 We are actually a little late with the test of the Roccat Kone Pro and Kone Pro Air, but sometimes the circumstances and shipping routes are just not balanced. But that doesn't mean that we haven't given the two new rodents from Roccat a more intense look. The $ 79.99 Kone Pro is a classic cable mouse, while the Kone Pro Air for $ 129.99 is its wireless twin. The street price is meanwhile well below, we have seen the Kone Pro Air for less than $ 100.
You can tell immediately that the Kone Pro and Kone Pro Air are close relatives, apart from small details, the two mice are completely identical. The only visible difference is the detachable USB-C to USB-A charging cable on the Air, compared to the fixed cable of the Kone Pro. Incidentally, both of these are so-called phantom flex cables, which are relatively soft and do not attract any further attention during operation. Both models are quite subtle in terms of shape and are more classic-minimalist. By the way, you have the choice whether you want your copy in Ash Black or Arctic White as a color variant.
The Kone-Pro models are built for right-handers and nestle comfortably in the hand, especially with the Palm Grip. The surface is relatively smooth and silky, with the exception of a few horizontal but barely noticeable grooves on the sides, no gumming or textures. Feels good, but is not for fans of a secure grip and takes a bit of getting used to.
The low weight is noticeable - the Kone Pro weighs only 66 grams, the Kone Pro Air 75 grams. Switch is located. There is also a profile selection button on the underside, as well as a mode switch for 2.4 GHz wireless connection and BlueTooth on the Air, along with a recess for storing the USB dongle. Otherwise you have to be content with two mouse buttons, two thumb buttons and a clickable mouse wheel.
Of course, RGB lighting should not be missing and it is even relatively original at times. Instead of illuminating the logo and mouse wheel as usual, Roccat has placed the LEDs under the mouse buttons so that the honeycomb structure of the housing comes out nicely when the lighting is switched on. Another noticeable feature are the large, finely rounded PTFE sliding surfaces on the underside. In terms of workmanship, there are no visible or audible defects, which all makes a good impression.
Technically, too, the Kone duo does not show any weaknesses. A Pixart PAW3370, also known as an owl-eye sensor, works in both models. It handles a whopping 19,000 DPI with a polling rate of up to 1,000 Hz. The sensor works quickly and precisely, as we are used to nowadays. Opto-mechanical switches (Titan Switch Optical) work under the mouse buttons, which should have a service life of up to 100 million clicks due to the low wear and tear. These switches also react quickly and without errors, with pleasant click feedback.
The Kone Pro Air also scores with a very good battery life. When the lighting is switched off, the mouse should survive up to 100 hours, and correspondingly less when the LEDs are switched on. Practical: thanks to a quick charge function, you can pump a few hours of play time back into the rodent within a few minutes, should you forget to hang the good piece on the cable for a long time. Optional cable operation is of course also possible.
Except for the rather smooth feel, which in turn is a question of taste, the two mice did not allow themselves any weaknesses or failures either while gaming or at work. It is also practical that you have one or two fewer buttons, but you can use Swarm software to store up to five profiles on the mouse, including macros, key assignments and lighting.
CONCLUSION
Light, nimble and precise
Technically and optically, the two Kone models really cannot be criticized. Both mice are light, comfortable to hold and, thanks to optical switches and powerful sensors, work quickly and precisely. In addition, the wireless version has good connectivity and long battery life. It takes getting used to the fact that Roccat has dispensed with any switches on the back of the mouse in favor of the weight, where at least the DPI selector switch is usually located. What remains is a matter of taste. As good as both mice are, I didn't get too warm with them, mainly because the surface is very smooth and the mice don't give me the kind of secure grip I prefer. If that's not the case, you get a very successful mouse with both models.
Pro
- strong sensor
- nice RGB lighting
- very easy
- good battery life (Kone Pro Air)
- BlueTooth optional (Kone Pro Air)
- good mouse wheel with nice resistance
- fast optical switches with long life
Con
- no switches on the back
- relatively little grip
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