For years, the Logitech G502 has been a mainstay in Logitech's gaming lineup. It's seen a few changes over the years since its inception, but the core design has stayed relatively the same, with its internals improving with each model refresh. The latest variation sees the G502 receive a brand new sensor, improved wireless Lightspeed connection, and, as always, a staggering price tag. How does it hold up, and is it worth the upgrade?

Looking just about identical to the previous iteration of the G502, this version has all its upgrades under the hood. The newest HERO sensor brings the G502 up to 25,600 DPI, which on its own is astounding when compared to the previous G502 HERO, which featured a DPI of up to 16,000. There's even higher DPIs out there, but few of them are wireless, and even fewer of them benefit from Logitech's lagless Lightspeed tech. 

The design of the G502 screams "gamer," with all the sharp edges and over-the-top lines tracing down the sides. It might look a little over-designed to some, but it certainly has an aesthetic that'll fit in with the rest of the gaming peripherals out there. There are grips on either side in order to give your hands some texture to hold onto and keep the plastic from being too slippery, while the rest of the mouse is matte, with a few glossy buttons and streaks thrown in. Dust will absolutely get caught in the little crevices, and you'll need to make sure you keep your mouse clean, but the matte plastic won't wear down or get greasy, at least, going by a full month of daily usage with the G502 and the experiences of using its brother, the G903, for over a year. 

Tech Specs

• Weight: 114g (adjustable)
• Battery life: up to 60 hours
• Sensor: HERO 25K
• Report rate: 1000Hz
• DPI: 100-25,600

Inside the G502's box are a few handy things: a micro-USB for charging--it's a shame that Logitech hasn't moved their gaming mice over to USB-C yet--and a little case of weights. Where Logitech once required you to make a choice between using the wireless disc or the weights, now you can use both in tandem; a very nice upgrade. Pulling apart the thumb-ledge will reveal four slots in which you can add up to 8 grams to the G502's overall weight. This is a fantastic feature, and really lets you adjust the mouse until it's perfect for you.

You have the option to plug the mouse in and use it wired, and while it's an appreciated feature, the G502 Lightspeed is meant for primarily wireless usage. Used in tandem with the PowerPlay mousepad, you don't ever have to plug the mouse in, as it wirelessly charges the mouse whenever it needs topping up. So, for the true Logitech Lightspeed wireless experience, it'll run you about $300 combined, going off the MSRP. It's a price that'll likely drive away anyone casually interested in the G502, but if you're willing to pay for reliability and convivence, it doesn't get much better than this.

Without the PowerPlay mat, you'll be using the mouse for an average of 60 hours continuously without the RGBs, or if you turn on the lights, then it cuts the battery life down to around 48 hours. It's super impressive battery life for a wireless mouse, and you won't have to constantly deal with the annoyance of running low on battery frequently like with cheaper brands. The notched plug makes it easy to connect it to the front of the mouse when it needs charging, and keeps it secured as well.

Benefiting most from gamers that use a "claw-like" or "palm" grip for their mice, the G502 is very comfortable to use, and thanks to its trademark thumb-rest, it's nice to hold, too. Comfort is an important factor, given just how much you're going to be using the mouse on a daily basis, whether it's for gaming or regular daily use. It moves smoothly, thanks to the slick glides on the bottom, though they seem to scuff incredibly easily, which felt concerning, though never became an issue.

Personally, I still find the Logitech G903 to be the superior mouse. At the end of the day, the differences between each mouse in Logitech's Lightspeed lineup boils down to physical details. Do you prefer a more asymmetrical mouse? Do you put more weight on your thumb and need a ledge so you don't graze it on your mousepad? Or are you looking for an overall standout gaming mouse that will be a reliable addition to your repertoire of input methods? If you said yes to any of those, then the Logitech G502 might just be the mouse for you.