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VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max Mouse Review

Tested using Methodology v1.5
Reviewed Oct 21, 2024 at 01:59 pm
VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max Picture
7.1
Work
9.0
Video Games (FPS)
7.7
Video Games (MMO)
9.2
Raw Performance

The VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max is a lightweight budget wireless gaming mouse in VGN's Dragonfly lineup. It has a small- to medium-sized, symmetrical shape with a solid plastic body. It uses Pixart's PAW3395 sensor and connects using its included 2.4GHz USB receiver. It's also compatible with VGN's 4K wireless receiver, which is available separately.

There are several models in the Dragonfly lineup. See the Differences Between Variants section for more details.

Our Verdict

7.1 Work

The VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max is a decent mouse for work use. It has excellent build quality and a comfortable symmetrical shape, and you can easily reprogram its buttons using the companion software. Unfortunately, its scroll wheel lacks useful productivity features like a free scrolling mode and L/R tilt inputs, and you can only connect to one device at a time.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality.

  • Comfortable symmetrical shape.

Cons
  • Scroll wheel lacks free-scrolling and L/R tilt inputs.

  • No Bluetooth connectivity or multi-device pairing.

9.0 Video Games (FPS)

The VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max is a remarkable FPS gaming mouse. It's extremely lightweight, so it's easy to move quickly and accurately. Its performance is nothing to scoff at either, with superb click and sensor latency that delivers a precise and responsive gaming experience. It also has excellent build quality and an accommodating symmetrical shape with mouse feet that glide smoothly across mousepads and desks.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality.

  • Comfortable symmetrical shape.

  • Remarkable raw performance.

  • Extremely lightweight.

Cons
7.7 Video Games (MMO)

The VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max is a good mouse for MMO gaming, though it's not specifically designed for it. It doesn't have as many side buttons as a dedicated MMO mouse, but you can reprogram its buttons using the companion software. Still, it has excellent build quality, remarkable raw performance, and an accommodating symmetrical shape.

Pros
  • Excellent build quality.

  • Comfortable symmetrical shape.

  • Remarkable raw performance.

Cons
  • Has fewer side buttons than dedicated MMO mice.

9.2 Raw Performance

The VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max has superb raw performance. It has remarkably good click and sensor latency and reacts accurately and quickly to your inputs.

Pros
  • Remarkable click and sensor latency.

Cons
  • 7.1 Work
  • 9.0 Video Games (FPS)
  • 7.7 Video Games (MMO)
  • 9.2 Raw Performance
  1. Updated Oct 21, 2024: Review published.
  2. Updated Oct 16, 2024: Early access published.
  3. Updated Oct 02, 2024: Our testers have started testing this product.
  4. Updated Sep 18, 2024: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  5. Updated Sep 10, 2024: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max is available in Black or White colorways. Some retailers offer special-edition co-branded colorways, including 'Ranni' and 'Tarnished' from Elden Ring. We bought and tested the White colorway. This mouse doesn't have a label.

There are other models in the Dragonfly lineup: The F1, F1 Pro, and the F1 MOBA. We expect these mice to perform broadly similarly to our unit.

NameAdvertised WeightAdvertised Battery LifeSwitch TypeCompatible w/ 4K receiver?
VGN Dragonfly F149g40 HoursKailh Golden Black MambaNo
VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro49g65 HoursKailh Golden Black MambaYes
VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max55g130 HoursKailh Golden Black MambaYes
VGN Dragonfly F1 MOBA55g130 HoursHuano Ice Berry Pink DotYes

If you come across any variants we missed, let us know in the comments.

Compared To Other Mice

The VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max is a lightweight wireless gaming mouse part of VGN's Dragonfly lineup. It has a symmetrical shape and uses PixArt's PAW3395 sensor, which you can run at 4000Hz with the purchase of an additional 4K dongle from VGN. It competes with mice like the Pulsar X2V2, the LAMZU MAYA, and the Ninjutso Sora V2. It offers nearly the same level of performance as these mice but at nearly half the price. That said, It's a fantastic choice if you don't mind going with a relatively new and unproven brand, with disconcerting companion software that you have to install using a Google Drive link.

