Cooler Master MM831  Mouse Review

Reviewed Jun 11, 2021 at 09:57am
Tested using Methodology v1.0 
Cooler Master MM831
8.0
Office/Multimedia 
7.1
Video Games (FPS) 
7.7
Video Games (MMO) 
5.7
Ultra-Light Gaming 
8.4
Travel 
 0

The Cooler Master MM831 is a versatile wireless gaming mouse. It feels well-built and has a right-handed shape best suited for palm or claw grip for nearly all hand sizes. There are four RGB lighting zones, including the logo, the mouse wheel, the CPI indicator, and a continuous strip that runs from one side to the other around the back. It also has good click latency and sensor performance, and you can set five CPI profiles and cycle between them using the button behind the scroll wheel. Unfortunately, it's pretty heavy, especially for competitive or reaction-based gaming. Also, the customization software is only compatible with Windows, though there's onboard storage for your settings.

Our Verdict

8.0
Office/Multimedia 

The Cooler Master MM831 is very good for office use. It feels well-built, has a good number of programmable buttons, and has a right-handed shape that's best-suited for a palm grip for all but extra-large hands and a claw grip for all hand sizes. You can use it wired or connect wirelessly with its USB receiver or Bluetooth. Unfortunately, its scroll wheel lacks L/R tilt buttons and doesn't unlock for free scrolling.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth.
  • Comfortable shape well-suited to all grip types and nearly all hand sizes.
Cons
  • Scroll wheel lacks L/R tilt buttons and doesn't unlock for free scrolling.
7.1
Video Games (FPS) 

The Cooler Master MM831 is decent for FPS gaming, though many gamers may find it's too heavy for quick, responsive mouse movements, the mouse feet don't glide very well directly on desks, and you can only adjust the CPI by increments of 100. Despite all this, this mouse feels well-built, has good click latency, a very low lift-off distance, and a wide CPI range.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Good click latency.
Cons
  • Heavy.
  • Cable is somewhat stiff and the mouse feet don't glide as smoothly on some surfaces.
7.7
Video Games (MMO) 

The Cooler Master MM831 is good for MMO gaming, though it doesn't have nearly as many buttons as a dedicated MMO mouse. That said, most of the buttons it does have are programmable. It also feels well-built, has good click latency, and is well-suited for a palm or claw grip for nearly all hand sizes.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Good click latency.
  • Comfortable shape well-suited to all grip types and nearly all hand sizes.
Cons
  • Not nearly as many buttons as a dedicated MMO mouse.
  • Cable is somewhat stiff and the mouse feet don't glide as smoothly on some surfaces.
5.7
Ultra-Light Gaming 

The Cooler Master MM831 is inadequate for ultra-light gaming as it's about twice the weight of some of the lightest ultra-light mice available. The mouse feet also don't glide very smoothly directly on desks, though they glide better on mousepads. That said, this mouse does feel well-built, has good click latency, and has a right-handed shape that's best-suited for a palm or claw grip for nearly all hand sizes.

Pros
  • Good click latency.
Cons
  • Heavy.
  • Cable is somewhat stiff and the mouse feet don't glide as smoothly on some surfaces.
8.4
Travel 

The Cooler Master MM831 is great for travel use, though it's fairly bulky and may not fit in most laptop cases. That said, it feels well-built, and you can use it wired or connect wirelessly with its USB receiver or Bluetooth. It also has a right-handed shape that's ideally suited for a palm or claw grip for nearly all hand sizes. Unfortunately, the customization software is only compatible with Windows, but there's onboard memory for storing your settings if you'll be switching between computers.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Onboard memory.
  • Connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth.
  • Has a storage compartment for its USB receiver when not in use.
Cons
  • Bulky; may not fit into some laptop cases.
  • 8.0
    Office/Multimedia
  • 7.1
    Video Games (FPS)
  • 7.7
    Video Games (MMO)
  • 5.7
    Ultra-Light Gaming
  • 8.4
    Travel
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Jun 11, 2021: Review published.
    2.  Updated May 26, 2021: Early access published.
    3.  Updated Apr 28, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
    4.  Updated Apr 23, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.

