Model O Wireless

Overview

The Glorious Model O Wireless helped popularize the idea that lightweight wireless gaming mice did not need to cost $150. Released in 2021, it was one of the first sub-70g wireless mice at a sub-$80 price point. Its Zowie FK-inspired symmetrical shape, honeycomb shell, and RGB lighting made it a gateway mouse for thousands of players transitioning from heavy wired mice to lightweight wireless.

Two years later, the competitive landscape has shifted significantly. Newer mice from Pulsar, Endgame Gear, and Razer offer superior sensors, better switches, and lighter weights without honeycomb shells. The Model O Wireless remains relevant primarily as a budget option and an entry point for players exploring the ultralight wireless category. Understanding what it does well — and where it falls short of current competition — is essential for making an informed purchase.

Design & Build Quality

The Model O Wireless is immediately recognizable by its honeycomb shell — hexagonal cutouts on both the top and bottom of the mouse that reduce weight. This was a design trend that peaked around 2020-2021, and the Model O was one of its most visible proponents. The honeycomb pattern extends across most of the top shell and portions of the bottom.

The matte coating covers the remaining solid portions of the shell. Build quality is adequate for the price but not class-leading. Under firm side pressure, there is noticeable flex in the honeycomb areas — the structural compromise inherent in perforated shells. The mouse does not creak or rattle, but the flex is perceptible during aggressive grip adjustments.

The PC/ABS shell material is standard for the category. RGB lighting illuminates through the honeycomb pattern, which is the aesthetic payoff for the perforated design. If you disable RGB (recommended for competitive play), the honeycomb serves only the weight-reduction purpose.

The primary buttons use Glorious-branded mechanical switches based on Omron mechanisms, rated at 20 million clicks. This durability rating is below the industry standard — Kailh GM 8.0 offers 80 million clicks, and Razer’s optical switches offer 90 million. The 20M rating means double-click issues may surface within 1-2 years of heavy use.

The scroll wheel sits between the primary buttons with a DPI button behind it. Two side buttons on the left wall complete the button layout. The USB-C charging port is at the front.

Shape & Grip Compatibility

The Model O Wireless measures 128mm long, 66mm wide, and 37.5mm tall. The shape is a close approximation of the Zowie FK1+ — a symmetrical, low-profile mouse with a subtle hump positioned at center. The 37.5mm height is the defining characteristic: this is a flat mouse that rewards grip styles requiring minimal palm contact.

Palm Grip (18.0-20.0cm hands): The Model O Wireless works for relaxed palm grip if you prefer low-profile mice. The 37.5mm height means your palm will not be fully filled — there is a noticeable gap between the hump and the center of your palm if you have arched hands. For flatter palms and hands in the 18.0-20.0cm range with 9.0-10.5cm width, the shape provides adequate support for casual and ranked play.

If you are comparing this to taller mice like the DeathAdder V3 Pro (44mm) or even the G Pro X Superlight 2 (40mm), the Model O will feel significantly flatter. Players who have used FK-series Zowie mice will find this familiar and comfortable.

Claw Grip (17.5-19.5cm hands): Good performance in claw grip. The low profile and centered hump allow your fingers to arch naturally without the rear of the mouse pushing your wrist upward. The 128mm length provides enough room for finger placement without cramping. The flat profile actually benefits claw grip — there is less material fighting against your finger curvature.

For hands in the 17.5-19.5cm range, claw grip on the Model O provides a stable platform with good lateral control. The 66mm width at center accommodates a comfortable thumb-pinky pinch.

Fingertip Grip (17.5-20.0cm hands): Adequate. The 69g weight is manageable for fingertip control, and the low 37.5mm height means the mouse stays out of your palm’s way. However, 69g is no longer lightweight by 2024 fingertip standards — the Pulsar X2 V2 at 52g and the Finalmouse Starlight-12 at 42g offer significantly more agility. If fingertip is your primary grip, the Model O works but is not the best option available.

Honeycomb Texture Note: The honeycomb holes on the top shell create a textured surface under your palm and fingers. Some players find this grippy and pleasant; others find it uncomfortable during extended sessions or problematic for skin contact. If you have not used a honeycomb mouse before, try one in person before committing.

