Both the Dark Perk Ergo and Dark Perk Sym launch at an MSRP of $109.90 / €109.90, matching the pricing disclosed in be quiet!’s official announcement. Each model ships with a two‑year manufacturer warranty, which aligns with prevailing standards for premium gaming peripherals. The mice arrive in identical retail packaging and feature the company’s characteristic “almost black” finish—a subdued, matte aesthetic consistent with the broader be quiet! design language.

From an ergonomic standpoint, the two models diverge significantly. The Dark Perk Ergo employs a right‑hand‑optimized shell with pronounced contouring to support palm and hybrid grips, whereas the Dark Perk Sym utilizes a fully symmetrical chassis intended to accommodate both left‑ and right‑handed users. This ambidextrous geometry makes the Sym variant more versatile for claw and fingertip grip styles, while the Ergo prioritizes long‑term comfort and hand‑specific stability.

The rear panel of the packaging lists the full technical specifications for both models. With the exception of their external shell geometry and ergonomic intent, the Dark Perk Ergo and Dark Perk Sym share an identical hardware platform. Sensor configuration, wireless architecture, switch components, and performance ratings remain consistent across both units, underscoring that the primary differentiator between the two mice is their physical form factor rather than their underlying electronics.

Upon unboxing, both units are housed within a rigid internal packaging structure designed to minimize mechanical stress and eliminate the risk of impact damage during transport.

Each retail kit includes a 2.4 GHz RF wireless dongle, a USB‑A to USB‑C adapter, a braided USB cable, a cable tie, and a multilingual printed manual (CN; DE; EN; ES; FR; JP; PL; RU; TW; UA). The braided cable and cable tie support wired operation and cable management during charging or low‑latency wired use.

Critically, the supplied 2.4 GHz dongle is hardware‑paired to its shipped mouse: the radio module contains a unique pairing identifier and/or firmware‑level binding to the mouse’s transceiver. As a result, the dongles are non‑interchangeable between units; swapping a dongle between a Dark Perk Ergo and a Dark Perk Sym will not establish a functional link. This hardware pairing enforces a dedicated low‑latency connection and reduces the need for in‑field pairing procedures, but it also prevents simple dongle sharing or cross‑compatibility without manufacturer tools or firmware updates.

The Dark Perk Ergo employs a sculpted, right‑hand‑oriented shell with pronounced contouring to support palm and hybrid grip profiles. The top surface houses two primary left/right actuators with distinct tactile feedback, and a bidirectional scroll encoder that also functions as the middle‑click input. On the lateral plane, two thumb switches (buttons 4 and 5) are positioned to minimize reach and accidental actuation, providing consistent accessibility across palm, claw, and fingertip grips. A discrete LED on the left flank indicates the active DPI state, enabling quick visual confirmation of sensor sensitivity without accessing software.

The underside exposes an open‑frame chassis that reduces structural material and allows visual access to internal assemblies; this skeletal topology is a primary contributor to the mouse’s 55 g total mass. The base integrates a mechanical power slider (top = on, bottom = off) and a discrete DPI‑cycle button for on‑the‑fly sensitivity changes without software. Centrally mounted in the sensor well is the PixArt PAW3950 optical sensor, calibrated by be quiet! to the device’s firmware. The sensor supports up to 32,000 DPI and an 8,000 Hz polling rate, enabling high‑resolution tracking and ultra‑low latency sampling that preserves competitive responsiveness even when operating in wireless mode.

Paired with the Nordic nRF54H20 microcontroller and power‑optimized radio firmware, the Dark Perk platform achieves class‑leading endurance: up to 110 hours of continuous operation at a conservative 1,000 Hz polling rate. Under the extreme 8,000 Hz sampling regime, the device still delivers roughly 25 hours of runtime, a result of aggressive MCU duty‑cycling, efficient radio burst scheduling, and sensor power gating—sufficient for a full day of intensive competitive play without recharging.

Click performance is powered by Omron Optical D2FP-FN2 switches, which provide fast, responsive actuation with a quiet, soft feel and a durability rating of 70 million clicks. These optical switches feature a uniquely "softer" actuation compared to traditional mechanical alternatives. While highly tactile mechanical mice can lead to finger fatigue during repetitive clicking (spammability), these are specifically designed to be "snappy yet dampened," making them significantly easier on the finger joints during long sessions.

All five buttons are fully programmable via the be quiet! IO Center software for Windows, which allows users to customize DPI stages, polling rates, and button assignments. Onboard memory ensures that your preferred settings are saved directly to the mouse, while a dedicated DPI switch on the base enhances daily usability.

For an optimal, snag-free glide, the base features 100% pure PTFE skates with rounded edges. In terms of raw performance, the mouse is rated for a tracking speed of 750 IPS and up to 50G of acceleration, ensuring it can keep up with the fastest competitive movements.

The Dark Perk chassis utilizes a matte‑textured ABS polymer shell complemented by integrated rubberized side grips, providing a stable, high‑friction contact surface even under elevated hand temperatures or perspiration. This material combination maintains consistent control where glossy coatings typically become slick during extended or high‑intensity use. The underside is equipped with 100% pure PTFE skates featuring fully rounded edges, engineered to minimize static friction and eliminate micro‑snagging on cloth or hybrid mousepads. This low‑resistance glide profile significantly reduces the physical force required for rapid directional changes, contributing to lower cumulative arm fatigue and more precise micro‑adjustments during competitive play.

 

Turning to the Dark Perk Sym, we see a refined symmetrical design specifically engineered for both left- and right-handed users.

 

Placing both mice side-by-side reveals the primary design differences: the Dark Perk Sym is positioned on the left, while the Dark Perk Ergo is on the right.