If you like a high sensitivity gaming mouse, this one has a 16K sensor and is just $25

If you like a high sensitivity gaming mouse, this one has a 16K sensor and is just $25
It's powered by a PixArt PMW 3389 optical sensor is and is half off right now. (Image credit: Monoprice)

Every so often, I think to check Monoprice's lineup of gaming peripherals to see if there are any interesting bargains, and today I'm glad I did. While poking around the site, I found a 'Dark Matter by Monoprice Aether' optical gaming mouse on sale for $24.99.

That's half off its list price, and peanuts for a gaming mouse, assuming it works fairly well. To that end, I can't speak from any hands-on experience, but there are several encouraging signs. One is the PixArt PMW 3389 sensor that sits in the belly of this rodent.

Dark Matter by Monoprice Aether Gaming Mouse |$49.99$24.99 at Monoprice (save $25)
Premium features at a cheap price

Dark Matter by Monoprice Aether Gaming Mouse | $49.99 $24.99 at Monoprice (save $25)
This uses the same sensor as found in several name-brand mice, it has a 16,000 DPI, and serves up six removable weights so you make it heavier or lighter, depending on your preference.

It has a 16,000 DPI, and you can change the responsiveness on-the-fly with DPI buttons just below the scroll wheel. There are six presets—800, 1,200, 1,600, 2,000, 8,000, and 16,000—each with a corresponding LED color.

PixArt is a popular brand in the mouse sensor space, and its 3398 variant is found in several name-brand gaming mice, like Cooler Master's MM710 and HyperX's Pulsefire Pro and Surge.

As to the ergonomic design, this is curved for right-handed users. To my eyes, it looks similar to Razer's DeathAdder V2, the best gaming mouse for most gamers. The main clickers are textured, though, and leverage optical mechanical switches with the promise of "almost zero latency."

There's also an adjustable weight system at play here. It comes with seven 2.8g removable weights to tailor the mouse's heft to your liking.

All in all, it looks like an intriguing mouse for the money.

Paul Lilly

Paul has been playing PC games and raking his knuckles on computer hardware since the Commodore 64. He does not have any tattoos, but thinks it would be cool to get one that reads LOAD"*",8,1. In his off time, he rides motorcycles and wrestles alligators (only one of those is true).

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