Kensington just dropped the Expert Mouse TB800 EQ, completely reimagining the trackball experience with three different scroll mechanisms. The $149.99 device combines the familiar scroll ring with two new side wheels, targeting power users who need precise navigation for video editing and design work.
Kensington is betting big on the idea that three scroll wheels are better than one. The company's new Expert Mouse TB800 EQ represents the most significant update to its flagship trackball in years, packing a trio of scrolling mechanisms into a device that's somehow become sleeker than its predecessor. The timing feels deliberate - as video editing and design work becomes more mainstream, Kensington is positioning itself as the go-to choice for professionals who live in timeline interfaces. The price reflects that ambition too, jumping from $109.99 to $149.99, a 36% increase that puts it squarely in premium territory.
What you get for that extra money is immediately apparent. The TB800 EQ keeps the familiar scroll ring around the trackball base but adds two vertical scroll wheels flanking either side of the device. It's a stark contrast to the cheaper SlimBlade Pro, which makes you twist the trackball itself to scroll - a clever trick that feels gimmicky next to dedicated hardware. The ring can toggle between smooth scrolling and line-by-line stepping, perfect for reading documents or navigating code. Meanwhile, the side wheels handle horizontal scrolling and zooming, functions that video editors will immediately recognize as essential for scrubbing through timelines.
The design overhaul goes beyond just adding wheels. Kensington has integrated a larger wrist rest directly into the body, borrowing the sleek aesthetic from its 2022 SlimBlade Pro launch. It's a smart move that acknowledges how trackball users actually work - these aren't grab-and-go devices but workstation centerpieces that users interact with for hours at a time. The company clearly studied how people use trackballs in professional environments, where comfort during long editing sessions matters as much as precision.
Button count has doubled from four to eight, with the new additions pre-configured for media playback and volume control. That's another nod to the creative professional market, where having dedicated hardware controls for common tasks can shave precious seconds off repetitive workflows. Kensington's desktop software lets users customize everything, turning the TB800 EQ into essentially a control surface for whatever application demands the most attention.
Perhaps the biggest practical improvement is ditching AA batteries for a rechargeable system. Kensington claims four months of battery life, which puts it in line with premium wireless mice from Logitech and others. The USB-C charging cable pulls double duty as a wired connection option, addressing the anxiety some professionals have about wireless devices failing mid-project.
For users who find the scroll wheels overwhelming, three switches on the device's underside can disable them individually. It's a thoughtful touch that acknowledges not every workflow needs every feature - some users might want just the ring, others might prefer only the side wheels for specific applications.
The TB800 EQ arrives as trackballs are having something of a moment among power users tired of wrist strain from traditional mice. While Apple and Microsoft focus on sleeker traditional mice, Kensington is doubling down on the trackball's unique advantages for stationary work. The three-scroll system feels like a direct response to complaints about trackball limitations in modern interfaces designed for scroll wheels.
The Expert Mouse TB800 EQ represents Kensington's most ambitious trackball yet, targeting creative professionals willing to pay premium prices for specialized hardware. At $149.99, it's asking users to bet that three scroll mechanisms will genuinely improve their workflow - a proposition that video editors and designers might find compelling enough to justify the 36% price jump. Whether mainstream users will embrace the complexity remains to be seen, but for professionals who live in timeline interfaces, the TB800 EQ could become an essential tool.
