If you are a PC gamer, then a Gaming Mouse is the main tool for you to interact with the game. While a good CPU and GPU are important for a better gaming setup, investing in the best gaming mouse will definitely take the overall experience to another level. First Person Shooter (FPS) and Real Time Strategy (RTS) games will be much easier to play if you have a good gaming mouse that can provide buttery smooth motions and accurate in-game movements.
A normal optical mouse may not give you all the features a dedicated gaming mouse might give you. While playing high-res and fast paced games, you need precise aiming, shooting speed or movement freedom that can be found only in a good quality Gaming Mouse.
As there are so many gaming mice options available today, picking the right one for you can be difficult, especially if you are particular about the price, grip and button ergonomics, in-hand feel and looks with RGB lighting. If you are a serious gamer, then apart from these factors, you should also look for the performance of the sensor, accuracy, response time, programmable buttons and DPI (or more accurately, the CPI) of a gaming mouse.
After a lot of research, we came up with a list of the best gaming mouse you can lay your hands on. We included wired gaming mouse, wireless gaming mouse, mouse that are compatible with MAC and of course all the products in the list are in a wide price range so that you choose one that fits your budget.
We discussed all the important factors that determine the performance of a gaming mouse in the detailed “Buying Guide” at the end. But for now, let us dive into the list of the best gaming mouse you can buy online.
List of the Best Gaming Mice
In the first section of this article, we are going to list down all the gaming mice that are universally compatible or compatible with most PCs.
List of Wired Gaming Mouse for PC
1. Redragon M901 Wired Gaming Mouse
First on our list is the Redragon M901 Gaming Mouse, which can regarded as the best gaming mouse under 30$. It is an MMO mouse with a significantly higher DPI of 12,400.
Built for PC Gaming, the Redragon M901 Perdition’s DPI can be adjusted and changed in the order of doubles of thousand DPI. (You can switch from 500 DPI, 1000 DPI to 2000 DPI, 3000 DPI and 12400 DPI).
The mouse is backlit and has custom color lighting whenever you switch between the DPI settings and this aids in making a mental note and highly useful mid gaming. This proves to be great when you are playing multi DPI demanding games such as World of Warcraft etc.,
It has a total of 18 buttons that can be programmed to suit different actions. Apart from them, there is also a dedicated fire button which stands as a highlight and easier to remember for point and shoot games.
Combining various profiles, you have given a total of 5 memory profiles and each of these profiles have their own distinct LED color much like the DPI setting. This helps in easier identification of the memory profile.
A total of 16 million RGB Color options and breathing effects are available and you can choose to turn off the LED backlight as well.
Backlit and ergonomic, the shape of the mouse has a natural hand fit. This removes any kind of stress that your hand might experience while using a normal mouse and improves your gaming efficiency
This mouse has a 12000 FPS speed and a 1000 hertz of polling rate. It’s highly precise pix art PMW3360 Sensors give you highly accurate and pinpoint precision.
The microswitch of the mouse is built to extend the life of the mouse and add to the greater durability of the mouse. The Teflon feet pads and the 6 foot and 3 mm strong braided fiber cable along with the Gold Plated corrosion-resistant USB connector scream of how strong, reliable and efficient this mouse is.
Compatible with all major Operating Systems, the Mouse has a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase.
Highlights
- 18 programmable button fueled MMO mouse
- 1 dedicated fire button
- High movement with its 12,400 DPI
- High in precision and accuracy
- Strong build with 6 feet long, 3 mm deep braided cable
- Durable Gold Plated and corrosion-free USB
- Ergonomic body and light in weight
- 5 custom set memory profiles
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
Pros
- 18 Programmable Buttons
- 5 Memory Profiles
- Adjustable DPI up to 12,400
- Weight tuning for precise in-hand feel
Cons
- The main buttons (left and right click) are a bit tight
- 12-button grid takes some to get used to
2. HyperX Pulsefire Wired Gaming Mouse
Next on our list is also an HyperX Pulsefire FPS Pro RGB Gaming Mouse – a sleek powerhouse designed for elite FPS performance, precision, and style. Built for those who understand that improvement is the key to staying on top, this gaming mouse features the premium Pixart 3389 sensor, offering seamless tracking at up to 16,000 DPI without any hardware acceleration, ensuring your moves are as precise as your aim.
The ergonomic design of the Pulsefire FPS Pro prioritizes comfort, providing a secure grip with textured side grips that enable swift and precise movements during intense gaming sessions. With six programmable buttons, each equipped with durable Omron switches, customization becomes effortless.
The HyperX NGENUITY software offers easy and intuitive control, allowing you to create macros, tweak RGB lighting, and fine-tune DPI settings to match your unique gaming style.
