Keychron is a reputable brand that creates some of the best gaming mice, and the Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K is no different. Succeeding the M3 Mini, it improves on the 1K and 4K variants by introducing 8K and up to 30,000 DPI, giving gamers a competitive advantage. Comfortable to use for long periods of time and built very well, this is a fantastic mouse for right-handed folks — I say that as there’s no left-handed version, sadly.
Adding to the M3 Mini V2 8K’s appeal is its web-based companion software that makes customization oh-so easy. Also, the mouse is very cheap, retailing for just under $70, making it the cheapest 8K mouse out there (so far).
To find out if it’s the right mouse for you, read my full Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K review.
Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K review: Cheat sheet
- What is it? A wireless mouse with 8,000Hz polling and up to 30,000 DPI
- Who is it for? For competitive gamers on a budget
- How much does it cost? Not a lot! The Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K is available for $69 / £74
- What do we like? The fantastic gaming performance, great build quality, user-friendly web-based companion software and low price point
- What don’t we like? There’s no left-handed version or onboard dongle storage
Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K review: Specs
Specs |
Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K |
|---|---|
Price |
|
Max DPI |
30,000 |
Max polling rate |
8,000Hz |
Buttons |
Six |
Size |
4.72 x 2.57 x 1.53 inches |
Weight |
1.94oz |
Colors |
Black, White |
Body material |
Plastic |
Design |
Right-handed symmetrical |
Operating system |
macOS, Windows |
Connectivity |
Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired |
Battery |
600mAh rechargeable |
Battery life (rated) |
140 hours (1,000Hz) |
Lighting |
None |
Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K review: The ups
From its sturdy build quality to its 8,000Hz polling and 30,000 DPI, the Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K is a powerful little rodent.
Good build quality
The Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K, like the 1K and 4K variants, is made entirely of ABS plastic — but that doesn’t mean Keychron has compromised on the mouse’s quality. The plastic used feels high quality, and the mouse’s glossy texture feels nice and cool under my hand. I also like that the M3 Mini V2 8K features textured sections on either edge, offering decent levels of grip.
Because the M3 Mini V2 8K is made of plastic, it’s lightweight too, weighing just 1.94oz. That figure makes it lighter than the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless (2.01oz, $74). Again, just because the mouse is light doesn’t mean it isn’t great to handle. I found its rubber feet grippy on most surfaces, including plastic and wood. Keychron has also ensured that the 8K variant tracks on glass (which the 4K and 1K variants didn’t), so you can use the M3 Mini V2 8K practically anywhere.
Wireless 8,000Hz polling
As the name suggests, the Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K features 8,000Hz polling, making it a fantastic mouse for competitive gaming. Having tested the mouse at 8,000Hz, I didn’t notice any input lag or missed inputs. All of my button presses were registered instantaneously, and not once did I notice the cursor lag or stutter.
What’s even better is that you can achieve 8K polling over the included 2.4GHz dongle. Most mice require you to connect the rodents via a wire to the computer to achieve such high polling, but not the M3 Mini V2 8K. Thanks to this, you can move the mouse around freely without any cables interfering.
Another thing I appreciate is that the M3 Mini V2 8K doesn’t utilize a silly-looking dongle. I criticized the Keychron M3 Mini 4K Metal ($99) for its impractical, keyboard-shaped dongle, which you needed to plug into your computer via a USB-C cable. Thankfully, Keychron has decided against using a similar design for the M3 Mini V2 8K, and it’s much smaller now — like a standard USB-A dongle that can be plugged into your computer directly and doesn’t require a separate cable.
Great gaming performance
Aiding the M3 Mini V2 8K’s competitive nature is the mouse’s high DPI, adjustable up to 30,000. While overkill for most casual players, having such high DPI can result in ultra-responsive gameplay, depending on the title you’re playing. There’s a dedicated DPI button located on the M3 Mini V2 8K’s underside that lets you select one of five levels (and these can be assigned via web-based companion software).
