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Razer Basilisk V3 Mouse Review

Tested using Methodology v1.5
Reviewed Oct 05, 2021 at 10:20 am
Latest change: Writing modified Mar 26, 2024 at 09:56 am
Razer Basilisk V3 Picture
7.0
Work
8.6
Video Games (FPS)
8.7
Video Games (MMO)
9.5
Raw Performance

The Razer Basilisk V3 is a continuation of the Razer Basilisk lineup. It's a sleek, full-featured gaming mouse with a solid, matte plastic body, three side buttons on the left, and a right-handed shape with a thumb rest. It's suitable for all grip types and most hand sizes, but small hands may not reach the sniper button comfortably using a claw or fingertip grip. While some older versions of the Basilisk have a scroll wheel with both tactile and free-scrolling modes, this version includes a new software option that can automatically switch between the two modes depending on how quickly you scroll. Performance-wise, it has exceptionally low click-latency, a very low minimum lift-off distance, and you can adjust the CPI by precise increments of 50, within a broad range.

Our Verdict

7.0 Work

The Razer Basilisk V3 is satisfactory for office and multimedia work. It feels well-built and has a comfortable, right-handed shape suitable for all grip types and most hand sizes. You can program all of its buttons using the customization software, and its scroll wheel has L/R tilt buttons and a free-scrolling mode that engages automatically. Unfortunately, you can't connect it wirelessly.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Lots of programmable buttons.
  • Comfortable, right-handed shape suitable for all grip types and nearly all hand sizes.
  • Scroll wheel has L/R tilt buttons and a free-scrolling mode.
Cons
  • Quite bulky; may not fit in most laptop cases.
  • Wired-only.
8.6 Video Games (FPS)

The Razer Basilisk V3 is an excellent mouse for FPS gaming. It feels well-built and has a right-handed shape suitable for all grip types and most hand sizes. Performance-wise it has a very low minimum lift-off distance and exceptionally low click latency. Its paracord-like cable is flexible, its feet glide smoothly on mousepads and desks, and you can adjust the CPI precisely within a very broad range. Unfortunately, it's much heavier than most mice designed exclusively for FPS gaming.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Extremely low click latency.
  • Comfortable, right-handed shape suitable for all grip types and nearly all hand sizes.
Cons
  • Heavy.
  • Quite bulky; may not fit in most laptop cases.
8.7 Video Games (MMO)

The Razer Basilisk V3 is great for MMO gaming, though it doesn't have as many side buttons as a dedicated MMO gaming mouse. That said, you can program all the buttons it does have using the customization software. It feels well-built and has a comfortable right-handed shape suitable for all grip types and nearly all hand sizes. Performance-wise it has a very low lift-off distance, extremely low click latency, and you can adjust the CPI by increments of 50 within a very wide range.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Extremely low click latency.
  • Lots of programmable buttons.
  • Comfortable, right-handed shape suitable for all grip types and nearly all hand sizes.
  • Scroll wheel has L/R tilt buttons and a free-scrolling mode.
Cons
  • Quite bulky; may not fit in most laptop cases.
  • Not as many side buttons as a dedicated MMO gaming mouse.
9.5 Raw Performance

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
Cons
  • Quite bulky; may not fit in most laptop cases.
  • 7.0 Work
  • 8.6 Video Games (FPS)
  • 8.7 Video Games (MMO)
  • 9.5 Raw Performance
  1. Updated Mar 26, 2024: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed Keychron M6 in the Wireless Versatility section of this review.
  2. 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.
  3. Updated Oct 02, 2023: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in TBU 1.5.
  4. Updated Oct 02, 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.
  5. Updated Apr 26, 2023: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed to the Wireless Versatility section of this review.
  6. Updated Feb 24, 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.
  7. Updated Oct 24, 2022: Updated the article to include a comparison to the recently reviewed Logitech G502 X.
  8. Updated Oct 03, 2022: Added a comparison to the recently reviewed Razer Basilisk V3 Pro.
  9. Updated Sep 08, 2022: 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.
  10. Updated Aug 10, 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.
  11. Updated Jun 15, 2022: We've updated this review to Test Bench 1.1, which revamped our click latency test methodology. We've updated the text to reflect our new results in various sections, including the Click Latency test box, Usages, Introduction, and other locations where we discuss click latency.
  12. Updated May 30, 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.
  13. Updated Oct 05, 2021: Review published.
  14. Updated Sep 30, 2021: Early access published.
  15. Updated Sep 20, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
  16. Updated Sep 16, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  17. Updated Sep 12, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Razer Basilisk V3 we tested is black, and there are no other color variants. You can see the label for our unit here.

