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. Logitech G600 MMO Gaming Mouse
Next on our list is also an MMO mouse that comes with multiple programmable keys on the mouse. If you are looking for the best gaming mouse under 50$, then you search ends here. We have the Logitech G600 MMO Gaming Mouse as the next product in the list for you.
Unlike the Redragon high DPI mouse, the Logitech G600 comes with a decent yet high DPI of 8,200. While the Redragon mouse has a total of 18 MMO buttons, the Logitech gaming mouse exceeds it and provides a total of 20 MMO tuned buttons. In these, you are given 12 unique thumb panel buttons that provide quick and speedy navigation.
The thumb pane comes with RGB lighting colors and can be customized easily. The colors can be customized for various color schemes
The DPI too can be heavily customized and the levels and also the buttons too can be programmed to suit individual gaming operations and requirements. You can customize the buttons to about 16 million color combinations so that it will be easier to game in high-intensity thanks to the 3 trained memory profiles
Precise cursor movements and with high accuracy, the Mouse has a G Shift ring finger button that can double the number of actions one can do with every button in an instant.
Completely ergonomic in its build, the mouse has been shaped to fit into your palm with great comfort and thus reduces the click fatigue that might occur during marathon playing modes.
With its low friction polytetrafluoroethylene bottom build, it will remove any possible friction on any type of surface and thus enable smoother motion and precise cursor movement and thus improve the overall accuracy of the cursor.
Compatible with multiple systems, the Logitech gaming mouse does not explicitly mention its warranty. Though its product documentation does say that for European shipping, it comes with 2 years of manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase., there is no mention of the rest of the world warranties.
Highlights
- 20 total programmable keys
- 8,200 DPI
- 3 memory profiles
- 16 million color customizable RGB backlights
- G Shift ring finger button for instant doubling the number of actions
- Ergonomic build
- Polytetrafluoroethylene build
Pros
- 20 Programmable Buttons
- Comfortable for long time use
- Good ergonomic design
Cons
- Max DPI is only 8200
- A bit large and unsuitable for smaller hands
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
List of Wireless Gaming Mouse for PC
1. Razer Viper Ultimate Hyperspeed Lightest Wireless Gaming Mouse
The first wireless mouse on our list is the Razer Viper Ultimate Hyperspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse. The mouse comes with an incredibly lightweight, dedicated docking station for charging and placing of the mouse. And if you are looking for the best ambidextrous gaming mouse, then this is the mouse to consider.
With the high-speed transmission and a very low latency rate, the mouse comes with an impressive and high DPI of 20,000 DPI. The seamless frequency switching leaves you more than comfortable by gaming with a wireless mouse.
The high 20,000 DPI embedded in the optical sensor provides a 99.6% resolution accuracy and makes sure that the finest of the movements tracked and responded. This gives you a high and acute precision level that gives you elusive character maneuvers and great shots.
Coming to the programmable keys, there are a total of 8 keys which can be programmed to suit your gaming requirements.
As mentioned before, the mouse is very light in weight at just 74 grams. This light in weight design has been specifically cut for e-sporting and even with such lightness, it does not compromise on the quality and smoothness.
Durable up to 70 million clicks, the mouse comes with a total of 70 hours battery life at its peak performance. With this, you have a playtime of 10 hours daily and all you need to do is to charge it once a week.
For charging, you are given a separate charging dock that is powered by Razer Chroma. For every 10 minutes of charging, you can expect about 5 hours of gameplay. The dock itself comes with about 16.8 million color combinations and signature light effects.
Razer provides you with a 2 years manufacturer’s warranty period from the date of purchase.
Highlights
- 20,000 DPI Highly precise wireless mouse
- Light in weight at just 74 grams
- Total 8 programmable buttons
- No lag or latency issues
- 70 million click durability
- 70 hours of battery life
- Razer Chroma charging dock with RGB lighting
- 2 years of manufacturer’s warranty
Pros
- Good sensor with DPI Setting up to 20000
- Ultra-light weight
- Excellent build quality
- 8 Programmable Buttons
- Ambidextrous Mouse
- Rechargeable battery
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Suitable only for small to medium with palm grip
2. Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse
Next on our list is a wireless mouse from Logitech. The Logitech G502 Lightspeed is a wireless gaming mouse that has a hero sensor with 16,000 DPI movement speed. The mouse is PowerPlay Compatible and has tunable weights which add to the highlights.
Light speed in its operation, the gaming mouse has great accuracy, responsiveness across all the DPI ranges from simple 100 DPI to 25,600 DPI. The central switch key below the scroll wheel lets you change the DPI settings to your wish.
There are a total of 11 buttons/keys present on the mouse that you can customize and control. The custom macro assignments and shortcut commands of the buttons can be programmed using the Logitech G Hub software. The scroll wheel has a hyper-fast scrolling that lets you review menu items, long web pages, screens and much more with rapid succession.
The best part about this mouse should be the adjustable weight. The adjustable weight management system in the mouse lets you set up, replace or re-arrange the weight of the mouse in 6 ways. All you need to do is remove the six removable weights that are present inside the mouse and then you can customize the weight and thus balance the weight tuning.
With the Lightsync RGB technology, you can customize the RGB colored lighting through 16.8 million color combinations. You can now customize and synchronize the lighting of the mouse in your gameplay.