Say goodbye to cumbersome setups with the ability to save up to three profiles directly to the onboard memory. Whether you’re switching devices or taking your gaming on the go, your personalized settings are always at your fingertips. The extra-large mouse skates serve as a solid foundation for smooth and controlled gliding, enhancing your ability to track and flick with precision.
It comes with 1 years of manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase., there is no mention of the rest of the world warranties.
Highlights
- Precision and responsiveness for top-tier gaming.
- Designed for comfort with textured side grips.
- Six programmable buttons with durable Omron switches.
- Quick and reliable setup for seamless gaming.
- Fluid tracking at 16,000 DPI without acceleration.
Pros
- Solid, comfortable, well designed gaming mouse
- DPI modes are great.
- Not very loud with clicking
- Awesome RGB lighting.
- 1000hz polling rate (1ms)
- Software is easy to use
Cons
- Mouse scroll wheel is solid and durable in construction
- Programming buttons could be better.
3. Logitech G203 Prodigy RGB Wired Gaming Mouse
Next on our list is yet another Logitech product. The Logitech G203 Prodigy is a wired gaming mouse that has a speed that is about 8 times faster than a typical mouse.
With 6000 DPI, the mouse is built for advanced gaming-grade performance. The Advanced Button Tensioning works to lighten the force needed for clicking the right and left buttons. This improves the click feel, consistency of the click and the overall response of the Game.
A build that is inspired by the Logitech G100S mouse series, the mouse has stayed to be a fan favorite among the e-sporting and the gaming community.
The mouse has a total of 6 programmable buttons to it and the central shift key can be used to change the DPI of the mouse abruptly mid-game as well.
Supporting over 16.8 million color combinations, the RGB Color lighting of the mouse can be changed and set to any of your intended color.
The cable is not braided and the scroll wheel could have been built a little better. Apart from that, the mouse seems to be a great fit for gaming. This gaming mouse comes with a limited 2 year warranty.
Highlights
- 6,000 DPI
- 6 Programmable buttons to use
- Easy to use and light in weight to hold
- 16.8 million RGB Backlighting customizations
- 8 Times faster than a typical standard mouse
- 2 year warranty on the product
Pros
- 6 Customizable Buttons
- Compatible with Windows and Mac
- Good build quality and in-hand feel
Cons
- Only 6000 DPI Sensor
- Quality of the scroll wheel can be improved
- Slightly on the heavier side
4. CORSAIR Harpoon- RGB Gaming Mouse
Following the Logitech Wired budget mouse is the Corsair Harpoon, one of the most lightweight first-person shooter gaming mice in the list with just being 80 grams.
Even with such a lightweight, the mouse packs a power of 6000 DPI and advanced tracking system. The design of the mouse is contoured and has a natural fit that supports and compliments your play style.
The sides of the mouse have textured rubber grips that will give you a confident hold. A total of 6 programmable buttons are provided, which can be customized to different configurations to your convenience.
Unlike most of the mice mentioned previously, the Corsair Harpoon does not have multi-panel lighting but does have a single outlet for the multiple RGB lighting customizations that you can perform in it.
With its onboard memory storage, you can save the custom DPI settings that you program the mouse to have. The central shift key lets you change the DPI settings on the move and is very convenient.
With over 20 million click life and having a 1.8-meter long tangle-free rubber wire, the Corsair Harpoon is compatible even with Xbox One and thus lets you play Mouse enabled games. It also comes with 2 years of manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase.
Highlights
- 6000 DPI
- Light in weight and minimal in design
- Contoured design for brilliant for holding
- Side grips with rubber textures that further aid in holding
- 6 Programmable side keys
- On the move DPI Shift central key
- 2 Years of manufacturer’s warranty
Pros
- 6 Programmable Buttons
- Good quality Omron switches
- Light weight yet good build quality
- RGB Lighting
- Comfortable claw grip for all hand sizes
Cons
- Suitable only for smaller size hands with palm grip
- Only 6000 DPI Sensor
- Cable looks and feels cheap. Not a braided cable
If you are a PC gamer, then a Gaming Mouse is the main tool for you to interact with the game. While a good CPU and GPU are important for a better gaming setup, investing in the best gaming mouse will definitely take the overall experience to another level. First Person Shooter (FPS) and Real Time Strategy (RTS) games will be much easier to play if you have a good gaming mouse that can provide buttery smooth motions and accurate in-game movements.
A normal optical mouse may not give you all the features a dedicated gaming mouse might give you. While playing high-res and fast paced games, you need precise aiming, shooting speed or movement freedom that can be found only in a good quality Gaming Mouse.
