VaxeeZYGEN NP-01S Wireless

The new NP-01S Wireless is finally available for sale and brings several improvements. While VAXEE with the XE Wireless already has an excellent wireless gaming mouse with an Ambi Shape on the market, there was a lack of a mouse with an ergonomic design until now. The XE Wireless, weighing 78 grams, is not particularly heavy but still weighs 10 grams more than the wired version of the VAXEE XE. On the other hand, VAXEE has managed to maintain the weight of the NP-01S Wireless compared to its wired version at 68 grams. The NP-01S Wireless is slightly smaller than the XE Wireless but offers slightly better handling, especially for gamers with smaller hands. The build quality is even higher than the XE Wireless despite the lower weight. The casing is extremely stable, shows no incidental noises, and it’s not possible to press the side buttons from below. There is only minimal rattling when shaking. The skates of the mouse remain unchanged and are still made of white PTFE, which is quite solid. Their shape and size are unchanged, so replacement parts for the wired NP-01S are still compatible.

The XE Wireless already impressed with its performance, and so does the NP-01S Wireless. A significant innovation is the handling of the sensor settings. With the XE Wireless, it was possible to switch between a standard and high-speed mode, and there was a special firmware for the competition mode. The repeated switching and reconnecting/pairing of the mouse were quite cumbersome. This has been optimized with the updated firmware: The high-speed mode was deemed unnecessary and removed, leaving only the standard and competition modes, between which one can easily switch with a click. The mouse configuration is done directly on the device with buttons and combinations, which is practical. Here, VAXEE could also save weight to get their mice under 60 grams because the hardware required for this functionality weighs a few grams. In return, software would have to be provided for making all settings. Ultimately, the customer has to decide whether the mouse is “too heavy” for them or if the functionality is more important. By default, the NP-01S Wireless is set to competition mode with Motion Sync disabled, offering the fastest response time and matching the wired NP-01S. Switching to standard mode has minor effects on response time but causes higher SPI timing jitter, corrected by Motion Sync at the expense of motion delay. The competition mode simulates a “wired” sensor, thus offering the lowest latency but reducing battery life from 100 to about 49 hours. This allows for use in standard mode for casual gaming and in competition mode for more intense gaming. I strongly recommend the competition mode as it delivers the best performance, and the battery is large enough for extremely long gaming sessions.

The click latency is not affected by the choice between standard and competition modes and varies only depending on the set debounce. Using the lowest debounce time of 2ms, the click latency in wireless operation is about 3ms. The charging cable remains unchanged and is still flexible enough to allow for playing while charging without feeling too restricted, and charging itself is also quite fast. I find the unique shape of the USB-C cable to be a negative, as it is only usable for the mouse, and I believe that the cable could provide enough support during gaming even without the 2 “prongs.” I tested connecting a Paracord cable from another company and had no issues. Unlike the VAXEE cable, this would give you the option of having just one USB-C cable on the table, with which you could alternately charge your gear. Another innovation introduced with the latest firmware is the implementation of lift-off detection, which prevents unwanted clicks when lifting and repositioning the mouse. Online, I read that supposedly the debounce is increased to 20 ms when the mouse is lifted, which makes sense. Unfortunately, my contact at VAXEE could not (or would not) provide further information on this.

The NP-01S Wireless has the exact same shape as the wired NP-01S and is therefore well-suited for both palm and claw grip, as well as for fingertip grip. The rear part of the mouse is wide and flat, filling the hand well, while the front part is narrower and higher, ensuring good finger positioning. The sides are slightly convex, allowing for a good grip, further

supported by the matte surface of the mouse. The main buttons have a slightly concave shape and offer a balanced click feel, neither too light nor too heavy. The side buttons are also unchanged compared to the wired NP-01S and offer a good key press with minimal pre- and post-travel. The scroll wheel is not quite as easy to activate as on the XE Wireless but offers better, more tactile feedback and is less slippery. The middle mouse button offers good resistance and is not too hard to press.

In summary, the NP-01S Wireless is VAXEE’s latest and currently best gaming mouse, with the technical and design aspects being particularly noteworthy. With improved firmware that brings out the best in the technology, the NP-01S Wireless is definitely a mouse worth taking a closer look at. However, some points of criticism remain: The trend is towards ultra-light, i.e., under 60g, 8,000Hz polling rate, and optical switches. VAXEE remains more “OLD-SQL” here and will surely make some gamers happy. At €139.99, it is not exactly cheap, but considering the quality and technology it offers, the price can be seen as justified compared to the competition. Anyone looking for an excellent mouse that convinces both technically and in terms of design should definitely take a closer look at the NP-01S Wireless. If you like the shape & size of the mouse but find the price too high, you might want to check out the Xtrfy M42 RGB Wireless as an alternative.