We have been playing with an interesting mouse from a company called JLab that takes on some of the most popular models out there while mostly keeping things competitive price-wise. It isn’t exactly the most affordable model out there itself, but it is when you compare it to the obvious models it is competing directly against (we’ll see how long it takes you to figure out which models they). What we speak of, is the Jlab Epic Wireless Mouse.
This general right-handed mouse comes with plenty of buttons, customizations, and DPI control. While maintaining a ergonomic design that most will find familiar and comfortable. And although it nearly looks identical to a certain few models out there (as mentioned), it does come with a few unique features of its own, including an OLED screen that displays various information.
It’s an all-black design with a single scroll-wheel on top (no side-to-side scroll option), and nine (9) total buttons throughout (pretty much all of which can be customized using JLab’s optional software that works on both Windows and Mac computers).
Of the available buttons, there are six on top, including the main left/right buttons.There are two above them that are customizable and the scroll wheel acts as a middle button that can serve your bidding as you desire. There is also a small little button at the center of it all that switches between DPI modes with single clicks.
The available DPI modes include (sensitivity) 1200, 1600, 2000, and 2400.
The left side of the mouse (where your thumb rests) contains three buttons. The two main ones are that you typically configure for back/next functions for browsing websites and other programs, but you can also change this as you wish. Then there is a round button baring the JLab logo that can be customized for anything as well.
The positioning of these buttons feel natural to the position of your hand. The only buttons that take a little getting used to are the ones above the left/right click buttons. Although it doesn’t take long to get used to them being there. You don’t click anything by accident and nothing feels in the way or out of place.
The mouse features a built-in lithium-ion batter that is charged over USB-C when needed. The company says that it should provide 4+ months of battery life depending on your use of the mouse. Obviously, this means it will take us a little while to confirm this. If we find anything different from this claim, we’ll make sure to come back with an update. In the meantime, it seems to be holding up quite well.
That being said, 4+ months is a great number and we hope to see this as being true. The company lists in certain other places “up to 6 months”, which would be even better. Something that “certain” other models from a “certain” competitor doesn’t offer when it comes to this specific mouse design.
On the bottom of the mouse, you can find a simple on/off toggle, as well as a connect button. This button is what controls its connection to up to three devices.
It supports 2.4 GHz using the included USB receiver, as well as Bluetooth for up to two devices. So if you want to use it with your tablet, as well as your laptop, you can (in addition to whatever you have the USB receiver plugged into). Single presses of the connect button will toggle you between 2.4 GHz, BT 1, and BT 2. When it comes to the initial pairing, you press and hold the connect button to pair it with your Bluetooth devices.
The USB receiver module is neatly hidden at the bottom of the mouse where it looks like there is a small battery door. This door reveals the hiding place for the USB module when it isn’t in use (so you don’t lose it).
The inside actually has space for two of these modules, although we didn’t know why since you only need one and we couldn’t figure out why you’d need a second one. Even if you had multiple computers, all you have to do is transfer the USB module to each one as needed.
The instructions it comes with are very simple and straight to the point, while covering pretty much all the bases. It walks you through everything you need to know and then the software takes it from there (for customizing buttons/features).
Downloading the software does seem to be optional as the plug-n-play support is there for the typical features. But you will likely opt to install the software since you’ll want it for customizing everything and you likely wouldn’t be buying into a mouse like this unless you planned to customize these features.
As for that OLED screen, it is located on the left side by your thumb as well. Easy access since the mouse will be to your right. All you have to do is click any of the buttons to wake it up (if it isn’t currently lit up) and you can see which mode it is in, its connectivity status within that mode (the above image shows it is connecting 2.4 GHz to it’s USB module because we had just turned it on), ots DPI settings, and current battery life.
All of this information is helpful and including everything you’d need. Having a visual on the battery life is also pretty helpful as “certain” other models out there simply have an LED light that is either green or something else that shows it is dying or dead.
You have the option of turning this OLED screen off if you feel like gaining a little more battery life from the mouse. You do this by holding down the DPI button on top and the “Button 3” (the round JLab logo) at the same time. Something we couldn’t simply do by accident, so you won’t be disabling/enabling the screen by mistake.
Obviously, the models we keep hinting to (that it most directly competes against) include the Logitech MX Master 2S and Master 3S.
The similarities between these models are clearly available all throughout the design of the JLab Epic. They are almost identical in weight as well, while the JLab Epic claims to have a better battery life (time will tell) and a better price.
Of course, how good the price difference is depends on the sale price any given day. The Logitech MX Master 2S can sometimes fall as low as $40-$50 when it goes on sale (typically events like Black Friday). At these times, if this mouse doesn’t also have its own sale, it would weigh in as more expensive.
Our Conclusion
The mouse proves to be a pretty solid competitor against brands like Logitech, offering an almost identical design and function. Only it has more buttons, more customizations, and supposedly better battery life (which is a huge bonus in our opinion).
We have always loved the design of the MX Master series and thus we love the design of the JLab Epic mouse as well. It falls in at a decent price as it doesn’t seem to be cutting any corners. We do like the feel of the Logitech models a little more, but everything else on the JLab Epic outshines the Logitech.
This means we will likely see some big changes/improvements coming from these “certain” competitors as they look to protect their position in the market. As this model definitely shakes things up a little.
| Available via the following retailers: | | | | | |
| Our Rating | Average Price* $59.99 |
*Average price is based on the time this article was published
Downloads:
JLab Work App (Win/Mac) – Click Here
Additional Images:
Specifications:
- Connect via Bluetooth or USB wireless dongle
- Switch between up to three devices (1x USB, 2x Bluetooth)
- Ergonomic/Full Size
- Battery Life: 4+ months (USB-C rechargeable, 800 mAh)
- Silent clicks with 9 buttons + screen display (RH compatible)
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac OS ,and Chrome OS
- JLab Work app allows for saved profiles and button customization
Are you a manufacturer or distributor that would like us to test something out for review? Contact us and we can let you know where to send the product and we will try it out.