As there are so many gaming mice options available today, picking the right one for you can be difficult, especially if you are particular about the price, grip and button ergonomics, in-hand feel and looks with RGB lighting. If you are a serious gamer, then apart from these factors, you should also look for the performance of the sensor, accuracy, response time, programmable buttons and DPI (or more accurately, the CPI) of a gaming mouse.
After a lot of research, we came up with a list of the best gaming mouse you can lay your hands on. We included wired gaming mouse, wireless gaming mouse, mouse that are compatible with MAC and of course all the products in the list are in a wide price range so that you choose one that fits your budget.
We discussed all the important factors that determine the performance of a gaming mouse in the detailed “Buying Guide” at the end. But for now, let us dive into the list of the best gaming mouse you can buy online.
List of the Best Gaming Mice
In the first section of this article, we are going to list down all the gaming mice that are universally compatible or compatible with most PCs.
List of Wired Gaming Mouse for PC
1. Redragon M901 Wired Gaming Mouse
First on our list is the Redragon M901 Gaming Mouse, which can regarded as the best gaming mouse under 30$. It is an MMO mouse with a significantly higher DPI of 12,400.
Built for PC Gaming, the Redragon M901 Perdition’s DPI can be adjusted and changed in the order of doubles of thousand DPI. (You can switch from 500 DPI, 1000 DPI to 2000 DPI, 3000 DPI and 12400 DPI).
The mouse is backlit and has custom color lighting whenever you switch between the DPI settings and this aids in making a mental note and highly useful mid gaming. This proves to be great when you are playing multi DPI demanding games such as World of Warcraft etc.,
It has a total of 18 buttons that can be programmed to suit different actions. Apart from them, there is also a dedicated fire button which stands as a highlight and easier to remember for point and shoot games.
Combining various profiles, you have given a total of 5 memory profiles and each of these profiles have their own distinct LED color much like the DPI setting. This helps in easier identification of the memory profile.
A total of 16 million RGB Color options and breathing effects are available and you can choose to turn off the LED backlight as well.
Backlit and ergonomic, the shape of the mouse has a natural hand fit. This removes any kind of stress that your hand might experience while using a normal mouse and improves your gaming efficiency
This mouse has a 12000 FPS speed and a 1000 hertz of polling rate. It’s highly precise pix art PMW3360 Sensors give you highly accurate and pinpoint precision.
The microswitch of the mouse is built to extend the life of the mouse and add to the greater durability of the mouse. The Teflon feet pads and the 6 foot and 3 mm strong braided fiber cable along with the Gold Plated corrosion-resistant USB connector scream of how strong, reliable and efficient this mouse is.
Compatible with all major Operating Systems, the Mouse has a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase.
Highlights
- 18 programmable button fueled MMO mouse
- 1 dedicated fire button
- High movement with its 12,400 DPI
- High in precision and accuracy
- Strong build with 6 feet long, 3 mm deep braided cable
- Durable Gold Plated and corrosion-free USB
- Ergonomic body and light in weight
- 5 custom set memory profiles
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
Pros
- 18 Programmable Buttons
- 5 Memory Profiles
- Adjustable DPI up to 12,400
- Weight tuning for precise in-hand feel
Cons
- The main buttons (left and right click) are a bit tight
- 12-button grid takes some to get used to
2. HyperX Pulsefire Wired Gaming Mouse
Next on our list is also an HyperX Pulsefire FPS Pro RGB Gaming Mouse – a sleek powerhouse designed for elite FPS performance, precision, and style. Built for those who understand that improvement is the key to staying on top, this gaming mouse features the premium Pixart 3389 sensor, offering seamless tracking at up to 16,000 DPI without any hardware acceleration, ensuring your moves are as precise as your aim.
The ergonomic design of the Pulsefire FPS Pro prioritizes comfort, providing a secure grip with textured side grips that enable swift and precise movements during intense gaming sessions. With six programmable buttons, each equipped with durable Omron switches, customization becomes effortless.
The HyperX NGENUITY software offers easy and intuitive control, allowing you to create macros, tweak RGB lighting, and fine-tune DPI settings to match your unique gaming style.
Say goodbye to cumbersome setups with the ability to save up to three profiles directly to the onboard memory. Whether you’re switching devices or taking your gaming on the go, your personalized settings are always at your fingertips. The extra-large mouse skates serve as a solid foundation for smooth and controlled gliding, enhancing your ability to track and flick with precision.
It comes with 1 years of manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase., there is no mention of the rest of the world warranties.
Highlights
- Precision and responsiveness for top-tier gaming.
- Designed for comfort with textured side grips.
- Six programmable buttons with durable Omron switches.
- Quick and reliable setup for seamless gaming.
- Fluid tracking at 16,000 DPI without acceleration.
Pros
- Solid, comfortable, well designed gaming mouse
- DPI modes are great.
- Not very loud with clicking
- Awesome RGB lighting.
