Gaming Mouse Review

Key Specifications

• Review Price: £64.99
• 16,000 DPI optical sensor
• Weight: 160g
• Adjustable palm rest

The Reactor’s metal spring can be adjusted to accommodate a number of different grip styles.

HP Omen Reactor Gaming Mouse – Design, build and features

The HP Omen Reactor is a striking bit of a kit, boasting a distinctive matte black colour alongside an unorthodox yet undeniably compelling design. On first taking it out of the box it appeared unusual, but most of my doubts were cast aside the second I plugged it in and played around.

It feels great to use, largely due to a hand-rest that sits on the left-hand side, which eliminates the inevitable hand cramp that creeps in after long gaming sessions. The angular accents in the design that help separate the DPI button and scroll wheel also look great, striking a balance between traditional design elements and the edginess you’d expect from a device boasting the name “Omen”.

Aside from the two usual mouse buttons, a third can be found alongside the aforementioned platform that you can use to flick between web pages, menus and other elements. Once again, it’s placed in a way that feels natural.

Whip smart response times make the Reactor adept at fast-paced FPS games.

Oh and we have to mention the USB cable that’s attached to the HP Omen Reactor. We know it’s a weird comparison to make, but the braided steel cable is reminiscent of a snake, feeling strange in the hand with an almost stretch-like aesthetic. It’s super high quality, and not something we’ve seen on many gaming mice before.

Sadly, I’m not entirely sold on the DPI button to adjust the mouse’s sensitivity. I quickly found a sweet spot, but it doesn’t provide an accurate manner in which to adjust DPI to your liking.

HP Omen Reactor Gaming Mouse – Performance

During my testing period with the HP Omen Reactor, I played plenty of Destiny 2 and Overwatch, two first-person shooters that require fast, fluid reactions in order for you to emerge victorious –qualities that would need a robust gaming mouse to support them.

Luckily, they’re available here in spades. The 0.2-second response time combined with the optical-mechanical switches make each click feel marvellously responsive, every command you input leaping to the screen in no time at all. It’s great, particularly effective in shooters where several actions are unfolding at any given time.

The cable also comes into play here, gliding along my desk and seldom becoming tangled and causing a nuisance. Granted, the Omen Reactor can feel a bit heavy at times, lacking the deft movement you’d want from a high-tier gaming mouse. That being said, it’s hardly a dealbreaker.