VXE, an ATK Gear sub-brand, is known for making affordable, lightweight alternatives to some big-brand gaming mice, and the brand seems to be taking things to a new level with the latest entry into its Dragonfly R1 series. The VXE Dragonfly R1S, announced in a post on X, takes the same lightweight shape as the existing R1 series, swaps the sensor for the Xhero AI and the MCU for the HiSilicon BS20, drops the refresh rate to 1 kHz, and uses the basic Huano Blue Shell White Dot mechanical switches. As a result, you get a 55 g wireless gaming mouse with tri-mode connectivity—USB-C, NearLink a new standard introduced by Huawei in 2024, and Bluetooth 5.2—150 hours of battery life, and a symmetrical design built for small- to medium-sized hands. The mouse measures in at 120.6 mm × 64.1 mm × 37.6 mm, and it has a slightly rearward low hump with gradually sloping main clicks, two customizable side buttons, and effectively vertical sidewalls—a shape very similar to the Pulsar X2 series or the Endgame Gear OP1 8k we reviewed previously.
Aside from the obvious weight increase and hardware changes, VXE has had to cut some corners to get to the low MSRP of $18.99. For instance, although it has a matte texture, the shell has no coating, so it may become shiny over time and with regular use. The mouse is also only available in black and white, while the other models in the R1 line-up are available in more colors. Regardless of the price, the VXE R1S is officially the new low-end variant of the R1 series, but it is still customizable and remappable in the brand’s driver, as long as you’re on Windows.