Last year, the German manufacturer be quiet! proved that it can do more than just power supplies, coolers and cases with its impressive entry into the gaming keyboard segment. With the Dark Mount (our test), they delivered an innovative, quiet and versatile keyboard. Now comes the next big bang, as the new Dark Perk series marks the company’s entry into the gaming mouse segment – either ergonomic or symmetrical. Our be quiet! Dark Perk Sym test clarifies whether the proven quality is also delivered here.
Technical data of the be quiet! Dark Perk Sym
| The product | Dark Perk Sym |
| Ergonomics | Ergonomic (for right-handers) |
| Sensor | PixArt PAW3950 |
| Sensor type | Optical |
| DPI | 100 – 32.000 |
| IPS | 750 |
| Acceleration | 50G |
| Polling rate | 8,000 Hz |
| Hardware acceleration | None |
| Number of buttons | 6 (5 programmable) |
| Material | ABS plastic |
| Switch |
Mechanical
|
| Weight | 55 grams |
| Dimension | 123 x 66 x 39 mm |
| Cable length / material | 1.8 meters / fabric sheathing |
| Connection | USB type A to USB type C |
| Connectivity | Wireless (2.4 GHz receiver); wired |
| Battery life | Up to 110 hours |
| Price | € 99.90 * |
be quiet! Dark Perk Sym test: Open design meets simple elegance
The be quiet! Dark Perk Sym leaves a very mature, almost grown-up impression from the very first inspection. Exactly what you would expect from a manufacturer that otherwise stands for uncompromising quietness and quality in power supply units and coolers. After prolonged use, this first impression is fully confirmed. The symmetrical case is aimed at right- and left-handed users and deliberately dispenses with aggressive gaming elements or RGB lighting. However, left-handers are left out in the cold when it comes to the side buttons, as both buttons can only be found on the left.
Simple, restrained and powerful. Instead, be quiet! relies on clear lines, matt surfaces and subtle accents. The coating has a high-quality feel, offers a very good grip even during longer sessions and is surprisingly resistant to fingerprints and hand perspiration. The very clean workmanship is particularly positive. Nothing creaks, nothing gives way, even under heavy pressure. The primary and side keys are perfectly integrated into the housing and have no lateral play whatsoever. That’s how it should be.
With its low weight of 55 grams, the Dark Perk Sym is clearly positioned in the competitive gaming segment. In practice, this ensures extremely fast, controlled movements without the mouse ever feeling cheap or unstable. It is precisely this balancing act of lightweight construction and stability that be quiet! achieves remarkably well here. With dimensions of 123 x 66 x 39 mm, the mouse is primarily aimed at gamers with small to medium-sized hands and scores points with its comfortable ergonomics, which feel particularly at home in the claw or fingertip grip.
32,000 DPI, 8,000 Hz – The features of the be quiet! Dark Perk Sym
When it comes to features, be quiet! follows a clear philosophy: quality over quantity. Instead of unnecessary gimmicks, the be quiet! Dark Perk Sym relies on components that really count in everyday and competitive use. Technically, the Sym shines with the PixArt PAW3950 sensor (up to 32,000 DPI, 750 IPS, 50 G acceleration), Omron Optical D2FP-FN2 switches (for fast, long-lasting clicks with minimal pre-travel) and a polling rate of up to 8,000 Hz, which makes it suitable for high-FPS eSports.
The installed main buttons impress with a clearly defined, pleasantly quiet click behavior – typical be quiet! Especially after many hours of use, this restrained acoustics are appreciated, particularly in quiet environments or when gaming at night. The side buttons are also easily accessible and provide crisp feedback without being spongy.
Six buttons (including a DPI switch at the bottom) plus a scroll wheel round off the features. The side buttons click somewhat hollowly but precisely and the mouse wheel has a distinctive grid for controlled scrolling in Excel spreadsheets or in-game menus. Positive: The power switch and DPI button under the mouse are easy to reach, and the LED indicators also briefly show the different DPI levels.
In addition to the mouse, the scope of delivery includes a 1.8 m long, (manufacturer-typical) orange USB-C cable, the 2.4 GHz wireless dongle with USB-C adapter for desk mounting, replacement PTFE pads and a brief instruction manual.
