The very best gaming mouse in 2024

No gaming mouse will magically cease you from getting wrecked in Counter-Strike or Name of Obligation, however an excellent one can provide you a better sense of management whereas making your playtime extra comfy. Which one is “finest” will all the time be subjective: Form is king, because the adage goes, and everybody’s palms are totally different. That mentioned, we’ve examined dozens of well-reviewed gaming mice over the previous a number of months to search out those that stood out probably the most. After enjoying via numerous periods of CS2, Overwatch 2, Last Fantasy XIV and more PC games, listed here are our picks for the very best gaming mice you should purchase, together with some basic buying recommendation to remember earlier than you pull the set off.

The very best gaming mouse

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

If cash isn’t any object, the very best gaming mouse with a symmetrical design that we’ve examined is the Razer Viper V3 Pro. It prices a hefty $160, however it’ll provide you with little to complain about in the event you play a ton of aggressive PC video games and may abdomen the worth.

With its evenly grooved sides, noticeable however not aggressive hump and delicate flare-outs towards the again, the Viper V3 Professional’s form ought to be comfy for a variety of hand sizes and grip types. It’s a bit on the broader aspect, and it in all probability works finest with a claw or fingertip grip, however it’s not so brief or flat that it might’t accommodate palm grippers. The primary mouse buttons are contoured in a means that provides your fingers a pure resting place, and there are little ledges on both aspect to subtly nudge them to the correct spot if you’re scrambling in-game. Put one other means, this is among the safer shapes we’ve examined.

The Viper’s construct high quality is great. It’s impressively gentle at 54 grams, which makes it a breeze to flick round in fast-paced video games, but its matte plastic body isn’t coated in dust-inviting holes like many different choices across the identical weight. We’ve seen zero hints of creaking, flexing or rattling after months of testing. The end picks up some finger smudges however is grippy and delightfully gentle to the contact. The primary click on buttons use sturdy optical switches however aren’t particularly loud. Although they aren’t fairly as full or crisp as the very best mechanical switches, they’re nonetheless snappy to press, neither too agency nor too gentle. The 2 programmable aspect buttons are well-sized and straightforward to succeed in. The scroll wheel, in the meantime, is tight and quiet, with clearly outlined steps and a textured end.

Efficiency, as is the case with many high-end gaming mice lately, is successfully flawless. Razer’s Focus Professional 35K Optical Sensor Gen-2 — say that 5 occasions quick — is mainly overkill from a technological perspective however makes the mouse exceptionally correct and constant all the identical. It’s aided by amply-sized, smooth-gliding PTFE toes and a rock-solid connection to an included “HyperPolling” dongle. The latter lets the mouse attain a most polling charge of 8,000Hz, however as famous under, few folks will really observed any profit from leaping that prime. Principally, it’ll simply zap battery life: Razer says the Viper V3 Professional can rise up to 95 hours at 1,000Hz, which is ok for this market and roughly in step with our expertise, however that drops to simply 17 hours at 8,000Hz.

If the worth didn’t make it apparent, the Viper V3 Professional is for gaming fans. As such, it offers up a number of the perks you’d discover on extra mainstream mice: There’s no RGB lighting or Bluetooth, whereas the facility button/DPI switcher is situated on the underside of the machine to make it more durable to hit by chance. Because the machine makes use of a particular dongle as an alternative of a standard receiver, it nonetheless requires you run a separate USB-C cable out of your PC or gaming laptop. You possibly can join over that cable when the battery is low, fortunately, however it’s comparatively thick. And whereas Razer’s Synapse software program makes it easy sufficient to regulate settings, it’s one thing of a useful resource hog. It’s additionally Home windows-only. These are all nitpicks, although. The Viper V3 Professional is excellent, and it ought to really feel proper at house within the palms of dedicated FPS gamers.

Execs

Distinctive efficiency
Very good construct high quality
Snug for many grip varieties and hand sizes

Cons

Costly
Little bit of a fingerprint magnet
Thick charging cable

$160 at Amazon

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Connectivity: Wi-fi, wired (USB-C) | Form: Proper-handed | Weight: 63 grams | Dimensions: 5 x 2.67 x 1.73 inches | Sensor: Razer Focus Professional 30K Optical Sensor | Switches: Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3 | Most polling charge: 8,000Hz (“basic base” mannequin requires optionally available dongle) | Programmable buttons: 6 | Battery life (rated): As much as 90 hours at 1,000Hz

