The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is a wired gaming mouse that continues HyperX's Pulsefire Haste lineup. Compared to the previous HyperX Pulsefire Haste, this mouse has the same shape but a new sensor, more durable left- and right-click switches, and a higher maximum polling rate of 8000Hz. While its predecessor had small honeycomb cutouts in the body to reduce its overall weight, this new version has a solid plastic body but manages to weigh slightly less overall.
Our Verdict
While not designed with this use in mind, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is passable for work use. It has impressive build quality and is well-suited for all grip types and medium or larger hand sizes. It doesn't have many programmable buttons, and the scroll wheel lacks a free-scrolling mode and L/R tilt inputs.
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Impressive build quality.
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Scroll wheel lacks a free-scrolling mode and left/right tilt inputs.
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Cable retains some minor kinking from the way it's packaged.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is an outstanding FPS gaming mouse. It has impressive build quality and a comfortable shape suitable for all grip types and ideal for medium or larger-sized hand sizes. Performance-wise, this mouse delivers a very responsive and consistent in-game experience with low latency, a remarkably accurate and consistent sensor, and a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz.
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Impressive build quality.
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Extremely lightweight.
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Great click latency.
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Supports a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz.
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Cable retains some minor kinking from the way it's packaged.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is good for MMO gaming but has fewer side buttons than a dedicated MMO gaming mouse. That said, you can reprogram the buttons it does have using the customization software. It also has impressive build quality, great click latency, and outstanding sensor performance, offering a precise and responsive-feeling gameplay experience.
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Impressive build quality.
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Great click latency.
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Not nearly as many side buttons as a dedicated MMO gaming mouse.
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Cable retains some minor kinking from the way it's packaged.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 has exceptional raw performance. It has great click latency and a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz, which means it sends information to your computer eight times more frequently than most gaming mice using a standard polling rate of 1000Hz. At the same time, its sensor provides remarkably consistent motion and accuracy performance that closely translates the physical movements you make with your mouse into the cursor movements you see on-screen.
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Great click latency.
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Outstanding sensor performance.
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Supports a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz.
- 6.2 Work
- 9.1 Video Games (FPS)
- 7.5 Video Games (MMO)
- 9.4 Raw Performance
- Updated Jan 05, 2024: We've updated the CPI graph displayed in the Sensor Latency section of this review. Our results remain the same, but these graphs have two new columns with results from the Delay At Half Movement and Delay To End Of Movement tests.
- Updated Nov 06, 2023: When this mouse launched, the configuration software was only available for download from the Microsoft Store. The software is now available for download from HyperX's website as well. We've added this new information to the Configuration Software of this review.
- Updated Oct 02, 2023: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in TBU 1.5.
- Updated Oct 02, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.5. This update adds a new Main Button test group, which provides button actuation data and switch information. We've also made minor changes to how we calculate the Office usage score. For more details, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated Aug 16, 2023: Added a link to the Vaxee XE in the Portability section of the review to provide an alternative with a detachable cable.
- Updated Aug 16, 2023: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed Razer Cobra in the Shape section of this review.
- Updated May 24, 2023: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed GLORIOUS Model O 2 in the Style section of this review.
- Updated May 19, 2023: Review published.
- Updated May 12, 2023: Early access published.
- Updated May 08, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Apr 24, 2023: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Apr 11, 2023: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is available in a black or white colorway. We purchased the black color, and you can see the label for our unit here.
This mouse also has a wireless version called the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless.
Compared To Other Mice
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is a lightweight wired gaming mouse that continues the HyperX Pulsefire Haste lineup. Compared to the last generation HyperX Pulsefire Haste, this new model is slightly lighter despite no longer having any visible honeycomb cutouts to save weight. It also has a more accurate and consistent sensor, more durable left- and right-click buttons, and newly supports a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz. This mouse offers an even lighter alternative to similar wired mice with 8kHz polling rates like the Razer Viper 8KHz and the Corsair SABRE PRO. Altogether, this is an outstanding option if you have medium or larger-sized hands and are looking for an affordable wired model with top-of-the-line sensor performance.
For more recommendations, see our picks for the best gaming mouse, the best wireless gaming mouse, and the best lightweight mouse.
The Logitech G PRO X SUPERLIGHT and the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 are lightweight gaming mice. The Logitech is a wireless model with lower click latency. It also feels a bit sturdier. On the other hand, the HyperX is a wired-only model that's a bit lighter and supports a higher maximum polling rate of 8000Hz.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 and the HyperX Pulsefire Haste are lightweight gaming mice in the same lineup. The newer Haste 2 has a solid plastic shell and is more lightweight. It has lower click latency, significantly better sensor performance, and it supports a higher maximum polling rate of 8000Hz. On the other hand, the older Haste feels a bit sturdier, but it's also heavier and has small honeycomb-shaped cutouts on its body.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 and the Razer Cobra are wired gaming mice. The HyperX is larger, slightly lighter, and feels a bit sturdier. It also has better sensor accuracy and a bit more flexible cable. On the other hand, the Razer has significantly better click latency and more extensive RGB lighting.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless and the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 are lightweight gaming mice in the same lineup. The Haste 2 Wireless is a wireless model you can connect with a USB receiver or via Bluetooth. On the other hand, the Haste 2 is a wired-only model that's a bit lighter. It also has significantly lower click latency and sensor latency and supports a higher maximum polling rate of 8000Hz, making it better suited for competitive gaming.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 and the Razer Viper 8KHz are wired gaming mice with maximum polling rates of 8000Hz. The HyperX is significantly lighter and has a single RGB lighting zone in the scroll wheel. On the other hand, the Razer has lower click latency and no RGB lighting.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 and the HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless are lightweight gaming mice in the same lineup. The Haste 2 is a wired model that's newer, lighter, and has a solid plastic shell. It also has lower click latency, significantly better sensor performance, and it supports a higher maximum polling rate of 8000Hz. On the other hand, the Haste Wireless is a heavier wireless model with honeycomb-shaped cutouts in its body.
