NZXT Lift Elite: The Perfect Lightweight Mouse?

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The evolution of wireless gaming mice is evident, and the NZXT Lift Elite stands out as one of the best representations of this advancement. This mouse showcases the most cutting-edge technology currently in the market, combined with a shape that offers comfort to most users. NZXT has been refining their Lift gaming mice for two generations, but the Lift Elite takes a slightly different approach. While the Lift 2 series is available in both ergonomic and ambidextrous designs, the wireless Lift Elite mouse specifically adopts an ambidextrous design without sacrificing comfort. I’ve been using the NZXT Lift Elite wireless gaming mouse for over a week now, and I can confidently say it’s a fantastic lightweight choice for gaming.

For quite some time now, NZXT has been a significant player in the gaming equipment market, tracing its roots back to 2004 when it primarily catered to the DIY PC-building community. Over the years, their offerings have grown extensively, making them one of the more familiar brands associated with PC cases, motherboards, streaming devices, and cooling equipment. They ventured into mechanical keyboards in 2017 and unveiled their first gaming mouse in 2022. With the introduction of the Lift series of gaming mice, NZXT aims to establish a stronger presence in the wireless gaming peripheral market.

What’s in the Box?

  • NZXT Lift Elite wireless gaming mouse
  • USB Type-A dongle
  • Extension adapter
  • USB Type-C to USB Type-A charging/data cable
  • Grip tape

Straightforwardly unpacking the NZXT Lift Elite, you’ll find all essentials included for a smooth setup. The space-efficient package places the mouse at the top with accessories neatly tucked beneath. Notably, grip tape for left and right clicks is provided by NZXT, but the mouse itself already has a textured surface that offers good grip, which we’ll delve deeper into later.

NZXT provided the larger-sized “Zone Elite XL mouse pad,” which spans approximately 750x400mm. Crafted from sturdy nano-weave cloth on top and microcellular PU foam beneath, it boasts a thickness of 4.5mm. This accessory features a spill-resistant coating and reinforced edge stitching to prevent tearing or fraying. The smooth top surface offers minimal resistance, making it ideal for gaming and regular use. Upon removal from its packaging, the PU foam and overall thickness enable it to flatten promptly.

Specifications and Features

The NZXT Lift Elite gaming mouse, much like many others available, prioritizes being lightweight and comfortable. It tips the scales at around 57 grams, which isn’t the least weighty, as the Turtle Beach Burst II Air claims that title with its 47-gram build. Nevertheless, this places the Lift Elite in the same league as the Glorious Series 2 Pro (55 grams) and the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX (60 grams). The mouse’s lightweight construction, combined with its 100% PTFE feet, results in effortless cursor movement with minimal friction. Swift movements for quick flicks in first-person shooters felt incredibly smooth, almost like butter.

The core component of this mouse is the PixArt PAW3395 optical sensor, which can reach an impressive 26,000 DPI. This sensor supports a polling rate of up to 8000 Hz, but it’s important to note that this high rate is only accessible in the wired mode. If you’re primarily into competitive shooters that support 8000 Hz polling, then the Lift Elite wireless gaming mouse might be a good choice for you. However, when using the mouse wirelessly, you can still enjoy a 4000 Hz polling rate, which is sufficient for most gamers and helps save battery life.

In my experience, this mouse lasts up to 70 hours on a single charge when operating at a 1000 Hz polling rate. With weekly light gaming sessions during the weekdays and heavier ones over the weekend, I only needed to recharge it once. A quick 15-minute charge will provide you with over 15 hours of additional use.

In my own words, I’m delighted with the switches on this device, specifically the left and right clicks that rest upon TTC Optical 60 gF switches, boasting an impressive 100 million click rating. The tactile feedback and sound they produce are top-notch and satisfying to use. However, I’ve found that the scroll wheel’s click can occasionally feel a bit soft or spongy. This has led to some missed inputs during intense gaming sessions in PUBG, where I need to double press the scroll wheel to mark enemy locations. Fortunately, this doesn’t affect my ability to quickly switch weapons while playing.

It appears that performance-oriented, lightweight gaming mice often lack RGB lighting.

