Modern mice look aggressive, with sharp edges, and often come with RGB lighting. They tend to offer outstanding performance when it comes to sensitivity and responsiveness. In addition to the two classic buttons and scroll wheel, they generally have a few more buttons located on the side. We have decided to compare the G502 Hero vs Lightspeed and point out all these features.
G502 Hero vs Lightspeed – Quick Comparison
A computer mouse is one of the most elegant technology solutions in history. It is not surprising that the design has remained relatively unchanged. Wireless mice are no longer a piece of extravagant technology but a completely normal thing. Gaming mice with RGB lighting are also very popular today.
The first thought when you hear the word mouse is Logitech. This company is a leader in the market when it comes to computer peripherals. In this article, we compare two exciting Logitech mice, the G502 Hero vs Lightspeed.
| Features | G502 Hero | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wired | Wireless |
| Width | 3.0 inches | 2.9 inches |
| Height | 1.7 inches | 1.6 inches |
| Weight | 170 g | 173 g |
| Grip Width | 63 mm | 63 mm |
| Material | PTFE | PTFE |
| Sensor | Hero 25K | Hero 25K |
| Response Time | 1 ms | 1 ms |
| Number Of Buttons | 12 | 12 |
| Programmable buttons | 11 | 11 |
| Number Of Side Buttons | 3 | 3 |
| Button Mechanism | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Compatibility | macOS X 10.11 or later, Windows 7 or later, Chrome OS | macOS X 10.11 or later, Windows 7 or later |
| Battery Life | No battery | 48 – 60 hours |
| Software | Logitech G Hub | Logitech G Hub |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Simply put, the G502 Hero and Lightspeed are practically the same. The most significant difference is in their connectivity. The G502 Hero is a wired version, whereas the Lightspeed is a wireless model. Let’s find out other differences.
G502 Hero
Pros:
- Compatible with macOS, Windows, and ChromeOS
- Lightweight
- Adjustable buttons
- 2-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Wired technology
- Mechanical switch
G502 Lightspeed
Pros:
- Compatible with macOS and Windows
- Outstanding design
- Wireless connection
- Wireless charging
Cons:
- Expensive
- Mechanical switch
Features Face to Face
Design and Build
Size
The table below tells us that even though these two mice have the same grip width, they are still different sizes. The G502 Hero is slightly larger than the Lightspeed. However, you probably will not feel the difference even if you have large hands.
| Dimensions | G502 Hero | G502 Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 3.0 inches | 2.9 inches |
| Height | 1.7 inches | 1.6 inches |
| Grip Width | 63 mm | 63 mm |
Winner: Lightspeed
Weight
Neither of these mice can really be considered a light mouse. They are both heavy with the weight distribution at the center. They also come with extra weights, which you can add or remove according to your preference.
The Hero model comes with five 3.6 g weights, whereas the Lightspeed comes with four 2 g and two 4 g weights.
The overall weight of the G502 Hero is 170 g, and the Lightspeed weight is a total of 173 g. Even though the difference is slight, the Hero model is still lighter.
Winner: G502 Hero
Buttons and Scroll Wheel
The two devices are the same when it comes to their buttons. The G502 Hero and Lightspeed have 11 programmable buttons, of which three are placed on the side. The total number of buttons that each device has is 12.
So, if you are looking for a mouse with the option of manual button adjustment, you can choose either of these two. The Logitech G Hub software allows you to adjust almost every button on these devices. This can help you raise your gaming experience to a higher level.
Watch the video below to find out how to customize the buttons of your Logitech mouse.
Winner: Draw
Portability
Wired mice allow maximum connection reliability since they use USB cables. However, wired mice are not a favorite accessory for people who are often on the move.
The G502 Hero is a wired mouse making it less portable than wireless models because you do not have to carry cables around. The G502 Lightspeed is a wireless mouse which makes it more portable.
Winner: Lightspeed
Sensor and Performance
These two mice have the same sensor – Hero 25K. The sensor provides a smooth experience with great power efficiency. But, one of the most significant performance indicators is sensitivity.
Sensitivity is measured in DPI or dots-per-inch. It tells you how much you have to move a mouse to move the cursor on the screen. Even the slightest touch on a high-sensitivity mouse can move the cursor from one end of the screen to the other.
It is good to have a more sensitive mouse in some situations, while in others, it is not. Consider sensitivity if you are a gamer or Photoshop editor. On average, mice have a sensitivity of about 1,000 DPI.
The DPI of the G502 Hero and Lightspeed ranges between 100 CPI and 25,600 CPI. However, the CPI variation on the Hero model is -3% and on the Lightspeed model is 0%. Since good value is between -10 and 10%, both models have acceptable variations. They are consistent, whether you move them quickly or slowly.
Winner: Draw
Build Quality
Each mouse in this G502 Hero vs Lightspeed comparison comes with a mouse wheel that wobbles a little. Besides that, both mice are very well built. They feel sturdy and durable.
They are made mostly from matte plastic. There is latex on the sides for a better grip. However, the buttons are made from glossy plastic.
Winner: Draw
Internal Hardware
The G502 Hero and Lightspeed have mouse onboard memory. In other words, once you save your mouse settings, you can use it on any laptop or PC without additional software. With that in mind, this is a crucial internal component since it can store all your mouse settings.
Every wireless mouse comes with a USB dongle, including the Lightspeed model. The only thing you need to do is insert the dongle into your PC or laptop and establish a connection.
Although these two mice look identical, they have slightly different scroll wheels. However, these two mouse components provide the same performance.