For more recommendations, see our picks for the best FPS mouse, the best gaming mouse, and the best lightweight mouse.

Logitech G PRO X SUPERLIGHT 2

The Logitech G PRO X SUPERLIGHT 2 and the VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max are lightweight wireless gaming mice with similar symmetrical shapes, with the Logitech being slightly bigger and better suited for larger hands. While both mice have remarkable gaming performance, the Logitech has a higher, 8000Hz polling rate and better performance across the board.

Pulsar X2V2

The Pulsar X2V2 and the VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max are lightweight wireless gaming mice with symmetrical shapes. The Pulsar has a hump that's further towards the rear, whereas the VGN has a more centered hump, making the Pulsar more supportive for claw grip. The two mice trade blows in terms of performance, but they're still superb overall.

LAMZU MAYA

The LAMZU MAYA and the VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max are lightweight wireless gaming mice with similar symmetrical shapes. The LAMZU is slightly lighter but has an open bottom plate design which leaves the inside open to collecting dust. The two have similarly superb gaming performance.

Ninjutso Sora V2

The VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max and the Ninjutso Sora V2 are lightweight wireless gaming mice with symmetrical shapes. The Ninjutso's hump is further towards the rear, making it more suitable for claw grip, while the VGN has a centered hump. While both are lightweight mice, the Ninjutso is significantly lighter, making it even easier to move quickly and accurately. The two mice have similarly outstanding performance, but the Ninjutso is marginally better.

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type
Standard
Coating
Matte
Lighting Color No Lighting

This mouse has a clean and fairly nondescript look. There's a silver Dragonfly logo at the back of the mouse, and "Dragonfly Max" is written on the right side at the front. It doesn't have any RGB lighting, but a small LED in front of the scroll wheel indicates battery life.

Design
Shape
Length 4.8" (121 mm)
Width 2.5" (64 mm)
Height 1.5" (38 mm)
Grip Width
60 mm
Ambidextrous
Shape Only
Left-Handed Friendly
Yes
Finger Rest
No
7.8
Design
Portability
Box Volume
17.96 in³ (294 cm³)
Receiver Storing
Yes

This mouse has an internal compartment on its underside to store its USB receiver so that the receiver doesn't get lost in transit.

8.5
Design
Build Quality

The VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max has excellent build quality. It has a solid plastic shell with a fairly high-quality feeling matte finish that's smooth to the touch. While there's no creaking or rattling and very little flex, if you grip especially hard underneath the side buttons, the pressure can actuate the buttons even if you don't press the buttons themselves, but this won't be an issue if you use the mouse normally. The left- and right-click buttons are thin and have noticeable flex and post-travel, especially if you click forcefully.

9.3
Design
Weight
Lowest Weight
54.8 g
Default Weight
54.8 g
Weight Distribution
Centered
Extra Weights
No
Design
Hand Size Recommendation
Palm Grip Hand Recommendation
Claw Grip Hand Recommendation
Fingertip Grip Hand Recommendation

The VGN Dragonfly F1 Pro Max has a symmetrical shape with a low, centered hump and a fairly flat profile overall. It has straight sides and accommodates palm, fingertip, and claw grips for most hand sizes. That said, it's not as supportive for claw grips thanks to its low back, and it's on the smaller side, making it better suited for smaller hand sizes.

7.2
Design
Wireless Versatility
Maximum Of Paired Devices
1
Bluetooth
No
Receiver
Yes
Battery Type
Rechargeable
Use When Charging
Yes
On/Off Activation
Auto Off And On/Off Switch
Receiver Extender
Yes
Battery Indicator Yes

You can connect to this mouse wirelessly using its included 2.4GHz receiver. VGN advertises a maximum battery life of 130 hours.

VGN also sells a 4K dongle separately, which allows you to increase the polling rate to 4000Hz. Using higher polling rates consumes significantly more battery.

8.5
Design
Cable
Connectivity Wireless
Cable Length
6.1 ft (1.9 m)
Cable Type
Paracord-like
Permanent Kink
Yes
Port Type: Mouse End
USB-C
Port Type: PC End
USB

This mouse has a lightweight and flexible paracord-like charging cable. It glides fairly smoothly across desks and mousepads. However, it does retain some minor kinking from its packaging.

