I tried a $12 gaming mouse and didn't hate it

Havit gaming mouse
(Image credit: Future)

PC gaming accessories can regularly run you into three-figure prices, but for all the flashy marketing, futuristic sensor names, and "revolutionary" switch revisions, a gaming mouse can only do so much for the everyday player. I've had my hands on plenty of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models lining the shelves, but when I stumbled upon a pointer that came in at just $11.99 / £12.99, I was intrigued. What are we actually gaining by spending over $100 /  £100 on a clicker, and how would a super 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:cheap gaming mouse actually compare? 

Into the basket iౠt went, and I've jus🧔t spent two days playing and working exclusively with the Havit RGB Gaming Mouse. So, do you need to spend more than $15 on a rodent? No - but also, yes. I'll explain. 

Havit gaming mouse |
The Havit gaming mouse carries a particularly budget-friendly price tag. At well under $15 / £15, it's an excellent in-between option, or a cheap pointer for anyone looking to play casually without breaking the bank. Of course, you're not getting speed-focused features here, and the sheer weight is a little off-putting, but there's some excellent value for money here.

Essential Info

Price: $12.99 / £12.99
Form factor: Right-handed
DPI: 4,800
Buttons: 7
Connectivity: Wired
Weight: 150g

I'll confess, in the last few years I've been spoilt with review devices, testing the latest and greatest and often taking premium features for granted as a result. However, my main go-to for the last few months has been the $60 Razer Basilisk V3 - a mouse fir🃏mly✱ pitched in the mid-range. Before that, I was firmly in the $30 - $50 price range. Taking the leap down to $12 didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. 

Sure, this is a heavy mouse - far heavier than any I've tested in the last year. In particular, this weight is concentrated in the lower part of the device. As a result, micro-movements and finer tuned responses don't feel quite as slick as they would on a lighter mouse - the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper or the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Aerox 9♕ I'm currently testing. Still, putting it to the test using , I managed 91% accuracy spending $10, compared to 95% with the Aerox 9 and 9🌱6% with the Razer Viper V2 Pro - both priced at $150. 

Havit gaming mouse

(Image credit: Future)

The numbers aren't everything, but they do prove that you don't need to spend big to pull a virtual trigger (and hit your target). The clicks are responsive, you're getting two additional side buttons, a nice stream of (admittedly weak) RGB, and on-the-fly DPI ꦅshifting across six levels up to 4,800. That's all you need in a budget gaming mouse for weekend and casual play. I rarely dial my DPI up further than 4,800 outside of testing, after all. 

I was also impressed with the comfort here. This isn't a hunk of plastic with some fancy circuitry; some real attention has been paid to how this device sits in your hand. I actually preferred the height and length of the domed back compared to the far more expensive 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Aerox 5 for my smaller hands.

There is a problem, though. A $30 gaming mouse isn't too far of a stretch away from this rock-bottom price point, and does offer better value for money. Don't get me wrong - you're not throwing your cash away with this particular $12 device. However, something like the Logitech G203🐎 does away with the weight problems (and the particularly sticky feet on the underside), while offering the reliability of a solid piece of software (I never did manage to get the Havit program running correctly) and a shape better designed f✱or speed.

Havit gaming mouse vs Logitech G203

(Image credit: Future)

Similarly, the Razer DeathAdder Essential comes in , with a famously ergonomic shape and greater precision. These are big brands in the world of PC🅷 gaming, but they can still cater to the strictest of budgets - and do so with a pedigree in their name.

I'm happy with the Havit; it does its job and doesn't get in the way of casual gameplay, all while offering some nice-to-haves like RGB lighting and on the fly DPI shifting. However, I can't help but feel there's better value just a little further up the price scale. If $12.99 is your final price, you'lꦗl get on fine with this model - in fact, I feel a little guilty that I was so impressed. For those with $30 ready to go, though, I'd recommend checking out budget releases from some heavier bran🐠ds.