HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro 4K Review: A Lighter and Faster Mouse

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 and Haste 2 Pro use the latest and greatest sensor, the same as all of their competitors, capable of up to 26,000 dots per inch. That means far greater sensitivity (or resolution) than the previous model. While that might be this mouse’s most important upgrade in this generation, the main difference between the Haste 2 and the Haste 2 Pro is the polling rate.

To match the higher dpi, this is the first HyperX mouse with a 4,000-hertz polling rate. This is how many times a mouse reports its position to a computer—the higher the number, the more responsive cursor movement. Most mice have a 1,000-Hz polling rate, but esports mice can go up to 8,000 Hz.

There’s been a lot of talk about whether such a spec is even useful. Plenty of tests show that the difference between 4,000 and 2,000 Hz is visually imperceptible, even on monitors with extremely high refresh rates. The jump from 1,000 Hz on the Haste 2 to the Haste 2 Pro’s 4,000 Hz sounds like a big leap, but I promise only the most elite competitive gamers will notice the difference. That’s a problem when it’s the primary upgrade between the two.

Photograph: Luke Larsen

You shouldn’t worry that this is “only” 4,000 Hz and not 8,000 Hz like some competitors. And remember, you’ll need to use the higher dpi settings if you can even get something close to 4K polling, which impacts battery life and your PC’s CPU performance.

Don’t get me wrong—the mouse’s performance is fantastic. It’s super-responsive in twitchy shooters and, paired with a fast monitor, it feels buttery smooth. It’s just about whether or not it’s worth paying the extra chunk of change over its cheaper sibling.

Light, Strong, and Smooth

None of this matters too much when the mouse feels this good. The shape hasn’t changed from the original HyperX Pulsefire Haste, featuring a fairly low-profile, right-handed symmetrical design designed to work for grips of all types. That’ll always depend on hand size, but for my larger-than-average hand using a claw grip, I found it quite comfortable. I prefer how the Logitech G Pro Superlight 2 feels overall, but hand size and grip style matter a lot here.

With its 61 grams, you can perform quick glides across the surface of a desktop. This is aided by the feet on the bottom, which are smooth for stock skates. Yes, its closest competitors are technically slightly lighter, with the Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 weighing 60 grams and the Razer Viper V3 Pro Wireless at 54 grams. There are also lesser-known options like the Lamzu Maya, which come in well under 50 grams. But when it comes down to it, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Pro is a lightweight mouse—and more importantly, a well-balanced one.