Updated 24/06/2019: Added G502 Hero & G502 Lightspeed. G502 Spectrum/Core are now no longer recommended.
Logitech doesn’t make it easy for us when it comes to choosing their mice. They all have similar names and similar features making it difficult to know which is best for you. The G402 and G502 are no different.
So what is the difference between the two? By the end of this quick comparison, you will know all the features and specifications of each mouse and which one fits your hand size and grip style best.
Let us get stuck into the G402 vs G502 comparison.
G402 vs G502 Specifications Overview
The specifications are the easiest and quickest way to find the first few differences between the two mice. Check out the table below for a side by side comparison.
G402 Hyperion Fury
The G402 is the older of the two mice and has fewer features compared to the G502. It uses the AM010 sensor or the ‘Fusion Engine hybrid sensor’ as Logitech calls it. It is a decent sensor but not as good as the 3310, 3360 or the HERO which you will find in the G502.
It struggles with really fast swiping and tilt-slamming. The HERO is arguably the best sensor you can get right now, however, the AM010 is still a solid choice. The AM010 can be set between 240-8000 DPI in increments of 40.
You might look at the G402 and be put off by the shape but it is often praised for its comfort. The hump is in the middle of the mouse providing good support to palm grip players and there is a distinct comfort groove for the thumb.
The position of the sniper button might be a problem for you especially if you rest your whole thumb across the groove. If you arch your thumb or use a palm-claw hybrid grip then you will be fine.
The G402 is a medium to large mouse, its length is what sets it apart as it is longer than most Logitech mice. Here are the dimensions:
Length: 13.6cm
Width: 7.2 cm
Height: 4.1 cm
Weight: 109g
Compared next to the G502 the G402 is a little longer and higher. At 109g it also one of the heavier mice in the Logitech family but lighter than the G502. Depending on your hand size and grip style I would recommend it for the following hand sizes:
Palm grip – 16 -17.5cm
Claw grip – 16.5 – 20cm
Fingertip grip – 18-20cm
The mouse has 8 programmable buttons, mouse 1, mouse 2, scroll wheel, DPI up and down, forward and back and a sniper button. Each of which can be customised using the Logitech mouse software for macros and shortcuts.
The lift-off distance of the G402 is around 2 DVDs high on hard pad and 1 DVD high on soft pad and features a standard rubber cable, unlike the braided cable you will find on the G502.
Logitech has created another solid mouse here and provides a host of features to the user but the sniper button and sensor does let the mouse down. But how does it compare with the G502?
G502 Proteus Spectrum / Core / HERO / Lightspeed
There are four versions of the G502, the spectrum, core, HERO and Lightspeed. The main differences are that the Spectrum/HERO/Lightspeed have RGB, the core doesn’t. And the Lightspeed is the only wireless version. Also if the name isn’t already a giveaway, the HERO/Lightspeed versions have the best sensor.
I recommend you pick up the HERO version if you are on a budget, but the Lightspeed is the best of the bunch if you can afford it. There isn’t really any reason to pick up the spectrum unless you prefer wired mice and are on a really tight budget. And definitely don’t grab the core.
The G502 Lightspeed is the mice, with the HERO/Lightspeed versions being released in 2019. As explained before it features the new HERO sensor which is probably the best sensor on the market right now.
The HERO is comparable to the PMW3366 used by the likes of Zowie. It has pixel by pixel tracking and does not suffer from the tilt-slamming spin-outs that are common among earlier sensors such as the AM010 that the G402 uses.
If you are a DPI enthusiast then you are in luck as the G502 supports between 100-16,000 DPI. But please don’t play on 16,000 DPI!
The G502 has a similar shape to the G402 except it is shorter and has more weight towards the front of the mouse. It has a thumb comfort groove but it is textured, unlike the G402. This is mirrored on the opposite side to assist with grip. Here are the dimensions of the G502 and G502 Lightspeed:
Length: 13.2cm
Width: 7.5cm
Height: 4.0cm
Weight: 119g without panel (The Lightspeed is slightly lighter at 114g)
121g with panel
142g with weights
As you can see the size is similar to the G402 with a few centimetres here or there. The weight is the main difference though. The G502 is significantly heavier than the G402 especially if you use the additional custom weights.
This is a neat feature because it allows those of us who prefer heavier mice to customise it to the exact weight we want. Logitech is one of the few companies alongside SteelSeries and their Rival 600 that provide adjustable weighting.
When it comes to hand sizes and grip styles I would recommend it for the following:
Palm grip: 16-17.5cm
Claw grip: 16-20cm
Fingertip grip: 18-20cm
If you are worried about running out of buttons then don’t be, the G502 has you covered. There is a mouse 1 and 2, scroll wheel, scroll wheel adjuster, dpi up and down, dpi profile, two side buttons and a sniper button. Yeah, there’s a lot.
You probably won’t use them all particularly the DPI up and down as they are more of a set it and forget it. However, they are all there and can be configured in Logitech’s software for macros.
One of the stand out features of the G502 is the scroll wheel. It can be set to free scroll mode where the scroll wheel doesn’t have any notches or ridges. This is the perfect feature for those of you that do a lot of work on your pc outside of gaming as the free scroll is a blessing.
Navigating through applications has never been easier. To add to this the scroll wheel can also be clicked left and right, back and forward or configured however you like.
The G502 also has the added benefit of G-Shift which acts as a modifier for your buttons so you can have additional macros per button. An awesome feature for the MMO players out there.
As for the additional features, the G502 has a lift-off distance of 1 DVD for both soft and hard pad mouse surfaces. This is a little lower than the G402 because of the better optic. Unlike the G402, the G502 has a thick braided cable. It still fits inside most mouse bungees like the Zowie Camade.
The G502 Lightspeed is wireless which is a great addition to the G502 lineup for those of us that love wireless mice. The battery life will last up to 48 hours with RGB or 60 hours without RGB. This is similar to the G Pro Wireless.
The Verdict: G502 Lightspeed
The G502 wins the showdown this time. Whether you choose the G502 Hero (wired) or G502 Lightspeed will depend on your budget and whether you prefer wireless or not. Either of these are great picks but the Lightspeed is significantly more expensive.
If you can afford the money I recommend the G502 Lightspeed. Otherwise, although the G402 is a great mouse it can’t compare with the G502 especially since the G502 Hero is only slightly more expensive.
Last Price Update on 2023-09-20 / Data taken from the Amazon Product API
