Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+  Mouse Review

Reviewed Aug 09, 2021 at 10:07am
Tested using Methodology v1.0 
Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+

Track

0.0
Office/Multimedia 
0.0
Video Games (FPS) 
0.0
Video Games (MMO) 
0.0
Ultra-Light Gaming 
0.0
Travel 

Track

 0

The Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+ is a good budget gaming mouse with an aggressive gamer look and an adjustable palm area. It's lightweight and feels reasonably well-built, but it lacks side buttons. Also, the plastic segments that make up the body feel cheap, and the mouse rattles when you shake it. It's well suited for all grip types, but it's only suitable for medium and small-sized hands. Performance-wise, it has a low lift-off distance, a reasonably wide CPI range, and you can adjust the set CPI by increments of 100. Unfortunately, the sensor on our Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+ is very inaccurate. It undershoots the set CPI by nearly 12% during slow cursor movements and over 20% during fast cursor movements. Also, it has high click latency.

Our Verdict

0.0
Office/Multimedia 

The Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+ is okay for office or multimedia work, but the plastic pieces that make up the body feel cheap, and the mouse rattles if you shake it. However, this shouldn't present a problem during normal use. You can program most of the buttons using the customization software, but the software is only compatible with Windows. Unfortunately, it doesn't have any wireless connection options, and the shape and size of the mouse make it unsuitable for large and extra-large hands.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • You can adjust the palm section to lengthen or shorten the mouse.
Cons
  • Wired-only.
  • Scroll wheel lacks L/R tilt buttons and doesn't unlock for free scrolling.
0.0
Video Games (FPS) 

The Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+ is a good FPS gaming mouse, but it has high click latency. Its rubber cable isn't very flexible, and its mouse feet don't glide as smoothly as most gaming mice. Also, the plastic surfaces that make up the body feel cheap and pliable. That said, it's well suited for all grip types, but only for small and medium-sized hands. It has a low lift-off distance, a reasonably wide CPI range, and a CPI you can adjust by increments of 100. Unfortunately, the sensor on our unit is very inaccurate. It undershoots the set CPI substantially during slow and fast cursor movements.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • You can adjust the palm section to lengthen or shorten the mouse.
  • Lightweight.
Cons
  • High click latency.
  • Rubber cable isn't very flexible and retains kinks from packaging.
0.0
Video Games (MMO) 

The Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+ is sub-par for MMO gaming as it doesn't have any side buttons. Also, it has high click latency, its rubber cable isn't very flexible, and the plastic surfaces that make up the body feel cheap and pliable. Furthermore, the overall shape isn't very comfortable and is only suitable for small and medium-sized hands. Performance-wise, it has a low lift-off distance, a reasonably wide CPI range, and a CPI you can adjust by increments of 100. Unfortunately, the sensor on our unit is very inaccurate.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • You can adjust the palm section to lengthen or shorten the mouse.
Cons
  • Overall shape isn't very comfortable, and it isn't suitable for larger hands.
  • High click latency.
  • Doesn't have any side buttons.
  • Rubber cable isn't very flexible and retains kinks from packaging.
0.0
Ultra-Light Gaming 

The Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+ is very good for fans of ultra-light gaming as it's quite lightweight. Unfortunately, it has high click latency, its rubber cable isn't very flexible, and its mouse feet don't glide very smoothly compared to other gaming mice. That said, its shape is suitable for small and medium-sized hands using any grip type. It also has a low lift-off distance, a reasonably wide CPI range, and a CPI you can adjust by increments of 100.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • You can adjust the palm section to lengthen or shorten the mouse.
  • Lightweight.
Cons
  • High click latency.
  • Rubber cable isn't very flexible and retains kinks from packaging.
0.0
Travel 

The Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+ is inadequate for travel. It's fairly bulky and may not fit in most laptop cases. It's also a wired-only model without any wireless connection options, which can make it cumbersome to use in tight spaces like planes or trains. Unfortunately, the plastic surfaces that make up the body feel cheap, and the mouse rattles when shaken. Also, it's only suitable for small or medium-sized hands.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Onboard memory.
Cons
  • Overall shape isn't very comfortable, and it isn't suitable for larger hands.
  • Wired-only.
  • Rubber cable isn't very flexible and retains kinks from packaging.
  • Bulky; may not fit in most laptop cases.
  • 0.0
    Office/Multimedia
  • 0.0
    Video Games (FPS)
  • 0.0
    Video Games (MMO)
  • 0.0
    Ultra-Light Gaming
  • 0.0
    Travel
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Aug 09, 2021: Review published.
    2.  Updated Jul 12, 2021: Early access published.
    3.  Updated Jun 08, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
    4.  Updated Jun 07, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.

    Check Price

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+ we tested is the black color variant. There's also a white color variant available. You can see the label for our unit here.

    Popular Mouse Comparisons

    The Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+ is a good budget gaming mouse with a palm section you can adjust to change the length of the mouse. It has a similar angular design shared across the rest of the Mad Catz gaming mice lineup. However, this is the most basic model. It lacks more premium features available on other Mad Catz mice, such as ergonomic finger rests, modular parts, upgraded sensors, and additional buttons. Nevertheless, this mouse may be a good choice for you if you're looking for a straightforward, entry-level gaming mouse with a distinctive look.

    For other options, see our picks for the best wired mice, the best gaming mice, and the best cheap gaming mice.

    Mad Catz R.A.T. 4+

    Track

    The Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+ is the base model in the Mad Catz R.A.T lineup, while the Mad Catz R.A.T. 4+ is a mid-range model. The R.A.T. 2+ is significantly lighter and has an ambidextrous shape. On the other hand, the R.A.T. 4+ has a right-handed shape with a thumb rest. It has a wider CPI range, a more precisely adjustable CPI, a lower lift-off distance, and three side buttons, which the R.A.T. 2+ lacks. The R.A.T. 2+ is suitable for all grip types, but only for small and medium-sized hands. The R.A.T. 4+ is universally suitable for all hand sizes using any grip type.

    Cooler Master MM720

    Track

    The Cooler Master MM720 is a better wired gaming mouse than the Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+. The Cooler Master is lighter and has a right-handed shape. It also has a more flexible cable, mouse feet that glide more smoothly, and a pair of side buttons, which the Mad Catz lacks. It has a much higher maximum CPI, a lower lift-off distance, and much lower click latency. On the other hand, the Mad Catz has an ambidextrous shape and an adjustable palm rest. It also feels better built. Both mice are suitable for all grip types, but the Cooler Master is a better option for larger hands using a fingertip grip.

    Razer Viper Mini

    Track

    The Razer Viper Mini is a better wired gaming mouse than the Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+. The Razer is a bit lighter and feels much sturdier. It has a more flexible cable and mouse feet that glide more smoothly. Also, it has a pair of side buttons on the left, which the Mad Catz lacks. Performance-wise, it has a wider CPI range and a much lower click latency. The Razer is best-suited for a fingertip grip for all hand sizes and small hands for other grip types, while the Mad Catz is only suitable for small and medium hand sizes using any grip type.

    GLORIOUS Model D

    Track

    The GLORIOUS Model D is a better wired gaming mouse than the Mad Catz R.A.T 2+. The GLORIOUS has a right-handed shape and two side buttons, which the Mad Catz lacks. It also has a much more flexible cable and mouse feet that glide more smoothly. Performance-wise, it has a wider CPI range and much lower click latency. On the other hand, the Mad Catz has an ambidextrous shape with an adjustable palm rest and it feels sturdier. Both mice are suitable for all grip types, but the Mad Catz is only suitable for small and medium-sized hands, while the GLORIOUS is suitable for all hand sizes except small hands using a claw or fingertip grip.