The ASUS ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition and the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 are wireless, lightweight gaming mice. The ASUS is somewhat lighter and has significantly lower click latency. It also has Bluetooth connectivity, which the HyperX lacks.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 and the Corsair SABRE PRO are wired gaming mice with maximum polling rates of 8000Hz. The HyperX is significantly lighter and has higher-quality feet. it also has an RGB lighting zone in the mouse wheel. On the other hand, the Corsair has no RGB lighting, but its software is compatible with Windows and macOS, while the HyperX software is only compatible with Windows.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 and Vaxee XE each have their own strengths and weaknesses. The HyperX feels better built than the Vaxee we tested, weighs noticeably less, has smoother-gliding feet, and has a set of fully reprogrammable buttons via its NGenuity companion software. However, the Vaxee has a more flexible cable, which you can detach to make it easier to store.
Test Results
This mouse looks very similar to the previous HyperX Pulsefire Haste, but this version has a solid plastic body. A small section of the body has honeycomb cutouts, but it's on the mouse's underside and is covered by the mouse's label. The body is made of matte black plastic with a slightly textured finish, while the CPI button and side buttons are glossy. The scroll wheel has a single RGB lighting zone, and there's a HyperX logo on the front left side. If you're interested in a lightweight wired gaming mouse with RGB zones on either side of the mouse instead, check out the GLORIOUS Model O 2.
This mouse shares the same shape and dimensions as the previous-generation HyperX Pulsefire Haste. If you're interested in a somewhat smaller wired gaming mouse, check out the Razer Cobra.
This mouse has poor portability. It's fairly large and bulky, is a wired-only model, and its cable is not detachable. If you're looking for a mouse that delivers similar overall performance but has a detachable cable, consider the Vaxee XE.
This mouse has impressive build quality. The plastic feels high-quality and has a pleasant textured finish. There are no loose or rattling parts and only minimal flexibility if you apply pressure to the body. That said, you can activate the CPI button if you press hard enough into the body next to the CPI button or underneath the mouse. However, this isn't an issue when using the mouse normally.
Nearly all of the mouse body is made of solid plastic, but weight-saving honeycomb cutouts are hidden under the mouse's label on the bottom.
This mouse is extremely lightweight, and despite now having a solid plastic shell without honeycomb cutouts, it's somewhat lighter than its predecessor, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste.
This mouse has a symmetrical shape with a gradual, slightly flattened hump in the middle and a full, rounded back. It's a comfortable fit for all grip types and most hand sizes, but if you have smaller hands, you won't reach all the buttons using a fingertip grip.
This is a wired-only mouse.
This mouse has an excellent cable. It's lightweight and flexible and glides smoothly across desks and mousepads. That said, it does retain some kinks from how it's packaged.
This mouse has superb feet with rounded edges that glide well on mousepads with minimal resistance. They make a bit of a scratching sound on mousepads and slightly more noticeable scratching sounds when used directly on desks, but this doesn't affect the gliding experience.
The left- and right-click buttons use proprietary HyperX mechanical switches. Compared to the TTC gold switches on the previous HyperX Pulsefire Haste, these switches feel slightly heavier and have marginally more pre-travel.
You can program all of the buttons on this mouse, but you can't reprogram the scroll up/down inputs, and the left- and right-click button functions can only be switched.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 has very good click latency. It provides a responsive-feeling experience for gaming in any genre.
This mouse has exceptional CPI performance. Its sensor delivers outstanding tracking accuracy, and the physical movements you make with your mouse translate extremely close to your cursor movements on-screen.
This mouse has remarkable sensor latency. The sensor reacts exceptionally quickly when you move your mouse, and these movements closely match the timing of the movement of your cursor on-screen.
You can adjust the lift-off distance and set up to five custom CPI settings using the software. The polling rate options on this mouse are 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 4000Hz, and 8000Hz.
Higher polling rate settings mean your mouse sends information to your computer more often. Using a polling rate of 8000Hz, your mouse sends reports eight times more frequently than most gaming mice which typically use a polling rate of 1000Hz. Higher polling rate settings can deliver more fluid cursor movements and better click latency performance. However, not all games support higher polling rates, and using these higher settings consumes more CPU resources from your computer.
The scroll wheel has a notched rubber grip, and scrolling feels precise with reasonably defined steps. It's also fairly quiet, and the middle click doesn't require too much force to actuate.
The mouse buttons and scroll wheel on this mouse are reasonably quiet and unlikely to bother those around you.
This mouse uses the HyperX NGenuity customization software, which is available for download from the Microsoft Store or the HyperX website here. The software is easy to use and allows you to reassign buttons, record macros, and adjust sensor settings. You can also save custom macros and RGB lighting preferences to the onboard memory.
However, as is the case with software options from other major manufacturers, this software is the source of criticism from the broader community. While we didn't experience any issues during the testing of this mouse, many users online criticize this software for requiring frequent updates and taking up disproportionate system resources, among other complaints. This software may be frustrating if you prefer more lightweight software options or no software at all.