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Razer Atheris Mouse Review

Tested using Methodology v1.2
Review updated Dec 11, 2019 at 08:55 am
Latest change: Test bench update Dec 09, 2022 at 10:59 am
Razer Atheris Picture
7.5
Office/Multimedia
7.0
Video Games (FPS)
7.1
Video Games (MMO)
7.0
Ultra-Light Gaming
8.2
Travel

The Razer Atheris is a very compact wireless mouse. It's one of the smallest mice we've reviewed and is a great traveling companion. You can easily toss it in a bag and use it wirelessly either via Bluetooth or with its receiver, which you can store inside the mouse. It has a wide enough CPI range for most people. It's not quite as customizable as other Razer mice, but these are usually gaming-oriented. The mouse is so small that it should practically only be used with a fingertip grip, although small hands should be able to have good control with a claw grip. People with extra-large hands should look somewhere else for a mouse, as this one is probably too small.

Our Verdict

7.5 Office/Multimedia

Good for the office. This mouse is a good option for fingertip grip users since its shape isn't really ergonomic. On the upside, it offers a few programmable buttons that can make your workflow a bit easier and fluid. It's also wireless, which doesn't clutter your desk with a cable.

Pros
  • Compact design; travel-friendly.
  • Decently low wireless latency.
  • Great performance.
Cons
  • Quite heavy for its size.
  • Almost only suitable for fingertip grip.
  • Only decent build quality because of loose top cover.
7.0 Video Games (FPS)

Okay for FPS games. The mouse has excellent performance and rather low latency for a wireless mouse. However, wired mice with even lower latency are recommended for FPS games. The mouse also isn't the most ergonomic and can practically only be used with a fingertip grip. This mouse is also quite heavy for its size.

Pros
  • Compact design; travel-friendly.
  • Decently low wireless latency.
  • Great performance.
Cons
  • Quite heavy for its size.
  • Almost only suitable for fingertip grip.
  • Only decent build quality because of loose top cover.
7.1 Video Games (MMO)

Good for MMO games. This mouse offers a few programmable buttons, but won't be as good as a dedicated MMO mouse. The mouse's ergonomics also aren't ideal for most people, as its short body and small shape practically only allow the fingertip grip.

Pros
  • Compact design; travel-friendly.
  • Decently low wireless latency.
  • Great performance.
Cons
  • Quite heavy for its size.
  • Almost only suitable for fingertip grip.
  • Only decent build quality because of loose top cover.
7.0 Ultra-Light Gaming

This mouse is rather small and quite heavy, which isn't recommended for ultra-light gaming.

Pros
  • Compact design; travel-friendly.
  • Decently low wireless latency.
  • Great performance.
Cons
  • Quite heavy for its size.
  • Almost only suitable for fingertip grip.
  • Only decent build quality because of loose top cover.
8.2 Travel

Great travel mouse. The mouse is very small and works wirelessly, which is amazing for working in tight places like on a plane. However, the build quality isn't the best and the top cover might come off when inside a bag.

Pros
  • Compact design; travel-friendly.
  • Decently low wireless latency.
  • Great performance.
Cons
  • Quite heavy for its size.
  • Almost only suitable for fingertip grip.
  • Only decent build quality because of loose top cover.
  • 7.5 Office/Multimedia
  • 7.0 Video Games (FPS)
  • 7.1 Video Games (MMO)
  • 7.0 Ultra-Light Gaming
  • 8.2 Travel
  1. Updated Dec 09, 2022: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update simplifies our Weight test and expands on our CPI test from Test Bench 1.1, resulting in changes to test results in both sections. For more details, you can see our complete changelog here.
  2. Updated Nov 17, 2022: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.1. This update revamps our Click Latency test and results in changes to test results. For more details, you can see our full changelog here.
  3. Updated Oct 05, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
  4. Updated Jun 11, 2020: We've retested the mouse via Bluetooth on macOS 10.15.1 and confirmed reports of compatibility issues.
  5. Updated Dec 20, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.1.
  6. Updated Dec 11, 2019: Review published.

