Corsair Katar Pro XT Review: Specifications And Price

Introduction Of Corsair Katar Pro XT

Sometimes, it’s nice when a company doesn’t try to completely change a product category or add confusing new features. Take Corsair Katar Pro XT, for example. It’s a comfortable, familiar, and reliable wired mouse with an impressive 18,000 DPI optical sensor. It’s lightweight at 2.68 ounces and has a solid black plastic shell, which many people may prefer over hole-filled alternatives.

It’s priced at $29.99, which is fair. However, the wireless version, Corsair Katar Pro Wireless, is available for just a few dollars more. But the wired version has a better sensor, is lighter, and features an RGB-lit scroll wheel controlled by iCUE RGB.

Specifications of Corsair Katar Pro XT

Aspect	Details
Sensor Type	Optical
Sensor Model	PMW3391
Sensitivity	18,000 DPI
Polling Rate	1,000 Hz
Programmable Buttons	6
LED Zones	1 (located on the wheel)
Connectivity	USB Type-A
Cable	6-foot (1.8m) paracord
Size	4.56 x 2.53 x 1.49 inches (115.8 x 64.2 x 37.8mm)
Weight	2.68 ounces (73g)

Pros And Cons Corsair Katar Pro XT

Positives	Negatives
Comfortable and recognizable design	Wireless variant costs a bit more
Feels light without honeycomb patterns	Not as lightweight as certain higher-priced options
Comes with a robust 6-foot braided cable

Design of Corsair Katar Pro XT

The design of the Katar Pro XT isn’t especially remarkable, but it’s comfortable to use. The mouse feels familiar and fits well in hand, even after hours of use.

Its scroll wheel, lit up with RGB colors and clickable, has the right resistance and a ratcheting feel. The side buttons, though glossy, are easy to find and press. The mouse’s matte plastic surface feels decently durable, staying light and resisting smudges and fingerprints. Overall, it feels well-made and somewhat fancy, though not as luxurious as really high-end mice, such as the Logitech MX Master 2S I usually use for work.

The Katar Pro XT moves smoothly on mousepads and most surfaces, thanks to its large, slick feet underneath. The only thing I might miss is some rubberized grips on the sides. However, the textured matte plastic Corsair uses there feels good enough, providing some extra grip when needed.

This mouse feels lightweight at 2.68 ounces (73g). However, if weight is crucial for you, there are lighter options. The Roccat Burst Pro weighs 2.4 ounces (but it’s more expensive). The SteelSeries Aerox 3 is even lighter at 2.01 ounces, but it’s pricier and has a lower-quality sensor compared to the Katar Pro XT.

6 Feet Long Cable

The cable is approximately 6 feet long, covered in paracord to prevent tangling. It might not be the best-looking or highest-quality cable on a mouse, but considering the relatively low price, it’s satisfactory. If you prefer a wireless option, Corsair offers the Katar Pro Wireless, which isn’t much more expensive but requires batteries.

Apart from the primary mouse buttons and two small side clickers, the Katar Pro XT features a hexagonal button above the scroll wheel. This button allows you to change the DPI settings on the fly. The scroll wheel light changes color to indicate different DPI levels: red for low, white for medium, and green for high. There’s also a Sniper preset (yellow) that defaults to a very low 400 DPI setting. These presets can be adjusted in Corsair’s iCUE software, with increments up to the sensor’s top-end 18,000 DPI setting.

Gaming Performance Corsair Katar Pro XT

The Katar Pro XT was great when I played different games like Ancestors Legacy, Iron Harvest, Spellforce III: Fallen Gods, Borderlands 3, and Star Wars: Squadrons. It worked well for shooting, strategy, and role-playing games. Even the Sniper setting helped me aim precisely in Star Wars: Squadrons.

Similar to the wireless version, Corsair’s mouse felt like it wasn’t even there while I used it. It was comfortable and didn’t get slippery, even during intense battles. All the buttons were in the right places, and the sensor worked perfectly.

The cable didn’t get caught on anything and was long enough to connect to my mousepad from behind my gaming setup. However, if given the choice, I might go for the Katar Pro Wireless because of the slight price difference and no need for a USB cable.

The Katar Pro XT doesn’t have fancy extra buttons or complex macros, but it didn’t disappoint me and never caused any problems. Instead, it felt almost invisible, letting me focus more on the games – which is what I usually prefer in a mouse. It also fit well on my desk and worked nicely while I did my work, writing, and editing text and photos.

Software

Corsair’s iCue software is essential if you have Corsair gear. It helps adjust sensor performance and sensitivity profiles on the Katar Pro mouse easily. Additionally, it allows calibrating the mouse to your surface and customizing the scroll wheel’s RGB color and brightness. The software can also synchronize with other Corsair iCue-connected accessories’ lights.

It’s not loaded with intricate tweaks like angle snapping or lift-off distance adjustments. However, the Katar Pro XT isn’t meant for gamers obsessed with these fine-tunings. Instead, it prioritizes working well to let you simply enjoy your games.

Bottom Line 

There are many mice available for around $30. The Corsair Katar Pro XT doesn’t have fancy lights, lots of extra buttons, or a very light body. But that’s okay. It has a good 18,000 DPI sensor for its price. It’s lighter than most similar mice, weighing 2.68 ounces. Its shell feels comfortable for long gaming or work sessions.

Corsair added a bit of colorful light in the scroll wheel (better there than at the back where you can’t see it while using the mouse). It also has a long cable covered with strong material to prevent tangling (while you play games). If you want a good, affordable mouse that does most things well without being flashy, the Katar Pro XT is a good choice. Especially if the price drops closer to $25.

It’s possible that the price might go down in the next few months. The wireless version, Katar Pro Wireless, released in October 2020, usually sells for $10 less than its $40 price. The XT model is a good mouse, but it faces tough competition from its wireless version, which costs a bit less. However, the wired version has a sensor with higher DPI and is lighter because it doesn’t have a battery.

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