Design and Build Quality

The NZXT Lift Elite, being ambidextrous, doesn’t provide the ergonomic comfort found in specialized mice. However, the contoured shell and textured sides make it a comfortable fit for my medium-sized hands. Both claw and fingertip grip styles work well during gaming and daily Windows use. I could rest my palm on it comfortably. Additionally, the large side buttons are easily accessible. Interestingly, it has a flatter arch than both the Burst II Air and Glorious Series 2 PRO, but its back slope is more gentle, offering more support for the palm.

NZXT successfully maintained a weight of 57 grams on their design, devoid of any perforations in the shell. They achieved this by removing a section from the mouse’s body at its base. Consequently, it might be necessary to clean the bottom occasionally. The power button is strategically placed at the bottom, matching the signature purple color, adding an appealing touch along with the white PTFE feet. However, there are no indications on the button that it functions as a DPI switch, which I believe could have been made clearer by the company. Regrettably, there’s no user manual included in the packaging. Through experimentation, I found that a long press turns the mouse on and off, while a short press adjusts the DPI setting.

Previously noted, the exterior of the NZXT Lift Elite is adorned with ridges for superior grip, however, these can trap dirt and grime. The left and right mouse buttons are textured, providing a much stronger grip compared to the Burst II Air. Most users likely won’t require the supplied grip tape, but it’s reassuring to have it on hand.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve received the black variant of this amazing gaming mouse from NZXT, and so far, it’s been a fantastic addition to my setup. Despite my hands getting quite sweaty during intense gaming sessions, it remains pristine with no signs of stains or marks. However, only time will tell if this durability holds up in the long run.

The NZXT Lift Elite feels robust and well-constructed, with no creaking sounds even when I grip it firmly – a reassuring sign of its overall durability. The design is smart too, as it’s lightweight yet reinforced at key structural points to handle plenty of pressure without adding extra weight. NZXT claims that these reinforced components have been subjected to an impressive 50N of force during testing. I can’t wait to put this mouse through its paces and see how it performs under the heat of competition!

Performance & Software

The wireless gaming mouse inside the NZXT Lift Elite performs just as you’d anticipate from a quality product. Its top-notch PixArt sensor delivers impressive results, though it slightly lags behind the newer PAW3950 sensor in terms of performance. However, this difference is hardly noticeable during regular gaming sessions. The PAW3950 sensor can reach up to 30,000 DPI, but for most gaming purposes, this high DPI doesn’t offer significant advantages. Overall, the Lift Elite provides accurate and swift performance.

This mouse boasts a shape that’s both comfy and grippy, making it perfect for gamers with hand sizes ranging from small to medium. However, those with larger hands might find it a bit on the compact side. The battery life is impressive enough to handle several lengthy gaming marathons, and the cord is light enough to minimize resistance during wired use. After a week of testing, I encountered no issues regarding its performance – the NZXT Lift Elite proved to be quite reliable.

The NZXT CAM desktop application allows you to customize various settings, including adjusting the polling rate and setting up macros. It’s well-organized and user-friendly. Moreover, it enables you to create up to five profiles that can be saved on your mouse. One of the standout features of NZXT CAM is its integration of all NZXT products, along with system monitoring tools, making it a one-stop solution for managing every NZXT product in your setup, unlike some other manufacturers who require multiple software applications.

Price and Final Thoughts

The NZXT Lift Elite retails at around $80, making it a mid-range option among gaming mice. On the other hand, the Burst II Air is tagged at $100, but is currently on sale for $80 and offers Bluetooth compatibility as an added feature. The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX comes with a hefty price tag of over $150, which makes the Lift Elite a more budget-friendly choice. This mouse, boasting quality construction and exceptional performance, won’t strain your wallet too much. NZXT has managed to keep the cost at this level due to its wired 8K polling rate. If it could support 8K wirelessly, it would likely be priced above $100. In my opinion, this balance between price and performance is ideal for most gamers.

Regarding the Zone Elite XL cloth mousepad, its price tag sits at $45, making it somewhat expensive. For those with a tighter budget, there’s a Large version available for $30 and an XXL version priced at $55. This tightly-woven polyester material offers a remarkably smooth glide, which is often challenging to find in standard cloth gaming mousepads. If you already possess a large mousepad, opting for the Large variant and layering it on top of your existing one might be a more cost-effective choice.

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2025-01-30 16:06