Glorious Model O 2

The Model O 2 is the latest computer mouse to come from Glorious (formerly known as Glorious PC Gaming Race). The lightweight six-button clicker’s focus is on gaming performance, so it’s lean on flashy extras such as overdone RGB lighting, while maximizing tracking resolution. We tested the wireless model, which retails for $99.99. (Glorious also offers a $64.99 wired version that’s otherwise nearly identical.) While the Model O 2 has all the functions of a great esports mouse, its build quality keeps it from unseating the Razer Viper Ultimate as our Editors’ Choice pick in the category.

Aesthetics of the Model O 2

The Model O 2 acts a sequel to the Model O released in 2020, and the heritage shows in button placement. The Model O 2 has a six-button design with two side buttons, standard left and right click buttons on top, and a rubberized scroll wheel that doubles as a middle click. Below the scroll wheel is a dot-per-inch (DPI) button that swaps among six presets by default.

The overall look of the mouse is striking, though less flashy than its predecessor’s. Unlike the original Model O, the Model O 2 does away with the RGB lights in the scroll wheel, just keeping the original’s accents on the side, which shine through the gaps on the patterned surface. The more limited RGB gives the mouse a mature feel, while keeping the gamer aesthetic. (You can still shut off the glow, if desired.) If you have trypophobia, you may want to step away from this mouse, but the side benefit of all the perforations is that the mouse is super lightweight.

The Model O 2 measures 1.5 by 2.6 by 5 inches (HWD) and should fit most hands comfortably. With a weight of 2.39 ounces, it glides over a mousepad effortlessly, surely helped by the PTFE feet underneath. Oddly, the rest of the mouse uses a cheap-feeling plastic that’s closer to what we’d expect from a mouse half its price, like the Dark Matter Hyper-K Ultralight. There’s a kind of startling roughness to it, though some might argue that aids in gripping the mouse as you swing it across a mousepad.

The USB-C charging port for the wireless version is located in front of the mouse. A cutout securely seats the included braided cable to limit any jostling that may damage the port over time.

On the underside of the Model O 2 is a toggle switch to set the mouse to Bluetooth mode or 2.4GHz wireless mode via a USB dongle. The body has no onboard storage for stashing the dongle when you’re not using it, though Glorious does sell a hard-shell carrying case that has a cutout for the dongle. The switch can also be used to turn the wireless radio off if you’re connecting via a USB cable. On a 2.4GHz wireless connection, the mouse should last around 110 hours before needing a charge, while the Bluetooth mode should last 210 hours, according to Glorious.

A DPI indicator light on the bottom of the mouse cycles through five colors depending on which sensitivity preset is active. In between the toggle switch and the indicator is the proprietary Glorious BAMF 2.0 Optical sensor. Cringe-worthy name aside, this is an impressive sensor, with a maximum of 26,000dpi (the mouse is set to 8,000dpi out of the box) and a 1,000Hz polling rate.

In testing, the Model O 2 moved effortlessly across the surface of a desk pad, and after a couple of runs in State Space Labs’ Aim Lab esports trainer, I noticed a significant increase in performance as opposed to the heavier Logitech G502 X Plus that I use as a daily driver, but no more than a similarly styled mouse like the Roccat Burst Pro Air.

Tweaking Settings With the Glorious Core App

As has become quite common with esports mice, the functionality of the Model O 2 expands with Glorious Core customization software. A sticker on the bottom of the mouse directs you to download the utility for a firmware update (in case of any bugs or security exploits found after release), which is a nice touch.

Glorious Core allows you to customize everything from the RGB effects on the mouse to resetting key bindings and setting new DPI values for each mode.

Glorious Core can store three settings profiles, and it allows you to export or import those settings for when you plug your mouse into a new computer, or for use in different games and apps. You can even fine-tune the lift-off distance of the mouse, changing how far above your desk the sensor will begin to detect movement. The Glorious Core utility works with all Glorious products, not just the Model O 2.

Verdict: Gloriously Average

The Glorious Model O 2 is not a bad gaming peripheral by any means. It’s got a super-high DPI maximum, a fast polling rate, and a lightweight frame.

Other mice offer those same features for less money, however, while also in many cases offering even more esports niceties. The lack of profile and dongle storage in particular are hard blows to competitive players who may need to travel with their preferred mouse in hand for tournaments.

Overall, the Glorious Model O 2 simply doesn’t do enough to warrant a full Benjamin, especially compared with more premium competitors that have been in the field a while and now retail for around the same price (even though their list prices are higher). They include the Razer Viper Ultimate, which remains our Editors’ Choice pick for esports mice.