Our Verdict
The Logitech G502 X Plus boasts a plethora of customizable buttons and an intuitive scroll wheel capable of seamlessly transitioning between notched and effortless freewheeling modes, solidifying its position as a remarkably adaptable and accomplished everyday mouse. While excelling as a dedicated gaming mouse, this product falls short in meeting the demands of passionate and competitive gamers. While its weight makes it unsuitable for high-speed shooting, the cost factor also poses a significant deterrent.
- Snug form
- The intuitive interface features a comprehensive array of readily accessible controls.
- For those seeking ergonomic comfort during extended work sessions, a switchable scroll wheel can prove to be a valuable innovation.
- Convenient storage compartment for wireless internet adapter
- These guns are simply too cumbersome for aggressive players.
- Scroll wheel wobble is distracting
- Costly
- Lacks Bluetooth help
The Logitech G502, a perennially popular gaming mouse, has achieved an impressive milestone: it’s the best-selling gaming mouse of all time, boasting a staggering 21 million units sold since its introduction nearly a decade ago.
The latest model boasts a refined blend of comfort and customization, pairing a cozy design with an array of intuitive controls and features, including the company’s cutting-edge 25K Hero sensor, vibrant RGB lighting, and the option for seamless PowerPlay charging.
The standout features of the Logitech G502 X Plus, solidifying its position in our top-rated gaming mouse roundup, are its seamless incorporation of numerous additional buttons, its versatile dual-mode scroll wheel, its exceptional sensor performance, and its impressive wireless technology. While it functions as a decent general-purpose mouse, its weight and certain design aspects detract from its appeal as a top-tier competitive gaming peripheral.
Our team of experts dedicates hours to rigorously testing hardware, thoroughly evaluating video games, and meticulously examining virtual private networks (VPNs). We provide reliable, impartial insights to guide your informed purchasing decisions. Discover out how we check.
Specs
| Logitech G502 X Plus specs | |
| Logitech Hero 25K | |
| 11 | |
| 100-25,000 | |
| 104g | |
| USB-C, 2.4GHz wi-fi (Logitech Lightspeed) |
Options
The three primary variants of the G502 X design. The wired G502 X and its Wi-Fi counterpart, the G502 X Lightspeed, give rise to the G502 X Plus, featuring RGB lighting enhancements over the Lightspeed model we’re examining today.
The most striking features of the G502 X Plus are the same ones that have defined the G502 series from the outset, including its lightweight and ergonomic design. Specifically, we’re discussing the additional buttons and the dual-mode scroll wheel that offer enhanced functionality.
The scroll wheel, arguably, garners the most admiration. By depressing a somewhat lengthy-throw and cumbersome button situated at the apex of the mouse, one may toggle between the scroll wheel’s standard, stepped tactile feedback and its ability to spin smoothly without mechanical resistance. The latter mode makes it effortless to swiftly navigate through voluminous documentation or execute swift and precise zoom operations in Adobe Photoshop, for instance.
While the G502’s scroll wheel had long served as a valuable feature, its initial iterations suffered from an impractical design, featuring a smooth steel surface that proved difficult to grasp due to its glossy finish. Luckily, the latest versions feature a rubberized handle that addresses this issue effectively.
One of the primary reasons why outdated steel wheels have been a significant problem is that the scroll wheel’s ability to tilt backward and forward provides additional functionality, effectively doubling the number of available buttons. As you glide across the polished surface on these modern wheels, a slight misstep occurred, whereupon your finger accidentally dislodged itself – a far cry from what might happen in chillier, more arid environments – yet the latest iteration boasts an undeniable improvement.
What’s noticeable is the subtle wobble introduced by these aspect buttons on the scroll wheel, making it less precise than a standard one. This slight inconsistency also makes it easy to accidentally trigger the aspect buttons while scrolling, so we recommend disabling them or remapping their functions to avoid game-disrupting effects.
