At a glance

Expert rating

Occupation

• Converts to a joystick.
• Button layout and button customization is excellent.
• Pressure sensors and haptic feedback give you a deeper level of functionality.
• A powerful precision sensor.

Cons of

• Just a small RGB zone
• The joystick replacement provides only a small lift from the tablet top.
• Wired connectivity only

Our decision

The Swiftpoint Z2 is a truly amazing mouse that offers a level of functionality and customization far beyond what most gaming mice can offer. It's a complete game changer for those willing to put in the time and effort to learn how to use it.

The Kickstarter-funded SwiftPoint Z2 might be a bit intimidating, at least for gamers used to a simple six-button FPS mouse.

The Swiftpoint Z successor is stacked with so many features and functionality that it can only be overwhelming. But for those looking for an edge, it's just the ticket. There are 13 customizable buttons, drag-minimizing wings, a gyroscope, haptic feedback, and even a mini OLED display – and that's just for starters.

With a gamer possibly wanting everything on board, you could say the Z2 is the mouse equivalent of “The Homer,” created by Homer Simpson. But don't let that comparison diminish what it can do for your gaming…

In fact, the makers of the Z2 have gone to great pains to create a mouse that is clearly superior to the majority of multi-button gaming mice on the market. It's a tinkerer's dream, a mouse that, once you get your head around it, is an extremely powerful gaming device well worth your time and effort.

Further reading: Check out our roundup The best gaming mice To learn about competing products.

Swiftpoint Z2 design and construction

The Z2 is a large, right-handed mouse with dimensions of 5.12 x 3.54 x 1.57 inches, so it's ideal for larger hands. It sports a tethered design and aesthetic with two drag-minimizing side rests – one that cups your thumb and the other on the right that cradles your little finger.

The Z2 weighs 4.125 ounces not including the cable, which is remarkably light considering the mouse's size. It sports a high back that's longest on the left, then tapers to the right so you get the most support under the heel of your hand.

The button layout is one of the most unique I've seen in a gaming mouse. It also includes additional technology including five pressure sensors and haptic feedback (but more on that later).

Like the Logitech G 502, it has two main clicks, a pair vertically on the left and two on the top, also on the left. Four buttons sit behind the main clicks. These consist of a pair of horizontal levers and two fronts with long caps.

The remaining three clicks can be found in the mouse wheel. The buttons have Omron mechanical switches. An RGB Swiftpoint logo lights up the back of the mouse by default, which looks like a failed attempt to add some gamer-centric flair.

Dominic Bailey / IDG

Dominic Bailey / IDG

Dominic Bailey / IDG

As if all that wasn't enough, the Swiftpoint Z2 can be converted into a joystick controller. It comes with an extender that attaches to the bottom of the unit. This serves to raise the mouse off your tabletop so you can use it like a joystick. A built-in gyroscope works to register your movements in this mode.

Mouse customization is great. The Z2 lets you change buttons, levers, and even mouse switches so you can customize it to your liking.

Is it comfortable? Sure, if you can get over the fact that your hand is resting on at least four buttons to reach the two important clicks. The best way to get around I found was to use a claw grip from time to time, but this may not be to everyone's liking.

Swiftpoint Z2 gaming performance

The Swiftpoint Z2 features a Pixart PAW3395 sensor with a maximum resolution of 26,000 DPI, a maximum speed of 650 inches per second, and a polling rate of 1,000Hz.

The mouse moved quickly and efficiently on my mouse mat and the sensor was fairly accurate in the games I played, as I've found the PAW3395 in other mice. But it's the unique functionality of the mouse that really impressed me.

Using the Z2's joystick extension was a definite blast. I have never been able to play games like this Microsoft Flight Simulator X And keep my plane in the air for over a minute – so it was a new and exciting thing to be able to keep my biplane in one piece. I Rainbow Six: SiegeI could peek around corners with just a flick of my wrists, and all it took was a simple flick to reload me in a riot.

One thing to note though, is that the lift I got from my tabletop with the joystick extender wasn't as much as I would have liked. This meant that I was slightly restricted in my mobility. The mouse will lose space to fully tilt to the degree I want it to for fast maneuvers in flight sims — the default setting. Then again, even being able to use it as a joystick was super interesting.

The highly customizable options for the buttons forced me to do a bit of work to play each of my MMO games. Why? Not only can I assign another set of commands, but I can also set the depth of my click activation with certain buttons.

Dominic Bailey / IDG

Dominic Bailey / IDG

Dominic Bailey / IDG

This deep-click functionality also works with the mouse's haptic feedback so I can actually feel the level of depth I'm enabling – bringing a whole new level of realism to my play.

It also opened up a whole new level of personalization I'd never dreamed of, sharpening my reactions to in-game stimuli. For example, in WoW I mapped spell combinations to the left and right thumb buttons, which were much easier than the buttons in the second row of the grid on my usual MMO mouse, the Razer Naga V2 Pro.

I Counter Strike 2 I can set the first level for scope and the second deepest level of activation for firing. With multiple functionalities in one button, I could react faster than ever before, which made a real difference to my scores.

Swiftpoint Z2 Software

An exceptional mouse like the Z2 needs an exceptional software app, and the X1 control panel has it.

The app has handy menus that clearly explain what settings you can change. But, due to the Z2's complexity, expect a steep learning curve initially and a lot of trial and error to get to a result you're happy with.

To give you an example of the depth of settings options you can tweak, you can fall down deep rabbit holes that change things like the joystick commands and the degree of tilt to your bindings.

One of the best features of the control panel is the ability to automatically detect games supported by the app. Supported games have additional features — for example, i Rainbow Six: Siege Instead of memorizing individual key bindings, you're exposed to a full list of game-changing actions.

Dominic Bailey / IDG

Dominic Bailey / IDG

Dominic Bailey / IDG

Speaking of profiles, you can create over 20 in the X1 control panel and save them directly to the mouse's onboard memory. That number covered more of my games than I've ever been able to access on a mouse before.

In the X1 control panel you can also choose whether you want to display the mouse's OLED screen. I found it useful to display the pressure of my clicks to easily hang the layers of button activations I would set up. But I also found it useful to display the profiles I was using at any given time.

Should you buy the Swiftpoint Z2?

The Swiftpoint Z2 doesn't come cheap – it's listed on Swiftpoint's website for $199. I say listed because it's sold out at the time of writing this review — yes, it's that popular.

Is it worth the price? Yes of course! I've only scratched the surface of what you can do with this mouse here. But take my word for it, it offers endless possibilities for your gaming, especially in MMOs.

If you're tempted to buy one and can find one available, you should absolutely pick one up.