When you think of MMO mice, chances are that a very specific picture comes to mind. They’re comfortable, but relatively heavy and clunky input devices that are made for all-night raids, rather than high performance. The Razer Naga X, a basic wired version of the company’s recently redesigned Naga Pro, subverts that reputation a bit. The $79.99 Naga X stands out from the pack, because it’s a fairly light MMO mouse. Although the Naga X can’t compete with the incredibly low weights that are common in basic esports mice, it gets close. In order to make that weight, the Naga X drops many of the Naga Pro’s best features, including its scene-stealing modular thumbside panels. Still, the Naga X is a reasonable pickup if you’re willing to commit to the MMO mouse design.
Light Cruiser
The Naga X’s shape and look generally mirrors the Naga Pro. Measuring 1.50 by 2.94 by 4.56 inches (HWL), it is also wide and flat, with a groove in the right side to support your ring finger. Ring finger support is fairly common with MMO designs; the extra support for the “nonessential” finger lets you comfortably hold and move the mouse without gripping the sides. Does that make the mouse significantly larger and heavier? Yes. But it also makes it a lot easier to hold the mouse for hours on end. In the Naga X’s case, the ring finger groove is set lower than the click panels, guiding your hand into a lightly angled, ergonomic grip.
The Naga X’s premiere feature is its weight. While the best esports mice would scoff, the Naga X’s 3-ounce weight is significantly lighter than any other MMO mouse we’ve tested. More often than not, they climb above four ounces, which is about as heavy as a gaming mouse gets. In fact, the Naga Pro weighs 4.02 ounces. At 3 ounces, the Naga X is heavier than most competition-ready mice, but it’s as light or lighter than most gaming mice featuring extra buttons or features. That’s an accomplishment, given the Naga X’s wider shape and buttload of buttons. I used the Naga X to play Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and it performed well and remained comfortable, even in a competitive setting. Still, I wouldn’t take it over a mouse with a more appropriate shape.
Full Side Buttons
Even though its weight is the most novel feature, the Naga X’s 16 buttons are its stars. The top inputs are standard fare: Two click panels, a clickable scroll wheel, and a DPI cycle button in the center column. As is customary on MMO mice, the Naga X ditches the normal forward and back buttons on the left side panel, replacing them with a numbered 12-button keypad. (By default, the single digits correspond to the number keys [1-9]. The 10 maps to 0, the 11 to “dash,” and the 12 to “=”). I think of a 12-button side pad as a “full set,” because it lets you map either the number keys or the function row to your mouse. Plus, I’ve never seen a mouse with more than 12 side buttons.
The Naga X’s side buttons are good, but not perfect. They’re a good size and height. The numbering starts in the lower front corner, where your thumb naturally rests, and escalates in columns: I find that makes it easier to keep track of the numbers on the pad without looking.
My one complaint is the lack of a meaningful tactile guide to help you navigate the buttons by touch. There are a few button differences that offer some awareness; for example, the top row buttons are slightly longer than the others, and many buttons are set at slightly different angles and heights. Still, I found that it’s easy to lose track of your position, especially when moving around the central buttons. Eventually this will become a moot point if you stick to a specific mouse profile, as you’ll gain muscle memory. That said, texturing one of the center buttons or adding a tactile bump would have been a helpful, extra step for people who bounce between setups.
Despite the fact that it has so many inputs, it would have been nice if Razer put more Naga Pro premium features in the Naga X. Specifically, I wish more mice had tilting scroll wheel inputs, which are great for macros and miscellaneous keys in custom setups. I also wouldn’t have minded if Razer kept more RGB lighting. As it stands, only the scroll wheel and side pad numbers light up. I assume these features were taken out to cut down on weight and/or price, but they would have gone a long way towards making the mouse feel more substantial. With only weight and the standard MMO side pad to set it apart, the Naga X feels a bit basic on paper.
Lastly, let’s talk about what’s under the hood. The Naga X features Razer’s 5G Optical Sensor, which tracks at up 18,000 DPI and is accurate at up to 450 inches per second. This is more than enough precision for an MMO mouse, which is generally meant for less twitchy games and experiences.
Razer Synapse Software
The Naga X relies on Razer Synapse—the company’s configuration software—for button mapping, RGB customization, and other setting changes. The app has a clean interface that makes it easy to find and change any setting you want. For the Naga X, specifically, Razer Synapse features a separate screen for customizing the side buttons, which cuts down on clutter and makes it easy to see what you’ve mapped to each button.
With Synapse, you can save as many local, custom mouse profiles as you like. Unfortunately, the Naga X’s onboard memory only supports a single profile. That’s a low number considering the mouse’s price.
Bringing Balance to MMO Mice
Despite being a “basic” MMO mouse, the Naga X is a strong, modern recalibration of the form. Cutting the weight makes it more appealing for genres outside the usual niches that pair well with the heavier, button-rich design. At $79.99, the Naga X falls within the current standard price range for a wired MMO mouse. The Naga X could use more standout features to give it a luxurious feel that’s worthy of such a price. At this point, $80 counts as high-end for a wired mouse, regardless of the design. For now, though, that is the base rate for a side pad, and the Naga X is probably the best choice for that feature south of $100.
