One of the best gaming mouse in 2024

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

Greatest gaming mouse

Picture 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 massive 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 of us and fingertip grippers. This type of form isn’t as simple 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 aspect buttons are greater, nearer collectively and a smidge much less tight, however they’re nonetheless troublesome to hit accidentally. The design is heavier at 63 grams, too, however nonetheless severely light-weight. The PTFE ft are smaller however nonetheless glide reliably. And whereas the sensor is technically a era older, efficiency is successfully flawless.

In any other case, you’re taking a look at the same function set. The optical essential 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 assist 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 out there for much less at third-party retailers, it’s most likely a greater worth. On the whole, the largest knock in opposition to 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” choose 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 surrender the rechargeable battery, cutout-free shell, optical switches and gentle (if smudge-heavy) coating of its greater 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 most important distinction is that it’s lighter (55g) and extra compact, with a lower-profile scroll wheel and a slightly shorter hump. In case your arms are on the smaller aspect, it’s value grabbing as a substitute.

Execs

• High-shelf efficiency
• Light-weight
• Comfy for these with medium to massive arms

Cons

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

$118 at Walmart

Picture by Jeff Dunn / Endgadget

In case you 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 slim than most mice we’ve examined, so it’ll be comfiest with a claw or fingertip grip, although a palm grip may work in smaller arms. The entire thing is extremely sturdy, with no flex or rattle, whereas the sleek matte plastic coating provides a good bit of grip. The built-in cable is gentle, versatile and cleverly titled upwards on the base of the mouse, all of which helps cut 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 manner that makes them (comparatively) simple to swap out in a worst-case state of affairs. On the whole, the gadget’s openness to customization is commendable — there are readily uncovered screws on the underside and a screwdriver, elective aspect grips and bigger PTFE ft within the field.

By default, the primary clicks are on the stiffer aspect 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 manner the buttons are simple to spam. The correct 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 if you need a special noise profile. The notched scroll wheel and two aspect buttons are well-tensioned, too. The latter really feel considerably hole, however they’re exhausting to hit accidentally.

Sensor efficiency is predictably glorious; we noticed no accuracy or movement delay points throughout a variety of video games. With its gentle 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 at the least 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 assets.

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

Execs

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

Cons

• A bit small for giant arms
• Aspect buttons really feel considerably hole
• Occasional inventory points

$75 at Endgame Gear

Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

It’s just a few years outdated, 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 essential buttons and a rounded, moderately-sized hump operating down its center. It’s fantastically cozy for palm grippers with medium- to large-sized arms, nevertheless it’ll additionally play effectively with claw grips. Those that favor a fingertip grip or simply have smaller arms will seemingly discover it too chunky, nevertheless.

The design as an entire feels strong; there’s some minor flexing on the bottom-right aspect once you press down exhausting, however you’d need to exit of your method 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 aspect buttons and a devoted “sensitivity clutch” that permits you to momentarily drop to a decrease DPI for moments the place you might must intention extra exactly. The latter will probably be significantly robust for the smaller-handed to succeed in 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 essential clicks aren’t almost as quick as these on the Endgame Gear OP1 8K, they strike an agreeable stability between firmness and pace. They aren’t all that loud, both. Much like the Viper V3 Professional, the buttons are grooved in a manner that naturally invitations your index and center fingers.

The scroll wheel is perhaps the weakest component: It has clearly outlined steps and an simply identifiable texture, nevertheless it’s pretty loud and a bit wobbly. That stated, it could tilt side-to-side — which helps clarify the wobbliness — and there’s a built-in toggle that permits you to swap between a traditional ratcheted scroll and a free-spin mode. That may be useful outdoors of video games — say, when you have to scroll by means 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 completely different profiles to the mouse itself, although your lighting customizations received’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 extensive body imply it’s not expressly designed for video games like these. It can also’t go above a 1,000Hz polling fee. 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 an alternative, the Basilisk V3 is smart for righties who need a cozy and dependable mouse they’ll flip to for extra informal gaming throughout genres. Razer sells it for $70, however because it’s often out there for lower than $50 at third-party retailers as of late, you’ll be able to think about it our favourite “value” mannequin as effectively. 

Execs

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

Cons

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

$44 at Walmart

Picture 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 a very powerful 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 aspect 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 tell apart with out having to look down. Uniquely, you’ll be able to bodily reposition this aspect panel with an Allen key included within the field, so for those who discover the buttons troublesome to succeed in by default, you’ll be able to tackle that. Both manner, having a bunch of buttons proper beneath your thumb makes it a lot simpler to play MMOs like Closing 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) aspect, nevertheless it’s not the bulkiest mannequin we’ve seen. Its form ought to 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 building feels well-built, with a {smooth} matte end, a grippy pinky relaxation and first rate PTFE ft. Internally, its optical sensor (the Pixart PMW 3391) isn’t precisely superior as of late, 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 just a few 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 primary buttons, and it may very well be firmer. These essential buttons by no means really feel mushy, however they use mechanical switches, so that they carry extra of a long-term sturdiness danger 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 possibility as of late. At a worth that often hovers within the $60 to $75 vary, the Scimitar RGB Elite provides higher worth than most. In case you hate cables, Corsair sells a wi-fi model of the gadget too.