    Check Price

    BlackMM831
    B&H
    BlackMM831
    BestBuy.com

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The Cooler Master MM831 we tested is black, and there aren't any other color variants. You can see the label for our unit here.

    Popular Mouse Comparisons

    The Cooler Master MM831 is Cooler Master's first wireless mouse and supports wireless charging with Qi 1.2 Standard devices, though this isn't something we test. Unfortunately, most wireless gaming mice are significantly lighter. It's about twice the weight of the lightest wireless gaming mouse we've tested, so it isn't a good pick if you're bothered by weight. That said, it may be a good choice if you're looking for a mouse for casual gaming and productivity. It also makes a great travel option, despite being fairly bulky.

    For more recommendations, check out our picks for the best mouse, the best gaming mouse, or the best wireless mouse.

    Logitech G PRO X SUPERLIGHT

    The Logitech G PRO X SUPERLIGHT is a better wireless gaming mouse than the Cooler Master MM831. It's half the weight, feels even sturdier, and has much better mouse feet. It also has a more consistent sensor, a more precisely adjustable CPI, software compatible with Windows and macOS, and significantly better click latency. Unfortunately, it lacks Bluetooth support. Comparatively, the Cooler Master connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or Bluetooth and has extensive RGB lighting, which the Logitech lacks. Both mice are almost universally suitable for all grip types and hand sizes.

    Cooler Master MM830

    While similarly named, the Cooler Master MM830 and the Cooler Master MM831 are versatile gaming mice with significant differences. The MM830 is a wired-only mouse intended for multiple game genres. It also has an OLED screen and more side buttons. Comparatively, the MM831 is versatile enough for gaming, productivity, or even travel use and connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or Bluetooth. It also has more extensive RGB lighting, a higher maximum CPI, and a lower lift-off distance. Both mice are best-suited for a palm or claw grip for nearly all hand sizes.

    Razer Viper Mini

    The Razer Viper Mini is an excellent wired ultra-light gaming mouse, while the Cooler Master MM831 is a versatile wireless gaming mouse. The Razer is about half the weight but feels more sturdy, has much better cable and mouse feet, and much lower click latency. Comparatively, the Cooler Master has a much higher maximum CPI, a lower lift-off distance, and extensive RGB, which the Razer lacks. The Razer is best-suited for a fingertip grip for all hand sizes, while the Cooler Master is ideal for a palm or claw grip for nearly all hand sizes.

    GLORIOUS Model D

    The GLORIOUS Model D has better performance than the Cooler Master MM831, but the Cooler Master is more versatile. It can be used wired or wirelessly either with its USB receiver or Bluetooth. It also feels sturdier, has a wider CPI range, and a lower lift-off distance. On the other hand, The GLORIOUS D is a wired-only mouse that's significantly lighter. It has a much more flexible cable, smoother gliding mouse feet, and significantly lower click latency. Both mice are well-suited for all grip types and most hand sizes.

    Razer DeathAdder V2

    The Razer DeathAdder V2 is a better FPS gaming mouse than the Cooler Master MM831. The Razer is significantly lighter, has a much more flexible cable and mouse feet that glide more smoothly. It also has a more precisely adjustable CPI and a much lower click latency. Comparatively, you can use the Cooler Master either wired or wirelessly with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth. Both mice are well-suited for all grip types, but the Razer is best-suited for a palm grip, while the Cooler Master is best-suited for a claw grip.

    Keychron M1

    The Cooler Master MM831 is a versatile wireless gaming mouse, while the Keychron M1 is an excellent ultra-lightweight, wired gaming mouse. The Cooler Master feels sturdier and connects either wirelessly via its USB receiver or  Bluetooth, or wired with its charging cable. It also has a much higher maximum CPI and supports Qi wireless charging. On the other hand, the Keychron is significantly lighter and has a much more flexible paracord-like cable. It also has mouse feet that glide more smoothly and lower click latency. Additionally, it has a pair of side buttons on either side.

