Let’s face it: seeing the term ‘vertical’ alongside the word ‘mouse’ doesn’t immediately scream familiarity or “Finally, it’s released!”. Most likely it’ll be a mixed-bag reaction of “Woah, what even is this?!” or “How does that even work?”. Quite frankly, I agree with you. Sure, the traditional flat mouse has been around since the dawn of personal computing, and anything that strays from that formula feels like a risk, especially for gamers and professionals who rely on precision and muscle memory. But indulge me momentarily as I explain why your computer and your wrist will thank you for it.

Enter the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition Mouse: a product that looks like it belongs in a Star Wars movie rather than at your computer. Razer, known for its bold moves in gaming hardware, has taken a leap into ergonomic territory with a vertical mouse designed to reduce wrist strain without sacrificing speed, accuracy, or (thankfully) style. It’s a concoction of science-backed comfort and Razer-grade performance wrapped in a sleek, productivity-focused shell.

But is the novelty of going vertical just a gimmick? Does this joystick from space provide any benefits? Or is this the upgrade your workflow and gaming sessions didn’t know they needed? We spent some serious desk time with the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition Mouse to find out if this ergonomic outlier can keep up with modern users’ demands and maybe even convert some sceptics along the way.

The Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition Mouse sports a premium matte finish in a sophisticated silver and black two-tone colour scheme, aimed at professionals but with a stylish edge that wouldn’t look out of place on a gaming desk. The body is lightweight, weighing 150g, surrounded by durable ABS plastic with rubberised side grips for enhanced hold. It’s built to last, with Razer’s attention to construction quality on full display. Going matte seems to be the common touch for Razer, and they’ve kept to their brand with this release.

Gone are the days of fingerprints and sweat residue, complemented with its alternative side of a carbon-style finish that feels comfortable to hold and assists with all those stressful grip-holding gaming moments (or long hours scrolling through documents – your call). The mouse base features 18-zone lighting with underglow, featuring 16.8 million colours per zone and customisable gaming immersion with over 300 supported titles (requires installation of Razer Synapse software).

But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the vertical. The mouse is sculpted with a 71.7° vertical tilt, which places the user’s hand in a more natural “handshake” position. This design reduces wrist pronation, making it ideal for long gaming, editing, or coding sessions. Razer has gone on record to state that vertical mice assist with conditions such as RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury), tendonitis, and/or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Medical fun facts aside, admittedly, when first using this mouse, your mind and hand will want to lie flat as per the custom for computing mice. But after that initial “foreign joystick” phase, returning to the standard mouse format we have grown to know will be hard.

Besides the appearance and wrist-assisting action, the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition Mouse does play host to a cavalcade of additional features. Razer’s flagship sensor leads the charge, boasting a whopping max of 30,000 DPI sensitivity! Following that up with a 6-month battery lifecycle and an incredible 60-million click lifecycle, this mouse isn’t interested in reaching round 2 – it wants a KO!

Encouragingly, Razer states that this mouse auto-calibrates for different surfaces, removing the need for a mousepad. Seriously, there’s showing off, then there’s showing off – horizontal mice and mouse pads are a double act, but they’ve both been shown the door thanks to the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Mouse.

Some common features that modern-day gaming mice share are customisable buttons, and the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Mouse joins in on that party, offering six customisable buttons:

• Left & right click.
• Forward/back thumb buttons.
• DPI switch.
• Scroll (middle) wheel click.

But the real sleeper feature here is the new Razer AI Prompt Master. Located in the centre bar of the mouse, click and hold on the button for a second, and a window boasting the latest AI technology appears. This feature allows you to rephrase and summarise wording, compose an email, and generate an AI image (requires logging into an AI Engine account, e.g. ChatGPT, to use). You can also create and add your AI-generated prompts!

Ironically, the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition Mouse does not feature a HyperScroll wheel. For those playing the home game, a HyperScroll wheel is a latch that changes the mouse wheel from being notched (which is found on most mice) to spinning freely. Though not a game-changing decision, it is worth noting that the feature would be greatly utilised in this very courageous and advanced design.

Eventually, all the features tire one out (one, being in this case, the mouse). So, how does the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition Mouse connect, relax, and recharge? The Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Mouse allows for three connecting modes: Wireless via USB transmitter, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB-C Wired cable. Previously, I had touched on the overall battery lifespan, but to get into the weeds here, the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition Mouse holds up to 400 hours of battery life on Bluetooth and 300 hours on the USB wireless receiver. After that, you must plug in and charge via the USB-C cable, which has graciously been included in the box *tips hat*.

Though not included with the box (long gone are the days of computer parts being accompanied by CDs loaded with drivers and manuals), Razer does advise downloading and installing their Razer Synapse software, allowing for further in-depth button remapping and overall customisation. Once you have set up the software and made an account, you’ll be treated to the aforementioned RGB Chroma lighting features alongside the AI Prompt master feature and you can set up On-Board memory profiles, allowing you to save specific styles and features. Note: The memory profiles can be saved to your Razer account, eliminating the need to set them up again when switching computers or creating a new system.

The Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition Mouse is a standout in a niche category. It combines Razer’s elite sensor and switch tech with an ergonomic design that doesn’t compromise performance. While not every gamer will want a vertical mouse, those seeking comfort without giving up responsiveness will find this mouse more than capable. It’s a premium productivity tool with serious gaming DNA.

Written by: James Fraser-Smith