Compared To Other Mice

The Razer Atheris is a versatile mouse. It's one of the smallest mice we've reviewed, which is great for travel, but its performance is also great, making it a good option if you want to play a few games with it as well. It's almost only suitable for fingertip grip, but its wireless latency is pretty decent. See our recommendations for the best cheap gaming mice, the best ergonomic mice, and the best mice for MMOs.

Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED

The Razer Atheris and the Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED are both very good mice. They each have two additional side buttons and are fairly small and good for travel, though the Razer is a little smaller. However, the Logitech feels better built and is more suitable if you prefer to use a palm grip with your mouse. The Logitech also only uses one AA battery, while the Razer uses two. On the upside, you can use the Razer with both the USB receiver or Bluetooth.

Razer Pro Click Mini

The Razer Atheris and the Razer Pro Click Mini are very similar mice, but the Pro Click Mini performs better overall. Although the Atheris is designed for gaming, the Pro Click Mini has lower click latency, a wider CPI range, and more programmable inputs. It feels better-built and more comfortable to use, and it offers a better gliding experience. Also, since it's an office mouse, its scroll wheel unlocks to a free-scrolling mode. On the other hand, the Atheris comes in more colors if you want to match your setup.

Razer Basilisk

The Razer Basilisk is a decent wired-only gaming mouse, while the Razer Atheris is a great wireless option for people on the go. The Basilisk has a right-handed design with a thumb rest. It feels much more comfortable to use, and most hand sizes can use it with any grip type. Its sensor has a wider CPI range that you can adjust more precisely and a lower lift-off distance. On the other hand, the Atheris is quite a bit smaller and is best suited for a fingertip grip. You can use it over Bluetooth or with its USB receiver.

Corsair HARPOON RGB Wireless

The Corsair HARPOON RGB Wireless is a better gaming mouse than the Razer Atheris. The Corsair is lighter weight, feels better built, is rechargeable, has a wider adjustable CPI range, and lower click latency. On the other hand, the Razer has more programmable buttons. The Corsair is suitable for any hand size with a claw grip, while the Razer is best recommended for fingertip grip.

Logitech MX Anywhere 3

The Logitech MX Anywhere 3 is a better office mouse than the Razer Atheris. It feels better-built and more comfortable, is lighter, and has lower click latency. However, the Razer is better for travel because it has a slot to store its USB receiver. It also has a wider CPI range, a higher polling rate, and many more programmable inputs.

Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed

The Razer Atheris and the Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed are two very different mice. The Atheris is a very compact mouse that's great for bringing with you on the go. It has an ambidextrous design that's well-suited for a fingertip grip, though people with extra-large hands may have difficulty using it because of its small design. On the other hand, the Basilisk is a lighter and more versatile gaming mouse. It has an ergonomic shape, with a right-handed slant and a thumb rest. It feels more comfortable overall, and most hand sizes can use it with any grip type. Performance-wise, it has a wider CPI range that you can adjust more precisely and better click latency.

Logitech M510

The Razer Atheris is a more versatile wireless mouse than the Logitech M510, but its small size might be bothersome for some users. The Atheris is a great travel mouse that offers great performance as well. The Logitech mouse's performance is quite disappointing, and it isn't made for games.

Logitech Pebble M350

The Razer Atheris is a better performing mouse than the Logitech Pebble M350. The Razer has a much better sensor and will be the better option if you're looking to play games during your off time on your business trips. On the other hand, the Logitech is fully compatible with macOS, and it's also lighter than the Razer.

Logitech MX Anywhere 2S

The Logitech MX Anywhere 2S and the Razer Atheris are both good mice, but the Logitech is better for office use, and the Razer is better for gaming. Both mice are small and better suited for fingertip grips. The Logitech scroll wheel has more features than the Razer, but the Razer has a wider CPI range and an adjustable polling rate.

Logitech G402 Hyperion Fury

The Logitech G402 Hyperion Fury is better than the Razer Atheris; however, they're very different mice. The Logitech is a wired-only mouse, while the Razer is wireless. The Logitech is lighter, more comfortable, and has better build quality. It also has lower click latency, a more consistent sensor, and you can adjust its CPI in smaller increments. The Razer is more portable and better suited for a fingertip grip.

