We cross swords with a capable gaming mouse
This eight-buttoned mouse has a lot going for it, such as the 3200dpi Avago 5050 optical sensor with adjustable dpi settings from 800, 1600, 2400 and 3200. There's also a dedicated turbo fire button, a multi-coloured LED setup, rubberised palm and side grip finish, and a set of built-in balancing weights that make the mouse a hefty 300g.
Build quality is surprisingly good for a mouse from a company we've never heard of before. We like the wide grip and the splayed sides that offer a rest for the thumb and ring finger, with the two forward and back buttons located slightly higher but still within easy reach of the thumb.
The wide grip, though, does mean that the position of the Turbo Fire button is a slight stretch for the index finger, it being placed just to the left and raised slightly off the left-mouse button. It's not a huge issue, but if you're using it a lot with the right-mouse button then you'll start to notice a strain.
We've mentioned in the past that a good mouse depends on how it feels in the user's hand, and how it performs not just in gaming but also for normal desktop duties. Thankfully, in this case, the Samurai has a good feel to it, not too heavy and well-balanced; plus the adjustable dpi settings help to tweak the speed of the mouse to your personal tastes relatively quickly. In addition to the hardware side of tweaking, the included mini-CD contains the Samurai control centre, which enhances the functionality of the mouse by allowing you to create custom mappings for each of the buttons across four different profiles.
Along with the button customisation, you can also change the colour of the LEDs and how they're displayed on the mouse, such as pulsating or static and so on. It's a minor tweak, but one that a lot of users take pride in when matching LED colours with other kit they own.
The Xebec Tech Samurai is a reasonably good gaming mouse. It's fast, responsive and accurate, while being comfortable enough for gaming sessions, as well as everyday use for longer periods. However, the best feature here is the price.
At just £11.99, this is a great buy for gamers on a tight budget, or anyone else who doesn't fancy spending over £30 for a gaming mouse. The Samurai proves that you don't necessarily need to remortgage your house for a decent gaming peripheral.
The wide design can be a bit too awkward for smaller hands, admittedly, but for an adult/young adult it shouldn't be a problem. In conclusion, we think the Xebec Tech Samurai gaming mouse is a great choice for those looking to spend very little on their next mouse. David Hayward
A wide grip mouse, with plenty of features and at a good price.