Microsoft SideWinder X5 Mouse

price, usability, size, durability, reliability

86% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

2000 DPI sensor is precise, on-the-fly DPI adjustment, lots of programmable controls

Lacks some of the bells and whistles of other models, sensitivity not as high as some competing units

Microsoft's Sidewinder X5 might not be the most advanced or feature-filled gaming mouse on the market, but its combination of precision, customisable buttons and comfortable design makes it a worthy choice nonetheless.

2000 DPI sensor is precise, on-the-fly DPI adjustment, lots of programmable controls

Lacks some of the bells and whistles of other models, sensitivity not as high as some competing units

Microsoft's Sidewinder X5 might not be the most advanced or feature-filled gaming mouse on the market, but its combination of precision, customisable buttons and comfortable design makes it a worthy choice nonetheless.

Improved sculpt ; Moisture-resistant coating

Competing Logitech mouse offers more mouse for the buck ; Lacks heft

You could reasonably argue that customisable weights and feet for mice have a certain gimmicky feel, but we especially miss the weights for the SideWinder X5 because it desperately needs some added heft. It feels less like a precision input device and...

Sensor is super-accurate. Top-and-bottom thumb buttons kick ass. Love the three button sensitivity adjustment

Still too honkin’ big. No reason to install the software, unless you want to make sensitivity adjustments. Sidewinder button is useless

All told, this “budget” gaming mouse is an improvement on the more expensive Sidewinder original, but there are still cheaper, more comfortable budget mice out there. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: If you can’t palm a basketball, your...