- 1000hz polling rate (1ms)
- Software is easy to use
Cons
- Mouse scroll wheel is solid and durable in construction
- Programming buttons could be better.
3. Logitech G203 Prodigy RGB Wired Gaming Mouse
Next on our list is yet another Logitech product. The Logitech G203 Prodigy is a wired gaming mouse that has a speed that is about 8 times faster than a typical mouse.
With 6000 DPI, the mouse is built for advanced gaming-grade performance. The Advanced Button Tensioning works to lighten the force needed for clicking the right and left buttons. This improves the click feel, consistency of the click and the overall response of the Game.
A build that is inspired by the Logitech G100S mouse series, the mouse has stayed to be a fan favorite among the e-sporting and the gaming community.
The mouse has a total of 6 programmable buttons to it and the central shift key can be used to change the DPI of the mouse abruptly mid-game as well.
Supporting over 16.8 million color combinations, the RGB Color lighting of the mouse can be changed and set to any of your intended color.
The cable is not braided and the scroll wheel could have been built a little better. Apart from that, the mouse seems to be a great fit for gaming. This gaming mouse comes with a limited 2 year warranty.
Highlights
- 6,000 DPI
- 6 Programmable buttons to use
- Easy to use and light in weight to hold
- 16.8 million RGB Backlighting customizations
- 8 Times faster than a typical standard mouse
- 2 year warranty on the product
Pros
- 6 Customizable Buttons
- Compatible with Windows and Mac
- Good build quality and in-hand feel
Cons
- Only 6000 DPI Sensor
- Quality of the scroll wheel can be improved
- Slightly on the heavier side
3. Razer Viper V2 Pro Free Wireless Gaming Mouse
Yet another Razer mouse, the Razer Viper V2 Pro HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse, a game-changer in the world of esports peripherals. Weighing a mere 59g, it stands out as one of the lightest gaming mice ever created, offering unbeatable speed and control – a must-have for serious gamers.
Powered by the Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor, this mouse provides top-notch precision with flawless tracking even on challenging surfaces like glass. With 99.8% resolution accuracy, you’re getting responsiveness that sets a new standard for gaming.
Equipped with Gen-3 Optical Mouse Switches, the V2 Pro ensures a remarkable 90-million click lifecycle, eliminating the frustration of double-click issues. With a swift 0.2ms actuation time, you can trust in the speed and reliability required for competitive esports.
Viper V2 Pro boasts an impressive 90-hour battery life. It’s not just lightweight; it’s a powerhouse that keeps you in the game for extended periods.
Take control with on-mouse DPI controls, allowing you to toggle between 5 DPI stages without the hassle of software adjustments. Your preferences are at your fingertips, providing a personalized gaming experience.
Razer provides 2 years of warranty and access reliable tech support.
Highlights
- 30K Optical Sensor
- 2 Years manufacturer’s warranty
- Gen-3 Switches
- 5-stage DPI adjustments
- 90-Hour Battery
Pros
- It’s ultra-light without compromising on performance
- A mouse for perfectionists and competitive gamers
Cons
- Mouse wheel encoder issues
- The Dongle Breaks.
Now that we have covered the best wired and wireless gaming mouse for windows, we will now be listing down the best gaming mouse for Mac OS
List of the Wired Gaming Mouse for Mac
1. UtechSmart Venus Gaming Mouse RGB Wired
Stealing the first spot on the Wired Mac Gaming Mouse list is the Utech Smart Venus Wired Gaming Mouse. It comes with a monstrous DPI Setting of 16,400 DPI and a 12,00 FPS.
Recommended by IGN, the mouse has a 1000 Hz polling rate and 30 G acceleration. The 100-150 inches per second cursor speed with its high precision Avago sensor, the DPI settings of this mouse can be easily adjusted from a range of 200 to 16400 DPI.
The mouse has a total of 12 side customizable buttons all of which are made from Omron micro switches which give you firm and crisp clicks. Using the 12 buttons, you can create a total of 5 custom profiles each and all of these profiles have their own 5 custom RGB color profiles which help in quick identification.
For this, you can choose from over 16 million LED RGB colors. The LED Breathing light can also be disabled by using the special switch button setting at the bottom of the mouse.
Highly customizable and programmable, there is also a dedicated auto-fire button which is highly convenient for high end FPS gamers.
It even comes with 8 pre-assembled and interchangeable weights that can be adjusted depending on how heavy you need the mouse to be which is again dependent on your gaming preference.
Again, it also has two durable TEFLON feet pads that are present towards the bottom of the mouse that enable the slide of the mouse to be better and thus gives you a truly amazing gaming experience.
Designed for right-handed gamers, the mouse comes with a 6 feet long braided cable and a gold plated USB connecter for greater durability. It also features an 18-month manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase.
