RAWM ES21 PRO/M Review: The Rising Maya Clones
In the ever-evolving world of gaming peripherals, 2024 marked a significant moment with the introduction of Lamzu’s Maya shape, which quickly captured the attention of gamers worldwide for its innovative design and performance. As one of the most intriguing mouse shapes to emerge in recent years, it has set a new benchmark, much like Logitech’s iconic “Potato” shape did back in 2020. Now, other companies are taking notes, and among them, a budding Chinese peripheral company, RAWM, steps into the spotlight with the ES21PRO/M. Will these newcomers carve out their own niche or even challenge the Maya’s popularity? Let’s dive into what RAWM brings to the table with these intriguing alternatives.
Disclaimer: these units were sent out to me by Mechkeys, however, the review was not influenced in any way
Specs and Differences
We’re reviewing today two versions that slightly differ, so let’s take a look at the differences first.
Bottom line? The only difference is the mechanical Huano Transparent Green switches over Omron optical ones. And that’s it. Also, my white copy of ES21M is slightly heavier (50 gr) over the black ES21PRO (45 gr with custom dot skates)
Testing Conditions
Hand size: 21 x 12 cm
Grip: hybrid relaxed claw/finger tip
Testing duration: two weeks
Humidity: 55–65%
Mouse pads used: Artisan Hien Soft/Xsoft, Artisan Hayate Otsu MID, Waizowl Falcon, OwePowe.
Games played: Enlisted, QuakeWorld, Battlefield 1, Battlefield V, Doom Eternal.
Unboxing
In the boxes you will find:
- RAWM ES21PRO or M
- grip tapes
- USB-A to USB-C braided cable
- manual
- 8k dongle
Bottom line? The box contents are pretty minimalistic.
Balance and Weight
I’ll start with a point of criticism: even though both mice share almost the same specs (only the switches being the difference) and the same battery (300 mAh) there is some difference in weight on my scale. Just take a look:
Even though I have replaced the stock skates on the ES21PRO with some dots, the difference is puzzling (white paint can add maybe 1 gr on top of that).
But after weathering the storm, it’s smooth sailing now - the weight and weight distribution of the RAWM ES21PRO and ES21M gaming mice are notable highlights of their design. The distribution of weight in these mice is described as very well done, contributing to their excellent balance. This balance ensures that there’s no drag or unnecessary resistance when executing quick movements or tracking, allowing for smoother, more precise control. Considering the size of these mice; they are not among the smallest on the market, yet they manage to maintain a low weight which doesn’t impede quick movements or flicks during gameplay.
Bottom line? Great weight for such mice and proper balance.
Build Quality and Coating
The build quality of both the RAWM ES21PRO and ES21M mice is commendable, offering solid shells constructed from high-quality plastic materials. This choice of material contributes to the mice’s impressively low weight, both coming in under 50 grams. However, the construction does come with some nuances. The plastic used is quite thin, which is likely a compromise made to achieve such a lightweight design. This might not be immediately apparent to the user during normal gaming activities, where the mouse is handled with typical gaming motions rather than being squeezed.
Regarding specifics:
- ES21PRO: While generally well-built, there’s a noticeable creak when the mouse is squeezed very hard. This isn’t a concern under regular use, as gamers are unlikely to apply such pressure during gameplay.
- ES21M: Particularly, the white version seems to have a slight edge in build quality, lacking the creakiness observed in the ES21PRO. This suggests a minor variation in manufacturing or perhaps material quality control.
Overall, neither mouse achieves what might be considered “absolute top build quality,” but there are no significant flaws that would detract from their functionality or longevity under normal conditions. The build quality is good enough for the price point and performance they offer, with the minor creak on the ES21PRO being the only notable critique when subjected to extreme pressure.
The coating on the RAWM ES21PRO and ES21M mice, referred to as “skin coating,” has seen notable enhancements since earlier models like the RAWM SH01 PRO. This coating is designed to provide a comfortable grip that improves over time as your hand warms up, enhancing the tactile experience during use.
