There aren’t a lot of options for MMO mice on the market, and fewer still that are wireless. So Razer has decided to take one of the best – the Razer Naga Trinity – and make it even better. The Razer Naga Pro is the wireless version of Naga Trinity and turns it up to 11 with new and improved features including Razer’s Hyperspeed wireless technology, redesigned side plates, up to 20K DPI, and Razer Optical Mouse Switch for “actuation at the speed of light.” But at a steeper price point coming in at $149.99, is the Naga Pro worth upgrading to, or are the new features not enough to justify the cost? Let’s take a look and see how the Razer Naga Pro stacks up.
Specifications
- MSRP $149.99
- True 20,000 DPI Focus+ optical sensor with 99.6% resolution accuracy
- Up to 650 inches per second (IPS) / 50 G acceleration
- Advanced Lift-off/Landing distance customization
- Razer™ Optical Mouse Switches rated for 70M clicks (M1/M2 only)
- Dual wireless - Hyperspeed (2.4Ghz) and Bluetooth
- 3 interchangeable side panels with 2, 6 and 12-button configurations
- (19+1) programmable buttons (with 12-buttons panel)
- 100% PTFE mouse feet (0.8mm thick)
- Ergonomic right-handed design with textured side-grips.
- Gaming-grade tactile scroll wheel
- On-The-Fly Sensitivity Adjustment (Default stages: 400/800/1600/3200/6400)
- Advanced on-board memory (4+1 profiles)
- Razer Synapse 3 enabled
- Powered by Razer Chroma™ RGB with true 16.8 million customizable color options
- Inter-device color synchronization
- 8 m / 6 ft Speedflex cable for charging and wired use
- Razer Mouse charging dock compatible
- Battery life: Approximately 100 hours with HyperSpeed wireless, 150 hours with Bluetooth (estimates without lighting, battery life depends on usage settings)
- Approximate size: Approximate size: 119 mm / 4.69 in (Length) 74.5 mm / 2.93 in (Width) 43 mm / 1.69 in (Height)
- Approximate weight: 117g / 0.257lbs (Excluding dongle)
- Compatible with Xbox One for basic input
There are several differences between the Razer Naga Pro and its predecessor, the Naga Trinity. The biggest one is obviously the wireless functionality on the Pro which, according to Razer, offers a connection faster than wired mice thanks to its ultra-fast radio frequency and adaptive frequency technology that can instantly switch to different frequencies to ensure a smooth connection. The next big difference is the redesigned side plate for the 6-button configuration, which changed from a radial 7-button plate to more of a hybrid of the FPS and MMO plates and is ergonomically designed to offer more accessibility for Battle Royale or MOBA games.
The Pro’s DPI can now go up to 20K instead of 16K on the Trinity, with Razer’s Focus+ Optical Sensor. The mouse switch has also been improved with Razer’s optical switch that improves upon the lifecycle from 50 million clicks to 70 million clicks. Lastly, the Naga Pro is slightly wider in the grip width by about 7 mm, or a third of an inch, and comes in three grams lighter than the Trinity – which makes the Pro feel even lighter because there is no cable-drag. All said, there are a lot of little improvements built upon the framework of the Trinity that make the Pro stand out as a deluxe, higher-end model rather than just a wireless version of the same thing.
Build Quality and Features
The differences between the Razer Naga Pro and the Trinity aren’t the only features and improvements. The wireless technology inside the Naga Pro allows for either 2.4 GHz connection via the USB dongle, or via Bluetooth which allows you to sync the Pro to a laptop for ease of transitioning. With just the flip of a switch on the underside of the Pro, you can toggle between the 2.4 GHz signal, Bluetooth, or even wired. This let me seamlessly transition between using the Pro on my desktop PC via the USB dongle and switching over to my work laptop in a matter of seconds.
There is also the option to use the included USB cable not only as a charging cable but also to turn the Naga Pro into a wired mouse, which will also simultaneously charge it. The battery life on the Pro is phenomenal as well, with approximately 100 hours via wireless and up to 150 on Bluetooth. From testing the Pro for about a week, I used it for at least 10 hours a day and only drained the battery about 55% - which right in line with the estimated battery life. I had my RGB lighting turned down to about 33% and primarily used the chroma visualizer, which kept the lighting dimmed until there’s sound playing.
