Logitech G Pro Keyboard and Mouse: A Comprehensive Evaluation

In recent years, the e-sports industry has seen a significant rise, and computer accessories manufacturers have capitalized on this trend by launching various keyboards and mice for game enthusiasts. One brand that stands out in this regard is Logitech, specifically their G series, which has garnered a stellar reputation within the competitive gaming community. Today, we will be reviewing Logitech's G Pro Mouse, which is highly favored by foreign professional players in the Overwatch scene. Although this mouse has been available abroad for some time, its domestic version has only recently been released. Logitech positions this mouse as an entry-level gaming mouse, but with a price tag of over $400, it doesn't quite match the typical characteristics of an entry-level device. So, what lies beneath its unassuming exterior? Let's dive in and find out.

The Packaging: Simplicity at Its Best

To our surprise, the packaging of the domestic version of the G Pro Mouse is much simpler compared to its foreign counterpart. The back of the packaging lacked any technical specifications, only featuring a bold English phrase stating "one purpose, a play to win" to emphasize its gaming mouse identity. Inside the box, we found a blue cardboard compartment and a warranty card. Similarly, the keyboard packaging also maintained the same minimalistic style with no additional tools, such as keycap puller, included. However, it still bears the unmistakable Logitech logo.

The Design and Appearance

Prior to receiving the product, we anticipated a flashy design, but in reality, the set comprising the G Pro Keyboard and mouse exuded a more subdued and understated aesthetic. The most notable feature of the mouse is its thick and heavy braided cable, weighing in at around 45 grams, while the mouse itself weighs a mere 87 grams. Despite the weight of the cable, it remains remarkably soft and does not hinder gameplay in any significant way.

Only the logo and the lower part of the mouse are illuminated with lights. Constructed primarily from plastic, the mouse may appear somewhat lackluster, but its comfortable grip compensates for any visual shortcomings. Moreover, this design is in line with Logitech's classic style, leaving little room for criticism.

The mouse is relatively compact in size, entirely made of plastic, and features anti-slip lines on the sides. It offers excellent control and maneuverability when held. Even individuals with smaller hands will find it effortless to reach and press every button.

The two side buttons have a smooth surface that complements the overall sleek design of the keyboard. The mouse also incorporates five skates on the bottom, ensuring smooth gliding with minimal pointer drift even without a mouse pad.

Let's now turn our attention to the keyboard. Its front and back are constructed from plastic, and its matte finish exudes a subdued elegance rather than a cheap appearance. The keyboard possesses a substantial weight, thanks to the steel backplate inside and the smooth finish reminiscent of piano lacquer around its four edges, giving it a premium feel.

The keys have a sandblasted texture, preventing fingerprints and smudges from accumulating even after prolonged use. Logitech has retained its tradition of imprinting the model name on the side of the keyboard, and this practice continues in the G Pro. The bottom of the keyboard features a support frame with three adjustable angles, catering to individual preferences and ensuring a comfortable typing experience. Additionally, Logitech has thoughtfully incorporated five rubber feet at the bottom of the keyboard for added stability.

First Impressions

As expected, Logitech's gaming keyboard and mouse are not plug-and-play devices. Fortunately, the official driver is compatible with all models, making it quick and easy to set up on any computer.

The mouse utilizes the same PMW3366 sensor found in Logitech's flagship gaming mice, such as the G502 and G900, offering adjustable DPI ranging from 200 to 12,000. Its Omron white dot D2FC-F-7N (20M) buttons are rated for 20 million clicks, ensuring durability that will last for years, even among avid gamers. The only minor gripe with the mouse is the scroll wheel, which exhibits significant resistance. This can make browsing through documents or web pages a quirky exercise for the middle finger, albeit an amusing one.

Now, let's delve into the keyboard. With 87 keys, the G Pro Keyboard boasts customizable RGB backlighting. Personally, I find this keyboard's compact size particularly appealing, as I have always found a full-sized keyboard with a numeric keypad excessive. Moreover, my dormitory desk is not very spacious, so why waste valuable real estate on a 107-key monstrosity?

The G Pro Keyboard features a detachable braided cable design, utilizing a standard micro USB interface similar to those found on mobile phones. In the event of a cable malfunction, it's convenient to replace it with a compatible mobile phone cable, adding an element of versatility. The cable's interface design is sleek and futuristic, while also serving to stabilize the connection.