However, there are distinctions between the white and black variants:
- White Coating: The white version of the coating appears to be more resistant to collecting dirt or showing wear. It maintains a cleaner look over time, which is a plus for those concerned about aesthetics or hygiene.
- Black Coating: In contrast, the black coating tends to attract more dirt and is more prone to showing fingerprints. This can make the mouse look less clean over time unless regularly maintained, which might be a consideration for users who prefer minimal upkeep or are particular about the appearance of their gear. Also, it developed a slight shine in the main button grooves.
Bottom line? Both stick well to your hand, with the black one being dirtier over time and developing a slight shine where you place your fingers.
Clicks and Buttons
The RAWM ES-21PRO and ES-21M are notable for their distinct switch types, which cater to different preferences in gaming peripherals. The ES-21PRO model is equipped with Omron optical switches, known for their slightly lower latency and a metallic sound profile that’s not as pronounced as that of the G Pro Superlight. On the other hand, the ES-21M utilizes Huano Transparent Green White switches, offering a different tactile feel but maintaining the crisp, responsive action.
Both models execute their switches impeccably, allowing for quick, spam-friendly inputs that are essential in gaming scenarios. The wheel encoder on both versions is equally commendable for its responsiveness but Mouse3 button on ES21PRO is noticeably louder than my ES21M version. However, one common drawback with both models is the side buttons, which exhibit some pre-travel, a frequent issue with many gaming mice. In contrast, the main click buttons on both the PRO and M versions boast minimal pre- and post-travel, enhancing the overall click feel and precision.
Tip: RAWM hinted to me that they’ll swap Omron opticals with the same switches Razer uses in their mice. Good work RAWM!
Bottom line? Optical switches are slightly faster, with more metallic feel. Good main clicks implementation.
Shape, Size and Grip
The RAWM ES series mouse design takes clear inspiration from the Lamzu Maya, adapting the successful form factor with minor modifications. Specifically, the ES series mouse is slightly smaller, reducing the front by 2 mm and lowering the back by 1 mm. This adjustment maintains the core ergonomic features of the Maya, including the distinctive middle hump and the hourglass-like side curves when viewed from above, which contribute to a strong grip around the mouse’s sides.
Before the Lamzu Maya, the Rapoo VT1 Max offered a similar shape but didn’t gain much attention. In terms of ergonomics, the ES series provides a bit more vertical dexterity than the Maya, which can feel somewhat more locked in, at least for some hand types. The design accommodates various grip styles but seems particularly well-suited for claw and relaxed claw grips. Given its dimensions, the ES series is more appropriate for users with medium to large hands; gamers with smaller hands might find other options more suitable for comfort and control.
Bottom line? Slightly smaller Maya X, perfect for medium/large hands claw-grippers.
Skates
The RAWM ES series skates are known for their good quality and medium thickness, offering a glide that tends towards the faster side. They excel particularly on cloth and hybrid surfaces, providing smooth and controlled movement. However, there’s noted degradation in performance when used on glass surfaces, where the glide might not be as optimal due to the material’s interaction with the glass’s smoothness and friction properties.
In an attempt to potentially enhance performance or address the degradation on glass, I decided to replace these skates with UnUusual Way Sports Magic Ice dots. These dots are designed with a focus on precision and speed, featuring a wider, flatter shape with a slightly concave base and convex top. However, I didn't notice much of a difference except for control which was better with the stock, large skates.
Bottom line? Good, pretty fast skates with some decent control.
Sensor Performance and Battery Life
Here’s another mouse of mine with the 3950 sensor, and my impressions are still amazing. It’s clearly better than the 3395, not just on paper but in how it performs and how much it can be tweaked through software. RAWM’s execution here is just rock solid, honestly, it’s perfect. No spinouts, no sensor skips, no odd behavior. The tracking is just phenomenal, it feels sharp.
The 4k polling rate is super stable (I dropped 8k because mouse batteries suck), and I wouldn’t go any lower because it feels so seamless. People who claim there’s no difference between 1k, 2k, 4k, or 8k polling rates don’t get it; there really is a difference.
