HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Mouse Review

Unit provided by HyperX for review, they did not see the review before publishing

HyperX has updated the Haste 2 with all the top-tier tech while keeping the well-liked Haste 1 shape.

The wired version is priced at $59.99 USD, sports an 8K polling rate sensor, 100M actuation switches, weighs 52 grams and has no holes. The Haste 2 wired is clearly competing with the Razer Viper 8K, and it decimates it.

Gigantic improvement

9.5/10Score

Check on Amazon

Pros

• Shape great shape
• No more holes
• 8K polling rate with top end sensor
• Tactile primary buttons
• Great performance for  price

Cons

• Bottom part of shell a little soft
• Side buttons wobble with bad post-travel

Model variations

The HyperX Haste 2 comes in white and black, in a wired and wireless version.

The wired version is capable of 8000Hz polling rate, while the wireless can do 1000Hz over 2.4 GHz and has Bluetooth connectivity.

What’s changed from the Haste 1

The original Haste was an underdog favourite amongst gamers and the Haste 2 has improved on it in several ways.

The Haste 2 has shaved off 7 grams, now weighing in at 52g over the original without any holes.

There was an issue with DPI deviation that seems to be resolved with the Haste 2. The wired Haste 2 now supports 8000Hz polling rate over the Haste 1’s 1000Hz. The new 26K sensor is a definite upgrade over the Haste 1’s PAW3335.

The Hyperflex cable was already quite good, but the Haste 2 cable is softer and lighter.

The PTFE feet feel smoother than the original.

The Haste 2 also sports new buttons, using an in-house switch with an 100M actuation rating. I find them more tactile and stiffer than the original.

Basically the entire mouse is new tech, the shape is the same as before, which is great because people do love this shape.

Shape, Size & Weight

The Haste 2 retains the same FK style shape as the Haste 1. It’s a symmetrical style mouse, with a flat profile.

The Haste 2 can be compared to the Razer Viper V2 Pro and Glorious Model O in terms of shape. The Haste 2 is smaller than those two mice though, with a shorter length at 12.3 cm and width at 6.68 cm.

The medium size makes it pretty versatile for grips. It’s short enough to fingertip, has a decent hump for palming with smaller hands and feels decent for claw as well.

The Haste 2 sports a higher top bump than the Viper V2 Pro, with a more aggressive slope towards the main buttons, making it better suited for palm grip.

While the overall mouse is narrower, the sides of the Haste 2 are flatter with less of a groove, which makes the mouse feel larger than its dimensions.

This shape is great overall, it’s quite compatible and I can see palm, fingertip and claw grips using the mouse comfortably.

The wired version clocks in at just 52 grams, beating out the Viper V2 (58g), Viper 8K (71g) and Model O(69g) pretty handily.

Comparisons

Viper V2 Pro/Viper 8K

The Haste 2 is shorter, a little taller in the hump and actually feels wider than the V2 Pro. For this price, the Haste 2 shows really well compared to the more expensive Razer options. The Viper 8K is $20 more expensive and heavier, that price difference is not justified.

Glorious Model O/O-

The Haste 2 just blows the Model O out of the water, lighter, no holes, better sensor, better cable and better build quality.

Shape wise, the Haste 2 is shorter and slightly narrower than the Model O.

Design & Materials

The mouse feels good for my clammy hands, but if you need a little more grip, the Haste 2 comes with grip tape.

There’s 1 RGB zone on the scroll wheel.

Buttons & Scroll Wheel

The primary buttons are now sporting HyperX’s own mouse switches, rated for 100M actuations.

The main buttons feel a little heavier and more tactile than the previous version, a change that I appreciate. The buttons are still plenty of spammable but give nice and sharp feedback.

There’s a little side to side play with the buttons, but nothing major or noticeable. There’s a minor bit of post and pre-travel, but nothing out of the ordinary compared to top end mice like the Viper V2 Pro and Superlight.

The side buttons are the biggest weakness on the Haste 2. It feels like the side buttons have unlimited post travel, they go all the way in, I can’t really bottom them out. If you play games that involves a lot of side button use, it’s something to note.

The scroll wheel is more tactile than the Haste 1 with distinct steps. The scroll wheel is a little narrower than what you might be used to on other mice, definitely something to consider if you 1-3-1 or use your scroll wheel a lot.

Build quality

The build quality for the Haste 2 is solid, the top and sides of the shell are solid, with no creaking or flex.

The bottom of the mouse is a little softer, I can actually actuate the DPI button if I squeeze the top and bottom of the mouse, but that’s not really going to be a factor in normal use.

Cable

The HyperFlex 2 cable is an upgrade over the Haste 1’s cable. Despite the mouse pushing more polling rate, the cable is lighter, thinner and more flexible while keeping a tight weave.

Mouse Feet

The Haste 2’s feet design remains the same, sporting 4 pill shaped feet. The Haste 2 is using PTFE virgin grade feet, they deliver what you expect a smooth and consistent glide.

The mouse feet have a chamfered smoothed edge, I didn’t have any issues with cutting into my mousepad.

Performance

The Haste 2 is using a top tier mouse, the HyperX 26K sensor is believed to be the Pixart 3395, the top-tier sensor at the moment with no prediction or smoothing.

The 8000 Hz polling rate on the wired Haste 2 feels great and very responsive.

DPI deviation was a bit of an issue with the previous mouse, the Haste 2 has shown good latency on both the sensor and click, with a pretty smooth DPI experience.

Software

The Haste 2 uses HyperX NGENUITY Software to customize button mappings, DPI settings and RGB.

For the wired Haste 2, you’re going to want to hop in and immediately up the polling rate to 8000 Hz, the mouse comes set at 1000 Hz out of the box.

You can get NGENUITY here: https://hyperx.com/pages/ngenuity

What’s in the box

In the box of the Haste 2 wired you will find:

• Quick start guide and warranty paper
• Skins for side walls and main buttons
• 1 Set of replacement feet

Verdict

HyperX has done a great job updating the Haste line. The Haste 2 has taken a well received shape and gave it all the tech gamers expect in 2023.

If you’re looking for maximum performance for dollar, I don’t know if you can beat the Haste 2 wired at the moment.

The mouse has a top end sensor, light weight with no holes and 8000 Hz polling rate at a very reasonable $59.99 MSRP for the wired. It’s $20 cheaper than the Viper 8K and I can’t really find anything that its lacking compared to that mouse.

For medium sized hands, the Haste 2 should be in your short list for consideration, the shape is good for most grip types.

I’d recommend testing it out as some people really don’t like the side walls. Aside from that, the only other flaw are the sub-par side buttons, but it’s a rather small blemish on a great mouse.