Raptor Gaming M3 Platinum

Verdict: Lots of features, but a price to match.

Although expensive, this mouse has almost every 'gaming mouse' feature you can think of, and then some. The braided USB cable can be set to protrude from the front of the mouse at one of six separate positions. This could be useful if you have a lot of clutter on your desk and need the cord to go to your case in a particular direction, potentially providing more freedom of movement.

The box includes an optional wrist-rest attachment that makes the M3 Platinum look as if it's melting. This cradles the side of your hand, so there's no friction between your skin and the mouse pad. The wrist-rest takes some getting used to and isn't suited to people who scroll rapidly by lifting and rolling their mouse, or use their wrists more than their elbows or shoulders when turning in games. Anyone with clammy hands might find it useful though.

Using the wrist-rest allows you to hold the mouse further back along its body, though, which is slightly more comfortable. The M3 Platinum is still a very nice object to hold without the wrist-rest, although we find the Logitech MX 1000 fits a little better in the hand.

The M3 Platinum also has weight compartments at the front and back for the 21 supplied weights. These allow the overall weight to be changed from 122g to 155g. The lids of the weight chambers are double-sided, with feet on either side to adjust how easily the mouse slides over surfaces. As with any gaming mouse worth its cheese, the DPI is also customisable in three stages up to the ultra-sensitive domain of 3,200dpi. It's a little fiddly, though, as you have to press the button on top, scroll the pleasingly chunky wheel, and then press the button again. You can define your own sensitivity stages using the included software, which saves your settings to the mouse.

Conclusion

The Raptor Gaming M3 Platinum is very expensive but it's comfortable to use and has a plethora of customisation options. The adjustable weights, dictating where the cord exits the mouse, wrist-rest and adjustable sliding ability might be useful if you're fussy about your mice. If these sound too gimmicky, you're better off with the £50 Logitech G9.