Weight Distribution and Movement Feel: At 69g, the Model O Wireless sits in a middle ground that was considered ultralight in 2021 but is now mainstream. The weight distribution is relatively even front-to-back, which provides a balanced feel during both slow tracking and fast flicking. The honeycomb shell distributes weight reduction across the entire surface rather than concentrating it in specific areas, which means there are no dead spots or unusual weight imbalances. Compared to the Finalmouse Starlight-12 at 42g or the Pulsar X2 V2 at 52g, the Model O requires noticeably more effort for lift-and-reset movements. If you currently use a mouse over 90g, the 69g Model O will feel dramatically lighter. If you are comparing against current sub-60g competitors, the weight difference is apparent.

FK-Shape Heritage: The Zowie FK series is one of the most influential mouse shapes in esports history, and the Model O’s faithful reproduction of that shape is its strongest design asset. The FK shape was developed through consultation with professional Counter-Strike players who needed a low-profile symmetrical mouse for precise crosshair control. The flat profile keeps the wrist at a natural angle, reducing strain during long sessions. The centered hump allows both palm heel and finger contact without forcing either. Players who have used FK-series mice for years will find the Model O’s shape an immediate match, and those who have not will be experiencing one of gaming’s most proven shapes.

Sensor Performance

The BAMF sensor is a custom PixArt-based sensor with a DPI range of 400 to 19,000. Maximum tracking speed is 400 IPS with 40G acceleration tolerance. The lift-off distance sits at approximately 1.2mm and is not adjustable.

The BAMF sensor was competitive when the Model O Wireless launched but has been surpassed by newer sensors. The PAW3395 (used in the Endgame Gear XM2w and Pulsar X2 V2) offers lower latency and better power efficiency. The Focus Pro 30K and HERO 2 in Razer and Logitech mice, respectively, provide lower LOD and marginally better tracking at extreme speeds.

In practical gaming at 400-1600 DPI, the BAMF sensor tracks accurately without spin-out or acceleration issues. Click latency measures approximately 2.5ms and motion latency approximately 6.0ms — these are noticeable steps behind the best current sensors, though still adequate for all but the most latency-sensitive players.

The 19,000 DPI maximum and non-adjustable LOD are limitations that distinguish the BAMF from current-generation sensors. For the vast majority of players, these limitations have no practical impact on gameplay.

The non-adjustable LOD is the more significant limitation of the two. At 1.2mm, the Model O continues tracking for a slightly longer distance when lifted off the pad compared to mice with adjustable LOD set to 0.8mm. For players who use low sensitivity (below 30cm/360) and lift the mouse frequently during large swipes, this extra tracking distance can cause unwanted cursor movement during repositioning. It is not a deal-breaker, but it is a measurable difference from current-generation mice that offer sub-1mm LOD options.

Switches & Buttons

The primary switches are Glorious-branded mechanical switches based on Omron mechanisms. The actuation force is approximately 55 grams-force — a standard medium weight. The click feel is adequate: a clear tactile break with reasonable consistency between left and right clicks.

The 20 million click durability rating is the primary concern. Modern competitors use Kailh GM 8.0 (80M), Razer Optical Gen-3 (90M), or Logitech LIGHTFORCE switches with comparable or superior durability. The lower durability rating means the Model O’s switches are more likely to develop inconsistency or double-clicking issues within their lifespan.

The two side buttons are standard quality with a clear click. The scroll wheel uses a mechanical stepped encoder with medium resistance — functional for gaming without being remarkable. The DPI button behind the scroll wheel is slightly raised, which can lead to accidental presses if you tend to grip the mouse aggressively near the center.

Connectivity & Battery

The Model O Wireless connects via 2.4GHz wireless only — there is no Bluetooth option and no wired mode while the mouse is powered on. This limits versatility compared to tri-mode competitors like the Corsair M75 Wireless or ASUS ROG Harpe Ace.

Glorious claims 71 hours of battery life. Real-world usage at 1000Hz polling with RGB disabled delivers approximately 55-65 hours. With RGB enabled, expect 40-50 hours. This is below average for the current wireless mouse market, where 80-100 hours is typical.

Charging is via USB-C. A full charge takes approximately 2 hours. The 2.4GHz dongle is standard size and ships with a USB-A extension cable for optimal placement near the mousepad. Unlike tri-mode competitors, the Model O Wireless does not offer wired mode during charging — when the cable is connected, the mouse charges but does not transmit data. This means you cannot use the mouse while charging, which can be inconvenient if you forget to charge overnight and need to play immediately.

Feet & Glide

The Model O Wireless ships with Glorious G-Skates — four PTFE feet approximately 0.8mm thick. The glide is smooth on cloth pads and adequate on hard pads. The G-Skates are a step above generic stock feet but below premium options like Corepad Skatez.

