Over the years, the gaming industry has maintained a reputation for producing costly games and accessories. For example, a simple gaming setup will require several high-end devices and accessories, including a console station, chair, mouse, console, PC, microphones, and headsets.

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Luckily, gaming accessory manufacturers appreciate the importance of catering to the needs of average gamers who cannot afford to spend hundreds of dollars on a gaming station. HyperX has established itself as one of the companies that acknowledge the existing market demand for quality, affordable gaming accessories. That is why the company made the HyperX Pulsefire Core. 

Below is a thorough review of the ultra-advanced Pulsefire Core gaming mouse so you can figure out if it’s worth your money. Let’s jump in!

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HyperX Pulsefire Core Overview

The HyperX Pulsefire Core mouse is an ideal device for gaming. It offers numerous features that most gamers will appreciate as they contribute to a fun and engaging gaming experience. Below is an overview of some of the mouse’s notable features and additional information you might find helpful.

  • Pixart 3327 Optical sensor with native DPI up to 6, 200Comfortable ergonomically-designed with symmetrical shape fits palm and claw gripsSeven programmable buttonsEasy customization with HyperX NGenuity softwareLarge mouse skates for smooth, controlled gliding

Price

Gaming mice are typically expensive, which can discourage some people from purchasing and improving their gaming experiences. However, HyperX has made a budget-friendly device that can adequately meet your gaming needs. The HyperX Pulsefire Core launch price was $29.99, ideal for anyone on a tight budget or gaming newbies. Currently, the Pulsefire Core retails for a lower price of $24.99 in most retail stores; you can find retailers that offer discounts, pricing the device for as low as $20.

Features

The HyperX Pulsefire Core is a brilliantly designed mouse with features ideal for improving your gaming experience. For instance, it has a Pixart 3327 optical sensor that guarantees precision and prevents lagging by offering a maximum sensitivity of 6200 DPI. Other features of the Pulsefire Core include:

  • Ergonomic design that facilitates ambidextrous useSeven programmable buttons with a lifespan of up to 20 million clicksHyperX NGENUITY software to facilitate customizationCustomizable RGB lightingCounts per inch (CPI)/dots per inch (DPI) indicatorSpeed of 220 inches per second (IPS)LED lighting

Specifications

HyperX Pulsefire Core Review

HyperX provides a wide range of PC accessories. With the Pulsefire Core, the company aimed to reach the lower end of the gaming market by providing a device that is affordable and functional. 

The HyperX Pulsefire Core is a mouse ideal for first-person shooter (FPS) and real-time strategy (RTS) games. It has an ergonomic design that allows use for right-handed and left-handed individuals. It is also appropriately sized, ideal for almost all hand sizes.

Design

The HyperX Pulsefire Core features a symmetrical framework that makes it ideal for ambidextrous use. It is slightly different from other gaming mice as it does not have a thumb rest, which contributes to its ergonomic design. The missing thumb rest also contributes to the Pulsefire Core’s lightweight nature because it shaves off some weight, thus making it easy to hold and move around without any bulkiness.

The mouse also has a perfectly-textured coating that provides a great feeling whenever the mouse is in your hands. The same can be said about the wheel, which has a nice feel when scrolling. Moreover, HyperX used polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to make the bottom of the mouse. PTFE is a smooth material that creates little friction when moved across a surface, meaning the mouse glides on a mousepad effortlessly. Lastly, the mouse’s black color makes it perfectly understated compared to glossy mice, which can be too flashy and distracting. 

Comfort

A gaming mouse should feel comfortable to hold given the amount of time most gamers dedicate to it as a hobby or profession. A poorly designed mouse can cause discomfort after intense use, disrupting your gaming experience.

However, that is not the case with the HyperX Pulsefire Core, which offers sufficient comfort for a device in its price range. The mouse’s dimensions make it easy to use with various gripping styles, including palm grip, claw grip, and fingertip grip. The dimensions also accommodate users with different hand sizes. 

Users with larger hands can comfortably use the claw grip and fingertip grip when using the mouse, as their fingers can extend over the mouse using the palm grip method. On the other hand, users with tiny hands can use the palm grip and claw grip but not the fingertip grip, as they might have difficulty reaching some buttons. Moreover, the mouse has a rubberized side grip to prevent any slippage during use.

