MSI VERSA Pro & STRIKE PRO Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Review

MSI has significantly long been a pillar of the enthusiast PC gaming market, with their relentless focus on providing the best gaming hardware money can buy. Just take a look at their new OLED gaming monitor we reviewed for example; it's pretty awesome. However, competitive gaming markets need more than just monitors, and with the simultaneous release of the STRIKE PRO Wireless mechanical keyboard and the VERSA PRO Wireless gaming mouse. Both of these new peripherals are engineered to deliver uncompromising performance, total freedom from wires, targeting users who require speed and reliability across gaming sessions, while also meeting the demands of your daily work flow. While you don't have to purchase them together, we wanted to see if their latest keyboard and their latest mouse made a great pairing. With premium quality components, and low-latency wireless input, I can't wait to put them to the test. Key Features The primary appeal of the STRIKE PRO and VERSA PRO lies in their dedicated commitment to high-end component choices and adaptable functionality. The STRIKE PRO Wireless keyboard stands out for its silent operation, utilising the gorgeous Kailh Midnight Pro Silent Tactile switches and a multi-layered sound-dampening structure to keep keystroke noise below 35 dB (MSI's measurement), a critical feature for focused work or streamers, so you can hear your voice, rather than just the clicky clack of noisy keys. With a fully hot-swappable design, you can effortlessly replace any of the 5-pin switches, without the need for a soldering iron. While I know that few people actually use this feature, if a switch does fail, or you want to put some more tactile switches on certain keys, it does offer you that flexibility and plenty of customisation for the typing feel should you need it. Complementing this is the VERSA PRO Wireless mouse, which promises pixel-perfect accuracy thank to its excellent PixArt PAW-3395 optical sensor, which offers up to 26,000 DPI, and features the durable OMRON optical switches, which are rated for 70 million clicks. Both devices feature MSI's tri-mode connectivity, delivering 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired USB, ensuring compatibility and low-latency performance in any setup, all while boasting impressive battery longevity. Just check out the features list below, and you'll see both the keyboard and mouse are ticking all of the right boxes. MSI STRIKE PRO Wireless Key Features Silent Sensation: Utilises Kailh Midnight Pro Silent Tactile switches for a quiet typing experience (under 35 dB) with a smooth, tactile feel. Hot-Swappable Design: Allows for effortless, solder-free replacement of 5-pin mechanical switches, enabling full keyboard customisation. Masterfully Muted: Features a multi-layered chassis with sound-dampening foam gaskets to reduce internal pings and echoes. Resilient Keycaps: Equipped with durable, dye-sublimated PBT keycaps that resist shine and wear for a long-lasting, premium feel. Dedicated Controls: Includes a smart dual-touch scroll wheel for quick adjustment of volume and screen brightness, along with dedicated media keys. Ergonomic Support: Comes with a comfortable, detachable magnetic memory foam wrist rest to reduce strain during extended sessions. Check out the official product page here. MSI VERSA PRO Wireless Key Features Ultimate Precision: Features the high-end PixArt PAW-3395 optical sensor, supporting up to 26,000 DPI for pinpoint accuracy. Crisp Optical Switches: Employs OMRON optical switches with a 70 million click lifespan, ensuring ultra-fast response times and eliminating double-click issues. Programmable Buttons: Offers 13 fully customisable buttons, including a dedicated Sniper Button for on-the-fly DPI reduction in FPS titles. Dual-Mode Scroll Wheel: A 4-way scroll wheel with a mode-switch button to toggle between tactile (notched) and free-spin scrolling for flexible control. Snap Charging: Features MSI's exclusive fast-charging technology, allowing the mouse to fully recharge in just 90 minutes for up to 80 hours of use. Ergonomic Grip: Designed with an ergonomic right-handed shape, thumb rest, and anti-slip MSI Diamond Lightgrips for secure handling. Check out the official product page here. The STRIKE PRO Wireless is equipped with a powerful 4200 mAh battery, allowing for a truly extraordinary 1500 hour maximum battery life in Bluetooth mode without lighting. Its full-size (104/105 keys) layout maintains competitive edge thanks to Hybrid 6+ N Key Rollover and full anti-ghosting, ensuring every input is registered accurately. The VERSA PRO Wireless is equally impressive, with its 97g, admittedly a little on the heavy side for a modern gaming mouse, but I do prefer