Logitech has developed the Romer-G mechanical switches exclusively for its high-end gaming keyboards. With a mere 26 grams of actuation force, these switches boast a press recognition speed 25% faster than that of regular mechanical switches. However, in comparison to traditional mechanical switches, such as Cherry MX Green, I find the Romer-G switches to be less satisfying. Although pressing the keys feels smooth and enjoyable, there is a lack of noticeable tactile feedback. Nevertheless, it's important to note that the G Pro Keyboard is primarily targeted toward gamers rather than typists. Therefore, it excels in its intended purpose, even if it may seem overqualified for typing tasks.

Removing the keycaps reveals a unique design within the Romer-G switches. Unlike regular switches with a cross-shaped stem, the Romer-G switches have an open center, allowing backlighting to penetrate more evenly and prevent light leakage. Although this design sacrifices some structural integrity, its durability remains impressive, rated for up to 70 million key presses.

While the G Pro Keyboard lacks dedicated macro keys, it compensates with the ability to customize commands on function keys F1 to F12, significantly enhancing in-game efficiency.

Additionally, the keyboard incorporates a game mode key to prevent accidental key presses during gameplay. Many players have experienced the frustration of pressing the wrong key in the middle of the action, leading to unnecessary consequences. The game mode key on the G Pro Keyboard eliminates this problem by instantly disabling all keys except for the necessary ones. Accidentally pressing Q instead of A? Well, unfortunately, the keyboard can't come to your rescue in such situations.

Customizable RGB Lighting

Now, let's move on to the lighting capabilities of this keyboard. The Logitech G Pro Keyboard boasts a stunning array of 16.8 million RGB colors and offers 13 pre-set lighting effects while also allowing users to create and customize their own lighting profiles.

You can save the backlight settings directly to the keyboard's memory, ensuring consistent lighting even when using the keyboard on different devices. Furthermore, Logitech's software allows for automatic lighting profile switching based on the game being played. For instance, when playing League of Legends, keys that correspond to important in-game actions, such as Q, W, E, R, can be illuminated, creating an immersive gaming experience. Witnessing these lighting effects in action is truly a sight to behold.

Putting It to the Test

Since this keyboard and mouse are designed specifically for professional gaming, we wouldn't do them justice without engaging in some actual gameplay. I decided to put them through their paces in Devil May Cry 5, and the performance of the mouse left a lasting impression on me. Its compact body proved incredibly agile, making swift camera movements a breeze. Weighing in at 83 grams, it offered the perfect balance between lightness and responsiveness.

At first, I felt that the mouse buttons lacked the crispness found in previous Logitech mice, such as the G502, but this perception soon changed when I began playing games. After comparing it with other mice, I found that I preferred the tactile feedback of the G Pro. Many gamers have experienced the disappointment of using a mouse with low actuation force, resulting in unsatisfying clicks. Conversely, a highly responsive mouse requiring excessive force can lead to hand fatigue over extended gaming sessions. The G Pro strikes the perfect balance in between. While its physical appearance may be average, its ergonomic design offers exceptional comfort. Additionally, with a DPI range of up to 12,000 and on-the-fly sensitivity adjustment, the G Pro ensures optimal accuracy without delays during gameplay. The placement of the side buttons is well-considered, allowing the thumb to rest naturally on them. No conscious adjustments are necessary, unlike with larger mice. Even users with smaller hands will find it a breeze to operate.

Regarding the keyboard, Logitech claims that it has a trigger distance of 1.5mm and requires a mere 45 grams of force to actuate a key. In practice, this translates into quick and snappy key responses with minimal energy expenditure, reducing strain during intense gaming sessions. Even when executing rapid and continuous keystrokes, the keyboard keeps up effortlessly, avoiding any input lag. In my testing, the performance of the keyboard was flawless.

Final Verdict

In conclusion, Logitech's G Pro Keyboard and Mouse are ideal for gamers seeking speed and instant responsiveness. The combination of impeccable craftsmanship and unrivaled comfort make these peripherals stand out among the competition.

If you desire a mouse similar to the Logitech G Pro but find its price too steep or have concerns regarding its feel, I recommend considering the Logitech G102. The G102 shares