The best gaming mouse in 2024

No gaming mouse will magically cease you from getting wrecked in Counter-Strike or Call of Duty, however a very good one can provide you a higher sense of management whereas making your playtime extra snug. Which one is “best” will at all times be subjective: Shape is king, because the adage goes, and everybody’s arms 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 essentially the most. After taking part in via numerous periods of CS2, Overwatch 2, Final Fantasy XIV and more PC games, listed here are our picks for the best gaming mice you should purchase, together with some common buying recommendation to maintain in thoughts earlier than you pull the set off.

The best gaming mouse

Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

If cash isn’t any object, the 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 case you play a ton of aggressive PC video games and might abdomen the value.

With its frivolously grooved sides, noticeable however not aggressive hump and mild flare-outs towards the again, the Viper V3 Pro’s form must be snug for a variety of hand sizes and grip types. It’s a bit on the broader facet, and it in all probability works best with a claw or fingertip grip, however it’s not so quick or flat that it could actually’t accommodate palm grippers. The principal mouse buttons are contoured in a manner that provides your fingers a pure resting place, and there are little ledges on both facet to subtly nudge them to the fitting spot once you’re scrambling in-game. Put one other manner, this is likely one of the safer shapes we’ve examined.

The Viper’s construct high quality is great. It’s impressively mild 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 similar 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 smooth to the contact. The principal click on buttons use sturdy optical switches however aren’t particularly loud. Though they aren’t fairly as full or crisp as absolutely the best mechanical switches, they’re nonetheless snappy to press, neither too agency nor too mild. The two programmable facet buttons are well-sized and simple to achieve. The scroll wheel, in the meantime, is tight and quiet, with clearly outlined steps and a textured end.

Performance, as is the case with many high-end gaming mice lately, is successfully flawless. Razer’s Focus Pro 35K Optical Sensor Gen-2 — say that 5 instances quick — is principally 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 individuals will really observed any profit from leaping that top. Mostly, it’ll simply zap battery life: Razer says the Viper V3 Pro can stand 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 value didn’t make it apparent, the Viper V3 Pro is for gaming lovers. As such, it provides up a number of the perks you’d discover on extra mainstream mice: There’s no RGB lighting or Bluetooth, whereas the ability button/DPI switcher is situated on the underside of the gadget to make it tougher to hit by chance. Since the gadget makes use of a particular dongle as a substitute of a conventional receiver, it nonetheless requires you run a separate USB-C cable out of your PC or gaming laptop. You 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 Windows-only. These are all nitpicks, although. The Viper V3 Pro is excellent, and it ought to really feel proper at residence in the arms of dedicated FPS gamers.

Pros

Exceptional efficiency
Superb construct high quality
Comfortable for many grip varieties and hand sizes

Cons

Expensive
Bit of a fingerprint magnet
Thick charging cable

$160 at Amazon

Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Connectivity: Wireless, wired (USB-C) | Shape: Right-handed | Weight: 63 grams | Dimensions: 5 x 2.67 x 1.73 inches | Sensor: Razer Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor | Switches: Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3 | Maximum polling charge: 8,000Hz (“basic base” mannequin requires non-compulsory dongle) | Programmable buttons: 6 | Battery life (rated): Up to 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 a lot of the similar strengths because the Viper V3 Pro however has a taller, barely wider and extra dramatically flared design that’s tailor-made to right-handed customers. Most individuals with medium to massive arms ought to discover it to be a pure match with a palm or claw grip, although it’ll in all probability be a contact too fats for smaller-handed people and fingertip grippers. This type of form isn’t as simple to whip round because the Viper, however its excessive, sideways-sloping hump ought to present a extra enjoyable place to relaxation your hand over the course of the day.

Razer sells two variants of the DeathAdder V3 Pro: one with an analogous soft-touch end because the Viper V3 Pro, 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. Also, the facet 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 significantly light-weight. The PTFE toes are smaller however nonetheless glide reliably. And whereas the sensor is technically a technology older, efficiency is successfully flawless.

