This $30 mouse kept showing up on my feed, so I tried it — and it’s legit

Finding the perfect computer mouse can sometimes feel like an impossible task. After building my own PC for the first time in 2020, I’ve found myself diving into different brands, trying to find the perfect peripherals for myself and others. I’ve tried them all at this point – Razer, Corsair, ASUS, and even a few off-brands in between.

As prices continue to soar for products across the board, I think I may have found something that hits that perfect middle ground of aesthetics and performance. Maybe I was slightly influenced by seeing the Attack Shark X11 show up on my social media feeds, but I decided that it was high time to dive in and see if this mouse was worth its weight. After using it for roughly a month now, coming hot off the heels of the Asus ROG Spatha X, I can say that I’m pleasantly surprised with how much this mouse has exceeded my expectations.

The Attack Shark X11 is cheap, but feels premium

It borrows just a little inspiration from the Razer Viper V3

As with any piece of technology that I get my hands on, an initial inspection of the device is what happens before I even use it. I wouldn’t want to plug something in and then realize I don’t like it, so why not give it a proper once-over first? After removing the Attack Shark X11 from the box, I was shocked to see how light it was, while still feeling like it could handle some bumps and booms. A matte finish adorns this mouse, making it feel nice in the hand without feeling too slippery, and the included accessories also make it feel even better in the hand. In the box, I received grip tape for the sides and the top, and after carefully applying them, these squishy and grippy-textured tapes make the mouse feel even better.

Are the designs a little obnoxious? Absolutely, but in a way, they’re also aesthetically pleasing depending on your tastes. Personally, I’m a fan of them, and I know that when it comes time to upgrade to another mouse in the future, I’ll be looking for another that offers the same type of grip tape for hardcore gaming sessions. The mouse carries a lot of design inspiration from the Razer Viper V3, but with a few additional bells and whistles for half the price.

The included charging dock is a lifesaver

I’ll never forget to charge my mouse again

I love wireless technology, and if I have the chance to cut a cord on my PC, I’m more than happy to do so. But one of the biggest issues I’ve had with previous mice, such as my Corsair M75, was the fact that I would always forget to plug it in until it was far too late. The M75, in particular, was so light that it struggled to be used while being plugged in and would oftentimes drift toward the edge of my desk. Lightweight mice are extremely nice, but when that comes with the constant anxiety of them taking a tumble while they’re charging, it may be time to look elsewhere.

To be honest, one of the biggest reasons I was intrigued about the Attack Shark X11 in the first place was the proposed battery life, alongside the dock. Being able to just slap down a mouse onto a dock while I’m doing other things is an amazing feature, and something I believe that every wireless mouse should have if removable batteries aren’t an option. A 65-hour battery life is nothing to gasp at, especially compared to some of the more expensive brands on the market, but I can make my way through an entire work week without needing to charge it up. When I do finally need to, I can just place it on the magnetic dock and go about my business while I wait for it a charge. Plus, the charging dock has an additional USB port on the front, so I can plug in the 2.4Ghz dongle and experience buttery smooth movement.

The Attack Shark software is straightforward

It’s not the fanciest software on the market, but it’s simple enough for anyone to figure it out

Don’t get me wrong — I love messing around with different types of software to make my life as simple as possible. But after experiencing Corsair’s iCue software and ASUS’ Armoury Crate, I’m not going to balk at the idea of something being simplistic and straightforward. The Attack Shark software is incredibly barebones compared to the competition, but that’s exactly what I’ve been searching for. Programmable and swappable buttons, DPI customization, battery life, and profiles. Sometimes, that’s all somebody needs. Yes, there are some more advanced options for power users, such as Angle Snapping and even Polling Rate Settings, but this software is easy enough to let anyone navigate it.

During my installation, Windows did not flag this program as malicious. After running MalwareBytes, it appears that the Attack Shark software is safe to download.

There are even a few customization options for lighting, even if it is just for the small LED on the top of the mouse. To be fair, I keep this off to keep the battery charged for even longer, but if you’re hoping to get a bit of additional flair, this is the best way to make it happen. DPI is quick to adjust, and with the DPI switcher button on the bottom of the mouse, users can adjust their rates on the fly with just a simple button press. How much better could it be?

Price to Performance can’t be beat

I’m shocked that this mouse is as cheap as it is

Sometimes, you may see a piece of equipment that just seems too good to be true. How can a company say that they have a mouse that offers up to 22,000 DPI, 65 hours of battery life, a charging dock, and more for roughly $30? Well, Attack Shark made it happen, and I still don’t understand how they did it. After a month of use, I’ve found myself growing fonder of this mouse every day. It’s an incredible package, offering plenty of style, great performance, and easy-to-use software to make this my official daily driver. I’ve messed around with a lot of mice during the past 5 years or so, and I can genuinely say that this has been one of the most shocking additions to my growing collection.

Some folks say QA is an issue, though

At least Attack Shark has good customer service

As with anything that is priced so low, there may be some quality assurance issues that pop up from time to time. Browsing between Reddit threads and other online forums before purchasing, I noticed that some folks weren’t as lucky as I was when it came to getting their hands on a near-perfect mouse. If Amazon reviews are to be believed, however, the folks at Attack Shark are quick to respond, and quick to get a replacement sent out to keep prospective buyers feeling slightly less uneasy. It could be a bit of a gamble when it comes to getting a mouse for this cheap, so do keep that in mind if you’re ready to take the plunge yourself.

Since purchasing mine, I have yet to file a complaint to the manufacturer, and I’ve been incredibly happy. Other folks have reported that the internal battery can come loose, or the skates can scratch easily. As per the official Attack Shark website, there is a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty on any device that you purchase from them.

All in all, the Attack Shark X11 is as legit as it gets

For roughly $30, this mouse completely shattered my expectations

Right now, it’s all about the best bang you can get for your buck. Computer parts, peripherals included, just seem to keep jumping up in price. It doesn’t matter if this is for your first build, a gift for someone in your life, or something for yourself — the Attack Shark X11 is as legit as it gets in an inexpensive package. Is it a perfect computer mouse? No, I don’t think so. But for the price, I can’t really think of a wireless mouse that does it better than this one, and it rivals some of the much more expensive mice I’ve had over the years at a quarter of the cost. Attack Shark truly shocked me, especially coming from a brand that I hadn’t heard of before. Sometimes, it’s the least-known brands that give us the best value around.