The topmost button opposite the primary clicker is dedicated to profile switching, situated just behind the mode switch toggle; additionally, this side hosts not one but two extra buttons positioned to the left of the standard left-click control. Although conveniently located for quick and accurate triggering, they remain far enough away to prevent accidental activation by chance.
At the forefinger’s edge lies an additional button, reassignable yet initially serving as a “sniper” function: while depressed, it toggles the mouse’s DPI setting. Regardless of whether you find these buttons useful or not, our team has always strived for perfection – and this particular design is exceptionally well-crafted, tailored to meet your unique needs with precision. You’ll be able to remove the button entirely when you no longer need it; simply flip it around so that it’s situated slightly ahead and out of the way, or reposition it closer to your thumb for easy activation. The button securely fastens via a strong magnetic attachment mechanism.
At the entrance of the mouse is the USB-C charging and wired connection port, while the underside features an ability switch and a removable ring, allowing users to store their USB dongle beneath. The standard cowl for this component can be replaced with a Logitech PowerPlay adapter, enabling wireless connectivity between the mouse and one of Logitech’s PowerPlay mousepads.
Meanwhile, the mouse utilizes Logitech’s trusted 25K DPI Hero sensor, a reliable option boasting impressive accuracy, despite being an older technology; newer models may offer higher DPI and acceleration ratings.
The wireless connectivity options come bundled with a standard USB receiver boasting a 1kHz polling rate, consistent with the wired mode’s frequency. There is no provision for upgrading to higher frequencies like 4kHz or 8kHz. While catering to elite-level gamers seeking rapid responses may not be the primary target audience for this mouse, offering such an option would still provide a valuable feature for those who demand exceptional speed and performance.
One potential drawback to consider is the absence of Bluetooth connectivity in this mouse, which may limit its compatibility with certain devices or require an adapter for seamless use. While some wireless mice, including the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed and Corsair M65 Air, do feature Bluetooth capabilities, this omission is glaringly absent in many designs, rendering them less versatile for users seeking a multi-purpose mouse like the G502 X Plus.
Design
Despite minimal design changes over the past decade, the G502’s core form remains largely unchanged; however, the G502X boasts a distinct appearance that deviates from its non-X predecessors. This design boasts an ergonomic shape, curvaceous and optimized specifically for right-handed users, diverging from the more common symmetrical designs that could accommodate left-handed gamers as well.
While its elongated shape permits a comfortable palm grasp, the mouse can also be easily controlled by wrapping your fingertips around it, making it suitable for both grip styles. The latter’s performance is significantly enhanced by the massive, rubberized traction sections, providing reliable grip in a wide range of environmental conditions – from scorching heat and humidity to freezing cold and aridity.
Overall, this versatile mouse accommodates various grip styles and hand sizes effectively. Despite its vintage appearance, this mouse appears surprisingly robust compared to today’s sleek and lightweight options. The Logitech G Pro X Wireless weighs in at 104g, slightly heavier than previously acknowledged at 2g. This represents a significant drop from its predecessor’s 121g, yet it remains roughly twice as heavy as some wireless options, such as the Cherry Xtrfy MZ1 Wireless. Moreover, it is 120% heavier than certain wired mice, like the Endgame Gear OP1 8K.
While the RGB lighting on the Logitech G502X Plus is cleverly integrated within the Y-shaped recess between the main panels of the mouse. Built with sleek precision, this mouse is a stunning exemplar of design excellence within the Logitech portfolio – a significant departure from the functional blandness of the G Pro Superlight. The subtle nuances of the lighting also serve as a vital indicator, discreetly conveying real-time updates on DPI settings, profile adjustments, and remaining battery life, amongst other essential metrics. We do miss the intuitive visual cues of those three small LEDs on older Logitech gaming mice like the G502, which clearly displayed the current DPI setting, allowing for effortless adjustments at a glance.
The mouse is available in a sleek all-black option, as well as its iconic white and silver colourway. Logitech must still release a sleek pink or bold red-and-white variant, given the success of its G Pro X Superlight, but surprisingly, a Millennium Falcon edition exists, as showcased below.
