IS IT THE BEST?! Kensington SlimBlade Pro Wireless Trackball Review

How does it compare to the original SlimBlade and the Expert Wireless? Hands-on review of the Kensington SlimBlade Pro Wireless Trackball K72080WW!

[brucekrisinger]

I've used the wired version of the Kensington Slimblade trackball mouse for years and ergonomically I think it's the most comfortable, durable, reliable ball mouse on the market. I just now found out that finally there's a bluetooth/usb wireless version and I couldn't be happier! I'll transfer the wired version I have to another computer and order the PRO version asap. These are just GREAT to use and extremely comfortable. These make any computer a joy to use.

[DeepThinker]

Literally came here because I saw trackball mouse and it piqued my interest for productivity purposes. But was curious because I thought the drag and drop function might be a problem. Glad this video cured my curiosity.

[johnsonlo]

The drag and scroll issue really put me off from getting one, I have a Kensington Orbit Fusion which has the same issue. On the other hand, my Deft Pro drags and scrolls normally. I'm using Windows.

[davidantoine]

Small correction regarding the number of buttons available for the Slimblade versus Slimblade Pro: On Windows 11 22H2 with KensingtonWorks 3.1.2, both the original and pro support 8 buttons. I do not have a Mac system to check KensingtonWorks 3.1.4 against. Just FYI - otherwise excellent review.

[razcarsey]

I do love the SlimBlade and the Experts. Sooo satisfying to roll those big balls. The scroll methods are incredibly satisfying too. My only gripe is that for 3d modeling, I want my thumb to be able to quickly access more buttons. Kind of a shame they're sticking with just the 4 buttons after all these years. That design certainly makes it looks pretty! If they ever do a re-design of the Experts, they should litter the thumb areas with buttons. I'd pay $200 for an Expert 'Pro' where the bottom corners were subdivided into 3 buttons each, instead of the single big buttons. For the time being, I have the Elecom Huge and that has been an amazing trackball for my needs. For 90% of people, this new SlimBlade will be glorious. Mouse users don't know what they're missing.

[magicmulder]

I love my Expert which converted me to trackballs and cured my developing wrist issues.
Not sure if the SlimBlade isn't too flat for me.

[cryptout]

This is good news, I was actually thinking of buying a backup slimblade but this will be so much better. I am happy Kensington does recognize they made really something special that deserves to continue.

[marcinbarcikowsky]

In the end I bought both Slimblade pro and Expert, I love using them, athough the scroll wheel on Expert is too loose and wobbly IMO and it must be noted that the ball on Slimblade Pro has lighter action than on Expert, where it offers more resistance. Regards.

[demontekdigital]

That is one impressive trackball collection. I started using trackballs in the early 2000's with my first one being the Microsoft thumb operated one. Then I got the trackball explorer. That one lasted roughly 8 yrs before it literally fell apart from material degradation. I've used the original Kensington expert pro with the old ring bearings, and 6 oval buttons at the top, and fell in love with it. Now I'm on an Elecom Deft, (not the pro because I didn't like the button layout), which replaced my Elecom Huge after the scroll wheel started dying.
One thing I don't like about Elecom is the fact that you have to replace the synthetic ruby ball bearings. I tried not to, but the bearing stick was simply unbearable. I picked up some 2.5mm steel ball bearings, and it's super fast with no sticking. It works almost too well. I really wish I could find a scroll wheel encoder for my Huge, but I have been unsuccessful. The only ones I could find are for standard mice, and won't fit the Huge due to shape, and size of the housing. A perfectly good mouse ruined over something easily fixed. Quite sad, really.

[Jakeisks]

Still using it?
Familiar with Logitech's freewheeling scroll wheel? It's wonderful.
How does that scrolling compare to Logitech's freewheel?
Thanks.

[fuko]

how much i love Kensington's trackballs, so much i hate their outdated unfinished design and lack of support in Europe, e.g. not being able to buy 2.4Ghz adapter for Kensington expert in 2024 is a bit less crazy, than lack of support for multiple Bluetooth connections at once

[coreybautistaaudio]

Been using a Slimblade for years now and my left click button is starting to go.
I was almost about to buy a new normal Slimblade when I saw this and I couldn't be more excited that there's finally a wireless version!
I will buy this as soon as it's back in stock which I really hope is very soon.

I will note that with my normal Slimblade in the audio editing software Pro Tools, I am able to click and drag and scroll with no problems.

[DaveThompsonfairlifeall]

How practical is this when used in an armchair? It could be sat on one's lap and operated with both hands? Very interested in this. Great review.

[LewisCampbellTech]

Is the slimblade any smoother at low speeds compared to the expert?

[ItsGazareth]

Thank you for the review. Regarding your criticism of the scroll wheel, how does the CST 2545 scroll mechanism work?

[LuckymagLukasz]

how do you see trackball vs trackpad? at the moment I use keyboard with trackpad (tuchpad) Problem is it is too compact. Doesnt have begin/end/pgup/pgdown buttons and I can't find model with mode keys and truckpad. S I think ablut mobeing to separate tools and here is a problem trackpad I'm used to or trackball... gestures... this is what I'm afraied to loose.

[eobet]

I used this when I had RSI problems but it did not help. Only Elecom HUGE and Deft Pro eased my RSI. I really miss the twist to scroll feature, though.

[mdombroski]

Twisting the ball for scrolling would've been a nice upgrade to the Logitech Trackman marble mouse. The ball sticks up quite far and would be easy to grab and twist. I just switched from the Marble Mouse to the Elecom Deft, mostly because of the lack of a scroll wheel.

[donkinshaun]

Are you able to get different coloured trackballs?

[Bigheadedwon]

Maybe it's due to newer drivers, or the fact I'm on Windows. But I just got mine today and click and dragging layers in Photoshop to move them works fine.