The original 2006 Razer DeathAdder was the first “gaming mouse” I ever owned, after years of using Logitech and Microsoft mice…and I used it non-stop for a few years until the left button died. During that time, I fell in love with its girthy shape and performance, but in spite of many updated models, I never bought another one. It wasn’t due to any particular frustration with the DeathAdder, but just because there were so many other models out there to try.

Now, Razer sells several different versions of this classic gaming mouse. There’s a standard wired model, a wireless version, and the budget-focused 62g DeathAdder V2 Mini (official site here) I’m reviewing today. The budget mouse market is a relatively new space for Razer, and although their prices have always been what I’d call competitive, within the last year they’ve moved into a whole new lower price tier of mice while still packing in a surprising amount of features.

First they launched the Viper Mini (which I’ve also used extensively and will be reviewing soon) at an astonishingly low price of $40. The newer DeathAdder Mini comes in at just ten dollars more, and while that’s still a great price…I’m not sure that the few small tweaks made to the mouse warrant the price bump, since the core sensors and buttons are identical.

Note: I purchased this mouse myself, and was not sponsored to write this. Read my full review policy here!

In direct comparison, I prefer the large curved buttons on the DeathAdder V2 Mini…but like almost every other comfort component more on the Viper Mini. Photo taken by the author.

The Razer DeathAdder V2 Mini sells for $49. It comes in a basic matte black color, and has one customizable RGB light under the Razer logo at the back. Inside the box, you get the mouse, some documentation, and some free pieces of grip tape you can apply to the buttons and the sides. I didn’t personally use the tape, and I think the matte coating is nice enough for most users.

In order to set up the mouse, you have to install Razer’s Synapse software.

According to Razer’s mouse sizing web site, I have a hand length at the small end of “Medium,” and a grip width at the small end of “Large.”

While I find the Viper Mini reasonably comfortable for palm, claw, or fingertip use…the DeathAdder Mini is shorter, and I can’t really palm it. The original DeathAdder shape is one of the largest on the market today, so it’s surprising that its “Mini” version is one of Razer’s shortest mice, and one of the shorter gaming mice on the market overall. It is really comfortable in a claw or fingertip position, but when I try to palm it it’s a bit awkward and my hand doesn’t quite fit the natural curves of the mouse.

The Deathadder V2 Mini (left) almost makes the svelte Viper Mini seem huge by comparison! Photo taken by the author.

Those with smaller hands than mine won’t have this issue, but this is the first “small” mouse I haven’t found comfortable. I tend to prefer smaller body designs like the classic Logitech G305 shape, so it’s surprising how un-suited to my palm the DeathAdder Mini is. I think the issue is that the extreme slope of the body pulls the back end of the mouse away from my hand.

On the plus side, the grooved buttons are superbly comfortable, and they have an excellent click feel to them with no wiggle that beautifully mimics the feel of the larger version. I prefer the crisp response of the buttons here to those on the Viper Mini. The mouse wheel also feels great, with a very smooth scrolling action that has light tactile bumps, and a firm click that’s not too hard to press.

Performance-wise, the internal core of this mouse is completely identical to the Viper Mini, with the same switches and 8500 dpi sensor. That’s more DPI than I ever use, and the sensor tracks accurately and without any noticeable lag.

On the underside of the mouse, the sensor area and the edges are covered in nice PTFE feet. The Viper Mini lacks any kind of glide foot around the sensor, which could lead to friction issues on certain surfaces and desks.

Mouse performance in-game is exceptional, but that’s no surprise. I don’t think sensor performance has been a big deal in mice for a few years, so it’s all about shape and features.

The “speedflex” cable on the DeathAdder V2 Mini is really nice. It’s a paracord-like loosely-wrapped cable with plenty of give that gets completely out of the way without needing a mouse bungie. It feels great on my desk and doesn’t drag or tug at all. The cable wrap is just a little bit looser than the one on the Viper Mini, and the cloth material feels a little nicer also.

The grip tape is a nice inclusion for those who want it, but the basic matte coating on the mouse also has plenty of grip and hasn’t gotten too sweaty or gross in a full week of intense testing. The grip tape is nicely cut to perfectly match the mouse, so if you do decide to install it you shouldn’t have any issues. I don’t like to stick things onto technology, but your personal tastes may be different, and unlike the the THX dongle included with the Razer Kraken Tournament Edition, at least Razer has left it up to users how involved with adhesive they’d like to get.

The underglow lighting on the Viper Mini gives it a more premium look, and it’s ten dollars cheaper. Photo taken by the author.

The Chroma RGB lighting isn’t as flexible as on most Razer mice, with just one zone under the logo on the body of the mouse. It is nice and bright, at least. The Viper Mini has cool underglow lighting at the back and still manages to come in at one gram lighter than the Deathadder.

If you wanted a Viper Mini to cost ten dollars more, lose the underglow lighting, lose some length, and add one extra mouse foot, some grip tape, and a slightly nicer cable wrap, well then this is the perfect mouse for you. I think the DeathAdder V2 Mini is an excellent choice for the smaller-handed gamers out there, but the Viper Mini is a better value mouse overall in terms of comfort, price, and visual style. After spending a week with the DeathAdder Mini, it’s going to live proudly in a closet as a backup in case the Viper Mini or the Roccat Burst Pro dies. (Yes, I’m still using two mice on my desk at once. Yes, I know it’s weird).

Even though the tiny shape here doesn’t fit my hand as well as I’d like, it’s still awesome to see Razer making such great mice for such low prices. Razer is checking all the boxes people want out of premium gaming mice in their budget range. I’m eager to see if they’ll go for a sub $100 wireless mouse next and continue to amp up the pressure on the competition.