A few years ago, the idea of a mouse pad that charges your mouse while you play became all the rage. It seems to have died down lately, though, probably because both elements (mouse and mouse pad) were expensive and gamers didn’t like being USB-tethered.

But Logitech’s new mouse includes the tech for a shockingly low price. The G309 Lightspeed has a fairly unassuming design from the outside. It’s neither big nor small, light nor heavy, and its two-mouse-button shooter setup is pretty typical. But it’s hiding a couple of surprises inside.

First, it has wireless charging capability using Logitech’s proprietary PowerPlay system. Pair it up with their $120 mouse pad and you can keep going indefinitely without ever needing to recharge or replace batteries.

But what if you’re on the go? Or you’re using a mouse pad without fancy inductive charging coils? No problem! The G309 Lightspeed has a backup in the form of a single AA battery bay. You can fill it up for 300 hours of full standard wireless mouse capability. (With battery, it tip the scales at 86 grams; otherwise, it’s 68 grams with the PowerPlay “puck” adapter.)

This isn’t Logitech’s first wireless mouse to offer both options, but at $80 retail, it’s the cheapest by far. And yes, there’s a battery in the box.

Other specs are fairly typical for a gaming mouse in this range. You get 1ms wireless with a dongle or more flexible options with Bluetooth. It also has Logitech’s 25,600 DPI sensor for superhuman sensitivity, five onboard memory profiles, extra grip tape for the sides and primary buttons, and polytetrafluoroethylene (AKA Teflon or PTFE) mouse feet.

The G309 Lightspeed is available today on Logitech’s online store in black or white, and it’s also showing up at retailers like Amazon.

Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld

Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he’s the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop “battlestation” in his off hours. Michael’s previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he’s covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he’s always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.

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