Being able to adjust the DPI on the fly meant I didn’t have to dive into software every time I wanted to change it, which I had to on the pricier Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 ($159). I found it extremely handy in games like Hitman, Counter-Strike 2 and Lies of P. I appreciated the ability to swap to a lower DPI of around 500 when I wanted more control over my movements in the first two games, especially while aiming with a sniper rifle. It enabled me to line up my shots accurately and with pinpoint precision.
Then, when I was in close-quarters combat with enemies in Hitman and Lies of P, I swapped to a DPI of 12,000 or slightly higher so that my movements were quicker and snappier. In Lies of P, I could quickly chop down enemies with successive sword attacks, which was extremely handy as some foes can easily deplete 80% of your health in a single attack.
You can also toggle angle snapping via the companion software, and this smooths out your mouse movements to ensure a straight line, eliminating any jitters. Angle snapping is essentially useful in tactical shooter games to keep your cursor at head-level at all times, enabling quick one-tap kills. In my testing, this worked like a charm as my hand’s natural, small movements didn’t add any wobble.
Web-based companion software
One thing I’ve always loved about Keychron’s keyboards is that you don’t need to install third-party software onto your laptop — you can use the web-based Keychron Launcher to customize the decks. Keychron has now added mouse compatibility to the web-based app so you can personalize the Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K by simply opening the website in Google Chrome or any other browser.
Using Keychron Launcher, you can customize the M3 Mini V2 8K’s polling rate, five levels of DPI adjustment, remap its buttons and save up to five custom profiles onto the mouse’s memory. It’s easy to do and takes the hassle out of customization — and saves you from downloading bloatware onto your machine.
Competitively priced
One of the best things about Keychron’s mice is that they’re usually competitively priced and affordable, and that’s no different for the Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K. The mouse retails for $69 / £74, so it’s priced similarly to the 1,000Hz and 4,000Hz models. It’s also cheaper than the all-metal variant, the Keychron M3 Mini 4K Metal ($99).
There are other 8,000Hz mice out there that cost nearly as little as the M3 Mini V2 8K, such as the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless ($74), which I noted was the cheapest 8K mouse available on the market. Keychron’s offering has upstaged NZXT’s — and the former features Bluetooth connectivity too, which the latter doesn’t, making it the better choice of the two.
Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K review: The downs
There isn’t a lot wrong with the Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K, but it’s important to note that, unfortunately, there’s no left-handed version or onboard dongle storage.
No left-handed version
Alas, there’s no left-handed version of the Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K as it’s designed with right-handed folks (such as myself) in mind. The side buttons are placed along the mouse’s left-hand edge. This is an extremely common occurrence when I review mice, as there aren’t many that are designed for left-handed people.
If you need a left-handed gaming mouse, you’ll have to spend more on the likes of the Logitech G Pro Wireless ($150) or the Razer Naga ($99), but you’ll be limited to 1,000Hz polling and lower DPI. I feel like this is a missed opportunity for Keychron, as the brand could have made gaming peripherals more accessible.
No onboard dongle storage
While the Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K has a traditional dongle, there’s no place to store it. Some mice have a slot on their bodies to slot the dongle into, but not the M3 Mini V2 8K. You’ll need to be careful where you store it lest you lose it, as Keychron, at the time of writing, does not sell spare ones.
Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K review: Verdict
As wireless gaming mice go, the Keychron M3 Mini V2 8K is one of the best. Not only do you get 8,000Hz polling, you get it over a wireless 2.4GHz connection, so you don’t have to deal with an annoying cable. Alongside this, you get up to 30,000 DPI and angle snapping, both of which let you fine-tune your movements.
Speaking of, the M3 Mini V2 8K is compatible with the web-based Keychron Launcher, so you don’t need to worry about downloading bloatware onto your machine. The mouse itself is built well and is comfortable to use — as long as you’re right-handed, as there’s no version for lefties.
If you’re on a budget but want pure, unadulterated performance, I can’t recommend the M3 Mini V2 8K enough. Even if you’re happy to spend more, why not save a little and still get a mouse that doesn’t compromise on quality?
