Hot-swappable main button switches have been one of the main selling points of many ASUS mice in the past couple of years. With the DM7 Switch Duo, Dream Machines implements a similar concept, and while not excelling in any area, delivers a solid product all around.

Though not as convenient as on ASUS mice, swapping a switch is pretty simple on the DM7 Switch Duo. After pressing and holding a button, the main button pieces can be pulled off. The switch sits in a frame which can be removed along with the switch, which is then easily swapped. While switches can be replaced on most mice, doing so typically requires disassembly of the mouse and soldering, the latter of which in particular can go wrong. Aside from the ability to replace a failing switch and increase the longevity of the mouse, hot-swappable switches also allow experimentation with different switches, in case the Kailh GM 8.0 switches installed by default aren't to one's liking. Given that in theory, any 3-pin mechanical switches should work in the socket, there are plenty of options to try. While the DM7 Switch Duo can be ordered from Dream Machines with sets of Huano (blue shell, white plunger) or Omron (D2FC-F-K [50M] [China]) switches bundled with the mouse, I would pass on this offer. At $9.99 per set, Dream Machines charges more than double of what these typically cost elsewhere.

Of course, a feature like this is only worthwhile if the mouse itself is of good quality, which is thankfully the case. The DM7 Switch Duo utilizes an MCU from Sino Wealth, an earlier revision of which has seen use in numerous mouse releases already. Compared to those, the new revision found inside the DM7 Switch Duo performs much better. CPI deviation is low, general tracking fine, and save for some off-period polls at 1000 Hz and 125 Hz being broken altogether in wireless mode, polling is stable, too. Wireless motion delay sits at around 2 ms, which isn't amazing but good enough, and still better than the wireless offerings from Glorious, for instance, and on par with a recent release such as the Fantech Aria XD7. Curiously, sensor data in wired mode appears to be delayed to match this wireless delay, which is pointless but of no particular relevance, given that this is a wireless mouse. The biggest improvement compared to earlier revisions of this MCU has been achieved in regard to click latency: At 6.8 ms in wireless operation, click latency isn't top-tier, but considering that debounce time isn't adjustable and that there needs to be some leeway to avoid unintentional double-clicking, I believe this to be a solid compromise. Unfortunately, the ability to adjust lift-off distance isn't present, which is unfortunate since the PAW3370 sensor would be fully capable of it, but since the default LOD already is low enough, I don't consider this much of an issue.

Dream Machines cites a battery life of 72 hours. Given that the battery has a capacity of 400 mAh, I consider this figure credible for usage without illumination at a polling rate of 1000 Hz. Unfortunately, gauging anything is difficult for me, as the battery indicator within the software isn't accurate or reliable. Charging at least is reasonably fast, and the cable is flexible enough to allow playing while charging without feeling overly restricted. A wireless extender is included, which is very welcome. Speaking of the software, lift-off distance adjustment aside it has all the important options, no bugs, and resource usage is pleasantly low.

Since hot-swappable switches require a decent amount of extra structure, the DM7 Switch Duo ends up being heavier than some competing mice. At a weight of 76 g, being medium-sized, and not having any holes, the DM7 Switch Duo is neither particularly heavy nor particularly light, though there is no doubt that saving weight wasn't much of a concern when conceiving this mouse. Build quality at least is solid, as my unit doesn't have any creaking or flexing, and actuating the side buttons by squeezing the sides is impossible, though there is some rattle coming from the scroll wheel when shaking the mouse.

The Kailh GM 8.0 switches installed by default already provide a firm and snappy button response, to where one may not even be interested in swapping them for something else entirely. The side buttons, by comparison, aren't quite as good. Low-profile switches from Huano are used here, which, in conjunction with the small size of the buttons, result in a somewhat mushy and lackluster button response on the back button in particular. The scroll wheel is merely decent, too, as noise levels are high, and tactility is nothing more than average, as the individual steps lack separation. The same goes for the feet, which are standard black-dyed PTFE and distinctly mediocre on every level.

In summary, without its hot-swappable switch feature, the DM7 Switch Duo wouldn't be worth an award, as outside of that, it isn't doing anything special. For those interested in the hot-swappable switch feature, however, the DM7 Switch Duo is definitely worth a look, as performance is perfectly adequate, overall build and button quality decent throughout, and the shape is fairly original, too. As such, the DM7 Switch Duo earns our Recommended award.

When it comes to alternatives, there aren't that many that also come with hot-swappable main button switches. In fact, the only ambidextrous wireless mouse from ASUS with hot-swappable switches is the $99.99 Pugio II which is quite old and in many ways outdated: significantly higher weight, overall similar performance, and build quality can be spotty. If we exclude hot-swappable switches, many more options are available. The Xtrfy M42 Wireless weighs less while having holes, has better performance and buttons, and the back cover can be swapped, for $99.00. The Glorious Model O- Wireless too weighs less while having holes, has slightly higher wireless motion delay, lower click latency, better buttons, but a resource-heavy software, for $79.99. Lastly, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless also weighs less while having holes, suffers from ridiculous CPI deviation, severe polling instability, and high click latency, but has better buttons, for $79.99, too.