NZXT Lift Elite Wireless review: "a fantastic option for those steering clear of luxury prices"

The NZXT Lift Elite Wireless is the PC-building brand’s first dedicated wireless gaming mouse, and while it makes some sacrifices to reach its particularly competitive price tag it offers excellent value compared to flagships from more established brands.

At $79.99 / £79.99, it’s cheaper than other pointers in its class; the Glorious Model O 2 Mini comes in at $99.99 / £89.99 and the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed hits $99.99 / £99.99. In dropping Bluetooth functionality and a few nice-to-have sensor features, the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless keeps its spec sheet impressively lean. The result is a fantastic mid-range rodent that looks to threaten some of the best gaming mouse models on the market for sheer value.

Design

I’ve used $150 mice that feel like they could be $50, so the premium build quality of the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless took me by surprise when I first opened up the box. There’s a little creaking when squeezed in at the sides, but the plastic chassis feels solid where it counts. In an age where the best Razer mice and the best Logitech gaming mice are all opting for smoother plastic surfaces, I was relieved to feel a little grit under my paws this time around. Small bumps on the Lift Elite Wireless’s plastic frame provide a tactile sense of grip, even if their application is a little more slap-dash compared to the Razer Viper V2 Pro. Still, if you’re worried about the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed’s surface getting clammy after a few hours of use, this is a fantastic alternative.

Measuring in at 118.8mm in length and 60.8mm in width, this is a fairly compact device, though I got on fine with my smaller hands. Those with larger hands might struggle to maintain comfort during longer sessions – the extra footprint of the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed (125.2mm x 63.3mm) provides extra space to work with. In practice, the dimensions of the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless felt natural and intuitive personally, and I appreciated the extra dome height compared to the Glorious Model O 2 Mini Wireless when it came to a palm grip. NZXT has lifted its hump to 38.3mm at its highest point, for a more relaxed hold than Glorious’s 35.5mm.

That said, I generally prefer a claw hold when working and gaming, and that’s where the extra grip panels on each side come into their own. It’s rare to find these days – a lot of more premium mice have ditched these textured panels in recent releases, save for the fantastic Corsair Darkstar Wireless, but the extra support they provide in fast-paced games can’t be beaten. The grip panels on the Lift Elite are made up of small, almost rubbery-feeling, dots spanning the thumb and pinky portions of each flank. It’s a well-positioned section, providing a reliable surface just below the side buttons and making for much easier fine-adjustments with the thumb. If you need even more control, the Lite Elite Wireless also comes with additional grip tape in the box – though I found it to be slightly overkill when I applied it.

NZXT has kept this mouse’s weight impressively low. At 57g, this is much lighter than some of the best wireless gaming mice on the market. It matches the Glorious Model O 2 Mini without requiring honeycomb cutouts across the main chassis and far surpasses the 82g Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed. The DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed does have NZXT beat with its own 55g form factor, though.

That weight is generally well distributed, though a little front-heavy. Peering inside (which is pretty easy to do thanks to the hollowed-out chassis), the Lift Elite Wireless’s innards are housed entirely under the main clicks. I’d certainly prefer a mouse that leans slightly forward in its weight distribution over one that drags to the rear, but it is noticeable when lifting off.

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