9.0
Design
Mouse Feet
Gliding Experience
Good
Material
Virgin Grade PTFE
Extra Included
Yes

This mouse's feet glide easily across most surfaces but are slightly scratchy-sounding when used on desks or harder mousepads. This is typical and doesn't affect gliding performance. There's a set of four smaller-sized mouse feet included in the box, and third-party replacement feet are also available.

Design
In The Box

  • USB-C to USB-A charging cable
  • USB-A 2.4GHz receiver
  • Receiver extender
  • Alternate mouse feet
  • Adhesive grip tape
  • User documentation
 

Control
Control
Main Button
Switch Type
Mechanical
Switch Model
Kailh GM8.0 Black Gold Mamba
6.5
Control
Additional Buttons
Total Number Of Buttons
6
Number Of Side Buttons
2
Number Of Programmable Inputs
6
Profile Switching Button
No
Gesture Support
No

You can reprogram nearly all of this mouse's buttons using the configuration software, including the CPI button on the underside. However, you can't reprogram the scroll up or down inputs.

9.2
Control
Click Latency
Expected Connection
3.4 ms
Wired
2.3 ms
Receiver
3.4 ms
Bluetooth
N/A

This mouse has remarkable click latency, delivering a highly responsive experience suitable for casual or competitive play.

We tested this mouse with its performance mode enabled, its long distance mode disabled at its maximum native polling rate of 1000Hz, and its lowest debounce setting of 0 ms.

8.7
Control
CPI
SRAV @ 1600 CPI
-2.04%
SRAV @ 800 CPI
-0.20%
SRAV @ 400 CPI
-0.09%
SRAV @ Fixed CPI
N/A
Precision Error Between Speeds
1.58%
Precision Error Between CPI
1.60%
Worst Tracking Error
9.17%
Minimum CPI
200 CPI
Maximum CPI
26,000 CPI
CPI Adjustment Steps
50 CPI

This mouse's sensor reliably tracks your movements accurately with minimal variation.

We tested this mouse with its performance mode enabled, its long distance mode disabled at its maximum native polling rate of 1000Hz, and Motion Sync turned off.

9.2
Control
Sensor Latency
Delay To Start Of Movement
12.3 ms
Delay At Half Movement
3.2 ms
Delay To End Of Movement
2.5 ms

This mouse delivers remarkable sensor latency performance. It reacts to your movements extremely quickly.

We conducted this test at its maximum native polling rate of 1000Hz with Motion Sync turned off.

Control
Sensor Specifications
Sensor Technology
Optical (LED)
Sensor Model
PixArt PAW3395
Works On Glass
No
Minimum Lift Off Distance
1.2 mm
Maximum Polling Rate
1000 Hz

The polling rate options are 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz. This mouse also supports a polling rate of up to 4000Hz with the additional purchase of VGN's 4K dongle.

Control
Mouse Wheel
Scroll Wheel Type
Notched Wheel
Scroll Wheel Steps
24 Steps
Scroll Wheel Tilt
No
Thumb Wheel Type
No
Thumb Wheel Steps
No Thumb Wheel

The mouse wheel has a grippy rubber coating with ridges. It scrolls very quietly, even during aggressive scrolling, and the steps are somewhat pronounced.

Control
Noise
Click Noise
Quiet
Operating System And Software
Operating System And Software
Configuration Software
Software Name ATK V HUB
Software Windows Compatibility
Yes
Software macOS Compatibility
No
On-Board Memory
Yes
CPI (DPI) Adjustment
Yes
Polling Rate Adjustment
Yes
Profile Configuration
Yes
Profile Auto-Switching
No
RGB On/Off
No RGB

This mouse uses ATK V HUB software. It's straightforward and well laid out. You can change a range of expected settings like CPI, polling rate, debounce delay, motion sync, button assignments, and more.

Disconcertingly, you have to install the software using a Google Drive link, and while we didn't detect any malware, we typically don't suggest installing software from unverified locations.

Note that the software was in Mandarin Chinese when we installed it, and we had to change it to English manually.

10
Operating System And Software
Mouse Compatibility
Windows Compatibility Fully
macOS Compatibility Fully

The companion software is only available on Windows, but all default buttons work on macOS.