Logitech has revealed a lineup of PC gaming accessories conceived to be more gender-inclusive — and primarily geared toward women — than any of its earlier releases.
Companies shouldn’t attempt to market consumer technology by gender in 2022 and should instead recognize consumers’ broad assortment of tastes and physical needs. But Logitech’s gone and accomplished it anyway.
And the gadgets in the Aurora collection seem excellent, and notably, they’re now — not just new colorways of existing products. But aside from a few exciting features across the totality of the Aurora collection. It is still deemed like a case of the pink tax at work.
With its latest collection of gaming accessories, Logitech wants to let you know that it now recognizes under-represented groups… the same groups it has largely neglected for years.
A wide assortment of genders enjoys playing games and using all the necessary accessories. Still, many peripheral companies, Logitech included, have spent a very long-time designing products for a particular type of gamer: one with more extensive than average hands and who is satisfied using peripherals decorated in dark colors and RGB lighting.
Logitech has gradually realized that not everything required to look like it comes from the headquarters IT dept. Or from wherever the “gamer aesthetic” materialized. It began offering accessories with more rounded edges and fun colors in the previous few years. The Aurora collection concentrated more on gaming than the productivity-oriented peripherals yet launched. Only in addition to fabulous looks that lean on “gender-inclusivity” marketing, this collection has beyond-accessible prices and surprisingly lousy battery life claims.
The head of the class in terms of cost and impressive features is the $229.99 G735 wireless headset. It examines like a more impulsive version of the G Pro X model, covered in white with RGB LEDs tracing around the periphery of its bulbous, rotating earcups.
Like the much more affordable G435 wireless headset, the G735 features braille on each sidearm to identify left from right, a great accessibility feature that more businesses should copy. Logitech argues that the G735’s design is more inclusive because it can accommodate smaller heads and things like small earrings and glasses. While technically accurate, it’s weird that it only drives its other headsets for people with giant heads and excellent vision.
The G735 features dual wireless connectivity, the power to connect via 2.4GHz, and your phone via Bluetooth. Logitech says the G735 can last approximately 16 hours with the LED lighting on and at 50 percent volume. Most wireless headsets today tout day-long battery life, at least, so this isn’t very pleasant. Turning off the lighting bumps it to around a 56-hour lifespan per charge.
The $199.99 wireless G715 with the $169.99 wired G713 are tenkeyless models that feature media keys, a volume wheel, and a lot of RGB LEDs. In addition to backlighting beneath their double-shot PBT keycaps, they have LEDs surrounding the keyboard to show off an aura. Logitech says you’ll be able to select between linear, tactile, or clicky mechanical GX switches at the time of buy.
The G715 can tether wirelessly to the included Lightspeed 2.4GHz dongle or connect via Bluetooth. Logitech says you can expect around 25 hours of battery per charge. Like the headset, that’s on the low end of the spectrum for longevity, considering its high price.
The G705’s color can’t be changed, but you can purchase a $30 mousepad to brighten things up. Logitech
Lastly, the $99.99 G705 wireless mouse is the first mouse that Logitech says was “intentionally” designed for players with smaller hands. From one angle, it looks like your ordinary gaming mouse, but from the angle that exposes its two thumb buttons, it seems more like an ergonomic mouse with its contoured thumb rest. It has a “gaming-grade” sensor with up to 8,200 DPI of sensitivity, and it can last up to 40 hours with LEDs enabled. That battery life isn’t great. If it sounds like I’m beating a dead horse, it’s because I am.
Buying Logitech accessories is rarely affordable, and the Aurora collection is no exception. It’ll cost you $499.97. But, of course, there are add-ons to buy, too!
Many tech companies, including Logitech, love to explain to the press how each of its new gadgets is the byproduct of a lot of user research, testing, and collaboration with the intended audience as if those are the ingredients that will guarantee a great product that’s angled authentically. The team behind this collection seemed excited by the idea that its new products will make some people feel seen, and honestly, that’s great.
Design that’s too focused on one particular group makes for products that feel repetitive and potentially off-putting. Logitech making gaming mice for smaller hands and headsets that can be worn with eyeglasses are all good things. Making gaming less insular is a perfect thing.