The new Razer Basilisk V3 is, as its name suggests, the third iteration of the iconic wired rodent. Initially introduced in the wonderful year of B.C. 2018 (Before Covid), the Basilisk quickly made a name for itself as one of the best gaming mice available. We loved the Basilisk V2 that followed, and it featured many improvements. With this version 3 mouse, the improvements are not immediately apparent.

Basilisk V3 looks and feels almost identical to V2. Designed for right-handed users, the $70 Basilisk V3 retains the same flared and textured thumb rest, iconic thumb paddle, and split mouse button design as the V2.

It is extremely comfortable to hold for hours, reminding me why the Basilisk Ultimate was my own favorite mouse. However, having used Steelseries' Prime wireless mouse, I can't help but feel the weight of the V3.

Still, at only 101 grams, the 20 gram difference might feel like a kilogram to some; the 100% PTFE feet glided effortlessly across the Basilisk, and the braided cord did not interfere with my movements, vanishing from my consciousness.

The most obvious design change, the dazzling 9-zone Razer Chroma lighting strip on the base, is hard to miss. This new strip makes the V3 look like an otherworldly visiting ship on a desk. In addition to the scroll wheel and hump logo, the lighting can be freely customized with the Razer Chroma Studio With the Razer Chroma Studio, the lighting can be customized as you wish.

The iconic thumb paddle has also been changed, and unlike the v2, it is shorter and no longer removable. It is more shock-resistant than the previous generation and feels more solid and secure. And there is no fear of losing it (mine is gone forever - Ed).

By default, the paddles shift down the DPI for better sniping, although you can easily set it to whatever you want with the Razer Synapse. The same goes for the other 10 buttons, which can store different profiles in their internal memory. However, to press the switch to switch between profiles, V3 must be flipped.

Razer touts the new HyperScroll Tilt Wheel on the V3 as one of its most prominent features, and for good reason. The Tactile is a ticking scroller and the Free Spin eliminates scrolling resistance. Smart Reel is a mode that automatically switches between these two modes. When the wheel is spun faster, the mouse releases the wheel and goes into Free Spin, ideal for long web pages and documents.

When the mouse switches modes, it makes a clicking sound like a gear shift. Sadly, the Smart Reel was too frenetic and activated too often, frustrating me. Thankfully, you can manually switch modes by pressing the button just behind the scroll wheel. I do a lot of design program work, and while Free Spin makes moving around large canvases faster, it quickly becomes a problem when zooming in and out on details.

This is exacerbated by V3's scroll acceleration, which increases scroll speed the faster you turn the wheel. This is probably an acquired taste. This new scroll wheel is cool, but I have found no practical use for it in gaming.

Personally, I feel that the hyperscroll is a productivity booster that turns the Basilisk V3 straight into a mouse like the Logitech MX Master 3.

Thankfully, the few real improvements are not focused on the scroll wheel; Razer has also updated the Focus+ optical sensor, raising it to 26,000 DPI from an already ridiculous 20,000 DPI. However, the 650 IPS has been maintained.

I don't know anyone who actually games at such a high DPI, but the Basilisk V3 is certainly smooth, accurate, and responsive, and the extra granularity that the high DPI allows helps its smooth tracking. The Razer also features AI Smart Tracking, which allows the mouse to automatically calibrate itself to whatever surface you use the mouse on.

The mouse's main buttons use second-generation Razer Optical mechanical switches, which are clicky, fast, and as responsive as the sensors themselves. I like the gentle grooves on the buttons and the subtle texture that keeps my fingers from slipping. I also noticed less button wobble than the previous Basilisk, but we'll have to see how it holds up after a few thousand clicks.

Razer's Basilisk V3 is a solid iteration of an already great mouse that improves without compromising other elements. These improvements are also welcome, and I honestly can't get over how good the added Chroma lighting looks; the HyperScroll tilt wheel is fun, but ultimately doesn't help productivity in gaming, but overall, I love this new Basilisk, I can't wait for the wireless Basilisk V3 Ultimate. This time around, it's going to be an awesome mouse.