Otherwise, you’re taking a look at an analogous characteristic set. The optical principal buttons are satisfying and constant however not overly delicate. The frivolously notched scroll wheel is smooth, quiet and resistant sufficient, if not agency. Battery life is rated at a good 90 hours, and you’ll join a lighter and extra versatile USB-C cable in a pinch. Both 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 greater charges in 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 typically obtainable for much less at third-party retailers, it’s in all probability a greater worth. In common, the most important knock in opposition to the DeathAdder V3 Pro is that it’s costly, with the 8,000Hz mannequin priced at $160.

The newer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed, which prices $99, is a “1B” decide right here. Although it’s positioned under the Pro in Razer’s lineup, it’s extra of a “DeathAdder V3 Pro Mini” than a transparent downgrade. It doesn’t surrender the rechargeable battery, cutout-free shell, optical switches and smooth (if smudge-heavy) coating of its larger sibling, and whereas its sensor is technically worse, it nonetheless performs splendidly. Its battery life score is definitely 10 hours greater 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 slightly shorter hump. If your arms are on the smaller facet, it’s value grabbing as a substitute.

Pros

Top-shelf efficiency
Lightweight
Comfortable for these with medium to massive arms

Cons

Expensive
Naggy software program
Not very best for smaller arms

$115 at Walmart

Photo by Jeff Dunn / Endgadget

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

The OP1 8K makes use of mechanical switches, however the mouse is designed in a manner that makes them (comparatively) simple to swap out in a worst-case situation. In common, the gadget’s openness to customization is commendable — there are readily uncovered screws on the underside and a screwdriver, non-compulsory facet grips and bigger PTFE toes in the field.

By default, the primary clicks are on the stiffer facet however quick to actuate and noticeably crisp. You can really set these switches to make use of a “speed mode” that reduces click on latency even additional, however both manner the buttons are simple to spam. The proper mouse button on our unit does sound a little bit 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 facet buttons are well-tensioned, too. The latter really feel considerably hole, however they’re arduous to hit by chance.

Sensor efficiency is predictably wonderful; we noticed no accuracy or movement delay points throughout a spread of video games. With its mild weight, quick clicks and {smooth} inventory skates, every 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 to be like one thing out of the Windows 95 period however is easy to grok and takes up subsequent to no assets.

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. The most urgent situation could also be that it could actually fall out of inventory on occasion, as Endgame Gear is a comparatively small firm out of Germany.

Pros

Fast to click on and flick
Sturdy, ultralight design
Light and versatile cable
Hardware is customizable

Cons

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

$75 at Endgame Gear

Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

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

The design as an entire feels strong; there’s some minor flexing on the bottom-right facet once you press down arduous, however you’d need to exit of your method 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 complete, together with two easy-to-reach facet buttons and a devoted “sensitivity clutch” that permits you to momentarily drop to a decrease DPI for moments the place you might have to intention extra exactly. The latter might be significantly powerful for the smaller-handed to achieve comfortably, although.

The Basilisk V3 makes use of older optical switches than our different Razer prime picks, however we haven’t had any double-clicking points after properly over a yr of testing. While principal clicks aren’t almost as quick as these on the Endgame Gear OP1 8K, they strike an agreeable stability between firmness and velocity. They aren’t all that loud, both. Similar to the Viper V3 Pro, the buttons are grooved in a manner that naturally invitations your index and center fingers.

The scroll wheel is perhaps the weakest component: It has clearly outlined steps and an simply identifiable texture, however it’s pretty loud and a bit wobbly. That mentioned, it could actually 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 will be helpful outdoors of video games — say, when you could scroll via a large doc or Excel sheet.

Razer’s Synapse software program remains to be naggy with updates and Windows-only, however it makes customizing DPI ranges, macros and RGB results easy sufficient. You can save 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. While 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. Instead, the Basilisk V3 is sensible for righties who need a comfortable and dependable mouse they’ll flip to for extra informal gaming throughout genres. Razer sells it for $70, however because it’s usually available for lower than $50 at third-party retailers lately, you possibly can contemplate it our decide for the best funds gaming mouse as properly.

