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Like their eponymous rodents, mice seem to be swarming into the market at a breakneck pace, so finding the best gaming mouse can be something of an uphill struggle. Competition for the best sensor has seen massive increases in CPI count, and seemingly ever new pointer released packs some gimmicky feature designed to make it stand apart in an ever more crowded field. Luckily though, this sharp ramp up in competition means we're also seeing an increase in quality, particularly from top manufacturers, and some of those gimmicks turn out to be genuinely innovative solutions to old problems. We sorted through tens of the best units to pick out the best mice that justify their price tag.
If you're looking to build your own rig to connect your new gaming mouse to but find yourself on a tight budget, check out our build guide for putting together a rig on the cheap. So what are the main things you should look for when you start shopping for the best gaming mouse? If you're the sort of gamer that plays a lot of twitchy shooters like the latest bumper crop of battle royales, you'll definitely want to prioritize a high CPI sensor, so when you whip it across the mousepad to spin around on attackers creeping up behind you, your mouse will follow your every movement precisely. Similarly, you'll want something with a robust IPS rating, so that it doesn't lose tracking mid-spin and cost you precious kills (or the sweet thrill of victory).
On the other hand, if you play a lot of sims or spend countless hours poring over your next move in the latest strategy or empire building titles, you may want to consider something off the beaten path, like Logitech's comfy, ergonomic MX Vertical, which will stave off wrist pain while you're agonizing about whether to build another settler or swordsman. And if flash is important, there are a growing number of pointers veritably exploding with RGB lighting across a spectrum of millions of colors, so your peripherals can be as dazzling as the on-screen action. Whichever mouse you end up choosing, be sure to match it with the so it can reach its full potential. And to find it a worthy life partner, bop on over to our roundup.
1. Logitech MX518.
Slightly narrow The original Logitech MX518 is one of the most recognizable and celebrated gaming mice ever produced, and the refresh honors that legacy. Logitech has replaced the original's outdated 1,800 CPI sensor with their fancy new 16,000 CPI HERO sensor, one of the most accurate and best performing sensors anywhere. It's sensitive and incredibly precise, so it'll serve for both the most demanding productivity tasks as well as for lining up pixel perfect headshots. The MX518 focuses on the things that matter in a proper gaming mouse while eschewing all the fluff and unnecessary bloat that finds its way into some of the competition.
This not only means a streamlined mouse that's a joy to use but also means that Logitech is able to avoid wild price inflation. It also packs an ARM 32 microprocessor that pairs with the sensor to ensure a 1ms report rate, and its matte black build and Nightfall finish make it one of the sleekest looking mice we've tested. Razer Deathadder Elite. Driver software requires a sign-in The has an all-around fantastic shape for all sorts of grips and hand sizes, and I’ve spent hundreds of hours playing games, using Photoshop, and browsing the Internet with it. Despite years of iterations, Razer never messes with the Deathadder's shape.
There's no reason to. The Deathadder Elite uses a 16,000 CPI optical sensor, but big numbers don't necessarily mean quality. Here's the important bit: for the Elite Razer chose a sensor based on the PMW-3389 developed by sensor company Pixart in collaboration with Logitech, which is easily one of the best mouse sensors available with 99.4% resolution accuracy and a 450 IPS rating. Razer's implementation should deliver flawless tracking, even if you move the mouse as fast as you can.
For the majority of games and gamers, the is an amazing mouse. It’s simple where it should be, with two perfectly placed, generously sized thumb buttons, has a great optical mouse sensor that will work on both hard and cloth pads, and has the ultimate body shape for a claw or hybrid claw/palm grip. Logitech G203 Prodigy. Not the best sensor You can find a lot of decent, no-name brand gaming mice on Amazon for less than $20, but it's worth spending just a little more for the (also called the G102 in some regions).
