The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is a very good wired gaming mouse. It feels very well-made, has plenty of programmable buttons, low click latency, and a comfortable right-handed shape with a thumb rest. That said, it's quite large, and while it's well-suited to all grip types, it's only suitable for larger hands. It also includes a set of five 3.6g weights if you'd like to adjust the center of gravity or add more weight, though it's already a heavy mouse. Unfortunately, the CPI range isn't as wide as those found on later versions, and our unit's sensor is inconsistent and undershoots the set CPI more during quick cursor movements than slow ones. There's also an updated version of this mouse called the Logitech G502 HERO.
Our Verdict
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is good for office use. It feels well-built and has a comfortable right-handed shape with a thumb rest and rubberized grips. It has plenty of programmable buttons and companion software for customization that's compatible with Windows and macOS. Unlike most gaming mice, it also has a scroll wheel that unlocks for free scrolling and has L/R tilt buttons. Unfortunately, it's quite heavy, it's only suitable for larger hands, and you can't use it wirelessly.
- Feels very well-built.
- Lots of programmable inputs and companion software with plenty of customization options.
- Comfortable right-handed shape with thumb rest.
- Software is compatible with Windows and macOS.
- Wired-only.
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is good for FPS gaming. It has low click latency, it feels well-built, and it has a comfortable right-handed shape that's well-suited for larger hands using any grip type. It also has a sniper button that lets you shift to a custom CPI setting while it's held. Unfortunately, it's heavy, its cable isn't very flexible, and the mouse feet don't glide well directly on desks. The sensor on our model is also fairly inconsistent and undershoots during fast cursor movements.
- Feels very well-built.
- Low click latency.
- Lots of programmable inputs and companion software with plenty of customization options.
- Software is compatible with Windows and macOS.
- Fairly heavy.
- Braided cable isn't as flexible as most paracord-like cables.
- Mouse feet are only decent and glide roughly on tables.
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is great for MMO gaming. Although it doesn't have as many buttons as dedicated MMO mice, all the buttons are programmable, and you can set a G-Shift button to enable a second layer of commands. It feels well-built and has a comfortable right-handed shape that's suitable for all grip types. However, it's only suitable for those with larger hands.
- Feels very well-built.
- Low click latency.
- Lots of programmable inputs and companion software with plenty of customization options.
- Software is compatible with Windows and macOS.
- Not as many buttons as dedicated MMO mice.
- Braided cable isn't as flexible as most paracord-like cables.
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is mediocre for fans of ultra-light gaming, as it's much heavier than dedicated ultra-light mice and its cable and mouse feet are only decent. That said, it has low click latency, it feels well-built, and it has a comfortable right-handed shape. However, it's quite large and is only suitable for larger hands, regardless of grip type.
- Feels very well-built.
- Low click latency.
- Software is compatible with Windows and macOS.
- Fairly heavy.
- Braided cable isn't as flexible as most paracord-like cables.
- Mouse feet are only decent and glide roughly on tables.
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is inadequate for travel use. It's not very portable and is unlikely to fit in most laptop cases. You also can't use it wirelessly, so it may be cumbersome if you plan on using it in tight spaces like planes or trains.
- Feels very well-built.
- Fairly heavy.
- May not fit into most laptop cases.
- Wired-only.
Changelog
- Updated Sep 06, 2022: We've added a small disclaimer to the Compatible Software Option section which highlights some of the most commonly reported issues users online have encountered with Logitech's G HUB companion software.
- Updated May 12, 2021: Review published.
- Updated May 06, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated May 03, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum RGB is an update of the Logitech G502 Proteus Core with full RGB lighting. It has no variants and is only available in black. It also has two updated versions, the Logitech G502 HERO and the wireless Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED, which have updated sensors. You can see the label for our unit here.
Popular Mouse Comparisons
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum RGB is a large, feature-rich gaming mouse replaced by the Logitech G502 HERO and the wireless Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED. Although most mouse gaming mice manufacturers are focused on making mice lighter, this mouse, like its successors, has additional weights you can add. It also has a scroll wheel with L/R tilt buttons that you can also unlock manually for free scrolling, which is a rare feature among gaming mice. This mouse may suit you if you prefer a larger, heavier mouse with an offset center of gravity that you can adjust.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best gaming mouse, the best FPS mouse, and the best Logitech mouse.
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is the predecessor of the Logitech G502 HERO. The HERO has an updated sensor with a much wider CPI range, a lower lift-off distance, and less CPI variation. It also has marginally better click latency, though it's likely too small of a difference to be noticeable. On the other hand, the Proteus Spectrum has a somewhat lower minimum CPI, but its sensor is much more inconsistent and undershoots the set CPI more during quick cursor movements.
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is a predecessor of the Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED. The biggest difference is that you can connect the LIGHTSPEED wirelessly with its USB receiver, and it recharges with an impressively flexible micro-USB cable. The sensor is also updated and has a much wider CPI range, a lower lift-off distance, and marginally lower click latency when wired, though it's likely too small of a difference for most people to notice.