Compared To Other Mice

The Razer Basilisk V3 is an excellent wired gaming mouse and continues Razer's successful Basilisk lineup. It's part of an informal category of mice sometimes referred to as "full-featured" gaming mice and has an ergonomic, right-handed shape designed to be comfortable for all grip types and nearly all hand sizes. It also has more programmable buttons than most FPS gaming mice, though not as many as dedicated MMO mice. These qualities make it a great choice for a variety of gaming genres. Also, it has some features typically seen on higher-end office mice, including a scroll wheel with L/R tilt buttons and the ability to automatically switch between a tactile, notched scrolling mode and a free-scrolling mode. Unfortunately, it's on the heavier side, so it won't be a great choice if you're looking for a lightweight option.

For more options, see our recommendations for the best mouse, the best wired mouse, and the best gaming mouse.

Logitech G502 HERO

The Razer Basilisk V3 and the Logitech G502 HERO are full-featured gaming mice with comparable performance. The Razer is lighter and has a more flexible cable. It also has better quality mouse feet and lower click latency. On the other hand, the Logitech feels sturdier and has one additional button overall. Its software is also compatible with Windows and macOS, while the Razer software is only compatible with Windows. Both mice have scroll wheels with L/R tilt buttons and free-scrolling modes, but the Razer's wheel can automatically switch between modes depending on how quickly you scroll.

Logitech G502 X

The Razer Basilisk V3 and the Logitech G502 X are wired multi-genre gaming mice that perform similarly well. They do have a few differences. Notably, the Razer has a higher-quality cable, and its feet offer a slightly better gliding experience. The Razer also has RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Logitech is significantly lighter.

Razer Basilisk V3 Pro

The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro is the wireless version of the Razer Basilisk V3. They're nearly identical, but the V3 Pro features an upgraded sensor and Gen-3 optical switches in the left- and right-click buttons. Although the V3 Pro is wireless, its included cable is more flexible.

Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed

The Razer Basilisk V3 is a newer, wired iteration in the Basilisk lineup, while the Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed is an older, wireless iteration. The Basilisk V3 is a wired-only model that's lighter and has better quality mouse feet. It also has five additional buttons, including an extra side button, and it has RGB lighting, which the Basilisk X Hyperspeed lacks. Performance-wise, it has a higher maximum CPI, a lower lift-off distance, and lower click latency. It also has a scroll wheel with L/R tilt buttons and a free-scrolling mode. On the other hand, the Basilisk X Hyperspeed connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth.

Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro

The Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro is an excellent wireless gaming mouse, while the Basilisk V3 is an excellent wired gaming mouse. The Basilisk V3 is a wired-only model with a thumb rest and three additional buttons. It also has a higher maximum CPI and a lower minimum lift-off distance. Also, it has a scroll wheel with L/R tilt buttons and a free-scrolling mode. On the other hand, the Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro is lighter and connects either wirelessly with its USB receiver or Bluetooth or wired with its charging cable.

Razer Basilisk V2

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 Ultimate and the Razer Basilisk V3 are similar mice in Razer's Basilisk lineup. The Ultimate is an older version that connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or wired with its charging cable. On the other hand, the V3 is a newer, wired-only version. It has better quality mouse feet and a higher maximum CPI. It also has an additional RGB area with nine independent RGB zones that wrap around both sides and the back, casting light under the mouse. Both mice have scroll wheels with free-scrolling modes, but the V3 has an option to enable the feature automatically, depending on how quickly you scroll.

