ROCCAT Kain 100 AIMO  Mouse Review

Reviewed Sep 01, 2021 at 11:09am
Tested using Methodology v1.0 
ROCCAT Kain 100 AIMO

Track

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

Track

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The ROCCAT Kain 100 AIMO is a wired gaming mouse that feels well-built, and it has two buttons on its left side and a CPI switching button below its scroll wheel. It's well-suited for almost all hand sizes using any grip type. However, those with extra-large hands may find their fingers extend past the front end of the mouse using a palm grip. Performance-wise, it has a somewhat wide CPI range, a CPI that you can adjust in increments of 100, and a very consistent sensor. Its click latency and lift-off distance are low, but they aren't as low as other gaming options. Unfortunately, the mouse is quite heavy, which isn't ideal for fans of lightweight mice.

Our Verdict

0.0
Office/Multimedia 

The ROCCAT Kain 100 is good for office use. It feels well-built, and it's well-suited for almost all hand sizes using any grip type. However, extra-large hands may find that their fingers extend past the front end of the mouse when using a palm grip. All of its buttons are remappable, and you can even set an Easy-Shift[+] button for a second layer of controls. Unfortunately, you can't use it wirelessly, and it lacks some helpful office features, like free scrolling and L/R tilt buttons on its scroll wheel.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • You can program all buttons using the companion software.
  • All default buttons work in Windows and macOS.
Cons
  • Wired-only design.
  • Scroll wheel doesn't have L/R tilt buttons or free scrolling.
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Video Games (FPS) 

The ROCCAT Kain 100 is very good for FPS gaming. It has many programmable buttons, and you can set an Easy-Shift[+] button for a second layer of controls for as long as you hold it. It has a low click latency and lift-off distance, though some gamers may prefer a lower option, and its CPI range should be wide enough for most people. You can adjust the set CPI in increments of 100, and the mouse has a consistent and accurate sensor. Unfortunately, its rubber cable retains kinks from packaging, and its mouse feet don't glide as well as the ones on some other mice.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Low click latency.
  • Low lift-off distance.
  • You can program all buttons using the companion software.
Cons
  • Rubber cable retains kinks.
  • Mouse feet don't glide as smoothly as on some other mice.
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Video Games (MMO) 

The ROCCAT Kain 100 is good for MMO gaming, but it doesn't have nearly as many buttons as a dedicated MMO mouse. However, you can reprogram all the buttons it does have, and you can also set an Easy-Shift[+] button that gives you a second layer of controls for as long as you hold it. It has a low click latency and lift-off distance, and its CPI range should be wide enough for most gamers. While you can adjust its set CPI, it's in increments of 100 only, which isn't as precise as other options.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Low click latency.
  • Low lift-off distance.
  • You can program all buttons using the companion software.
Cons
  • Doesn't have as many buttons as dedicated MMO mice.
  • Rubber cable retains kinks.
  • Mouse feet don't glide as smoothly as on some other mice.
0.0
Ultra-Light Gaming 

The ROCCAT Kain 100 scores well as an ultra-light gaming mouse, but it's heavier than what we consider lightweight. Also, its mouse feet don't glide as smoothly as the ones on some other mice, and its rubber cable retains packaging kinks. That said, it fees well-built, and it has a low click latency and lift-off distance, although some gamers may prefer them to be lower.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
  • Low click latency.
  • Low lift-off distance.
  • You can program all buttons using the companion software.
Cons
  • Rubber cable retains kinks.
  • Mouse feet don't glide as smoothly as on some other mice.
0.0
Travel 

The ROCCAT Kain 100 is inadequate for travel since it's bulky and may not fit most laptop cases. Also, it's a wired-only mouse with a non-removable cable, which may make it annoying to use in small spaces like buses, trains, and planes.

Pros
  • Feels well-built.
Cons
  • Wired-only design.
  • 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 Sep 01, 2021: Review published.
    2.  Updated Aug 27, 2021: Early access published.
    3.  Updated Jun 21, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
    4.  Updated Jun 15, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.

    Check Price

    BlackKain 100 AIMO
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    WhiteKain 102 AIMO
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    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    We tested the ROCCAT Kain 100 AIMO in the black color variant. There's also a white/black color variant available named the ROCCAT Kain 102 AIMO. Although differently named, the differences between the two variants seem to be exclusively the color, so we expect our test results to apply to the ROCCAT Kain 102 AIMO as well. You can see our unit's label here.

    Popular Mouse Comparisons

    The ROCCAT Kain 100 is similar to other mice in ROCCAT's Kain lineup. It has a nearly identical shape to the ROCCAT Kain 200 AIMO, but the Kain 100 AIMO can't be used wirelessly, and it lacks an RGB zone in its palm area. Performance-wise, it falls a little short. While its lift-off distance and click latency are low, they aren't as low as other gaming options in its price range. However, it's popular with gamers who drag click, which is a technique some people use to increase their clicks-per-second, giving them an advantage in some games. However, we don't currently test this, or and we generally don't recommend it since it may reduce the life span of the switches.

    For other options, see our recommendations for the best mice, the best gaming mice, and the best FPS gaming mice.

    ROCCAT Kain 120 AIMO

    Track

    The ROCCAT Kain 120 AIMO and the ROCCAT Kain 100 AIMO are nearly identical, but the 120 AIMO has a few upgrades, like a grippy soft-touch coating over its entire body, a braided cable, and an RGB zone in its logo at the back of the palm rest. Also, it has a proprietary OWL-EYE sensor, giving it a wider CPI range, a more precisely adjustable CPI, and a lower lift-off distance. The 100 AIMO's click latency is marginally lower than on our 120 AIMO, but the difference won't be noticeable to most people.

    ROCCAT Kone AIMO Remastered

    Track

    The ROCCAT Kone AIMO Remastered performs better for gaming than the ROCCAT Kain 100 AIMO. You can adjust the Kone's CPI more precisely within a wider range, and its lift-off distance is lower. It has more programmable buttons, including a default Easy-Shift[+] button on the bottom of its thumb rest that gives you a second layer of controls for as long as you hold it. On the other hand, the Kain 100 is lighter, and it has lower click latency. Also, its rubber cable feels more flexible than the Kone's braided cable.

    HyperX Pulsefire Haste

    Track

    The HyperX Pulsefire Haste is an excellent ultra-light gaming mouse, while the ROCCAT Kain 100 AIMO is a very good gaming mouse. The HyperX has a honeycomb cutout design that makes it much lighter than the ROCCAT. Also, it has a more flexible cable, and its mouse feet glide much more smoothly. Performance-wise, it has a wider CPI range, a lower lift-off distance, and slightly lower latency. On the other hand, the ROCCAT has more programmable inputs thanks to its Easy-Shift[+] feature.

    GLORIOUS Model O

    Track

    The GLORIOUS Model O and the ROCCAT Kain 100 AIMO are both wired gaming mice, but the GLORIOUS performs better overall. The GLORIOUS is much lighter thanks to its honeycomb cutout design, and it has a more flexible cable and smoother-gliding mouse feet. Performance-wise, it has a higher maximum CPI, a lower lift-off distance, and a marginally lower click latency, although the difference won't be noticeable to most people. Comparatively, the ROCCAT has a lower minimum CPI and more programmable buttons thanks to its Easy-Shift[+] feature.

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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
    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
    0.0
    Cable
    ConnectivityLockedWired
    SAMPLE
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    ROCCAT Kain 100 AIMO 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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    ROCCAT Kain 100 AIMO 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