Logitech G300 Gaming Mouse – PC Hardware Review

Logitech G300 Gaming Mouse. PC Hardware Review. Manufacturer: Logitech. $41.49

Passed Inspection: Inexpensive, quality gaming-grade mouse. On-board memory, programmable macros, ambidextrous.

Failed Basic: Small size, maxes out at 2500 dpi.

PC gamers know all too well that you pay for quality, and that the keyboard and mouse you use are just as (if not more) important than internal hardware. But tough economic times means we all have to crunch down and be wary of our spending, and the first thing to go is spending on entertainment. Videogames, and how we play them, are often the first to get hit. Logitech’s G300 gaming mouse is an inexpensive gaming mouse that offers the precision demanded from gaming-grade mice, plenty of high-end features, and all for a bargain price.

The Logitech G300 is a small nine-button ambidextrous mouse. Larger hands may not be comfortable with the small design, but unlike most ambidextrous mice the G300 is comfortable to use, for both short and long periods of gaming and general computing. It uses a 2500 dpi optical sensor, which by today’s standards is considered slow when compared to the most advanced 5700 dpi mice. However, as someone who uses two 24” displays, I rarely go above 2000 dpi for any task, let alone 2500, although there are gamers who derive advantages in FPS games by using even faster settings.

Unlike many of Logitech’s gaming mouse lineup, the G300 does not include a frictionless scroll wheel, one of my favorite elements of Logitech mice. Plug and play installation is fast and full installation is quick and painless. Logitech’s configuration software works for not only the G300 but all of Logitech’s gaming line. That means if you own a G35 headset, G19 keyboard and anything else, they can all be controlled and adjusted through this single piece of software that is highly visual and easy to use.

The G300 allows for plenty of customization, from the dpi rate to what color the LED lights on the mouse should be. All nine of the mouse buttons are completely programmable, both for standard Windows use and per game. Game configurations can also be saved both on the computer or directly on the mouse, thanks to on-board memory. Those settings include everything that can be adjusted on the mouse: button configurations, colors, macros, polling rates, etc. On-board memory has enough space for three separate profiles, so LAN gamers can carry the G300 around without worrying what rig they have to play on.

To properly meet the ambidextrous design, there are no thumb buttons. Both right and left handed don’t suffer much from this, however. The standard mouse buttons have been placed at the top left (or top right for left-handed users), within reaching distance of the index finger. It’s an easy adjustment to make, though for gaming it means taking a finger off the trigger when using those buttons.

Compared to competing gaming mice, the G300 is just as accurate and just as relevant, though it’s clear why this mouse goes for a much lower price. It’s small, significantly smaller than the G700 or any of Logitech’s current gaming mice, or Logitech’s competitors for that matter. The closest is the SteelSeries Kinzu Optical, which retails for the same price and includes a faster sensor, but lacks the programmable features of the G300. The Kinzu is a smoother mouse, and slightly larger and more comfortable for users with larger hands.

The main difference in feel between these two mice is dependent on your grip style. The G300 is better for claw-grip users, whereas the Kinzu is better for palm-grip and fingertip-grip users. The latter two grips are more difficult with the G300, especially in-game, because they require a flatter, more uniform surface. The G300 has two extreme thumb crevices on both sides, which are excellent for claw-grip users because the angled sides are easier to latch onto. Fast-paced gaming using a claw-grip with the G300 is excellent, but much slower and much more difficult for the other two grip types, especially the fingertip-grip due to the G300’s short length.

As a budget mouse, the Logitech G300 packs in every feature any user could want. It’s completely programmable, supports macros, has on-board memory and has excellent easy to use software. For claw-grip gamers who don’t have big hands, the G300 is a good choice for gamers tight on cash. However, if you have big hands, or if you don’t have a claw-grip when gaming, then you may want to find a mouse better suited for your specific needs. On a budget such a mouse is harder to find, but the Kinzu Optical may be a good alternative and costs about the same as the G300. However, gamers who can afford to spend a bit more, the jump into the $60-$80 price range will yield many more options. But for those gamers who don’t want to pay that much, the G300 is an excellent mouse for the money.

About the Author

James Pikover is a veteran videogame and technology critic, covering high-profile games and hardware from coast to coast. He’s managed to continue being a PC gamer—against all odds—in the face of a monstrous console generation. He lives and works in Los Angeles.