Razer Deathadder Elite Gaming Mouse Review

Razer is a very popular manufacturer of computer-related equipment. Most of the products of Razer are specifically designed to satisfy gamers all around the globe and this has been the main aspect of success for Razer. Whether it be gaming mice, keyboards, or audio-related equipment, Razer is a force to be reckoned with.

PRODUCT INFO
DeathAdder Elite
ManufactureRazer
Available atView at Amazon

Razer has also started making apparel as well however the most well-known products of Razer are definitely their gaming-oriented products such as their Deathadder mice lineup. Razer boasts of being the first company to make a dedicated gaming mouse way back in the 90s. Gaming was not as big back then as it is today. Internet and online gaming are also a major reason for the boost in the popularity of the gaming world. With Esports and competitive gaming being as big as it has gotten in recent times, companies like Razer were sure to get a boost as well. Razer has been a widely popular brand in the competitive gaming scene without a doubt.

You often find Razer products and mouse pads being used by professionals in the world’s biggest gaming tournaments. The Deathadder is one such highly rated, immensely popular product. The first Deathadder was released all the way back in 2006. It was in instant hit with the majority of people in the gaming community. Now, years later we see the newer version of the same Deathadder series, the Deathadder Elite.

Razer has kept much of the original design that got such high approval from the masses. With slight tweaks and changes to accommodate the changing needs and requirements of the modern gaming world, the Deathadder Elite is one of the best gaming mice in the world. We are taking a deeper look into this mouse today to see what is the fuss all about. Let’s get right to it!

Unboxing

The Razer Deathadder Elite comes in a pretty standard Razer box. It is all black on the front and back sides of the box. On the front, the picture of the Deathadder Elite is on display at the center. The name of the mouse is at the bottom. A few core features such as the Razer Chroma RGB and the Razer 5G optical sensor are also put on the front of the box at various corners. The Razer logo is on the top right of the box. The sides of the box are all green in classic Razer fashion. On the back of the box, there are other features of the mouse. Once you have opened the box, you will find a user manual, inside of which there are a couple of Razer stickers that you can stick to where you like. A card by Razer for its customers and the all-important mouse itself. To put it simply, you will find the following things inside the box:

  • The Deathadder Elite
  • User manual
  • A couple of Razer stickers
  • A card of congratulations by Razer to its customers

Design

The Razer Deathadder Elite has the same design as the Deathadder of previous times. Razer has not opted to change much from the immensely successful Deathadder with the release of the Deathadder Elite. The mouse has a rise in the palm rest area then dips back down where the left and right clicks reside. The mouse clicks feature Razer mechanical mouse switches. Between the left and right clicks is the scroll wheel.

This scroll wheel has also gotten an upgrade with the new model. The scroll wheel has been given a better grip and control thanks to the nubs like patterns they now have. There is a scroll wheel button as well. The biggest difference in design between the older model and the Deathadder Elite are the two buttons beneath the scroll wheel.

These buttons are used for changing DPI of the mouse quickly and effortlessly. Then there are two buttons on the left side of the mouse. These buttons fall under a right-handed user’s thumb when holding the mouse.

On the sides of the mouse, there is an inward curve of the mouse. This curve along with the rubber pads makes holding the mouse and moving it much easier. In the palm rest area of the mouse, the Razer logo is placed. At the head of the mouse, the braided fiber cable is present.

This cable is not detachable. In the scroll wheel and the Razer logo, Razer Chroma RGB lighting is present. Overall, the Deathadder Elite has a very sleek and aesthetic look. Its beauty lies in its quiet and simplistic design. Razer has refrained from using any flamboyant or bold designs and has not gone overboard with any RGB lighting either. This is a place where Razer deserves a lot of credit for maintaining the look that people have adored of their most successful product.

Features

Razer has opted for the Razer mechanical mouse switches made in collaboration with Omron. Omron is one of the leading manufacturers of mouse switches in the world. Razer claims that their mechanical mouse switches have been specially designed to have the fastest response time of any mouse switch in the world. The mouse switches also have a 50 million click lifespan according to Razer.

Razer has been very outspoken about their new optical sensors. They claim it is the most advanced optical sensor in the world at this time. With a maximum DPI of 16,000 and up to 450 IPS or inches per second tracking. 450 IPS tracking means you can move this mouse about the distance of a room in one second and the optical sensor will be able to track it accurately. According to Razer, their new 5G sensor technology is the fastest and most accurate mouse tracking technology in the world. The optical sensor has an accuracy of 99.4 %.

While we see many gaming mice that have been made for fast-paced gaming, a lot of them do not have much ergonomic proficiency. Such a mouse can have a detrimental effect on your hand and wrist movement. This is another part of the Razer Deathadder Elite which requires a lot of praise. The shape of the Deathadder is such that the rise of the palm rest gives automatic support to the hand of the user. The rubber pads and slight inclination of the sides of the mouse also play a handy part in making it easier to hold and move the mouse. The Deathadder Elite has also gotten awards for its ergonomic brilliance.

