Product: ASUS TUF Gaming M5
Type: Gaming Mouse (Wired)
Price: ~ $59.00
Availability: Out Now
Link: asus.com/Keyboards-Mice/TUF-Gaming-M5/overview/

When it comes to a good mouse for gaming, performance and features are usually the main motivators behind choosing what to buy. That, and of course budget. The ASUS TUF Gaming M5 clearly falls into the affordable category, and it backs this up with performance and features that impress. The PixArt PAW3327 sensor may not be the top of the range or something we’ve seen in a gaming mouse before, but it does the job admirably. As with the TUF brand, you also get a solid build that can compete directly with more expensive offerings. Sturdy, durable, and lightweight – it also leverages ASUS’s own Armoury II software for simple and in-depth customisation.

Grip It

Outside of the chrome and black finish the first this you notice with the ASUS TUF Gaming M5 is the ambidextrous shape, and its overall small-ish size. Something that had us taking a second look at the packaging to see if it was recommended or designed for laptop use. The size doesn’t affect comfortability in a huge way, and is perfect for those that ‘finger grip’, but if you’re of the type that has large hands then the ASUS TUF Gaming M5 might not be for you. That said, even with what you might consider ‘normal sized’ hands the symmetrical design does take a moment get used to. But when coupled with the textured grips (that are plastic and not rubber) and the lightweight build – the design begins to make sense.

Specs

• Sensor: PixArt PAW3327
  
• DPI: 6200 DPI
  
• LED Color: RGB
  
• Polling Rate: 1000 Hz
  
• Buttons: Six
  
• Weight: 85g (without cable)
  
• Cable: USB 2.0

And the build quality shines, with 50-million-click Omron switches and a finish that feels quite durable – and didn’t change or degrade in the slightest after putting it to good use. In fact, every button including the scroll wheel has a great click and touch feel – which makes the low cost of entry that much more attractive. The only real indicator of the budget approach to the ASUS TUF Gaming M5 is the USB cable being mostly average in quality.

Point-and-Click

Although the PixArt sensor used in the ASUS TUF Gaming M5 was a mystery prior to his review, after testing out the performance across titles like DOOM, Overwatch, and more sim affairs like Civilization VI – we didn’t notice any real perceivable difference over the higher DPI mice and more premium sensors. And thanks to the ASUS Amoury II software being able to customise the features, buttons, and lighting is handled with ease. A side of the overall gaming mouse package that often gets overlooked, a good piece of software can go along way in making any peripheral feel more complete. Especially for those that like to fine tune DPI settings and configure buttons.

In the end the ASUS TUF Gaming M5 is an excellent budget conscious effort from ASUS and one that continues the trend of rugged and durable TUF peripherals. The small and lightweight size may not be the right fit for everyone but on that front, it makes for a great gaming mouse to take with you on the go.