CHERRY XTRFY M64 Pro 8K review

CHERRY XTRFYM64 Pro w/ 8K receiver

The M64 Pro 8K Wireless is one of the recent additions to the XTRFY lineup, following their merger with CHERRY. It's not just an evolution of the XTRFY M4 but introduces a unique ergonomic design. The Pro version has a larger battery and higher polling rates than the regular model, with the fastest click latency of any gaming mouse according to TechPowerUp hardware testing!

Disclaimer: CHERRY XTRFY was kind enough to send out units for review, but all opinions are my own. Big thanks to them for supporting the r/MouseReview community! 

Specs

• Dimensions: 120mm x 65mm x 39.5mm (56mm grip width)
• Weight: 55g (measured at 52g on my scale)
• Sensor: Pixart 3395 (26k CPI)
• Switches: Huano Blue Shell Pink Dot mechanical switches
• Connectivity: Wired / 2.4GHz Wireless
• Polling Rate: Up to 1KHz wired, up to 8KHz wireless (no 2KHz option)
• Battery: 350 mA (normal version has 300 mA)
• Coating: Matte UV

Length comparison: Zowie EC2-CW, M64 Pro, Vaxxe AX

Ergo Shape, Size, Weight

The M64 Pro offers a refreshing take on ergonomic mice, steering away from the typical EC derivatives and the “hybrid ergos” we’ve been seeing lately. From its sharp curves to unusually low button heights, there isn’t anything quite like it. It’s great to see a company taking risks with its shapes, and I think it has paid off here. 

While it is compact, I wouldn’t exactly call it a mini. It fits a range of hand sizes due to the low button height providing a more practical surface area. The mouse might even be better for larger hands because the low buttons require longer fingers to take advantage of them. It feels good with my 18.5cm hands, but with a relaxed grip, my fingers land at a height that seems fairly typical of normal mice. 

The mouse's tilt caters to right-handed users, with more parallel button heights, and a more aggressive hump than is usually seen on ergos. Its generous thumb curve and vertical side walls secure my grip quite nicely. The low weight and matte finish enhance its maneuverability, making it feel easy to control. I've used other mini ergos before, and they either cramped my hand or didn't fit well. However, the M64 Pro feels exceptionally comfortable to me.

Side Comparison: Zowie EC2-CW, M64 Pro

In terms of size comparisons, it's similar to the EC3, Prime Mini, or Xlite v3 Mini, yet it's distinct from all of them. While it shares some traits with the M4, the M8's influence is clear. Although I wasn't a fan of the M4, I do find this mouse appealing. Here are some Eloshapes comparisons for you to mull over:

https://www.eloshapes.com/mouse/compare?p=Cherry-Xtrfy-M64-Pro-8K-Wireless-vs.-Zowie-EC2-CW-vs.-Zowie-EC3-CW-vs.-SteelSeries-Prime-Mini-Wireless-vs.-Pulsar-Xlite-V3-Mini-vs.-Xtrfy-M4-Wireless

Front comparison: Zowie EC2-CW, M64 Pro, Vaxee AX

Clicks and Scroll

Honestly, I’m glad to see CHERRY XTRFY chose Huano Blue Shell Pink Dots for the M64 and M68, instead of jumping on the optical bandwagon. While opticals do have advantages, they still don’t compare to the tactile, spammable feel of good mechanical switches. The main clicks on my unit are consistent and crisp with very minimal pre- and post-travel. If I'm being overly critical, the M2 button makes a slightly more resonant sound, though it's not particularly distracting. The button covers have a slight side-to-side movement, but they feel quite secure overall.

The side buttons also actuate quickly. They have some post-travel but are not mushy, and they bottom out firmly. The positioning and spacing of these buttons are excellent. I can easily distinguish between M4 and M5 with no thumb overlap issues. 

The encoder isn't specified, but it seems similar to a TTC Silver. It offers decent tactile feedback when scrolling, with a medium actuation force for M3. There's nothing particularly noteworthy or negative about it, it just works. 

Base comparison: Zowie EC2-CW, M64 Pro

Shell, Sensor, and the Rest

The build quality of my M64 Pro unit is very nice. It seems well-constructed from my time spent with it, and I expect no creaks or flex in the future. Its matte UV coating is good, not too slippery when dry, and enough grip when hands get sweaty. The side USB port is quite different than we’re used to, but it really doesn’t bother me at all.

I tested it mostly at 4K and 8K to try the low latency praised by TechPowerUp. I can’t say it’s something noticeable by human perception, but performance does feel great. Whatever they are doing under the hood, I’d say keep it up! The only puzzler is the lack of a 2K polling rate option. It seems like a miss since it’s such a useful middle ground for balancing performance and battery life.

Full disclosure: I experienced some DPI issues and skipping, mainly after the mouse woke from a long sleep. This happened when I used it with a generic USB cable and the firmware it came with out of the box. Resetting the mouse would resolve the issue, but updating the firmware and using XTRFY's specialized "receiver cable" seemed to eliminate the problem entirely. So make sure you update the firmware, as your unit might also come with an outdated version!

On the software side, the good news is there's no software to install. The bad news is there's no software at all. All settings are adjusted via buttons on the mouse's underside. While I appreciate the no-software approach and typically am a set-it-and-forget-it type of guy, I found myself frequently checking the manual for settings while testing. Fortunately, the polling rate and CPI are shown through LEDs on the receiver, provided you remember what each color signifies.

There's also a small design element that brought a smile to my face: the "GLHF" (Good Luck Have Fun) inscription on the mouse's bottom. It's a nostalgic touch that evokes a feel-good, positive vibe, fitting for a gaming company like XTRFY. It brings back memories of the Quake 3 era for me. Back when server-based communities exchanged respectful gestures like "GG," "N1," and "GLHF" in chat. Yes, I'm showing my age here. 😀

One final note — and I apologize for bringing this up — but as a professional designer, I must mention it. Take a close look at the CHERRY XTRFY logo on the mouse's hump. Not only is it somewhat obtrusive, but it's also off-center relative to the main buttons' centerline! Why, CHERRY, why!? Please, just try to ignore that I mentioned it. Ha ha.

What comes in the box

Summary

If you're in the market for a premium ergonomic gaming mouse and are weary of the usual EC clones, this is definitely worth your attention. It offers a unique design, excellent build quality, lightweight construction, crisp clicks, and the best click latency among gaming mice. The $40 premium for the Pro version might give you pause, but at $139, it's priced competitively with other top-tier models. You might consider the $99 version if the 8K polling rate isn't crucial for you. 

Pros

• Unique ergonomic shape
• Fits various hand sizes effectively
• High-quality build and clicks
• Lightweight at 52g
• 8K wireless and best click latency in its class
• Nice coating
• GLHF 😀

Cons

• Pro version's upcharge
• Only black and white color options on the pro version
• That logo. :E

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Thanks for reading the review and getting this far down the page! I’ll be happy to answer any further questions you may have, so ask away! Do note that I’ll be posting an M68 Pro review here in the next day or so, maybe save M68 questions for that one instead. I'm also on X (@TheBadKeming).