The perfect gaming mouse in 2024

Whereas no gaming mouse will magically cease you from getting wrecked in Counter-Strike or Name of Obligation, the suitable mannequin can provide you a higher feeling of management and make your downtime altogether extra comfy. Which one is “best” for you in the end comes all the way down to choice: Form is king, as they are saying, and everybody’s arms are totally different. However, we’ve examined dozens of well-regarded gaming mice over the previous a number of months and picked out a number of choices that glided above the remaining. After numerous hours in CS2, Overwatch 2, Halo Infinite, Ultimate Fantasy XIV and extra PC video games, these are our picks for the perfect gaming mice you should buy, plus some basic ideas to bear in mind throughout your search.

Greatest gaming mouse

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

In order for you a premium gaming mouse with a extra ergonomic form, get the Razer DeathAdder V3 Professional. It packs a lot of the similar strengths because the Viper V3 Professional however has a taller, barely wider and extra dramatically flared design that’s tailor-made to right-handed customers. Most individuals with medium to giant arms ought to discover it to be a pure match with a palm or claw grip, although it’ll most likely be a contact too fats for smaller-handed people and fingertip grippers. This sort of form isn’t as straightforward to whip round because the Viper, however its excessive, sideways-sloping hump ought to present a extra enjoyable place to relaxation your hand over the course of the day.

Razer sells two variants of the DeathAdder V3 Professional: one with the same soft-touch end because the Viper V3 Professional, and one with a extra textured matte plastic coating. We examined the latter; it’s not as grippy or {smooth} to the contact, nevertheless it’s nonetheless good, and it’s a lot much less of a fingerprint magnet.Additionally, the facet buttons are larger, nearer collectively and a smidge much less tight, however they’re nonetheless tough to hit accidentally. The design is heavier at 63 grams, too, however nonetheless critically light-weight. The PTFE ft are smaller however nonetheless glide reliably. And whereas the sensor is technically a technology older, efficiency is successfully flawless.

In any other case, you’re taking a look at the same characteristic set. The optical most important buttons are satisfying and constant however not overly delicate. The calmly notched scroll wheel is gentle, quiet and resistant sufficient, if not agency. Battery life is rated at a good 90 hours, and you’ll join a lighter and extra versatile USB-C cable in a pinch. Each variations of the mouse additionally help polling charges as much as 8,000Hz, although solely the SKU with the “smooth-touch” texture comes with a dongle that allows these increased charges within the field. The textured “classic base” mannequin comes with a smaller USB receiver that “only” goes as much as 1,000Hz, however because it’s usually obtainable for much less at third-party retailers, it’s most likely a greater worth. Typically, the most important knock towards the DeathAdder V3 Professional is that it’s costly, with the 8,000Hz mannequin priced at $160.

The newer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed, which prices $99, is a “1B” decide right here. Though it’s positioned under the Professional in Razer’s lineup, it’s extra of a “DeathAdder V3 Pro Mini” than a transparent downgrade. It doesn’t hand over the rechargeable battery, cutout-free shell, optical switches and gentle (if smudge-heavy) coating of its larger sibling, and whereas its sensor is technically worse, it nonetheless performs splendidly. Its battery life score is definitely 10 hours increased at 1,000Hz, plus it has a built-in storage compartment for its USB receiver. The main distinction is that it’s lighter (55g) and extra compact, with a lower-profile scroll wheel and a touch shorter hump. In case your arms are on the smaller facet, it’s value grabbing as an alternative.

Professionals

• Prime-shelf efficiency
• Light-weight
• Comfy for these with medium to giant arms

Cons

• Costly
• Naggy software program
• Not best for smaller arms

$118 at Walmart

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Endgadget

If you happen to don’t thoughts connecting over a cable, our favourite wired gaming mouse with a symmetrical design is the Endgame Gear OP1 8K. It weighs simply 50 grams and has a easy design with flat sides and a reasonably-sized hump sloping down the again. It’s a bit smaller and extra slender than most mice we’ve examined, so it’ll be comfiest with a claw or fingertip grip, although a palm grip may also work in smaller arms. The entire thing is extremely sturdy, with no flex or rattle, whereas the graceful matte plastic coating offers a good bit of grip. The built-in cable is mild, versatile and cleverly titled upwards on the base of the mouse, all of which helps scale back any dragging sensation as you throw your hand round.

