NZXT Lift 2 Ergo Gaming Mouse Review

As the name suggests, the NZXT Lift 2 Ergo is an ergonomic gaming mouse that aims to provide plenty of comfort to PC gamers. With a strictly wired connection and minimalist aesthetic, this budget-friendly design is an ideal choice for entry-level gamers. To determine whether the NZXT Lift 2 Ergo is a strong choice for budget PC builds, we tested this mouse in several gaming and productivity tasks and evaluated the design in great detail.

This gaming mouse is part of NZXT’s second venture into the budget gaming market and their first attempt at an ergonomic design. During our testing period, we compared the NZXT Lift 2 Ergo to several ergonomic and budget-friendly options we have previously tested.

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NZXT Lift 2 Ergo Specification

From a technical standpoint, the NZXT Lift 2 Ergo adheres to a lot of the modern standards for gaming mice, and even excels in some areas. For example, we’re seeing more gaming mice equipped with a 26000 DPI (Dots Per Inch) sensor, which leads to extreme sensitivity levels and greater control over cursor movements.

However, the 8000Hz polling rate is less common, especially for a budget-oriented design. This additional performance leads to a 0.2ms response time, allowing lightning-fast reactions to gain a competitive advantage. To support the strong performance the NZXT Lift 2 Ergo brings to the table, this mouse includes 100% PTFE feet and a lightweight 61g design for smooth movements that glide across a mousepad with ease.

The NZXT Lift 2 Ergo is also designed with longevity in mind, thanks to the optical switches and paracord cable. The optical switches ensure this design is built to withstand years of heavy usage, with an expected lifespan of 100 million clicks. In addition, the paracord cable is flexible and protects from possible nicks and cuts.

Unfortunately, this top-tier performance at an affordable price comes at the expense of connectivity, as the Lift 2 Ergo lacks wireless connectivity—or even a detachable USB cable. Whilst the 2m paracord cable offers enough slack to allow for sweeping mouse movements, the wired restrictions mean the Lift 2 Ergo is not an ideal choice for those looking to use their mouse across multiple devices or in a more competitive setting.

Suggested Article: NZXT Function 2 MiniTKL Keyboard Review

NZXT Lift 2 Ergo Design

The NZXT Lift 2 Ergo’s design puts a heavy emphasis on comfort, combining a lightweight feel with an ergonomic shape. As a result, the Lift 2 Ergo looks to provide an all-in-one solution for those looking to play games and complete daily tasks on a budget.

NZXT are known for their minimalist aesthetic, with the matte black or matte white colour scheme remaining consistent throughout their range of products. Because of this, it’s no surprise to see the NZXT Lift 2 Ergo opts for a more reserved monotone look. The aesthetic will fit in well within a stealthier gaming build or hybrid workspace.

On the other hand, this mouse’s lack of RGB lighting or visual appeal is bound to steer a large audience of gamers away. Whilst we understand the stylistic and budgeting reasons behind this decision, not having the choice to add even a hint of RGB lighting is disappointing, as it drastically limits customisation.

Though the Lift 2 Ergo looks fairly simplistic on the surface, looking at the design in more detail reveals a number of intricate design choices that aim to maximise comfort and practicality. For example, the rubberised texture on the scroll wheel and each side of the shell improves grip and makes this mouse more comfortable to use over prolonged periods.

Another factor that plays a key role in the Lift 2 Ergo’s impressive comfort is how light it is, especially when compared to other ergonomic mice. For a long time, gaming mice have been tailored to be comfortable or lightweight, with bulkier size and additional grips adding more heft to ergonomic designs. However, the hollow shell and lighter materials throughout the design allow the Lift 2 Ergo to shift some of the excess weight, resulting in the best of both worlds.

Unfortunately, the focus on comfort does come with a few setbacks that make the Lift 2 Ergo unusable to many. Along with the aforementioned lack of visual elements, such as RGB lighting, the design is only suitable for right-handers. More specifically, the Lift 2 Ergo’s shape is tailored towards a right-handed palm grip, which makes the comfort of this design fairly subjective.

After using the Lift 2 Ergo for several weeks—mainly for productivity purposes—I have found that this mouse is the most comfortable using a palm grip. However, I wouldn’t say I ever felt uncomfortable using it with various grip styles, which means that most right-handed gamers are unlikely to have issues with this design.

Features We Like

Ergonomic Design

The biggest benefit of picking up the NZXT Lift 2 Ergo over any other budget-friendly gaming mouse is the ergonomic design, which is often saved for more premium models. As long as you’re right-handed, the textured grips and asymmetrical shape of the Lift 2 Ergo provide day-long comfort, making it a great choice for casual gamers or those building a gaming workstation hybrid.

As someone who likes to use an ergonomic mouse, the Lift 2 Ergo is amongst the most comfortable designs I’ve tested, competing with options that are double or triple the price. For those looking for comfort at an entry-level price, this mouse is hard to overlook.

NZXT CAM Software

Software integration can often make or break the customisation and performance of a gaming mouse. In this case, the NZXT CAM software makes up for the lack of customisation options on the mouse itself.

With a simplistic and clean user interface that is easy to navigate, along with extensive control over performance parameters, NZXT CAM offers plenty of support for the Lift 2 Ergo and is a must-install, in my opinion. From the software, key variables such as DPI, polling rate, and lift-off height can be adjusted. On top of this, the software also allows you to store multiple onboard profiles, as well as create custom macros and remap the 6 buttons.

Features We Don’t Like

Wired Connectivity

Wireless gaming mice are becoming more accessible, making it possible to pick up a versatile device for an affordable price point. Unfortunately, the NZXT Lift 2 Ergo does not provide any form of wireless connectivity, with the lack of a detachable USB cable adding salt to the wounds for those looking to take their mouse on the go.

The additional performance and lower price point explain the lack of versatility, but removing the cable would improve the practicality of this device, making it the ultimate all-in-one solution for a large audience.

No RGB Lighting

The appearance of the Lift 2 Ergo is pretty lacklustre, with the absence of RGB lighting being one of the glaring weaknesses. The monotone look will appeal to fans of a stealthier PC build, but the lack of choice to add a splash of colour of detail limits the appeal of this gaming-oriented mouse. Even if NZXT took a similar approach to the original NZXT Lift, which included multiple variants that added coloured accents to the likes of the scroll wheel and cable, this would have helped the Lift 2 Ergo stand out and cater for a range of gaming setups.

Conclusion

NZXT Lift 2 Ergo Gaming Mouse

Product Name: NZXT Lift 2 Ergo

Brand: NZXT

SKU: Lift 2 Ergo

• Features
• Design
• Performance
• Value for Money

3.9

Summary

Overall, the NZXT Lift 2 Ergo is a solid choice for gamers on a tight budget. Its ergonomic design and stellar performance make it ideal for gaming workstation hybrids. When paired with the NZXT CAM software, this gaming mouse provides an elite and luxurious gaming experience while sticking to an affordable price. 

However, for every design aspect this mouse gets right, the Lift 2 Ergo contains a setback that restricts its usability or appeal when compared to the alternative. Mainly, the lack of wireless connectivity options and lacklustre appearance means that many will not take a second glance at this affordable option. 

If you are on a tight budget and want to prioritise comfort, the NZXT Lift 2 Ergo is worth considering. However, most will be better off spending more on a more versatile offering.  

Pros

✅ Comfortable lightweight design

✅ 8000Hz polling rate

✅ NZXT CAM software

Cons

❌ Wired connectivity

❌ Bland aesthetic

❌ No RGB lighting