It’s value noting that Razer launched a barely refreshed mannequin known as the Basilisk V3 35K since our final replace. That one comes with a technically improved sensor and newer optical switches, although the burden and total form are nearly equivalent. Given 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 obtainable for much less. If you see the V3 35K on sale for the same value, nonetheless, it must be protected to simply get that one as a substitute.

Pros

Super snug for medium to massive arms
Well-built, with versatile cable
Versatile scroll wheel
Good worth

Cons

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

$44 at Amazon

Photo 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 a very powerful factor any MMO mouse can do, which is allow you to entry a number of in-game actions with minimal effort. That’s because of its 12 programmable facet buttons, all of which ship a cushty, firm-but-not-stiff sensation when pressed. Two of the panel’s 4 button rows are textured, which makes them simpler to differentiate with out having to look down. Uniquely, you possibly can bodily reposition this facet panel with an Allen key included in the field, so in case you discover the buttons tough to achieve by default, you possibly can handle that. Either manner, having a bunch of buttons proper beneath your thumb makes it a lot simpler to play MMOs like Final Fantasy XIV and even single-player RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3, which ask you to navigate a number of “hotbars” of instructions at any given time.

Like most MMO mice, the Scimitar RGB Elite is on the bigger and heavier (108g) facet, however it’s not the bulkiest mannequin we’ve seen. Its form must be accommodating to palm and claw grips, and most hand sizes. The center has a rounded, not-overly-aggressive hump, whereas the underside is extra gently sloped than rivals like Razer’s Naga lineup. The total development feels well-built, with a {smooth} matte end, a grippy pinky relaxation and respectable 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.

However, 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 might be firmer. Those principal buttons by no means really feel mushy, however they use mechanical switches, so that they carry extra of a long-term sturdiness danger than optical 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.

Nevertheless, the MMO gaming mouse market doesn’t actually have one killer choice lately. At a value that normally hovers in the $60 to $75 vary, the Scimitar RGB Elite presents higher worth than most. If you hate cables, Corsair sells a wireless version of the gadget too.

Pros

Cleverly textured facet buttons make MMOs simpler to navigate
Generally snug and well-built
Decent worth relative to MMO mouse market

Cons

Stiff cable
Scroll wheel is just too recessed
Annoying software program

$59 at Amazon

Lamzu

While our prime wi-fi picks are nice, we understand that they aren’t low cost. If you need a performance-focused mannequin with a symmetrical form that isn’t as dear, contemplate the Lamzu Atlantis OG V2 4K. Clunky title 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 smooth in the hand, although it’s one other one that may decide up smudges pretty simply. It has a wider and lower-profile form than the Viper V3 Pro, significantly towards the entrance, with a centered hump that isn’t fairly as aggressive. It’ll really feel at residence with a claw grip for any hand dimension, however fingertip grippers ought to discover it snug too. (Just follow the Viper in case you use a palm grip.) Beyond that, Lamzu’s companion software program is ugly however purposeful, and the included charging cable is suitably versatile.

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

Pros

Satisfying clicks and quiet scroll wheel
Comfy for claw or fingertip grips
Decent worth

Cons

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

$102 at Amazon

Pulsar Gaming Gears

The Pulsar Xlite V3, in the meantime, is a wonderful various to the DeathAdder V3 Pro if you would like a right-handed design. It has an analogous 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 possibly can select a dimension that matches your arms best. Each have inflexible outer shells and snappy optical buttons, although the graceful plastic coating isn’t as grippy as both of the DeathAdder’s finishes and the facet buttons aren’t as crisp.

Like the Atlantis, the Xlite V3 additionally has cutouts throughout the underside, making it extra vulnerable to gunk. Still, it is a mild, snug and extremely responsive ergo mouse. For a typical road value of $70, it’s a robust purchase.

We’ll word that Pulsar has launched a revised model of this mouse known as the Xlite V4 since our final replace. We haven’t been capable of 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 capable of get our arms on the V4, however for now we stand by our present decide, particularly when it’s obtainable for a lower cost.