SteelSeries Aerox 5

The Razer Basilisk V3 and the SteelSeries Aerox 5 are wired, multi-genre gaming mice, but the Razer performs better overall. The Razer feels more comfortable thanks to its thumb rest, and it's better suited for more hand sizes and grip types. Also, its latency is significantly better and its scroll wheel has L/R tilt inputs and a free-scrolling mode. On the other hand, the SteelSeries is significantly lighter, and its companion software works with macOS.

Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed

The Razer Basilisk V3 and the Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed are gaming mice in the same lineup. The Basilisk V3 is a wired-only model with somewhat better gaming performance. It also has more RGB lighting and a scroll wheel that supports tilt inputs and free-scrolling. On the other hand, the Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed is a wireless model that connects with a USB receiver or via Bluetooth and uses AA batteries for power.

Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED

The Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED and the Razer Basilisk V3 are both versatile, full-featured gaming mice. The Basilisk is a wired-only model that's lighter and has mouse feet that glide more smoothly. It also has lower click latency. While both mice have scroll wheels with L/R tilt buttons and free-scrolling modes, only the Razer has a software option to enable automatic switching between free-scrolling and notched-scrolling modes. On the other hand, the Logitech connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or wired with its charging cable. It also feels sturdier and has a more consistent sensor. Also, the customization software is compatible with Windows and macOS, while the Razer software is only compatible with Windows.

Razer DeathAdder V2

The Razer DeathAdder V2 and the Razer Basilisk V3 are wired gaming mice with comparable performance. The Basilisk has a somewhat more flexible cable, a slightly higher maximum CPI, and three additional buttons, including one additional side button. Also, its scroll wheel has L/R tilt buttons and free-scrolling, two features the DeathAdder V2 lacks. On the other hand, the DeathAdder V2 is considerably lighter. Both mice are suitable for all grip types and most hand sizes. However, both mice are unsuitable for small hands using a claw or fingertip grip.

Razer Viper 8KHz

The Razer Viper 8KHz and the Razer Basilisk V3 are both excellent wired gaming mice. The Viper 8Hkz is significantly lighter and has a higher maximum polling rate. It also has two side buttons on the left and right side, while the [nolink:Basilisk V3} only has side buttons on the left. On the other hand, the [nolink:Basilisk V3] has a thumb rest and three additional buttons overall. Its mouse wheel also has L/R functions and a free-scrolling mode that you can set to enable automatically.

Razer DeathAdder V2 X HyperSpeed

The Razer Basilisk V3 and the Razer DeathAdder V2 X HyperSpeed are both great FPS gaming mice, but with very different designs. While the Basilisk V3 is wired with a more ergonomic shape, the DeathAdder is wireless-only and lacks a thumb rest. The Basilisk V3 has a dedicated sniper button, and its scroll wheel unlocks for free scrolling, making it more versatile. Comparatively, you can use the DeathAdder V2 X HyperSpeed wirelessly via its receiver or Bluetooth, and its two CPI buttons are on the edge of the left click. Also, it has no RGB lighting and no side grips.

Razer Viper Ultimate

The Razer Viper Ultimate and the Razer Basilisk V3 are both excellent gaming mice, but the Viper Ultimate is wireless and aimed more towards FPS gaming, while the Basilisk V3 is wired and more versatile for a range of game genres. The Viper Ultimate is much lighter and has two side buttons on each side of the mouse. On the other hand, the Basilisk V3 has a thumb rest, and three additional buttons, though it doesn't have any buttons on the right side. The Basilisk V3 also has lower click latency and a scroll wheel with L/R tilt buttons, and a free-scrolling mode.

Corsair M65 RGB ULTRA WIRELESS

The Corsair M65 RGB ULTRA WIRELESS is a good wireless gaming mouse, and the Razer Basilisk V3 is an excellent wired gaming mouse. You can use the Corsair wireless via its USB receiver or Bluetooth, and you can adjust its CPI more precisely in increments of one. Also, it comes with three weights in case you prefer heavier mice. On the other hand, the Razer is a wired-only mouse that's slightly lighter. It has a better quality cable and better quality mouse feet, more programmable buttons thanks to the Hypershift feature and much lower click latency.