The OP1 8K makes use of mechanical switches, however the mouse is designed in a means that makes them (comparatively) straightforward to swap out in a worst-case situation. Typically, the system’s openness to customization is commendable — there are readily uncovered screws on the underside and a screwdriver, optionally available facet grips and bigger PTFE ft within the field.

By default, the principle clicks are on the stiffer facet however quick to actuate and noticeably crisp. You may truly set these switches to make use of a “speed mode” that reduces click on latency even additional, however both means the buttons are straightforward to spam. The suitable mouse button on our unit does sound slightly sharper than the left, however the distinction isn’t extreme and you’ll pop in quieter switches on a budget in order for you a unique noise profile. The notched scroll wheel and two facet buttons are well-tensioned, too. The latter really feel considerably hole, however they’re arduous to hit accidentally.

Sensor efficiency is predictably glorious; we noticed no accuracy or movement delay points throughout a variety of video games. With its mild weight, quick clicks and {smooth} inventory skates, all the things about it feels tailored for snapping round in esports-style video games like Counter-Strike 2 that prioritize fast reactions. The mouse additionally helps polling charges as much as 8,000Hz — that’s nonetheless removed from important, nevertheless it’s no less than simpler to activate when there’s no battery drain to fret about. We additionally like Endgame Gear’s configuration software program, which appears to be like like one thing out of the Home windows 95 period however is easy to grok and takes up subsequent to no sources.

At $75, the OP1 8K definitely isn’t the most cost effective wired mouse, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a great way lower than wi-fi high-performance fashions. Probably the most urgent problem could also be that it may fall out of inventory infrequently, as Endgame Gear is a comparatively small firm out of Germany.

Professionals

• Quick to click on and flick
• Sturdy, ultralight design
• Mild and versatile cable
• {Hardware} is customizable

Cons

• A bit small for big arms
• Facet buttons really feel considerably hole
• Occasional inventory points

$75 at Endgame Gear

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

It’s a number of years previous, however the Razer Basilisk V3 stays our favourite wired gaming mouse with an ergonomic design. This one is extra aggressively contoured than “ergo” mice just like the DeathAdder V3 Professional, with a big rubberized thumb relaxation, lengthy most important buttons and a rounded, moderately-sized hump operating down its center. It’s fantastically comfortable for palm grippers with medium- to large-sized arms, nevertheless it’ll additionally play effectively with claw grips. Those that choose a fingertip grip or simply have smaller arms will seemingly discover it too chunky, nonetheless.

The design as an entire feels strong; there’s some minor flexing on the bottom-right facet once you press down arduous, however you’d need to exit of your strategy to discover it. The matte plastic end is pleasingly textured and sufficiently grippy. The cable is a lot versatile, whereas the PTFE ft glide easily. We additionally dig the fun-but-not-garish RGB lighting across the mouse’s underside and scroll wheel. There are 11 customizable buttons in complete, together with two easy-to-reach facet buttons and a devoted “sensitivity clutch” that allows you to momentarily drop to a decrease DPI for moments the place chances are you’ll must purpose extra exactly. The latter shall be notably powerful for the smaller-handed to achieve comfortably, although.

The Basilisk V3 makes use of older optical switches than our different Razer prime picks, however we haven’t had any double-clicking points after effectively over a 12 months of testing. Whereas most important clicks aren’t almost as quick as these on the Endgame Gear OP1 8K, they strike an agreeable steadiness between firmness and pace. They aren’t all that loud, both. Much like the Viper V3 Professional, the buttons are grooved in a means that naturally invitations your index and center fingers.

The scroll wheel could be the weakest factor: It has clearly outlined steps and an simply identifiable texture, nevertheless it’s pretty loud and a bit wobbly. That mentioned, it may tilt side-to-side — which helps clarify the wobbliness — and there’s a built-in toggle that allows you to swap between a standard ratcheted scroll and a free-spin mode. That may be helpful exterior of video games — say, when that you must scroll by way of an enormous doc or Excel sheet.

