Razer DeathAdder V2 Mini Review

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Image of Razer Deathadder mini

Image of Razer Deathadder mini

-Razer DeathAdder V2 Mini is an ultra-lightweight gaming mouse with incredible performance & exceptionally comfortable design. Weighing in at only 62g, it is a competitive gamer’s dream as it enables quick flicks & reactions at the highest level.

The Good

  • Exceptional 62g lightweight design
  •  Quality build
  •  Very high value-for-money
  •  High-precision sensor

The Bad

  • Too small for a proper palm-grip(most gamers use claw grip)

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As someone who always loved the performance and shape of the DeathAdder but found it to be slightly too big and clunky, the DeathAdder V2 Mini is godsent. DeathAdder Mini is a downscaled version of the world’s most popular gaming mouse. It is equipped with the same features that made the original so popular, such as the Razer Optical Switches and standout design while being 20 grams lighter.

It is not only the weight that has been cut by a good portion but also the price. I personally think enough people would prefer the smaller, lighter, DeathAdder that they could get away with the same price. Nevertheless, a price cut is not something to complain about.

Apart from the size, the sensor is the only thing that has been ”downgraded” to warrant the low price tag. However, the only difference you will notice is the top-end performance as it maxes out at 8500 DPI. So if you are one of the very few people to play with more than 8500 DPI, then you will have to stick to the regular DeathAdder, but if you usually stay in the normal DPI range, then the sensor on DeathAdder Mini is top-notch.

Razer DeathAdder size comparison to DeathAdder Mini
Size comparison between Razer DeathAdder V2 Mini vs DeathAdder V2.

DeathAdder V2 Mini – In-depth Look

Let us jump into the more detailed review.

Design: Smaller, lighter, quicker.

Gamer’s who have tried lightweight mice know that it is hard to go back. Weight is a crucial factor if you enjoy fast-paced competitive games such as League of Legends and CS:GO. Being able to move the mouse with as little weight resistance as possible allows you to make quick clutch plays and flick more seamlessly, and only a handful of mice can compete with the DeathAdder Mini’s 62g design.

This is why I prefer the Mini version over the regular DeathAdder even though it is cheaper and has a less powerful sensor.

The DeathAdder is well known for its highly ergonomic design. It has a large curve on the right side that allows your hands to rest lightly on it while the left side has a smooth inward curve fitted with two easy-to-use thumb buttons. This design feels very natural, and it is flexible enough to work well with any grip-type. That said, the mini version is simply too small for a proper palm-grip.

Sometimes less is more.

Except for being downscaled, the design is more-or-less identical to the regular version, which is great. The DeathAdder design has always been one of the most celebrated in the industry and is a large part of what made it so incredibly popular in the first place.

While I prefer the downscaled design, it is hard to say which is better. If you ever used the regular DeathAdder, you will know whether or not you found that model to be slightly too big and clunky or just right. However, if you are a person with very large hands, then the Mini will likely be too small regardless. That said, people with regular or even slightly large hands will not find issues with its size.

Optional grip tape for more stability.

image of Razer DeathAdder Mini with grip tape

A cool new little detail is the addition of optional grip tape. The Razer DeathAdder Mini comes with four custom pieces of grip tape that can be taped onto the mouse if you want more grip resistance for a firmer hold of the mouse. One can put on the left side below the thumb buttons, one on the right-hand curve, and the last two on the main mouse buttons.

It is a cool option, and I do prefer having the left-and-right side grip tape on. However, I must say that having all four on looks a bit ridiculous and somewhat lessens the comfort. The tape is custom made to fit perfectly, but if you are as clumsy as I am, then you will find it a bit tedious to try and tape it on. However, even I managed to make it fit in a way that it looks somewhat natural.

I think most people will prefer the standard smooth surface, but it is always lovely having options. An important thing to note is that once I took off the grip tape of the fingertip buttons, it did not leave any stickiness or mark, so you might as well try it out.

Performance: Unnoticeable downgrade

Image of Razer mini mouse

Razer mice have always been equipped with cutting-edge sensors that can perform at a tournament level, and the DeathAdder V2 Mini is no different. On paper, the sensor is less potent than the Focus+ that you see in most new Razer mice, but the difference is not something you notice. Instead of the extreme top-end DPI of 20.000, the Mini maxes out at 8500, and if you are not familiar with DPI, that might sound like a bad thing, but the truth is that very few people use anything above 4000 DPI.

For context, some of the most popular mice in professional esports are BenQ’s Zowie series, and they max out at 3200 DPI. And while the regular DeathAdder V2 can reach 20.000 DPI, it is something you have to adjust through Razer Synapse and not a standard-setting. The fact of the matter is that these over-the-top DPI settings that many major brands add are only there to impress people who do not understand DPI and assume that 20.000 is better than 5000.

DPI stands for Dots-per-inch and is essentially the number of pixels that the mouse cursor will move for every inch you move the mouse. In other words, the ”speed” of the mouse and trust me when I say that you do not need a 20.000 DPI setting.

Still tournament ready

Despite knowing that the sensor was downgraded, I failed to notice it through several hours of gameplay. The response time is still 1ms, the lift-off distance is near perfect, and the 62g design makes it feel quicker than most mice with the same specifications.

The ultra-lightweight design enables you to move the mouse around with what feels like zero resistance and high levels of accuracy. While the regular DeathAdder V2 is already very light at only 82g, I do feel like the 20g difference is very noticeable and makes me prefer the mini version.

Final Verdict – Cheaper, but not worse

Image of the mini version of Razer DeathAdder

The Razer DeathAdder V2 Mini is a budget-friendly alternative to the regular DeathAdder, but despite the lower price, it doesn’t feel cheaper. It can perform at a very high-level, and the 62g design allows for seamless flick and clutch plays.

It uses the same high-quality design, and the fact that it is cheaper did not become apparent at any point over my many hours of testing. It’s a solid gaming mouse that I am confident the professional scene will welcome with open arms.

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