Corsair KATAR PRO Wireless

The Corsair KATAR PRO Wireless is better than the Razer Atheris. The Corsair's slightly bigger size makes it useable with more grip types, and its CPI range is wider and more consistent. Its click latency is also much lower. On the other hand, the Razer is better for travel since it's smaller.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type
Standard
Lighting Color No Lighting

The Razer Atheris is a very low-profile mouse that has an ambidextrous design. It has a Razer logo on the back, but it doesn't have any RGB lighting. The mouse is very small and has rubbery sides for extra grip. The mouse is available in both black and white. Razer also made a Star Wars Stormtrooper Limited Edition of this mouse, although we don't know how long it'll be available.

Design
Shape
Length 3.9" (100 mm)
Height 1.4" (34 mm)
Width 2.5" (63 mm)
Grip Width
59 mm
8.1
Design
Portability
Volume
13.12 in³ (215 cm³)
Cable/Receiver Storing
Yes

The Razer Atheris is a great portable mouse that's travel-friendly. This is one of the smallest mice we've tested and it's also wireless, which eliminates the clutter from a cable. It can easily be tossed in a bag, especially since you have a slot inside the mouse to store its receiver. If you'd like a travel-friendly mouse that isn't as small as the Atheris, check out the very generic Logitech M510 wireless mouse.

7.5
Design
Build Quality

The build quality of the Razer Atheris is just decent. It's made out of plastic with silicone grips on the side, which feels solid enough, but slightly cheap. There's no wobble or squeaking parts on this mouse, which is good. However, the top cover is fairly loose and thin. It can slightly come off during regular use, making it sometimes frustrating to use the mouse as you need to click the cover back into place. Also, the feet are pretty standard, but the center foot around the sensor is ever so slightly thicker than the rest, making the mouse spin easily, which can result in unwanted cursor movement. If build quality is important to you, then check out the Logitech MX Anywhere 3.

7.5
Design
Weight
Lowest Weight
80.5 g
Default Weight
121.4 g
Weight Distribution
Back-heavy
Extra Weights
No

The Razer Atheris is pretty heavy for its small size, and it's mainly due to the two AA batteries that are needed for the mouse to work. There are also no weight optimization options.

7.0
Design
Comfort Of Use
Right-handed
No
Left-handed
No
Ambidextrous
Yes
Coating
Matte
Finger Rest
No

The mouse's very small size affects its ergonomics, which are just okay. This mouse has an ambidextrous design that's only suitable for a fingertip grip. It's better suited for smaller hands, too, since the mouse's body is rather short. On the upside, all buttons are easily reachable. If you'd like a slightly bigger mouse that can be used with more grip types, check out the Corsair KATAR PRO Wireless.

Design
Palm Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
Small Hand
No
Medium Hand
No
Large Hand
No
X.Large Hand
No

The Razer Atheris is too small and short to be suitable for a palm grip.

Design
Claw Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
Small Hand
Yes
Medium Hand
No
Large Hand
No
X.Large Hand
No

Only small hands can use the Razer Atheris with a claw grip. The mouse is very small, but curled up fingers of small hands shouldn't have any issue clicking the two main buttons.

Design
Fingertip Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
Small Hand
Yes
Medium Hand
Yes
Large Hand
Yes
X.Large Hand
No

The Razer Atheris is pretty small and designed for the fingertip grip. Only extra large hands won't be suitable for this mouse as fingers can go past the mouse's body, making it awkward to use.

9.2
Design
Wireless Versatility
Bluetooth
Yes
Receiver
Yes
Battery Type
2x AA
Use When Charging
No ( Single use batteries)
On/Off Activation
Auto Off And On/Off Switch
Receiver Extender
No
Battery Indicator Yes

The Razer Atheris has amazing wireless connectivity. It can be used via Bluetooth or its dedicated receiver. You can easily choose your connection option thanks to the switch that's under the mouse, which also doubles as a power-off switch. Unfortunately, this mouse needs two AA batteries, so you'll need to change them at one point, but Razer advertises up to 350 hours of battery life. If you're interested in a similar wireless mouse with a rechargeable battery, check out the ASUS ROG Gladius II Wireless.

