Genius Energy Mouse Review

In September, Genius announced the Energy Mouse, a two-in-one function mouse combined with an internal power bank to recharge a mobile device. The power bank feature of Energy Mouse is an interesting feature, so how does it perform?

First, let’s take a quick look at the specs for Energy Mouse:

Specifications

(Click to show)

 

Energy Mouse’s box includes the mouse, a USB Pico receiver, a charging cable, and a standard instructional manual.

The packaging is simple and focuses on the innovative power bank feature of Energy Mouse.

Let’s take a look at the mouse itself next.

 

The Energy Mouse:

Genius does not give an actual weight of the mouse, but we weighed it ourselves and it came out to 122g.

Energy Mouse’s quality was surprisingly good and it felt very light. While it won’t stun anyone based on it’s looks, it is a quality mouse.

 

Rubber grips:

Genius placed rubber hand grips for comfort and ease. The rubber texture is placed under my thumb and is identical on the opposite side.

The top of the Energy Mouse features four LEDs, an on/off switch for the power bank, the scroll wheel, and a rubber grip. The four LEDs indicate the charge status and the amount of power left in the mouse.

Genius’ U.S Patented Magic roller scroll wheel moves nicely and makes it easier to scroll up and down on websites or maybe across a music playlist. The roller itself is not plastic, but rubber which gives it a sturdy feel.

 

Power Bank:

 

Typically Smartphones or other mobile devices, do not have a big enough battery to keep up with the average user. Genius has equipped the Energy mouse with a capable 2700mAh battery. The mouse can fully recharge your mobile device while on-the-go which is a must for a busy individual.

If you are worried about draining the power bank battery while using the mouse – don’t – because there is a separate battery in reserve to power the mouse itself. The built-in lithium battery can be charged via the included cable.

What we noticed was, decent charging times with our Droid Razr Maxx smartphone and surprisingly the mouse did not heat up as badly as we thought it might.

The Energy Mouse has a 2700mAh battery that will charge most tablets fully and an iPhone about 1.5 times. Charging was easy to initiate, only requiring the touch of a button on top of the mouse. Our Droid Razr MAXX took about 6-7 hours to charge using the full 2700mAh – the Maxx has a 3300mAh battery.

We admit that at first the premise of an Energy Mouse sounded gimmicky to us, but it was actually extremely convenient. For a student, it was one less cable to worry about in daily use.

The Energy Mouse’s compact and lightweight offering, coupled with the power bank feature, makes it a surprising new favorite of ours.

 

 

How does it perform?

 

Performance

Genius’ Energy Mouse features 2.4GHz wireless technology through a Pico Receiver. For added convenience, the Pico Receiver can be left in the USB port on your laptop or desktop, and when not in use, can be hidden away under the mouse.

We experienced a reliable connection up to 30 feet. Everyday tasks such as writing, browsing the web, or other general activites, were a breeze with the Energy Mouse.

A 1200dpi sensor powers the Energy Mouse at a comfortable pace. While we wouldn’t hesitate recommending it for the average user, a gamer should look elsewhere. Energy Mouse’s low arch can become cumbersome after a long session and the sensor, while adequate, leaves one wanting the responsiveness of a higher-end mouse.

For a student, or traveling professional, the Energy Mouse is a handy accessory to have.

 

Availability:

Energy Mouse is currently available in Metallic Blue, Metallic Red, Silver, or Pink, with a suggested retail price of USD $34.99. Amazon prices the Energy Mouse at USD $29.99

 

Final thoughts:

Overall, the Energy Mouse is perfect for the on-the-go or the at-home individual.  For under $35, one can not beat the build quality and feel of this mouse. Even though the majority of the mouse is made from plastic, it does not give that type of feel. The Energy Mouse is definitely a great value.

We had an issue with the arch of the mouse as it was not high enough to our liking. Coming from a older mouse with a higher arch, it took some time to get used to. Those with bigger hands may not like this mouse.

Genius cautions users to not use the mouse on a glass desk or mirror. It works well on most other surfaces.

Overall, for only $29.99, those looking to get a responsive mouse, the Energy Mouse might just sell itself with its useful power bank feature.

The Energy Mouse Deserves ABT’s Innovation Award!

Next up, tonight watch for part three of the GTX 780 Ti versus the PowerColor 290X OC – and this time the cards are overvolted, the fans are screaming along at 100% and we crown the overall performance winner.  In the meantime, check ABT forum for the best tech discussions anywhere!