Adjustable Click Force Technology, 16,000 DPI, Esports grade
If you ask a gamer which is the most important component of the best gaming mouse, you will probably get answers ranging from the DPI to the customization options. So, if you are looking for all good features compiled together, the Razer Mamba Chroma deserves your attention.
Those who have already seen the hefty price tag would hurry up to say that the Mamba is among the most expensive gaming peripherals on the market. However, before you stop reading and turn your attention to less expensive models, I would like to explain why the latest edition of Razer Mamba is slightly more expensive than other similar products.
The model comes with improved characteristics including lower response time, click force technology and chrome lighting. The Mamba is widely advertised as one of the most precise gaming mice a passionate gamer can possibly find. It features a 16,000 DPI 5G sensor and can track 1 DPI increments at 0.1 mm.
Although it would be unrealistic to define it as the most refined gaming mouse, I have to admit that some of the features are difficult to come by. The Mamba performed well in my tests, but I have also discovered some faults. You will find plenty of information about Mamba’s pros and cons in the dedicated sections below.
- 7 feet braided fiber USB charging cable, the Razer Mamba’s Hyperesponse buttons come with an adjustable click force mechanism
- Each lighting location is individually customizableWith inter-device color synchronization, your Razer Chroma enabled Razer gaming weapons will always go together perfectly
- Boasting the world’s most precise 16,000 DPI gaming mouse sensor
- 7 feet braided fiber USB charging cable
Ergonomics
As a fan of Razer, I test all gaming hardware they release. In terms of ergonomics, I could not find a big difference between the Mamba and the DeathAdder. Both seem equally comfortable to me.
The top of the mouse is sloped toward the right side; the left side is tapered in the middle to ensure a better comfort to the thumb. As you have already presumed, the mouse is designed in a manner that provides righties with utmost convenience during long gaming sessions. Sorry lefties, the Mamba will not be included in your gaming arsenal. Razer has shown lots of love towards ambidextrous mice lately, so you’d better explore the models suitable for right- and left-handed gamers.
As for Mamba’s design, I wish there was some form of support for the pinky. Mine dragged across the mousepad, which was pretty irritating.
To write this review, I had to spend a great deal of time exploring Mamba’s functionalities and pushing it beyond its limits. I have to admit that I have seen a great improvement over its wireless capabilities, customization options and battery life. The Mamba seems most suited for palm grip although if you have a claw grip, you will not have problems using it. The thumb buttons are generously sized, the top of the mouse is covered with a sweat resistant matte plastic. The side panels are rubberized for an added grip.
Size
The Mamba is a pretty standard in terms of size. It measures 1.67 by 2.76 by 5 inches. Its weight is 125 grams or 0.27 lbs. The Razer Mamba Tournament Edition is a bit heavier, so you might have a look at it. Both mice are pretty similar save for “plain” Mamba’s wireless capabilities and the availability of Adjustable Click Force feature.
Layout
The latest edition of Razer Mamba is not too different from the layout of the first Mamba introduced in the distant 2009. Still, the latest Mamba has undergone some improvements. The on-the-fly adjustment buttons are now located at the top of the mouse body and you can easily reach them with the index or middle finger.
The mouse has a long, curved shape, which makes me believe designers borrowed the shape from the Deathadder mouse. The long, arching back makes the mouse suitable for palm or claw style gaming. The left side houses two large buttons set to forward and back functions by default. You can easily press them with your thumb. The right side is a rubber-texture grip for the ring and pinky finger. The Micro USB port is hidden under the scroll wheel. I have to tell you that the USB port is not compatible with other Micro USB cables except for the one that ships with the mouse.
There are two LED bands on both sides of the scroll wheel. The latter can be tilted left or right. If you love cycling through different weapons, you will definitely like the scroll wheel. The Mamba comes with a total of 10 programmable buttons that can be customized via the Razer Synapse software.
