes this new mannequin top-of-the-line all-rounder wired gaming mice you should purchase in 2023.

Note: See our roundup of the best gaming mice to study competing merchandise, what to search for in a gaming mouse, and shopping for suggestions.

Logitech G 502X: Design

The right-handed G502X appears to be a mirror picture of its predecessor the G502 Hero, save for just a few lacking grooves on its again finish. But when you zoom in nearer, some very thrilling enhancements are revealed.

For one, the 502 Hero’s plastic thumb relaxation has been changed by rubber, which makes it a a lot grippier mouse and in addition so much simpler to scrub. My wired model of the 502X additionally has a brand new rubber twine, which slid extra effortlessly over my tabletop than the 502 Hero’s braided twine that tended to catch sometimes.

But it’s the buttons that basically blew my thoughts. You nonetheless get all 13 programmable choices, together with DPI up/down buttons, a set off button, a four-button mouse wheel, two buttons behind the mouse wheel and two buttons on the left. But the set off button is now nearer your thumb which makes it so, a lot simpler to achieve. Insta-sniping anybody? Absolutely!

This button is type of an enormous deal to me—there’s nothing remotely as well-placed in any rivals for letting off that one must-hit command or macro that’s very important to me performing effectively. Logitech G have ingeniously made it removable too—which might’ve been the best alternative so as to add in some swappable triggers of various lengths, however sadly you simply get the one. Still, there’s at all times the prospect we’ll see add-ons down the road.

The DPI buttons, G7 and G8, are additionally longer and simpler to seek out than beforehand, which I believed would possibly trigger some misclicking on my half, however not so. In truth, there’s glorious separation alongside the highest left, such that I by no means discovered my fingers straying.

Looking at weight, and the 502X clocks at 89 grams, which is so much heavier than ultra-lightweight mice just like the 59-gram HyperX Pulsefire Haste. I normally prefer to advocate players go for one thing lighter and faster for the quickest FPS video games specifically.

Yet for a mouse with 18 buttons, it’s really fairly first rate and nonetheless feels fast off the mark. It’s precisely the identical weight because the 18-button SteelSeries Aerox 9 too, if you would like a like-for-like comparability.

The 502X can also be very effectively sized. It measures 5.17 x 1.62 x 3.12 inches, so it’s fractionally longer than its predecessor, however consequently a greater match for bigger fingers. It additionally works like a dream for all of the three main grip sorts, though palm and claw grippers will really feel essentially the most at residence due to the 502X’s fairly tall high.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

There aren’t any surprises relating to styling—it appears identical to the G502 Hero, like some type of a futuristic spaceship. It additionally is available in the identical enticing, black and white colours choices. The one factor lacking, in my opinion, is correct RGB lighting—it has only a tiny DPI RGB indicator on the entrance. Still, if RGB is a non-negotiable, the 502X’s stablemate the 502X Plus ought to do the job. It prices $159.99—significantly greater than our evaluation unit’s $70 sticker.

Logitech G502X: Performance

For a while now Logitech’s G502 branded mice have been praised as having a few of the greatest efficiency {hardware} you get, however competitors is stiffer in 2023 and there’s now a heap of wonderful gaming mice with comparable sensors and efficiency on the market. Some, just like the $49 Keychron M3, you’ll be able to even choose up for peanuts.

It’s by means of this lens that we have to take a look at the Logitech G502X’s Hero 25Okay sensor, which doesn’t redesign the wheel, however continues to be top-of-the-line within the enterprise. It tracks motion on a sub-micron stage and offers you a decision of between 100 to 25,600 DPI, most pace of 400 IPS (inches per second) and acceleration of 40G.

Taking the G502X for a spin within the FPS recreation Insurgency proved it to be an especially proficient mouse. It tracked my motion shortly and flawlessly, with no trace of lag or stuttering. Switching up DPIs to a most of 25,600 DPI and issues get quick—very quick. In truth, I might pan left and proper with a mere twitch of my hand, but I didn’t see any smoothing or stuttering within the movement.

The 502X can also be very comfy, it stored my hand tucked cozily into its slender grooves, which additionally gave me pinpoint management of motion. But it was the buttons that basically elevated this mouse among the many vanguard of wired gaming mice for me. They function Lightforce hybrid optical-mechanical switches that actuate immediately however really feel satisfyingly tactile.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Additionally, with a complete 18 buttons to program in Logitech’s G Hub software program app, I had sufficient instructions to fulfill any recreation in my library. But it was the enhancements to each the dimensions and placement of key buttons that basically made the largest distinction to my play. My fingers had been so effectively surrounded by buttons that at occasions it felt like I used to be on the helm of some type of superior fighter jet.

The advantages of this had been significantly evident when sniping. The new improved positioning of the set off button proper close to my thumb, for instance, helped overcome the slight pace delay I typically expertise between focusing on and firing. I discovered I might let unfastened photographs in double the time, which to be sincere, did wonders to spice up my enjoyment.

The DPI up / down buttons had been additionally price their weight in gold, permitting me to modify shortly between my two favourite DPI settings with out toggling by means of each single setting. That one function alone needs to be price at the very least 1 / 4 of the Logitech G502X’s $70 value.

A really minor level is that when you or your folks or household want absolute quiet, the scroll wheel does are usually fairly loud at occasions. But this by no means bothered me a lot and takes nothing away from the very fact this mouse is a category act on nearly all fronts.

Should you purchase the Logitech G502X?

The Logitech G502X’s pro-grade sensor offers you very correct and exact monitoring, however but that’s not so onerous to seek out in gaming mice nowadays.

Where the G502X actually shines is in its most helpful buttons, which Logitech G have tweaked for the reason that G502 Hero to make bigger and extra accessible. It means the G502X fairly presumably has the perfect all-rounder button setup you will get anyplace. For that cause, the G502X needs to be someplace close to the highest of your record when selecting a pro-grade wired gaming mouse.