Highlights
- 16,400 DPI
- Great ergonomics
- 8 preassembled and changeable weights
- 12 Customizable buttons
- Gold plated USB Connector
- Braided cable for better durability of the wire
- TEFLON Feet pads
- 5 custom color profiles
- 18 months warranty
Pros
- Max DPI setting of 16400
- Good design and very comfortable
- 5 memory profiles
- RGB Lighting
- 18 Programmable Buttons
- Precise weight tuning for good control and balance
- Easy to use 12 grid buttons on the side
Cons
- Not the most responsive gaming mouse
- Cable is not flexible
2. Razer DeathAdder Elite Gaming Mouse
Next on our list is the Razer DeathAdder Elite Gaming Mouse, an MMO gaming mouse. The DeathAdder Elite has been named as one of the best Razer gaming mouse under 50$ in the US by the NPD Group Inc for 2019.
Do not let the sleek and compact design of the mouse fool you. The Razer DeathAdder packs a punch with its 16,000 DPI speed and its Optical Sensor. The Chroma RGB lighting on the palm board offers a great 16.8 million color combinations and various preset profiles. These can be experienced with sync during gameplay.
A total of 7 programmable buttons are available on the mouse and these buttons are flexible for remapping and you can assign any sort of complex macro command functions through the Razer Synapse.
Coming to the design of the mouse, the Razer DeathAdder is more of a palm grip model than the ergonomic settled rest. The rubberized scroll wheel has firm and ridged and the small tactile bumps increase the overall grip of the device. This allows for you to have more controlled scrolling when you are amid high-stake games
A high lifetime support of 50 million clicks, the gaming mouse comes with a 2 years manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase.
Highlights
- 16,000 DPI
- Chroma RGB with 16.8 million colors
- 7 Programmable buttons with a few preset macro commands
- 50 million clicks life
- 2 years manufacturer’s warranty
Pros
- Precision sensor with adjustable DPI up to 16000
- Excellent build quality with very good in-hand ergonomics
- Great and ergonomic scroll wheel with rigid body and tactile bumps for grip
- Suitable for all hand sizes
- RGB Lighting
- 7 programmable buttons
Cons
- Cable is not flexible and not braided
- Not suitable for carrying
3. Glorious Gaming Model D Wired Gaming Mouse
The last wired mouse on our list is the Glorious Gaming Model D Wired Gaming Mouse, designed for speed, control, and comfort, this mouse boasts an ultralight 68g honeycomb structure, making it perfect for medium to large hands seeking optimal weight distribution. The ‘Ascended’ Paracord provides an ultra-flexible cable, delivering a wireless mouse feel in a wired setup.
Optimized for competitive gaming, it features pixel-perfect tracking, zero mouse acceleration, and a 1000 Hz polling rate for unparalleled precision. The model variety caters to different hand sizes and grips, ensuring a comfortable fit for everyone. The Ascended Cord offers a wireless feel with its flexible design, while the esports-optimized sensor guarantees perfect tracking, zero spinouts, and a lift-off distance of less than 0.7mm.
Rounded edges and PTFE skates further enhance seamless movement, allowing for complete control even in the heat of battle. Customize your gaming experience with intuitive software that lets you adjust RGB lighting, DPI settings, lift-off distance, and button mapping.
Highlights
- Ultralight Design (68g)
- 1000Hz polling rate.
- Personalize RGB lighting
- Lift-off distance
Pros
- Very light and comfortable to use
- LED lights are actually bright
- Very nice aesthetics
Cons
- Sensor on the mouse is really bad
- Side mouse button gets stuck when pressing it
List of Wireless Gaming Mouse for Mac
1. Logitech G PRO X Wireless Gaming Mouse
The first wireless gaming mouse to support Mac OS on our list is the Logitech G Pro X Wireless gaming mouse, a refined, faster, and more precise version crafted in collaboration with esports pros. Equipped with LIGHTFORCE hybrid optical-mechanical switches, this mouse ensures pro-level precision, reliability, and ultralow latency optical actuation with a crisp, tactile click.
The HERO 2 sensor provides tracking over 500+ IPS, up to 32,000 DPI, and precise sensor calibration without smoothing, acceleration, or filtering.
This wireless mouse is now enhanced with a 2K polling rate, USB-C charging, a remarkable 95-hour battery life, and POWERPLAY compatibility—all packed into an ultralight 60g design. Experience a smooth glide and seamless connection with zero-additive PTFE mouse feet, delivering precise maneuverability during intense gaming sessions.