Pros

Solid worth
Well-suited for palm and claw grips
Available in totally different sizes

Cons

Holes in baseplate go away inside open to mud and particles
Coating might be grippier

$100 at Amazon

Other gaming mice we examined

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

Note: The following is a collection of particularly noteworthy mice we have examined, not a complete listing of each single mannequin we’ve put via its paces.

Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2

The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 is an in depth rival to the Razer Viper V3 Pro for many who need a no-frills, high-end wi-fi gaming mouse. It has an analogous “potato”-style form, its monitoring is equally super and its optical-mechanical switches have a definite really feel. Unlike the primary Superlight, it additionally prices over USB-C. But the Viper’s principal clicks are crisper and extra pleasant-sounding, its facet buttons aren’t as mushy and its scroll wheel is each firmer and grippier. It’s additionally barely lighter.

Logitech G Pro 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 facet to flare out a little bit an excessive amount of, although, typically leaving our pinky finger in a less-than-comfortable place. Those with medium-sized arms could discover its middle hump to be too aggressive for constant aiming as properly. The DeathAdder V3 Pro’s principal 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 inner tech is nice, so not at all is that this a poor alternative. But at $159, there are higher values on the market.

Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed

Much just like the DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed, Razer’s Viper V3 HyperSpeed is a lower-cost variant of the top-end Viper V3 Pro. (Confusing, we all know.) At $70, it’s a strong worth. Its symmetrical form and soft-touch end are nearly equivalent to the extra premium mannequin, and although it technically has a worse sensor, the drop-off is hardly noticeable. The principal 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 possibly can 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 massive sibling because the mid-tier DeathAdder. Some could want that its DPI button is situated on the highest of the mouse, although, and its easier on-off swap 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 snug form and structure, plus a quieter scroll wheel. Because it requires a AA battery for energy, although, it weighs round 115g. That’s not nice for fast-paced video games. The scroll wheel can’t tilt left or proper, both, nor can it swap between a ratcheted and free-spin mode. It additionally makes use of much less sturdy mechanical switches and solely helps one onboard profile. All that mentioned, it’s a good worth at $70.

Pulsar X2 V2

The Pulsar X2 V2 is an effective various to the Lamzu Atlantis OG V2 4K if you would like a high-performing symmetrical mouse for lower than the Viper V3 Pro. It has a broadly related 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 principal 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 produced from magnesium alloy as a substitute of plastic. It performs about on par with our prime picks, which is great, whereas its right-handed, medium-sized form ought to swimsuit palm and claw grippers properly. (If you already know BenQ’s Zowie EC line, the form is principally that.) However, the in depth cutouts everywhere in the sides and prime shell are noticeable in the hand and make the gadget extra vulnerable to clutter buildup than the DeathAdder V3 Pro. While 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 traditional on our check PC, and it’s costly at $169.

BenQ Zowie U2

Speaking of BenQ, its Zowie U2 is a superbly respectable various to the Viper V3 Pro that prices about $30 much less. It tracks nice, it’s light-weight (60g) and its mechanical clicks really feel effective. It additionally comes with two receivers, one among which doubles as a helpful charging dock. It has a symmetrical form with sides that curve inwards and a decently-sized hump on the again; BenQ says it’s designed for claw grips, and it’s certainly good for that, however it must also work for fingertip grippers with bigger arms or palm grippers with smaller ones. Alas, the scroll wheel is gratingly loud and the plastic coating picks up smudges and hand oils prefer it’s its job. There’s additionally no configuration software program, which may make adjusting settings a little bit cumbersome, although some could 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 apply, however it is technically behind many different mice in 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 Pro 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 case you personal Logitech’s (expensive) PowerPlay charging mat. That’s neat! Most individuals, although, might want to pop in a AA battery, which pushes the burden up round 85 grams. As most of that weight is felt towards the again, the mouse can really feel comparatively clunky to fling round in FPS video games. We’re not followers of the ugly recess throughout the center of the gadget, both, because it creates an area for mud to gather. At $80, the G309 remains to be effective for extra informal varieties who’ll solely purchase from a reputation model. But until you employ PowerPlay, it doesn’t do a lot to face out from different choices across the similar value.

HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is a good wired mannequin for many who need a flatter ambidextrous form. It performs properly for aggressive play, and it’s a lot mild (53g) because of a intelligent design with cutouts on the underside which can be coated by the mouse’s label. But the Endgame Gear OP1 8K is better-built and extra snug, so we predict it’s value the additional money. The Razer Viper 8KHz was one other strong, albeit heavier, choice with an analogous form, however it’s now not obtainable 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. — A number of extra gaming mice we have examined. Left to proper: the Glorious Model I 2 Wireless, the Razer Cobra Pro, the Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed and the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2. (Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)

HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless is a budget-friendly wi-fi variant of the Haste 2. It could also be OK in case 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 principal 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 usually related form because the Razer Basilisk V3, with a decrease weight (84g) and extra facet buttons. However, its principal buttons are noisier, it’s a barely extra awkward match for many arms, its rubber cable isn’t as versatile and it lacks RGB.

Logitech G203 Lightsync

The Logitech G203 Lightsync is our former funds decide. It’s typically obtainable in the $30 vary lately, and at that value it’s nonetheless effective if you would like a reliable gaming mouse for as little cash as attainable. You can really feel the associated fee reducing in its rubbery cable and mushy scroll wheel, nonetheless, and its form is a bit too small and flat for bigger arms. The Logitech G305 Lightspeed is a wi-fi mannequin with roughly the identical form, 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 choice with a compact form. It’s a lot lighter (58g) than the Logitech G203, with a extra versatile cable and optical switches as a substitute of mechanical ones. It’s priced at $40, although, placing it in one thing of a no man’s land between the G203’s and Basilisk V3’s traditional going charges. The Endgame Gear OP1 8K nonetheless feels higher-quality throughout the board, however when you’ve got smaller arms, 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)

Glorious Model I 2 Wireless

There’s a lot to love concerning 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 facet buttons, the power to attach over a USB receiver or Bluetooth, a {smooth} scroll wheel and tasteful RGB lighting, all for $100. However, its honeycomb-style design and mechanical switches each elevate considerations about its long-term sturdiness.

Glorious Model D 2 Wireless

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 principal buttons are comparatively loud and sticky-feeling.

Razer Naga Left-Handed Edition

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

Logitech G600

We would proceed to advocate our former MMO decide, the outdated however splendidly versatile Logitech G600, however sadly it’s been discontinued.

What to search for in a gaming mouse

Wired vs. wi-fi

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

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

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

That’s to not say the premium is rarely value it: Who desires but one other cable on their desk? You might have a wi-fi mannequin in case 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 possibly can hook up in a pinch as properly. But if value is your main concern, a very good wired mouse could also be a greater worth.

Comfort and grip varieties

Everyone’s arms are totally different, so on the finish of the day, calling one mouse “extra snug” than one other is usually subjective. Ensuring your consolation is essentially the most important step when shopping for any mouse, although, so we’ve accomplished our best to contemplate how every gadget we examined works with smaller, average-sized and bigger arms alike.

We additionally thought-about 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 once you steer the mouse solely with the ideas of your fingers, along with your palm not in contact with the gadget in any respect. A claw grip is when your palm solely touches the again fringe of the mouse, along with your fingers arched in a claw-like form towards the buttons.

In common, 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 fast actions, whereas a claw grip is one thing of a stability between the 2. Switch and Click has a very good breakdown in case you’d like a bit extra element, however we’ve famous above if a mouse isn’t well-suited for a specific grip type. For what it’s value, yours actually is a claw gripper more often than not.

Build high quality and design

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

The gaming mouse market is usually cut up between two design types: ergonomic and ambidextrous. Ergonomic mice are nearly at all times made with right-handed customers in thoughts and sometimes characteristic devoted thumb rests. Ambidextrous mice are extra symmetrical and designed for use with both hand (although they could not have additional buttons on either side). Whether an ergonomic or ambidextrous gaming mouse works best for you is basically a matter of private choice.

