Logitech G502 X Review: ‘Return of the Many-buttoned Ergo King’

LOGITECH G502 X REVIEW FOR PC GAMING.

It’s been almost a decade since the original Logitech G502 launched. In that time, it and its variants have risen to become a consistent best-seller and a popular first choice for those getting into PC gaming. Its pleasing shape, generous number of buttons, and reliable performance have made it a staple in the community.

I’ve personally recommended and bought the G502 for many friends and family, after using it myself for many years. Needless to say, I’m a big fan of the original and the Lightspeed version that I reviewed and replaced it with. If you’re a big fan of the G502, hearing about an “X” version will no doubt make you sit up. Logitech has evolved the G502 into not one, not two, but three new mice. This is my Logitech G502 X review.

Triple trouble

The G502 X line is, in a nutshell, comprised of the G502 X ($79.99), a wired mouse and the lightest at 89 grams; the G502 X Lightspeed ($139.99), which cuts the cable for a wireless connection; and the G502 X Plus (159.99), which is wireless like the Lightspeed but has some additional RGB flair.

Buy the Logitech G502 X line on Amazon.com

The entire G502 X line benefits from a range of new features and improvements. These include excellent-feeling and sounding LIGHTFORCE hybrid optical-mechanical switches. Without getting bogged down in any technical testing, I can confirm that they feel lovely and haven’t let me down while rapidly firing a semi-auto weapon in Warzone.

Shift up or out

All three members of the G502 X line have a new removable or reversible DPI-shift button, an improved scroll wheel with higher stability and reduced weight, and USB-C charging for the wireless variants.

As for the sensor of choice, all three mice use the HERO 25k. As expected, it performs perfectly, just as I’ve experienced with the Logitech G Pro X Superlight that I’ve been daily driving ever since writing its review.

LIGHTFORCE x LIGHTSPEED

When paired together, the new LIGHTFORCE switches and updated LIGHTSPEED wireless protocol allow for response times that, Logitech claims, are 68% faster than the previous generation. That is an impressive-sounding statistic, for sure, and I can confirm that I’ve had zero issues with responsiveness or any kind of input latency with the dongle placed at its usual spot (about a foot away).

If RGB lighting is your thing, then the G502 X Plus is the way to go, provided you don’t mind splashing the extra $20 premium. For what it’s worth, the RGB implementation is great. There’s a strip of eight LEDs that are defused by a frosted transparent layer. The RGB features startup and power-down effects and, most impressively, can be disabled when it detects that a hand is moving it and covering up where the lights are. This is great for saving battery without compromising on the aesthetic.

When it comes to battery life, the G502 X wireless models are rated for over 140 hours, though that drops considerably with RGB lighting enabled.

Hello, old friend

In use, the Logitech G502 X feels very, very familiar. It’s an almost identical shape to what defined nearly a decade of gaming for many users, including myself, and revisiting it and its many buttons has reminded me why I stuck with it for so long. As games have evolved to feature more abilities, I feel like the more buttons the better, and a lot of people will be glad to see this mouse return.

Those buttons and other functions can be customized in the G Hub software. This app is the best it has ever been for peripherals like mice and keyboards, and so it’s unsurprising that the G502 X line slots in nicely. I quickly assigned my functions to each of the buttons; a medley of melee, grenade, crouch, Ability 1, Ability 2, and map. Perfection!

Weight right there!

The elephant in the room with the G502 X is weight. Though Logitech has cut some significant weight when compared to older G502 models, the 89-106 gram range of the new mice is still relatively hefty (though not as heavy as the competing Basilisk V3 Pro that I reviewed last week). Despite this, the weight feels well-distributed and the mouse is overall well-balanced.

The added weight also makes for a structurally sound product, with no creaking of the body or any fragile-feeling elements. I expect this mouse to last many years, just like its predecessors.

Oh, and for those wondering if there are any weights included in the box to make it even heavier: no, there are not. Nor are there any bonus sticky grips for M1 and M2, which I was sad to find.

I should also mention that those looking to enjoy the limitless charging granted by the Logitech Powerplay mouse pad and puck will indeed be able to make use of the feature with the G502 X wireless mice.

Logitech G502 X Review: The final verdict

Starting at $79.99 for the wired model, $139.99 for the wireless, and $159.99 for the wireless with RGB, it’s clear that Logitech is aiming high, much like the rest of its mainstream competitors right now. With that said, Logitech’s product is armed with the “G502” name that speaks volumes when it comes to quality and consistency.

I’m ecstatic to see the return of this classic mouse, overhauled to be ready for the demands of gaming in 2022. It’s still king when it comes to many-buttoned mice and I heartily recommend it for hybrid gamers moving between genres who don’t mind putting down the extra dollars for the latest models.

G502 X review unit was provided by Logitech.