Asus ROG Harpe II ACE review: This $169 gaming mouse is worth every penny
At a glance
Expert's Rating
Pros
- Light as a feather (48 g)
- Precise 42K DPI sensor
- 8.000 Hz wireless polling
- Outstanding workmanship
- Web app instead of software Constraints
- Very long battery life (at 1,000 Hz)
- Spare skates and grip tapes included in the scope of delivery
Cons
- Very high price
- No onboard memory
- Only suitable for right-handers
- No tilt or free-scroll function
- Battery life greatly reduced because of 8K polling
Our Verdict
The Asus ROG Harpe II Ace is a lightweight, responsive gaming mouse that ticks off all the right boxes. That said, the 8K polling eats up a lot of power and the price tag might be too steep for some.
Price When Reviewed
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Price When Reviewed
$169.99
Best Prices Today: Asus ROG Harpe II Ace
With the ROG Harpe II Ace, Asus delivers a wireless esports designed for maximum performance and lightness. Weighing just 28 grams, it features 8,000 Hz wireless polling and the new ROG AimPoint Pro sensor with 42,000 DPI. But is it really worth the $169.99 price point? Let’s take a closer look at this top-tier model.
Asus ROG Harpe II ACE: Design and ergonomics
The mouse’s lightweight form factor is obvious as soon as you unpack it. At just 48 grams, the Asus ROG Harpe II Ace is one of the lightest gaming mice ever–lighter than many honeycomb-designed models. Yet it remains stable and torsion-resistant, with nothing rattling or creaking.
Friedrich Stiemer
The housing is symmetrical but not completely ambidextrous. With two side buttons on the left, the mouse is clearly aimed at right-handed users. Its shape was developed with esports pros in mind, including Valorant player Maximilian ‘Demon1’ Mazanov. It sits flat in the hand and is ideal for claw and fingertip grips. In fast-paced shooters like CS2 or Valorant, it reacts instantly, gliding smoothly across the pad without causing fatigue.
Friedrich Stiemer
The Asus ROG Harpe II Ace’s bio-based nylon surface feels soft, though this is a matter of taste. Some testers praise the smooth finish while others note the visible fingerprints. Overall, the mouse leaves a very high-quality impression.
Asus ROG Harpe II ACE: Technology and features
The centerpiece of the Asus ROG Harpe II Ace is the ROG AimPoint Pro sensor, which supports up to 42,000 DPI. While that figure might seem like marketing hype, what really matters is precision and the sensor delivers where it matters. Movements are executed without noticeable delay, and even fine aiming corrections are spot on. In our testing, the cursor stayed stable during fast flicks, a clear advantage for esports players.
Friedrich Stiemer
Another highlight is the 8,000 Hz polling rate, which Asus also enables wirelessly, transmitting eight times more position data per second than standard mice. In practice, aiming and tracking feel noticeably smoother. However, to conserve battery, you should only activate that feature when necessary. At 8,000 Hz, runtime drops to around 15 hours.
At 1,000 Hz, the Asus ROG Harpe II Ace lasts for over 100 hours. It charges via USB-C and just a few minutes on the cable is enough for several hours of gaming, so you can keep playing even when the battery is empty.
Asus ROG Harpe II ACE: Clicks, buttons, and operation
Asus uses durable ROG microswitches that deliver a clean, crisp click. The main keys respond immediately and offer precise feedback with no bouncing. The click feel stayed consistent even after several days of intensive use.
The mouse wheel clicks precisely, though it doesn’t tilt horizontally or spin freely. Perfectly fine for gaming, though a bit spartan for productivity. It offers five buttons plus a DPI switch. That’s enough for shooters, but limited for MMO gamers.
Friedrich Stiemer
The zone mode of the Asus ROG Harpe II Ace is activated via a shortcut using both side DPI buttons. The mouse will then automatically optimize all parameters for competition, turning off RGB lighting and pushing performance to the max. It’s a clever little shortcut for competitive players.
Asus ROG Harpe II ACE: Software and configuration
Instead of relying on the often-criticized Armoury Crate software, Asus uses the Gear Link web app. DPI levels, key assignments, and lighting can be adjusted directly in the browser, no installation required. The interface is clear, responsive, and works on any device. It saves system resources and makes everyday use simpler.
The only downside? No onboard memory. Profiles aren’t stored permanently, so using the mouse on multiple PCs requires reloading the settings through the web interface.
Friedrich Stiemer
Asus ROG Harpe II ACE: Practice and performance
In everyday use, the Asus ROG Harpe II Ace impresses with butter-soft tracking, lightning-fast responsiveness, and excellent control. In shooters such as Apex Legends or Call of Duty, the crosshairs remain stable even during hectic movements. The low weight noticeably reduces the strain on the wrist and forearm, which is ideal for long sessions.
The mouse also performs well in office use, although the simple scroll wheel and limited buttons restrict the range of functions. The Bluetooth connection is stable, but competitive gamers will prefer the 2.4 GHz dongle.
Asus ROG Harpe II ACE: Scope of delivery
The Asus ROG Harpe II Ace comes with a flexible USB-C cable, a USB-C to USB-A adapter, replacement skates, high-quality grip tapes, and a set of stickers. Professionals are thus well equipped and gain extra grip. A carrying bag, however, would have perfectly rounded out the package, especially if you’re the type of person that travels a bunch.
Friedrich Stiemer