If you need a premium gaming mouse with a extra ergonomic form, get the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro. It packs many of the identical 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 palms ought to discover it to be a pure match with a palm or claw grip, although it’ll in all probability 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 stress-free 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, however it’s nonetheless good, and it’s a lot much less of a fingerprint magnet. Additionally, the aspect buttons are larger, nearer collectively and a smidge much less tight, however they’re nonetheless tough to hit by chance. The design is heavier at 63 grams, too, however nonetheless critically light-weight. The PTFE toes 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 predominant buttons are satisfying and constant however not overly delicate. The evenly notched scroll wheel is gentle, quiet and resistant sufficient, if not agency. Battery life is rated at an honest 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 wi-fi dongle that allows these increased charges within the field. The textured “classic base” mannequin comes with a smaller USB receiver that “solely” goes as much as 1,000Hz, however because it’s usually out there for much less at third-party retailers, it’s in all probability a greater worth. Normally, the most important 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 Professional Mini” than a transparent downgrade. It doesn’t quit 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 ranking 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 palms are on the smaller aspect, it’s value grabbing as an alternative.

Execs

High-shelf efficiency
Light-weight
Snug for these with medium to giant palms

Cons

Costly
Naggy software program
Not excellent for smaller palms

$115 at Walmart

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Endgadget

In the event 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 slender than most mice we’ve examined, so it’ll be comfiest with a claw or fingertip grip, although a palm grip can even work in smaller palms. The entire thing is extremely sturdy, with no flex or rattle, whereas the sleek matte plastic coating offers 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 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) simple to swap out in a worst-case situation. Normally, the machine’s openness to customization is commendable — there are readily uncovered screws on the underside and a screwdriver, optionally available aspect grips and bigger PTFE toes within the field.

By default, the primary clicks are on the stiffer aspect however quick to actuate and noticeably crisp. You possibly can really set these switches to make use of a “speed mode” that reduces click on latency even additional, however both means the buttons are simple to spam. The appropriate mouse button on our unit does sound somewhat sharper than the left, however the distinction isn’t extreme and you’ll pop in quieter switches on a budget if you would like a distinct noise profile. The notched scroll wheel and two aspect buttons are well-tensioned, too. The latter really feel considerably hole, however they’re onerous to hit by chance.

Sensor efficiency is predictably wonderful; we noticed no accuracy or movement delay points throughout a variety of video games. With its gentle weight, quick clicks and {smooth} inventory skates, every little thing 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, however 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 seems like one thing out of the Home windows 95 period however is straightforward to grok and takes up subsequent to no sources.

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

Execs

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

Cons

A bit small for giant palms
Facet buttons really feel considerably hole
Occasional inventory points

$75 at Endgame Gear

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

It’s a couple 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 predominant buttons and a rounded, moderately-sized hump working down its center. It’s fantastically cozy for palm grippers with medium- to large-sized palms, however it’ll additionally play effectively with claw grips. Those that want a fingertip grip or simply have smaller palms will seemingly discover it too chunky, nevertheless.

The design as a complete feels strong; there’s some minor flexing on the bottom-right aspect if you press down onerous, however you’d need to exit of your option to discover it. The matte plastic end is pleasingly textured and sufficiently grippy. The cable is a lot versatile, whereas the PTFE toes 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 whole, 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 likely be significantly powerful 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 predominant 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. Just like the Viper V3 Professional, the buttons are grooved in a means that naturally invitations your index and center fingers.

The scroll wheel may be the weakest ingredient: It has clearly outlined steps and an simply identifiable texture, however it’s pretty loud and a bit wobbly. That mentioned, it might tilt side-to-side — which helps clarify the wobbliness — and there’s a built-in toggle that permits you to swap between a standard ratcheted scroll and a free-spin mode. That may be useful exterior of video games — say, when you might want to scroll via a large doc or Excel sheet.

Razer’s Synapse software program continues to be naggy with updates and Home windows-only, however 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 broad body imply it’s not expressly designed for video games like these. It can also’t go above a 1,000Hz polling charge. 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 sensible 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 usually available for lower than $50 at third-party retailers lately, you’ll be able to take into account it our choose for the very best price range gaming mouse as effectively.

It’s value noting that Razer launched a barely refreshed mannequin referred to as the Basilisk V3 35K since our final replace. That one comes with a technically improved sensor and newer optical switches, although the load and total form are just about an identical. On condition that we didn’t have many points with the tech inside authentic V3, we’d nonetheless advocate getting the older model whereas it’s nonetheless in inventory and out there for much less. In the event you see the V3 35K on sale for the same value, nevertheless, it ought to be secure to simply get that one as an alternative.