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    Type
    Standard
    Lighting ColorRGB
    Shape
    Length5.0" (128 mm)
    Height1.7" (43 mm)
    Width2.7" (67 mm)
    Grip Width
    63 mm
    7.4
    Portability
    Volume
    22.58 in³ (370 cm³)
    Cable/Receiver Storing
    Yes
    Weight
    Maximum Weight With Wire
    155 g
    Maximum Weight Without Wire
    123 g
    Minimum Weight Without Wire
    123 g
    Weight Distribution
    Centered
    Extra Weights
    No
    8.0
    Build Quality
    8.0
    Comfort Of Use
    Right-handed
    Yes
    Left-handed
    No
    Ambidextrous
    No
    Coating
    Matte
    Finger Rest
    No

    If you're interested in a gaming mouse that's similar but has a thumb rest and an ambidextrous shape, check out the Dell Alienware AW310M. Or, for a similar mouse with modular parts that you can add to transform the mouse between a right or left-handed configuration, check out the HP OMEN Photon.

    Palm Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    Yes
    Medium Hand
    Yes
    Large Hand
    Yes
    X.Large Hand
    No
    Claw Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    Yes
    Medium Hand
    Yes
    Large Hand
    Yes
    X.Large Hand
    Yes
    Fingertip Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    No
    Medium Hand
    Yes
    Large Hand
    Yes
    X.Large Hand
    Yes
    9.8
    Wireless Versatility
    Bluetooth
    Yes
    Receiver
    Yes
    Battery Type
    Rechargeable
    Use When Charging
    Yes
    On/Off Activation
    Auto Off And On/Off Switch
    Receiver Extender
    No
    Battery IndicatorYes

    You can charge the Cooler Master MM831 wirelessly using Qi 1.2 Standard devices, though this isn't something we test.

    7.0
    Cable
    ConnectivityWireless
    Cable Length5.9 ft (1.8 m)
    Cable Type
    Braided
    Permanent Kink
    Yes
    Port Type: Mouse End
    USB-C
    Port Type: PC End
    USB
    7.0
    Mouse Feet
    Gliding Experience
    Ok
    Material
    PTFE
    Extra Included
    No
    In The Box

    • Cooler Master MM831
    • USB-C to USB-A cable
    • USB receiver
    • User documentation
    Control
    Sensor Specifications
    Sensor Technology
    Optical (LED)
    Sensor Model
    PixArt PAW3335
    Works On Glass
    No
    Minimum CPI (DPI)
    200 CPI
    Maximum CPI (DPI)
    32,000 CPI
    CPI (DPI) Adjustment Steps
    100 CPI
    CPI (DPI) Variation
    -8%
    Minimum Lift Off Distance
    1.2 mm
    Maximum Polling Rate
    1000 Hz

    The polling rates available on the Cooler Master MM831 are 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz. When in Bluetooth mode, the polling rate is limited to 125Hz. Cooler Master indicates the lowest CPI setting is 400, but you can set the CPI to 200 using the companion software.

    7.2
    Buttons
    Buttons Activation
    Mechanical
    Total Number Of Buttons
    6
    Number Of Side Buttons
    2
    Number Of Programmable Inputs
    6
    Profile Switching Button
    Yes
    CPI (DPI) Switching Button
    Yes
    Gesture Support
    No

    You can program all buttons except for the left click and CPI button below the mouse wheel.

    Mouse Wheel
    Scroll Wheel
    Notched Wheel
    Scroll Wheel Steps
    24 Steps
    Scroll Wheel Tilt
    No
    Thumb Wheel
    No
    Thumb Wheel Steps
    No Thumb Wheel
    Noise
    Click Noise
    Loud
    7.7
    Click Latency
    Click Latency: Receiver
    17.5 ms
    Click Latency: Bluetooth
    29 ms
    Click Latency: Wired
    15 ms
    Operating System And Software
    8.0
    Compatible Software Option
    Software NameMasterPlus+
    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
    Yes
    10
    Mouse Compatibility
    Windows CompatibilityFully
    macOS CompatibilityFully