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Razer Basilisk V2 Mouse Review

Tested using Methodology v1.2
Reviewed Jan 30, 2020 at 07:39 am
Latest change: Retest Sep 11, 2023 at 10:49 am
Razer Basilisk V2 Picture
7.5
Office/Multimedia
8.5
Video Games (FPS)
8.4
Video Games (MMO)
7.7
Ultra-Light Gaming
4.9
Travel
This mouse was replaced by the Razer Basilisk V3

The Razer Basilisk V2 is an excellent gaming mouse, but its right-slanted design makes it comfortable to use even as an office mouse. This mouse has an excellent sensor performance and is better suited for people that use a claw or palm grip. This is a nice upgrade from the first Razer Basilisk and is identical to the wireless Razer Basilisk Ultimate, although this is the wired model. It also features the new Razer cable, which is lightweight, flexible, and doesn't create drag when moving the mouse.

Our Verdict

7.5 Office/Multimedia

The Razer Basilisk V2 is a good office mouse. It has a nice comfortable shape and its build quality is great, which should last you a few years. It also features a lot of programmable inputs, which can make your workflow more fluid. However, it's not wireless like the Razer Basilisk Ultimate.

Pros
  • Very well-built design.
  • Amazing sensor performance; customizable.
  • Very low click latency.
Cons
  • Can be a bit big for smaller hands.
  • Not ideal for a fingertip grip user.
8.5 Video Games (FPS)

The Razer Basilisk V2 is an excellent mouse for FPS games. Its sensor performance is outstanding and its click latency is very low. The mouse feels comfortable to use, especially with a claw or palm grip, although people with smaller hands might have trouble reaching the sniper button. It also isn't the lightest mouse, but the cable is very lightweight and doesn't keep kinks, which is great.

Pros
  • Very well-built design.
  • Amazing sensor performance; customizable.
  • Very low click latency.
Cons
  • Can be a bit big for smaller hands.
  • Not ideal for a fingertip grip user.
8.4 Video Games (MMO)

The Razer Basilisk V2 is great for gaming, even for MMOs. Although it has a lot of programmable inputs, it doesn't have as many side buttons as MMO mice do. Its sensor is amazing and it's comfortable to use during long periods, but some may feel like they need more easy-to-access side buttons.

Pros
  • Very well-built design.
  • Amazing sensor performance; customizable.
  • Very low click latency.
Cons
  • Can be a bit big for smaller hands.
  • Not ideal for a fingertip grip user.
7.7 Ultra-Light Gaming

The Razer Basilisk V2 isn't designed to be an ultra-light gaming mouse, but it's not too heavy and its performance is amazing. Its click latency is very low and the new improved Razer cable is also lightweight and flexible. This mouse can be a good alternative if you don't like ultra-lightweight mice with a honeycomb pattern.

Pros
  • Very well-built design.
  • Amazing sensor performance; customizable.
  • Very low click latency.
Cons
  • Can be a bit big for smaller hands.
  • Not ideal for a fingertip grip user.
4.9 Travel

The Razer Basilisk V2 isn't designed for traveling. It's wired-only, and having a cable can be very cumbersome if you're trying to get work done on a plane, for example.

Pros
  • Very well-built design.
  • Amazing sensor performance; customizable.
  • Very low click latency.
Cons
  • Can be a bit big for smaller hands.
  • Not ideal for a fingertip grip user.
  • 7.5 Office/Multimedia
  • 8.5 Video Games (FPS)
  • 8.4 Video Games (MMO)
  • 7.7 Ultra-Light Gaming
  • 4.9 Travel
  1. Updated Sep 11, 2023: After receiving community feedback, we've fixed an inconsistency in the Cable section of this review. We've added an updated Cable Video and corrected the result of the Permanent Kink test from No to Yes.
  2. Updated Sep 28, 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.
  3. Updated Sep 21, 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.
  4. Updated Oct 05, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
  5. Updated Jan 30, 2020: Review published.
  6. Updated Jan 29, 2020: Early access published.
  7. Updated Jan 28, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
  8. Updated Jan 26, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  9. Updated Jan 20, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

There aren't any real variants of this mouse, but it's identical to the Razer Basilisk Ultimate. The Ultimate version is wireless, while the V2 is wired.

Compared To Other Mice

The Razer Basilisk V2 is an improved version of the first Razer Basilisk. It features a newly improved cable that is better than most cables from big brands. This mouse also features a more ergonomic, right-slanted shape, which feels a bit more comfortable than symmetrical mice.

See our recommendations for the best gaming mice, the best wired gaming mice, and the best mice.