Execs

Tremendous comfy for medium to giant palms
Properly-built, with versatile cable
Versatile scroll wheel
Good worth

Cons

Too heavy to be excellent for FPS video games
Too cumbersome to be excellent for small palms
Scroll wheel is noisy
Naggy software program

$44 at Amazon

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

If you need 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 aspect buttons, all of which ship a snug, 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 aspect panel with an Allen key included within the field, so in the event you discover the buttons tough to succeed in by default, you’ll be able to tackle that. Both means, having a number of buttons proper underneath your thumb makes it a lot simpler to play MMOs like Last 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, however 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 toes. Internally, its optical sensor (the Pixart PMW3391) isn’t precisely superior lately, however it’s greater than constant sufficient for MMOs and MOBAs, which don’t depend on exact, quick-twitch actions. It has no significant issues with latency, both.

Nonetheless, there are a couple of downsides. The braided cable feels sturdy however considerably stiff. The scroll wheel is grippy and correct sufficient, however it’s a contact too recessed between the primary buttons, and it may very well be firmer. These predominant buttons by no means really feel mushy, however they use mechanical switches, in order that they carry extra of a long-term sturdiness danger than optical 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 (delicate) RGB lighting and save profiles to the mouse, however determining how is wildly unintuitive.

Nonetheless, the MMO gaming mouse market doesn’t actually have one killer possibility lately. At a value that often hovers within the $60 to $75 vary, the Scimitar RGB Elite gives higher worth than most. In the event you hate cables, Corsair sells a wireless version of the machine too.

Execs

Cleverly textured aspect 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

$59 at Amazon

Lamzu

Whereas our prime wi-fi picks are nice, we notice that they aren’t low-cost. If you need a performance-focused mannequin with a symmetrical form that isn’t as dear, take into account 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 light-weight wi-fi design (57g) is 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 comfy too. (Simply persist with the Viper in the event you use a palm grip.) Past that, Lamzu’s companion software program is ugly however practical, 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 scale back the load however depart 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 danger totally. That mentioned, the Atlantis prices $60 much less, so it’s an honest worth for a premium mouse.

Execs

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

Cons

Holes in baseplate depart inside open to mud and particles
Not excellent for palm grips
Ugly software program

$102 at Amazon

Pulsar Gaming Gears

The Pulsar Xlite V3, in the meantime, is a wonderful different to the DeathAdder V3 Professional if you would like a right-handed design. It has the same contoured form, so it’s nice for palm and claw grips, however it’s a pinch lighter. Notably, Pulsar sells mini, medium and large variants, so you’ll be able to select a dimension that matches your palms finest. Every have inflexible outer shells and snappy optical buttons, although the sleek plastic coating isn’t as grippy as both of the DeathAdder’s finishes and the aspect buttons aren’t as crisp.

Just like the Atlantis, the Xlite V3 additionally has cutouts throughout the underside, making it extra prone to gunk. Nonetheless, it is a gentle, comfy and extremely responsive ergo mouse. For a typical road value of $70, it’s a robust purchase.

We’ll be aware that Pulsar has launched a revised model of this mouse referred to as the Xlite V4 since our final replace. We haven’t been in a position to check it simply but, although it doesn’t look like an enormous refresh, primarily including a more recent sensor in successfully the identical form. We’ll replace this advice as soon as we’re in a position to get our palms on the V4, however for now we stand by our present choose, particularly when it’s out there for a lower cost.

Execs

Strong worth
Properly-suited for palm and claw grips
Accessible in several sizes

Cons

Holes in baseplate depart inside open to mud and particles
Coating may very well be grippier

$100 at Amazon

Different gaming mice we examined

The new Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 wireless gaming mouse. — The Logitech G Professional X Superlight 2. (Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)

Word: The next is a choice of particularly noteworthy mice we have examined, not a complete record of each single mannequin we’ve put via its paces.

Logitech G Professional X Superlight 2

The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 is a detailed rival to the Razer Viper V3 Professional for many who need a no-frills, high-end wi-fi gaming mouse. It has the same “potato”-style form, its monitoring is equally super and its optical-mechanical switches have a definite really feel. In contrast to the primary Superlight, it additionally expenses over USB-C. However the Viper’s predominant 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.

Logitech G Professional X Superlight 2 DEX

The G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX is the ergonomic model of the Superlight 2, packing the identical sensor and hybrid switches in a chunkier, right-handed form. We discovered its proper aspect to flare out somewhat an excessive amount of, although, usually leaving our pinky finger in a less-than-comfortable place. These with medium-sized palms might discover its heart hump to be too aggressive for constant aiming as effectively. The DeathAdder V3 Professional’s predominant buttons are nonetheless extra invitingly curved and constant to press past that, whereas its coating isn’t as slippery. The DEX’s scroll wheel is tighter, and all of its inside tech is nice, so on no account is that this a poor selection. However at $159, there are higher values on the market.

