Roccat Kone Pro White Gaming Mouse Review

Roccat is one of the coolest gaming brands out there. I've been a long time fan of their mice too, as they've often had slightly larger designs that fit the palm of my hand just that little bit better, such as the Roccat Tyon. However, their most famous and popular mouse design has to be the Kone. It's had many revisions, versions, and editions of the years, and it seems Roccat still has plenty of life to give it yet. The new Kone Pro comes with the usual suite of upgrades, with new sensors, the latest switch technologies, etc., and a brand new aesthetic. However, it's broadly still the same shape and size we've come to know and love. "The Kone’s ergonomic shape has always been adored by gamers worldwide, and in the Kone Pro, it’s been refined to perfection. Meticulous anthropometric research informed dozens of subtle changes, making the Kone Pro undeniably comfortable and a joy to use for almost any hand size or grip style. " - Roccat The mouse has been put on a diet, dropping its weight to just 66 grams, making it one of the lightest gaming mice on the market today. However, it hardly lacks features as a result, with AIMO RGB lighting, their new PhantomFlex cable design, PTFE pads, Titan Switch Optical switches, and their stunning Owl-Eye 19K DPI optical sensor too. Overall, this seems like it could be the perfect gaming mouse! Features & Specifications Stylish White Finish with RGBIconic ergonomic shape refined to perfectionExtreme lightweight shellTitan Switch Optical. Tactile & FastPhantomFlex™ cableHeat-treated pure PTFE glides, pre-tuned for a smoother motionROCCAT® Owl-Eye 19K DPI optical sensor2-year manufacturer warranty For in-depth features and specifications, please visit the official product page here. "Meet the ROCCAT® Kone Pro Lightweight Optical Ergonomic Performance Gaming Mouse with RGB Lighting. Perfected through 14 years of craftmanship, at just 66g the Kone Pro is the most lightweight and advanced gaming mouse we’ve ever made. It utilizes the Titan Switch Optical, AIMO RGB lighting, our 19K DPI Owl-Eye Sensor, PhantomFlex™ Cable and superior heat-treated PTFE glides." - Roccat Packaging & Accessories There are two versions of this mouse, and it likely won't surprise you to learn the other is a black model. Thankfully, you can clearly see on the front, this is indeed the white version. It looks awesome too, with a big photo right on the front and details of the Titan Switch Optical switches. Around the back, you'll find a side profile of the mouse and a quick rundown of the main features; shape, sensor, weight, etc. There are some more features detailed down the side here. And a few more here. It tells you everything you need at a glance, without going into too much detail. Open the box, and you'll find the mouse is well protected in a plastic mould with peel-off plastic covers on the PTFE pads. There are also some spare pads included in the box, which is fantastic. A Closer Look & Performance The first thing you'll notice about this mouse is that it has a brilliant white finish. Actually, I think Roccat have always had some of the coolest looking white versions of their products. I loved the white Tyon they did a few years back. However, they've stopped using the matte finishes and rubber coatings from their older models. This mouse uses a more translucent glossy white finish, which as you'll see later, looks great with the RGB powered on. The Roccat Kone Pro White keeps that classic Kone shape. Albeit, if you compare one from years ago, there have been a few nips and tucks. While the size and shape are the same, it's obviously a lot less aggressive looking than the Kone AIMO design. It's also less complicated than the flashy Kone EMP design, but they're more like side-steps for this range. However, throwback ten years ago to the Kone Pure range, and you can really see that classic shape still compares to the Kone Pro. Down the left side, there's a large recess, allowing for an easy grip, and also two large side buttons, allowing for easy control. A nice large and rounded back, which should fit snug into the palm of your hand. And there's also a deep cut out here, providing an easy point for your fingers to grip onto. The mouse lacks rubber grips, but it doesn't really need them. The shape makes it easy to grip anyway, but the lightweight design means you need minimal effort to move or lift the mouse. The LMB and RMB are each mounted on their own individually sprung panels. This means no cross-talk between the two, and a much more positive feedback overall. There's absolutely no pre-travel in the switches at all. The top panels are mounted tightly to the top of the Titan Optical Switch. This gives it a very instant and snappy feel. Plus, the switches use an optical sensor rather than a metal contact to register a click. It's faster, more reliable and longer-lasting too. In all honesty, it does feel like a normal high-end mechanical switch, but I must admit, it's a very nice click response. The Titan Wheel has been heavily redesigned too. It's no longer solid and weighted like a flywheel. It's a hollow frame, more like an alloy wheel on a car. The lightweight design is comfortable to use, and since it's made from a single piece of aluminium, it feels strong and looks stunning thanks to the anodised finish. On the underside, there's a pair of massive PTFE pads, as well as a small one located around the sensor. These drastically reduce surface friction and are likely bigger than they need to be for such a light mouse. That being said, it glides like it's on ice. There's also a small profile button here, rather than having it up on top. You can tinker with the mouse settings via the desktop software and save it to the mouse. So, this button can adjust DPI or a full suite of things like RGB lighting, sensor settings, button configurations, etc. The sensor is flawless, and I really mean it. Roccat has been making some of the best performing gaming mice for some time now, and that's still true today. It never skipped a beat throughout the whole DPI range, no angle snapping, no acceleration, nothing, it's spot on. As for the RGB, it's really rare to see a new or innovative way of integrating RGB when it's already been done to death. However, I think it's fair to say that Roccat has managed it. The mouse glows like a colourful firefly. Furthermore, the colours are fantastic. The brightness is vibrant without being distracting. Plus, there are multiple lights in here, so you can actually get colours to transition from one side to the other, which does look impressive. How Much Does it Cost? The Roccat Kone Pro White Gaming Mouse is available now from most major retailers. Amazingly, it also appears that it's largely in stock too, which is a welcome treat in this modern world. It's currently just £59.00, which is, quite frankly, fantastic value for money. Of course, it's not a cheap mouse, but it uses premium hardware and performance, which far out-paces the price tag. Overview Roccat has delivered many of the coolest looking gaming mice I've ever seen. That was true when I started doing this ten years ago, and it's clearly still true today. Sure, style is subjective, but the unique design and the way they have integrated the RGB into the nose of the mouse certainly stands out, without taking away from the classic design the Kone series is known for. They've managed to give us vibrant and colourful RGB implementation but also managed to keep the mouse looking clean, modern and stylish. It'll look just as good with the lights off, if that's what you so desire. Plus, the new white finish is just stunning, but there's a black model out there too, if you so desire. Performance The Kone Pro can hold its own against anything else on the market. I've used mice that cost twice this that aren't technically any better. The sensor is as flawless as you could ever hope for, delivering smooth tracking throughout the whole DPI range. The Titan Optical Switch technology is well proven, and overall they just feel tight and responsive, making them well suited to fast-paced gameplay. However, I also have to commend the ultra-light 66-grams design. Shedding weight from the mouse body, the new lightweight Titan Wheel, and even that new lightweight paracord on the USB cable. It all adds up to a very light yet very durable feeling mouse. Furthermore, the massive PTFE pads on the bottom mean that even if this mouse weighed twice what it does, it would still glide with ease. Should I Buy One? Roccat has really nailed the details on this one. It's a fan service, in that it's the same classic shape they've produced for over ten years now. However, it's just a little more refined, it's better made, it uses more premium materials, and it's just overall a better product. Add to that some killer hardware for class-leading performance, and honestly, you'll be hard pushed to find anything better for the same money. Roccat KONE Pro Gaming Mouse Review