Razer Deathadder V3 Pro Review

Specifications

The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K: Design and Comfort

The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K keeps the same design as the previous model, the Basilisk V3 Pro. This wireless gaming mouse is built for comfort, featuring an ergonomic shape for right-handed users, 11 programmable buttons, and a dual-mode tilt wheel. It sports a matte black plastic body with glossy black details and rubberized panels on the sides for better grip. You can choose between black and white versions. We got the black model for testing, which I like because it has a sleek look. The white version has the same glossy black accents, giving it a bit of a Star Wars Stormtrooper feel.

The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K is a bit on the bigger side, measuring 5.11 inches long and 2.96 inches wide, with a height of 1.67 inches at its thickest point. Despite its size, the design makes it feel smaller, fitting well in most medium to large hands. Weighing 3.95 ounces, it's not considered lightweight, but it’s not too heavy either. It’s not specifically made for ultra-lightweight use, but the grippy, contoured sides make it easy to lift when needed.

The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K features 11 customizable buttons, perfect for your CS2 playstyle. These include the standard left and right click buttons, two side buttons for quick access, a trigger button, a DPI switch for adjusting sensitivity, and a scroll wheel toggle positioned above the tilt wheel. The tilt wheel also has center, right, and left click options, and you can find the profile switch button on the bottom of the mouse. Additionally, you can program the scroll wheel's up and down movements in Synapse, although these aren’t counted as buttons. If you prefer a palm grip, the trigger button sits conveniently under your thumb, allowing you to adjust your grip slightly to avoid accidental clicks. However, if you don’t plan to use the trigger button often, you might want to consider other options.

At the bottom of the mouse, you’ll find the switch to toggle between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless modes, along with a button to change profiles that you can customize. The mouse features 100% PTFE feet, including two small pads at the top corners, a longer section beneath the thumb area, a curved strip on the bottom, and around the optical sensor. There's a removable cover that conceals a slot for the 2.4GHz dongle; you can replace this cover with Razer's Wireless Charging Puck, compatible with Razer's Mouse Dock Pro.

The mouse features vibrant RGB lighting in the scroll wheel, the tri-snake logo on the palm rest, and a strip that runs around the base. This strip is designed with a slight outward angle to create a cool underglow effect, and it includes 11 customizable RGB zones for a smooth gradient.

The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K comes with a 6-foot USB-A to USB-C cable, a USB extender, and a 2.4GHz USB-A dongle right in the box. The cable is braided, but it's not a SpeedFlex cable, which makes it a bit stiff. You might want to avoid using the mouse while it's connected with this cable. The 2.4GHz dongle is designed for multiple devices, so you can connect it to several compatible Razer products, like a mouse and keyboard, saving you a USB port.

Basilisk V3 Pro 35K: Key Features and Software Overview

The Basilisk V3 Pro is customizable through Razer's Synapse software. With Synapse, you can set up the mouse's 11 programmable buttons (offering 13 programmable inputs) to control mouse actions, keyboard functions, and multimedia tasks. You can also launch applications, enter text strings, or use system shortcuts and macros. The software features a macro recorder and manager that works across devices when you're logged in.

You can tweak your mouse settings in CS2 to enhance your gameplay. Adjust DPI steps, polling rate, lift-off distance, asymmetric cut-off, and scroll wheel preferences. The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K features a scroll wheel with two modes: tactile and free-spin. While it doesn’t have the customizability of the Naga V2 Pro's wheel, it includes some fresh options in Synapse, like Smart-Reel. This feature automatically switches to free-spin mode when you're scrolling fast and goes back to tactile when you stop. The new sensor also supports Synapse's Sensitivity Matcher, allowing you to match the DPI of the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K with another mouse, which is handy if you’re transitioning from an older gaming mouse or if you use different mice for various game types. While this feature is nice to have, it’s not essential for everyone.

You can customize the mouse's RGB lighting using the software. It features 13 lighting zones — one in the logo on the palm rest, one in the scroll wheel, and 11 around the base. The lighting around the base is angled outward, creating a vibrant underglow that you can tweak with different effects using Razer Chroma. You can also link it to various games and programs with Synapse for an enhanced experience.

