MSI Clutch GM31 Wireless Review
A gaming mouse built for small hands
Verdict
For a mid-range wireless mouse, the MSI Clutch GM31 Wireless is a decent choice that comes with a comfortable chassis for those with smaller hands, as well as decent sensitivity and some perfectly usable software. The battery life isn’t as good as some of the very best options in this price range though, and one RGB lighting zone may be a little limiting for some.
Pros
- Comfortable frame for smaller hands
- Decent sensitivity
- RGB lighting is solid
Cons
- Battery life is less than competitors
- Basic software
Availability
- EuropeRRP: €70
Key Features
- 12,000 DPI sensor:The Clutch GM31 Wireless features a 12,000 DPI sensor to offer some decently snappy tracking
- 110 hours battery life:There’s up to 110 hours of battery life, giving you weeks of playtime.
- MSI Center software:The Clutch GM31 Wireless comes with additional software in the form of MSI Center.
Introduction
Everyone seems to be smitten by absurdly lightweight gaming mice at the moment, and the latest addition to the ever-growing assortment is this new option from MSI, the Clutch GM31 Wireless.
On paper, it’s got all the makings of a solid mid-range wireless choice – sleek design, good sensitivity and battery life, and a smattering of RGB lighting for good measure. With an MSRP of €70, it’s also pretty well priced, which means MSI could be onto a winner.
Design
- Sleek, DeathAdder-inspired shape
- Slightly narrow chassis means it’s best in smaller hands
- Six buttons feels responsive
The MSI Clutch GM31 Wireless borrows some of its sleek curves and shaping from Razer’s classic DeathAdder, and there are some similarities between the two. It means the Clutch GM31 makes for an especially comfortable mouse, complete with textured rubber side grips. The scroll wheel is also rubberised, which is a nice touch, and not something you see very often on mice.
With that being said, compared to the DeathAdder’s squat and wider chassis, this MSI option feels a little narrow in my hands, so may be best suited to those with smaller hands. MSI says this is a smaller mouse than others in their range to allow for effortless movement, although for palm grippers like me, it’s more of a hindrance as opposed to being helpful.
This is a sturdily put-together mouse too, and the plastics used don’t feel cheap or scratchy. Its 73g weight is a result of clever engineering and design, not due to low-cost materials. But this isn’t the lightest of mice I’ve tested, and there are options with more of a honeycomb-style open housing that undercut it if you are looking for truly ultralight options, like the Asus TUF Gaming M4 Air, for instance.
The MSI Clutch GM31 Wireless comes with a total of six buttons, including the usual assortment of mouse buttons; forwards and backwards, and a profile switch on the bottom. All of them feel responsive and tactile, and employ mechanical switches to do so, which arguably offer a more solid feeling than the optical switches that are being rolled out on more premium offerings.
On the underside, the MSI Clutch GM31 Wireless features an assortment of PTFE glide pads so it offers some smooth tracking across your desk, as well as the on-off switch and two gold contact pads for attaching the mouse to the included charging dock. Adding one in the box is an especially nice feature, given other manufacturers such as Razer will charge a premium for one. Unfortunately, it’s in this dock where the USB dongle is stored, and you can’t store it in the mouse anywhere, which may be a bit of an oversight on MSI’s part.
Performance
- 12,000 DPI sensor offers solid tracking
- Wireless connectivity is simple and effective
- Battery life is good, but not as good as the competition
Inside, the MSI Clutch GM31 Wireless packs in a 12,000 DPI PixArt PAW-3311 sensor, which puts it firmly in the mid-range of gaming mice available at the moment. While others will provide you with much greater sensitivity figures, 12,000 DPI is an ideal middle ground between casual and more professional gamers alike.
Intriguingly, the 12,000 DPI sensitivity figure is only accessible within MSI’s companion software, and you get a max out-of-the-box sensitivity of 6400 DPI, which means this is more akin to casual gaming – before you get into the software, at least.
In testing, it made the MSI Clutch GM31 Wireless feel especially responsive in a slew of different games, including my usual trusty proving grounds of the CS:GO training course. The 2.4GHz wireless dongle ensured a responsive connection too, although the lack of any Bluetooth connectivity is a bit of an oversight if you wanted to use this mouse with more than one device at a time.
A quoted 110 hours of battery life for the GM31 Wireless is also solid for the price, and means you’ll be able to get nearly three working weeks’ worth of gaming time before you need to charge it up. For charging, you can either charge it while in use with the USB-C port on the mouse, or charge it using the bundled dock.
Software and lighting
- Single lighting zone RGB is pretty good
- Software is nice and easy to use
As for software and lighting, the combo on offer here is pretty good. MSI has opted for a singular lighting zone in the form of their illuminated dragon logo. Colours are nicely vibrant, although the pattern and coverage is a little intermittent, compared to other mice I’ve used.
The bundled software for the MSI Clutch GM31 Wireless, MSI Center, allows you to configure that lighting with a set of presets, as well as allowing you to choose custom colours and the speed at which it changes colour. It’s also in there where you can change profiles and configure macros for extra functions – standard stuff, really.
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Should you buy it?
You want a comfortable, lightweight mouse: Where the Clutch GM31 Wireless really shines is on its comfortable frame, complete with rubberised sides for extra grip.
You want the best battery life: While the GM31 Wireless is no slouch for battery life, some of the very best mid-rangers offer significantly more by way of their runtime.
Final Thoughts
The world of lightweight wireless mice is one that has been growing recently, and MSI’s entry into it with the Clutch GM31 Wireless is certainly a formidable one. It hits the spot for a mid-range entry here, especially with a comfortable frame, decent sensor and good RGB lighting and software control.
However, with that 110 hour battery life, it falls behind some of the competition, such as Razer’s excellent DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed, one of our top recommendations for gaming mice. So while you’ll be getting a great all round package, it just won’t last as long.
How we test
We use every mouse we test for at least a week. During that time, we’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by playing a variety of different genres, including FPS, strategy and MOBAs.
We also check each mouse’s software to see how easy it is to customise and set up.
Used as a main mouse for over a week
Tested performance on a variety of games
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FAQs
This isn’t the most sensitive gaming mouse on the market, so you can find better options for competitive play elsewhere. The MSI Clutch GM31 Wireless is a better option for casual gaming and single-player experiences.
Full specs
Jargon buster
DPI
DPI stands for "Dots Per Inch" and measures the sensitivity of a mouse. A higher DPI figure will see the mouse cursor travel a greater distance from the same wrist movement, making it very useful for competitive gaming.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