Execs

• Cleverly textured aspect buttons make MMOs simpler to navigate
• Typically snug and well-built
• First rate 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 understand 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 choose up smudges pretty simply. It has a wider and lower-profile form than the Viper V3 Professional, significantly 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 snug too. (Simply keep on with the Viper for those who use a palm grip.) Past that, Lamzu’s companion software program is ugly however purposeful, and the included charging cable is suitably versatile.

The primary knock in opposition to the Atlantis is the set of cutouts strewn about its baseplate, which cut 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 should be there, however the Viper avoids this danger totally. That stated, the Atlantis prices $60 much less, so it’s a good worth for a premium mouse.

Execs

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

Cons

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

$102 at Amazon

Different gaming mice we examined

Be aware: The next is a number of particularly noteworthy mice we have examined, not a complete checklist of each single mannequin we’ve put by means 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. Not like the primary Superlight, it additionally fees over USB-C. However the Viper’s essential clicks are crisper and extra pleasant-sounding, its aspect buttons aren’t as mushy and its scroll wheel is each firmer and grippier. It’s additionally barely lighter.

Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed

Very like 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 nearly 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 huge sibling because the mid-tier DeathAdder. Some might favor that its DPI button is positioned on the highest of the mouse, although, and its less complicated on-off change 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 snug form and format, 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 change 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 stated, it’s a good worth at $70.

Pulsar X2 V2

The Pulsar X2 V2 is an effective different to the Lamzu Atlantis OG V2 4K if you need a high-performing symmetrical mouse for lower than the Viper V3 Professional. It has a broadly related 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 essential 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 current months — at that worth, it’s nonetheless higher for FPS gamers than the Viper V3 HyperSpeed, however we favor 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 comprised of magnesium alloy as a substitute of plastic. It performs about on par with our prime picks, which is great, whereas its right-handed, medium-sized form ought to go well with palm and claw grippers effectively. (If you already know BenQ’s Zowie EC line, the form is principally that.) Nevertheless, the intensive cutouts everywhere in the sides and prime shell are noticeable within the hand and make the gadget extra inclined to clutter buildup than the DeathAdder V3 Professional. Whereas the buttons and scroll wheel are impressively tight, the primary clicks are a bit too stiff and high-pitched for our liking. We additionally observed extra connection stutters than common on our check PC, and it’s costly at $169.

Zowie U2

Talking of BenQ, its Zowie U2 is a wonderfully first rate 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, one among which doubles as a useful 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 might favor not having to put in any additional bloat on their PC. This mouse additionally maxes out at a reasonably fundamental 1,000Hz polling fee — that’s not an enormous deal in follow, nevertheless it is technically behind many different mice on this worth vary.

Logitech G309 Lightspeed

There isn’t a lot fallacious 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 sorts. 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 for those who personal Logitech’s (pricey) 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 gadget, both, because it creates an area for mud to gather. At $80, the G309 continues to be effective for extra informal sorts who’ll solely purchase from a reputation model. However except 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 gentle (53g) because of a intelligent design with cutouts on the underside which might be coated by the mouse’s label. However the Endgame Gear OP1 8K is better-built and extra snug, so we predict it’s value the additional money. The Razer Viper 8KHz was one other stable, albeit heavier, possibility with the same form, nevertheless it’s now not out there 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 could be OK for those who 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 stated, its essential buttons really feel considerably mushy, and we noticed just a few sensor hiccups and inconsistencies, significantly once we had HyperX’s Ngenuity software program open.

Logitech G502 X

The Logitech G502 X has a usually related form because the Razer Basilisk V3, with a decrease weight (84g) and extra aspect buttons. Nevertheless, its essential 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 choose. It’s usually out there within the $30 vary as of late, and at that worth it’s nonetheless effective if you need a reliable gaming mouse for as little cash as doable. You may really feel the fee reducing in its rubbery cable and mushy scroll wheel, nevertheless, and its form is a bit too small and flat for bigger arms. The Logitech G305 Lightspeed is a wi-fi mannequin with kind of 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 possibility with a compact form. It’s a lot lighter (58g) than the Logitech G203, with a extra versatile cable and optical switches as a substitute 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 common going charges. The Endgame Gear OP1 8K nonetheless feels higher-quality throughout the board, however in case 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 concerning 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 aspect 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 elevate 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. Evaluations 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 essential buttons are comparatively loud and sticky-feeling.