The grip on the Naga Pro is slightly wider than the Trinity, which I found to be a little more comfortable for my hand size. The ergonomic design is comfortable and is contoured more steeply to the right which allowed for my thumb to rest more easily towards the top of the side plates for both the 2-button and 6-button configurations. Even the 12-button configuration that I used for playing MMORPGs had my thumb resting comfortably on the 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12 buttons towards the top of the side plate. For added grip, the 2-button and 6-button plates also include rubber sides with a nice, diamond-like patterned texture that matches the other side where the pinky rests. Unfortunately, the Naga Pro is only designed for the right-hand, but Razer does have a Naga dedicated to left-handed MMO gamers so maybe there will be a Naga Pro left-handed version later.
The four feet on the Naga Pro are 100% PTFE and about 0.8mm thick which make for a perfect skate with every sweep of the mouse. Anything that’s not PTFE just feels like I’m dragging the mouse through sand. It also helps that the Pro weights slightly less than the Trinity and has the added comfort of not being tied down (literally) with a cable connection. Wireless mice just feel nicer to use, and Razer’s HyperSpeed wireless technology has never once felt laggy or had connections issues during my use.
First Impressions and Usage
Enough about the technical aspects of the Naga Pro; how does it actually feel to use? My first impressions of the Pro were extremely positive, and I loved how natural the mouse feels beneath my palm. I experimented with each of the three side plates before deciding on which one I wanted to play with first, checking both their comfort as well as how easy it was to swap out the side plates. The plates are easy to change, but I had a little difficulty initially until I realized that there is a small indention on the underside of the mouse that lets you pop off the plate.
The plates connect via two, secure neodymium magnets on both extremities on the inside of the plate and have gold-plated contacts that lay against the pins on the inside of the mouse. Inside this space between the plate and the mouse is a small space where the USB dongle can be stored. This makes it extremely convenient for portability, although there is no easy way to transport the additional side plates. If you want to take all of the plates on the go, you’ll just have to throw the plates loose into your bag. That, or be content with only one of the side plates.
I decided that the first plate to try would be the new, redesigned 6-button plate that’s catered towards MOBAs and Battle Royale games. Naturally, I hopped into Fortnight and put the Razer Pro through its paces. The 6-button configuration took some getting used to, but after a few matches it was plain to see the advantage to having quick-controls available on my thumb. I programmed the side buttons to correspond with the building keys so that I could quickly switch from floors to walls to slopes while still being able to keep my left-hand on WASD for movement. After a short while, it is evident that utilizing the additional side buttons on the Pro vastly improved my skills with regards to quickly building structures.
I still messed up a lot as I adjusted to the new buttons however and found myself still reaching for the keys on my keyboard during heated exchanges. For something different I also tried using the side buttons for quickly changing weapons, but the six buttons aren’t in the same pattern like on an MMO mouse. The buttons start at the top-left from 1 to 3 but the bottom row goes 6, 5, 4 which is backwards to me. This led to several instances where I would accidentally grab a shield potion instead of a different gun, which led to my downfall. Of course, you can program the buttons so that 6 = 4, but it can get confusing when you’re initially using the mouse.
Since I started with a semi-shooter, I decided to go all in with the 2-button FPS side plate next. Of course, my go-to for FPS has been, and will remain for the foreseeable future, Destiny 2. I tied my 2-buttons to correspond with my grenade skill and my shield wall as a Titan, but in a game like Destiny 2 that utilizes so many more buttons due to its RPG nature it felt like I still needed more. I think the 6-button plate would have fared better in Destiny 2. The 2 side buttons did feel better than any other FPS mouse I’ve used though, and have a much wider presence than something like the HyperX Pulsefire Dart wireless gaming mouse.