With this mouse you get Logitech's fantastic, reliable build quality, good gaming driver software, and a tried-and-true mouse shape. Since its popular G100s years ago, Logitech has released several mice with a nearly identical small, almost-ambidextrous body, and it remains a comfortable mouse great for the active grip of FPS or MOBA players. And the G203 is damn cheap. The G203 Prodigy doesn't use Logitech's top-end sensor, but that the Mercury sensor (developed by Logitech) in this mouse is so good, you probably won't notice the difference. It supports up to 8000 CPI and has no issue with jitter or acceleration.
Unless you need insanely high CPI settings, the G203 is a killer mouse for a budget price. And if you decide you really like the shape and can spend a bit more, consider a step up to the, which does include that top-of-the-line sensor. Logitech G903.
Expensive The only wireless mouse on this list is here for a reason: not only is it the, it’s the best gaming mouse you can buy if you're willing to get spendy. The is expensive, but the only mouse over $100 that I think is worth the price. It can easily be used in wired mode by plugging in the included micro USB cable, making it a fantastic wired mouse, too. Why is it so great? The G903 Lightspeed is wonderfully light at 107 grams and uses Logitech’s PMW-3366 sensor, which is extremely reliable at low and high CPI settings, with no issues of acceleration or cursor jitter.
The G903’s ambidextrous design includes removable thumb buttons for either side, and it fits my medium-large hand perfectly. The G903 also has a one-of-a-kind pivot bar click mechanism which feels better than any mouse I've ever used. Seriously: it's the best click ever. At a lower price, this mouse would be my recommendation to everyone, but as it stands, is the best high-end mouse you can gift to your hand.
Read the full review: (a near-identical previous iteration of the G903). Corsair Ironclaw RGB. Feels a bit heavy for a wired mouse, with no adjustable weights The Ironclaw is the best mouse we've tested for gamers with larger hands.
While its design encompasses a strange blend of materials, from smooth matte plastic on the buttons to the diamond print, grippy rubber sides, to the unique, wavy rubber on the scroll wheel, each conforms well to its function on the mouse. Instead of a single cohesive material, Corsair has designated one to suit each panel individually, which adds to the excellent overall fit of the mouse to make it feel really cozy gliding over your mouse pad.
It's domed and curved fit perfectly in the palm of right-handed gamers, and is one of the best feeling mice to grip I've ever tested. It does feel a bit weighty, particularly for a wireless mouse that doesn't require a discrete battery, and unfortunately doesn't offer customizable weights. While that means the Ironclaw feels just a hair more cumbersome than other, lighter wired mice, it also makes the mouse feel more significant and substantial.
The RGB lighting is slick and understated, exactly the way I like it, and the unit can be fully customized through Corsair's iCue software, including the option to calibrate your mouse to the surface on which you're using it. While iCue isn't the most intuitive software suite I've ever used, it does offer a comprehensive set of customization options. Razer Naga Trinity.
Design is a bit squat for larger hands The form and function of Razer's Naga mouse has come a long way over the years. Its latest version, the, is the best yet: a small, comfortable mouse with a high quality sensor and three interchangeable thumb grips with button arrays ideal for MOBAs, MMOs, or general use. The MOBA array is the best, offering seven buttons in a circle around your thumb. There are enough buttons to map multiple abilities, but not so many that they become an overwhelming samey blob.
The 12 button array, designed for MMOs, has that problem for me, but anyone who wants a whole number pad under their thumb will appreciate the option. The Naga Trinity's side panels snap into place with strong magnets and don't wiggle a bit when gaming. Otherwise, the Naga Trinity is the same as the Naga Hex before it, with a comfortable palm grip shape that includes a small pinky rest. The Naga Hex is a bit on the small side for larger hands, with more of a squat shape than some gaming mice.
It's comfortable in the relaxed grip suited to MMOS, but will still do the job if you play MOBAs, shooters, or any other active games. Steelseries Sensei 310. May be too small and light for those with larger hands The updated version of this Steelseries mainstay, the, subtly reinvented a classic mouse. It needed it. Almost everything is new except the Sensei's ambidextrous shape, and that's exactly how it should be. Thanks to a new plastic, the Sensei is grippier and can shrug off a sweaty palm. And Steelseries is using its own custom version of one of the best gaming sensors around, ensuring the Sensei 310 won't suffer from any tracking issues.
