Razer Atheris review

The Razer Atheris is a compact wireless mouse released in August 2017. It offers two ways to connect and runs on two AA batteries. Razer positions it as a mobile mouse, and owner feedback points the same way: people praise it for being small and portable.

The specification list is short: a 7200 DPI optical sensor, five programmable buttons, mechanical switches and a choice of 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth LE connection. The sections below take each in turn.

Owners rate this part of the mouse highly. The Atheris connects over 2.4 GHz wireless through a compact USB dongle, or over Bluetooth LE. Owners single out the combination as good value and versatile. A laptop with Bluetooth can pair directly. A machine without it, or one where you would rather use the dongle, can take the receiver.

Battery life is rated at up to 350 hours of continuous use on a pair of AA batteries, on Bluetooth. The mouse is not rechargeable. You swap cells when they run out. That suits anyone who prefers to keep spare AAs in a bag. It will annoy anyone who wants to top up from a laptop port.

The quoted weight of 66 g excludes the batteries, so the mouse weighs more once loaded.

The Atheris has an ambidextrous, ergonomic form factor. Razer says it suits both right-handers and left-handers. It measures 99.7 mm x 62.8 mm x 34.1 mm.

Owners have two views on its size. Some praise how small and portable it is. Others say it is a bit small and heavy for its size. With a 66 g body before batteries and compact dimensions, a buyer with larger hands should weigh that complaint carefully. Because the shape is symmetrical and Razer says it suits both hands, left-handed users are covered.

The optical sensor has a maximum sensitivity of 7200 DPI. Razer says this is one of the highest DPI figures for a mobile mouse. Razer doesn't list a polling rate.

There are five programmable buttons. The switches are mechanical and rated for 20 million clicks. That is a durability figure from the manufacturer. The scroll wheel has no tilt function, so there is no sideways scrolling from the wheel itself. If you rely on horizontal scrolling in spreadsheets, timelines or wide log views, that is a limit to weigh.

Razer lists support through Razer Synapse 3. That is the software named for this mouse, alongside its five programmable buttons.

The Atheris fits a user who wants a dongle-or-Bluetooth mouse for a laptop bag and is happy to carry AA batteries. The long rated battery life on Bluetooth means batteries should not need replacing often. It also suits left-handed users, because the shape is symmetrical and Razer says it works for both hands.

Owner themes line up with that: praise centres on value, versatility and portability, while the one complaint is size and weight.

It fits less well if you want a rechargeable mouse, a tilt wheel, or a bigger and lighter body. Those are the limits that follow from its spec sheet and owner comments.