The Cougar Attack X3 Mechanical Keyboard & 450M Gaming Mouse Review

Final Words

Wrapping things up with my subjective analysis, I always try to use every keyboard that we review as my personal keyboard for at least a week. My typical weekly usage includes a lot of typing (about 100-150 pages), a few hours of gaming and some casual usage, such as internet browsing and messaging. Considering that the majority of my computer time is spent on typing, the Cherry MX Blue switches were very comfortable for prolonged typing sessions. Since I am personally used to the quieter Cherry MX Red (and now the Silent version of it too), the clicky noise of the MX Blue's would distract me at first, but my brain would completely ignore it after I have been using the keyboard for more than a few minutes. Still, for typing I would personally prefer Cherry's MX Brown variation.

For gaming, I do find the Cherry MX Blue switch ideal, as you can actually listen for - and even count - whenever a key is being actuated. Generally, the Attack X3 fulfilled most of my gaming needs, with my only discomfort coming from the lack of extra keys to quickly change modes on the fly. The software was a breeze to work with and allowed me to program my usual gaming mode within a few minutes. I should note that the included macro recorder was excellent too, especially considering the ability to record absolute mouse coordinates when programming macros, but I still had to result to third party software because Cougar's software does not return the mouse cursor to its original position after a macro has been executed. With one mode set to default, for everyday use and in-game chatting, and another mode programmed for gaming only with several keys repurposed to macros and other in-game functions, the Attack X3 offered me a pleasurable gaming experience but the constant FN+F1 - FN+F2 keystrokes were a bit strenuous.

As for the performance of the 450M optical gaming mouse, it was pleasantly surprising. Whether you go with a palm or a claw grip, the 450M feels very comfortable in the hand, offering great movement precision despite its low weight. The two thumb buttons feel great for gaming use, combining satisfactory travel and feeling with easy actuation, allowing their use without having to worry that the mouse may move. The two pinky finger buttons are less easily accessible during heavy action gaming moments, given the fact that the palm itself cannot easily remain stable with the pinky or ring finger pressing inwards. However, they are ideal for more complex macros or secondary functions, such as common chat replies or broad skill changes. I personally found the 450M excellent for casual gaming and everyday use, offering a good array of options and great long-term use comfort.

Overall the Cougar Attack X3 keyboard is simply excellent in terms of quality. It combines exceptional mechanical cohesion with excellent aesthetics surprisingly well for a product of this price range. In terms of functionality, Cougar made the Attack X3 fully programmable and that makes it very versatile as a keyboard. In order to keep the cost down though, Cougar had to sacrifice all of the extra keys, the USB pass-through port and advanced lighting control options. Still, even though that extra keys can be convenient and advanced backlighting options visually appealing, all that most gamers ever need is a keyboard where they can adjust any key to their liking and capable of storing a few profiles and modes for their games. With the Attack X3 currently retailing for $80 including shipping, we believe that it is an excellent product for the casual-but-dedicated gamer that is after a gaming-focused keyboard but does not want to break the bank for features such as RGB lighting and extra macro/function keys.

The 450M optical gaming mouse is a little trickier to properly evaluate. As a gaming mouse, it is very comfortable and accurate. It also is very versatile and we suspect that it will be especially loved by left handed and ambidextrous users. We generally have no complaints regarding its build quality or general performance, although we did find it a little too lightweight for a mouse of this type. The tricky part is that the 450M is not yet available in the US, so we cannot properly assess its value. In Europe, we found the 450M retailing for 50€ including taxes. This would normally translate to a retail price of $45-50 in the US and that might be too high, with the majority of the competition selling their optical sensor based products at or below this price range. If the retail price of the 450M falls between $35-40, it would be an excellent product for both casual and more serious gamers.