A few months ago I wrote an article on how’s there really a lack of vertical gaming mice and lo and behold in April 2025 we got a release of Keychron M5 which is a vertical mouse with PixArt 3950 sensor, 8000 Hz polling rate, it’s wireless and it’s very light. Sounds like a dream come true… but let’s see the whole picture.
I’m using vertical mice for a couple of years now as I got a slight carpal tunnel syndrome in my right wrist. I switched then to these ergonomic standing mice and pain was gone within a week. But it wasn’t perfect for gaming as there wasn’t really anything worthwhile which would have a decent sensor with high polling rate. Now that has changed.
Keychron M5 costs only $69.99 which I’m very happy about as this is a very niche segment. But it’s also sold out at the time I’m writing this review, so maybe it’s not so niche after all?
Anyway, it’s got a very good PAW 3950 sensor which allows for 100-30000 DPI range and up to 8000 Hz polling rate when wired or using 2.4GHz dongle connection. It’s only 125 Hz via Bluetooth. Motion sync and angle snapping is supported, it’s got 600 mAh battery which was really good in my testing. The polling rate button is switchable between 125/250/500/1000/2000/4000/8000 Hz.
What do you get in the box? The mouse itself, detachable Type-C to Type-C cable + Type-A to Type-C adapter, 8K wireless receiver.
The shape itself is unmistakably vertical — not just “slightly slanted” like Logitech’s MX or ergonomic variants of gaming mice. This is a full-on handshake grip and takes up more space on the desk than your usual mouse. At first, it feels weird to aim this way in FPS games, but after two days of use I was doing just fine in CS2 and Valorant. Not perfect, but good enough that I didn’t feel like switching back.
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The weight is surprisingly low. Just around 70 grams (without cable), which is kind of wild for a vertical mouse. Most ergonomic mice are well over 100g and feel like bricks. Not this one. Combined with the excellent sensor and 8000 Hz polling rate, you can actually flick and track without that sluggish feeling. It’s not a Superlight, obviously, but it’s the closest I’ve gotten in this niche.
Buttons are okay. Clicks are crisp enough, side buttons are fine but maybe a bit too far back for fast use in shooters. There’s also a DPI switcher and polling rate button on top – useful for quick changes if you need them. Wheel is probably the weakest part – it’s serviceable but doesn’t feel premium. No real tactility and a bit plasticky.
Battery life is better than expected. I ran it for a full week in 1000 Hz wireless mode without charging. If you go full 8000 Hz, the battery will drain faster, but that’s pretty standard. The 600 mAh cell holds up well either way, and charging is quick over USB-C.
The software is just okay. Keychron Engine lets you remap buttons, change DPI, set polling rate, and record macros, but it’s not the most polished experience. Still, it works and didn’t crash or bug out during my use.
Any downsides? Yeah – if you’ve never used a vertical mouse before, you’ll need a few days to adjust. It’s not instant. Also, I wish the side buttons were placed a bit better. And the scroll wheel, like I said, is kind of bland. No major dealbreakers though.
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Keychron M5 is pretty big. Keychron M5, Zelotes C-18 and Perixx PERIMICE-713 side-by-side.
Overall? Keychron M5 is a huge step forward. Finally, someone made a vertical mouse that’s actually good for gaming – it’s very lighweight, wireless, and with a top-tier sensor. For $69.99, it’s a great choice if you’re already into vertical mice or need something ergonomic that doesn’t suck for fast-paced games.
It’s not perfect, but it’s the best we’ve got. And honestly? I’m glad it exists.
Also, make sure to check out my quick comparison of Keychron M5, MX Vertical and Razer’s first vertical gaming mouse.