The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is an impressive overall wireless gaming mouse. It features an outstanding sensor that can reach a maximum of 18,000 CPI, and you can adjust the CPI in increments of one. It also has exceptionally low click latency and a maximum polling rate of 1000Hz. Unfortunately, It's heavy and doesn't offer weight optimization, so it's not ideal for ultra-light gaming. Fortunately, it's very comfortable and designed for right-handed people using a palm grip, and it can also be used with a fingertip or claw grip by those with larger hands.
Our Verdict
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is excellent for office use. It's a very comfortable mouse that's suitable for any sized hand with a palm grip. It can connect to your computer either through its USB receiver or Bluetooth, which is great. There are a lot of buttons you can reprogram, which helps with your workflow, but sadly, the wheel doesn't offer any horizontal scrolling.
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Very comfortable to use with a palm grip.
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Bluetooth-compatible.
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All buttons are macro-programmable.
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Slot for USB receiver.
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No weight optimization.
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Scroll wheel doesn't offer extra features.
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is good for FPS games. It's packed with great gaming features such as exceptionally low click latency, a 1000Hz maximum polling rate, and a wide CPI range. Unfortunately, it's a heavy mouse. Fortunately, it's very comfortable and designed to be used with a palm grip by any hand size.
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Exceptionally Low click latency.
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Very comfortable to use with a palm grip.
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Slot for USB receiver.
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Sensor doesn't always perform at set CPI.
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Heavy mouse.
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No weight optimization.
The mouse is excellent for MMO gaming. Every button on the Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is macro-programmable. There are two side buttons and an extra two above, closer to the left button. It has exceptionally low click latency, a high polling rate, and a wide CPI range.
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Exceptionally Low click latency.
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Very comfortable to use with a palm grip.
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All buttons are macro-programmable.
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Slot for USB receiver.
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Sensor doesn't always perform at set CPI.
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No weight optimization.
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Scroll wheel doesn't offer extra features.
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Slot for USB receiver.
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No weight optimization.
- 7.5 Work
- 8.4 Video Games (FPS)
- 8.1 Video Games (MMO)
- 9.6 Raw Performance
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Updated Nov 26, 2024:
We've updated this review to reflect that this mouse now has a maximum polling rate of 1000Hz. See the Sensor Specifications for more information.
- Updated Jan 05, 2024: We've updated the CPI graph displayed in the Sensor Latency section of this review. Our results remain the same, but these graphs have two new columns with results from the Delay At Half Movement and Delay To End Of Movement tests.
- Updated Dec 01, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.5. This update adds a new Main Button test group, which provides button actuation data and switch information. We've also made minor changes to how we calculate the Office usage score. For more details, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated Mar 01, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.4. This update modifies our Hand Size Recommendation test, adding a more granular hand size recommendation chart. We've moved several minor tests into different test groups, removed the Travel usage, and added a new Raw Performance usage. For more details, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated Feb 22, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3. This update adds a new Sensor Latency test and makes minor changes to several of our existing tests, resulting in test result changes in several sections. For more information, you can check out our full changelog here.
- Updated Dec 01, 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.
- Updated Aug 18, 2022: Following the update to Test Bench 1.1, we've updated some of the language in this review to better reflect the changes to our Click Latency methodology.
- Updated Aug 16, 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.
- Updated Oct 20, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 23, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Aug 31, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Jul 30, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jul 30, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jul 24, 2020: The product has won our suggestion poll, so we'll buy and test it soon.
- Updated Jul 19, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO in black, which is the only color available for this model. There's a variant called the Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO SE, which allows for wireless charging with any of Qi-compatible mousepad. The models are listed below.
| Model | Sensor Model | Max CPI | Advertised Weight | Wireless Charging |
| DARK CORE RGB PRO | PAW3392 | 18,000 | 133g | No |
| DARK CORE RGB PRO SE | PAW3392 | 18,000 | 142g | Yes |
If someone has a DARK CORE RGB PRO that doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review.
Compared To Other Mice
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is an impressive overall mouse, and it feels better built and more comfortable than other wireless gaming mice. The sensor has a high CPI variation, which is disappointing. It's heavy, but if that doesn't bother you, this is a great mouse for its price.
Also, make sure to check out our recommendations for the best gaming mice, the best wireless mice, and the best Corsair mice.
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO and the Corsair M65 RGB ULTRA WIRELESS are both good wireless gaming mice. The M65 RGB ULTRA WIRELESS is lighter, and it comes with weights if you prefer heavier mice. It has a wider CPI range and a very low lift-off distance, as well as more programmable inputs thanks to its tilt gesture support. Also, while its charging cable is rubber, it feels more flexible and doesn't retain kinks like the DARK CORE RGB PRO's braided cable. On the other hand, the DARK CORE RGB PRO has lower click latency, and it's better suited for larger hands using a palm or claw grip.
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is better than the Corsair IRONCLAW RGB Wireless. The DARK CORE has lower click latency and onboard memory. However, the IRONCLAW has more buttons, lower lift-off distance, and less CPI variation.
The Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED and the Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO are two good FPS gaming mice. Both options have a gamer-centric look and aren't for people with very small hands. The Logitech is a bit smaller, lighter, and has more buttons, including an extra one on the side. On the other hand, the Corsair has both a thumb and a pinky rest, which some people may find more comfortable.
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is better than the Corsair M65 RGB Elite. The DARK CORE is wireless with lower click latency. On the other hand, the M65 is wired, feels more comfortable, and has less CPI variation.
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is better than the Corsair HARPOON RGB Wireless. The DARK CORE feels better-built and more comfortable. It also has more buttons, a wider CPI range, and the CPI can be adjusted by increments of 1. However, the HARPOON has less CPI variation, and it's much lighter.
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO and the Logitech G903 LIGHTSPEED are two similar-performing mice. The Corsair is a right-handed mouse with Bluetooth support. It has lower click latency, and a wider CPI range. However, the Logitech is an ambidextrous mouse that's lighter, has less CPI variation, lower lift-off distance, and more buttons.
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is better than the Logitech G403 Prodigy Wireless. The Corsair has Bluetooth support, lower click latency and more programmable buttons. However, the Logitech is lighter, the sensor has a lower CPI variation, and it has a lower lift-off distance.
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is a good wireless gaming mouse, while the Corsair SABRE RGB PRO is an excellent wired gaming mouse. The DARK CORE connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth, has a thumb rest and a detachable pinky rest. Unfortunately, its sensor is somewhat inconsistent. Comparatively, the SABRE is wired-only, significantly lighter, and has a lower lift-off distance. Both have comparable click latency and are well-suited for nearly all hand sizes using a palm or claw grip, but only larger hands using a fingertip grip.
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is better than the Razer Mamba Wireless. The Corsair has Bluetooth support, a higher max CPI and the dedicated software works on macOS. However, the Razer is lighter, and it has an extra programmable input.
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is slightly better than the Razer Basilisk Ultimate. The Corsair has Bluetooth support and the dedicated software is available on macOS. On the other hand, the Razer has more programmable inputs, it's lighter, and the sensor has lower CPI variation.
Test Results
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO has a gamer-friendly aesthetic. Its ergonomic-shaped body is made out of matte plastic with textured rubber on the back and scroll wheel. The side grips have the same textured pattern as the back, except they're hard plastic instead of rubber. There are also glossy accents on the back and near the scroll wheel. There's RGB lighting throughout, including on the logo, sides, and scroll wheel.
Even though it's bulky, it's fairly easy to carry around and has a slot to place the USB receiver in.
It has an excellent build quality. The plastic body feels solid and there's no flex or squeaking when you squeeze it hard. There's a sound when you shake it, but that sound disappears if you place your finger on the left/right buttons, so it's likely these buttons are a bit loose. The textured rubber on the back and scroll wheel feel nice, and the mouse glides around very well. The RGB lighting looks good, too.
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO is heavy. It comes with an extra side panel for your pinky that weighs three grams, so you can make it a bit heavier by adding it. There's a variant, the Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO SE, that's advertised to be about 10 g heavier.
This mouse is very comfortable. It has an ergonomic shape designed for right-handed people and it comes with a nice thumb rest. There's an additional side panel in the box you can use for a pinky rest. If you're interested in a mouse with fewer buttons but similar performance and a palm rest you can adjust to change the length of the mouse, check out the Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+.
The Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO Wireless can be paired with its USB receiver or through Bluetooth, and you can also use it wired while charging. There's an LED light between the scroll wheel and CPI switch button that indicates the battery life and pairing status. The battery is rated to last at least 16 hours if you use the RGB lighting, but this isn't something we test for.
The included braided cable is mediocre. It's so stiff out-of-the-box that it's difficult to use the mouse when wired. The cable kinks rather easily.
There are eight buttons, and you can reprogram all of them, including the scroll wheel click. If you're interested in a similar gaming mouse with configurable side buttons that allow you to install one or two side buttons on either side, check out the Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum.
This mouse has remarkably low click latency, both over a wired and wireless USB connection.
The available polling rate settings for this mouse are 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz.
Note: Corsair advertised a maximum polling rate of 2000Hz when we first tested this mouse. However, during testing, we discovered this wasn't a true implementation of 2000Hz polling. Instead of sending one report every 0.5 milliseconds, as a proper 2000Hz update would, this mouse sent two reports to your computer at 1 millisecond intervals and didn't provide any meaningful performance benefit.
Corsair has since removed the advertised 2000Hz polling rate from the companion software and some of the marketing materials. The removal of this setting doesn't affect the mouse's performance, and our test results remain unchanged.
If you'd like to learn more, see this post in the comments.
The incremented scroll wheel can't be unlocked for infinite scrolling, which is disappointing if you need to scroll through long documents.
The Corsair iCUE software is outstanding. It offers a ton of customization options, and it's available on both Windows and macOS. The mouse has onboard memory, making it easy to carry over your settings to another computer.