Whether you want to invest in the Hero or Lightspeed model, their wheel is precise. Both mice allow you to unlock the free-scrolling feature, which can help you read long documents easier.
Winner: Draw
Grip Recommendation
What should be emphasized about both of these mice is that they are suitable only for right-handed users. So, if you are left-handed, maybe you should seek a different mouse. In general, they are comfortable to use because of their ergonomic shape with a thumb rest.
But, the comfort of use depends on the grip style you prefer and whether a mouse suits your hand size. You can use a fingertip, a claw, or a palm grip style. Before choosing a mouse, it might be good to check your hand size.
| Hand Size | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Small hand | 5.5 to 6.9 inches |
| Medium hand | 6.7 to 7.7 inches |
| Large hand | 7.5 to 8.1 inches |
| Extra-large hand | 7.9 to 9.5 inches |
Fingertip
The fingertip grip users can use these mice if they have a large or an extra-large hand. But, if you have a small or medium hand, you might struggle with these mice models. In general, both the G502 Hero and Lightspeed are not exactly fit for a fingertip grip style.
Winner: Draw
Claw
If you like the claw grip but have a small hand, you might struggle to reach the sniper button. You will not face this problem if you have a medium, large or extra-large hand.
Winner: Draw
Palm
Users who prefer the palm grip style can use these mice with a medium, large or extra-large hand. But, just like with the claw grip, people with a small hand could have some trouble. It refers mainly to reaching the sniper button.
Winner: Draw
Sensors and Lighting
We can compare every modern mouse to a camera. A mouse captures the surface and sends information to the computer to determine its position.
The G502 Hero and Lightspeed are both optical mice. The optical mouse technology emits LED lights which are then reflected back and converted into coordinates. So, they are not suitable for use on glass surfaces.
It is worth mentioning that the optical and laser mouse can read irregularities on the surface and determine coordinates. But, a laser mouse is more tolerant to different types of surfaces.
Winner: Draw
Switches
Unfortunately, the G502 Hero and Lightspeed have a traditional mechanical mouse switch. A mechanical mouse switch requires physical contact to send signals to your computer.
However, an optical switch sends infrared light signals to the computer. The optical technology, in this case, reduces unintentional mouse clicks. For instance, this is why the Razer Viper Ultimate is a very popular gaming mouse.
Also Read: What is G Shift in Logitech Mice & How Does it Work?
Although they have a mechanical switch, the G502 Hero and Lightspeed models are adequate for gaming.
Winner: Draw
Battery
The G502 Hero is a wired mouse, and therefore it doesn’t use batteries. The Lightspeed is a wireless mouse, so it needs rechargeable batteries.
The Lightspeed battery can last up to 48 hours with default lighting when used continuously. If you turn off lighting, it can last up to 60 hours.
Winner: Lightspeed
Charging Options
The G502 Hero needs to be connected to your computer via a cable to be operational. However, if you like this mouse but prefer wireless solutions, the Lightspeed model might be just for you.
As we said earlier, the G502 Lightspeed is a wireless mouse. It can be charged all the time thanks to the Logitech PowerPlay system. The system allows you to wirelessly charge your mouse while using it.
Winner: Lightspeed
Wireless Compatibility
Instead of a wire, the Lightspeed model, uses a receiver for connection. A receiver should be inserted into a USB port. It uses radiofrequency to connect a mouse to a computer.
| Wireless Compatibility | G502 Hero | G502 Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Receiver | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Receiver Extender | No | Yes |
Since the G502 Hero doesn’t have a receiver, it doesn’t have a receiver extender, either. It is also worth mentioning that the G502 Hero and Lightspeed don’t support Bluetooth connectivity.
Winner: Lightspeed
Software Compatibility
Whether you want to buy the G502 Hero or Lightspeed, you can adjust them via the Logitech G Hub software. The software allows you to customize RGB lighting, program buttons, and manage or switch profiles.
Related Read: Logitech G Hub Not Loading: Causes & Solutions
It is compatible with macOS and Windows. However, if you have Chrome OS, the G502 Hero is a better solution since this system supports it.
Winner: G502 Hero
Warranty
The Logitech G502 Hero and Lightspeed both come with a 2-year limited hardware warranty.
Winner: Draw
Price
The G502 Hero mouse is significantly cheaper than the Lightspeed model. It costs almost double the price of the Hero model.
Even though the Lightspeed is a wireless mouse, maybe this significant price difference is not that justified. Especially if we consider that these mice are practically the same when it comes to features.
However, if you really appreciate wireless technology, it is worth the investment. You can also check other wireless mice available on the market and compare them to the Lightspeed model.
Conclusion
Although these two mice are very similar, we can highlight the most significant facts from this G502 Hero vs Lightspeed comparison.
If you want a wired and affordable mouse, the G502 might be the right model for you. It is compatible with macOS and Windows. Additionally, it is supported by the Chrome OS. So, you don’t have to worry about its compatibility and battery life. It is light and well-designed.
If you tend to read lengthy documents, you can always rely on the free-scrolling feature. If you want to program mouse buttons according to your needs, you can use the Logitech G Hub software to do that.
However, if you prefer advanced wireless technology, you might want to choose the Lightspeed model. With this model, you can get rid of cables since it supports wireless connection and wireless charging. The battery can last up to 60 hours. But, with the Logitech PowerPlay system, this mouse can always be wirelessly charged!
It is portable since it is smaller than the G502 Hero model. So, if you want a mouse suitable for a laptop case, this one might be a perfect choice.
Read Next: G Pro Wireless vs Superlight: Which gaming mouse is best?
