A no-frills, no-fuss mouse that's lightweight and doesn't cost the earth has converted me back to wired accessories

Wired mice are an accessory I have long cast aside, but the fact remains that if you choose a wired mouse, you can often get more for your money and a much lighter design. There are still plenty of good reasons to choose wired. This is displayed perfectly by NZXT's latest addition to its range, the Lift 2 Ergo. An 8K polling rate mouse for less than $50 with a weight of only 60g. I took the Lift 2 Ergo for a spin to see if it would convert me back to the ways of the wire. 

NZXT Lift 2 Ergo: Price and availability

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NZXT is an American company specializing in computer hardware for the PC gaming market. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, NZXT has built a reputation for producing high-quality PC-building products. Their offerings include computer cases, cooling solutions, power supplies, and smaller accessories like mice and keyboards, all of which are available globally.

One of their latest products is the NZXT Lift 2 mouse, which comes in two versions: the Lift 2 Ergo and the Lift 2 Sim. Both models are wired-only, similar to the original Lift, but they feature several improvements. The Lift 2 Ergo is designed specifically for right-handed users due to its ergonomic shape, providing a comfortable grip for extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Lift 2 Sim is a symmetrical design, making it a suitable option for both left-handed and right-handed users.

I was sent the Lift 2 Ergo in Black for testing and have used it daily for around 2-3 months now. The mouse is available directly from NZXT for $49.99, but at the time of writing, is on sale at Amazon for $39.99, saving you $10. This makes it a budget-friendly option for gamers looking for a high-performance mouse without the extra frills like RGB lighting.

NZXT Lift 2 Ergo Wired Gaming Mouse | was $49.99 now $39.99 at Amazon

A gaming mouse designed for those who prefer a no-frills, high-performance device. Boasting a 26,000 DPI sensor and 8,000Hz polling rate, you'll get precise and responsive tracking for less than $50. No RGB required!

$49.99 from NZXT direct 

NZXT Lift 2 Ergo: What's good

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Out of the box, the Lift 2 Ergo is unassuming and probably the most no-frills mouse I've encountered. NZXT has cast aside the RGB for this upgrade and gone all in on simplicity.

The mouse is incredibly lightweight at only 60 grams, achieved through a skeletonized frame that leaves no room for unnecessary plastic trimmings. I appreciate the lack of extra weight as I often stuff the mouse in my backpack and have enough weight to contend with from my laptop and power bank.

In addition to a lightweight build, the textured micro-dot grip on the sides makes for really comfortable handling. Larger dots are speckled over the mouse wheel, too, making it easy to grip and scroll. The overall build quality of the Lift 2 Ergo feels sturdy, with the buttons providing a uniform and tactile click.

We get a handful of technical upgrades here from the original Lift model, including a higher max DPI, taking it to 2600 from 16000, and a Pixart PMW 3395 sensor. Both of these enhance the mouse's tracking speed and accuracy, whether you're using it to scroll at pace across a spreadsheet or for gaming. The mouse is also Nvidia Reflex-compatible, which is a nice touch for those using supported monitors. It's these meaty specs that make the mouse impressive for its budget MSRP of $49.99.

If you want to customize your Lift 2, you'll need to use the NZXT CAM software. This software allows you to adjust DPI steps, polling rate, liftoff distance, remap buttons, and set up multiple profiles.

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NZXT Lift 2 Ergo: What's bad

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There's not much really 'bad' about the NZXT Lift 2 Ergo other than its basic design, which may put off anyone who prefers the razzmatazz of the RGB lighting in the original model. It's definitely a plain, unassuming, and dull mouse, for which it's hard to stand out against competitors. It's really down to the user, though, and how much they care about this. Personally, I love RGB, but it's not a dealbreaker for me if not included in a gaming accessory. It does seem unusual not to be included in a wired mouse, though, where battery life isn't a concern and may add some appeal to this basic design.  

The software itself for customizing the mouse could also annoy some who don't own other NZXT products. It contains settings for practically everything and is unnecessary bloat when you want to mess with a mouse. You can turn these off, but I'd much rather just be given the option to install what I need rather than having to fiddle and remove options.

NZXT Lift 2 Ergo: Competition

If I'm thinking of an ultralightweight 8K Hz mouse, the first to mind would be the Razer Deathadder V3. On paper, the NZXT Lift 2 Ergo appears to be competing with it on the spec table. The Razer Deathadder V3 is also wired and 1g lighter than the Lift 2 Ergo, but you'll also be paying more for the Razer name—$20 more, as it's $69.99.

The Razer Deathadder V3 is powered by Razer's Focus Pro 30K Optical sensor, which offers more DPI than the NZXT at 30,000. It does not have the NVIDIA Reflex tech, though, which will appeal to competitive gamers who want the absolute minimum latency.

NZXT Lift 2 Ergo: Should I buy it?

✅ You should buy it if...

• You want a wired gaming mouse with a low latency and high polling rate
• You don't want to spend more than $50
• You prefer a lightweight design

❌ You should not buy it if...

• You want RGB on your gaming accessories
• You prefer wireless mice 
• You are left-handed (get the Lift 2 Sim instead)

The NZXT Lift 2 Ergo is a solid purchase for anyone looking for a no-fuss gaming mouse, and I've been pretty impressed with it over the course of my few months of usage. It's been all the way to Gamescom and back with me and survived being packed into the tightest of bags. It's still going strong and looking brand new, considering the abuse I've put it through. I'm not in a hurry to return to a wireless mouse, and actually enjoy not having to care about charging another accessory, so it's definitely here to stay.