The $15 Gaming Mouse vs. The One That Actually Works
“The Zelotes scroll wheel started scrolling on its own. The Logitech G502 has 87,000 reviews and a scroll wheel that respects your intentions.”
Zelotes Ergonomic 7200 DPI LED Gaming Mouse
9,876 reviews
Pros
- +7 buttons — more than you need
- +7200 DPI — more than you can handle
- +LED lights because apparently I like those
- +It's $15
Cons
- -The scroll wheel developed a mind of its own after 3 months
- -The 'ergonomic' shape is ergonomic for nobody's hand
- -The LED colors are not optional — they cycle forever
- -The brand name is 'Zelotes' — that's not a company, that's a crossword puzzle answer
Logitech G502 HERO Wired Gaming Mouse
87,654 reviews
Pros
- +87,000 reviews — the most-recommended gaming mouse on the internet
- +HERO 25K sensor — actually precise
- +Adjustable weights for feel
- +Scroll wheel that doesn't go rogue
- +A brand that existed before your Amazon order
Cons
- -Almost 3x the price
- -You'll feel the quality difference and regret the Zelotes
The Story
I bought an ASUS ROG Strix G17 gaming laptop. Then a Kootek cooling pad. Then a Zelotes gaming mouse. Notice a pattern? I'll spend $2,000 on the laptop and then cheap out on every accessory.
The Zelotes worked for about 3 months. Then the scroll wheel started scrolling by itself — just randomly deciding to zoom in during spreadsheets or scroll to the bottom of court filings I was reading. It has a feature where the LED colors cycle through the rainbow and you cannot turn it off. The 'DPI adjustment' button is positioned exactly where you accidentally press it during important moments.
The Logitech G502 HERO has 87,000 reviews. It's the gaming mouse. Everyone recommends it. It costs $40. I spent $15 on the Zelotes and then $40 on the G502 when the Zelotes died. So I spent $55 total instead of just spending $40.
The Lesson
Buying cheap twice costs more than buying right once. This applies to mice and preferred stock.
Affiliate Disclosure: Links on this page go to Amazon and include an affiliate tag. If you buy something, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is an honest comparison of products I've actually used. Product details, prices, ratings, and review counts are approximate and may be outdated. This page was created with AI assistance. Not professional product advice — just one guy's experience.
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Glen's Musings — AI, investing, and building things. Occasional. Free.
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