When comparing Razer DeathAdder 3.5G vs Razer DeathAdder Elite, the Slant community recommends Razer DeathAdder Elite for most people. In the question“What is the best gaming mouse?” Razer DeathAdder Elite is ranked 2nd while Razer DeathAdder 3.5G is ranked 52nd. The most important reason people chose Razer DeathAdder Elite is:
The DeathAdder gaming mouse has a simple design and ergonomics that makes it comfortable for a wide variety of hand sizes and grips.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Suitable for lefties
This mouse is well-known for its ergonomic shape well-suited for lefties. Its sizable groove on the right side guides the left thumb to a comfortable spot. The left side has a slightly angled surface that gives freedom for the rest of the fingers to position themselves as they please.
Pro Large thumb buttons don't get in the way of the grip
The DeathAdder has two thumb buttons that are quite large and easy to press without getting in the way of the grip.
Pro Fits the hand naturally with a palm grip
Due to its curves, it feels natural to hold the mouse with a palm grip. It has a defined thumb groove on one side and an open side for your ring and pinky fingers on the other. The general contour of the mouse is curved so it feels like it is specifically molded for you hand. The mouse relies more on its shape rather than textured finishes to maintain your hand’s grip.
Pro Comes with a companion software for customised profile creation
Although it’s an older mouse, its Synapse 2.0 software is still updated (as of Spring 2017) and allows you to change DPI, polling rate, create macros and reassign buttons. All of the options are tied to profiles. Keep in mind that certain modifications will not work unless the software is running in the background. The software also has optional stats and heatmaps that track your mouse usage. The software is PC and Mac compatible.
Pro Decent sensor, with several DPI options
This mouse comes with the Avago S3888 sensor, which is decent, but doesn’t offer perfect performance. Some of its original issues can be fixed with a firmware update. Originally, it has four DPI stages of 450/900/1800/3500. However, its 1800 DPI option is native and is regarded as the most accurate one with the highest perfect control speed. If you use the updated Synapse 2.0 software, these options increase to include every value between 100 and 3500, with steps of 100.
Pro Surface allows for easy sweat evaporation
The top of the mouse has a hard rubberized finish, which allow sweat to evaporate easily.
Pro Comfortable for most sizes of hands and grips
The DeathAdder gaming mouse has a simple design and ergonomics that makes it comfortable for a wide variety of hand sizes and grips.
Pro 16,000 CPI sensor
The new Avago ADNS-S3989 optical sensor used in the Razer DeathAdder Elite gaming mouse allows for a whopping 16,000 CPI.
Pro Comfortable for large hands
With dimensions, 127 mm/5.00” x 70 mm/2.76” x 44 mm/1.73”, DeathAdder is just a bit bigger than an everyday mouse.
Pro Two side buttons in an easily accessible yet unobtrusive position
The two side buttons on this gaming mouse are programmable and have the exact same actuation as the left and right mouse buttons. They are also placed well where they are easy to access but are also unobtrusive.
Pro Reasonably lightweight at 105 grams
At 105 grams, the Razer DeathAdder Elite gaming mouse is reasonably lightweight.
Pro Synapse is well-designed driver software
Synapse can be a useful tool by saving a users setting to the cloud automatically, setting do not need to be remembered upon re-installs or using a friend's PC.
Pro Cable braiding protects it from accidental damage
The DeathAdder Elite gaming mouse has a 2.13m braided cable, that helps prevent kinking, curling and protects the cable prolonging life of mouse.
Pro Left and right-click buttons have a concave that helps fingers stay in place
The concave design of the left and right mouse buttons allows for fingers to stay comfortably in place .
Pro Rubber textured sides that help grip the mouse
Pro 5 Independently programmable buttons
All five buttons on the device are independently programmable with the Synapse software.
Pro 16.8 million customizable color options
The mouse's software allows for a wide selection of solid color options as well as colors that rotate.
Pro Price-quality balance
Not expensive and multi-functional.
Pro High quality
Can survive after been drenched with coffee
Cons
Con DPI switch is located under the mouse, so it can't be used on-the-fly
A DPI switch is available but it's located under the mouse. It cannot be bound to a different function.
Con Old legacy drivers may need to be used to solve acceleration issues
If you encounter some acceleration issues, you may need to replace the Synapse software with the old legacy drivers to eliminate this issue.
Con Mouse feet are too thin and will wear out over time
The mouse feet are really thin and will wear out over time. To avoid this, another set of mouse feet can be placed on top of the old ones to increase their height.
Con To decrease the lift off distance, a work-around needs to be used
Although the lift off distance is quite high at 3.5mm, there is a possible work-around for that (the mouse lacks the ability of changing its value). If you partly cover the sensor with a non transparent tape the lift off distance gets lowered but at the cost of losing a little bit of perfect control speed. You may want to experiment first to achieve your desired performance.
Con Sensor firmware update is essential
In order to make the most out of the S3888 sensor, it’s crucial to have its firmware updated. This eliminates the jitter that’s present without the update. Other than this, it performs quite well.
Con Side surfces feel like they are of inferior quality
The sides are a glossy plastic that feels inferior in quality to the top side.
Con Rubber textured sides come off.
After prolonged use, the glue used to attach rubber textured sides no longer bind the sides.
Con Requires signing in and connecting to a server before the mouse can be used to its full potential
To get the latest drivers or edit settings, you have to download "synapse", an online cloud device updater and profile storage application. You have to register an account with your email and have it running in the background constantly for changes to take effect.
Con Scroll wheel squeaks
When scrolling using the mouse wheel, an annoying squeaking occurs. Surprisingly, this is a more common complaint than one would think... Google it.
Con Poor build quality, or longevity of product
Often need to get a replacement.
Con Distracting lights
Although the lights on the mouse look nice, they may bother or be distracting to some people. If they are too distracting, they can be turned off but that does require proprietary software that many do not like having installed.