In recent years, there has been a trend within the gaming mice industry towards getting the weight lower and lower, based on the premise that mouse weight and in-game performance directly correlate. Very much in line with this conviction, Pulsar takes this endeavor one step further with the Xlite. To this end, Pulsar decided to do without a dedicated CPI button, RGB lighting, and even a fully built bottom plate. Of course, the Xlite also makes use of holes as a weight-reduction measure, although they're shaped unlike most others except for the Mountain Makalu 67. The result of this effort is a perfectly functional mouse that weighs no more than 48 g, which is doubly impressive considering the Xlite is not a small mouse, being roughly EC1-sized.

Now, the quest for the lowest possible weight would be futile if it would result in poor quality elsewhere. Thankfully, this is not at all the case on the Xlite. Despite the Xlite weighing no more than 48 g and not even featuring a standard bottom plate, the overall construction is surprisingly solid. On my sample, I wasn't able to actuate the side buttons by squeezing the sides no matter how hard I tried, the shell has virtually no flex, and even creaking is not a thing, aside from a very specific spot. All in all, the shell is more stable than that of some 70 g mice, which is commendable. Button quality too did not suffer as both main and side buttons provide a snappy and pleasant click response, which is complemented by tactile scrolling.

This story continues when it comes to sensor performance. Pulsar is using the PAW3370 for the Xlite, PixArt's current flagship sensor for both wired and wireless applications. Aside from above average CPI deviation, the implementation is near-flawless, and click latency is appropriately low to match. Furthermore, in addition to button debounce time, the software includes options for ripple control (smoothing) and angle snapping, which pretty much covers all important settings native to the 3370, and the software is pleasantly light on resources, too. The latter is doubly important given changing the current CPI level on the Xlite is only possible in the software. Pulsar also deserves praise for including several handy additions in the box. First, a second set of mouse feet is included, which are 0.8 mm thick instead of the already nicely gliding default 0.6 mm feet, resulting in even lower lift-off distance and slightly lowered CPI deviation. Second, the micro-bungee can be used to suspend the cable in mid-air by effectively taping it below the underside of the monitor. Provided one's monitor has a surface that allows it to stick properly, the micro-bungee is a surprisingly good alternative to a fully fledged mouse bungee. Speaking of which, the cable is fairly flexible, but not quite on the same level as what some competitors are able to muster these days.

One can debate whether going this lightweight is necessary, but if there aren't any downsides related to performance and build and button quality, there's little to complain about. Personally, I'm of the opinion that there is a correlation between mouse weight and in-game performance, but it's not linear; i.e., after a certain point, there are diminishing returns. In fact, compared to the 68 g Model D, I barely noticed a difference in-game; i.e., my performance wasn't affected negatively or positively to any substantial degree. That having been said, even when putting the lightweight debate aside, the Pulsar Xlite is a great mouse. One merely has to ask oneself whether giving up a dedicated CPI button or RGB lighting in the interest of a lower weight is worth it. For those who think it is, the Xlite is an excellent option. Compared to the competition, the Pulsar Xlite is fairly priced, too. The Glorious Model D is closest in terms of shape, with similar performance and quality, a better cable (on newer batches), and a CPI button, but higher weight, at $49.99. The Mountain Makalu 67 shares its sensor and hole-shape with the Xlite, has similar performance, a better cable, but higher weight, for $59.99. Lastly, the Xtrfy M4 is much smaller, has a worse cable and higher weight, but similar performance and quality, for $59. All in all, the Pulsar Xlite is a bold, but very well-executed mouse, and earns our Editor's Choice award.