Razer’s Synapse software program continues to be naggy with updates and Home windows-only, nevertheless it makes customizing DPI ranges, macros and RGB results easy sufficient. It can save you as much as 5 totally different profiles to the mouse itself, although your lighting customizations gained’t carry over.

We haven’t had any main points with sensor accuracy, both, however at roughly 100 grams, the Basilisk V3 is clearly heftier than the ultralight mice we spotlight above. When you completely can go off in Counter-Strike or Valorant with it, the mouse’s weight and large body imply it’s not expressly designed for video games like these. It can also’t go above a 1,000Hz polling price. In some ways, that is the precise reverse of the OP1 8K, a tool that feels designed from the bottom up for aggressive fare. As a substitute, the Basilisk V3 is smart for righties who need a comfortable and dependable mouse they’ll flip to for extra informal gaming throughout genres. Razer sells it for $70, however because it’s normally obtainable for lower than $50 at third-party retailers lately, you’ll be able to think about it our favourite “value” mannequin as effectively. 

Professionals

• Tremendous comfy for medium to giant arms
• Effectively-built, with versatile cable
• Versatile scroll wheel
• Good worth

Cons

• Too heavy to be best for FPS video games
• Too cumbersome to be best for small arms
• Scroll wheel is noisy
• Naggy software program

$44 at Walmart

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

In order for you a mouse particularly designed for MMO and MOBA video games, get the Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite. It does crucial factor any MMO mouse can do, which is allow you to entry a number of in-game actions with minimal effort. That’s because of its 12 programmable facet buttons, all of which ship a cushty, firm-but-not-stiff sensation when pressed. Two of the panel’s 4 button rows are textured, which makes them simpler to differentiate with out having to look down. Uniquely, you’ll be able to bodily reposition this facet panel with an Allen key included within the field, so when you discover the buttons tough to achieve by default, you’ll be able to deal with that. Both means, having a bunch of buttons proper below your thumb makes it a lot simpler to play MMOs like Ultimate Fantasy XIV and even single-player RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3, which ask you to navigate a number of “hotbars” of instructions at any given time.

Like most MMO mice, the Scimitar RGB Elite is on the bigger and heavier (108g) facet, nevertheless it’s not the bulkiest mannequin we’ve seen. Its form must be accommodating to palm and claw grips, and most hand sizes. The center has a rounded, not-overly-aggressive hump, whereas the underside is extra gently sloped than rivals like Razer’s Naga lineup. The general development feels well-built, with a {smooth} matte end, a grippy pinky relaxation and respectable PTFE ft. Internally, its optical sensor (the Pixart PMW 3391) isn’t precisely superior lately, nevertheless it’s greater than constant sufficient for MMOs and MOBAs, which don’t depend on exact, quick-twitch actions. It has no vital points with latency, both.

Nevertheless, there are a number of downsides. The braided cable feels sturdy however considerably stiff. The scroll wheel is grippy and correct sufficient, nevertheless it’s a contact too recessed between the principle buttons, and it might be firmer. These most important buttons by no means really feel mushy, however they use mechanical switches, so that they carry extra of a long-term sturdiness threat than optical alternate options. (Corsair charges them at 50 million clicks.) And Corsair’s iCue software program is, frankly, the worst: You can use it to customise key bindings, assign macros, alter the (gentle) RGB lighting and save profiles to the mouse, however determining how is wildly unintuitive.

However, the MMO gaming mouse market doesn’t actually have one killer choice lately. At a worth that normally hovers within the $60 to $75 vary, the Scimitar RGB Elite presents higher worth than most. If you happen to hate cables, Corsair sells a wi-fi model of the system too.