Razer Naga Left-Handed Version

The Razer Naga Left-Handed Version isn’t almost pretty much 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 choose, the outdated 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 degree of responsiveness, however fortunately, that’s now not the case. Over the previous couple of years, wi-fi connectivity has improved to the purpose the place the distinction in latency between a superb wi-fi mannequin and a tried-and-true wired gaming mouse is barely perceptible.

Be aware, nevertheless, 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 assist 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 often do not final so long as “normal” wi-fi fashions. You shouldn’t count on quite a lot of 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 often come at a a lot increased value than their wired counterparts as effectively.

That’s to not say the premium isn’t value it: Who needs but one other cable on their desk? It’s possible you’ll want a wi-fi mannequin for those who hate the texture of “cable drag” or in case your gaming PC is positioned in a clumsy 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 superb wired mouse is often a greater worth.

Consolation and grip sorts

Everybody’s arms are completely different, so on the finish of the day, calling one mouse “more comfortable” than one other is usually subjective. Guaranteeing your consolation is essentially the most important step when shopping for any mouse, although, so we’ve performed our greatest to contemplate how every gadget we examined works with smaller, average-sized and bigger arms alike.

We additionally thought of how every gadget accommodates the three grip types 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 primary buttons. A fingertip grip is once you steer the mouse solely with the information of your fingers, along with your palm not involved with the gadget 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.

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

Construct high quality and design

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

The gaming mouse market is usually break up between two design types: ergonomic and ambidextrous. Ergonomic mice are virtually at all times made with right-handed customers in thoughts and infrequently function devoted thumb rests. Ambidextrous mice are extra symmetrical and designed for use with both hand (although they could not have additional buttons on each 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 cut back the friction between your mouse and mouse pad beneath it as a lot as doable. For the perfect efficiency, search for ft comprised of 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, for those who’ve already kitted out your setup with RGB, having a mouse with adjustable lighting results can add to the gaming expertise (and extra shopper 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 presently utilizing.

Weight

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

To achieve these lightest weights, some producers have launched gaming mice with “honeycomb”-style designs, which function an array of cutouts within the outer shell. These mice can nonetheless carry out nice, however having a bunch of holes that expose the inner circuit board to doable 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 a substitute of mechanical ones. Since these contain fewer bits making bodily contact, they need to usually be extra sturdy and fewer vulnerable to undesirable “double-clicks” over time. Many avid gamers nonetheless discover good mechanical switches extra satisfying to press, so it isn’t like it’s best to keep away from mechanical mice altogether. They only carry slightly extra long-term danger in a vacuum.

Since most individuals will use their gaming mouse as their mouse-mouse, it’s your decision essential 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 for those who play video games that decision for fixed clicking. We additionally regarded to testing from websites like Rtings to make sure every mouse we suggest has a sufficiently low click on latency, which means your clicks will register with minimal lag.

Past the usual click on panels, a superb gaming mouse must also have programmable buttons for fast macros or shortcuts. For many video games, shoot for at the least two additional buttons on the thumb-side panel which might be simple to succeed in and troublesome to press accidentally. Many mice have extra buttons, which could be a plus, however not in the event that they pressure you to contort your fingers to keep away from hitting them. For MMO mice, having at the least 12 aspect buttons is preferable with the intention to entry as many hotbar instructions as doable.

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 ought to be grippy, and it should not make a distracting quantity of noise when used. The wheel must also be clickable, providing 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 usually talking, the optical sensors constructed into most trendy gaming mice are greater than quick and correct sufficient for most individuals’s wants.

Whereas searching for gaming mice, you’ll see quite a lot of phrases associated to sensor efficiency. To be clear, a gaming mouse’s responsiveness doesn’t come right 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 and marketing fluff: Few folks play above 3,000, with 800 a standard candy spot. This idea can 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 accurately.

• 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 fee is a measure of how usually a mouse tells a pc the place it’s. On the whole, the extra ceaselessly your mouse experiences data to your PC, the extra predictable its response time ought to be. Something at 500Hz or above is okay for gaming. The candy spot for many is 1,000Hz. Many more moderen mice can go all the way in which as much as 8,000Hz, however you begin to see diminishing returns the upper you go except personal a strong PC and play on a gaming monitor with a very excessive refresh fee.

• Elevate-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 doable with the intention to keep away from unintended cursor actions whereas repositioning their mouse.

Software program and onboard reminiscence

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

Guarantee and buyer assist

Most main gaming mice manufacturers supply warranties between one and three years. The longer and extra intensive a producer’s program is, the higher. That is the case with most shopper 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, lots of which you might even see overestimated on YouTube, Reddit or elsewhere across the net. A bunch of those extra obscure mice are genuinely nice, however for those who ever purchase from a extra area of interest model, it’s value checking that some degree of buyer assist is in place. We’ve made certain our picks for the perfect gaming mice aren’t riddled with an irregular quantity of poor person critiques.

Latest updates

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