QPAD Mouse Mark Model 3 & Mark Model 5 Review

Manufacturer: QPAD
Where to Buy: QPAD
RRP: £99.99

After getting our hands on the excellent QPAD FLux 65 Model 5 keyboard a few months back, we’re now able to test out yet another QPAD peripheral in the Mark mice, both Model 3 and 5. They are broadly very similar – hence the combined opinions – and vary mainly in size, with the Model 5 being slightly larger. Both, however, are excellent in the hand, and have made for perfect companions over the last few weeks of gaming.

Connectivity is the main USP of the Mark mice. We have three modes of connection; with the included 1.2m USB-A to C cable, via Bluetooth, or with the included Vision Dongle. This last option is a fancier version of the usual dongles we’d get in a peripheral. It uses the same USB-A to C cable as the wired mode, and goes to a little device that sits on our desk that has its own little screen on it. This screen alternates between showing the QPAD logo and handy info, such as the polling rate, battery level, and DPI setting of the mouse, all while acting as the pairing device. 

It’s a neat touch, and means we can easily see which settings we’re using at a glance rather than relying on remembering which DPI the colour the light on the mouse itself represents. It also allows us to use the mouse that bit further from the PC or console, as the dongle isn’t directly attached to the hardware. 

To change the settings requires the PC app, in which we can set how many DPI settings we want available (up to five), what those settings are (from 400 DPI all to the way up to an insane 26000), as well as the polling rate (between 1K and 4K for super fast response times) and various other things like the colours and usage states. It’s an easy to use app, certainly one of the more straightforward ones I’ve seen, and the changes made are instantaneous.

In the hand, both models feel great to use. The buttons have a satisfying click to them and respond well no matter the setting we’re on, and the mouse glides across the mat smoothly. It has a fairly standard array of buttons (left/right, mouse wheel, and forward/back side buttons), though the app also lets up set macros if you’re so inclined. 

One thing to note is that while the Model 3 is an ergonomic design suitable for left or right hand use, the Model 5 is fitted for the right hand only. Perfect for someone like myself, but worth looking at if you’re a left handed user.

The default finish is a sort of smooth-matte, having a slightly rougher texture but generally feeling pretty smooth in the hand. Included in the box are grip strips, which I added to the Model 3 and found I preferred the feel with them on. The adhesive strips go on all sides leaving only the body as default, and the extra grip added was welcome, especially in sudden ambushes in Arc Raiders where it pays to not fling the mouse about as we search for the attacker. 

Battery life varies on connection method, but goes up to 88 hours at the 1K polling rate using the vision dongle. I charged both out of the box, and despite daily use have barely seen the battery level drop, both in Bluetooth and dongle mode. 

The only niggle for me is that the DPI switch is located on the bottom of the mouse, meaning we have to lift it up each time we want to change it. Being able to quick swap DPI’s in the heat of a game, or even when it comes to work (I used to quick swap frequently when I was doing design work), could prove useful so it’s a shame that this isn’t as easy as it could be. It does mean the top of the mouse is kept clutter free though, so if you’re not looking to make regular DPI changes then this is absolutely for the best.

Conclusion

For gaming as well as general PC use, both Mark Model’s 3 and 5 are fantastic peripherals, and complement the Flux 65 brilliantly in QPAD’s range. They are easy to use and set up, have plenty of customisation options, and great built in battery life no matter the connection method.

Hardware provided by the manufacturer for review purposes.