Basilisk V3 Pro 35K Performance Insights

The standout feature of the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K is its upgraded sensor. It comes with Razer's Focus Pro 35K optical sensor, offering an impressive sensitivity of 35,000 DPI and can reach speeds of up to 750 IPS while withstanding forces of 70 G's. This new sensor enables the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K to utilize new Synapse tools, like the Sensitivity Matcher, which adjusts the DPI settings to match those of another mouse. This is the same advanced sensor found in Razer's Viper V3 Pro.

The main buttons on the mouse use Razer's latest third-generation optical switches, found in all of their newest models. These switches can handle up to 90 million clicks and provide a responsive, tactile experience with a solid, slightly louder click. The side buttons also have tactile, clicky switches, making them easy to press without being overly sensitive.

The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K is an excellent all-around gaming mouse for Counter-Strike 2 players. Whether you're into RPGs or competitive shooters, this mouse provides a comfortable and engaging experience that won't hold you back in high-stakes matches. During my tests, the new sensor proved to be fast and precise, tracking smoothly on various surfaces like soft, hard, hybrid, and even glass mouse pads. However, the older sensor from the original Basilisk V3 Pro performed just as well. While the new sensor does enable some additional features in Razer's Synapse software, in terms of performance, it feels very similar to its predecessor.

The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K may not have as many buttons as specialized MMO/MOBA mice like the Razer Naga V2 Pro, but it still offers more accessible programmable buttons than standard gaming mice. The trigger button provides an extra option for your thumb, while the tilt wheel adds two more inputs with its programmable side clicks. If you prefer something more tailored to MMO/MOBA gameplay, consider the Logitech G502 X Plus. It has a similar feel to the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K but includes two extra side buttons for enhanced functionality.

The V3 Pro 35K is a bit on the heavier side for a gaming mouse, but its textured side panels and sleek design make it comfortable to lift. While there are lighter options out there, you shouldn't struggle to pick this one up now and then. Just be careful not to hit the trigger button by mistake!

The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K is an excellent all-around gaming mouse that excels in various game genres, including CS2. It strikes a perfect balance between versatility and comfort — featuring a stylish design that offers more complexity than the ultra-lightweight mice popular today, while still keeping the button layout user-friendly and not cluttered.

Basilisk V3 Pro 35K: Wireless Performance and Battery Life

The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K offers better battery life compared to the previous model, lasting 150 hours on 2.4GHz wireless instead of 120 hours. This 25% boost is decent but not revolutionary. For gamers putting in about eight hours a day, 150 hours means just over two and a half weeks of playtime, while 120 hours still provides a solid two weeks before needing a charge.

The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K is designed to work with Razer's Mouse Dock Pro, which is sold separately for $60. This dock not only offers wireless charging but also includes a HyperPolling transceiver. The same transceiver is available in Razer's HyperPolling Wireless Dongle, compatible with the V3 Pro 35K, priced at $30. This setup allows you to boost the mouse's wireless polling rate up to 8,000 Hz. While this is eight times the standard wireless polling rate of 1,000 Hz, even a 1,000 Hz rate provides a response time of just 1ms. Most gamers, particularly those interested in the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K, are unlikely to notice a significant difference between 8,000 Hz and 1,000 Hz. Additionally, opting for 8,000 Hz can reduce battery life to only 28 hours. However, if you already have the Mouse Dock Pro or the HyperPolling Wireless Dongle, the new Basilisk V3 Pro 35K will work seamlessly with them.

Conclusion

The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K doesn’t offer much of a change from the original. It features the same design, but with a new sensor and a 25% boost in battery life. The new sensor is fast and precise, perfect for gaming, but the previous one was also solid. Aside from the higher DPI, which most players don’t use (seriously, who has their DPI over 10,000?), and a few extra software options, the new sensor is pretty much the same as before. While the improved battery life is nice, it doesn’t really make a strong case for upgrading to a new mouse. On the bright side, the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K is priced at $160, the same as the previous model, which means you can score the original Basilisk V3 Pro on sale. Right now, it’s available for $117 on Amazon (26% off), and the price might drop even more as the holidays get closer. The Basilisk V3 Pro is a stylish and comfortable wireless gaming mouse that works well for both gaming and everyday tasks, making it a great buy, especially when it’s on sale.