NZXT Avatar S Gaming Mouse Review

Final Thoughts

The Avatar S carries a host of impressive-sounding specifications, such as a 1600 DPI laser, 30 inches-per-second tracking speed, a 1000 hertz polling rate, and maximum acceleration rate of 20G -- but what do they mean? I think this is a major problem with the gaming mouse market, a result of their target demographic being very likely to shop around for things online. Since you can’t physically examine a mouse as you would in a store, they have to sell you on the technical specifications, making you think that these numbers all have to be really high for it to be a good product. The reality is that there’s not a whole lot of difference between the functionality of one gaming mouse or another. Yes, if you’re transitioning from a run-of-the-mill optical mouse that came free with your new Dell, you’re going to notice a major difference, but the performance gap between a mouse that costs $40 and one that costs $140 is not that big.

Even though 1600 DPI is actually on the low end of the gaming mouse laser precision spectrum, with some mice reaching upwards of 6000+, you’re going to have some seriously diminishing returns if you go any higher. Honestly, does anyone really need that much sensitivity in their mouse movement? Personally, I like the medium DPI setting of 800 for general use, adjusting the in-game settings up or down as needed. Very rarely do I need to turn the DPI up or down, and I certainly don’t ever think “Gee, I'd be winning if only it could go up to 5600… *sigh*” That is why, in regard to its technical functionality as a high-performance input device, I feel the Avatar S and other similarly-priced gaming mice are more than adequate. The real determining factors here are whether you like the aesthetics and how the form factor fits your grip.

In terms of good looks, the Avatar S has that in spades. This white variant is particularly sexy, though it clashes with the rest of my gear and I would worry about it getting dirty and discolored over time; if I had bought one myself, I probably would have gone with black instead. Its symmetrical form reminds me of a fighter craft from Star Wars or Star Trek, especially with the “stabilizer fins” on both sides of the rear end. Unfortunately, this isn’t a spaceship, and it doesn’t fit in my hand very well at all. Aside from it being physically smaller than what I’m used to, the ambidextrous shape is better suited to a palm grip -- attempting to hold it like I usually would requires curling my ring and pinky fingers inward and underneath the side lip, which is pretty awkward. And though the mouse seems to be built solidly, it is very lightweight, which is less than ideal, even if I could get used to it eventually.

Bottom Line

Overall, the Avatar S is a bit dainty for my tastes. Considering all of the above, I can’t recommend it to fellow claw grippers or those with larger hands. Not to mention, having a side button that would have to be pressed by your ring finger (and interferes with your grip the rest of the time) is a real pain in the neck. Yes, it looks good, but if your eyes are on the mouse even one percent of the time it’s being used, you’re doing it wrong. Comfort is a lot more important, which is why the best mice out there probably wouldn’t win any beauty contests.

With that said, I can see how this gaming mouse would appeal to those with smaller hands, especially if you use a palm grip and/or are left-handed. For them, NZXT’s Avatar S is a solid performer and very customizable, so it’s not a bad choice at all if you can get your hands on one. It just recently (like yesterday) became available on Newegg.com, in both black and white flavors, with pricing around $40.