The Razer Naga V3 Pro is a jack-of-all-trades mouse — but is it a master of none? | Tech Radar

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The Razer Naga V3 Pro is a jack-of-all-trades mouse — but is it a master of none?

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The Razer Naga V3 Pro covers a lot of bases and will suit its target audience down to the ground, but it’s not without its drawbacks.

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The Razer Naga V3 Pro is marketed as a mouse for MMO players, but it’s also something else: a mouse for the undecided, for the uncommitted. That’s because it comes with swappable side plates that let you adjust the number of buttons you get, with each made to suit a different game type.

There’s the 12-button plate, which is designed for MMOs, alongside a six-button option for MOBAs and battle royales. If you prefer FPS titles — or just general computing — there’s a two-button panel. Switching these plates is pleasingly simple thanks to the magnetic attachment system: just snap a new one on and you’re good to go.

Not only are these side panels a genius idea, but they work impressively well in use. Compared to the previous version, the buttons have been redesigned to be easier to find by touch, and I had no trouble discerning them in-game. This is especially true of the six-button side plate, whose buttons are so pronounced you could probably open a can of beans with them.

There's a bewildering array of buttons on this mouse, even if you’re not using the maxed-out 12-button plate. There are two in the top corner of the left-click button, while a large one rests on the chassis’ lower-right-hand side. Another two are nestled behind the scroll wheel — one to change the scroll mode and another to activate the AI Prompt Master (no, I don’t know why it’s on a gaming mouse either).

However, there are other neat tricks up the Naga’s sleeve. It’s got Razer’s second-generation Hyper Scroll Tilt Wheel, which lets you change its spinning mode on the fly. Move it slowly, and it ratchets one notch at a time; flick it quickly, and it spins freely. There’s also a ‘precision tactile’ mode for more control. It’s a brilliant addition that adapts to your needs, whether you’re changing weapons or flying through spreadsheets. It’s a dark horse contender for the mouse’s best feature. I even like the satisfying haptic clunk when it resets from free-spin to ratcheting mode.

The battery is another highlight, whether you disable the RGB lights or leave them on. In Bluetooth mode with RGB off, the Naga V3 Pro’s battery dropped a mere 4% after 20 hours of use. After testing for another 20 hours with the lights on, the battery dropped a further 7%. That’s pretty crazy longevity. Razer says you’ll get up to 280 hours in Bluetooth mode, and I can easily believe that based on my experience.

There are other improvements compared to the Naga V2 Pro, including sideways tilt support in the scroll wheel and next-generation updates to the button switches and optical sensor, which has jumped from 30,000 DPI to 50,000. The side buttons are now double-injection molded instead of printed (so they won’t wear off), the polling rate has increased from 1,000 Hz to 8,000 Hz (with the included dongle), and the weight has dropped from 134g to 117g.

Speaking of the weight, it’s still very noticeable — this is a sizeable, heavy mouse that’s best suited to palm grips and large hands. Compared to my 60g Logitech Pro X Superlight 2, the Naga V3 Pro weighs twice as much. The extra heft was very noticeable in use, with the pointer feeling weighty, lethargic and inaccurate, especially in fast-paced FPS games. If you’re used to lightweight mice, it’ll require some adaptation.

It’s also extremely expensive. At

There are a couple of other gripes. While the 12-button panel is backlit, the six-button plate is not. The Hyper Scroll wheel, meanwhile, would benefit from being able to switch modes a little quicker — sometimes it remained in the wrong mode because I moved it before it was ready.

I'm also not a huge fan of Razer’s Synapse software. You can use it to map custom controls to the mouse’s buttons — important stuff when you’ve got as many as the Naga V3 Pro does — but it often forgot what we’d programmed, leaving us with dead buttons that did nothing until Synapse was restarted. Not exactly what you want during a closely fought boss battle.

Judging the Naga V3 Pro is tricky. A confluence of factors make it feel incredibly niche: its high price, its heavy weight, its button positioning that really only works best for palm grips, its mass of buttons. Not everyone needs some of those features and even fewer need all of them in one mouse.

But there’s no denying it’s good at what it does, and if you’re an MMO fiend or find yourself swapping between mice to suit your gaming needs, there’s a whole lot to like about it. It’s hard to wholeheartedly recommend to all gamers, but those who fall within its narrow niche will love it.