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 strong worth. Its symmetrical form and soft-touch end are just about an identical 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 toes, too, plus it lacks a port for connecting a cable. So it’s not as near its large sibling because the mid-tier DeathAdder. Some might want that its DPI button is situated on the highest of the mouse, although, and its less complicated on-off change is sweet.

Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed

The Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed is a extra reasonably priced 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 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 mentioned, it’s an honest worth at $70.

Pulsar X2 V2

The Pulsar X2 V2 is an efficient different to the Lamzu Atlantis OG V2 4K if you would like 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 sweet 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 predominant 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 value, it’s nonetheless higher for FPS gamers than the Viper V3 HyperSpeed, however we want 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 an alternative of plastic. It performs about on par with our prime picks, which is great, whereas its right-handed, medium-sized form ought to swimsuit palm and claw grippers effectively. (If you already know BenQ’s Zowie EC line, the form is mainly that.) Nonetheless, the intensive cutouts all around the sides and prime shell are noticeable within the hand and make the machine extra prone 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 typical on our check PC, and it’s costly at $169.

BenQ Zowie U2

Talking of BenQ, its Zowie U2 is a superbly 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 nice. It additionally comes with two receivers, considered one of 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, however it also needs to work for fingertip grippers with bigger palms 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 somewhat cumbersome, although some might want not having to put in any additional bloat on their PC. This mouse additionally maxes out at a reasonably primary 1,000Hz polling charge — that’s not an enormous deal in observe, however it is technically behind many different mice on this value vary.

Logitech G309 Lightspeed

There isn’t a lot improper 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 in the event you 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 machine, both, because it creates an area for mud to gather. At $80, the G309 continues to be nice for extra informal varieties who’ll solely purchase from a reputation model. However until you employ PowerPlay, it doesn’t do a lot to face out from different choices across the identical value.

HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is an honest wired mannequin for many 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 can be coated by the mouse’s label. However the Endgame Gear OP1 8K is better-built and extra comfy, so we predict it’s value the additional money. The Razer Viper 8KHz was one other strong, albeit heavier, possibility with the same form, however it’s not out there for buy.

A few of the gaming mice we tested for our latest update. Left to right: the Glorious Model I 2 Wireless, the Razer Cobra Pro, the Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed and the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2. — Just a few extra gaming mice we have examined. Left to proper: the Superb Mannequin I 2 Wi-fi, the Razer Cobra Professional, the Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed and the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2. (Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)

HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wi-fi

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless is a budget-friendly wi-fi variant of the Haste 2. It could be OK in the event 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 predominant buttons really feel considerably mushy, and we noticed a couple of sensor hiccups and inconsistencies, significantly 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 aspect buttons. Nonetheless, its predominant buttons are noisier, it’s a barely extra awkward match for many palms, its rubber cable isn’t as versatile and it lacks RGB.

Logitech G203 Lightsync

The Logitech G203 Lightsync is our former price range choose. It’s usually out there within the $30 vary lately, and at that value it’s nonetheless nice if you would like a reliable gaming mouse for as little cash as doable. You possibly can really feel the fee slicing in its rubbery cable and mushy scroll wheel, nevertheless, and its form is a bit too small and flat for bigger palms. The Logitech G305 Lightspeed is a wi-fi mannequin with kind of the identical form, however 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 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 typical going charges. The Endgame Gear OP1 8K nonetheless feels higher-quality throughout the board, however when you have smaller palms, use a fingertip grip and need a symmetrical mouse on a budget, go for it.

A blue Logitech G203 Lightsync gaming mouse rested on top of a black mouse pad on a desk. — The Logitech G203 Lightsync (Jeff Dunn / Engadget)

Superb Mannequin I 2 Wi-fi

There’s a lot to love in regards to the Glorious Model I 2 Wireless: an ergonomic form that’s paying homage 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. Nonetheless, its honeycomb-style design and mechanical switches each increase considerations about its long-term sturdiness.

Superb Mannequin D 2 Wi-fi

The Glorious Model D 2 Wireless additionally has holes throughout its shell but doesn’t carry out or really feel considerably higher than different mice across the $100 mark. Reviews from other sites say it has latency points, too. The ergonomic Model D 2 Pro and symmetrical Model O 2 Pro aren’t loaded with cutouts, however their predominant buttons are comparatively loud and sticky-feeling.

