Kensington Wired SlimBlade Trackball Mouse (K72327U), Black
Bottom line: The Kensington Wired SlimBlade Trackball Mouse ($93.40 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Stationary ball design needs less arm and wrist travel than a mouse; main trade-off: wired only, so no cable-free desk setup.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Stationary ball design needs less arm and wrist travel than a mouse
- ✓ Ambidextrous shell works for left- or right-handed users
- ✓ Laser tracking for precise cursor control
- ✓ KensingtonWorks remaps every button and button combo, free download
Cons
- ✗ Wired only, so no cable-free desk setup
- ✗ Low-profile body ships without an integrated wrist rest
- ✗ Trackballs have a real relearning curve versus a mouse
- ✗ Button customization needs the KensingtonWorks download, not plug-and-play
Manufacturer description
The Kensington SlimBlade Trackball (K72327U) replaces mouse movement with a large ball you spin in place, so your arm stays still and your desk stays clear. Laser tracking handles cursor precision, while the low-profile silver-and-black housing sits flat enough to keep your wrist neutral through long sessions. The ambidextrous shape works the same whether you drive it left- or right-handed, which makes it a practical shared-desk or accessibility pick rather than a hand-specific one. Kensington's free KensingtonWorks software remaps each button and button combination, sets pointer speed and…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Kensington Wired SlimBlade Trackball Mouse using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the keyboards & mice category. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the keyboards & mice category before committing. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for keyboards & mice of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kensington SlimBlade trackball wired or wireless?
This model (K72327U) is the wired version, so it draws power over the cable and never needs batteries or pairing.
Can left-handed users use the SlimBlade?
Yes. Kensington lists the SlimBlade as an ambidextrous design, so the shape and layout work the same in either hand.
Can I reassign the buttons on this trackball?
Yes. Kensington's free downloadable KensingtonWorks software customizes each button, button combinations, pointer speed, and acceleration.
Does a trackball really save desk space?
Yes. Kensington states the SlimBlade takes up less desk space than a traditional mouse because the ball rotates in place instead of sliding the device.
What kind of tracking sensor does it use?
It uses laser tracking for precise cursor control. Check the product listing for current system requirements and warranty terms.
Key Features
- Low-profile shape and silver metallic finish deliver ergonomic comfort and beautiful aesthetics
- Requires less arm and wrist movement (for better comfort) and takes up less desk space than a traditional mouse
- Laser tracking delivers precision cursor control
- Ambidextrous design
- Free downloadable KensingtonWorks software provides button customization
Full Specifications
| Brand | Kensington |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Range | 6.0 feet |
| Model Name | SlimBlade™ K72327EU Trackball |
| Style Name | Mouse |
| Model Number | K72327EU |
| Button Quantity | 4 |
| Connection Type | Wired |
| Mfr Part Number | K72327US |
| Special Feature | Movement detection technology:Trackball |
| Antenna Location | Office |
| Hand Orientation | Ambidextrous |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Compatible Devices | Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, macOS 10.8, Windows 10, macOS X 10.11, macOS 10.10 or above, Chrome OS 44 or above, macOS 10.9, macOS Sierra 10.12 |
| Enclosure Material | Silver |
| Movement Detection | Trackball |
| Additional Features | Movement detection technology:Trackball |
| Number of Batteries | 1 AAA batteries required. |
| Warranty Description | 2 year warranty (Only valid if purchased through Kensington Authorized Resellers) |
| Item Dimensions L x W | 6"L x 5"W |
Ready to buy?
Kensington Wired SlimBlade Trackball Mouse (K72327U), Black is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Related Keyboards & Mice
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Benchmarking Asus Tablet Repairability Scores 2026
- Raspberry Pi 4 as an SMB1 File Server for Windows 98 Retro Rigs
- Asus ROG Xreal R1: 240Hz AR gaming glasses land
- Crucial BX500 vs Samsung 870 EVO vs SanDisk SSD Plus: Best Budget SATA SSD
- Best GPU for Local Llama 70B in 2026: RTX 3060 12GB Stack vs Single Workstation Card
- Intel Arc Stable Diffusion WebUI: Setup & Performance 2026
- Is My CPU Sufficient for Light Universe Simulations?
- CompactFlash as an IDE Drive: Silent, Period-Correct Storage for Win98 Rigs
- Best Wireless Keyboard for Home Office and Light Gaming (2026)
- Best Sim Racing Wheels for Beginners in 2026
- Open-Source NVIDIA NVK Vulkan Driver Adds DLSS Support: What It Means for RTX 3060 Owners
- Best GPU for Ollama Under $300: Why 12GB Beats a Faster 8GB Card
- Best GPU for 1440p 144Hz Esports in 2026: RTX 3060 Ventus Sweet Spot
- Qwen 3.6 27B Matches Sonnet 4.6 on Artificial Analysis Agency
- Intel Arc Pro B60 Review 2025: Xe2 Workstation GPU Guide
- Best Streaming Microphones for Content Creators in 2026
- Thinking Machines Drops Inkling, a 975B Open Model Leading US Labs
- Best GPU for Stable Diffusion Under $300 (2026): RTX 3060
- Gemma 4 31B-IT on a 12GB RTX 3060: What Fits, What Offloads, How Fast
- Cosmos3-Super on an RTX 3060 12GB: Can the #1 Open-Weights Image Model Run Local?
- Best Raspberry Pi Setup for Home Assistant in 2026
- Best CPU Cooler for AM4 Ryzen Overclocking (2026 Edition)
- Building a 1999 GeForce 256 + Pentium III Win98 Rig in 2026
- Logitech G29 vs HORI Force Feedback: Which Sim Wheel for Beginners?
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090