ASUS ROG Harpe II Ace Wireless Esports Gaming Mouse Hands-On

Meet the ASUS ROG Harpe II Ace - a featherweight 48 g gaming mouse built for FPS players who care about speed and control. It pairs ASUS’s AimPoint Pro 42K optical sensor with optical switches, supports up to 8,000 Hz polling, and gives you five programmable buttons in a compact, ambidextrous-friendly shape. Connectivity is tri-mode, so you can go 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, or wired over USB-C, and setup happens in your browser rather than through heavy software.

On paper, it sounds like the perfect competitive mouse. So after using this mouse for over two months, here’s how it’s held up. 

The very first time I pulled it out of the box, it felt like something was missing, almost like when you pick up a TV remote that doesn’t have batteries in it. That weightless feeling took me a while to adjust to. But now that muscle memory has kicked in, it actually feels great in the hand. 

The surface has this matte texture that almost feels a bit rubbery, but it isn’t. ASUS calls it biobased nylon. As you can see here - after a couple of months, it no longer looks brand new, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s worn in and it feels really natural to use. 

One of the things I really like is that you don’t need to download any bloated software. Everything is done through a browser. From there you can set up profiles, remap buttons, adjust DPI from 100 all the way up to 42,000, change polling rate up to 8,000 Hz, play around with angle snapping, motion sync, lighting effects, and even set battery modes. It’s clean, straightforward, and Armory Crate is not required. 

Performance-wise, it tracks really well even on a cheap mousepad. I’ve never once felt like the mouse was letting me down. If I miss a shot, that’s all on me. It even has track-on-glass technology, which is a nice touch if you don’t always use a pad. 

Battery life has been solid. I’m getting about three to four weeks on a charge with moderate use. When it’s low, it blinks red for a couple of days, and then you just plug in USB-C and you’re good again. 

The wireless dongle connection can get a bit flaky if it’s tucked behind too many things, but with a clear line of sight it’s been completely fine. And of course, you also have Bluetooth and wired modes if you prefer. In my example if I have it below my desk and have keyboard in the way, it can sometimes cut out so I tend to move the dongle under the desk but closer to mouse area with extension.  

I did test both 1,000 Hz and 8,000 Hz polling rates, but honestly, I don’t really feel a big difference. Maybe if you’re a pro gamer you’ll notice it, but for me it was just nice to know the option is there. 

The one thing I really wish this mouse had is tilt clicks on the scroll wheel. At this price point, that would’ve made it the perfect crossover between gaming and work. As it is, it’s very much a gaming-first design. The included grip stickers are a nice option too, especially if your hands get sweaty, but I’ve kept this one bare for easier cleaning. 

So overall, ASUS has absolutely delivered on what they promised — an ultra-lightweight, esports-focused mouse with simple, no-nonsense software. But here’s the question: does shaving a few extra grams off really justify the premium price tag of 250 dollars? That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself. 

For me, now that I’m used to the weight, it feels fantastic in the hand and it does exactly what it says on the tin, but it's not going to replace my multi button workhorse for daily usage. It will only come out during gaming sessions.   

I’d love to hear your thoughts — would you pay this much for a mouse, or is it just over the top? Drop a comment down below and let me know.