Pocket mice are typically associated with productivity, given their portable, lightweight designs that let you work in an airport, coffee shop, or office. The $69.99 Razer Orochi V2 offers that same capability, but for gaming. It’s a small, wireless mouse, but with the sensor and software support of a Razer gaming mouse. The Orochi V2 isn’t a full-on replacement for a standard-size gaming mouse, but it’s convenient if you want a backup input device for your laptop bag.
Dimensions and Buttons
Measuring 1.4 by 2.4 by 4.2 inches (HWL), the Orochi V2 is shorter and thinner than your average gaming mouse. Even with my average-size hands, my thumb and pinky naturally drag along the mouse’s surface, which isn’t ideal for responsive play. Unlike Razer’s other shrunk-down designs, such as the DeathAdder V2 Mini and Viper Mini, the Orochi has a somewhat ergonomic chassis that creates support for your hand, so playing with a palm grip works, albeit imperfectly.
Aside from its small stature, the Orochi V2 is a basic six-button gaming mouse. It has four buttons on top: Two click panels, a thumb wheel, and a DPI cycle in the center column. The usual back and forward buttons live on the mouse’s side. The mouse is made of matte black plastic; there’s no textured side panels or grips. There’s also no RGB lighting, though that might be for the best if you plan to use the mouse in a public space where swirling lights may be deemed distracting.
On the mouse’s underside, you’ll find a three-setting power switch that lets you toggle between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. As usual, the dongle-based 2.4GHz connection provides a more stable, responsive signal that makes it better for gaming. Bluetooth, however, is compatible with more devices that lack a USB port, such as phones and tablets, and takes less toll on the battery.
The Orochi V2’s sensor sets it apart from other travel mice. It sports Razer’s 5G Advanced sensor that tracks at up to 18,000 DPI, and stays accurate at up to 450 inches per second. This enables much better performance than what’d you get from a non-gaming mouse travel mouse. Though there are other small, wireless gaming mice, the travel mouse is primarily an office-focused input device.
Flip the mouse back over, and you’ll find a removable chassis panel. Under the hood, there are slots for a AA battery and AAA battery. You can only use one battery type or the other; you can’t use a AA and AAA battery together. The idea is that you can choose between the heavier, but longer-lasting AA battery for general use, and the lighter but quicker-draining AAA battery for high performance. There’s also a storage slot for the 2.4GHz dongle, so there’s no need to worry about the two pieces getting separated in transit.
It’s cool that Razer gives you battery options, the tradeoff is a little lopsided. The weight difference between the two battery types is small: 2.5 ounces with a AA battery versus 2.2 ounces with a AAA battery. Competitive players will appreciate the option to maximize ease of movement, but both weights are light enough to tip the Orochi V2 into the esports mouse category.
On the other hand, there’s a big difference in battery life. According to Razer, the Orochi should last for up to 425 hours on a 2.4 GHz connection or 950 hours using Bluetooth with a AA battery, and about one third that time—142 hours over 2.4 and 317 hours on Bluetooth—while using a AAA battery. Razer states that putting in both batteries at the same time doesn’t enhance battery life in any way, so you’re just adding needless weight by combining them.
The Razer Synapse Configuration Software
The Orochi V2, as with other Razer gear, has software support from Synapse, the company’s configuration app. Using Synapse, you can create custom mouse profiles with remapped inputs, including custom macros, custom mouse sensitivity and DPI presets, and tweaked power-related settings. Many of these settings may seem a bit superfluous for a six-button mouse, but Synapse makes alterations a simple task.
The Orochi V2 has one interesting wrinkle on the software side: It’s the third Razer device to offer HyperSpeed, multi-device wireless support via its 2.4 GHz dongle. That means, in theory, you can plug in one wireless dongle to connect the Orochi, a wireless keyboard, and possibly another compatible Razer device to your PC. It’s a feature that frees up the system if you use Razer products. That said, the feature has limited functionality to the point where it isn’t especially useful—at the moment. As of April 2021, there are only two other compatible devices, the DeathAdder V2 Pro mouse and the Blackwidow V3 Wireless keyboard. So, basically, unless you also have Blackwidow V3, this new functionality won’t change anything for you.
Pocket Mouse
The Razer Orochi V2 is essentially a gaming-focused counterpart to Logitech’s MX Anywhere 3, a similarly small productivity mouse that you can easily carry. Neither is truly a replacement for their larger, high-end counterparts, but both fit the bill when you need to work away from your desk. The MX Anywhere 3 has several useful features that set it apart from the average mouse, but the Orochi V2, with its powerful sensor and Synapse support, make it a better fit for gaming. At $69.99, the Orochi V2 isn’t cheap for a piece of gear that’s best suited as a backup mouse, but it proves convenient if you travel a lot. If you’re looking for an esports mouse with more hand support and RGB lighting, check out our Editors’ Choice pick, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste.