Professionals

• Cleverly textured facet buttons make MMOs simpler to navigate
• Usually comfy and well-built
• Respectable worth relative to MMO mouse market

Cons

• Stiff cable
• Scroll wheel is just too recessed
• Annoying software program

$60 at Amazon

Lamzu

Whereas our prime wi-fi picks are nice, we notice that they aren’t low-cost. In order for you a performance-focused mannequin with a symmetrical form that isn’t as dear, think about the Lamzu Atlantis OG V2 4K. Clunky identify apart, it tracks precisely and feels well-built. Its mechanical clicks are crisp and full, whereas its scroll wheel is quiet and sufficiently tight. The design is light-weight (57g) and gentle within the hand, although it’s one other one that may decide up smudges pretty simply. It has a wider and lower-profile form than the Viper V3 Professional, notably towards the entrance, with a centered hump that isn’t fairly as aggressive. It’ll really feel at house with a claw grip for any hand dimension, however fingertip grippers ought to discover it comfy too. (Simply keep on with the Viper when you use a palm grip.) Past that, Lamzu’s companion software program is ugly however useful, and the included charging cable is suitably versatile.

The primary knock towards the Atlantis is the set of cutouts strewn about its baseplate, which scale back the load however go away the mouse’s inside open to mud and particles. It’s higher to have these holes on the underside than the highest in the event that they have to be there, however the Viper avoids this threat totally. That mentioned, the Atlantis prices $60 much less, so it’s a good worth for a premium mouse.

Professionals

• Satisfying clicks and quiet scroll wheel
• Comfortable for claw or fingertip grips
• Respectable worth

Cons

• Holes in baseplate go away inside open to mud and particles
• Not best for palm grips
• Ugly software program

$102 at Amazon

Different gaming mice we examined

Observe: The next is a collection of particularly noteworthy mice we have examined, not a complete listing of each single mannequin we’ve put by way of its paces.

Logitech G Professional X Superlight 2

The Logitech G Professional X Superlight 2 is a detailed rival to the Razer Viper V3 Professional for individuals who need a no-frills, high-end wi-fi gaming mouse. It has the same “potato”-style form, its monitoring is equally large and its optical-mechanical switches have a definite really feel. In contrast to the primary Superlight, it additionally prices over USB-C. However the Viper’s most important clicks are crisper and extra pleasant-sounding, its facet buttons aren’t as mushy and its scroll wheel is each firmer and grippier. It’s additionally barely lighter.

Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed

Very similar to the DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed, Razer’s Viper V3 HyperSpeed is a lower-cost variant of the top-end Viper V3 Professional. (Complicated, we all know.) At $70, it’s a stable worth. Its symmetrical form and soft-touch end are just about similar to the extra premium mannequin, and although it technically has a worse sensor, the drop-off is hardly noticeable. The primary trade-off is that it’s heavier (about 82g), because it requires a AA battery for energy. That doesn’t make it outright hefty, however you’ll be able to really feel the distinction in twitchier video games. It makes use of older mechanical switches and smaller PTFE ft, too, plus it lacks a port for connecting a cable. So it’s not as near its massive sibling because the mid-tier DeathAdder. Some could choose that its DPI button is situated on the highest of the mouse, although, and its less complicated on-off swap is good.

Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed

The Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed is a extra inexpensive wi-fi model of the Basilisk V3 with the identical comfy form and structure, plus a quieter scroll wheel. As a result of it requires a AA battery for energy, although, it weighs round 115g. That is not nice for fast-paced video games. The scroll wheel can’t tilt left or proper, both, nor can it swap between a ratcheted and free-spin mode. It additionally makes use of much less sturdy mechanical switches and solely helps one onboard profile. All that mentioned, it’s a good worth at $70.

Pulsar X2 V2

The Pulsar X2 V2 is an efficient different to the Lamzu Atlantis OG V2 4K in order for you a high-performing symmetrical mouse for lower than the Viper V3 Professional. It has a broadly comparable form as Lazmu’s mouse however is marginally lighter. Its plastic shell is good and durable, however we discover its flatter sides and hump make it rather less inviting to palm and claw grips. It does use optical switches, however its most important clicks aren’t as quiet or full-feeling as these of the Atlantis. It, too, has cutouts throughout the underside shell. We’ve seen the X2 V2 go for $70 on Amazon in latest months — at that worth, it’s nonetheless higher for FPS gamers than the Viper V3 HyperSpeed, however we choose the Atlantis when each are at their regular MSRP of $100.