a mouse with some heft, and a 450 mAh battery and the 26,000 DPI sensor, and 1000 Hz rate. Furthermore, while wireless, it comes with their premium FriXionFree USB cable too, should you need it. MSI STRIKE PRO Wireless Technical Specifications Form Factor: Full-Size (104 / 105 keys) Switch Type: Kailh Midnight Pro Silent Tactile (Hot-Swappable 5-Pin) Key Rollover: Hybrid 6+ N Key Rollover / Full Anti-Ghosting Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wireless / Bluetooth / USB 2.0 Battery Capacity: 4200 mAh Lithium-Ion Max Battery Life: Up to 1500 hours (Bluetooth, Lighting Off) Actuation Force: 45 gf Lighting: Per-Key RGB (MSI Mystic Light) Dimensions: 443 x 150 x 41 mm Weight: 1200 g MSI VERSA PRO Wireless Technical Specifications Sensor: PixArt PAW-3395 Optical Sensor Max DPI: 26,000 DPI (Adjustable) Report Rate: 1000 Hz / 1 ms Switch Type: OMRON Optical Micro Switch Button Durability: 70 Million Clicks Total Buttons: 15 (13 programmable) Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / USB 2.0 Battery Capacity: 450 mAh Lithium-Ion Max Battery Life: Up to 80 Hours Charging Time: 90 minutes (Snap Charging) Weight: 97 g Cable: 2 m FriXionFree Cable (USB-C to A) Packaging Both the new keyboard and mouse come packaged in durable white boxes, with bright and clear product shots on the front and back, showcasing the overall design, but also the ARGB lighting, connectors, charging dock, wrist rest, and detailed specifications. I love when brands showcase everything on the box, it shows they have nothing to hide. Plus, they're well protected, with layers of padding and protective plastic, ensuring your peripherals are in tip-top condition when you receive them. A Closer Look - STRIKE PRO WIRELESS the MSI STRIKE PRO WIRELESS is unmistakably an MSI keyboard, with design elements we've seen across their peripherals range in recent years, so it should pair up well with other products in their gaming range; such as the mouse I have to hand today. It's a full-size keyboard, so there's no compromise on button configurations here, but of course, if you prefer a TKL or smaller design, you may want to look elsewhere in their product catalogue. It comes packed with handy features too, such as this seriously cool media control block. There are dedicated buttons for mute, skip, play/pause, and next. furthermore, there's a massive scroll wheel allowing for smooth control of volume levels. I listen to a lot of music while I work and game, so having this in such an easy to use configuration is certainly welcome. There's a strong focus here on not having to rely on their desktop software, as seemingly everything can be controlled directly from the keyboard. There's a mixture of dedicated keys, such as the wireless, Bluetooth and lighting controls along the top, as well as Fn+Shift functions throughout many of the other keys. For example, these navigation keys also feature a range of options o control the ARGB lighting, with functions to toggle speed, transitions, effect direction and profiles of the built-in lighting. There's also colour and brightness controls built into the arrow keys, so there's not really much you can control to get the lighting just right with just a few key strokes. There's also a full-size numberpad, which may not be useful for a lot of gaming, but given how much spreadsheet work I do in a day, this is absolutely essential to my daily workflow. Up on the top bezel of the keyboard, there's a small built-in display, allowing you to see things like profiles and other hot-key settings at a glance. As if there weren't enough settings already, there are three dedicated profile buttons on the top row too. These are fantastic additions, allowing you to fully configure every key action, macro, shortcut, per key lighting, and more, and set it to a unique profile. Need a profile for gaming where all but the WASD and shift are disabled? How about one for Photoshop where certain keys are colour coded to commands? Well, you can do it all with these! The keyboard its self is pretty standard in terms of layout, fill a set of durable key caps, and those lovely silent Kailh switches, allowing for silky smooth typing, but also a light and fast actuation to maintain your gaming edge while playing competitively. The Kailh Midnight Pro Silent Tactile switches feature an operation force of 45gf and a 55gf tactile bump. MSI say they're got an "integrated muffler pad" which effectively removes the need for O-ring mods, and keeps their noise levels below 35dB. Each key has a 1.9mm pre-travel and 3.7mm total travel, so they feel broadly the same as other high-end switches such as those from Gateron and Cherry, but are also rated for 70 million keystrokes, so they'll stand the test of time. Importantly, they also feature an MX stem, meaning their competitible