The best gaming mouse just got a performance upgrade, but existing owners need not worry

The best gaming mouse just got a performance upgrade, but existing owners need not worry

What you need to know

  • The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro is already one of the best wireless gaming mouse on the planet, and it just got a little better.
  • Razer has now released the 35K variant, which is essentially identical to the original but upgrades the sensor to Razer’s latest-and-greatest.
  • That means smoother, more responsive performance with more granular customization, as well as improved battery life.
  • The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K (and the non-Pro wired version) replace the older versions, but current owners probably don’t need to worry about upgrading.

As a seasoned gamer and tech enthusiast with years of experience under my belt, I’ve had the pleasure of testing countless gaming mice across various brands, but none have come close to capturing my heart quite like the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro. This wireless marvel has been my trusted companion in countless gaming sessions, and now it’s just gotten better with the arrival of the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K.


As a researcher who’s had ample experience with various gaming mice, particularly during my tenure at Windows Central, I must admit that the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro stands out as my top pick. This wireless gaming mouse offers an exceptional blend of comfort, performance, and innovative features. Now, gamers can elevate their gameplay with an even superior version of this fantastic device.

Starting today, you can get your hands on an improved variant of the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K at Best Buy for $159.99. While I emphasize “a touch superior,” it’s important to note that not many changes have been made overall. This updated model offers enhanced performance and extended durability for users seeking an upgrade in their mouse, but those already owning the original Basilisk V3 Pro may not feel the urgency to swap it out.

Still have questions? Let’s dive in.

Hard to improve on perfection

The best gaming mouse just got a performance upgrade, but existing owners need not worry

The best gaming mouse just got a performance upgrade, but existing owners need not worry
The best gaming mouse just got a performance upgrade, but existing owners need not worry

Since our initial evaluation of the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro and its Mouse Dock Pro counterpart, we declared it as the “best mouse of 2022,” and it has maintained that title without much competition. Although there are newer mice on the market offering lighter weights, faster speeds, and more luxurious finishes, the Basilisk V3 Pro continues to excel in terms of performance, comfort, design, and features. It’s almost perfect, making me ponder how Razer could potentially enhance it further. And it seems that the company shares my sentiment, as they have made improvements on it.

In plain terms, the recently released Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K shares a striking resemblance with its two-year-old counterpart in terms of design, size, weight, and many additional features. The primary difference lies in the updated core mouse sensor.

The original Razer Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor has been swapped out with the second generation of the Focus Pro 35K Optical Sensor, which made its debut alongside the Razer Viper V3 Pro earlier this year. This upgrade brings several enhancements. For instance, the mouse now operates more intelligently, smoothly, and swiftly. It’s capable of self-adjusting to any surface it’s used on, for example. Additionally, users can make precise adjustments to the Dots-per-inch (DPI) by increments of 1, aiding in seamless transition to the new mouse as settings can be tailored to closely match those of the previous one.

The revamped Razer Synapse 4 software offers enhanced features for the updated HyperScroll wheel. You now have the ability to personalize the Smart-Reel Mode which allows for seamless transitions between rough and smooth scrolling, in addition to adjusting the scroll speed according to your preference.

The overall durability has significantly increased across all aspects. Generally speaking, users can enjoy around 30 additional hours of gameplay with Razer HyperSpeed Wireless and 1,000Hz polling rates (extending from 110 hours to up to 140 hours), and an extra 60 hours via Bluetooth (increasing from 150 hours to a maximum of 210 hours). Interestingly, Razer suggests that the battery life has reduced from 32 hours to 28 hours when pushing the new mouse to its highest polling rate of 8,000Hz. This decrease might be due to the more power-intensive high-performance sensor at the extremes.

The best gaming mouse just got a performance upgrade, but existing owners need not worry

Essentially, the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K retains its overall design, size, weight, 13-zone RGB lighting, five pre-set DPI profiles, and thirteen customizable buttons. Additionally, it supports wireless charging via the Razer Mouse Dock Pro Qi. However, it remains a right-handed mouse without a left-handed option available, and you’ll need to buy either the Razer HyperPolling Wireless Dongle or Mouse Dock Pro separately to access the 8,000Hz polling rate.

Given the enhancements and convenience features of the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro, current owners might find little reason to upgrade due to its price point of $159.99 at Best Buy. Although the upgrades are appealing, they may not justify another investment for many users. Instead, I’d recommend considering spending $69.99 on the Razer Mouse Dock Pro from Razer itself. This accessory may seem indulgent, but once you experience the freedom of a wireless setup, even for charging, you’ll appreciate the change and won’t want to switch back.

If you’re in the market for a new mouse, though, the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro was already one of the best — if you just want the best version of it, this is a no-brainer. Of course, you can also look around for the older Razer Basilisk V3 Pro in an attempt to save some money and get 98% of the same experience. Razer itself has already discounted it, so you can pick up the original for $129.99 at Razer and consider if that extra $30 is worth it for the 35K upgrades.

Lastly, I’d like to draw your attention to the fact that there’s also a wired version of this mouse – the Razer Basilisk V3 35K. It’s currently retailing for $79.99 at Best Buy and has the same base as its Pro counterpart. Essentially, the $80 price drop is due to the absence of Bluetooth and Razer HyperSpeed wireless connectivity.

In other Razer news, the Razer Kraken V4 Pro was recently released, Razer made its vibrating haptic seat cushion a reality, the new Razer Laptop Cooling Pad aims to improve your gaming laptop’s performance, and Windows Central just released our reviews for the Razer Kraken V4 and Razer Firefly V2 Pro. Razer has certainly been busy lately.

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2024-10-02 01:09