be quiet! has officially entered the peripheral market with the Dark Perk Ergo and Dark Perk Sym. While both mice feature identical high-end internals—including the flagship PixArt PAW3950 sensor and 8,000Hz wireless polling—they offer distinct physical profiles to suit different preferences. The following table highlights the key specifications and design differences between the two models:

The Dark Perk Ergo is specifically sculpted for right-handed users, featuring a prominent rear hump and a gentle slope that tilts toward the right. This design is ideal for Palm or Relaxed Claw grip styles, as the extra support beneath the knuckles excels during marathon gaming sessions or long workdays. It fills the palm more naturally than the Sym model, effectively reducing pinky and ring finger fatigue. Users can expect a feel reminiscent of classic SteelSeries ergonomic shapes—highly comfortable for medium to large hands, though potentially a bit too wide for those with very small hands.

The Dark Perk Sym features a true ambidextrous shape, though the side buttons remain exclusively on the left. While it is slightly longer than the Ergo, it feels significantly more 'nimble' in hand. This model is tailor-made for Aggressive Claw or Fingertip grips; because it is symmetrical, your hand naturally adopts a more 'alert' position. This makes it excellent for high-intensity FPS games where micro-adjustments are key. However, since it lacks the substantial palm support of the Ergo, users unaccustomed to clawing may experience finger fatigue during sessions exceeding six hours. Overall, the mouse is exceptionally well-balanced; it doesn't feel front- or back-heavy, ensuring total stability during rapid, high-speed swipes.

The Dark Perk Ergo

• Dimensions: 120 x 66 x 40mm.

• Shape: Sculpted with a "hump" that favors the palm. It slopes downward to the right to keep your wrist in a more natural, ergonomic position.

• Best For:

  • Right-handed users who want maximum support.

  • Palm Grippers: If your whole hand rests on the mouse.

  • Marathon Sessions: Ideal if you use the same mouse for 8 hours of work followed by 4 hours of gaming.

• Verdict: Choose this if you value comfort and stability over raw flick speed.

The Dark Perk Sym

• Dimensions: 123 x 66 x 39mm.

• Shape: Fully symmetrical (though side buttons are on the left). It is slightly longer and lower-profile than the Ergo.

• Best For:

  • Claw and Fingertip Grippers: The symmetrical sides make it easier to "pinch" the mouse for high-speed micro-adjustments.

  • Ambidextrous Users: While the buttons are right-hand optimized, the shape itself is neutral.

  • Twitch Shooters: Ideal for games like Valorant, CS2, or Apex Legends where fast vertical and horizontal "flicks" are frequent.

• Verdict: Choose this if you want the fastest, most agile feel possible.

Both mice are powered by the flagship PixArt PAW3950 sensor, tuned for up to 32,000 DPI and an 8,000Hz polling rate—even in wireless mode. Paired with a high-performance Nordic nRF54H20 MCU, the series delivers up to 110 hours of continuous gameplay at a 1,000Hz polling rate. Under the hood, users will find Omron D2FP-FN2 optical switches for all five fully programmable buttons. Customization is handled via the be quiet! IO Center software for Windows or the IO Center Web portal. The web version is compatible with all operating systems (Mac/Linux/Windows) using Chromium-based browsers like Edge, Chrome, and Opera—our testing confirmed Vivaldi works perfectly, though Firefox is currently unsupported.

In terms of aesthetics, there is no ARGB lighting on either mouse; instead, a single LED on the left side displays the active DPI level. For an optimal glide, the base features 100% pure PTFE skates with rounded edges. be quiet! also includes a high-quality 1.8m braided USB-C cable and a set of replacement PTFE skates in the box—a welcome inclusion, as many manufacturers have begun stripping back accessories to cut costs. Build quality is top-tier with no noticeable creaks, featuring a smooth matte finish. At just 55g, these mice are highly competitive with heavyweights like the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 and the Corsair Sabre V2 Pro.

A quick comparison between the be quiet! Dark Perk and Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 can be found below:

• Weight & Value: The Dark Perk is actually 5g lighter and significantly more affordable than the GPX2. While Logitech often sees discounts, be quiet! enters the market with a very aggressive price-to-performance ratio.

• Accessibility: A massive win for be quiet! is the IO Center Web interface. Unlike Logitech, which requires the heavy G HUB software to be installed, you can configure the Dark Perk on any OS (including Mac and Linux) via a browser.

• Accessories: As noted earlier, be quiet! includes replacement 100% PTFE skates in the box, whereas Logitech has moved toward a more "minimalist" (stripped back) accessory package to save on costs.

• Shape Variety: Logitech's Superlight is a "safe" symmetrical shape. be quiet! gives you a choice: the Sym for that familiar nimble feel, or the Ergo for those who find the Logitech shape too "flat" for long-term palm comfort.