with popular custom keycap brands. Tucked away at the back of the keyboard, you'll find a little nook to stash the USB dongle, as well as a master power switch, allowing you to lock down the keyboard and save power when it's not in use. On the underside, it's a very durable thick plastic base, providing a stable base for your typing. There are also two stage adjustable feet. with durable rubber grips. There's the smaller inner feet for a slight angle adjustment. Or you can kick up the larger ones for a more prominent angle should you need it. A Closer Look - VERSA PRO WIRELESS Much like the keyboard, their new VERSA PRO WIRELESS has that familiar MSI aesthetic, lending many of its design elements from the mice that came before it, but also integrated uniquely MSI features, such as the RGB lighting pattern down the side, which we see is similar to what's on their motherboards, graphics cards and other premium products. The mouse is designed for a full-hand grip, with a large texted top panel, and a durable rubber grip left side panel with wing, allowing a comfortable resting position for your thumb, and ensuring you can get a film hold on the mouse. there's even more of that rubber diamond pattern on the right side, adding more grip, and it also look pretty slick too, especially with the built-in ARGB lighting on each side. The mouse is angled to be slightly lower on the front right, allowing for a more natural wrist position, but do keep in mind these ergonomics are for right handed users only. The mouse buttons are elongated, with a slight recess and curve in each, which encourages your fingers to comfortably rest in the sweet spot on each. The right button is also longer, again just promoting a more natural wrist, hand and finger position for increased comfort and usability. The mouse wheel is nice and large, and features a deep diamond pattern rubber grip, which matches the rubber grip located on the left and right sides o the mouse. On the underside, you'll find five large PTFE feet, ensuring that the mouse has exceptional glide on any gaming surface. There's also a dedicated profile button, wireless/Bluetooth toggle switch that also acts as the master power switch, and of course, that fantastic PixArt optical sensor right in the middle too. Interestingly, the wireless battery is a removable puck, and you can take it out and charge it. However, it's a dual purpose, as its removal slightly reduces the weight of the mouse, which you can do if operating the mouse via the included USB Type-C cable. Performance What really matters isn't how many features these peripherals have, but how well they hold up for work and gaming. Honestly, this is one of the nicest feeling mice I've used this year; and I've used a lot. There's just a durable and premium feel to it, with light and fast clicks, and those OMRON switches have a not-too-loud but crisp and clean click to them, which I love. The addition of an extra switch on the front left, as well as a thumb button on the side give you a lot of extra options too, allowing for a dedicated melee button of DPI dropping sniper mode toggle for those all important headshots. Just like the keyboard, the mouse is highly customisable, with lots of built-in profiles, so you can tailor it for both work and gaming, and save the settings to the mouse. The grip works great for a full-hand hold even with my larger hands, putting all the extra buttons within easy reach. Plus, the two look absolutely stunning together. The combination of premium switches on both makes for a great feel. From typing a lengthy email, or actually, this review I'm writing right now, to killing ratty extraction campers in Arc Raiders, I really can't fault either of them. Some gamers may prefer a smaller keyboard to free up some desktop space, but I'm a big fan of feature rich full-size keyboards, so this is much more my speed. There's plenty of ARGB lighting built into both, so you can sync all the effects and colours to suit your taste too. But overall, they really are the sum of their parts. Flawless wireless performance, incredibly long battery life on both, Bluetooth connectivity on both, and also Type-C wired performance should you need it, but also fast charging should you be eager to get back to playing wireless. MSI has gone with a more durable key cap design, which feel premium under your fingertips, but this doesn't allow for passthrough of lighting, meaning the RGB provides a more between-key underlighting effect. I actually really like this, it's more subtle, and still provides pleasant waves of colour customisation. How Much Does it Cost? The MSI STRIKE PRO Wireless mechanical keyboard is currently available from major retailers for around £104.99, while the MSI VERSA PRO Wireless gaming mouse comes in at a very competitive £79.99. considering