Comparison GamePro Genesis Airmaster vs GamePro Genesis Winner

The model of the sensor installed in the mouse. This information is indicated mainly for models equipped with high-end sensors, which are significantly superior in their capabilities to simpler solutions. Such characteristics are important primarily for gaming mice, so most of the devices for which the sensor model is specified belong to this category.

Knowing the name, you can find detailed data on the sensor and evaluate its capabilities. Note that one of the most popular brands nowadays, under which advanced sensors are produced, is PixArt ; on the market are often found, in particular, sensors PixArt 3212, PixArt 3325, PixArt 3327, PixArt 3335, PixArt 3360, PixArt 3389, PixArt 3395, PixArt 3950.

Resolution of the sensor responsible for tracking mouse movements on the work surface. Specified in DPI — dots per inch.

The physical meaning of DPI as a whole is as follows. The sensor of a modern mouse works on the same principle as the camera matrix, and consists of pixels. And DPI is the number of pixels that fall on 1 inch of the underlying surface (length or width), "visible" by the sensor.

It is believed that more DPI means a more advanced sensor and mouse in general; nowadays, models for 3500 – 5000 DPI, 12000 DPI, 16000 DPI even more are not uncommon. In a way, it is — high resolution contributes to accuracy. However, the only thing that is directly determined by this indicator is the speed at which the cursor moves across the screen: the higher the resolution of the sensor, the greater the number of pixels that the cursor will move when the mouse itself moves a certain distance. At the same time, it is worth recalling that too high a speed is even more undesirable than too low. So the real need for high DPI ( 1000 and above) arises mainly when working on large screens (4K resolution and more); for more modest displays (HD and Full HD), smaller values are often enough.

The greatest acceleration during movement, at which the mouse maintains normal performance; if this indicator is exceeded, the cursor may “break down” (moving to an unexpected place due to incorrect processing of data from the sensor).

The faster the mouse moves, the greater the acceleration acting on it. Accordingly, this parameter determines the sensitivity to sudden movements, the extent to which this model is able to normally perceive and process such movements. High values of maximum acceleration ( 40 G, 50 G) are important first of all in dynamic games, especially for professional e-sportsmen and advanced enthusiasts. If the mouse is bought for relatively simple tasks (working with documents, surfing the web, etc.), you can ignore this indicator.

The ips (inches per second) parameter is the linear speed of mouse movement, expressed in inches per second, at which the manipulator's sensor is able to read the surface. In top models, the maximum mouse movement speed often reaches 400-600 ips, but devices with ips in the region of 200 are more common.

The type of switches in a mouse indicates the mechanism used under the main buttons to register a click. It affects the feel when pressing, actuation speed, lifespan, and resistance to accidental double clicks.

— Optical. Button mechanisms where the press is registered not by closing metal contacts but by interrupting a light beam. This makes them faster, less prone to wear, and almost unaffected by accidental double-click issues.
These switches are especially valued in gaming mice, where response speed and stability after a large number of clicks are crucial. For example, in shooters or MOBA games, they help achieve clear feedback without delay and contact bouncing.

— Mechanical. Classic button mechanisms where a click is registered due to the closing of metal contacts. They provide a familiar tactile feel, a well-audible click, and are widely used in both office and gaming models.
Compared to optical switches, mechanical ones are usually simpler and cheaper, but over time the contacts may wear out. For example, with active gaming or daily work, after a few years, a double click might occur instead of a single press.

The switches in a mouse indicate which specific switches are installed under the main buttons, such as Omron, Huano, Kailh, TTC, or proprietary solutions from the manufacturer. These determine the click characteristics, actuation force, click volume, lifespan, and the likelihood of double-clicking over time.

Unlike the general switch type, which refers to the working principle—mechanical or optical—the brand and model provide a more precise understanding of the performance level. For example, two mice with mechanical switches might feel different when clicked: some may be softer and quieter, while others could be stiffer, louder, and feel more "gaming-like."

The durability of mouse switches is measured by the number of clicks the keys can withstand before they begin to show signs of wear or malfunction. Switches can have a lifespan of several million to tens of millions of clicks. In laboratory conditions, this parameter is checked using special testing machines, which diligently press the keys the required number of times, on the basis of which a verdict is made regarding the approximate service life of the switches.

The presence of illumination in the design of the mouse.

This illumination can be provided by the same LED that illuminates the surface below the sensor, or by separate light sources. It can have a different colour, and the most advanced systems — RGB backlighting — allow you to adjust the shade to your liking. Anyway, the backlight gives the mouse an unusual and stylish appearance, besides, it can also have special effects (see below). However, this function has not only an aesthetic, but also quite a practical meaning: for example, a colour change can be used as a DPI level indicator (see above) or as a low battery signal. On the other hand, the backlight affects the cost of the device, and the real need for it is not so often — moreover, in many cases (for example, in the office) an extra “illumination” is completely useless. Therefore, most modern mice still do not have a backlight.

The mouse has additional lighting effects. For more information about the backlight itself, see above, and its effects can be different — ranging from a smooth change in brightness and/or colour to colour and light signals, as well as backlight synchronization(for models with synchronization, this paragraph indicates the supported synchronization technology).

The last function is worth dwelling on separately. Synchronization itself allows you to "match" the mouse backlight with the backlight of other system components — the case, graphics card, keyboard, monitor, etc. Thanks to this matching, you can create various unusual effects: synchronous colour and brightness changes, "colour waves", "running lights" etc. However, for such work, all components of the system must support the same synchronization technology — and such a technology, usually, each manufacturer has its own. So before buying it's ok to check compatibility. However, some mice are able to work with several options at once — for example, iCUE from Corsair and MLS (Mystic Light Sync) from MSI.