
A new mouse in town: The NZXT Lift Elite Wireless is the manufacturer’s latest gaming rodent and part of the recently released Elite line-up. The wireless mouse aims to impress with its low weight, fast optical switches and a precise 26,000 DPI sensor. Our test clarifies whether it is worth buying.
Technical data
The product | Lift Elite Wireless |
Connection | wireless (2.4 GHz radio) |
cable | Paracord; 2 meters |
Sensor | PixArt PMW3395 |
DPI | 100 – 26,000 with 1 DPI steps, 650 IPS and 50 G acceleration |
Switches | optical, 100 million clicks |
Buttons | 6 buttons; 4 of them programmable |
Special features | 8,000 Hz polling rate; five integrated profiles |
Shape | symmetrical, key arrangement for right-handers |
Materials | Plastic, rubber, PTFE gliding feet |
Dimensions | 118.8 x 60.8 x 38.3 mm (L x W x H) |
weight | 57 g |
Colors | Black; White |
Scope of delivery | NZXT Lift Elite Wireless; Paracord cable (2m), USB-A dongle, expansion adapter; Griptape |
Price | € 89.99 * |
NZXT Lift Elite Wireless review: Simple and grippy
- simple design
- Compact and lightweight
- non-slip sides
The new NZXT Lift Elite Wireless has inherited a lot from its direct predecessors such as the Lift 2 (our test). The new wireless model also relies on a simple, optionally black or white, color scheme in a matt tone.
The manufacturer’s logo is set off on the back of the mouse in a glossy finish, and there are pleasantly grippy, rubberized surfaces on both sides for your fingers to rest comfortably on. However, the new Elite model has become significantly more compact. The new rodent is only 118.8 mm long, 60.8 mm wide and 38.3 mm high, making it considerably shorter, narrower and flatter than the Lift 2.
In fact, it is a very compact mouse that is even shorter and thinner than the convincing Keychron M3 Mini (our test). The weight of 57 grams is also pleasantly low, but hardly less than the competitors mentioned.
The NZXT Lift Elite Wireless has taken over the airy, open underside from the Lift 2, which has been expanded to include a striking purple button in addition to the PTFE gliding feet and the sensor. In addition to switching on and off, this button is responsible for changing profiles and DPI settings. After all, unlike the Lift 2, the thin plastic skeleton hardly gives at all under pressure, making the entire mouse appear more robust and of higher quality.
On the upper side, between the back of the mouse and the two primary buttons, you will also find an LED that provides information about the battery status, for example. However, the manufacturer does not provide RGB lighting.
For the buttons, the manufacturer relies on robust and durable mechanical Huano switches, which are designed for 100 million clicks and provide pleasant tactile feedback.
The build quality and feel are of a good standard, and the non-slip sides and scroll wheel are particularly pleasing. In addition to the mouse, you will also find a braided USB-A to USB-C cable, a USB-A dongle, an expansion adapter (USB-A to USB-C) and grip tape for the two primary buttons.
Sensor and practical test
- 26,000 DPI
- Suitable for all grip types
- convincing ergonomics
The NZXT Lift Elite Wireless has also inherited the sensor, as the PixArt PAW3395 is also used here, which achieves a resolution of 26,000 DPI with 50G acceleration and 650 IPS speed.
These are no longer top values these days, but should be absolutely sufficient for most gamers. Especially as the sensor has already proven to be very reliable and precise in the past.
Due to the symmetrical shape and the fairly flat mouse back, the rodent feels particularly comfortable in claw and fingertip grip. Personally, I am a fingertip gamer and found the mouse very comfortable in my hand, although the palm grip is also possible.
Thanks to the reliable sensor and high speeds, the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless performs just as well in fast-paced competitive shooters such as Apex Legends or The Finals as it does in slower titles such as Tempest Rising or Age of Empires 4. The gliding properties on various mouse pads are also impeccable.