GLORIOUS Model D

The GLORIOUS Model D is an excellent ultra-lightweight gaming mouse, while the Razer Basilisk V3 is an excellent full-featured gaming mouse. The GLORIOUS is significantly lighter and has a more flexible paracord-like cable. On the other hand, the Razer has a thumb rest and five additional buttons overall. It also has a lower lift-off distance, lower click latency, a much wider CPI range, and a CPI you can adjust more precisely. Also, the Razer's scroll wheel has L/R tilt buttons and a free-scrolling mode that you can choose to engage automatically depending on how quickly you're scroll.

GLORIOUS Model I

The Razer Basilisk V3 and the GLORIOUS Model I are both multi-genre gaming mice, but the Razer performs better overall. The Razer has better click latency, a free-scrolling mode for its scroll wheel, and it has many more programmable inputs thanks to its Hypershift feature, which adds an additional layer of inputs. On the other hand, the GLORIOUS is significantly lighter, has modular side buttons, and its cable is slightly better.

ROCCAT Kone XP

The Razer Basilisk V3 and the ROCCAT Kone XP are both wired, multi-genre gaming mice with comfortable, right-handed shapes. The Razer has higher quality mouse feet and a wider CPI range. It also has significantly lower click latency and a scroll wheel with L/R tilt buttons, and a free-scrolling mode, while the ROCCAT's scroll wheel only has L/R tilt buttons. On the other hand, the ROCCAT feels somewhat sturdier and has much more elaborate RGB lighting. It also has several additional programmable inputs, including a button on the thumb rest.

GLORIOUS Model D Wireless

The GLORIOUS Model D Wireless is an excellent wireless gaming mouse, while the Razer Basilisk V3 is an excellent wired gaming mouse. The GLORIOUS is substantially lighter, and despite being a wireless mouse, it has a more flexible cable that it uses for charging. On the other hand, the Razer has a thumb rest, a higher maximum CPI, and lower click latency. It also has five additional buttons, and you can assign a HyperShift button to enable a secondary layer of commands. Additionally, its scroll wheel has L/R tilt buttons and a free-scrolling mode.

+ Show more

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type
Standard
Coating
Matte
Lighting Color RGB

The Razer Basilisk V3 has a mostly matte black plastic body with some glossy black accents. It looks nearly identical to the Razer Basilisk V2 but the design of the sniper button is slightly different compared to older versions of the Basilisk and is no longer removable. Also, it has an underglow RGB area with nine independent lighting zones that wraps around both sides and back. There are two additional independent lighting zones in the scroll wheel and on the logo in the palm rest.

Design
Shape
Length 5.1" (130 mm)
Width 3.0" (75 mm)
Height 1.7" (42 mm)
Grip Width
62 mm
Ambidextrous
No
Left-Handed Friendly
No
Finger Rest
Thumb
5.4
Design
Portability
Box Volume
25.02 in³ (410 cm³)
Receiver Storing
No
8.0
Design
Build Quality

The Razer Basilisk V3 feels well-built overall. The matte plastic feels good quality and has a pleasant texture. There's a minor wobble in the scroll wheel because of the L/R tilt inputs, but it shouldn't present any problems when using the mouse. There's slight flexing in the body around some of the underglow RGB zones, but again, we don't expect this to be a problem during everyday use.

6.0
Design
Weight
Lowest Weight
99.9 g
Default Weight
99.9 g
Weight Distribution
Front-heavy
Extra Weights
No

The Razer Basilisk V3 is on the heavier side compared to most gaming mice, and there's no way to optimize its weight. If you're interested in a lighter multi-genre gaming mouse, check out the Logitech G502 X.

Design
Hand Size Recommendation
Palm Grip Hand Recommendation
Claw Grip Hand Recommendation
Fingertip Grip Hand Recommendation

The Razer Basilisk V3 has a comfortable, slightly textured right-handed shape with a thumb rest. It feels very similar to the Razer Basilisk V2. The buttons are comfortably laid out, but small hands may not reach the sniper button comfortably using some grip types.

0
Design
Wireless Versatility
Maximum Of Paired Devices
Wired
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 V3 is a wired-only mouse that you can't use wirelessly. If you're interested in wireless alternatives from the same lineup, check out the mid-range Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed or the more premium Razer Basilisk V3 Pro.

