Build Quality

Overall build quality is solid. When shaking the mouse, a slight rattle comes from an indeterminable source. When applying lateral pressure, no creaking or flexing of the shell can be observed. Activating the side buttons by squeezing the sides is impossible. Lastly, accidental clicks when slamming down the mouse do not occur regardless of the set debounce time.

Buttons

Main buttons on the XE-S Wireless are very good. Both pre and post-travel are moderate, but button response is firm and snappy nonetheless. Despite being visually separated from the shell, button movement is nonexistent even when forced. Button stiffness is medium. A pair of Huano switches (pink plunger) are used for these.


Side buttons are excellent. Both pre and post-travel are virtually nonexistent, resulting in a sharp and pleasing button response. The pressure point is even across the entirety of these. Button size and placement are good, as actuation is possible rather easily by rolling one's thumb across. A set of low-profile Huano switches (white plunger) is used here.

At the top of the mouse is an additional button whose function varies depending on configuration and which works without issue. A seemingly unbranded tactile switch is used for this one. At the bottom of the mouse is a button for cycling through CPI, polling rate, and debounce time, which works fine. A seemingly unbranded tactile switch is used for this one as well. Lastly, a simple on/off-slider is present, which too works just fine.

Scroll Wheel

The scroll wheel is very good. Noise levels are somewhat elevated, but tactility is good, with clearly separated steps allowing for controlled scrolling without being overly stiff. The encoder comes from ALPS (black) and has a height of 9 mm. The middle (scroll wheel) click requires high force for actuation. Another Huano switch (red plunger) is used for this one.

Surface

The XE-S Wireless has a matte surface all over. Grip is fine, and it doesn't attract fingerprints or dirt too much. It is easy to clean, and there are no signs of wear left after doing so. All in all, excellent materials.

Button Sound Test

Disassembly

Disassembling the XE-S Wireless is easy. The Torx T6 screws are found beneath the front and rear skates. After removing those, two additional clips at the sides need to be dislodged, which is easily done. When separating top and bottom shell, make sure not the rip the cable connecting the two.

Unlike previous VAXEE wireless designs, the XE-S Wireless no longer uses an endoskeleton, and instead opts for a more traditional layout. The top and side buttons sit on their own PCBs screwed to the top shell and are connected to each other and the main PCB through a ribbon cable. The battery is placed on a sticky pad towards the rear. Three screws are used to affix the thin and mostly compact main PCB to the bottom shell. The MCU is a PixArt PAR2862QC. Production date for the main PCB is April 27 of 2024.


As for the soldering and general quality of the PCB, I'm unable to find any noteworthy flaws.