Up to 110 hours of battery life
Even though the Dark Perk Sym is primarily designed as a performance mouse, it surprises with a very solid battery life that proves to be absolutely reliable in everyday use. Even with intensive use over several days, I had to think about recharging much less often than with many lightweight gaming mice.
At a polling rate of 1,000 Hz, the integrated battery lasts up to 110 hours, which was confirmed in my tests. Charging via USB-C then takes around 2-3 hours, which is fine. However, if you increase the sampling rate, the runtime naturally decreases accordingly. At 8,000 Hz it is then only a good 20-30 hours. That’s the price you pay for the higher sampling rate.
The constant performance level is particularly positive: there are no noticeable differences in sensor behavior, regardless of whether the battery level is high or low. This speaks for a very well-coordinated energy management. Charging is straightforward via the supplied cable, and the mouse can continue to be used during this time without any problems.
App connection: via browser or software
The be quiet! companion app is also pleasingly modern and allows customization either in the browser or, quite classically, via software. The be quiet! IO Center software is a highlight: rich in functions, but lean, without bloatware.
I configured DPI levels (up to 5 in steps of 50, max. 32,000 DPI, key assignments, polling rate, lift-off distance (low/medium/high), debounce time (0-12 ms) and profiles directly in an intuitive interface.
Once set up, the mouse can reliably retain the settings in its internal memory. Ideal for users who use their mouse on several systems or want to avoid software running in the background. The software itself runs stably and does not have any intrusive background processes.
be quiet! Dark Perk Sym in the gaming and practical test
In daily use, from fast-paced shooters to MOBA titles to productive work, the be quiet! Dark Perk Sym quickly shows what it is made for: uncompromising control and strong performance without frills. The low weight ensures minimal fatigue, even after hours of sessions. The symmetrical shape is ideal for claw and fingertip grip and feels surprisingly natural.
The mouse really comes into its own in competitive shooters. Precise flickshots, clean tracking and absolutely reliable sensor performance make it a real tool for ambitious gamers. At the same time, thanks to its quiet clicks and pleasant feel, it also remains a reliable companion in the office or creative sector.
However, in comparison with other gaming mice, I have found that the sensitivity of the sensor in the software urgently needs to be increased. With the default value of 10, the be quiet! Dark Perk Sym glides a little slower over mouse pads than its counterparts from Razer, Corsair and others, despite its actually good gliding properties and DPI setting. However, if you then increase the sensor sensitivity in the software, in my case by four levels, the performance increases noticeably.
After a long period of use, one impression in particular remains: The Dark Perk Sym doesn’t feel like a first-time product, but rather like the product of a manufacturer that has understood exactly what experienced gamers really need – and what they don’t.
be quiet! Dark Perk Sym Review: Conclusion
After intensive use, the be quiet! Dark Perk Sym leaves a very well-rounded overall impression in the test. The mouse is clearly aimed at demanding gamers who are looking for maximum precision, a low weight and uncompromisingly clean workmanship. The excellent sensor performance, the extremely light yet stable housing and the unusually quiet, pleasantly defined clicks for a gaming mouse are particularly impressive in everyday use. The Dark Perk Sym plays to its strengths in fast-paced shooters as well as during long gaming sessions and always feels controlled and fatigue-free.
Other major plus points include the high-quality material, the very good gliding properties and the tidy software, which offers all the important settings without overwhelming you with unnecessary functions. At the same time, however, it is also clear that be quiet! deliberately avoids gimmickry: Anyone expecting extensive RGB gimmicks, wireless charging or weight adjustment will not find them here. The rather compact, symmetrical shape is also not ideal for every hand size.
All in all, the be quiet! Dark Perk Sym is a gaming mouse for purists who value performance, quality and silence. If you are looking for exactly these characteristics and want a precise, honest mouse without frills, you will get an exceptionally coherent overall package with clear strengths and only a few, deliberately accepted weaknesses.
- Impeccable performance
- Understated design
- Pleasantly quiet mouse clicks
- 8,000 Hz
- Good battery life
- Customization in the browser
- No Bluetooth
- Only partially suitable for large hands
be quiet! Dark Perk Sym
Workmanship
Features
Ergonomics
Software
Value For Money
90/100
The be quiet! Dark Perk Sym is a powerful gaming mouse with outstanding performance that concentrates on the essentials and hardly makes any real mistakes.