Highlights
- HERO 25k Sensor
- Faster report rate
- 32,000 DPI
- 95 hours of battery life
- Five programmable buttons
Pros
- Lightweight and reliable
- Solid battery
- Ultra-lightweight design
- Provide a superior gaming experience
- Recharges very quickly
- Easy to modify the DPI
Cons
- Side mouse buttons are mushy
- Scroll wheel is not durable
- No DPI setting on the mouse
2. Logitech G Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse
Next on our list is yet another Logitech product. The Logitech G Pro wireless is a gaming mouse that does not exactly look like a gaming mouse but is built for pro-level gaming.
It comes with a 25,600 high DPI and 10x more power efficiency than any of the previous G generation Logitech mouse. The Logitech G Pro comes with the Hero 16K Sensor and a 32 bit ARM microprocessor that promises and delivers ultrafast speed.
Lightspeed in its function, the G Pro overcomes the traditional wireless latency and connectivity limitations, the mouse delivers a great performance with an incredibly fast 1-millisecond report rate connection.
With a total of 6 programmable buttons, the design of the mouse is ergonomic and ambidextrous. Thus it does not discriminate between right-handed user and left-handed user.
Super sleek yet incredibly strong in its build, the mouse weighs just about 80 grams. It is durable and can withstand a total of 50 million clicks in its lifetime. The side buttons on the side are removable and thus offer great customization.
The mouse comes with 2 years of manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase.
Highlights
- 16,000 DPI
- 10X more efficiency than previous models
- Sleek design with light weight model
- 50 million clicks durable life time
- 6 programmable buttons
- 4 side buttons are removable and offer great customization
- 2 Years manufacturer’s warranty
Pros
- Very good sensor performance with max DPI of 25600
- Good build quality and designed for pro esport gamers
- Low latency
- Light weight
- Can be used with wire or wirelessly
- 6 programmable buttons
Cons
- Cable quality is not good
- Not suitable for small hands
Buying Guide: How to pick the right Gaming Mouse?
In this buying guide, we will be discussing all the important factors that one needs to take care of and into consideration while buying a gaming mouse.
What are the Different Types of Mouse?
Before we jump into the buying guide and list down the factors that determine your purchase, you need to know about all the different types of gaming mouse available,
Basically, there are a total of 6 different types of gaming mice available
1. The All-purpose Mouse
The first one is the most common type, the all-purpose mouse. As the name suggests, this mouse is used not just for one type of game but all including MMO, FPS, Action, RTS and more. What’s more, most all-purpose mice come at very affordable pricing. They can also be used for regular mundane computer tasks without much hassle.
2. MMO Mouse
MMO stands for Massively Multiplayer Online game and MMO Game such as the World of Warcraft or Age of Empires have a single common strategic design element. They demand an insanely enormous amount of control from the player. For this, the mouse needs to have a dedicated third button grid that will let you control a lot more in a single hand rather than having the left hand traveling a lot to the num pad.
Typical MMO Mice come with a 12 button grid by the side of the Thumb button that you can customize to suit your gaming requirements and thus are even very convenient if not boosters for first-person shooter games as well.
3. FPS Mouse
The next type is perhaps the most common type of gaming mouse there is. A Shooter Mouse or an FPS mouse has a left and right button along with the mouse wheel design.
For general shooting games ( both first-person and third-person shooter games), the most commonly used and the primary corresponding button is the fire key. Other occasional use cases of the mouse would be to select, zoom, iron sights or perform combinations.
Simple in their design yet very effective and convenient in their performance, Shooter mice can easily and very fast adapt to any and if not all types of action games all by using just 3 fingers. Also, most of these mice come with DPI control where you can up or down the DPI levels or they have a dedicated up or down buttons near the DPI wheel as well (which is great for sniping and for games where the character needs to camp).
4. Ambidextrous Mouse
An ambidextrous gaming mouse is designed specifically for people of all hand coordination. One of the common problems faced by left-handed gamers is that gaming mice are not built nor customized to their favor. This is really frustrating as your ability is mostly tied or restricted with the movement of the mouse.
Ambidextrous gaming mice are a boon both for Left-handed gamers and for right-handed persons as well. The bodies of these mice have the same ergonomic grooves on either side of the mouse be it the left or the right and they both compliment each other so as not to cause any irregularities. This makes it incredibly comfortable to use the mouse even with a left hand or the right hand.
They might not have a gazillion customizable buttons like the typical MMO mouse but they have enough and are more or less of the range of the shooter mouse.
5. Mobile / Laptop Gaming Mouse
Light in weight and built for mobility, the mobile gaming mouse is built for laptop gaming. They are portable and are usually very small in size and often wireless in nature.
A standard gaming mouse is usually heavy due to the number of customizations, grooves and the buttons that are placed on the device. A mobile mouse has comparatively fewer customizations but they hold a specific advantage compared to other gaming mice in terms of movement and agility. The usual grip style for these mice is the Tip Grip Style.