Logitech G502 HERO

The Razer Basilisk V2 is a better wired mouse than the Logitech G502 HERO. It's a bit lighter, and its cable is noticeably better as well, as it doesn't create as much drag. The Razer is also a bit more comfortable to use. On the other hand, you can unlock the Logitech's scroll wheel for free scrolling, which the Razer's can't do. Also, the Logitech's software is available on macOS, while Razer Synapse 3 isn't.

Razer DeathAdder V2

The Razer Basilisk V2 and the Razer DeathAdder V2 are very similar performing gaming mice since they have the same sensor. What differentiates them is their shape. The Basilisk has a more pronounced right-slanted design and is slightly bigger. On the other hand, the DeathAdder is lighter, but it doesn't feature a sniper button like the Basilisk lineup.

Razer Basilisk V3

The Razer Basilisk V3 is a newer version of the Razer Basilisk V2. The V3 has a higher maximum CPI and a marginally lower click latency. It also has mouse feet with rounded edges, which users may find helps it glide more smoothly. Its scroll wheel has an optional feature that automatically switches between tactile and free-scrolling modes depending on how quickly you scroll. Also, it has an extra RGB area with nine independent RGB zones in a strip around both sides and the back of the mouse that casts light downwards, under the mouse. On the other hand, the sniper button on the left side of the V2 is removable, while the sniper button on the V3 isn't.

Razer Basilisk Ultimate

The Razer Basilisk V2 is nearly identical to the Razer Basilisk Ultimate but has some minor differences. The V2 is wired, while the Ultimate is wireless. The V2 is slightly lighter, but most users likely won't notice the difference. The Ultimate also comes with an RGB charging dock and a flexible, paracord-like cable, so you can use it wired as well.

Razer DeathAdder Essential

The Razer Basilisk V2 and the Razer DeathAdder Essential are wired, right-handed mice, but the Basilisk V2 performs better overall. It has a more ergonomic shape with a thumb rest on its left side and a dedicated sniper button. Also, its paracord-like cable is more flexible than the DeathAdder Essential's braided cable, and its mouse feet glide more smoothly. It has a wider CPI range, a more precisely adjustable CPI, a lower lift-off distance, and a much lower latency.

Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed

The Razer Basilisk V2 is a better gaming mouse than the Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed. It features the best Razer sensor, and it's also a bit lighter than the Hyperspeed. Although the V2 doesn't offer the wireless freedom of the Hyperspeed, it's a better overall mouse for gamers.

Razer Viper

The Razer Basilisk V2 and the Razer Viper are both amazing gaming mice that perform similarly. The Viper has an ambidextrous design and feels a little more solid, even though it’s quite a bit lighter, making it an excellent choice for FPS and ultra-light gaming. On the other hand, the Basilisk has better feet that glide more smoothly. It also has a lower click latency, a wider CPI range, and more programmable inputs. People with larger hands may have a hard time using the Viper with a palm or a claw grip, while people with smaller hands may not feel comfortable using the Basilisk with a claw or a fingertip grip.

Razer Viper 8KHz

The Razer Viper 8KHz and the Razer Basilisk V2 are both excellent FPS gaming mice. The V2 has a thumb rest and a sniper button on its left side, and overall has more programmable inputs, but its click latency is slightly higher. On the other hand, you can set the 8KHz to a maximum of 8000Hz, which provides more fluid cursor movements, though we don't currently test this. The 8KHz also has two buttons on both of its sides.

Razer Mamba Elite

The Razer Mamba Elite and the Razer Basilisk V2 look somewhat different but perform very similarly. The Basilisk has more of an ergo-shaped body, with a thumb rest. It also has better feet, and its paracord-like cable is more flexible. The Mamba is slightly smaller and has a more sleek and simple design. Both mice are well-suited for most hand sizes using any grip type. Only people with smaller hands may have a hard time using them with a claw or a fingertip grip.

Razer Basilisk Essential

The Razer Basilisk V2 is a later, improved version of the original Razer Basilisk, compared to the Razer Basilisk Essential, a stripped-down version of the original Basilisk. They have a similar shape and design, but the V2 has an RGB zone in its scroll wheel, two CPI switching buttons, longer and pointier L/R clicks, and some glossy accents. The V2 has a more flexible cable, smoother-gliding mouse feet, and more programmable buttons. It also has a wider CPI range, a CPI you can adjust more precisely, a lower lift-off distance, and a significantly lower latency. Both are best-suited for larger hands using any grip type.

Razer Basilisk

The Razer Basilisk V2 is a nice improvement over the first Razer Basilisk. It's lighter, has a better cable that's lightweight and doesn't keep kinks, and its wired click-latency is lower as well. If your budget allows it, there's no real reason to go for the first version over the V2.