Pwnage Stormbreaker

The Pwnage Stormbreaker is a superlight (51g), exceptionally sturdy and premium-feeling wi-fi mouse that’s largely created from magnesium alloy as an alternative of plastic. It performs about on par with our prime picks, which is superb, whereas its right-handed, medium-sized form ought to swimsuit palm and claw grippers effectively. (If you understand BenQ’s Zowie EC line, the form is principally that.) Nevertheless, the in depth cutouts all around the sides and prime shell are noticeable within the hand and make the system extra prone to mess buildup than the DeathAdder V3 Professional. Whereas the buttons and scroll wheel are impressively tight, the principle clicks are a bit too stiff and high-pitched for our liking. We additionally observed extra connection stutters than ordinary on our check PC, and it’s costly at $169.

Zowie U2

Talking of BenQ, its Zowie U2 is a wonderfully respectable different to the Viper V3 Professional that prices about $30 much less. It tracks nice, it’s light-weight (60g) and its mechanical clicks really feel effective. It additionally comes with two receivers, considered one of which doubles as a helpful charging dock. It has a symmetrical form with sides that curve inwards and a decently-sized hump on the again; BenQ says it’s designed for claw grips, and it’s certainly good for that, nevertheless it must also work for fingertip grippers with bigger arms or palm grippers with smaller ones. Alas, the scroll wheel is gratingly loud and the plastic coating picks up smudges and hand oils prefer it’s its job. There’s additionally no configuration software program, which may make adjusting settings slightly cumbersome, although some could choose not having to put in any further bloat on their PC. This mouse additionally maxes out at a reasonably fundamental 1,000Hz polling price — that’s not an enormous deal in apply, nevertheless it is technically behind many different mice on this worth vary.

Logitech G309 Lightspeed

There isn’t a lot unsuitable with the Logitech G309 Lightspeed in a vacuum. It’s constructed like a tank, its sensor is correct and its egg-like form ought to really feel OK, if not superlative, in most hand sizes and grip varieties. It makes use of the identical hybrid switches because the G Professional X Superlight 2, so the clicks don’t sound nice however are quick. It additionally has a supercapacitor inside, which supplies it successfully infinite battery life when you personal Logitech’s (expensive) PowerPlay charging mat. That’s neat! Most individuals, although, might want to pop in a AA battery, which pushes the load up round 85 grams. As most of that weight is felt towards the again, the mouse can really feel comparatively clunky to fling round in FPS video games. We’re not followers of the ugly recess throughout the center of the system, both, because it creates an area for mud to gather. At $80, the G309 continues to be effective for extra informal varieties who’ll solely purchase from a reputation model. However until you utilize PowerPlay, it doesn’t do a lot to face out from different choices across the similar worth.

HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is a good wired mannequin for individuals who need a flatter ambidextrous form. It performs effectively for aggressive play, and it’s a lot mild (53g) because of a intelligent design with cutouts on the underside which might be lined by the mouse’s label. However the Endgame Gear OP1 8K is better-built and extra comfy, so we expect it’s value the additional money. The Razer Viper 8KHz was one other stable, albeit heavier, choice with the same form, nevertheless it’s now not obtainable for buy.

HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wi-fi

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wi-fi is a budget-friendly wi-fi variant of the Haste 2. It might be OK when you should go wi-fi and solely have $50 to spend, as its shell feels sturdy and its low-profile form is well-suited to claw or fingertip grips. It’s a bit weightier than the wired Haste 2 (about 70g) because it runs on a AAA battery, however that’s nowhere close to heavy. That mentioned, its most important buttons really feel considerably mushy, and we noticed a number of sensor hiccups and inconsistencies, notably after we had HyperX’s Ngenuity software program open.

Logitech G502 X

The Logitech G502 X has a typically comparable form because the Razer Basilisk V3, with a decrease weight (84g) and extra facet buttons. Nevertheless, its most important buttons are noisier, it’s a barely extra awkward match for many arms, its rubber cable isn’t as versatile and it lacks RGB.

