WLmouse Beast X Max Review

Introduction

WLmouse made its debut in June 2023 with the release of the Beast X on their website. Initially met with skepticism due to the sudden emergence of the brand and an unfinished website plagued with bugs, WLmouse later sent their mice to various reviewers and influencers in the gaming community. I received my Beast X in November 2023 and have been using it since. In this review, we'll delve into their latest offering, the WLmouse Beast X Max.

Specifications

Packaging

1x WLmouse Beast X Max mouse
1x USB Type-A to Type-C cable
1x USB Type-A Wireless receiver
1x USB Type-C Wireless dongle
2x Sets of grip tape (for the sides and main buttons)
1x Group of additional, universal pre-cut grip-tapes
1x Set of 4 white PTFE dot skates (pre-installed)
1x Set of 4 small black PTFE skates
1x Set of 2 large black PTFE skates
1x Set of 2 large glass skates (included for pre-orders)
1x Instructions manual
2x Alcohol wipes
1x Carrying case

Shape & Size

The Beast X Max shares the same shape as the original Beast X but is larger in dimensions (126*65*49 mm), categorizing it as a large-sized mouse. Like its predecessor, it draws inspiration from the shape of the Finalmouse UltralightX, with the Beast X resembling the Medium/Lion version and the Beast X Max resembling the Large/Tiger version.

With somewhat large hands (20.5 x 10.5 cm), I find the Beast X Max ideal for palm-gripping, and it also performs excellently with a claw grip, which is my preferred style. Fingertip gripping is also feasible, though I recommend the Beast X 8K for those who prefer this grip style, especially if they have large to medium-sized hands. Smaller-handed users or those who prefer very compact mice should consider the Beast X Mini.

The Beast X Max features a slight inward side curvature but is predominantly flat. It includes a subtle front flare akin to the Beast X, albeit less pronounced due to its larger size. Personally, I prefer no front flares on mice, but I find it well-suited on the Beast X Max, particularly with my claw grip.

The hump of the Beast X Max is centrally positioned, contributing to its overall flat profile compared to back-hump mice like the Pulsar X2V2 or Ninjusto Sora V2.

Coating

The coating on the Beast X Max is decent. While it doesn't rival coatings from brands like Zowie, Endgame Gear, or newer models from Vancer, it suits my needs well, especially when paired with its low weight, which improves the ease of picking it up and moving it around.

One gripe I have with gripping the mouse is the large cutouts on the sides. They are functional but I would have preferred them to be either smaller or completely solid.

Fortunately, the Beast X Max includes two sets of grip tapes that greatly enhance overall grip. This feature provides a good alternative if the coating or side cutouts pose an issue.

Build Quality

The Beast X Max boasts a solid build quality, crafted from magnesium with no flexing or creaking, even under substantial pressure. However, its plastic bottom, while not as sturdy as the magnesium build, cause no issues during regular use. Overall, the build quality of the mouse is superb, and I have no complaints in this regard.

Weight & Feet/Skates

The Beast X Max weighs 42 grams and feels exceptionally light, especially considering its large size, which helps distribute the weight evenly compared to smaller mice of similar weight. This low weight is achieved through a magnesium shell and large cutouts. While achieving an even lower weight on such a large mouse would be intriguing, it might necessitate structural changes or potentially compromise build quality.

The mouse includes multiple sets of PTFE skates: one set of 4 dot skates (pre-installed), one set of 4 small skates, and one set of 2 larger skates. Additionally, pre-orders include a set of 2 larger glass skates. The pre-installed dot skates provide excellent glide, but the smaller skates offered less support at the front of the mouse, which, combined with my claw grip, caused the mouse to tilt forward. As a solution, I switched to using the set of 2 larger black PTFE skates, which resolved the issue.

For those seeking maximum speed, one set of glass skates is included with pre-orders or available separately from the WLmouse store. Personally, I find the added speed too much and prefer sticking with regular PTFE skates for better control.

Buttons & Scroll Wheel

The Beast X Max offers a choice between two types of switches for the main buttons: OMRON Optical or TTC Nihil Transparent Black Dot mechanical switches. My unit features the OMRON Optical switches, which are quieter, require less force to click, and are easy for rapid clicking. They lack the tactile feedback of traditional mechanical switches but eliminate double-click issues and slightly enhance battery life. For those preferring more tactile feedback, the TTC Nihil Transparent Black Dot switches are recommended.

The main buttons feature comfort grooves that guide finger placement without being overly aggressive, though I personally find them slightly too curved and would prefer a flatter design.

Both the main and side buttons exhibit minimal pre- and post-travel. However, the side buttons are somewhat small, and I would prefer them to be slightly larger, especially considering the mouse's size.

The scroll wheel requires very little force to scroll but lacks significant tactile feedback, which I consider the biggest drawback of this mouse. The scroll click is easy to actuate with minimal force.

Sensor & Performance

The Beast X Max is among the first mice to adopt the new PAW3950 sensor from PixArt, following the end of Razer's exclusivity on this sensor. Compared to its predecessor, the PAW3395, the PAW3950 offers a higher maximum sensitivity (26,000 -> 30,000 DPI) and improved tracking speed (650 -> 750 IPS). While technically superior, these upgrades are unlikely to yield noticeable gameplay differences under normal conditions.

Additionally, the mouse features an 8000Hz polling rate which remains stable and issue-free in games optimized for higher polling rates like Valorant, CS, Apex Legends, and Overwatch. However, compatibility issues may arise in older games that aren't optimized for such high polling rates.

Software & Configuration

WLmouse has released a new web driver for the Beast X Max, meaning there is no need to download any software to customize the settings of the mouse. Once the dongle is plugged into your computer, the WLmouse Hub will detect the mouse and it can be quickly configured.

Conclusion

The WLmouse Beast X Max costs $149 ($145 with code ELO). It is not a cheap mouse, especially seeing all the new mice that are coming out with similar specifications and weights. It does however offer a very solid build quality and amazing shape, which is a good alternative for those wanting a Finalmouse UltralightX but find the pricing too high or cannot get ahold of their mice due to low availability. For anyone with large or medium hands looking for a good mouse for claw or palm grip, I believe this to be a very good option even if the price is quite high compared to more affordable options.