Sensor Capabilities

The HyperX Pulsefire Core uses optical (LED) sensor technology. These sensors are ideal for gaming as they offer more reliable cursor movement than mice that use laser technology. That means you do not have to worry about sudden or excessive cursor movement when operating the mouse during a game.

However, having an optical sensor trades off the mouse’s ability to work on multiple surfaces. Therefore, do not expect to use the Pulsefire Core on glossy surfaces or glass, as it will be unresponsive or provide erratic cursor movements.

The mouse has a PixArt PMW3327 sensor that offers more than adequate performance. However, the mouse has a high minimum lift-off distance of 2.4mm. That can be a significant factor when playing an FPS game as you have to lift the mouse higher to reposition it on the mousepad and avoid unnecessary crosshair movements in the game that can disrupt your aim.

Another benefit of the HyperX Pulsefire Core is its polling rate. It refers to the number of times your mouse sends information back to your computer per second. The standard polling rate is 125Hz, meaning the mouse sends information to the computer 125 times per second. 

However, when playing a complex game, a higher polling rate is better as it guarantees a more reactive experience during the game. The Pulsefire Core offers four polling rates at 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, and 1000 Hz, which you can adjust depending on your gaming needs.

Software Compatibility

The HyperX Pulsefire Core runs the NGENUITY software, which offers several functions that any gamer will appreciate. For instance, a user does not need to create an account when using the software, meaning you do not have to log in whenever you want to change the mouse settings.

The Pulsefire Core software does not require an account, allowing onboard memory storage. That means you can store your settings, which is beneficial for owners who intend to use the mouse on several computers.

Another benefit of the NGENUITY software is its ability to allow adjustment of the Pulsefire Core’s CPI/DPI and polling rate to cater to your needs when using different applications. The software also allows users to create multiple profiles with custom settings, which can be helpful if you have software that requires different settings or if the mouse has numerous users.

Lastly, you can change the lighting settings using the NGENUITY software to suit your preferences. For example, you can have red, green, or blue lights or none if they are distracting. The downside with the software is that it is only compatible with Windows software, thus excluding macOS.

Performance

The PixArt PMW3327 on the HyperX Pulsefire Core is a lower-powered version of their other sensors, like the PMW3389. However, it still offers reliable performance partly due to its adjustable DPI. However, for most experienced gamers, the sensor’s capabilities may be somewhat lacking. For instance, gamers accustomed to high response rates when using their mice might find the HyperX Pulsefire Core to have a high click latency. Therefore, the mouse may not be the best option for users looking for greater responsiveness.

Connectivity

The HyperX Pulsefire Core is a wired mouse, meaning it does not provide wireless capabilities like Bluetooth. On the other hand, the mouse does come with a 1.8 m long cable, offering flexibility on how far from your device you can sit and comfortably use the mouse. 

The mouse has a braided cable which is ideal as it provides greater physical protection against damage without compromising flexibility. However, the cable is not detachable from the mouse, meaning you cannot replace it if it gets damaged.

HyperX Pulsefire Core Pros and Cons

The HyperX Pulsefire Core is not a perfect device; there are some upsides to having the device and other factors that limit its use. Let’s get into the pros and cons of the device below.

Pros

  • Ergonomic design that accommodates all grips and hand sizesCustomizable software to set preferences such as lighting and polling rateDurable construction materials

Cons

  • It is not wireless, and the cable is undetachableThe HyperX NGENUITY software is not macOS compatibleHas a notable click latencyHas a high lift-off distance

HyperX Pulsefire Core: is it a Buy?

The HyperX Pulsefire Core is an affordable and reliable mouse; however, it is not for everyone.

Buy it if…

Consider buying the HyperX Pulsefire Core if you are new to the gaming world, are learning to play different types of games, and do not want to use a complicated device while you learn. The HyperX Pulsefire Core is also an ideal buy for gamers looking for an affordable device that does not compromise quality. 

Don’t Buy it if…

Avoid the HyperX Pulsefire Core should you want a mouse with fast response times. You should also avoid the device if you want one with a lower lift distance. Lastly, do not buy the Pulsefire Core if you run macOS, as you cannot set your preferences.