Alternatively, if you're interested in a wireless option that blends more productivity-focused features (including a secondary scroll wheel and multi-device pairing) but still offers great gaming performance, see our review for the Keychron M6.

8.5
Design
Cable
Connectivity Wired
Cable Length
6.2 ft (1.9 m)
Cable Type
Paracord-like
Permanent Kink
Yes
Port Type: Mouse End
No Port
Port Type: PC End
USB

The Razer Basilisk V3 has an excellent paracord-like cable. It feels decently flexible, but it retains kinks from its packaging.

9.0
Design
Mouse Feet
Gliding Experience
Good
Material
Virgin Grade PTFE
Extra Included
No

The Razer Basilisk V3 has outstanding mouse feet. They glide smoothly on desks and mousepads and are a slight improvement over the feet on the Razer Basilisk V2.

Design
In The Box

  • Razer Basilisk V3
  • Stickers
  • USB cover
  • User documentation

Control
Control
Main Button
Switch Type
Optical
Switch Model
Razer Optical Mouse Switch Gen 2

This mouse's left- and right-click buttons use Razer Optical Mouse Switch Gen 2 switches.

8.1
Control
Additional Buttons
Total Number Of Buttons
11
Number Of Side Buttons
3
Number Of Programmable Inputs
24
Profile Switching Button
Yes
Gesture Support
No

You can program all of the buttons on the Razer Basilisk V3, including the up/down inputs of the scroll wheel and the profile switch button on the underside of the mouse. However, the software requires that the left-click button is assigned to a button at all times. You can assign a HyperShift button which acts like a keyboard's shift button, enabling a secondary layer of programmable inputs. The furthest forward side button acts as a sniper button by default and shifts to a lower CPI while you hold it so you can aim more precisely. On previous versions of the Basilisk, this button was removable, but it's static on this version.

9.3
Control
Click Latency
Expected Connection
2.9 ms
Wired
2.9 ms
Receiver
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A

The Razer Basilisk V3 has exceptionally low and stable click latency. You won't experience any click latency delay when gaming in any genre.

9.8
Control
CPI
SRAV @ 1600 CPI
-0.10%
SRAV @ 800 CPI
-0.04%
SRAV @ 400 CPI
-0.17%
SRAV @ Fixed CPI
N/A
Precision Error Between Speeds
0.28%
Precision Error Between CPI
0.28%
Worst Tracking Error
-4.00%
Minimum CPI
100 CPI
Maximum CPI
26,000 CPI
CPI Adjustment Steps
50 CPI
8.9
Control
Sensor Latency
Delay To Start Of Movement
12.2 ms
Delay At Half Movement
3.8 ms
Delay To End Of Movement
5.4 ms
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

The polling rate options on the Razer Basilisk V3 are 125Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz.

Control
Mouse Wheel
Scroll Wheel Type
Notched Wheel + Free Wheel
Scroll Wheel Steps
24 Steps
Scroll Wheel Tilt
Yes
Thumb Wheel Type
No
Thumb Wheel Steps
No Thumb Wheel

The scroll wheel has a grippy rubber surface, a middle-click that doesn't wobble, and stable L/R tilt buttons. It has a tactile and free-scrolling mode that you can switch between by assigning a manual toggle button. There's a software option called Smart-Reel, which, when enabled, automatically switches to the free-scrolling mode when you scroll quickly enough and is similar to the Smartshift function on the Logitech MX Master 3.

Control
Noise
Click Noise
Quiet
Operating System And Software
Operating System And Software
Configuration Software
Software Name Razer Synapse 3
Software Windows Compatibility
Yes
Software macOS Compatibility
No
On-Board Memory
Yes
CPI (DPI) Adjustment
Yes
Polling Rate Adjustment
Yes
Profile Configuration
Yes
Profile Auto-Switching
Yes
RGB On/Off
Yes

The software is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Unfortunately, it comes with elements that some users may feel are bloatware, and it needs frequent updates, which can be irritating.

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

All default button functions work in Windows and macOS. However, the profile switching button on the underside does nothing in macOS since there isn't a compatible software option to create multiple profiles.