Razer's $170 mouse offers 200-hour battery but shrinks thumb button reach

Gamers purchasing the new Basilisk V4 Pro from Razer will pay $169.99 for a device that promises 200 hours of battery life but requires adjusting to a revised thumb button layout. The mouse, released alongside a separate wireless charging dock, aims to bridge the gap between streamlined shooters and feature-heavy peripherals. While it offers extended runtime and reduced weight, the physical placement of new controls presents ergonomic challenges for many users.

Razer introduced the Basilisk V4 Pro on October 23, 2026, marking the first major update to the line in two years. The previous iteration, the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K, launched in October 2024. The new model retains the right-handed, contoured shape and bright RGB lighting of its predecessor. It utilizes a Focus Pro 50K optical sensor, fourth-generation optical switches, and supports polling rates up to 8,000 Hz. Connectivity options include 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and USB-C.

The most substantial hardware change is the addition of two new buttons, bringing the total count to 12. A third thumb button, positioned in front of the existing pair, defaults to opening Razer's AI prompt. A second new button, located beside the left mouse button, switches profiles. Sarah Jacobsson Purewal, a senior editor at Tom's Hardware, found both additions awkward to use. She noted that the profile button sits at the front edge of the 127.5mm long device, making it difficult to reach comfortably for users with medium-sized hands.

The AI button's presence alters the ergonomics of the thumb cluster. Because it matches the size of the other thumb controls, it pushes the remaining buttons backward. This shift leaves the first thumb button, designated MB4, too distant for comfortable access. Although the buttons can be remapped, Purewal reported that all three thumb buttons felt slightly off during testing. The review also questioned the necessity of a dedicated AI prompt button on every peripheral.

Weight has decreased from 112 grams in the V3 Pro 35K to 100 grams in the black version of the V4 Pro. Purewal described the reduction as helpful for pickup, though not enough to classify the mouse as ultralight. The tilt wheel offers two tactile modes with 24 and 48 steps, as well as a free-spin mode. The free-spin setting was prone to accidental backscrolling, while the precision tactile mode received praise. The sensor reaches 50,000 DPI and 930 IPS, tracking on most surfaces including glass at least 4mm thick.

Battery life has increased from 150 hours to 200 hours at a 1,000 Hz polling rate over 2.4GHz wireless. This drops to 54 hours at the maximum 8,000 Hz setting. The product box includes a USB-A dongle, an adapter, and a 6-foot braided cable. It does not include the flexible HyperFlex cable or grip tape. The separate Mouse Dock V2 Pro costs $69.99 and features an integrated 8,000 Hz receiver and eight RGB zones.