The GLORIOUS Model D is an excellent ultra-light gaming mouse, while the Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrums is more versatile. The Logitech has many more programmable buttons, a scroll wheel with L/R tilt buttons that unlocks for free-scrolling mode, and companion software compatible with Windows and macOS. However, it's much heavier. Comparatively, the GLORIOUS has a much more flexible cable, better mouse feet, and a more consistent sensor. Both mice are well-suited to all grip types but best suited for larger hand sizes.
The Razer DeathAdder V2 is a better FPS gaming mouse, while the Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is more versatile. The Razer is significantly lighter, has a more flexible cable, better mouse feet, a wider CPI range, a lower lift-off distance, and significantly better click latency. On the other hand, the Logitech has a thumb rest, plenty more programmable buttons, a scroll wheel with L/R tilt buttons that unlocks for free scrolling, and software for customization compatible with Windows macOS. Both mice are suitable for all grip types and best-suited to larger hand sizes.
The Razer DeathAdder Elite and the Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum are good, wired gaming mice with several noteworthy differences. The Razer is significantly lighter and has a lower lift-off distance. It also has a wider CPI range, less CPI variation, and you can precisely adjust the set CPI by increments of one. Its companion software is only compatible with Windows, but it has onboard memory for custom settings. It's well-suited for all grip types, but those with small hands may find the mouse is a little too long for a comfortable claw or fingertip grip. The Logitech has significantly lower latency, one additional side button, and more total programmable buttons. It also has companion software that's compatible with Windows and macOS. It's well-suited to all grip types, but only for larger hands.
The Razer Basilisk Ultimate and the Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum are wired gaming mice suitable for larger hands and all grip types, but the Razer is a better mouse overall. The Razer is significantly lighter, even though you can use it wired or wirelessly with its USB receiver, and it recharges with a more flexible paracord-like micro-USB cable. It has a much wider CPI range, less CPI variation, a lower lift-off distance, and significantly lower click latency. On the other hand, the Logitech feels sturdier, it has a somewhat lower minimum CPI, and its companion software is compatible with Windows and macOS.
The Logitech G402 Hyperion Fury and the Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum are visually similar wired gaming mice with a few noteworthy differences. The G402 is lighter and has better click latency. On the other hand, the G502 has a wider CPI range and a mouse wheel that unlocks for free scrolling and has L/R tilt buttons. Both mice are well-suited for all grip types for larger hands, but if you have small hands and prefer a palm grip, you'll likely find the G402 more comfortable.
Test Results
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum RGB has a fairly aggressive gamer look with a mixture of glossy and matte black plastic. It has rubberized grips on both sides, sharp angles, and RGB zones in the logo, and the CPI indicator on the left.
The Logitech Proteus Spectrum RGB includes five 3.6g weights that you can insert into the body by removing the magnetically held baseplate. You can also place the weights to adjust the center of gravity to the front, back, or either side.
Note: We removed the baseplate to obtain our 'Minimum Weight Without Wire' result according to our methodology as the mouse glides smoothly and functions normally without it.
The build quality is excellent, and it feels very solid. That said, the mouse wheel wobbles slightly and emits a faint rattling noise when shaken, but this shouldn't be noticeable during normal use.
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is a large mouse with a comfortable right-handed shape, rubberized grips, and a thumb rest. It has good button placement, but those with smaller hands may have difficulty reaching all the controls, especially the third side button, which is the sniper button by default. 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+ or the Mad Catz R.A.T. 4+.
If you have small hands, you may have trouble reaching the furthest forward side button using a palm grip.
If you have small hands, you may have trouble reaching the furthest forward side button using a claw grip.
If you have small or medium-sized hands, you may have difficulty reaching both the front side button and the front CPI button using a fingertip grip.
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is a wired-only mouse that you can't use wirelessly.
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum has a decent braided cable. While it feels high-quality, it retains some kinks from the packaging and is quite stiff.
The Logitech Proteus Spectrum has decent mouse feet, but the gliding experience isn't very smooth directly on a table, so we recommend using a mousepad. There aren't any replacement feet included, but third-party feet are available.
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum we tested has significant CPI variation, and it undershoots the set CPI more when moving the cursor quickly than when moving slowly. The polling rate options are 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, and 100Hz.
You can reprogram all of the buttons, excluding the button directly behind the mouse wheel that unlocks the free-scrolling mode. There are three side buttons, one of which acts as a sniper button by default, switching to a custom CPI while held down. You can also set a G-Shift button that enables a secondary layer of commands when pressed.
The scroll wheel on the Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum has pronounced step definition and feels precise. The button below the wheel unlocks a free scroll mode that allows you to scroll much quicker, without the notched steps.
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum RGB has great click latency that should feel very responsive.
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum uses Logitech's G HUB software. It has a clean interface and allows you to easily customize RGB lighting, button mapping, CPI settings, and more. Note that no software issues were encountered during testing. However, many users online have reported various problems trying to use Logitech G HUB, including but not limited to startup issues, freezing, and connection issues with some devices. If you'd like to share your experience using Logitech G HUB with this mouse, feel free to leave a comment in the discussions section.