Razer Naga Trinity

The Razer Naga Trinity and the Razer Basilisk V2 are two excellent gaming mice, but the Naga is a better choice for MMOs while the V2 is better for FPS gaming. The Trinity is heavier and comes with three swappable side panels with different button layouts, giving you up to 12 side buttons and 42 programmable inputs. On the other hand, the V2 is a fairly lightweight mouse with a better cable and better feet. Its CPI range is a bit wider and has less variation. Both mice are well-suited for a palm or a claw grip, though people with smaller hands will likely struggle to use the Trinity with any grip type.

Corsair GLAIVE PRO

The Razer Basilisk V2 is a better wired gaming mouse than the Corsair GLAIVE PRO. The Razer is a bit lighter, has a much better cable, lower click latency, more programmable buttons, and a higher max CPI. The Corsair has better software that works on both Windows and macOS and has three side panels that allow you to change the grip and feel of the mouse. The Razer is suitable for any hand size with a palm grip, while the Corsair is suited for any hand size with a claw grip.

ROCCAT Kone Pro

The Razer Basilisk V2 and the ROCCAT Kone Pro are both excellent wired gaming mice. The Basilisk has a larger body with a thumb rest and an extra side button, which is also removable. It also has a lower click latency and a scroll wheel with L/R tilt buttons that also unlocks for free scrolling. Comparatively, the ROCCAT is much lighter and has a more lightweight and flexible-feeling cable. Both mice are well-suited for all grip types and best-suited for larger hands.

Marsback Zephyr RGB

The Razer Basilisk V2 is a better wired gaming mouse than the Marsback Zephyr RGB. The Marsback is somewhat lighter and feels sturdier. It also has an interior fan intended to keep your hand cool and dry. Unfortunately, it only has six default CPI settings. On the other hand, the Razer has much lower click latency, a wider CPI range, and a CPI you can adjust by increments of 50. It also has one additional side button, four more buttons overall, and you can assign a Hypershift button to enable a secondary layer of commands. Lastly, the Razer has customization software, which the Marsback lacks.

ROCCAT Kone AIMO Remastered

The Razer Basilisk is a better wired gaming mouse than the ROCCAT Kone AIMO Remastered. The Razer is significantly lighter and has a more flexible cable. It also has feet that glide more smoothly, a wider CPI range, and much lower click latency. On the other hand, the ROCCAT feels sturdier and has three more independent RGB zones. Both mice are well-suited for a palm grip for all hand sizes, but neither is suitable for small hands using other grip types.

COUGAR Revenger

The Razer Basilisk V2 is a better, wired gaming mouse than the COUGAR Revenger. The Razer is slightly lighter, and it has a thumb rest. It has a more flexible cable and mouse feet that glide more smoothly. It also has five additional buttons, including an extra side button, and its mouse wheel unlocks for free scrolling and has L/R tilt buttons. Performance-wise, it has a wider CPI range, a more adjustable CPI, and much lower click latency. On the other hand, the COUGAR has grippy, rubberized sides, which the Razer lacks.

Xenics Titan GX AIR Wireless

The Razer Basilisk V2 is an excellent wired-only gaming mouse, while the Xenics Titan GX AIR Wireless is an impressive ultra-lightweight gaming mouse. The Razer has a thumb rest and five additional programmable buttons. You can also set a HyperShift button to enable a secondary layer of commands, and its scroll wheel has L/R tilt buttons and a free-scrolling mode. Performance-wise, it has a slightly higher maximum CPI, a more consistent sensor, and much lower click latency. On the other hand, the Xenics connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or wired with its USB-C charging cable. It's also much lighter and feels sturdier.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type
Standard
Lighting Color RGB

The Razer Basilisk V2 looks the same as the Basilisk Ultimate, except it has a cable and doesn't have side RGB lights. It features sharp lines and has a nice gaming-oriented design. It looks a bit more aggressive than the first Razer Basilisk.

Design
Shape
Length 5.1" (130 mm)
Height 1.7" (42 mm)
Width 3.0" (75 mm)
Grip Width
62 mm
5.4
Design
Portability
Volume
25.02 in³ (410 cm³)
Cable/Receiver Storing
No

This mouse isn't the most portable option. Due to its wire, it might be hard to use in cramped spaces like on the train or when traveling via plane. However, this shouldn't matter for people only looking for a gaming mouse to use with their home setup.

8.0
Design
Build Quality

The Razer Basilisk V2's build quality is excellent. Just like the Razer Basilisk Ultimate, the PTFE feet glide well, and the whole mouse is built from solid plastic. The scroll wheel slightly wobbles, but this is due to its ability to tilt. You'll also find a scroll wheel at the bottom of the mouse, which lets you adjust how much resistance you want to put on the actual mouse wheel.

6.4
Design
Weight
Lowest Weight
93.4 g
Default Weight
93.4 g
Weight Distribution
Front-heavy
Extra Weights
No

The Razer Basilisk V2 is on the heavier side, although it isn't the heaviest we've tested so far. However, there's no way to optimize its weight further.