6. Hybrid Gaming Mouse
Finally, we have the Hybrid gaming mouse. A Hybrid mouse tries to include the best features available in all of the ice. This makes it easier and comfortable for gamers of styles to use it.
A Hybrid mouse comes with more than just 2 standard thumb shooter buttons but it does not have a high number of keypad buttons like that of an MMO gamer mouse. These are great choices for gamers who wish to have the best of both worlds and yet have something that is light in weight, stylish in design, and easier on the pocket as well.
Ergonomics of the Mouse
Apart from the type of mice, the ergonomics of the mouse also help in determining which mouse suits for you and for your gaming needs. The ergonomics of the mouse are decided by the type of grip the gamer has when he/she uses the mouse.
1. Closed Palm Grip
The first and the basic type of grip that exists in the closed palm grip. It is very common and used by most players as a standard form of grip. Here, you just lay the fingers flat on the buttons of the mouse whereas the palm is rested on the body of the mouse.
This gives you a relaxed posture that is ideal for strolling and for strategy-based MMO gaming where in your energy is invested in decision making rather than quick character movements or shooting etc.,
2. The Tip Grip or the Fingertip Grip
Here, as the name suggests, you have your fingertips readily placed on the buttons. The index finger on the left button, the middle of the central button (or the wheel) and the right ring finger will rest on the left button. Your palm will not touch the body of the mouse whereas the thumb is placed on a tight grip by the side of the mouse.
This is a caution stance that is used by gamers while walking or running with great caution and they are ready to fire or make a quick decision.
3. Claw Grip
A stance that is widely used for activities such as quickfire etc., Here your grip would be distributed between the palm and the tip grip styling. You will basically Claw the mouse with your fingers angled towards the buttons whereas your palm is on the body and also the back edge of the mouse.
While these three are the most commonly used types of grips (both consciously and subconsciously) by gamers, it is important to identify what type of grip your game demands or requires. This will let you decide the type of mouse you would be more comfortable.
Once you have drawn up your comfort zone, you can not experiment with different gaming mice that have different ergonomics. Each of these mice has its own ergonomics designed onto them to support different types of grips.
One of the most commonly used and widely accepted types of grip is the closed grip mouse that has ergonomic finger and palm grooves to the side that let you rest your palm and fingers all while keeping them ready for any kind of action.
Factors to consider when buying a gaming mouse
-
DPI / CPI
DPI or Dots per inch is used in digital media to describe the density of pixels of an image. Even though mouse specifications often denote the DPI values, it makes more sense to use the term CPI or Counts per inch. CPI is the number of times the mouse sensor reads the tracking surface.
-
Poling Rate
It determines how often the mouse communicates with the computer. Polling rate is measured in Herts (Hz) and a higher value is better. Polling rate shouldn’t be too high as it can throttle the CPU which might result in a lag.
-
IPS
Inches per second or IPS (not to be confused with IPS-LCD) is the measure of a mouse sensor’s ability to keep up with the physical movements. A higher IPS values if often better for keeping up with physically high-speed movements and also the overall accuracy.
-
Angle Snapping
Sometimes also called as Angle Prediction, the Angle Snapping is an ability of a mouse’s sensor to predict the movement and smooth out the path it is travelling. Angle snapping isn’t available in all mice.
Angle snapping is the custom configuration of a gaming mouse where the mouse sensor data is taken and then modified for prediction outputs. To put it in plain words, Angle snapping can use your mouse sensor data and then create smoother movements of the mouse in future.
For instance, if you want to try and draw a vertical line with the mouse by yourselves, it will be irregular. It will have some curves or bumps in it due to the high mouse sensitivity and then the angle of the movement as well. Angle snapping helps in smoothing out and removing those small bumps and ends up giving you a truly straight and vertical line.
The applications of predictive mouse movements are great and are limited to your customization imagination but are not so much in helping you improve your hand-eye coordination. This is a function that is available in a very few gaming mice and not in
-
Acceleration
Depending on the movement of the mouse, the Mouse Acceleration feature will either increase or decrease the speed of the cursor.
-
Latency
Input latency is very important in a wireless mouse. Latency is the time taken between the mouse click and the computer to register that click. If the latency is high, then you feel a lag and the game experience wouldn’t be good.
-
Weight of the Mouse
If you are a contemporary gamer (action, adventure, puzzle or others multiplayer), the weight of the mouse will definitely have an effect on your performance. Many gaming mice comes with weight tuning ability, where a bunch of weights are placed in the mouse. You can adjust these weights as per your convenience.
-
Programmable Keys
The next very important thing that you need to consider is the number of customizable or programmable buttons the mouse comes with. Higher the number of buttons gives you the better able to customize and create better shortcuts while you are gaming.