Razer Naga Left-Handed Version

The Razer Naga Left-Handed Edition isn’t almost pretty much as good of a price because the Scimitar RGB Elite, however it’s one of many few MMO mice that’s really constructed for lefties.

Logitech G600

We might proceed to advocate our former MMO choose, 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 not the case. Over the previous few years, wi-fi connectivity has improved to the purpose the place the distinction in latency between an excellent wi-fi mannequin and a tried-and-true wired gaming mouse is barely perceptible.

Word, 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 help each connection choices, which is nice for journey, however Bluetooth’s latency is usually 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 “regular” wi-fi fashions. You shouldn’t anticipate quite a lot of days of energy from a chargeable gaming mouse you employ frequently. 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 is rarely value it: Who needs but one other cable on their desk? Chances are you’ll want a wi-fi mannequin in the event 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 value is your main concern, an excellent wired mouse could also be a greater worth.

Consolation and grip varieties

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

We additionally thought of how every peripheral 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 complete hand rests on the mouse, along with your fingers resting flat on the primary buttons. A fingertip grip is if you steer the mouse solely with the guidelines of your fingers, along with your palm not in touch with the machine 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.

Normally, 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 particular 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 steadiness between the 2. Switch and Click has an excellent breakdown in the event you’d like a bit extra element, however we’ve famous above if a mouse isn’t well-suited for a specific grip fashion. For what it’s value, yours actually is a claw gripper more often than not.

Construct high quality and design

A very good gaming mouse feels sturdy and gained’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 seemed for finishes that have been {smooth}, not too slick and able to withstanding the sweaty palms that always include aggressive gaming periods.

The gaming mouse market is usually cut up between two design types: 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 might not have additional buttons on each side). Whether or not an ergonomic or ambidextrous gaming mouse works finest for you is essentially a matter of non-public desire.

A gaming mouse’s toes, 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 doable. For the very best efficiency, search for toes comprised of PTFE (aka Teflon). All toes 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, in the event 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 presently utilizing.

Weight

Gaming mice have gotten lighter and lighter over time, with some current releases weighing lower than 40 grams. Your mouse doesn’t want to be that feathery — something underneath 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 drag off quick actions repeatedly, with much less inertia. That mentioned, some gamers nonetheless get pleasure from somewhat 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 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 inner circuit board to doable sweat, mud and detritus isn’t the very best 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 avid gamers nonetheless discover good mechanical switches extra satisfying to press, so it is not like you need to keep away from mechanical mice altogether. They simply carry somewhat extra long-term danger in a vacuum.

Since most individuals will use their gaming mouse as their mouse-mouse, it’s your decision predominant 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 desire: You might have considered trying lighter buttons in the event you play video games that decision for fixed clicking. We additionally seemed to testing from sites like Rtings to make sure every mouse we advocate has a sufficiently low click on latency, that means your clicks will register with minimal lag.

Past the usual click on panels, an excellent gaming mouse also needs to have programmable buttons for fast macros or shortcuts. For many video games, shoot for no less than two additional buttons on the thumb-side panel which can be simple to succeed in and tough to press by chance. 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 aspect buttons is preferable in an effort 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 if you’ve really scrolled. Its texture ought to be grippy, and it should not make a distracting quantity of noise when used. The wheel also needs to 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 looking for gaming mice, you’ll see a variety of 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 and marketing fluff: Few folks play above 3,000, with 800 a typical candy spot. This idea can be known as CPI (counts per inch), which is probably 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 quicker 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 charge is a measure of how usually a mouse tells a pc the place it’s. Normally, the extra ceaselessly your mouse experiences info to your PC, the extra predictable its response time ought to be. Something at 500Hz or above is ok for gaming. The candy spot for many is 1,000Hz. Many more recent mice can go all the best way as much as 8,000Hz, however you begin to see diminishing returns the upper you go until personal a robust PC and play on a gaming monitor with a very excessive refresh charge.
Raise-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 in an effort 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 perfect 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 lots 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 machine 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 intensive a producer’s program is, the higher. That is the case with most client tech, however we be aware 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 might even see overvalued on YouTube, Reddit or elsewhere across the net. A bunch of those extra obscure mice are genuinely nice, however in the event 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 certain our picks for the very best gaming mice aren’t riddled with an irregular quantity of poor person opinions.

Latest updates

November 2024: We’ve up to date this information with testing notes on the Logitech G Professional X Superlight 2 DEX. We’ve additionally added mentions of the Razer Basilisk V3 35K and Pulsar Xlite V4, two just lately launched updates to a few our present picks. We intention to check these extra totally, alongside a couple of others, for our subsequent replace.

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

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