Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro review: a gaming mouse with odd proportions but stellar performance
Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro: Two-minute review
At first glance, the Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro looks rather restrained for a gaming mouse. Its simple design is fairly unobtrusive, and the white model I reviewed here is only offset by the emphasis on the black side buttons and scroll wheel. The logo is unobtrusive and there is no RGB lighting. So far, very traditional.
However, the design of the front of the Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro says otherwise. The mouse buttons rise sharply on the back and curve downwards sharply before shortening, which means the contact point is more biased toward your fingertips than I’ve experienced on many other gaming mice.
The M68 Pro weighs just 55 grams, and there aren’t many lighter full-size wireless gaming mice out there. it weakens Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, our choice The best wireless gaming mouseeight grams. The Turtle Beach Burst 2 Air is one of the few thinner and lighter products, weighing only 47 grams.
The two main buttons on the M68 Pro feel sturdy but easy to press fully, as do the side buttons. The scroll wheel is well-notched for smooth but controlled rotation, and the rubber layer provides plenty of grip to help make clicking feel secure. Overall, the M68 Pro seems to be a well-built gaming mouse.
The skates are very thin, so you do feel the tabletop is a little stiff when operating. Still, the M68 Pro doesn’t suffer from scratches or bottoming like other underpadded gaming mice. That’s impressive, especially considering there are only two skates on the top and bottom (although the included spare kit also has a piece for the sensor). Still, this is a mouse that I recommend using only with a mouse pad to get the most out of it.
The USB port is also located on the rear right side of the M68 Pro, a location that will undoubtedly be controversial and goes against the typical front-end trend (perhaps the snub-nosed design doesn’t leave any internal space for that location).
It does, however, have the advantage of eliminating resistance, although the included braided cable for wired gaming is light enough that it’s not a concern anyway. The port is also deeply recessed, so there’s no need to worry about accidental disconnection. One major condition, though, is that you’re right-handed and the desktop is on the right; if it’s on your left, the cable might get in the way.
Pressing the bottom button, which switches between various settings and modes, can be awkward because it’s flush with the lower surface. This is especially true when pressed in combination with the two side buttons to switch between sensor modes, and I had trouble activating it consistently.
In fact, changing most settings on the M68 Pro is downright awkward, as many require all sorts of weird button combinations. Worst of all, when you try to activate a combination, the buttons still register normal input, which means you have to be very careful about which window you’re in and where your cursor is.
These combos are necessary compromises due to the lack of buttons and software, but keeping them active while holding them down is a serious misstep. My other complaint is that selected parameters are only indicated by different colors displayed on the small side LEDs, so you may have to keep referring to the manual until they’re ingrained in your memory.
Once you figure out these button combinations, though, there are a variety of tweaks to choose from on the M68 Pro. Although there’s no software, there are eight onboard CPI settings to choose from, giving most gamers enough range to adjust levels with sufficient precision. There are also four debounce time increments, ranging from 2ms to 12ms, which again is enough to suit personal preference.
There are only two lift distances to choose from (1mm and 2mm), although that’s not unusual, and while there are six polling rates to choose from (four when wired, up to 1K), I didn’t look at Many people want more than three low (125Hz), mid (1K) and high (8K)value. There’s also an option to turn motion sync on and off.
Once you start gaming, though, the M68 Pro starts to shine. The aforementioned tilt mouse buttons encourage fingertip emphasis, resulting in a more tactile experience. This means I get a better grip when lifting before swiping, and somehow gives me a greater sense of connection to the action on the screen, especially when aiming. The different sensor modes are also effective, with the Pro Gaming mode being very agile and precise, perfect for FPS games.
Cherry claims the M68 Pro’s battery can last up to 90 hours on a single charge. While I can’t get an exact measurement, I can say that after a few days of testing, the LED is still green, indicating the percentage is between 75-100%.