0
Design
Cable
Connectivity Wireless
Cable Length N/A
Cable Type
No Cable
Permanent Kink
No
Port Type: Mouse End
No Port
Port Type: PC End
No Port

This mouse doesn't have any cables.

7.5
Design
Mouse Feet
Gliding Experience
Good
Material
PTFE
Extra Included
No

The mouse feet are good, and they provide a pretty smooth glide. However, it feels a bit scratchy when used on a hard surface. There aren't any replacement feet included in the box, but there are third-party ones that you can purchase separately.

Design
In The Box

  • Razer Atheris mouse
  • 2x AA batteries
  • USB receiver
  • Manuals

Control
7.8
Control
Buttons
Buttons Activation
Mechanical
Total Number Of Buttons
6
Number Of Side Buttons
2
Number Of Programmable Inputs
14
Profile Switching Button
Yes
CPI (DPI) Switching Button
Yes
Gesture Support
No

All the buttons of the Razer Atheris are customizable, and you can even set the scroll up and down to different commands. You can also reprogram the left click, but it has to be assigned to another button first. You can also set a profile switching button, but this isn't available by default.

6.9
Control
Click Latency
Expected Connection
13.7 ms
Wired
N/A
Receiver
13.7 ms
Bluetooth
19.1 ms

The Razer Atheris's latency is pretty decent. Using this mouse for daily tasks will be great as most people won't notice any delay, whether via Bluetooth or with the receiver. However, for competitive gaming, there are better wireless options, like the Logitech G Pro Wireless or the Razer Viper Ultimate.

8.6
Control
CPI
SRAV @ 1600 CPI
-0.75%
SRAV @ 800 CPI
-0.79%
SRAV @ 400 CPI
-0.67%
SRAV @ Fixed CPI
N/A
Precision Error Between Speeds
0.37%
Precision Error Between CPI
2.36%
Worst Tracking Error
5.13%
Minimum CPI
200 CPI
Maximum CPI
7,200 CPI
CPI Adjustment Steps
100 CPI
Control
Sensor Specifications
Sensor Technology
Optical (LED)
Sensor Model
PixArt PMW3330
Works On Glass
No
Minimum Lift Off Distance
2.4 mm
Maximum Polling Rate
1000 Hz
Control
Mouse Wheel
Scroll Wheel
Notched Wheel
Scroll Wheel Steps
24 Steps
Scroll Wheel Tilt
No
Thumb Wheel
No
Thumb Wheel Steps
No Thumb Wheel

The Razer Atheris' mouse wheel is pretty standard. It offers good feedback from the incremented design, but isn't ideal for long scrolling like office-oriented mice. If you want a scroll wheel with L/R tilt buttons, check out the Logitech M525. For a scroll wheel with L/R tilt buttons that also unlocks for free scrolling, check out the Logitech MX Anywhere 2S.

Control
Noise
Click Noise
Loud

The Razer Atheris is loud, but it still shouldn't bother those around you unless you're in a noise-sensitive environment.

Operating System And Software
7.8
Operating System And Software
Compatible Software Option
Software Name Razer Synapse 3
Software Windows Compatibility
Yes
Software macOS Compatibility
No
Account Needed
No
On-Board Memory
Yes
CPI (DPI) Adjustment
Yes
Polling Rate Adjustment
Yes
Profile Configuration
Yes
RGB On/Off
No

The Razer Synapse 3 software offers good customization options to Windows users. You can modify the keybindings of each button, which is saved inside the onboard memory of the mouse, meaning you won't lose your favorite settings if you use your mouse with another computer. You can also create profiles inside the app and then assign a profile switching button for you to cycle through them.

8.3
Operating System And Software
Mouse Compatibility
Windows Compatibility Fully
macOS Compatibility Partially

Update 06/11/2020: With macOS 10.15.1, the mouse doesn't work via Bluetooth anymore. You need the USB dongle to use it effectively. The text has been updated.

The mouse is fully compatible and customizable on Windows. However, the software isn't available on macOS so you won't be able to customize the mouse. Also, on macOS 10.15.1, you need to use the dongle as there are now Bluetooth issues with this mouse with this latest OS version.