Efficiency
The optical and laser sensors on the G502 X Plus are predictably top-notch, boasting seamless tracking and pinpoint accuracy in various environments. Although its sensor may be several years outdated, it still delivers flawless performance when paired with a high-quality mouse pad, unaffected by rapid movements or excessive polling rates.
While comparing it to 4kHz and 8kHz mice, you may notice a discernible drop in polling rate affecting certain gaming experiences. As an experienced gamer using CS2 or Valorant at speeds above 300 frames per second, you’ll be able to discern subtle differences in movement due to the lower polling rate, although the disparity is often imperceptible in practical terms? While this mouse may not be optimized for certain types of games due to various reasons, it should be at the bottom of your priority list.
What type of issues arises from the weight burden of this mouse? During intense gaming scenarios where swift movements are crucial, using a low DPI setting with the G502X can feel clunky and awkward due to its tendency to require frequent mouse adjustments and resets during rapid actions. We strongly advise against using this mouse for gaming, as its substantial weight is a significant drawback – it’s no surprise that lightweight options designed specifically for gaming are often half the weight of this device.
For gamers seeking enhanced features from the G502 X Plus, yet desiring an even larger mouse suitable for specific genres of games, consider investing in a lightweight, wired alternative like the Endgame Gear OP1 8K, provided budget constraints apply. Here’s an alternative: If you’re seeking wireless options, consider the Corsair M75 Air, Logitech G Professional Superlight 2, or Cherry Xtrfy MZ1 Wi-Fi – all of which are significantly lighter alternatives to the G502 X Plus, albeit with fewer features.
Value
Priced at $159.99, the Logitech G502 X Plus is undeniably a premium gaming mouse with a substantial price tag. Despite some drawbacks, the price of around $120 puts it in a competitive range for wireless gaming mice, considering its added features.
Alternate options
Logitech G903
If you’re seeking a range of features found in the G502 X Plus but require a left-handed design, the Logitech G903 is your ideal choice. The device features an identical scroll wheel layout, accompanied by additional buttons that cater to both left- and right-handed users through its symmetrical design.
Learn our Logitech G903 evaluation.
Razer DeathAdder V3 Professional
While offering an analogous ergonomic design to the popular G502 X Plus, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Professional stands out with its significantly lighter construction. We found that carrying it was surprisingly more comfortable, and it also features Bluetooth connectivity.
Discover the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed’s cutting-edge features and performance in our comprehensive review.
Verdict
The Logitech G502X Plus is a polarizing gaming mouse that elicits strong emotions from users. While it may share some characteristics with gaming mice, this device ultimately leans more towards being a versatile, all-around desktop mouse. The mouse’s further buttons, dual-mode scroll wheel, and palm-grip-style design are particularly well-suited for extended desktop use rather than demanding gaming sessions. The Logitech MX Master Gaming Mouse is a top-notch peripheral.
Despite this, the outcome relies heavily on how one defines a gaming mouse’s specifications. When delivering swift responses or navigating complex Civilization VI maps, the G502 X Plus excels with its intuitive design and versatile features, including customizable buttons and a precision scroll wheel that lets you zoom in effortlessly. While the G502 X Plus may not be the optimal choice for gamers requiring a highly agile mouse for fast-paced games like Doom, CS2, Apex Legends, or Fortnite, it still has its strengths.
By refining some key aspects, Logitech could potentially develop a mouse that achieves a higher degree of consistency as a reliable option for casual and competitive gamers alike. By removing the tilting scroll wheel buttons, the wheel’s precision is enhanced, feeling taut and more exact, while shedding 30g of weight from the mouse reduces its overall heaviness, potentially leading to improvements. For those who don’t crave intense first-person shooter gameplay, but still desire a versatile gaming experience, the Logitech G502 X Plus proves an excellent choice as a reliable all-rounder.