the premium feature set on each, the prices are certainly competitive. I wouldn't say they're cheap either, but all-in I think you get a heck of a lot for your money. I've seen peripherals costing double from any of the major brands such as Razer, Logitech and Corsair, to name but a few, that offer little to nothing extra, so getting both for under £200 is certainly welcome. Overview MSI has proven to be a strong contender in the peripherals market, and that's not easy, as competition is plentiful. While they're not sold as a set, the combination of the STRIKE PRO and VERSA PRO is a heck of a combo, and shows that MSI has kept up with what enthusiast PC users want and delivered it. This isn't just a "good enough" pairing; it's a genuinely cohesive ecosystem that feels fantastic to use, and the Tri-Mode connectivity helps take the usability to the next level. The STRIKE PRO Wireless offers one of the best out-of-the-box silent typing experiences I've encountered, making it a welcome addition for late-night gaming sessions or lots of typing in a shared workspace. Paired with the VERSA PRO, which offers the precision and responsiveness of a top-tier esports mouse, but rather than going for a stripped down ultra-light featureless design, it's brimming with extra buttons and features that make it extremely versatile to use for work and gaming. Build Quality MSI hasn't cut corners on materials, and the STRIKE PRO Wireless feels durable and planted, thanks to that thick chassis and the internal sound-dampening layers. The PBT keycaps are a nice touch, offering a textured and long-lasting design, ensuring the board looks pristine even after many months of use. The Kailh Midnight Pro Silent switches are a nice touch too, and since they're hot-swappable and MX-compatible, you really can't fault them. The VERSA PRO Wireless is equally impressive. Despite coming in at 97g, which is medium-weight by modern standards, it feels sturdy and durable, yet thanks to the large feet, it still glides with ease! The OMRON optical switches are rated for 70 million clicks and feel crisp and snappy, with plenty of additional buttons, durable rubber grips and even a removable battery that all take the mouse to the next level. Design Both peripherals share a distinct MSI DNA in their design, a blend of sharp angles and smooth curves that provide comfortable ergonomics with a modern and stylish design. The keyboard's dedicated media controls and smart scroll wheel are a nice touch too. The RGB lighting is tasteful; because the PBT keycaps don't have translucent legends, the lighting creates a vibrant yet more subdued under-glow bed of colour rather than a distracting disco show. The mouse is clearly inspired by the best ergonomic shapes on the market, with a deep thumb groove and a supportive wing that makes it incredibly comfortable for palm and claw grip use. The ability to remove the battery puck to shed a little weight is a nice touch, as is the compatibility with a magnetic charging dock or Type-C charging. Tri-Mode Connectivity Both devices support 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.3, and Wired USB. In my testing, the 2.4 GHz mode was indistinguishable from a wired connection, but wireless tech has been pretty fantastic for a couple of years now, but still, it's great to see that trend continue. The ability to quickly toggle to Bluetooth means you can switch from your gaming PC to a work laptop or tablet instantly., and you get insanely long battery life in this mode (with the RGB turned off). Battery life is stellar on both regardless, but the keyboard's 1500-hour maximum is absurdly good, meaning you'll likely only charge it once every few months if you're conservative with lighting. The mouse's 80-hour life is solid too, but most importantly, both charge back to full pretty quickly anyway. Performance The PixArt PAW-3395 sensor in the VERSA PRO is excellent, tracking is pixel-perfect all the way up to the insanely fast 26,000 DPI, even if I rarely go above a few thousand for my own needs, it's nice to have that extra resolution. The Kailh Midnight Pro Silent switches on the keyboard are my favorite of the pair though; they are responsive for gaming but quiet enough to avoid distraction while I'm working. Should I Buy One? If you are looking for a peripheral upgrade that balances high-end gaming performance with the creature comforts needed for daily work, then the STRIKE PRO Wireless is perfect for those who value silence and typing feel, while the VERSA PRO Wireless offers a premium feature rich gaming mouse that focuses on long-term comfort. While some may prefer a more stripped down eSports focused design, MSI has done a great job of cramming in all the premium features, while still making them adept a both daily work and serious gaming.