Logitech G203 Lightsync

The Logitech G203 Lightsync is our former finances decide. It’s usually obtainable within the $30 vary lately, and at that worth it’s nonetheless effective in order for you a reliable gaming mouse for as little cash as attainable. You may really feel the associated fee chopping in its rubbery cable and mushy scroll wheel, nonetheless, and its form is a bit too small and flat for bigger arms. The Logitech G305 Lightspeed is a wi-fi mannequin with roughly the identical form, nevertheless it requires a AA battery to work and thus weighs simply over 100g. It, too, feels considerably outdated in 2024.

Razer Cobra

The Razer Cobra is one other value-oriented wired choice with a compact form. It’s a lot lighter (58g) than the Logitech G203, with a extra versatile cable and optical switches as an alternative of mechanical ones. It’s priced at $40, although, placing it in one thing of a no man’s land between the G203’s and Basilisk V3’s ordinary going charges. The Endgame Gear OP1 8K nonetheless feels higher-quality throughout the board, however when you have smaller arms, use a fingertip grip and need a symmetrical mouse on a budget, go for it.

Wonderful Mannequin I 2 Wi-fi

There’s a lot to love in regards to the Wonderful Mannequin I 2 Wi-fi: an ergonomic form that’s harking back to the Basilisk V3/Logitech G502 X however lighter at 75g, 4 customizable facet buttons, the flexibility to attach over a USB receiver or Bluetooth, a {smooth} scroll wheel and tasteful RGB lighting, all for $100. Nevertheless, its honeycomb-style design and mechanical switches each increase considerations about its long-term sturdiness.

Wonderful Mannequin D 2 Wi-fi

The Wonderful Mannequin D 2 Wi-fi additionally has holes throughout its shell but doesn’t carry out or really feel considerably higher than different mice across the $100 mark. Critiques from different websites say it has latency points, too. The ergonomic Mannequin D 2 Professional and symmetrical Mannequin O 2 Professional aren’t loaded with cutouts, however their most important buttons are comparatively loud and sticky-feeling.

Razer Naga Left-Handed Version

The Razer Naga Left-Handed Version isn’t almost nearly as good of a worth because the Scimitar RGB Elite, nevertheless it’s one of many few MMO mice that’s truly constructed for lefties.

Logitech G600

We might proceed to suggest our former MMO decide, the previous however splendidly versatile Logitech G600, however sadly it’s been discontinued.

What to search for in a gaming mouse

Wired vs. wi-fi

Shopping for a wi-fi gaming mouse used to imply sacrificing a sure stage of responsiveness, however fortunately, that’s now not the case. Over the previous few years, wi-fi connectivity has improved to the purpose the place the distinction in latency between a very good wi-fi mannequin and a tried-and-true wired gaming mouse is barely perceptible.

Observe, nonetheless, that we’re strictly speaking about mice that use a 2.4GHz connection (over a USB dongle), not Bluetooth. Most of the finest wi-fi gaming mouse fashions help each connection choices, which is nice for journey, however Bluetooth’s latency is mostly too excessive to be dependable for gaming.

Going wi-fi nonetheless has different trade-offs, too. Battery life is enhancing on a regular basis, however with their increased efficiency calls for and RGB lighting, most wi-fi gaming mice normally do not final so long as “normal” wi-fi fashions. You shouldn’t count on various days of energy from a chargeable gaming mouse you utilize often. Some gaming mice supply wi-fi charging too, which makes issues a bit simpler. Good wi-fi gaming mice normally come at a a lot increased price than their wired counterparts as effectively.

That’s to not say the premium is rarely value it: Who desires but one other cable on their desk? You could want a wi-fi mannequin when you hate the texture of “cable drag” or in case your gaming PC is situated in an ungainly spot. Many wi-fi gaming mice include a cable you’ll be able to hook up in a pinch as effectively. But when worth is your main concern, a very good wired mouse is normally a greater worth.

Consolation and grip varieties

Everybody’s arms are totally different, so on the finish of the day, calling one mouse “more comfortable” than one other is generally subjective. Making certain your consolation is probably the most important step when shopping for any mouse, although, so we’ve completed our greatest to think about how every system we examined works with smaller, average-sized and bigger arms alike.

