WLmouse Strider Review
Specifications
Packaging
- WLmouse Strider gaming mouse
- USB-C cable
- 8K dongle
- 1K dongle
- 20 PTFE dot skates (+4 pre-installed)
- 1 set of 2 large PTFE skates
- 1 set of 4 medium PTFE skates
- Alcohol wipes
- Grip tape for main buttons and sides
- Custom grip tape (23 pieces in total)
Shape & Size
The WLmouse Strider measures 122 × 66 × 38 mm, making it a medium-sized mouse. Its defining shape feature is the moderate back-hump, which makes it highly suitable for claw-grip users across most hand sizes. My hands measure 20.5 × 10.5 cm, and I find it extremely comfortable to claw-grip, both using an aggressive or relaxed grip. Palm grip works as well, but it feels less natural for my larger hands. Users with medium or small hands may find palm grip more viable, though claw grip likely remains the best fit for most users. Fingertip grip is possible but not ideal; for that, I’d recommend shorter mice with centered humps, like the new Beast X Pro or Beast X Pro Mini, to minimize accidental palm contact.
Apart from the back-hump, the Strider features a slight outward flare at the front and aggressive inward side-curvature. This makes the mouse easier to pick up and control. Personally, I love inward side curvatures, so this aspect is a big plus for me.
The button height is very low and tapers down quite aggressively, another design element I appreciate. It makes my grip feel more natural and prevents my fingers from being forced too high.
You may notice the Strider’s shape closely resembles the Endgame Gear XM2. It shares the same moderate back-hump, outward front-flare, aggressive inward side-curvature, and low button height. However, there are key differences: the Strider has a slightly wider grip area while maintaining the same maximum width, making its inward curvature a bit less extreme but still more pronounced than most mice. Another notable difference is the scroll wheel position. On the XM2, the wheel sits further forward. Since I position my fingers near the edge of the mouse, I prefer the XM2’s placement, but I still enjoy using the Strider’s scroll wheel.
As I used the Endgame Gear XM2 8k as my main mouse since I received it, I was very excited to test the Strider. Since receiving it, it has remained the only mouse that I use for gaming, work, and general use. Even after this review, I plan to continue using it as my main mouse.
Coating & Grip-Tape
The WLmouse Strider has a magnesium shell, which gives it a dry, slightly rough texture similar to other magnesium mice. While I personally prefer the coatings on Zowie, Vaxee, and Endgame Gear mice, the Strider still provides a solid grip. The metal shell also has a cooler feel, which, combined with the cutouts, helps reduce sweating.
For those who want extra grip, the Strider comes with grip tape for the main buttons and sides, plus 23 grip patches in various shapes and sizes. These allow for selective coverage rather than full-surface application. Previous WLmouse models also included these, and I’ve found them useful for adding grip to other mice that lack good coating.
Build Quality
Thanks to its magnesium shell, the Strider feels incredibly sturdy. There is zero flex or creaking when pressing the sides or top. The bottom, however, is plastic and features multiple cutouts, which introduce flex when applying pressure. However, this is never noticeable during normal use.
Weight & Skates
Weighing just 45 grams, the Strider achieves its lightweight design through its magnesium shell and cutouts. Some mice are even lighter with solid shells, but they tend to be smaller in size. Coming from the Endgame Gear XM2 8K, which is both heavier and wired, I greatly appreciate being able to use a similar shape at a lower weight, and wirelessly. The weight balance leans slightly toward the front.
The Strider comes pre-installed with four PTFE dot skates and includes an additional 20. It also comes with a set of two large black PTFE skates and one set of four medium-sized black PTFE skates.
The dot skates feel smooth but require a short break-in period to reach peak smoothness. The larger black PTFE skates feel great right out of the box, and my preferred setup is using the four medium-sized skates.
Buttons & Scroll Wheel
The Strider offers two switch options for its main buttons: TTC Nihil Transparent Black Dot (mechanical) or Omron Opticals.
TTC Nihil Transparent Black Dot (mechanical): More tactile, slightly louder, but has a debounce delay. Potential to develop double-clicking over time.
Omron Opticals: Quieter, no debounce delay, immune to double-clicking.
If you prefer a highly tactile feel, go with the TTC switches. If you want long-term reliability and silence, the Omron Optical switches are the better choice.
The side buttons use Omron Blue Dot switches, which are very tactile with minimal pre- or post-travel. They’re also light to press but not so sensitive that accidental presses are an issue.
The scroll wheel uses a TTC Dust-Proof Silver encoder, which has a smooth, low-resistance scroll with moderate tactility. While I prefer a slightly more defined scroll, I appreciate how effortless it is to use, especially in games that require rapid scrolling. The scroll click is also light but not overly sensitive, making it perfect for pinging in games like Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends, and Overwatch 2.
Software & Configuration
The WLmouse Strider offers a web-hub, making it very easy to configure the mouse without the need to download applications or run software in the background.
If, however, you prefer a desktop/downloaded software, this is an options too.
Sensor & Performance
The Strider is equipped with the PixArt PAW3950 HS sensor and Nordic 52840 MCU, supporting 30,000 DPI and polling rates up to 8000Hz using the included 8K dongle, no extra purchase is required.
Performance-wise, the mouse is flawless. Tracking, responsiveness, and the high polling rate work as expected with zero issues.
Conclusion
At $145, the WLmouse Strider isn’t cheap, but it’s in line with other high-end gaming mice, especially those made from magnesium and packed with premium features. The included accessories also add extra value.
To reduce the cost, you can use code ELO at checkout for 2% off, or use this link (www.wlmouse.com/discount/elo?ref=elo) to have it automatically apply instead of manually applying the code when you’re in a hurry.
If you’re a claw-grip user and have the money, I recommend considering this mouse. Its shape is excellent for claw grip across most hand sizes. The build quality, switch options, weight and overall performance is top-tier. And if you’ve been looking for a lighter alternative to the Endgame Gear XM2, the Strider is the closest match in both shape and performance.