Apart from the three buttons (or the central wheel and two buttons), a gaming mouse may have few customizable buttons to the side of the mouse.
Apart from the extra buttons, you also need to focus on the customization software that these gaming mice come with. These software help you customize the buttons and program more than a single button for a specific function or a single key for multiple functions as well.
You can also set up the action, event or time-specific lighting scheme to the mouse as well. Apart from button customizations and the lighting scheme toggling, the software also lets you switch the DPI mid-game as well.
This is very important as the ability to switch the mouse’s tracking mid-game will give you a great edge over your gaming experience.
-
Lift-Off Distance
The lift-off distance of a mouse is one of the most popular and widely used metrics to determine the quality of the mouse. The Lift-Off distance of a gaming mouse or any mouse refers to the maximum height at which the mouse needs to be raised until the sensor stops working.
This means that by default, higher the lift-off distance, greater is your flexibility. But contrary to popular belief, many gamers prefer low lift-off distance as this enables them to play at low sensitivity. This is because most gamers abruptly lift the mouse mid-game and then reset its position to resume gaming. The low lift-off distance helps them not to make any errors that might occur due to the abrupt lifting of the mouse. The low lift-off distance does not offset nor move the cursor when the mouse is in the air momentarily
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ans: If you are a serious gamer who needs good accuracy and precision, then the simple answer is a wired mouse. Wireless mouse adds another point of lag between the mouse and the USB receiver. But modern Wireless Mice from Logitech, Razer have evolved with relatively less input latency. If speed and precision aren’t your priority, then you can opt for a wireless gaming mouse.
Ans: There are several factors that come into play to determine the best wireless gaming mouse but the important one is the latency. A low latency wireless gaming mouse definitely impacts the game play. With that said, the Logitech G502 is one of the highly rated wireless gaming mouse you can buy.
Ans: The DPI settings of a mouse depends on the type of game you play. Lower DPI will generally increase the control and aim in FPS games but you have to sacrifice the quick turns. Opposite is true for higher DPI settings. For FPS games, DPI settings between 400 – 1000 will provide the precision.
Ans: Usually, most gaming mouse manufacturers allow customization of buttons on the mouse through their respective software. You can change DPI, assign macros to the buttons, re-map the buttons and also control the RGB Lighting, if any.
Ans: Apart from the left, right and scroll buttons, many gaming mice come with additional (and often customizable) buttons, usually near the thumb area. You can customize these buttons to have dedicated functions and you can easily program them using the manufacturer’s software. Depending on the game you play, you might need anywhere between 6 to 18 buttons. The beauty about these buttons is that you can use them as macro switches for other software like video edition or photo editing.
Ans: Generally, switches in gaming mouse are of two types. Mechanical switches and Optical switches. Mechanical switches from Omron are considered one of the best and optical switches from Razer (often found in Razer products) are top notch.
Ans: There are three ways to grip the mouse for gaming. Palm grip, claw grip and finger tip grip. Palm grip is the basic grip where you rest your entire palm on the mouse. This is not suitable for professional gaming but only for regular day-to-day work. And for the best way to hold your mouse when gaming, you can go for either claw grip or finger tip grip. In fingertip grip, only your fingertips are in contact with the mouse. You can easily lift the mouse and adjust its position. Claw grip falls between palm grip and fingertip grip. Your hand is made into a claw like shape where the fingers are on the buttons and the end of your palm rests on the mouse. This grip allows you with finer wrist movement.
Ans: There are several companies that manufactures gaming mice. Some companies that make the best gaming mouse are Logitech, Razer, Corsair, SteelSeries.
Wrapping it up:
The Redragon M901 comes with over 18 programmable buttons and a 12,400 high DPI. As for the wireless mouse, the Razer Viper Ultimate Hyperspeed Lightest Wireless Gaming Mouse has 20,000 DPI and 8 programmable keys.
For Mac, we have the UtechSmart Venus Gaming Mouse comes with 16,400 DPI and 18 customizable buttons. For wireless, we have the Logitech G604 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse with 25,600 DPI and 15 programmable keys.
While these were the best gaming mice we encountered, we are constantly on the lookout for the best. Did we miss out on anything? Or do you want us to add something to the list? Do you have any questions that you’d like to ask us? If so, then feel free to write to us in the comments section below and our product expert team will write back to you as soon as possible.
3 Responses
No 11 the versiontech gaming mouse- Is it ambidextrous? And how much comfort it gives for a medium shaped hand?
Not completely. There are two buttons on the left side of the mouse for forward/back operations which are easily accessible with right thumb. Otherwise lefties can use it.
I shudder to think what those mice are going to look like in a few years time, I have a Logitech G502 and dirt already gets caught in the rubber grip patterns what’s it going to be like on these mice?