When it comes to gaming mice, few brands are as reliable as Roccat. Since the release of the Kone in 2007, the company has been able to maintain a steady string of great gaming mice, the latest of which was an update of their flagship device, the Kone AIMO Remastered, released back in 2019. Now, almost three years later, the Kone’s latest update comes in the form of the Roccat Kone XP, which promises to improve on its predecessors in every way—and for the most part, does. Intelligent ergonomics, Titan Optical switches, 15 buttons, and eye-catching RGB lighting all come together to craft a device that feels like a step forward while maintaining what fans love about the AIMO. And at $89.99, the Kone XP lands in between the premium and value zones, making it an exceptional buy for both mainstream and hardcore gamers.
The Subtle and Not-So-Subtle Changes
While the Kone XP borrows most of its overall design from the AIMO Remastered, there are some subtle and not-so-subtle differences between the two. At 3.6 ounces, the Kone XP weighs less than its 4.5-ounce predecessor. The Kone XP is just slightly thinner too, trimming 0.4 inch from its waistline to measure at just 1.5 by 2.9 by 4.9 inches (HWD). Despite the weight loss, it’s still heavier than the Alienware Tri-Mode or the Corsair Sabre RGB Pro Champion Series.
But that extra heft is put to good use, as the Kone XP features a whopping 15 buttons, more buttons than any other mouse in its price range. Combined with Roccat’s EasyShift technology, which turns your mouse button into a shift key, you can add up to 29 button functions—ideal for command-crazy MMO and strategy game fans. On the right side of the mouse, you’ll find five buttons, all accessible with your thumb. Unfortunately, while it is compatible with all kinds of grip styles, the mouse is geared toward right-handers only.
The Kone XP makes use of Roccat’s Titan Optical switches. The company claims that its optical switches are faster than any mechanical switch, and have twice the durability. You can adjust the interval that must pass before a second press of a key is accepted. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the very cool scroll wheel, which allows for left and right lateral inputs as well as the standard scroll functionality.
Flipping the mouse over reveals the Owl Eye sensor, modeled after the PAW3370 from PixArt. The sensor supports up to 19,000dpi and a polling rate of 1,000Hz, fairly standard for any competition mouse. It’s not as high as the Alienware Tri-Mode or the Razer Basilisk Ultimate, but it’s more than enough to get the job done.
The feet are made from PTFE, a synthetic polymer, and have been heat-treated to provide smooth tracking. Meanwhile, the six-foot cable is lightweight and very pliable.
As for the not-so-subtle changes, it’s hard to miss the Kone XP’s new translucent shell, which sets the stage for the RGB light show. Twenty-two LEDs and eight light presets are available to you, all of which are handled in Roccat’s software, Roccat Swarm. Our review unit is Ash Black, which really helped the RGB lights pop, but the mouse also comes in Arctic White. The Kone XP’s dome shape is about the same size as AIMO, and while I prefer the slimmer profile on other Roccat devices (like the Kova), I found the Kone XP’s shape almost immediately comfortable.
This all comes together in a premium package. The chassis is durable and sturdy, and not a click or a stroke was missed during our time with the mouse.
Test Your Reflexes
All of the bells and whistles of the Kone XP are handled in Roccat Swarm. Here you can customize everything from scroll speed and double-click speed to DPI and polling rate across five onboard profiles. The app works just fine, despite looking a little lost in time when compared with other modern customization software. The NZXT Lift, for example, has a truly gorgeous app design that makes Swarm feel creaky by comparison.
Macro managing aside, the Kone XP does boast Nvidia Reflex Analyzer support for improved responsiveness and enhanced aiming precision in supported games. An optional set of APIs, Reflex allows developers to integrate low-latency modes directly into their games. Fast-paced esports-centric shooters like Overwatch and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare benefit the most from the low-latency mode, which will surely give serious gamers a competitive edge. (For a deeper dive on Nvidia Reflex, check out our in-depth analysis.)
The Kone XP is a bespoke package from top to bottom, with very little to complain about (if you’re a right-handed user), and at $89, it is truly a value when considering everything this mouse comes equipped with. Our complaints about the Swarm app are just minor blemishes on an overall fantastic package, with left-handed support being the only major physical feature missing.
The AIMO Levels Up
The Kone XP checks almost every box on our list of what we look for in a gaming mouse: comfortable and easy to use, a sleek design, gorgeous RGB lights, and tons of customization options. Roccat has polished its AIMO to near perfection with the Kone XP. If you’re left-handed or prefer an ambidextrous mouse, you’re better off elsewhere, but otherwise, the Kone XP is one of the best gaming mice available today, and it earns our Editors’ Choice award with ease and style.