The Sensei 310 fits in your hand just like the old Sensei, and is a great shape for either left- or right-handed gamers looking for a midsized ambidextrous mouse. That means it has a pair of identical thumb buttons on the left and the right, a common issue for ambidextrous mice—it can be far too easy to accidentally click the wrong side's buttons as you grip with your pinky. In my hours of testing the Sensei 310, that hasn't happened once. The size and shape of the thumb buttons has been tweaked, making it easy to rock your thumb upwards to press them but keeping them out of the way of accidental pinky clicks. Anyone looking for a small, light, or ambidextrous mouse: this should be your first stop.
Logitech G502. Some buttons can be hard to press in the heat of battle is a 121 gram monster (that’s with its weights removed, and not counting the cable), slightly longer than the Deathadder, and built to look vaguely like some kind of futuristic weapon. It's an update of Logitech's classic MX 518 and G500 mice, with Logiteceh's newest top-of-the-line 16,000 CPI sensor. It's a cozy palm grip shape that's stood the test of time, and it has some real premium build quality touches like its weighted metal scroll wheel, which has a super satisfying notched scroll and an option to switch to a free-spinning mode. Due to the design and placement of its buttons, and its size and heavy weight, the G502 isn’t as great an all-around mouse as the Deathadder. A couple buttons by the left-click are a bit awkwardly placed and prone to occasional mis-clicks. But for gamers who love a heavy mouse, the is the mouse to get.
It's a recent update of a model that's been hugely popular for Logitech for years with the new Hero sensor. The older model, the Proteus Spectrum, is being phased out. But if you can find it, it's still a great mouse at a cheaper price.
Read the full review: 9. Logitech MX Vertical. Modest CPI compared to traditional gaming mice Comfort is one of the most important factors in choosing any mouse, gaming or otherwise, and the Logitech MX Vertical is best-in-class.
It's ergonomic design allows you to comfortably rest your hand in a neutral position, meaning you'll experience virtually no strain, even across marathon sessions. It's top CPI setting (4,000) doesn't compete with some of the other gaming mice on this list, but it's still extremely precise, with an excellent laser sensor that provides all the precision you're ever likely to need. You can also unplug it from your machine and run it wirelessly with virtually no input lag, and it's got a killer battery life - just three minutes of charging time will net around an entire day of use. If you're a strategy gamer or anyone for whom CPI running into the 10,000+ range is a necessity, the MX Vertical is an awesome mouse that feels like a luxury.
And its unique form factor is eye-catching and pleasantly curved, without relying on RGB gimmick lighting for its aesthetic appeal. Testing gaming mice I’ve used enough gaming mice to have a good feel for build quality, button placement, and shape.
My opinions on those aspects of mouse design are naturally subjective, but they’re also well-informed. The tricky part of testing gaming mice is analyzing the other part of the equation: tracking performance, jitter, angle snapping, acceleration, and perfect control speed, and determining how each of those issues affect the experience of using a mouse. What do all those terms mean? If you’re deeply interested in the intricacies of gaming mice, you can read. But here are some basic definitions that will help you understand why each of these terms are important issues. Grip refers to how you hold the mouse.
The most common grips are palm, claw, and fingertip. CPI stands for counts per inch, or how many times the mouse sensor will read its tracking surface, aka your mousepad, for every inch it’s moved. This is commonly referred to as DPI, but CPI is a more accurate term. The lower the CPI, the further you have to move the mouse to move the cursor on screen.
Jitter refers to an inaccuracy in a mouse sensor reading the surface it’s tracking. Jitter often occurs at higher mouse movement speeds or higher CPIs. Jitter can make your cursor jump erratically, and even slight jitter could wreck a shot in an FPS or make you misclick on a unit in an RTS. Angle snapping, also called prediction, takes data from a mouse sensor and modifies the output with the goal of creating smoother movements.
