Our Roccat Burst Pro Air review will show that this new offering from Roccat does almost everything right. Where wireless mice used to come with all sorts of compromises to get this unfettered functionality, the Roccat Burst Pro Air sacrifices very little so you can play wirelessly with almost no limits. Its near-instant actuation and wide DPI range are gaming dreams.
Meanwhile, this gaming mouse’s RGB lighting, while limited in scope, is actually (and also literally) one of its brightest features. It also comes with enough customization options to satisfy most gamers and values ergonomics and comfort.
Like all peripherals, it’s not perfect. One or two features just don’t measure up, and their price is a bit high. However, most of what it does, it does very well, and its list of flaws is short and mostly minor. In many ways, the Roccat Burst Pro Air compares favorably with the best wireless gaming mice You can buy.
Roccat Burst Pro Air review: Pricing and availability
- Expensive compared to other options
- Very value considering the price
Roccat Burst Pro Air review: specs
Connection: wired / wireless
Ergonomics: right-handed
Buttons: 5
DPI: 19,000
Switches: optical TTC
Weight: 2.8 oz / 68 g
The Roccat Burst Pro Air, launched in late April 2022, will cost $99 / £89 / AU$169. That might seem like a hefty price tag, but considering its wireless connectivity, fast performance, and light weight, we think it’s worth more. than the cost of entry.
Yes, there are a number of gaming mice that cost a lot less, but they either clip it to your desk or come with compromises to bring the price down. The Logitech G305, for example, is just $59 (£51, AU$99), but you lose the ability to recharge the mouse, relying entirely on disposable batteries, and it’s capped at a much lower 19,000 DPI. There’s also no RGB on offer.
Nor are we going to ignore the fact that there are also several popular options that cost a little more than the Roccat Burst Pro Air. The Razer Basilisk Ultimate costs $149 (£149, AU$279). That extra bit of change will give you more customization through its 14 programmable RGB zones and 11 remappable buttons compared to the Burst Pro Air’s four RGB zones and five buttons. But the rest of the specs, like the Razer’s 20,000 DPI and 100 hours of battery life, are very similar.
Roccat Burst Pro Air review: Design and features
- Medium size, light weight
- Ergonomic, symmetrical design for easy use
The Roccat Burst Pro Air isn’t the smallest mouse on the market, measuring 120 x 58 x 38mm, but it’s also far from the biggest. While its size took some getting used to due to this reviewer’s smaller hands, anyone with a larger hand will find the size just right.
At 81 grams, it’s also very easy to move around on a mousepad with minimal effort. It’s not perfectly balanced as the mouse body is heavier than the front, but that’s by design. The wider body actually fits perfectly in our palm. Add in its slightly tapered sides and a symmetrical shape that will suit both right- and left-handed users, and this is a mouse that is as comfortable as it is lightweight.
It’s attractive too. While the color options are just white or black, it comes with four customizable RGB zones that shine through a honeycomb pattern for a vibrant, bright display. And unlike most other honeycomb mice we’ve tested, this mouse’s outer layer is a water- and dust-resistant bionic shell that protects against mishap.
On the underside of the mouse is a toggle for switching between Bluetooth, Off and wireless connectivity, a pairing button, and a compartment to store the USB dongle to keep it safe, along with heat-treated PTFE sliding pads. The charging port is on the front of the mouse, to which you can connect a braided USB-C paracord cable that is so flexible that we have no problems using the mouse when plugged in.
Speaking of customization, its typical six-button layout is remappable via the Swarm app. In addition to the left and right buttons and the scroll wheel, there is a single DPI button situated behind the scroll wheel and two ––– buttons on the left side for easy thumb access.
Roccat Burst Pro Air review: Performance
- Enough performance for any type of game
- Satisfactory to use with lots of customization
No matter how intense the action, the Roccat Burst Pro Air can handle it. Roccat’s internal Owl-Eye sensor offers tracking speed of up to 19,000 DPI and 400 IPS, while its Titan optical switches, good for up to 100 million clicks, operate at lightning speed. Even its 2.4GHz wireless connectivity and Bluetooth 5.2 offer incredibly short latency. Essentially, movements and presses are precise and almost immediate.
The Roccat Burst Pro Air is more than just a fast mouse. It’s also mostly a pleasure to use. Optical switches have as little or as much debounce as you want and offer a satisfying mechanical feel when pressed. And the mouse glides effortlessly on smooth surfaces like a mouse pad – although admittedly, those PTFE feet don’t perform as well as expected on other surfaces.
Also not living up to expectations is the battery life. While the Roccat promises up to 100 hours, we found it only lasts for three days before needing to charge again, although that was with RGB lighting on and using it for eight hours or more a day. Fortunately, 10 minutes of USB-C fast charging will result in five hours of playback.
Through the Swarm app, there are also plenty of customizations available at your fingertips. The buttons are all programmable, the five different DPI switch settings can be tweaked to your liking, and the four RGB zones have plenty of customization.
Plus, you can adjust how much debounce you experience when pressing – a nice touch you won’t find on most mice. If you need different settings for different games, there’s also built-in storage for up to five user profiles.
Unless you need more programmable buttons or a greater number of RGB zones for tighter brightness, there’s not much more to ask from a gaming mouse. The Roccat Burst Pro Air is a stellar mouse, as long as you’re willing to pay for it.
Should I buy the Roccat Burst Pro Air?
