The mechanical switches used for the main left and right clicks are one of the first parts that usually fail in a mouse. While it's possible to open a mouse and solder in new switches, most customers opt to simply get a new one instead. Doing so is a waste of resources, however, and ASUS' approach surely is a better one. Thanks to their push-socket design, the ROG Strix Impact II allows for putting in new switches without requiring any soldering. Even the mouse feet are left intact due to a customer-friendly design (exposed screws). While hot-swappable main switches have been present on ASUS mice for years, it still remains an exclusive feature and is therefore deserving of an Innovation award.

This feature comes at a small price, however. In order to ensure compatible switches do not suffer from double-click issues right away, the click latency has been set to a fairly high minimum value. While I understand the technical reason for doing so, giving customers the option to choose a lower value within the software, which usually has no downsides, would be a welcome addition. The borderline high click latency and rather stiff cable are what keep the Strix Impact II from scoring an Editor's Choice as it performs admirably otherwise. Sensor performance is great (CPI deviation is easy to correct), all buttons manage to impress in terms of quality, the scroll wheel works without issues, and grippy materials along with nicely gliding feet make for a mouse that handles well. Although the RGB lighting is somewhat basic in terms of effects, the configurability makes up for it, and the software works just fine in practice (the number of processes running is noteworthy, though). Personally, I'm not much of a fan of the slanted sides, but that's up to preference.

Lastly, the ROG Strix Impact II is priced quite competitively, especially when considering that it could potentially last for years, only requiring new main switches every once in a while, which is why it also gets the Budget award from me.