Razer DeathAdder Essential Mouse Review

1. Introduction2. Unboxing & First Look3. Testing4. Closing thoughts5. View All Pages

The design of the Razer DeathAdder Essential gaming mouse is undoubtedly comfortable, although the lack of features does leave a bit be desired at its particular price point.

Each click feels satisfying, especially so when the DeathAdder Essential is used in more intense competitive games such as first-person shooters.  The matte black plastic housing helps to highlight the emerald green LED lighting, ensuring aesthetic appeal. While RGB would be a nice addition, it is certainly worth the sacrifice to drive the price down.

I’m not so keen on the lack of on-board DPI switch. Some gamers will find the inability to switch DPI on-the-fly quite annoying, while others might praise that there's no chance of accidentally hitting it mid-game. For me, I use the DPI button all the time, so speaking personally this isn't a change that is worth the £20 saving when compared with the Elite. You can of course adjust the DPI within the Synapse software, but this can prove tedious for those that regularly use the function.

Although I do think there are a lot of repeated and therefore redundant options in Synapse, the software does offer a lot in contrast to much of the competition. As I mentioned earlier, linking directly into the Windows Mouse Settings could prove useful for those caught out by awful mouse acceleration.

Overall, reducing the price has certainly come at some necessary expenses, but it seems as though valued features might have been caught in the crossfire. Considering competition from Logitech’s G502 offers a DPI switch, extra buttons, RGB lighting, adjustable weights and the ability to unlock the scroll wheel for the same price as the DeathAdder Essential, it can make Razer’s device harder to recommend.

Those wanting to purchase immediately are perhaps better off taking advantage of the DeathAdder Elite, currently on sale at Overclockers UK for the same price HERE. Assuming that this deal is temporary, the DeathAdder Essential still retains a premium feel thanks to Razer’s signature design, and proves better in value than the previous Abyssus Essential thanks to the inclusion of side buttons.

Razer’s DeathAdder Essential is readily available at Overclockers UK for £49.99 HERE.

Pros

• Comfortable design.
• Expansive Synapse software.
• Tactile switches.
• Vibrant lighting.

Cons

• Still expensive for a budget option.
• No RGB lighting.
• Lacking DPI switch.

KitGuru Says: Razer’s signature design remains comfortable, sleek and minimalistic. £50 is still a decent investment in a mouse and you will find more feature-rich offerings elsewhere, but those who want the DeathAdder shape without the bells and whistles of the Elite model will get on well with the Essential.

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