If you spend your entire day managing complex multi-monitor setups, editing video, or plowing through spreadsheets, you know that standard mice aren't always the best fit for long-term comfort. While ergonomic vertical mice get plenty of spotlight, trackballs have retained a dedicated, almost legendary following for a reason: pure, effortless efficiency.
And when it comes to trackballs, Kensington is royalty. Celebrating 40 years of innovation in the space, the company is preparing to launch its most ambitious peripheral yet: the Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ Trackball.
I’ve been spending some quality hands-on time with an early review sample—specifically the eye-catching red ball variant (it also comes in silver)—to see if it lives up to four decades of heritage.
Here are my early impressions of what might be the ultimate desk upgrade for power users.
I've been part of Windows Central since 2007, having reviewed and covered many keyboards, gaming accessories, laptops, and PCs from all sorts of companies from the perspective of a Windows enthusiast and unabashed PC lover. I also run this site and have seen a lot in nearly 20 years here!
Kensington had no input, nor did it see the contents of this hands-on preview prior to publication.
Design: Classic presence, modern polish
The TB900 EQ keeps the commanding footprint and symmetrical silhouette that made the original Expert Mouse series famous. The ambidextrous chassis ensures lefties and righties get the exact same ergonomic comfort.
At the center sits that signature, massive 55mm ball. The red sphere on my unit gives the trackball a vibrant, premium look against the dark chassis. One notable departure from legacy models: there is no wrist rest included in the box. While classic Expert users might miss the snap-on rubber pad, the naturally sloped angle of the body still feels surprisingly natural during extended typing-and-navigating sessions.
Also, buttons. LOTS of buttons and dials everywhere.
Controls: Macro heaven with software smarts
Kensington didn't just update the chassis; they overhauled how you interface with your PC. The hardware features a wealth of physical input options, including:
- The classic Expert scroll ring, now enhanced with software-adjustable responsiveness.
- Two side scroll wheels for effortless horizontal navigation.
- An array of physical buttons configured to support up to 16 sets of programmable controls via software layering and button combinations in KensingtonWorks.
Without physical mechanical tension dials on the bottom—where you’ll only find connection toggles labeled A, B, and C along with the power switch—the scroll behavior and button mapping are handled digitally. That gives power users deep flexibility to map complex workflow macros, application-specific commands, or multi-display shortcuts without relying on physical switches.
That Expert scroll ring is also like butter on this device. Super satisfying to use.
Performance: 1kHz polling rate meets dual optical tracking
Historically, trackballs have lagged behind high-end desktop mice in polling rates, making cursor movement feel a bit sluggish on fast, high-refresh-rate displays. The TB900 EQ completely eliminates that bottleneck.
It boasts a 1kHz polling rate, bringing gaming-mouse responsiveness to productivity workflows. Paired with Kensington’s DIAMONDEYE Optical Tracking with Dual Sensors, the tracking is razor-sharp. Flicking the 55mm red ball sends the cursor smoothly gliding across high-res ultrawide monitors without a hint of jitter or smoothing.
Connectivity and battery life
Flip the device over, and the underside reveals clean, minimal physical toggles (A, B, C) for device switching and power. The TB900 EQ supports robust multi-device flexibility across four channels:
- 2.4GHz wireless via USB receiver
- Two distinct Bluetooth channels
- USB-C direct wired connection
Whether bouncing between a primary Windows desktop, a secondary laptop, or a tablet, switching inputs is quick and intuitive. Better yet, the built-in rechargeable battery promises up to four months of productivity on a single USB-C charge, meaning battery anxiety is virtually non-existent.
Pricing, availability, and early verdict
While originally slated for an earlier release, the launch of the Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ has been pushed back slightly into late Q3. Official pricing details put the Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ at $129.99 USD, and given the specs—1kHz polling, dual optical sensors, quad-connectivity, and deep software customization—it is clearly positioning itself at the top tier of ergonomic desktop gear.
So far, the TB900 EQ feels like the definitive modern trackball. It honors Kensington’s 40-year legacy while delivering the high-refresh accuracy and macro density modern workflows demand.
Total disclosure: Trackballs aren't my cup of tea, so there is definitely a learning curve when switching from my current favorite mouse, the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K, but I'm trying my best. I guess that segues into who this trackball is for, and it's definitely not your average office worker, but for those who love 'em, the Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ looks to be the pinnacle of this form factor. It'll very likely make our best PC mice for 2026 list.
You can find more information about the Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ directly from Kensington's website.
Stay tuned for our full, in-depth review on Windows Central as we get closer to launch!
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