8.5
Design
Comfort Of Use
Right-handed
Yes
Left-handed
No
Ambidextrous
No
Coating
Matte
Finger Rest
Thumb

The Basilisk V2's ergonomic-oriented design is very comfortable to use. It's great for a palm or claw grip and all buttons are easy to reach. The mouse features a nice and comfortable thumb rest on its left side, making it great for right-handed people. If you prefer a straighter, less slanted mouse, check out the Razer DeathAdder V2, as it's almost the same mouse but without the sniper button, and with a less ergonomic design.

Design
Palm Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
Small Hand
Yes
Medium Hand
Yes
Large Hand
Yes
X.Large Hand
Yes

This mouse should be comfortable to use in a palm grip for everyone, regardless of your hand size.

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

When using a claw grip, people with smaller hands might have trouble reaching the sniper button.

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

Although this mouse isn't designed for a fingertip grip, it's still usable, although people with smaller hands might have some difficulty reaching the sniper button and keeping nice control over the mouse.

0
Design
Wireless Versatility
Bluetooth
No
Receiver
No
Battery Type
No Batteries
Use When Charging
No
On/Off Activation
None
Receiver Extender
No
Battery Indicator No

The Razer Basilisk V2 is wired-only and can't be used wirelessly. However, check out the Razer Basilisk Ultimate if you want this mouse in a wireless design.

8.5
Design
Cable
Connectivity Wired
Cable Length 7.0 ft (2.1 m)
Cable Type
Paracord-like
Permanent Kink
Yes
Port Type: Mouse End
No Port
Port Type: PC End
USB

Like most newer Razer mice, the Razer Basilisk V2 features the newest Razer cable, which is very lightweight and flexible. It's a noticeable improvement over the cable used on the first Razer Basilisk and the Razer Basilisk Essential.

8.5
Design
Mouse Feet
Gliding Experience
Good
Material
Virgin Grade PTFE
Extra Included
No
Design
In The Box

  • Razer Basilisk V2 mouse
  • Manuals

Control
8.4
Control
Buttons
Buttons Activation
Optical And Mechanical
Total Number Of Buttons
11
Number Of Side Buttons
3
Number Of Programmable Inputs
24
Profile Switching Button
Yes
CPI (DPI) Switching Button
Yes
Gesture Support
No

This mouse features a lot of different inputs, especially since you can customize the scroll up and down, on top of the scroll wheel tilt inputs as well. The profile switching button is on the bottom side of the mouse, while you have two buttons on the top to raise or lower your CPI setting. All of these are programmable inside the software. You can also set a HyperShift command to enable a second layer of buttons. Note that the sniper button is magnetic, and is easily removable if you don't want it. If you're interested in a mouse that has a very similar shape but has four side buttons arranged in a D-pad layout like some game controllers, check out the Cooler Master MM830

9.4
Control
Click Latency
Expected Connection
2.6 ms
Wired
2.6 ms
Receiver
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A

The wired click latency is very low. It feels responsive and people likely won't notice any delay.

9.4
Control
CPI
SRAV @ 1600 CPI
-0.35%
SRAV @ 800 CPI
-0.33%
SRAV @ 400 CPI
-0.33%
SRAV @ Fixed CPI
N/A
Precision Error Between Speeds
0.27%
Precision Error Between CPI
0.22%
Worst Tracking Error
-5.19%
Minimum CPI
100 CPI
Maximum CPI
20,000 CPI
CPI Adjustment Steps
50 CPI
Control
Sensor Specifications
Sensor Technology
Optical (LED)
Sensor Model
Focus+
Works On Glass
No
Minimum Lift Off Distance
1.2 mm
Maximum Polling Rate
1000 Hz
Control
Mouse Wheel
Scroll Wheel
Notched Wheel + Free Wheel
Scroll Wheel Steps
24 Steps
Scroll Wheel Tilt
Yes
Thumb Wheel
No
Thumb Wheel Steps
No Thumb Wheel

The Razer Basilisk V2's scroll wheel is quite decent. It has left and right tilt inputs, which is nice to have. Also, the scroll wheel resistance can be tuned to your preference. There's a resistance setting on the underside of the mouse that lets you choose whether you want a clicky, incremented scrolling, or a very loose and fluid scrolling.

Control
Noise
Click Noise
Quiet
Operating System And Software
8.0
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
Yes

Just like most Razer products, the Basilisk V2 is compatible with Razer Synapse 3, which allows for a good amount of customization options. You can also save all your settings and profiles on the mouse's on-board memory, so you won't have to reset everything if you switch computers.

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

Although this mouse is fully compatible with Windows, the software isn't available on macOS, although all buttons work. However, this mouse has on-board memory, which means that you can customize everything on a PC and then use it on a Mac computer without any problem.