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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    Type
    LockedStandard
    Lighting ColorLockedLocked
    Shape
    LengthLockedLock" (Lock mm)
    HeightLockedLock" (Lock mm)
    WidthLockedLock" (Lock mm)
    Grip Width
    LockedLock mm

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    0.0
    Portability
    Volume
    LockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Cable/Receiver Storing
    LockedLocked
    Weight
    Maximum Weight With Wire
    LockedLock g
    Maximum Weight Without Wire
    LockedLock g
    Minimum Weight Without Wire
    LockedLock g
    Weight Distribution
    LockedLocked
    Extra Weights
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Build Quality
    0.0
    Comfort Of Use
    Right-handed
    LockedLocked
    Left-handed
    LockedLocked
    Ambidextrous
    LockedLocked
    Coating
    LockedLocked
    Finger Rest
    LockedLocked
    Palm Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    LockedLocked
    Medium Hand
    LockedLocked
    Large Hand
    LockedLocked
    X.Large Hand
    LockedLocked
    Claw Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    LockedLocked
    Medium Hand
    LockedLocked
    Large Hand
    LockedLocked
    X.Large Hand
    LockedLocked
    Fingertip Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    LockedLocked
    Medium Hand
    LockedLocked
    Large Hand
    LockedLocked
    X.Large Hand
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Wireless Versatility
    Bluetooth
    LockedLocked
    Receiver
    LockedLocked
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Use When Charging
    LockedLocked
    On/Off Activation
    LockedLocked
    Receiver Extender
    LockedLocked
    Battery IndicatorLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Cable
    ConnectivityLockedWired
    SAMPLE
    JOIN NOW

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    Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+ Cable Video Sample
    Cable LengthLockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Cable Type
    LockedLocked
    Permanent Kink
    LockedLocked
    Port Type: Mouse End
    LockedLocked
    Port Type: PC End
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Mouse Feet
    Gliding Experience
    LockedLocked
    Material
    LockedLocked
    Extra Included
    LockedLocked
    In The Box

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    Control
    Sensor Specifications
    Sensor Technology
    LockedLocked
    Sensor Model
    LockedLocked
    Works On Glass
    LockedLocked
    Minimum CPI (DPI)
    LockedLock CPI
    Maximum CPI (DPI)
    LockedLock CPI
    CPI (DPI) Adjustment Steps
    LockedLock CPI
    CPI (DPI) Variation
    LockedLock%
    Minimum Lift Off Distance
    LockedLock mm
    Maximum Polling Rate
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Buttons
    Buttons Activation
    LockedLocked
    Total Number Of Buttons
    LockedLock
    Number Of Side Buttons
    LockedLock
    Number Of Programmable Inputs
    LockedLock
    Profile Switching Button
    LockedLocked
    CPI (DPI) Switching Button
    LockedLocked
    Gesture Support
    LockedLocked

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    Mouse Wheel
    Scroll Wheel
    LockedLocked
    Scroll Wheel Steps
    LockedLocked
    Scroll Wheel Tilt
    LockedLocked
    Thumb Wheel
    LockedLocked
    Thumb Wheel Steps
    LockedLocked
    Noise
    SAMPLE
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    Mad Catz R.A.T. 2+ Noise Video Sample
    Click Noise
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Click Latency
    Click Latency: Receiver
    LockedN/A
    Click Latency: Bluetooth
    LockedN/A
    Click Latency: Wired
    LockedLock ms
    Operating System And Software
    0.0
    Compatible Software Option
    Software NameLockedLocked
    Software Windows Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Software macOS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Account Needed
    LockedLocked
    On-Board Memory
    LockedLocked
    CPI (DPI) Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Polling Rate Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Profile Configuration
    LockedLocked
    RGB On/Off
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Mouse Compatibility
    Windows CompatibilityLockedLocked
    macOS CompatibilityLockedLocked