Razer Synapse

One of the most important features of a gaming product these days is the RGB or lighting effects. The Deathadder Elite has Razer Chroma RGB in two places, the scroll wheel and the Razer logo on the palm rest. There are a number of different RGB light modes that you can apply in these two RGB zones. Razer offers eleven different light modes and effects that you can turn on via the Razer Synapse app. With the Chroma Studio, you can tweak and tinker with Razer’s existing light effects or create some of your own. You can even set up RGB effects that are synced and specialized from game to game with the Chroma Workshop.

All of the tweaking and personalization of the Deathadder Elite can be done through the Razer Synapse 2.0 software. The Razer Synapse software is a bit fussy with its installation process. You have to register and confirm via e-mail and even agree to a contract before you can avail yourself of the Synapse’s features. Once you have done all that you can work magic with this comprehensive configuration app.

The Synapse software allows you to make different profiles for different games and controls. You can assign the mouse buttons to different functions. Customize and personalize the RGB lighting effects and assign mouse buttons to different functions for different profiles, all in this app.

There are, however, just not enough programmable buttons available in the Deathadder Elite. Only the two left-side buttons or the scroll wheel button is really a programmable button option. The rest of the buttons already have essential functions that they perform. While these number of programmable buttons are enough for most games and game genres, it never hurts to have more options available to you. With only three effectively programmable buttons, the Deathadder Elite does not offer as many configuration options as some other mice do.

Performance

When using the Razer Deathadder Elite you will not feel any obstruction or difficulty in pressing the mouse clicks. The new Razer mechanical mouse switches live up to their reputation. They are easily activated and have a quick response rate as well. The 5G optical sensor works brilliantly. The mouse is tracked across the screen with precision and accuracy and you rarely get a click wrong no matter how intense your gaming session gets. Not to mention it can track even the most minute and fast movements of the mouse. The Deathadder Elite lives up to the claims of brilliance made by Razer. It flies across the mouse pad smoothly and effortlessly. The mouse tracking and accuracy is also remarkable.

Software is a big part of the performance of a gaming hardware product. Whether it be keyboards or mice, if the software is inadequate then the hardware can only be as good. In the case of the Razer Deathadder Elite, however, the software is quite effective. It is simple, straight forward, has an in-depth comprehensive working and options that you can make use of. Whether in the setting up of RGB or assigning macro functions to keys and changing DPI settings according to the requirements of different profiles, the Synapse app works very smoothly. The only problem with the Synapse app is the initial installing phase which can be picky and more complicated than most other software of gaming mice.

The Razer Deathadder Elite has 7 buttons in total. Only three of which are freely programmable. In games that require a lot of controls and quick actions, this number of programmable buttons will prove to be less than what one wants. In many new gaming mice, we see more programmable buttons is provided. This is mainly the reason. The Deathadder Elite does not have too many configuration options in this regard.

Conclusion

The Razer Deathadder Elite is a gaming-oriented mouse. It is specifically made for gamers and for gaming purposes. This much is obvious when you look at the features it provides. This is also one of the most aesthetically pleasing mice in the market. For gamers, aesthetics is a big reason why they buy a product. That and the features it gives along with the performance to give you an edge over the competitions. The Deathadder Elite gives top-notch performance and a ton of features that any gaming enthusiast would be willing to spend the amount asked for it. This is not a cheap mouse though, Its price is reasonable for what it gives.

For editors or coders and the like, the Deathadder Elite will be an eye-catcher. It is fast-moving and accurate. It also has programmable buttons that such people can use to good effect. While for an office worker or official people, this mouse might not be what they are looking for. Although, this is ergonomically very good and its design is not too flamboyant or bold it is still too flashy for an office. Not to mention it is more expensive than what an office worker would be willing to pay for it. Most of the features it gives are also a lost cause for such work.

Razer Deathadder Elite

Genuinely Elite

Pros

  • State of the art optical sensor
  • Quick and accurate movements
  • Aesthetically pleasing
  • Great ergonomics for improved comfort levels

Cons

  • Not enough extra buttons
  • Software installation and set up is complicated

Dimensions: 12.7 cm x 7 cm x 4.4 cm | Weight: 105 g | Maximum DPI: 16,000 | Maximum IPS: 450 | Switch Type: Razer mechanical mouse switches | RGB: Razer Chroma RGB | Connectivity Type: Wired | Cable Length: 7 ft | Cable Type: Braided fiber cable | Total Buttons: 7 | Ambidextrous: No | Software: Razer Synapse

VERDICT:To sum it up, the Deathadder Elite is targeted towards the gaming community. The features it gives will be most effectively put to use by a gaming enthusiast. Though other people may buy it, the majority of people who use this mouse will be of the gaming variety. For a very long time, the Deathadder sat on the top of the throne for the elite gaming mice, and the Deathadder Elite adds on to that and comes out as a relatively affordable mouse with just about everything you could ask for in a gaming mouse.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hassam Nasir


As a managing Editor, I run, operate, and implement a substantial amount of work at Appuals.com. I supervise a team of enthusiastic geeks and also create content strategies. Whenever I am not at my work desk you'll find me tinkering around PC hardware and retro gadgets.