// PC GAMER — GAMING
ProtoArc EM25 ergonomic mouse review
I'm a big fan of cheap-yet-cheerful mice, and this one's got a lot of promise on looks and specs alone. However, the clumsy control implementation, noisy, edgy-feeling skates, and the lack of refinement really lets the ProtoArc EM25 down. It's not completely awful, but I simply wouldn't buy one—even if it is considerably cheaper than its main competition.
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If you're looking for an ergonomic PC mouse, you're probably already considering the Logitech MX Master 3S, or the Logitech MX Master 4. I've used both as my main productivity meeces for extended periods of time, and can tell you that either make for excellent picks. But, if they're a little pricey for your liking, ProtoArc has made an ergo mouse with many similar design features for much, much less.The result is the ProtoArc EM25, a wireless ergonomic mouse that knows what it's about. Right from the off, it screams "budget MX Master" from the nearest rooftop. It's got a similar chassis shape, an extended thumb rest, two scroll wheels (one with a clutch, no less), quiet main switches—the whole kit and kaboodle. The problem is, at every turn, this mouse reminds you of why the Logi mice are brilliant, and why this one doesn't meet the mark.It's got all the right features on paper, but most of them prove to be a disappointment in practice. It's also got some odd material choices, some strange-feeling mechanisms, and an overall lack of refinement. Dancing around this mouse's various controls over the past few weeks has caused me to pull a vast array of facial expressions, and none of them have been a smile. Almost every control here feels slightly wrong, in a plethora of different ways.There's a certain solidity to the chassis design that makes the EM25 verge towards consideration—especially given its very reasonable $50/£29 price tag. However, unless you're absolutely desperate for an MX Master-a-like for less, I can think of lots of less-ergo, but much better standard mice for your money.
✅ You're absolutely desperate for an MX Master-alike, but can't afford one: If you simply must have something with the rough shape and quiet clicks of Logitech's finest, but lack the cash, then perhaps the EM25 has something to offer. I'd still save up for the real thing, though.
❌ You want pleasant controls: The ProtoArc mouse's various buttons and wheels are all present, but far from correct. The main switches are actually pretty good, but the other controls are all varying kinds of wrong.❌ You want a smooth ride: The EM25's biggest issue is the skates underneath, which feel like they could do with a good sanding down.
I'm a big fan of cheap-yet-cheerful mice, and this one's got a lot of promise on looks and specs alone. However, the clumsy control implementation, noisy, edgy-feeling skates, and the lack of refinement really lets the ProtoArc EM25 down. It's not completely awful, but I simply wouldn't buy one—even if it is considerably cheaper than its main competition.
Six programmable buttons, two scroll wheels (one horizontal), clutch system, quiet main switches
The ProtoArc EM25 is an ergonomically-shaped mouse with a clutch-controlled main scroll wheel, a horizontal side scroll wheel, and an enlarged thumbrest on the left hand side, à la the Logitech MX Master 3S/4. It's also got twin forward and back buttons, and a small button mounted on the front left corner for switching between its Bluetooth and regular 2.4 GHz connections, the latter of which makes use of a small (some would say, nano-sized) dongle.
Said dongle can be retrieved from the bottom of the mouse via a magnetically-sealed hatch compartment, which is a nice touch. The polling rate is switchable, topping out at 1,000 Hz.
The sensor is an 8000 DPI max optical unit, while the battery is a 500 mAh internal rechargeable m