Logitech G502 X Plus wireless mouse review: Feature-rich and ergonomic

Logitech's G502 X Plus is surprisingly light, but its lack of weight doesn't indicate an inferior product. The G502 X Plus is packed with features, although its considerably high price tag may tempt some consumers to switch to less impressive models.

As a standard mouse used for common two-button functionality, it's hard to justify spending the extra money on Logitech's G502 X Plus. However, gamers will find value in several of its most useful features, including a smooth scrolling toggle that unlocks the wheel for faster scrolling and a DPI (dots per inch) shift that switches to a user-defined DPI. user when pressed. The many features are unexpected, considering the mouse's light weight and low cost. Unfortunately, it is far from economical.

Coming from Logitech's G602, which is a bit heavier and has more buttons, I didn't expect the more simplistic design of the G502 X Plus to be so functional. However, Logitech packs a lot into the ergonomic design, which makes it difficult to go back to an older, outdated model.

DPI is the main focus

On the G602, it's very clear that Logitech wanted customization to be your main focus. The standard DPI triggers are hidden at the top of the left mouse button, almost out of reach if your clicks tend to hover towards the base of the Switch. The G502 X Plus layout, on the other hand, lines the entire left side of the mouse with impossible-to-miss toggles.

They're actually a little too easy to hit, and I often found my DPI changing mid-use when my finger barely brushed the biggest downshift. It takes some getting used to if your current mouse isn't designed the same way, but I appreciate Logitech's emphasis on DPI.

Much of my computer time is spent bouncing between browser tabs and programs, so I didn't expect to worry too much about mouse speed. However, soon after upgrading to the G502 X Plus, I realized that I had overlooked something that improves the user experience a bit. Depending on the digital environment I'm in, I frequently find myself swapping between 1 DPI and 200 DPI, which are just 2 of the 400 preset speeds available by default.

In a competitive gaming environment, speed is essential. Customizable DPI speeds that you can toggle with the click of a button let you take full control of your experience with the G502 X Plus. Logitech has also included a thumb shift toggle, just below the two side customizable buttons, which when pressed will lock in your desired gear until released.

I was surprised how often I used it when I needed more control for precision aiming; my sniper game in titles like Infinite halo et Speeds 5 significantly improved when using the toggle. If you don't mind using it, however, the button can be removed and replaced with a fixed magnetic filler.

G HUB makes all the difference

The G502 X Plus shines on its own, although it's easy to argue that it's comparable to much cheaper models. The game changer here is Logitech's G HUB app (available for Windows and Mac), which unlocks the true potential of the accessory.

It's through the HUB that you have full control over the DPI settings, even reassigning the five you switch between up and down buttons. Although the mouse comes with a preset range of 800 to 3, you get a full spectrum that starts at 200 DPI and goes all the way up to 100.

Customization is key to enjoying the G502 X Plus, and G HUB offers the ability to completely modify just about every mouse feature. Want the right mouse button to run a complicated macro? Setup is easy, even for new users. In fact, this entire sentence was typed simply by defining a macro and launching it with the press of a button.

Each button can have two functions thanks to G-Shift, which serves as an “Fn” (function key) equivalent for your mouse. Tap it and you can have nine brand new commands at your disposal, whether it's a collection of macros, system actions or keystrokes. The biggest problem is that there's no preset that instantly switches between the default layout and G-Shift, so you'll have to either grab a button or manually toggle the switch via G HUB.

The G502 X Plus comes with onboard memory for 5 unique profiles, but I didn't find much value in functionality unless I took the mouse to another computer. G HUB lets you create unique profiles and can even find certain games so you can easily switch to a layout that makes sense. For example, my Phasmophobia profile had a very different button assignment than my Aliens: Fireteam Elite profile.

Lightsync steals the show

I would be remiss if I didn't mention Lightsync, which is Logitech's RGB customization app within G HUB. It's such an insignificant aspect of the whole user experience, especially compared to everything else the mouse can do, but I really enjoyed tinkering with it. The mouse's RGB lighting strip can be customized across eight sections, so you can have a mouse that breathes eight different colors or a repeating pattern of your choice.

It takes the extensive customization you get with an RGB keyboard and adapts it to a portable unit. For those who like to have a clean, matching aesthetic, this can really make a difference. And syncing the mouse with other Lightsync-enabled devices makes it an even bigger selling point if you value custom lighting.

G502 X Plus vs. G502 X

The most difficult aspect of the G502 X Plus to overcome is the price. At $160, the lightweight wireless gaming mouse is less than half the price of its wired counterpart and $20 more than the wireless standard G502 X, both of which lack RGB lighting.

So the biggest changes are the lights and the wireless capabilities. To many, these may not seem worth the extra cost, especially since wired mice are generally known to have a more stable connection and lower latency. I say “generally” because the G502 X Plus holds up very well against the G502 X in terms of latency and stability.

Even the biggest wireless paint point, the rechargeable battery, is much less of a concern with the G502 X Plus. Not only did a full charge last around three days of eight hours of office use and at least two hours of gaming per day, but the mouse is also compatible with Logitech's POWERPLAY charging mouse pad. It's an extra $120, but it's worth never having to plug the mouse in again because the mouse can be charged while in use.

Both units run on LIGHTSPEED wireless technology which connects to your PC using an included USB dongle and can reach a maximum acceleration of 40G2 and a maximum speed of 400 inches per second (IPS). Ultimately, the two numbers indicate the device's ability to keep up with fast movements, and that's pretty impressive. In this case, Logitech has developed a wireless mouse that's as reliable as a wired mouse, and that's partly down to Logitech's proprietary HERO sensor.

Both mouse configurations run a HERO 25K optical sensor, which maximizes power efficiency and performance for superior smooth tracking. I had no issues with the sensor and the mouse performed smoothly in any environment.

Whether you use the G502 X or the G502 X Plus will be a matter of preference. I happen to prefer a clean desktop, so the wireless option best suits my aesthetic and is worth the extra cost in my mind.

Should you buy the Logitech G502 X Plus?

Logitech has truly crafted a quality device with the G502 X Plus. It is comfortable, easy to move around, practical and offers an array of customizations. Even in games that require quick reaction, the prop produced no lag and reacted accordingly. While it might not have many programmable buttons compared to other gaming mice (like the Razer Naga Trinity or Logitech's G602), I didn't need more than the G502 offers. X Plus. It might not be enough for RTS or MMO gamers, but G-Shift can be a game-changer if you need more programmable options.

Working through G HUB unlocks the greatest potential of the G502, whether you want to set custom DPI toggles, create your own RGB display, or create unique profiles for your favorite games. The five built-in profiles are a welcome convenience, though you probably rely mostly on G HUB's digital profiles if you don't bring your mouse on the road.

For all the G502 X Plus offers, it's important to remember that Logitech offers a wired G502 X for less than half the price and a nearly identical wireless mouse (G502 X) for $20 less. It would have been nice if the more expensive wireless option was separated by improved specs, but users who are averse to wire or love RGB will justify spending more on a clean aesthetic. Pick up the G502 X Plus today in black or white for $159,99.