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It's clear that SteelSeries are trying to be a bit more adventurous with the aesthetic design of the Kana than they were with their previous models such as the Xai. The mouse is finished almost exclusively in black with the exception of the mouse wheel and DPI switch which are both fluorescent orange. These orange areas are illuminated during use. This colour combination is unlikely to appeal to all gamers so it's a good thing that there is a less offensive black and white version available.
SteelSeries have chosen to give the mouse a rubberised paint finish which helps you to grip the mouse securely during use. It is also very soft to the touch which makes the mouse feel great. This kind of finish is usually far more resilient to marks, scratches and other damage. The build quality of the mouse seems excellent and it feels just as well built as the other mice we've tested in the SteelSeries range.
The actual form of the mouse is almost identical to all the other mice in SteelSeries' range. The Kana features an ambidextrous design which means that it can be used easily with both left and right hands. Despite the simple shape of the mouse, it fits perfectly in the hand and is well suited to most gripping styles.
One of the only obvious features that differentiates the Kana from the rest of SteelSeries' range is the button arrangement. The browser forward and back buttons which feature on either side of the Xai have been replaced by two XL side buttons for easy rapid-fire. These can be disabled or reassigned in SteelSeries Engine if necessary.
We are quite impressed by the mouse wheel on the Kana as SteelSeries have found the perfect balance between resistance and precision. The mouse wheel provides just enough resistance that it is easy to flick just one ‘click' on the wheel accurately but the wheel can be flicked through a number of clicks if required.
SteelSeries has followed the path of most high-end gaming peripheral manufacturers and has given the USB cable a durable cloth braiding which should improve the longevity of the mouse. Rather than use a boring black braid, SteelSeries has used a black and orange braid which looks much more interesting and ties in nicely with the orange mouse-wheel. The cable is 2m in length and terminates in a gold-plated USB connector.