Optional extras, including Razer Mouse Dock Pro and Razer Hyper Flux V2 Wireless Charging System

The Razer Naga V3 Pro is available now from Razer’s website or from third-party retailers. It’s priced at

It’s Razer’s most expensive mouse, excluding special editions (such as the Boomslang 20th Anniversary Edition that costs a ridiculous $1,337), but in return you get a highly customizable pointer that can be adapted to three different use cases. One way of looking at it is that you’re paying a premium so you don’t need to purchase multiple mice. Just make sure you actually need it before shelling out all that cash.

Razer also offers it as part of a bundle alongside its Mouse Dock Pro, Wireless Charging Puck or the Hyper Flux V2 Wireless Charging System (which comes in two different flavors).

Up to 155 hours (Hyper Speed Wireless), up to 280 hours (Bluetooth)

Up to 155 hours (Hyper Speed Wireless), up to 280 hours (Bluetooth)

8,000 Hz (with Mouse Dock Pro or Hyper Polling dongle), 1,000 Hz otherwise

8,000 Hz (with Mouse Dock Pro or Hyper Polling dongle), 1,000 Hz otherwise

117g (with 12-button panel), 97g (with side panel removed)

117g (with 12-button panel), 97g (with side panel removed)

Well-considered features that exude quality. The scroll wheel and swappable side plates are highlights

Well-considered features that exude quality. The scroll wheel and swappable side plates are highlights

Heavy in the hand and takes some getting used to, although the side panels perform admirably

Heavy in the hand and takes some getting used to, although the side panels perform admirably

Sturdy, polished and well made, but only really optimized for palm grip

Sturdy, polished and well made, but only really optimized for palm grip

A niche, expensive mouse that nonetheless has a lot to offer its target audience

A niche, expensive mouse that nonetheless has a lot to offer its target audience

You play a lot of MMOs and MOBAs With up to 23 programmable buttons, there’s plenty of room to map all your skills, buffs and potions.

You play a variety of game types The quick-swapping side plates make it easy to adjust the Naga V3 Pro to whichever game you’re playing.

You have large hands or play palm grip This is a wide, heavy mouse that’s best suited to palm grip players or those with larger hands.

You prefer lightweight mice This is a heavy pointer. If you’re used to featherweight mice, you’ll notice the difference straight away, and it can take a while before your gaming performance adapts.

You’re on a budget At

You have small hands or play fingertip grip I personally play with a fingertip grip and struggled to reach some of the extra buttons on the mouse.

Razer Death Adder V4 Pro Our pick for the best gaming mouse money can buy, the Razer Death Adder V4 Pro will be a brilliant pick for most gamers. It offers flawless performance, supremely comfortable ergonomics, plus battery life that goes on and on and on. It’s expensive and doesn’t have as many buttons as the Naga V3 Pro, but unless you need that much control, it’s a superb pick.

Corsair Nightsword V2 Wireless If Razer’s Naga V3 Pro isn’t quite to your taste, the Corsair Nightsword V2 Wireless is worth a look. With 11 programmable buttons, it’s a decent option for MMO and MOBA players, while its comfortable shape is in the same mold as the Naga V3 Pro. We lamented the loss of its adjustable weight feature in our review, though.

I tested the Naga V3 Pro over the course of a week in a variety of applications

It was put through its paces in different game types and in day-to-day work

I assessed it with its RGB lights both on and off to measure its battery performance

I spent around 10 days putting the Razer Naga V3 Pro through its paces. I used it in different game types and for everyday work tasks, assuming its different face plates and customization options in the Razer Synapse app. Its battery life was also assessed with the RGB lighting both enabled and disabled.

Alex Blake has been fooling around with computers since the early 1990s, and since that time he's learned a thing or two about tech. No more than two things, though. That's all his brain can hold. As well as Tech Radar, Alex writes for i More, Digital Trends and Creative Bloq, among others. He was previously commissioning editor at Mac Format magazine. That means he mostly covers the world of Apple and its latest products, but also Windows, computer peripherals, mobile apps, and much more beyond. When not writing, you can find him hiking the English countryside and gaming on his PC.

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• The Razer Naga V3 Pro is a jack-of-all-trades mouse — but is it a master of none

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