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 attainable. For the best efficiency, search for toes produced from PTFE (aka Teflon). All toes will finally 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. Still, in case 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 might stand to do issues for pleasure’s sake). More virtually, some mice allow you to assign customized lighting settings to separate profiles, which may make it simpler to see which one you’re presently utilizing.

Weight

Gaming mice have gotten lighter and lighter through the years, with some current releases weighing lower than 40 grams. Your mouse doesn’t want to be that feathery — something beneath 80g remains to be fairly mild, and it’s not like a 100g mouse looks 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 a little bit little bit of bulk in their gaming mouse (comparatively talking), particularly with video games that aren’t as reliant on twitchy reactions.

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

Switches, buttons and scroll wheel

A rising variety of gaming mice use optical switches as a substitute of mechanical ones. Since these contain fewer bits making bodily contact, they need to usually be extra sturdy and fewer vulnerable to undesirable “double-clicks” over time. Many avid gamers nonetheless discover good mechanical switches extra satisfying to press, so it isn’t like you must keep away from mechanical mice altogether. They simply carry a little bit extra long-term danger in a vacuum.

Since most individuals will use their gaming mouse as their mouse-mouse, you might have considered trying principal buttons which have a softer really feel when pressed, with sufficient journey to make inadvertent actuations much less frequent. But even that could be a matter of choice: You might want lighter buttons in case 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.

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

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

Sensors and efficiency

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

While looking for gaming mice, you’ll see quite a lot of phrases associated to sensor efficiency. To be clear, a gaming mouse’s responsiveness doesn’t come right down to only one spec. But 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 greater the DPI setting, the extra your cursor will transfer with each inch you progress the mouse itself. Many of the best gaming mice promote extraordinarily excessive DPIs that prime out above 30,000, however that’s largely advertising fluff: Few individuals play above 3,000, with 800 a typical candy spot. This idea can also be known as CPI (counts per inch), which is probably the extra correct time period, although DPI is used extra typically.
IPS, or inches per second, refers back to the most velocity a mouse sensor helps. The greater the IPS, the quicker you possibly can transfer the mouse earlier than it turns into incapable of monitoring motions accurately.
Acceleration goes with IPS. In this context, it refers to what number of Gs a mouse can face up to earlier than it begins to trace inaccurately.
Polling charge is a measure of how typically a mouse tells a pc the place it’s. In common, the extra often your mouse reviews info to your PC, the extra predictable its response time must be. Anything at 500Hz or above is ok for gaming. The candy spot for many is 1,000Hz. Many newer 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 strong PC and play on a gaming monitor with a very excessive refresh charge.
Lift-off distance is the peak at which a mouse’s sensor stops monitoring the floor under it. Many aggressive gamers like this to be as little as attainable in order to keep away from unintended cursor actions whereas repositioning their mouse.

Software and onboard reminiscence

It doesn’t take lengthy to search out horror tales about bugs and different niggling points brought on by 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 most of the features above as attainable, ideally to a number of distinct profiles. Preferably, it can save you your settings on to the mouse itself, letting you decide your customizations again up on one other gadget with out having to redownload any software program. All that is most essential on Windows, however Mac compatibility is at all times good to have.

Warranty and buyer help

Most main gaming mice manufacturers supply warranties between one and three years. The longer and extra in depth a producer’s program is, the higher. This is the case with most client tech, however we word it right here as a result of the gaming mouse market is especially flush with merchandise from less-than-household names, lots 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 case 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 best gaming mice aren’t riddled with an irregular quantity of poor consumer opinions.

Recent updates

November 2024: We’ve up to date this information with testing notes on the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX. We’ve additionally added mentions of the Razer Basilisk V3 35K and Pulsar Xlite V4, two not too long ago 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’ve utterly refreshed this information for late 2024, including new principal picks primarily based on form alongside notes on a number of different gaming mice we have examined in current months. We’re now in the method 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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The best gaming mouse in 2024