XPG Alpha review: Affordable gaming mouse with a great PixArt sensor

ADATA is all about storage solutions, but the company has utilized the XPG sub-brand to create more PC components and peripherals. Today, we’re looking at the XPG Alpha Gaming Mouse, available in both wired and wireless flavors. This new gaming mouse promises solid gaming performance with a PixArt PAW 3335 sensor.

It’s still difficult for some companies to produce more affordable gaming mice without sacrificing some function or feature. Perhaps the ergonomics isn’t as good as the competition or the customization is more basic. There’s usually something found in the best mouse that’s overlooked for the price to be brought down to earth.

We’re going to run you through everything that makes the XPG Alpha great to use and also why you should perhaps avoid it.

Price, specifications, and availability

XPG Alpha Mouse

(Image credit: Future)

The XPG Alpha is available as a wired or wireless gaming mouse, costing $39.99 and $59.99, respectively. The specifications of the two mice are almost identical, aside from the internal battery and wireless capabilities. The only other difference is the weight with the wireless Alpha weighing about 20g more.

XPG Alpha XPG Alpha Wireless
Wired USB-C USB-C
Wireless 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.1
Battery life 60 hours
Sensor PixArt PAW 3335 PixArt PAW 3335
IPS 400 400
Acceleration ~40G ~40G
Polling 250Hz, 500Hz, 1000Hz 250Hz, 500Hz, 1000Hz
Switches OMRON (60 million click rating) OMRON (60 million click rating)
RGB lighting
Buttons 6 6
Dimensions 128mm x 78mm x 40mm 128mm x 78mm x 40mm
Weight 78 ±5g 98 ±5g
Warranty 2 years 2 years
Price $39.99 $59.99

XPG Alpha Gaming: What I like

XPG Alpha Mouse

(Image credit: Future)

As well as the specifications, both the wired and wireless versions of the XPG Alpha gaming mouse come with the same packaging and contents. You’ve got the same manuals and USB-C cable. But wait, the Alpha Wireless comes with 2.4GHz support, right? XPG managed to do something we still complain about to this day with other brands.

The PixArt PAW 3335 is a great mid-range sensor and is found in both XPG Alpha mice.

The wireless dongle is actually

Read More... Read More

Sony InZone H9 Gaming Headset Review: Great for PC and PS5, for a Price

It looks like a PS5 headset, but as part of the new InZone gaming accessories family — out of Sony’s entertainment and sound branch of the family tree, rather than the PlayStation clan — the InZone H9 is primarily a PC-intended gaming headset with close ties to the console.

It’s better and more flexible than Sony’s Pulse 3D, but at $300 (£269, AU$449) it’s also a lot more expensive than its kin — the wired $100 InZone H3 hits closer to home — but the H9 works hard for the money against less expensive PlayStation-compatible gaming headset competitors like the SteelSeries Arctis 7P Plus. It’s really, really comfortable and thoughtfully designed, has effective proprietary spatial sound (with Tempest 3D support), excellent audio quality, solid battery life and simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity.

Like

  • Great audio
  • Really comfortable, even with glasses and noise canceling
  • Very warm-sounding mic
  • Solid battery life
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth and PC connections

Don’t Like

  • No analog or wired connection
  • No mic noise cancellation
  • Randomly turned off on Bluetooth

There’s a slightly cheaper model, the $230 InZone H7. It’s the same headset as the H9, with nylon-covered ear cushions like the H3 and without the noise canceling, plus longer battery life. The nylon actually feels a bit cooler, if slipperier than the leatherette, and if you’re indifferent to digital noise canceling they’re probably a better buy. And based on the manufacturer price, I’d expect to see them hit below $200 once the holiday sales roll around.

Given its sound-division roots, it’s not surprising the H9 adapts some technology from Sony’s highly rated WH-1000XM5, including the DNC and 40mm drivers. The H9 uses “low pressure” DNC, which means it tries to not increase the pressure in your ears as much as typical cancellation does, in order to reduce fatigue and other related discomforts. And it does feel less head-squeezy. But I also find it less isolating; even at its best, I can still hear some ambient noise and voices.

Sony InZone H9 gaming headset

The on-ear controls (from left to right) consist of a game/chat balance control, Bluetooth pairing and connection toggle button

Read More... Read More