When the box for it Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed fell on my desk, I first thought it was a mistake and got Viper V3 Pro to test again. I suspect this is an issue that many hardware testers encounter, as the Razer DeathAdder and Viper series look very similar and the packaging is almost identical.
This is because, in most cases, they are the same gaming mice, although with one crucial difference. All DeathAdders have a pronounced curvature of the housing and are intended only for right-handed people, while Vipers are symmetrical and theoretically suitable for left-handed people.
It’s not without reason that I mention the Viper V3 Pro, but more on that in a moment. For now, let’s consider what the recent DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed has to offer. Scan specifications could fool anyone into thinking it’s just a cheaper, more basic version of the DeathAdder V3 Pro, the best wireless gaming mouse. And they would be right.
But they would also be slightly wrong, because in my humble opinion, the V3 HyperSpeed is better than V3 Pro. Yes, I’m sorry for throwing it out there at the beginning of the review, but it’s crucial to set the table first and then fill it with tasty morsels.
DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed Specifications
Buttons: 5 or 8
Feet: PTFE
Communication: 2.4 GHz HyperSpeed (USB-A dongle) | Wired (USB-A to USB-C cable)
Sensor: Focus X 26K optical sensor
Maximum DPI: 26,000
Maximum acceleration: 40 gr
Max speed: 500 pixels per second
Voting frequency: 1000Hz
Battery life: 100 hours
RGB lighting: nothing
Guarantee: 2 years
Price: $99.99 | £99.99 | $179.95
Let’s start with the optical sensor, a device that scans the surface your mouse is resting on and tracks its movement. While the Focus Pro 30K in the V3 Pro boasts a maximum DPI of 30,000 and maximum speed and acceleration of 750 IPS and 70 g, the DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed offers values of 26,000 and 500/40, respectively. Yes, they are lower, but unless you are a professional esports athlete, you honestly won’t notice it.
Likewise, the 2.4GHz wireless system. Razer’s HyperSpeed connection features very low latency and no interference, and the version included with the V3 Pro allows you to set the polling rate to 8000Hz. This is incredibly fleet, but also rather unnecessary, as it significantly affects the mouse’s battery life, and many older games spit out a dummy when using it.
The V3 HyperSpeed is only rated at 1000Hz, like most wireless gaming mice, but like the optical sensor, that’s really quite good. It wasn’t that long ago that PC gamers would abandon wireless and wired USB mice in favor of those using the PS2 socket due to the low polling rate, but that’s no longer the case.
At this speed, the operating system checks for the presence of a mouse every millisecond, and unless you have the cat’s physical responses, any delays in the in-game signal will be caused by another problem in the computer, and certainly not this mouse.
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All this can be seen in the above charts compiled using Mouse Tester. I’ve included results at 1000 and 8000 Hz for the Viper V3 Pro to highlight how miniature the difference between the two actually is. Position and speed tracking is exact, silky and consistent, and minor interruptions during updates are more indicative of the computer in employ rather than the mouse.
As mentioned, using a polling rate higher than 1000Hz in a wireless mouse significantly increases the device’s power consumption. By using the standard speed and a weaker sensor, Razer was able to fit a lighter battery into the V3 Hyperspeed compared to the DeathAdder V3 Pro, which also lasts a bit longer.
You could argue that having more capable hardware will always be a better choice, but that’s only true if the price difference isn’t too great. Razer happens to have released the DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed at $99.99/£99.99/€119.99/AU$179.95— that’s a full $60 cheaper than the V3 Pro, or a 40% discount. The V3 HyperSpeed is certainly not a 40% weaker gaming mouse.
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However, this is a review, so it’s time for a more critical approach and I’ll start with the subjective aspects. I really liked how the V3 HyperSpeed felt in my hand, with the side buttons perfectly placed just above where my thumb naturally rested. I also liked its ridiculously low weight of 55g, which surprised me as I usually prefer meatier mice – but I suspect the shape of the case had something to do with it, as it was easier to grip and move than the Viper V3 Pro.
I didn’t like how noisy the main mouse buttons were. The noisy clicks and pops weren’t noticeable when playing with headphones, but with speakers or just normal employ, they started to get on my nerves after a while. It was the same with the mouse wheel – solid, even broad, and thanks to the positive spin, switching weapons in games was a delight. However, scrolling through a web page or gigantic document was a bit tedious.
And now for objective criticism. The plastic used for the top of the V3 HyperSpeed case is covered with a material that provides a silky touch. I can certainly vouch for how silky it feels to the touch, but no matter what material it is, it attracts grease and dirt like a magnet. If your hands are sweaty, it will look greasy and soiled in no time.
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Razer claims that the mouse has eight programmable buttons, but in fact there are five standard buttons. You could argue it’s a matter of semantics, but three of these “buttons” are the forward/back wheel movements and the DPI/power switch on the base.
It’s great that Razer has made all controls fully programmable via Synapse software, but I’d argue that the primary button will never be set to an crucial macro or the like.
Finally, we have the HyperSpeed wireless connection system. Razer has equipped the DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed with a high-quality braided USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable, a Type-C to Type-A adapter block, and a 2.4 GHz wireless dongle. Everything works very well and the mouse also supports the Razer HyperPolling 8000 Hz dongle which is Separate purchase for $30. However, none of the above is a problem.
Buy if…
✅ You just need a great gaming mouse: No RGB, no ultra-high polling rate, no ridiculous DPI limit you’ll never employ – just really good hardware in a solid case.
✅ Want a lightweight mouse: Weighing just 55 grams, this mouse makes many other esports models feel unwieldy in comparison.
Don’t buy if…
❌ You want a versatile mouse: Outside of gaming, the featherlight design, loud buttons, and clunky wheel can wear down over time.
❌ You have sweaty palms: The plastic from which the casing is made attracts grease and dirt, and keeping it immaculate is not simple.
When I reached for the HyperPolling dongle that came with the Viper V3 Pro, I was a little surprised that it didn’t work with the V3 HyperSpeed. It appears that the Viper’s 8000Hz wireless system is not the same as the separately purchased HyperPolling dongle, or at least has been configured to only work with the Viper. This is a completely unnecessary and misleading fragmentation of the product.
Of course, this isn’t the DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed’s fault, but the HyperSpeed dongle supports connections to multiple devices and seems to be fully universal, while HyperPolling isn’t. I also can’t lend a hand but feel that many consumers will be a little confused by Razer’s HyperSpeed and HyperPolling nomenclature.
All in all, the negative aspects of the recent DeathAdder are minor, and none of them would put me off using the mouse regularly. As an avid user of ergonomic vertical mice, I was surprised at how often I reached for the V3 HyperSpeed while working, and it was the mouse I reached for most during late-night gaming sessions at home.
Razer has done a fantastic job of taking their best gaming mouse and making it significantly cheaper without compromising what the DeathAdder brand means to the gaming community. Behind the understated appearance is a seriously capable mouse, and the lack of super-fast polling and laser-precise sensors probably makes it a better mouse for the expansive majority of PC gamers.
