Alongside the latest Cloud Wireless III Headset from HyperX we tested out the Pulsefire Haste 2, HyperX’s latest ultra lightweight gaming mouse.

The new Pulsefire Haste 2 features the HyperX 26K sensor capable of 8000Hz polling rate, 26,000 DPI and a tracking speed of 650 IPS, custom switches and dual wireless connectivity in an ultra-lightweight 61 gram design.

Design and features

We are seeing more and more companies switch over to these lightweight gaming mice as folks opt for the less straining gaming mice for their longer gaming sessions.  The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 lends itself to this trend and is a very no-frills, cut-down mouse, with just what HyperX think you need in a gaming mouse included.

Having used this and a couple of other of the latest lightweight gaming mice it is difficult to disagree with them.  

The Pulsefire Haste 2 is extremely lightweight although it is difficult to get a true line on what it weighs.  According to one document from HyperX it weighs 53 grams but according to another it is the wired version that weighs 53 grams and the wireless mouse weighs 61 grams.  I have also seen 60 grams mentioned for the white and 61 for the black.  Let’s go with 61 grams as that is what the website says and surely that is correct?

61 grams is incredible light, very nearly matching the 60 grams of Logitech G’s latest Pro X Superlight 2 gaming mouse.  The mouse slides around extremely comfortably in both gaming and productivity work (gaming can also be productivity work right?) and the lightweight nature of it really made me rethink my everyday mouse choices.

The Pulsefile Haste 2 Wireless mouse itself is designed to be used by those who prefer a palm grip – which is me (although I think I’m actually a cross between a claw and palm grip) and I can say that in my palm it fit well and was incredibly comfortable.

The fastest polling rate is 1KHz which is very good but only half what the new Logitech G ProX 2 mouse is capable of but for how old I am, how average my reflexes are these days, the polling rate of 1Kz and a liftoff of 1mm is more than sufficient.  Pro-level gamers may need more but I dare say they will not be looking at this mouse.

Features included?  It’s a mouse, what features do you really need?  You can assign macros to one of the 6 programmable buttons using the HyperX NGenuity software and the switches are incredible sensitive and give a very satisfying clicky sound.  I’m not a massive fan of the loud clicky sound when in my everyday use and it is loud so maybe think twice before using this in an environment where other people are working around you. 

The clicky switches though are an upgrade on the first version with these HyperX switches rated for 100 million clicks which should satisfy most peoples’ requirements.

Battery life

The battery life on the mouse is quotes at 100 hours and I find it difficult to argue with that considering I’ve used it quite a bit over the last week or two and have yet to charge it.  I have not timed it down to the minute or hour but it seems to be long lasting.

The NGenuity app will tell you the battery life left on the mouse and also let you set what level of battery left you will get the “Low Battery Warning.” 

Connectivity

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 wireless mouse is, as you would expect, wireless.  If it does run out of battery while using it you can use it wired though with the included USB-C cable (or any decent USB-C cable).  

It is capable of dual connectivity – Bluetooth and 2.4GHz (using the included wireless USB dongle).  

Connecting using the wireless dongle was the easier option but not by much.  The reason for that is not bad, it’s good.  The Bluetooth connectivity uses Window’s Quick Pair so before I could even open the Bluetooth options to search for the new device a popup had appeared on the PC asking me to connect to the Haste 2 mouse.  Easy.

The 2.4GHz dongle option was even easier. Plug the dongle in, select the “2.4G” option on the bottom of the mouse (aside from the Bluetooth or off options) and it will be automatically connected and ready to go.  I prefer to use this sort of connection for any of my peripherals because it is a much more reliable connection and for the high-level gamers, faster.

Lighting 

The RGB lighting is in and around the scroll wheel and I quite like the minimalistic nature of the RGB lighting of the mouse.  Just that single light not only looks good but is less distracting and easy to customise using the HyperX NGenuity app.

Some may prefer more lighting on their gaming mouse, but each RGB section adds to the weight of the mouse so when you are aiming for an ultra-lightweight mouse lighter is better and simple is even better.

Performance

As mentioned above, the new Pulsefire Haste 2 features the HyperX 26K sensor capable of 8000Hz polling rate, 26,000 DPI and a tracking speed of 650 IPS, far more than my old-man reflexes require.  

All of the above performance features are customisable using the app which is just as well as they are incredibly touchy when it comes to using each at their max.  For the hardest of hardcore gamers you may be ok using these at max levels at times but I certainly was not.

I found my sweet spot when gaming to be around the 4K DPI mark but had to drop that down to around 1400ish for productivity work.  YMMV.

You may not know any of these folks and I only know of one (Hi Jonno) but some folks who use the mouse in their left hand exist.  While the mouse can be used with either hand it may be difficult for these lefties to use the programmable buttons on the side of the mouse – and a left-handed version is not available.

NGenuity software

Upon connecting the mouse we were asked to apply an update so that the software could recognise and use the mouse properly.  After trying to apply the update wirelessly and having it fail we had to connect using USB for it to apply.

The problem we encountered was that once we did apply the software, the NGenuity software which could recognise the mouse before the update, was unable to recognise the mouse after the update.  It is very hit and miss.  Restarting the mouse and taking the wireless dongle in and out of the PC made no difference unfortunately – a restart of the PC was required.

The NGenuity app allows for some customisation of the RGB lighting around the scroll wheel with effects such as fade, breathing, cycle and solid available.  You can of course choose any RGB colour you wish and save it to the mouse.  

Within the app you can also program ANY of the six buttons on the mouse to any keyboard or mouse function, multimedia, macro or Windows shortcut along with adjust the DPI settings of the sensor, the polling rate and the liftoff distance.  

One last word on the software – it is finicky at best.  It dropped out every time the mouse is dormant for more than a few minutes and the app does not seem to work when the mouse is connected via Bluetooth.  2.4GHz or wired only if you want to use the app.

Should you buy the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless mouse?

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 wireless mouse is a relatively affordable gaming mouse that is compatible with Windows 10 and 11 and with consoler PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S. It offers a few frills and features but excels with its weight. At just 61 grams it is ultra-lightweight and can be used comfortably for extended periods of time.

It may lack some of the more advanced features of more expensive gaming mice but at $149 is packed with enough functionality to keep most users happy including minimal RGB lighting around the scroll wheel and a DPI and polling rate far in excess of what most users require.

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless mouse is available for RRP$149 at HP, Amazon, JB and all good gaming stores.