Corsair has announced the Darkstar Wireless, a new MMO gaming mouse with 15 programmable buttons, RGB galore, mouse tilt features, and more.
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Weighing around 100gs, the Corsair Darkstar Wireless isn’t the lightest mouse. However, Corsair claims it has designed the mouse to be as comfortable and easy to pick up as possible thanks to the central textured grip near the thumb to reduce “strain during long gaming sessions.
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Specs-wise, the Darkstar Wireless features the Corsair Marksman 26K optical sensor, Omron optical switches, 2.4GHZ wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, five on-board profiles, and more.
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Pricing and availability
The Corsair Darkstar Wireless costs $169.99 (approx. AED 625; regional pricing not yet known) and should be available in all leading retail and online stores in the UAE and the Middle East soon.
Corsair Darkstar Wireless Specifications
| Size: | 129.5 x 67.9 x 43.64mm (LxWxH) |
| Weight: | 98g |
| Sensor: | Corsair Marksman 26K optical sensor |
| Max DPI: | 26,000 |
| IPS: | 650 |
| Polling Rate: | 125Hz – 2,000Hz |
| Programmable Buttons: | 15 |
| Onboard memory: | upto 5 profiles |
| Micro Switches (L+R): | Omron optical |
| Connectivity: | 2.4Ghz Wireless and Bluetooth |
| Cable Length: | 1.8m |
| Battery Life: | 65 hours w/ 24.Ghz wireless; 80 hours w/ Blueooth |
Design and Comfort
The Corsair Darkstar Wireless is built entirely from soft-touch plastic that feels premium. There is also a textured grip for the thumb, which Corsair claims is designed to reduce “strain during long gaming sessions”.
Of course, the biggest USP of the Darkstar Wireless gaming mouse is its MMO capabilities. It has a total of 15 programmable buttons – the two main Left and Right buttons, two buttons on the left side of the Left mouse buttons (default function: DPI control), two buttons under the scroll wheel (default function: profile control), scroll wheel click and left and right tilt and a cluster of six buttons near the thumb area.
The mouse also has plenty of RGB to go around. There is a tastefully done LED strip in the middle of the mouse, two small LEDs on the front around the USB-C port, and a glowing logo on the main part of the body. The RGB, along with the buttons, can be customized using the Corsair iCUE software.
Features and performance
The Corsair Darkstar Wireless uses the company’s custom-built Marksman optical sensor capable of 2,000 Hz polling rate. However, unless you are a competitive player, we suggest keeping the polling rate to the industry standard of 1,000 Hz, as the higher polling rate will eat away at the battery life faster than normal.
The left and right mouse buttons use the Omron optical switches, which are said to be more durable and reliable than the traditional mechanical switches. The switches are whisper-quiet but have a snappy feedback.
The mouse weighs around 100g, so it’s not the lightest mouse on the market. However, the weight is well distributed, so you won’t necessarily feel it even if you are coming from an ultra-lightweight mouse.
Battery & Charging
The Corsair Darkstar Wireless supports both 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity. With the RGB turned off, Corsair claims a battery life of around 80 hours with Bluetooth and 65 hours with wireless. You can also use the mouse with the included USB cable. The mouse does not support any fast charging.
Alternatives to Corsair Darkstar Wireless – How does it stack up against competitors?
Weight: 134g | Sensor: Razer Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor | Connectivity: Wireless, Wired | RGB: Not really | Battery Life: 150hrs (on HyperSpeed Wireless), 300hrs (on Bluetooth)
- Swappable side button panel
- Top-end specs
- Great ergonomics and build quality
- Heavy compared to other wireless mice
- Expensive
The Razer Naga V2 Pro is one of the most popular choices for an MMO gaming mouse. Its biggest USP is its interchangeable side plates, which allows users to swap between a set of 12, 6 or 2-button configurations. Using the 12-button side plate, the Naga V2 Pro provides up to 19 programmable buttons. Besides that, Razer has fitted the mouse with the Focus Pro 30K optical sensor, Razer Gen-3 optical switches, Razer HyperScroll Pro Wheel, and low-latency wireless performance.
- 18 programmable buttons
- 180 hour battery life
- Lightweight construction
- Might be too large for some hands
The SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless is another solid choice for the MMO gaming crowd. With 18 programmable buttons, a low-latency Quantum 2.0 wireless connection, TrueMove Air 18K optical sensor, and massive 180-hour battery life, the Aerox 9 Wireless is hard to beat in its price category.
If you are on a budget and don’t mind being tethered to a wire, the Logitech G600 is a good option. It has 20 programmable buttons, a high-end sensor, and a comfortable build to support long gaming sessions.
Corsair Darkstar Wireless Reviews
Techne praised the Corsair Darkstar Wireless’ performance, comfort, and built-in tech. He says that despite the high price tag, the features are still worth it. However, he did mention that he would love to see a ‘Darkstar Core’, which features the same tech but with a cheaper price tag and lighter construction.