We additionally thought-about how every system accommodates the three grip kinds most individuals use whereas holding a mouse: palm, fingertip and claw. As a refresher, a palm grip is when your entire hand rests on the mouse, along with your fingers resting flat on the principle buttons. A fingertip grip is once you steer the mouse solely with the ideas of your fingers, along with your palm not in touch with the system in any respect. A claw grip is when your palm solely touches the again fringe of the mouse, along with your fingers arched in a claw-like form towards the buttons.

Typically, most individuals use a palm grip, which tends to supply the best sense of management — although, relying on the dimensions of your hand, chances are you’ll want your mouse to be a selected size to make use of it comfortably. A fingertip grip can permit for extra speedy actions, whereas a claw grip is one thing of a steadiness between the 2. Change and Click on has a very good breakdown when you’d like a bit extra element, however we’ve famous above if a mouse isn’t well-suited for a selected grip model. For what it’s value, yours actually is a claw gripper more often than not.

Construct high quality and design

gaming mouse feels sturdy and gained’t flex or creak when used strenuously. We valued mice with none overly sharp angles or grooves that might be awkward for most individuals to carry. And whereas most gaming mice have plastic exteriors, not all plastic is created equal, so we seemed for finishes that had been {smooth}, not too slick and able to withstanding the sweaty palms that always include aggressive gaming classes.

The gaming mouse market is generally break up between two design kinds: ergonomic and ambidextrous. Ergonomic mice are virtually all the time made with right-handed customers in thoughts and sometimes characteristic devoted thumb rests. Ambidextrous mice are extra symmetrical and designed for use with both hand (although they could not have further buttons on either side). Whether or not an ergonomic or ambidextrous gaming mouse works finest for you is basically a matter of non-public choice.

A gaming mouse’s ft, in the meantime, ought to present a constant glide and scale back the friction between your mouse and mouse pad beneath it as a lot as attainable. For the perfect efficiency, search for ft created from PTFE (aka Teflon). All ft will ultimately put on down, however many mice include spares, and most producers promote replacements if wanted.

As for flashy RGB lighting, it’s a pleasant bonus, however little greater than that. Nonetheless, when you’ve already kitted out your setup with RGB, having a mouse with adjustable lighting results can add to the gaming expertise (and extra client tech may stand to do issues for pleasure’s sake). Extra virtually, some mice allow you to assign customized lighting settings to separate profiles, which may make it simpler to see which one you’re at the moment utilizing.

Weight

Gaming mice have gotten lighter and lighter through the years, with some latest releases weighing lower than 40 grams. Your mouse doesn’t want to be that feathery — something below 80g continues to be moderately mild, and it’s not like a 100g mouse appears like a complete anchor. Regardless, a light-weight mouse makes it simpler to drag off quick actions repeatedly, with much less inertia. That mentioned, some gamers nonetheless get pleasure from slightly little bit of bulk of their gaming mouse (comparatively talking), particularly with video games that aren’t as reliant on twitchy reactions.

To succeed in these lightest weights, some producers have launched gaming mice with “honeycomb”-style designs, which characteristic an array of cutouts within the outer shell. These mice can nonetheless carry out nice, however having a bunch of holes that expose the interior circuit board to attainable sweat, mud and detritus isn’t the perfect for long-term sturdiness.

Switches, buttons and scroll wheel

A rising variety of gaming mice use optical switches as an alternative of mechanical ones. Since these contain fewer bits making bodily contact, they need to typically be extra sturdy and fewer liable to undesirable “double-clicks” over time. Many players nonetheless discover good mechanical switches extra satisfying to press, so it is not like it’s best to keep away from mechanical mice altogether. They simply carry slightly extra long-term threat in a vacuum.

Since most individuals will use their gaming mouse as their mouse-mouse, you might have considered trying most important buttons which have a softer really feel when pressed, with sufficient journey to make inadvertent actuations much less frequent. However even that may be a matter of choice: You might have considered trying lighter buttons when you play video games that decision for fixed clicking. We additionally seemed to testing from websites like Rtings to make sure every mouse we suggest has a sufficiently low click on latency, that means your clicks will register with minimal lag.

