Many gaming mice strive to deliver ergonomics that primarily assist during fast-paced play, but very few offer preventative solutions for common ailments like carpal tunnel syndrome. California-based startup QuadraClicks wants to change that with its RBT mouse (which stands for both "Rabbit" and "Right ‘Bove Touch," for some reason). A unique gaming peripheral, the $152.99 RBT uses the joint at the base of your finger (rather than your fingertips) to control your left and right clickers, in the hopes of relieving tension and stress that slowly but surely build during regular mouse use.
With a unique shape and a steep learning curve, the RBT is intimidating at first, but it’s a breeze to use once you’ve settled in, and the stress relief is palpable. It’s a must-try for those with achy palms, even though it may be too much of a change to replace conventional premium gaming mice like the Razer DeathAdder Pro V3.
Clicking to Heal
Despite technically being a gaming mouse, the RBT is built unlike any other we’ve seen thus far. A glossy black plate sits atop a matte black chassis, with its two main clickers slightly elevated, almost as if a binder clip was lodged into the mouse. A scroll wheel rests at the top center of the clickers, while the DPI (dots per inch) button sits just below it. To the left, you’ll find two additional buttons, slightly curved to match the mouse’s bend, with an indent for your thumb (if you’re right-handed, of course). The RBT logo on the palm rest adds an RGB highlight that looks good against the mouse’s reflective bits.
Even though the mouse can technically be used by lefties, they wouldn’t be able to use the side buttons easily. Additionally, the thumb indent is not present on the left side of the mouse, which isn’t ideal but perhaps not as much of a problem as the inaccessible buttons.
At 2 by 5 by 9 inches (HWD), it’s a little taller than recent favorites like the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2, but that’s intentional, as the mouse is meant to keep your fingers elevated rather than curved downward. It’s much heavier than your typical gaming mouse, too, clocking in at a relatively hefty 3.7 ounces. Compared with something like the Razer Viper V2 Pro, it’s enormous—but in use, the weight is not too problematic.
QuadraClicks says the RBT is designed to prevent common hand-related injuries like repetitive strain injury (RSI). As the name implies, RSI is caused by repeated use of a body part, such as your shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand. Typically RSI isn’t permanent, but in some cases could lead to more serious issues like arthritis. The RBT attempts to avoid this by using not your fingertips, but the base of your fingers to click. The adjustment admittedly takes some getting used to, which QuadraClicks is aware of, going so far as to provide user onboarding instructions.
All of this proves helpful, especially for those who suffer from hand-related afflictions and would rather not depend on a vertical mouse like the Logitech MX Vertical. Are QuadraClicks' claims of prevention viable, though? There are a few endorsements from medical professionals quoted on QuadraClicks' website, and the purchase of the mouse can be reimbursed by some health insurance plans with a letter of medical necessity. As with all ergonomic peripherals we review, we're not evaluating the RBT's effectiveness at reducing RSI or other ailments, but rather how well it functions as a mouse.
As for me, after getting through some awkward adjustments, I settled into the mouse quite nicely, only requiring a feather touch to operate. In everyday computing, that’s fine, but when gaming, things can become a little more cumbersome, as I had trouble keeping my keystrokes steady. That's likely attributable to muscle memory that a few days or even a few weeks of RBT use just can’t unwrite. For those dealing with RSI-related injuries, however, the benefits of the RBT over the typical ergonomic gaming mouse could be worth the adjustment process.
A Gamer at Heart
Most ergonomic mice that claim to offer health benefits are designed with productivity in mind. And while many gaming mice have ergonomics that are helpful when gaming, they don’t have any real health benefits outside of comfort. The RBT hopes to fill that gap by including a few features that should excite the gaming faithful while still remaining true to its ergonomic mission.
One such feature is the Pixart PWM 3336 sensor, which allows the mouse to reach up to 10,700dpi, a strange maximum but one that’s more than viable for intense gaming. (The Logitech MX Master 3S, one of the better productivity mice we’ve reviewed recently, caps out at just 8,000dpi.) Huano switches provide satisfying clicks (up to 30 million clicks before they wear out, to be exact), and the polling rate caps at 1,000Hz. Polling rate refers to how often your mouse reports its position to the computer. The higher the number, the shorter the delay. All told, those are standard specs for any self-respecting gaming mouse.
The mouse does have a few customization options, along with its own software, downloadable on QuadraClicks’ website. Though it requires you to unzip a compressed folder, the installation is fairly painless overall and gives you access to RGB light settings, six DPI presets, axis sensitivity, button reassignment, and a macro manager across six profiles. The software is fairly easy to use, but the downside is that it’s Windows-only.
Verdict: A Pricey Palm Pleaser
Overall, we enjoyed our time testing the QuadraClicks RBT mouse. Its innovative design, high-quality build, and overall ergonomic mission left a good impression despite its high price. It’s definitely a worthy pick for those interested in its RSI-preventative features, and though the learning curve may be higher than expected, it could be a game-changer for those who need it.
At $150, though, the RBT may be inaccessible to many of those people. If you're just looking for a comfortable mouse, you will easily find less-expensive options elsewhere, even if they don't promise to mend your hands like the RBT potentially could. For cheaper ergonomic alternatives, consider the Logitech Lift or the Logitech MX Vertical. Meanwhile, if you’re in need of greater accessibility options, you might be better served by the Microsoft Adaptive Mouse.