What is the difference between the Razer Mamba and the other high-end gaming mice? -some of you would ask. Given the above-mentioned specs, there is nothing out of the ordinary indeed. However, the manufacturer has an ace up its sleeve.
Mamba features the so-called Click Force Technology. In brief, that’s a customizable mechanism that controls the feedback for different games. You can choose between 14 click levels. To tweak it to your preferences, you have to use the two screws on the bottom of the mouse.
Pro gamers will appreciate the option for adjusting the feedback in accordance with the gaming genre they prefer. At first, I applied the trial-error method, but once you find the perfect setting, you may rest assured you will always perform at your peak. You can set a looser feel for multiplayer online MOBA battles or tighter response for sniping. The Mamba does not have a dedicated sniper button like the Corsair M95, but the sensitivity buttons can be adjusted on-the-fly.
Responsiveness and Sensor
Mamba’s 5G laser sensor delivers the stellar 16,000 DPI. All customization settings are made through the software. During the years of testing different gaming peripherals, I came across high-end mice with laser sensors that produced jitter at high DPI. However, with Razer Mamba, that was not the case. The sensor remained steady even when I increased the DPI to 16,000. The lift-off distance can also be configured via the software. Although Razor claims the sensor can detect lift-off distance with a margin of error of 0.1 mm, I think that statement is a bit excessive. My tests showed that the minimum lift-off distance is a few mm.
I have tested the Mamba in a variety of shooters and it performed great. I have also tested its capabilities in non-FPS games such as League of Legends and the sensor accuracy was as good as it was for the shooters. The scroll wheel did not feel clinky when I switched between the weapons.
Wireless gaming mice are notorious for the poor latency and their susceptibility to radio interference. However, Mamba’s performance in wireless mode remained relatively consistent. I mean, the lagging issues were negligible. As for the polling rate, the mouse offers the formidable 1,000 Hz. Any gaming mice offering over 500 Hz polling rate is suitable for professional gaming, so in this field, the Mamba does not disappoint.
Wired or Wireless?
Unlike the Razer Mamba Tournament Edition, the plain Mamba works in both wired and wireless mode. The battery can get you through 20 hours of intense playing and then, you need to plug it into the wire. What’s more, you can squeeze even more juice if you knock back the polling rate and disable the Chroma lighting. (For comparison, the Ouroboros’ battery can withstand 12 hours of playing but it comes with other advantages such as an ambidextrous design and more programmable buttons.) Similar to Razer Naga Epic Chroma, the Mamba comes with a wired charging dock that also works as a wireless receiver.
Software
The Razer Synapse software is arguably the most user-friendly driver software on the market. At a first glance, it has a bare-bones interface, but in fact, you will be able to customize every more or less significant feature of your Mamba.
Needless to say, the software enables you to modify the DPI, polling rate, LED lights, record macros, fiddle with the settings for low battery notifications. The Tournament Drivers function allows you to migrate all your macros and settings to another PC. You can manage the Chroma lighting via Synapse’s Chrome Configurator and even attach profiles to certain games. For example, when you load Overwatch, you will get certain mouse settings, but when you load up the League of Legends, you will get different settings.
My greatest sorrow is that the Mamba does not have an onboard memory. The Razer Synapse is cloud-based. If you want to access your settings from another computer, you have to install the software and log into your account.
Wrap Up
Some gamers say the Mamba is like Lamborghini. There is no need to compete with any other model simply because it has nothing to prove. Still, it is competitive to the high-end gaming mice due to the high level of customizability, wireless capabilities, adjustable click feedback and neat design. If you are into FPS and MOBAs, you will not regret choosing the Mamba.
- 7 feet braided fiber USB charging cable, the Razer Mamba’s Hyperesponse buttons come with an adjustable click force mechanism
- Each lighting location is individually customizableWith inter-device color synchronization, your Razer Chroma enabled Razer gaming weapons will always go together perfectly
- Boasting the world’s most precise 16,000 DPI gaming mouse sensor
- 7 feet braided fiber USB charging cable