Especially as the rodent is also aimed at left-handers due to its shape and can be used very well. Even if the two left side buttons, which are pleasantly large and easy to reach, have to be operated with the ring finger – but that’s nothing we haven’t already gotten used to, is it? Only a few manufacturers offer mice that are really aimed at left-handers – the Corsair M75 (Wireless) would be an example of this, but it is significantly larger and heavier.
In any case, I really like the ergonomics and the non-slip, pleasantly clickable scroll wheel cut a very good figure in the practical test. Due to the handy dimensions, however, people with large hands will only get their money’s worth to a limited extent. However, the Lift Elite Wireless feels very comfortable in my small hands.
Battery life, polling rate and more
- up to 8,000 Hz (only in cable mode)
- 70 hours runtime (29h at 4,000 Hz)
- No advanced features
With a sampling rate of up to 8,000 Hz, the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless absolutely lives up to its name. Here, the handy wireless gaming mouse is right up there with the elite among the best gaming mice. Although this value is only achieved in wired mode – wirelessly you are limited to a maximum of 4,000 Hz. Still absolutely sufficient in my eyes.
However, this increased speed naturally also has a noticeable effect on the battery life. At a value of 1,000 Hz, which is the default setting, this is a very good 70 hours, but is reduced to around 29 hours at 4,000 Hz.
Operation via the purple button on the underside works very well, although you first need to take a look at the instructions, which are unfortunately only available in digital form on the manufacturer’s website:
- if you hold the button down for 3 seconds or longer, the mouse is switched on or off
- if you hold the button down for between 0.5 and 2.9 seconds, you can switch between the five predefined profiles
- a short press of less than 0.5 seconds switches between the DPI values 400, 800, 1600, 3200 and 6400
The change between the profiles is also displayed in different colors using the status LED on the top. However, I don’t find the solution completely convincing and would have liked a DPI or profile button on the top. But that’s fine.
Otherwise, the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless mainly offers standard fare. The rodent lacks any truly unique features such as additional special keys, replaceable components or similar.
App connection: NZXT Cam
As always with the manufacturer, NZXT Cam is used as the accompanying software. Unfortunately, this only offers rudimentary setting options, although most users are unlikely to miss much here.
The app provides information about the battery status and allows a warning to be displayed if the battery falls below a certain level. You can also set a timeout for the mouse so that it goes to sleep when not in use.
Below this, you can adjust the DPI value of the five profiles, set the polling rate and adjust the lift-off distance and motion sync. The latter synchronizes the polling rate of the mouse sensor with that of the USB dongle and should ensure smoother, latency-free movements. However, I was unable to notice any real difference.
It is also possible to create macros that can include keystrokes on the keyboard as well as mouse clicks (but strangely, no turning of the scroll wheel). Four of the keys, with the exception of the two primary keys, can also be reassigned.
Theoretically, firmware updates should also be possible via the app. At the time of testing, an update was also available, which unfortunately could not be downloaded despite several attempts. Unfortunately, there are no options for surface calibrations and the like.
NZXT Lift Elite Wireless Review: Conclusion
The new NZXT Lift Elite Wireless is undoubtedly the best gaming mouse that the manufacturer has released to date. The compact, ambidextrous rodent draws on the advantages of its predecessors (sleek design, non-slip sides, low weight) and adds state-of-the-art wireless connectivity.
With a polling rate of up to 8,000 Hz or 4,000 Hz wirelessly and a precise sensor with 26,000 DPI, the gaming mouse is at the forefront, although some competitors offer even more, especially in terms of sensor resolution. This is where you notice the difference to the top models, which sometimes cost around 100 euros more than the Lift Elite Wireless.
And yet the feature set is right for the majority of users, which in combination with the coherent price-performance ratio results in a purchase recommendation.
- Convincing ergonomics
- Precise sensor
- Up to 8,000 Hz
- Hardly any real unique selling points
- Rudimentary software
NZXT Lift Elite Wireless
Workmanship
Features
Ergonomics
Software
Value For Money
89/100
Convincing wireless gaming mouse with precise sensor, high sampling rate and convincing ergonomics at a fair price.