I tend to think of myself as a budget-conscious gamer. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not cheap. There are some things you definitely should not skimp on! When I am looking to purchase new gaming-related gear, I usually have a checklist of questions that I ask myself beforehand. Those questions are typically things such as the following:
- “Is there a way to utilize what I currently have to achieve the results I am looking for?”
- “Am I inhibited in enjoying my hobby because I do not have (item) right now?”
- “Is it currently close to a gift-giving holiday? Could I potentially be ruining Christmas by purchasing?”
You have no idea how often that last one happens…
Because of this mindset, I have often looked for alternatives to the “trend setters” when it comes to more auxiliary items. What I discovered was ENHANCE Gaming. A few months ago, I had the opportunity to review ENHANCE's THEOREM MOBA/MMO mouse and I was blown away by what I experienced. It was (and, arguably, still is) a great piece for the price if you are looking at dipping your toes into the vast pool of multi-buttoned MMO-style mice.
What I also learned from this discovery is that ENHANCE has a whole desktop suite of peripherals and accessories for your desktop gaming needs. Today, we are going to be taking a look at the Pro Mouse Bungee and the Extended Mouse Pad with Memory Foam Padding from ENHANCE.
If you aren’t familiar with ENHANCE, here is what you should know: ENHANCE Gaming is the gaming division of Accessory Power, an accessory sales company with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Founded in 2016, ENHANCE has been working to establish their name within the gaming community and sponsoring collegiate eSports. Enough history, let’s take a look at the products!
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The ENHANCE Pro Mouse Bungee
Tech Specs
- MSRP: $24.99 USD
- Metal spring arm
- 4 port USB hub
- Customizable LED lighting with seven color options
I have to be honest: when the idea of reviewing a mouse bungee came to me, I was quite incredulous. Why would I want or need something else on my desk and what does a mouse bungee even do? Simply put, a mouse bungee’s purpose is to eliminate cable drag by elevating the cord off of the desktop while helping manage the cable routing.
The Pro Mouse Bungee is no one trick pony, it fulfills the previous description and serves as a 4 port USB hub. It also comes with a beautiful braided cable to attach the hub you your system.
While it is only USB 2.0, it is a nice edition if you have peripherals which do not require the higher speeds of USB 3.0 or if you need USB ports easily accessible on the desktop. Having multiple peripherals having out of it may defeat the whole “cleanly managed cables” thing, but how you route things is up to you.
As an added flair, the ENHANCE Pro Mouse Bungee also has seven color modes, six static color modes and a dynamic color mode. These LED lights illuminate the ENHANCE insignia design of its base and the four LED side bars. The lighting modes are controlled by a discrete button on the lefthand side of the Pro Mouse Bungee.
With a weighted base and anti-slip pads to keep it securely in place, at $24.99 USD, ENHANCE’s desktop combo is competitively priced. The lack of USB 3.0 ports is a bit of a sticking point for me. However, when is comes to the quality of the bungie itself, it is more closely aligned with Razer’s $33 USD mouse bungee (which has no USB ports, mind you) than its closest competitors with plastic bungee arms. It would seem that ENHANCE put the priority focus on the quality of the bungee with the extra USB ports being the gravy on top.
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The ENHANCE XXL Extended Mouse Pad with Memory Foam Armrest
Tech Specs
- MSRP: $39.99
- XXL size (31.5” x 13.78”)
- Blackout design with premium fabric surface
- 1 inch Memory foam armrest
I am just going to say this up front: I cannot say enough good things about this thing! The ENHANCE XXL Gaming Mouse Pad with Memory Foam Wrist Pad is an honest God-send. Measuring in at 31.5 inches long by 13.78 inches wide, this mouse mat perfectly covers my desktop with a premium-feeling product.
Let’s talk about the build quality for a moment. This armrest is by far one of the most comfortable desktop ergonomic products that I have tried and it encourages proper usage as it spans the entire length of the mat. Raised an inch higher than the rest of the mat, the pad cradles you wrists, elevating you hands to a place of comfort and ergonomic support. There were moment where I forgot that it was even there, it just felt like such a natural fit and encouraged better posture while gaming.
From a construction standpoint, the under side is designed with a rubber grip to make sure the mat does not move. The stitching on the edges is very tight, so you shouldn’t have to worry about fraying. I am a little concerned about the edges curling up over time, but I cannot be certain how much they will. At this point, the edge closest to me has already begun, but that could simply be because of the weight of my wrists on the memory foam pad.
As for aesthetic design, it is a remarkably tasteful piece. I would feel comfortable recommending it for both home and office uses. Its only branding is the relatively small ENHANCE logo in the lower lefthand cover of the mat, right on the edge of the wrist rest. So, if you already have your RBG lighting tuned to a very specific spectrum of colors, ENHANCE’s Mouse Pad won’t clash with it.
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Final Thoughts
I started out this review by sharing about my budget-conscious nature when it comes to gear and I want to return to that thought for a moment. What I have been seeing from ENHANCE is a desire to give gamers an alternative to the high prices within the marketplace by providing a line of accessories which combine features. These products are proof of that philosophy.
While one could arguably survive without a mouse bungee, I can see the value in ENHANCE’s offering if you were already looking for a USB hub and a quality bungee. While the USB 2.0 ports are a misstep, it provides extra ports for peripherals that may not take advantage of USB 3.0. It is oddly satisfying to not be flicking my mouse cable feverishly across my desk during intense gaming sessions.
It is the Extended Mouse Pad with Memory Foam Padding that has truly elevated my desktop gaming experience. You would be hard pressed to find another extended mouse mat and wrist rest combo like ENHANCE’s offering. Yes, you can find the parts individually for a cheaper price, but I have found that the combination creates a seamless union of comfort, support, and utility that I would be willing to pay extra for… as long as it doesn’t ruin Christmas!
The products discussed in this article were provided by the manufacturer for the purposes of review.
ENHANCE Pro Series Mouse Bungee Pros
- Quality metal bungee arm
- Included braided cable
- Small footprint
ENHANCE Pro Series Mouse Bungee Cons
- USB 2.0 ports
ENHANCE Extended Mouse Pad with Memory Foam Padding Pros
- Quality of materials
- Incredibly comfortable ergonomic support
- Subtle branding design
ENHANCE Extended Mouse Pad with Memory Foam Padding Cons
- Potential edge curling over time
The products mentioned above were provided by the manufacturer for the purpose of review.