The Omron D2FP-FN2 optical switches provide a highly satisfactory tactile response with a low-noise profile—a trait be quiet! is clearly proud of. While we didn't have the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 or the Corsair Sabre V2 Pro in-house for a direct decibel comparison, the acoustic signature here is smooth and far from offensive. The inclusion of onboard memory is a significant plus, allowing you to transfer your custom profiles between your office PC and a laptop without the hassle of re-configuring settings.

In practice, the mouse feels incredibly natural due to its 55g ultralight weight. This is a feature gamers will truly appreciate during extended sessions, as it noticeably reduces wrist strain. The overall design language is quite 'serious' and understated; it feels like a tool aimed at professionals first and gamers second. Its silhouette reminds us of established shapes like the Razer DeathAdder V3 or the Pulsar X2, blending a classic, reliable aesthetic with modern, high-performance internals.

One of the standout strengths of the be quiet! Dark Perk series is the inclusion of the IO Center Web app. This allows you to customize DPI, macros, and polling rates directly in a browser—effectively eliminating the need for bulky 'bloatware' installations. This is a significant victory for the consumer; while most competitors restrict their full feature sets to Windows, be quiet! offers comprehensive support for Mac and Linux users through this web interface.

Furthermore, the ability to perform firmware updates via the browser is a major convenience. In professional environments where system administrators often restrict the installation of third-party software, this web-based approach ensures you still have total control over your hardware's performance and stability. It is a level of flexibility that sets a new standard for how peripherals should be managed in a multi-platform world.

Ultimately, while both mice share an identical $109.90 price tag and the elite PAW3950 sensor, your decision should be dictated entirely by your hand size and grip preference.

- Conclusion

Arriving in 2026, the Dark Perk series targets the high‑end competitive segment by pairing the PixArt PAW3950 flagship sensor with an ultralight 55 g chassis. This configuration signals be quiet!’s intent to compete at the top tier rather than the entry level: the platform prioritizes minimal mass, high‑resolution tracking, and low‑latency wireless telemetry to meet esports and professional demands. Aesthetically the design is deliberately restrained—matte, low‑contrast, and function‑first—but the engineering choices (sensor tuning, weight optimization, and power‑efficient radio/MCU integration) deliver measurable performance gains that validate the product’s competitive positioning.

At $109.90 / €109.90, it enters the 'Pro' segment offering superior battery life and a market-leading, software-free experience. For users who value raw performance over flashy RGB, the Dark Perk is one of the standout releases of 2026 so far. Compared to the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2, which has been the 'default' enthusiast choice for years, the Dark Perk makes the competition look significantly overpriced. Unless you are deeply entrenched in the Logitech ecosystem or require PowerPlay wireless charging, it is becoming increasingly difficult to justify a $159 price tag when be quiet! delivers superior technology for $110.

While the internals are flawless, be quiet! made a controversial design choice by placing the DPI switch on the bottom of the mouse. In the pursuit of a sub-60g weight and a clean aesthetic, they’ve sacrificed 'on-the-fly' flexibility. If you’re the type of gamer who constantly toggles sensitivity mid-match, you will likely find yourself either remapping a side button or growing frustrated with the 'flip-to-click' dance. It is a design for the purist, but a minor headache for the multitasker. Furthermore, it is worth noting that unless you have a top-tier CPU (such as a Ryzen 7 9800X3D or Intel Core i9-14900K) and a 360Hz+ monitor, you likely won’t perceive the full benefits of the 8,000Hz polling rate. For the vast majority of gamers, setting the Dark Perk to 4,000Hz provides the perfect sweet spot: elite performance, stable frame rates, and significantly improved battery life compared to the maximum 8K setting.

The Good

• Surgical Precision: The 32,000 DPI sensor is flawless; 8,000 Hz wireless is buttery smooth on high-refresh monitors.

• Ultralight Mastery: At 55g without "honeycomb" holes, it feels premium and sturdy.

• The Software "Perk": The browser-based IO Center means you’ll never have to install another buggy driver again.

• Price Disruptor: It beats the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 in almost every spec while costing $50 less.

The Bad

• "Bottom-Only" DPI: You have to lift the mouse to change sensitivity. A major annoyance for multi-genre gamers.

• "Safe" Design: It looks like an office mouse. If you want flashy RGB and aggressive "gamer" styling, look elsewhere.

• 8K CPU Tax: Without a high-end modern CPU, the 8,000 Hz mode can actually lower your game’s FPS.

Who is this for?

• The Competitive Tryhard: If you need the absolute lowest latency (0.125ms) and a featherweight mouse for Valorant or CS2.

• The Software-Hater: If you are tired of Razer Synapse or Logitech G Hub taking up system resources.

• The Right-Handed Ergonomics Lover: The Dark Perk Ergo is one of the few ultralight mice that doesn't force you into a symmetrical shape.