Aftermarket feet are widely available and recommended by the enthusiast community. Tiger Arc and Corepad replacements are the most popular upgrades. The foot cutouts use a common shape that makes replacement straightforward.

Software

Glorious CORE is the companion software. It provides DPI configuration, polling rate selection, button remapping, RGB customization, and macro creation. The software supports 1 onboard memory profile, allowing you to save a single configuration directly to the mouse.

CORE is lighter than Corsair’s iCUE but less feature-rich than Razer Synapse. The single onboard profile is a limitation if you switch between games with different settings — you will need to open CORE and reconfigure when moving between CS2 and Valorant if you use different DPI for each. The software is functional for basic configuration but lacks the polish of major brand alternatives. RGB customization is the software’s strongest feature, with multiple lighting effects and per-zone color control for the honeycomb illumination.

Pro Player Usage

The Glorious Model O Wireless does not have significant professional esports adoption. Glorious has some presence in content creation and streaming communities but lacks the sponsorship infrastructure that places mice in the hands of top-tier competitive players.

The Model O’s legacy is primarily as a catalyst for the ultralight mouse movement. When the original Model O (wired) launched, it demonstrated that a sub-70g gaming mouse could be sold at $50 — a price point that pressured Logitech, Razer, and others to develop their own lightweight options. The wireless version extended that value proposition to the wireless category.

In the enthusiast community, the Model O Wireless is frequently recommended as a “first ultralight mouse” — the entry point for players who have been using 100g+ mice and want to experience lightweight without committing $150. This positioning is where the Model O excels: as a low-risk introduction to a category rather than an endgame competitive tool.

Players who start with the Model O Wireless often upgrade to mice with better sensors, switches, and build quality — but the Model O shapes their preferences and helps them identify their grip style. In this role, it serves the community well even if it is no longer the best mouse in its category.

The Model O’s market impact should not be understated. When Glorious launched the original Model O in 2019 at $49.99, it forced an industry-wide reckoning. Logitech, Razer, and SteelSeries had been selling mice in the 90-120g range at $70-150. Glorious demonstrated that consumers wanted lighter mice at lower prices, and the competitive response produced the current generation of sub-60g wireless mice. Every ultralight mouse on the market today owes something to the price and weight pressure that Glorious initiated.

Common Complaints & Praises

Community Praises:

• Affordable wireless option for players entering the ultralight category
• FK-inspired shape is proven and comfortable for many grip styles
• Lightweight at 69g for its size
• Wide retail availability makes it easy to purchase and return
• RGB through the honeycomb shell is aesthetically appealing

Community Complaints:

• Honeycomb shell collects dust, skin cells, and debris
• 20M click switch durability is below current standards
• Click and motion latency are higher than modern competitors
• No Bluetooth limits versatility for multi-device users
• Battery life is below average for the current wireless market

Verdict & Buying Guide

Buy if: You want an affordable first wireless ultralight mouse under $80, you enjoy the FK-series flat shape, and you accept that the Model O is an entry-level competitive mouse rather than a top-tier one. It is a solid starting point for discovering your grip preferences.

Skip if: You want the best available sensors, switches, and latency. The XM2w ($79.99) offers better clicks, better build quality, and a better sensor at the same price. If budget allows, the Pulsar X2 V2 Wireless or Razer Viper V2 Pro are significant upgrades in every category.

Alternatives:

• Endgame Gear XM2w ($79.99) — Better switches, better build, no honeycomb, same price
• Razer Viper V2 Pro (~$149.99) — Premium option with much lower latency and better sensor
• Pulsar Xlite V3 Wireless (~$89.99) — Better build quality, no honeycomb, ergonomic shape

Price Assessment: At $79.99 (often discounted to $59.99), the Model O Wireless delivers fair value as a budget wireless ultralight. At full price, the Endgame Gear XM2w is a strictly better purchase for competitive players. At the discounted price, the Model O becomes a reasonable first wireless mouse for players who prioritize trying the category over having the absolute best specifications.

The Model O Wireless is best understood as a gateway product. It is not the best wireless mouse in any specific category, but it is an accessible, affordable way to experience lightweight wireless gaming for the first time. Many of today’s enthusiast mouse collectors started their journey with a Model O or Model O Wireless. The mouse shapes your preferences, teaches you which grip style you prefer, and helps you identify what matters to you in a mouse — all for under $80. That educational value persists even as the mouse’s competitive edge has dulled against newer competitors. If you are buying your first wireless ultralight mouse and want to minimize financial risk, the Model O Wireless at a discounted price is a rational starting point.