So, I decided to boot up DOOM instead, and take it for a spin to really test my twitch reaction. The FPS configuration for DOOM felt so much better than in Destiny 2. For one, the lightweight Pro allows for better twitch movements, especially without having to compensate for resistance from a cable. Additionally, the third finger rest for my ring finger felt like it gave me more support. That said, I did notice that I was using my pinky a bit more for movement and the side grip where it rested wasn’t as comfortable after about an hour or so.
Of course, I saved the best for last in trying out the 12-button side plate that’s designed for MMORPGs. Since New World’s early access started during my time with the Razer Naga Pro I thought, “What better than a new MMO to test out a new MMO mouse?” but, boy, was it underwhelming. New World that is, not he Naga Pro. You see, New World doesn’t utilize hotbars the same as other MMORPGs and there were only 3 skill slots and 3 item slots to program. The only convenience I found with the Naga Pro while playing New World was that the = key, which toggles auto-run, was easily accessible with my thumb instead of having to move my left-hand off the movement keys or my right-hand from the mouse. Honestly, the 6-button plate seems almost designed for New World specifically.
Thus, I went back to my tried-and-true MMORPG experience and started up Final Fantasy XIV. This is an MMO that I have learned how to play with mouse/keyboard, on a controller, and the Razer Tartarus V2 -so I had every confidence that I could transition to the Razer Naga Pro with the 12-button MMO side plate as well. To be frank, this was a harder transition than I thought it would be and I had to completely change my way of thinking in order to switch from my left-hand activating skills and abilities to now my right thumb exclusively.
Eventually, I got the hang of it and I must say that this is becoming more and more my preferred way to play FFXIV. Having the left-hand free to move and keeping my right-hand locked on the Mouse 2 button let me flow through battles skillfully as I was clicking off skills with my thumb. I did notice that I needed to adjust my grip several times in order to find a comfortable position. I usually gripped the Naga Pro with my thumb towards the bottom in order to have better control, but I found that I would accidentally hit the 1 button on the side inadvertently. I had to relax my grip and transition over to a more tilted positioning which, admittedly, felt more comfortable and was probably more ergonomic and better for my wrist. It reminded me of vertical mice that are supposed to be more ergonomically friendly.
Razer Synapse 3
It just wouldn’t be a Razer product if it didn’t have RGB lights and was compatible with Razer’s Synapse 3 app. The Naga Pro does not disappoint, and features RGB lighting on the mouse scroll wheel, the palm of the mouse, as well as RGBs in the 12-key side plate for added pizzazz. Each one of these areas are customizable and can have independent effects and lighting options for extra personalization. I’ve always found Razer’s app to be the most easily accessible and offers the most customization options out of any of its competitors’ apps.
Additionally, the Razer Pro can store up to five profiles on its onboard memory – allowing you to easily switch between configurations with just the touch of a button on the bottom of the mouse itself. This is a fantastic feature, as it means that the Naga Pro won’t lose its customized RGB lighting just because you switch over from your Desktop PC with the Razer Synapse 3 app to your work laptop that you’re not allowed to download any applications on. That might be a niche example, but it’s one that I found to be applicable in my situation – and I applaud the Razer Naga Pro for having so many features that improve the quality of life with using it.
Conclusion
It might not be for everyone, but the Razer Naga Pro definitely tries to be and is undoubtedly the most customizable and feature-complete mouse that I have ever had the pleasure to use. Since MMORPGs are my bread and butter, it has been difficult to find a truly game-changing method to play them as efficiently as possible. I love the ergonomic design and style of the Razer Naga Pro, as well as the capability to change it from an MMO mouse to an FPS mouse and back. The wireless features and improved DPI took an already amazing jack-of-all-trades mouse and turned it up to 11, to borrow a line from Spinal Tap. If you don’t already have an MMO mouse, then you should absolutely consider the Razer Naga Pro as being your next investment. Even if you do already have an MMO mouse – or even the Trinity – then I would recommend taking a good, long think about upgrading. The Razer Naga Pro is just about as perfect of a mouse as I can imagine. The only improvement to me would be more RGB lights, but I would have RGB lights in my coffee mug if given the choice.
Note: The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.