And now… A fly in the ointment — battery life. I don’t know the reasons why RAWM had decided to implement a 300 mAh battery in the Pro version of their mouse while they used a 600 mAh battery in the regular one. That leads to maximum 3 days of gaming at 4k (playing maximum 4–5 hours a day). With other polling rates you can do the math as it applies there. I know I use the maxed out settings for the sensor performance but still… With competitors like Mchose, Rapoo or even the overhyped GPX from Logitech doing much better work here, RAWM made a questionable design decision here because inserting the 600mAh battery here would double the battery life and raise the weight only by a few grams. Good thing is that the mouse supports fast charging. Anyway, let’s move on.
Bottom line? Good sensor implementation and average battery life.
Software
The RAWM driver is really complex and has a lot of interesting options to customize your mouse. Let’s go through some aspects of it.
You can set your polling rate at a value you wish — not only at default values but also at 4567 for example. That’s what they call X-Polling. At the bottom you can see the option to set different DPI/Polling profiles for different PC scenarios (desktop, games etc.) Setting X and Y axis are already standard but good it’s there.
Button remapping, profiles switching, different colors for profiles — all there. Mouse click debounce time, sensor angle (I haven’t found any use of it so far), sensor sleep time, LOD, mouse performance modes (I suggest Gaming for the best performance), Glass mode (I haven’t found any difference while playing on glass surfaces though, but good to have it), Angle Snapping, Motion Sync, Ripple Control (I don’t use any of it because it adds latency) and at the very bottom, Wireless Turbo Mode — after calibration, the driver chooses the best mode for you. And it works great!! Even though it consumes battery much more than usual, I always use it.
And look at that — RAWM firmware update enabled us to use the Gaming Firmware. All those options and the fact that they are working really well make me really impressed by the software. It could only load a bit faster, that’s my only nitpick. And have I mentioned that during 2 weeks I received one firmware update and two driver updates? That’s commitment to work and I love it.
Also, did you know that RAWM has also developed their own web-based software? It can be found here.
It basically has all the feature that the driver has, yet it doesn’t eat ep your resources and can be accessed from anywhere. It has to be graphically polished though.
Bottom line? Great and complex software, web-based hub needs some polishing.
Summary
My experience with the ES21M/PRO series from RAWM has been highly positive. Both models provided a comfortable and stable grip, which is particularly beneficial for gamers with medium to large hand sizes. The design features side curves that enhance grip stability, and the width and height of the mice ensure a snug fit against the palm, minimizing movement during gameplay. The lightweight construction of these mice makes them agile without sacrificing control.
I particularly like the software — it is notably advanced and user-friendly, allowing for precise customization of settings to match your gaming needs. Both the clicks and the sensor performance on the 4K polling are commendable, offering minimal latency which is crucial for competitive gaming. The optical switches on the PRO version particularly stand out, contributing to a more responsive feel.
Based on my experience, the ES21M/PRO series not only meets but exceeds expectations for gaming peripherals. The PRO version, with its optical switches, seems to be my preferred choice, suggesting a slight edge in responsiveness and longevity. RAWM’s commitment to quality and innovation is evident, as they continue to refine their products, with hints of future enhancements like adopting Razer’s optical switch technology. These mice are likely to remain in my gaming setup due to their performance, comfort, and the promising trajectory of RAWM’s product development. If you’re looking for a reliable, high-performance gaming mouse, these models from RAWM would not disappoint.
Bullet Points
- slightly smaller Maya X shape
- good build quality
- lightweight for its size, there is a small difference between the black and white version though
- very potent software, also web-based
- mouse for medium/large hands
- 300 mAh battery drains fast at 4k/8k
- good stock skates, pretty fast
- the black version is a smudge and fingertip magnet
- skin-like coating warms up after a while and sticks well to your hand
Get your ES21M/PRO here and use code
Disclaimer: his review is not a paid endorsement. I want to ensure transparency and let you know that I am not receiving any compensation, monetary or otherwise, for evaluating or discussing this tech product.