To display the battery level, you have to hold down the side buttons and the left mouse button for three seconds, which is another inconvenient method if you’re still connected to the computer since the buttons will still function. There are four colors representing 25% increments, and since there is no software there is no way to get a more accurate assessment than this.
All things considered, the M68 Pro is a high-quality wireless gaming mouse with a few design quirks that may please some and turn off others. It’s not what you’d call cheap, but it does beat its closest competitor, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, in terms of pricing.
However, the DeathAdder can be adjusted via Razer’s Deep Synapse software, which is more convenient. If you can live without an 8K polling rate and a built-in battery, the Cooler Master MM311 is a viable alternative that’s an exceptional value because it’s still wireless.
Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro: price and availability
- US$129/£139/AU$214
- Black, White and Team Dynamic Editions
- mid range value
The M68 Pro is priced at $129 / £139 / AU$214. There’s a white colorway and two black variants: one with gray accents and one with yellow accents that also feature the logo eSports Organization Team Vitality replaces Cherry XTRFY’s organization.
It’s cheaper than our pick for the best wireless gaming mouse, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, but still competes with it on specs, as both have 8K polling rates and the M68 Pro is lighter.
However, there are more affordable wireless options, such as the Cooler Master MM311, which is best gaming mouse For those on a budget, it’s much cheaper than the M68 Pro and many other wireless gaming mice. However, it has a polling rate of up to 1K and requires one AA battery. However, if you’re not looking for eSports-level performance, this might be a better choice.
Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro: Specifications
| interface | Wireless(2.4GHz) |
| Ergonomics | Right-handed symmetry |
| button | 6 |
| Deep PI | Up to 26,000 |
| switch | not specified |
| weight | 1.94 oz (55 g) |
Should I buy Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro?
| property | notes | grade |
|---|---|---|
| value | The M68 Pro is somewhere in the middle of the gaming mouse market for this spec, although it does fall slightly short of one of its main competitors, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro. | 3/5 |
| design | The stubby front end may not please everyone, nor will the port layout, but I’m personally happy with both. Build quality appears to be high, and its appearance is unlikely to be off-putting. However, the method of adjusting the settings is not the easiest. | 4/5 |
| Performance | There are enough settings to suit almost any play style, and it’s responsive and snappy in Pro gaming mode. It’s also a joy to click and maneuver thanks to its steep, short front. | 4/5 |
| Comprehensive | The M68 Pro’s unique form factor and great gaming performance are both highlights for me. It looks smart and is well built. Its quirks may be more annoying than other mice, but overall, its performance is on par with other top-tier wireless gaming mice. | 4/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro: Also consider
| Header Cell – Column 0 | turtle beach blast 2 air | Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro Razer Viper V3 Pro | Cooler Master MM311 |
|---|---|---|---|
| price | US$129/£139/AU$214 | US$159/£159/AU$299 | $39 (approx. £31/AU$59) |
| interface | Wireless(2.4GHz) | Wireless (Razer HyperSpeed) | 2.4GHz wireless |
| Ergonomics | Right-handed symmetry | Right hand asymmetry | Right-handed symmetry |
| switch | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Deep PI | 26,000 | 26,000 | 10,000 |
| switch | not specified | Razer 3rd Generation Optical Switch | Not specified (mechanical) |
| weight | 1.94 oz (55 g) | 2.22 oz (63 g) | 2.71 oz (77 g) |
How I tested the Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro
- Tested for several days
- Played various games
- More than 10 years of PC gaming experience
I tested the M68 Pro for a few days. In the meantime, I’ve used it for gaming, work, and casual tasks.
I’ve played things like Counter-Strike 2, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Master Collector’s Editionand Afraid of the spotlightto cover a variety of types.
I have been playing computer games for over 10 years and have experienced many mice in that time. I’ve also reviewed a number of gaming mice, all with a variety of connectivity options, sizes, polling rates, and features.
First review: October 2024
Read more about How we test
