The Roccat Kone XP might be the perfect gaming mouse for you if you're looking for a highly customizable RGB accent for your gaming rig, or just want a solid and configurable gaming mouse at a great price. In addition to its inspired take on RGB lighting, we are most impressed with its high precision and tactility. Although we did note a stiffer-than-average scroll wheel actuation which may be wearisome over long gaming sessions, this is a well-rounded gaming mouse that should meet the needs of most gamers. In spite of its stiffness, the wheel is incredibly tactile without any noticeable delay. Featuring high programmability and dazzling lights, the Kone XP is a great choice.
Analysis and History
Although the Roccat Kone XP stands out from the crowd with its RGB illumination, it offers more than just superficial bling. A top-notch processor and a high level of customizability make the Kone XP a top performer. It earned high marks throughout our testing, making it a top recommendation for anyone who is not opposed to the RGB aesthetic or a stiff scroll wheel. Turtle Beach acquired the German gaming brand ROCCAT in 2019, expanding its presence in the PC gaming market. It took years for ROCCAT-branded peripherals to become available on shelves. Its iconic roaring cat logo was replaced by Turtle Beach's signature palm tree emblem by 2024, making popular series like Kone, Vulcan, Burst, and Sense no longer associated with the brand.
Roccat Kone XP 3D Lighting Gaming Mouse: Performance and Features
A gaming mouse's performance is rated based on its hardware specifications and its ability to compete in competitive gaming. The sensor is evaluated based on its polling rate, dots per inch (DPI), counts per inch (CPI), and tracking speed. The review also discusses the quality of the switches, the overall weight, and the glide characteristics of each mouse. Starting with its flawless sensor, the Roccat Kone XP performs well in almost every test of this metric. In addition to software adjustment of sensitivity in steps, the Owl-Eye 19k DPI optical sensor features an adjustable lift-off distance and software-adjustable sensitivity.
A 400 inch per second tracking speed and a selectable polling rate are available. Overall, this makes for an extremely precise and fast sensor, which is indispensable for competitive gaming. Additionally, the Kone XP switch feels and responds exceptionally well. In addition to its mechanical feel, Roccat's Titan Switch Optical technology features almost instantaneous screen response and feedback due to its use of speedy optical beam signaling to transmit mechanical button inputs.
It weighs 101 grams, which isn't particularly light for a gaming mouse. The average weight for all mice in our review was 86 grams, while the lightest weighed just 59 grams. Although the Kone XP is heavy, it does not really detract from its performance. Kone XP has an excellent balance between speed and control thanks to its relative heft and smooth PTFE feet, which slightly skew it in favor of controlled glide.
Button Customization
For the customization metric, we assess the mouse's overall hardware and software reconfigurability. As the Kone XP features 15 buttons and 29 functions, it is extremely programmable for various game types, without feeling overly overwhelming, as an MMO-specific mouse might (like one with 12 buttons). The Kone XP's unique 3D RGB Lighting concept, which uses 22 LEDs and eight light guides to cast an immersive lighting experience through the translucent top shell, is one of its standout features, even though it has no bearing on usability or performance, which matter the most in this product segment.
In the RGB camp, this mouse might be suitable for your gaming rig, but in the RGB opposition camp, you might want to pass on it. Roccat Kone XP's non-adjustable scroll wheel design falls short in terms of customizability, but it's not a deal breaker.
Easy to Install and Friendly Use
Easy of use measures the user's experience regarding the mouse's programmability and ergonomics. With its long, light, unobtrusive cable and intuitive software, Kone XP scores big again. The Roccat Kone XP's Phantom Flex braided cable is approximately six feet long, and has average flexibility. Our user experience was not adversely affected by cable drag, snags, or other noteworthy issues. Roccat's Swarm software lets users adjust DPI, lift-off distance, program up to 29 button assignments, change lighting effects, configure angle napping, adjust sound feedback, and set debounce. There's everything you need and it's easy to get to.
Full Review: Razer Basilisk V3 Customizable Ergonomic Gaming Mouse Review
Scroll Wheel Engineering
The scroll wheel metric measures the feel, response, and tactility of the mouse's wheel and buttons. Kone XP loses its edge over its most fierce competitors in this razor-sharp performance comparison of the best gaming mice on the market. Its scroll wheel was one of the few faults of the Roccat Kone XP. You might be in for a workout with this one if your game requires you to scroll to survive. On the other hand, if you prefer a stiffer wheel, here's the stiffest one we reviewed. Apart from that, we have good news to share.
The scroll wheel is stiff, but it's also very tactile and confers a feeling of instant on-screen feedback when actuated. Scrolling acoustics are on the quieter side of the spectrum. Pressing down on the wheel feels stiffer and requires more force than other wheels in the review, but rewards you with a somewhat loud and satisfying click. In addition to the horizontal scrolling and the down click, Roccat calls this a Krystal 4D Wheel.
In games and productivity, these can be useful for long, lateral spreadsheet navigation, for example. As with the scroll wheel, the Roccat Kone XP mouse buttons feel nice, tactile, and responsive. There is an ergonomic comfort groove in the shell design that guides the fingers into position without being overbearing. Nevertheless, the left click button has two smaller buttons built into it, making it feel cluttered for larger fingers and potentially causing accidental clicks. There is also a slight narrowing of the right-click.
Where to buy
Pros and Cons
- Many buttons
- Highly customizable
- Good optical switches
- Nice RGB lighting
Cons:
- Right-handed only
- Stiff scroll wheel
Conclusion
It's well-rounded, high-performing, and affordable, making the Roccat Kone XP a great gaming mouse. The RGB aesthetics and high customizability make it a great choice for those who like RGB aesthetics, but those who prefer a more fluid scroll wheel may want to pass.
Leave a comment