New gaming focused mouse from Keychron
Keychron continues to launch new devices at an insane pace, and they just dropped the G5. This is a 43 gram symmetrical wireless gaming mouse with a carbon fiber shell, PixArt 3950 sensor, 8000 Hz polling, tri-mode connectivity and a 500 mAh battery.
Top-down look at the Keychron G5. / Credit Keychron
Where does it fit?
Keychron’s mouse range has been building up quickly. The M-series covers smaller fingertip shapes, including the 35 gram M4 I tested last winter. The G-series is the full-size line, and the new G5 is a symmetrical mid-hump design with a subtle ambidextrous profile, aimed at palm and claw grip users.
At 43 grams the G5 is only a touch heavier than the M4 I use at home. 43 grams is also lighter than compelling alternatives like the Razer Viper V4 Pro, which clocks in at 49 grams.
Logitech also has compelling alternatives in this price range. The original Superlight sits at around 63 grams, while the Superlight 2 is around 60 grams. The new and popular Superstrike also clocks in at around 60 grams. The Superstrike is however, not in this price range.
Keychron is undercutting that whole top tier on weight and price in one take, with the carbon fiber shell and 500 mAh battery.
The specs
- Weight: 43 g (0.09 lbs)
- Shell: ABS frame with a carbon fiber top cover and main buttons, honeycomb-engraved surface for grip
- Sensor: PixArt 3950, 100 to 30,000 DPI, up to 750 IPS, tracks on glass
- Polling rate: up to 8000 Hz in 2.4 GHz and wired modes, switchable down in six steps
- Latency: 0.41 ms in 2.4 GHz mode
- Connectivity: tri-mode, 2.4 GHz dongle, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C wired
- Battery: 500 mAh, up to 37 hours at 8K in 2.4 GHz, 153 hours at 1K, 162 hours over Bluetooth
- Switches: Huano micro switches rated for 120 million clicks
- Lift off distance: 0.7, 1.0 or 2.0 mm, configurable
- Software: Keychron Launcher, the same web-based tool used on the M-series and Keychron keyboards
- Color: black at launch
- Price: $109.99
The PixArt 3950 is Keychron’s flagship sensor choice, and the same one they use at the top of the M-series.
Confgurable in keychron launcher, on the web / Credit Keychron
Key take aways
Looking at prosettings.net and people I know, many are aware of Keychron’s keyboard line. And that is to be expected, these products have been on the market for a while. Some Norwegian IT companies are even offering Keychron keyboards to their new employees.
These are the components that make up the Keychron G5. / Credit Keychron
Very few people in my circle know about the mice from Keychron. Compelling devices at good price points are the key to entering this market as well.
On paper, the Keychron G5 looks very good. It’s light, it has a tried and tested sensor, good enough battery life and by the looks of it, a solid grip. I also expect the shell to be hard and rigid. Everyone likes hard and rigid, right?
What I cannot judge from a spec sheet is the overall quality and feel of the G5. I have reached out to Keychron to see if they have a review sample available.
The G5 is listed as backordered at launch. Full details and the “notify me” option are on the Keychron G5 product page.
The Keychron G5 Ultra Light Wireless Mouse. / Credit Keychron