Past the usual click on panels, a very good gaming mouse must also have programmable buttons for fast macros or shortcuts. For many video games, shoot for no less than two further buttons on the thumb-side panel which might be straightforward to achieve and tough to press accidentally. Many mice have extra buttons, which is usually a plus, however not in the event that they drive you to contort your fingers to keep away from hitting them. For MMO mice, having no less than 12 facet buttons is preferable with a purpose to entry as many hotbar instructions as attainable.

As for the scroll wheel, it ought to have distinct, ratcheted “steps” that aren’t too resistant however make it clear once you’ve truly scrolled. Its texture must be grippy, and it should not make a distracting quantity of noise when used. The wheel must also be clickable, supplying you with one other enter to customise for sure video games (e.g., to regulate the zoom on a sniper rifle).

Sensors and efficiency

Some are more adept than others, however typically talking, the optical sensors constructed into most trendy gaming mice are greater than quick and correct sufficient for most individuals’s wants.

Whereas purchasing for gaming mice, you’ll see various phrases associated to sensor efficiency. To be clear, a gaming mouse’s responsiveness doesn’t come all the way down to only one spec. However for readability’s sake, right here’s a rundown of the extra noteworthy jargon:

• DPI, or dots per inch, is a measure of a mouse’s sensitivity. The upper the DPI setting, the extra your cursor will transfer with each inch you progress the mouse itself. Most of the finest gaming mice promote extraordinarily excessive DPIs that prime out above 30,000, however that’s largely advertising fluff: Few folks play above 3,000, with 800 a standard candy spot. This idea can also be known as CPI (counts per inch), which might be the extra correct time period, although DPI is used extra usually.

• IPS, or inches per second, refers back to the most velocity a mouse sensor helps. The upper the IPS, the sooner you’ll be able to transfer the mouse earlier than it turns into incapable of monitoring motions appropriately.

• Acceleration goes with IPS. On this context, it refers to what number of Gs a mouse can stand up to earlier than it begins to trace inaccurately.

• Polling price is a measure of how usually a mouse tells a pc the place it’s. Typically, the extra continuously your mouse stories info to your PC, the extra predictable its response time must be. Something at 500Hz or above is okay for gaming. The candy spot for many is 1,000Hz. Many more recent mice can go all the way in which as much as 8,000Hz, however you begin to see diminishing returns the upper you go until personal a strong PC and play on a gaming monitor with a very excessive refresh price.

• Carry-off distance is the peak at which a mouse’s sensor stops monitoring the floor under it. Many aggressive gamers like this to be as little as attainable with a purpose to keep away from unintended cursor actions whereas repositioning their mouse.

Software program and onboard reminiscence

It doesn’t take lengthy to search out horror tales about bugs and different niggling points attributable to gaming mouse software program, so the best app is one which doesn’t drive you to make use of it on a regular basis. It ought to allow you to alter as most of the points above as attainable, ideally to a number of distinct profiles. Ideally, it can save you your settings on to the mouse itself, letting you decide your customizations again up on one other system with out having to redownload any software program. All that is most vital on Home windows, however Mac compatibility is all the time good to have.

Guarantee and buyer help

Most main gaming mice manufacturers supply warranties between one and three years. The longer and extra in depth a producer’s program is, the higher. That is the case with most client tech, however we word it right here as a result of the gaming mouse market is especially flush with merchandise from less-than-household names, a lot of which you may even see overrated on YouTube, Reddit or elsewhere across the net. A bunch of those extra obscure mice are genuinely nice, however when you ever purchase from a extra area of interest model, it’s value checking that some stage of buyer help is in place. We’ve made positive our picks for the perfect gaming mice aren’t riddled with an irregular quantity of poor person opinions.

Current updates

September 2024: We have fully refreshed this information for late 2024, including new most important picks primarily based on form alongside notes on a number of different gaming mice we have examined in latest months. We’re now within the means of testing Logitech’s new G Professional X Superlight 2 DEX, a flagship ergonomic mouse that the firm introduced proper as we had been placing the ending touches on this replace.