Unlike the Razer Viper, which you could charge via wireless charging dock, you need to charge this Logitech mouse using a USB Cable (one cable included in the packaging). Logitech provides you with a 2 years manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase.
Highlights
- 25,600 DPI with central switch key for mid-game DPI change
- 11 Programmable keys
- 6 rearrangeable weights according to comfort
- Light Sync RGB tech for custom lighting
- USB Based charging
- 2 Years manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase.
Pros
- Premium build quality
- Low latency sensor with up to 25,600 DPI adjustments
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- Weight tuning for precise in-hand feel
- Compatible with Windows and Mac
- 11 Programmable Buttons
- RGB Lighting
Cons
- May not be comfortable for small hands
- Slightly expensive
3. Logitech G602 Lag-Free Wireless Gaming Mouse
Yet another Logitech mouse, the Logitech G602 is a virtually Lag-Free gaming mouse that packs tremendous battery power.
Logitech’s G602 uses AA sized batteries and gives a promising 250 hour battery life. Using the power saving and highly accurate Delta Zero Sensor technology, the mouse takes tracking to the next level. But the DPI setting of the mouse holds up to only 2500 DPI which stands as the only sort of disappointing feature.
As mentioned before, the mouse promises and delivers on its lag free gaming experience thanks to its 2.4 GHz technology. It has a total of 11 customizable buttons and all of the buttons have a long life rating of 20 million clicks.
Compatible with not just Windows or gaming consoles, the mouse is also Mac compatible too. Design wise and performance wise, the mouse has exceptional quality.
Easy to use, the mouse has a great ergonomics that make it great for all different hold/ grip types. Furthermore, Logitech provides you with a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase for the mouse.
Highlights
- Great ergonomic build and comfortable hold
- 11 Programmable buttons on the left side
- 2.4 GHz fast function
- 250 hours of battery life for 2 AA batteries used
- 20 Million clicks life
- Compatible with most of the Operating Systems
- 2 Years manufacturer’s warranty
Pros
- 11 Programmable Buttons
- Decent build quality and in-hand feel
- Compatible for Windows and Mac
- Suitable for palm grip users
Cons
- Slightly on the heavier side
- Max DPI of 2500 only
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. ROSEWILL Gaming Mouse with RGB LED Lighting
The last wired mouse on our list is the Rosewill Lighting mouse that has the most colorful RGB lighting found in compact mice.
With over 10,000 DPI, the Rosewill Neon M59 Gaming Mouse is a deluxe mouse that has the RGB backlit body. The stylish design and the ergonomic hold give you an overall decent gaming experience. The mouse has a total of 11 RGB modes for you to choose from.
Light in weight and as mentioned before, ergonomic in design, the mouse’s contour is suitable for both large and small handed gamers alike and does not produce any fatigue while playing for long durations.
The DPI and the polling rate selectors of the mouse can be changed and toggled easily and on the fly with its 7 Button click and the customization software. The custom software suite allows you to change the DPI settings and as well as the LED backlit effects.
The mouse has 6 programmable buttons and comes with a 1 year manufacturer’s warranty.
Highlights
- 10,000 DPI
- 11 RGB Modes
- 7 Button click DPI and Polling rate change
- 6 Programmable buttons
- 1 year warranty
Pros
- Adjustable DPI up to 10000
- 6 customizable buttons
- Good ergonomic design
- RGB Lighting
Cons
- Average build quality
- Not recommended for pro gamers
List of Wireless Gaming Mouse for Mac
1. Logitech G604 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse
The first wireless gaming mouse to support Mac OS on our list is the Logitech G604 Lightspeed Wireless gaming mouse.
With a very interesting design and ergonomics, the mouse has a total of 25,600 DPI. It has 15 total programmable controls and out of these,6 are thumb buttons.
Using the fully programmable G Hub software, you can program and assign macros functions to each of these buttons. The wireless connectivity of the mouse can be used in a dual-mode as well.
You can easily and most conveniently switch between the Bluetooth and the Ultrafast 1 ms advanced Lightspeed wireless technology as well.
With its Hero 16K sensor, you can expect ultra fast and extremely accurate tracking with the mouse and with a simple 1 AA battery, the mouse can give you a life of up to 240 hours.
This wireless mouse features a dual-mode hyperfast and durable metal scroll wheel. It can switch between super speed and a basic ratchetted scrolling easily. The programming scrolls gives you the ability to apply key binds.
The mouse comes with the standard 2 years manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase from Logitech.
Highlights
- Convenient and very easy to use
- Bluetooth and also 1 ms advanced Lightspeed technology enabled
- 15 programmable buttons
- Ergonomic design
- 240 hours of battery life
- Hero 16K Sensor
- Dual Mode hyperfast scroll wheel
- 2 Years warranty
Pros
- Excellent build quality and very good performance
- 15 programmable buttons
- Very good sensor performance with max DPI of 25600
- Low latency wireless mouse
- Very comfortable for medium to large hands
Cons
- Only wireless connectivity
- 6 button grid seems less
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Acceleration
Depending on the movement of the mouse, the Mouse Acceleration feature will either increase or decrease the speed of the cursor.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?