I was eager to see what had changed with the new NZXT Lift 2 Symm mouse since I was so happy with the original version of the Lift. The first generation was a solid, well-built offering that delivered great performance for a fair price, but with the Lift 2 Symm, NZXT has changed things up and made the mouse much lighter while retaining most of the same features that made it such a good offering when it was first released in 2022.
Released alongside the Lift 2 Ergo, the NZXT Lift 2 Symm is a solid evolution of an already great mouse. It brings numerous welcome improvements, especially if you are eager to get the best sensor possible in a lightweight gaming mouse. While I don’t think people need to run out and buy the NZXT Lift 2 Symm if they already have the Lift, there’s enough new stuff here that buyers who passed on the mouse the first time around will have reason to give it a look.
While the first Lift was a relatively lightweight offering, the weight of the NZXT Lift 2 Symm is immediately noticeable as soon as you take it out of the box, coming in at a feathery 58g compared to its predecessor’s 67g. The hollow honeycomb shell of the Lift 2 Symm shaves off every possible gram without compromising on build quality.
Combined with 100% pure PTFE mouse feet, this mouse glides effortlessly across your mousepad. The NZXT Lift 2 is also minimalistic in the best possible way, with options for both white and black; it blends into most gaming or office setups—or with the new NZXT Function 2 MiniTKL—especially without RGB, keeping things from feeling professional when needed.
“NZXT has equipped the Lift 2 Symm with the PixArt PMW3395 optical sensor, which is capable of up to 26,000 DPI sensitivity and 650 IPS tracking speed.”
Of course, being lightweight means nothing if the mouse doesn’t track well. Thankfully, NZXT has equipped the Lift 2 Symm with the PixArt PMW3395 optical sensor, which is capable of up to 26,000 DPI sensitivity and 650 IPS tracking speed. During my extensive testing across multiple game genres, from MMOs to shooters, the NZXT Lift 2 Symm never missed a beat. Precision aiming and lightning-quick flicks were executed perfectly, thanks to the 1:1 raw input and flawless tracking. Such high fidelity grants immense confidence during gameplay, allowing full focus on the game rather than worrying about any sensor anomalies.
Much like the first iteration, the NZXT Lift 2 Symm sports a comfortable, ambidextrous shape suitable for various grip styles. Its dimensions of 126.8mm x 67.1mm x 38.3mm place it in the medium-sized range, though smaller-handed gamers may find it usable too. The gently sloping side buttons provide a nice resting spot for your thumb and are easily reachable without compromising your grip. Between the matte coating and textured microdots on the sides, I never felt like I was losing control of the mouse during intense gaming moments or just working on the PC to do everything from design work to video editing.
“During my extensive testing across multiple game genres, from MMOs to shooters, the NZXT Lift 2 Symm never missed a beat.”
Durability is always a concern, given the lightweight nature of the Lift 2 Symm. However, NZXT addressed this by using optical switches rated for 100 million clicks across the main left and right buttons. These optical switches have near-instantaneous signal processing, giving you exceptionally responsive clicks to match the raw input movement tracking. The crisp, light actuation requires little effort while still providing satisfying tactile feedback. After subjecting the mouse to long Diablo 4 seasons and League of Legends matches, I experienced no signs of degraded performance or button mushiness, at least over the two weeks of testing.
A gaming mouse is only complete with the software to tweak it to your heart’s content. This is where NZXT’s CAM software comes into play. Within CAM, you can customize DPI presets, lift-off distance, polling rate up to 8000Hz, remap buttons, create macros, and save profiles. The UI is clean and intuitive, allowing most users to customize the mouse to their preferences within minutes. One particularly useful feature is DPI switching on the fly using the dedicated button below the scroll wheel, which I leveraged extensively in shooters for precision aiming and quick 180 turns.
Jumping into games, I am amazed at how snappy and responsive thanks to the reduced inertia from the weight reduction. In Fortnite, I found the NZXT Lift 2 Symm incredibly precise, with the weight reduction making for ease of use even during stressful firefights. The same was true when I popped into DOOM Eternal, with the weight and sensors working together to deliver a fantastic and precise experience. The flexible, lightweight paracord cable is the icing on the cake, making it feel almost wireless despite being a wired mouse.
“…at $49.99, the NZXT Lift 2 Symm punches well above its weight class.”
A notable issue holds the NZXT Lift 2 Symm back from being a must-buy, and that is some annoying disconnection issues. It happened while testing the mouse with the latest version of the CAM software installed. During normal use, the NZXT Lift 2 Symm would simply disconnect, and I would need to unplug the mouse and reconnect it to get things moving again. These instances were few and far between, but it is something to take note of, especially if you are looking for a mouse that can take you through a tournament, where every second and mouse click matters.
Even with slight issues, at $49.99, the NZXT Lift 2 Symm punches well above its weight class. Competing lightweight mice from mainstream brands such as Razer or Logitech easily cost $20 to $30 more. Yet the Lift 2 Symm matches or even exceeds those mice in terms of weight, performance, quality and features. If a symmetrical wired mouse is your weapon of choice, the Lift 2 Symm is a no-brainer choice for most gamers, delivering a fantastic experience, especially for the price.
Having used the Lift 2 Symm extensively in various games over the past two weeks, I believe that NZXT has succeeded in creating the ultimate endgame mouse. Its featherweight design, flawless tracking, comfortable shape, responsive clicks and great software make for a well-rounded package. The Lift 2 Symm is an easy recommendation for any player looking to gain an edge through reduced fatigue and maximized control. At its affordable price, there is little reason to overlook NZXT’s latest entry into the gaming peripherals market. The Lift 2 Symm sets a new standard for what an affordable, lightweight gaming mouse should be.
No products found.