For example, if you try to draw a horizontal line with your mouse, it won’t be perfect—you’ll make some subtle curves in the line, especially at higher sensitivities. Angle snapping smooths out those curves and gives you a straight line instead. This is generally bad because it means your cursor movements won’t match your hand’s movements 1:1, and angle snapping isn’t going to be useful in most games. Thankfully, almost all gaming mice have angle snapping disabled by default.
Acceleration is probably the most reviled, most scrutinized issue with gaming mouse sensors. When a mouse sensor exhibits acceleration, that means that your cursor will move faster the faster you move the mouse; this is often considered bad, because it means moving the mouse slowly six inches across a mousepad will move the cursor a different distance than moving the mouse rapidly the same distance. This introduces variability that can be hard to predict. Perfect control speed, or malfunction rate, refers to the speed at which the mouse can be moved while still tracking accurately. Most gaming mice will track extremely accurately when moved at slow speeds, but low CPI players will often move their mice large distances across the mousepads at very high speeds. At high speeds, and especially at high CPIs, not all mouse sensors are able to retain their tracking accuracy. The point at which the sensors stops tracking accurately will differ between CPI levels.
Lift-off distance is still a popular metric in mouse enthusiast circles, though it's not one that affects most gamers. LOD refers to the height a mouse has to be raised before the sensor stops tracking its surface. Some gamers prefer a mouse with a very low lift-off distance because they play at a very low sensitivity, and often have to lift their mouse off the pad to 'reset' it in a position where they can continue swiping. With a low LOD, the cursor isn't going to be moved erratically when the mouse is lifted up. I used a piece of software called MouseTester to see if I could spot any glaring issues with the mice I used.
In every gaming mouse I tested, though, angle snapping and acceleration were disabled in the mouse drivers by default (though a mouse can still exhibit acceleration that comes from issues with the sensor itself) and I never encountered any glaring performance issues. Like in audiophile circles, there’s a small group of people who can notice and care deeply about the most minute differences in mouse sensors. But for most gamers, including myself, the differences are hard to pick up on in everyday gaming. I’m more concerned with the design of the mouse, the placement and quality of its buttons and its driver software, as long as jitter and acceleration don’t crop up in my FPS and MOBA matches. Some online stores give us a small cut if you buy something through one of our links. Read our for more info.
Anyone spending hours on their computer every day will tell you that having the right tools at hand is serious business. Deciding on the best mouse is a subjective process where several things come into play: intended use, feature set, grip style, price, and how comfortable a given device feels in your hand. Over the years some of the best mice on the market, but to come up with this list we combined our staff's collective experience with hundreds of reviews and users' feedback. Mice is a category where productivity and gaming do combine, meaning the best gaming mice are usually the most comfortable to work long sessions as well, thus making it the best overall peripheral. Plus, you probably don't juggle between mice depending on what you're doing, unless you need a ton of buttons for MMOs, or something of that nature.
Here are our top picks. Best Mouse for Enthusiasts and Gamers. For the third year in a row, the is our top mouse pick above all others. The DeathAdder is consistently mentioned and chosen by reviewers and gamers alike as the best mouse around. While there have been a few iterations over the years, Razer has focused on incremental upgrades without ever changing what makes the DeathAdder beloved by so many: its comfortable and ergonomic design, accurate sensor, and most recently, proven endurance. The Elite is around 5 inches long, 1.7 inches high, and 2.7 inches at its widest. Weighing in at 105 grams, it's among the lightest mice of its size and is a good fit for a variety of hand sizes and grips.
While it's billed as a gaming mouse, its simple, effective design makes it suitable for any type of user. The latest iteration of the DeathAdder dubbed 'Elite' released in late 2016 upgraded to a '5G Optical Sensor' that's capable of tracking up to 16,000 DPI at 450 inches per second. You will rarely — if ever — use the mouse at its peak sensitivity but we can tell you after using the Elite for almost two years that it tracks movement with flawless accuracy.
The scroll wheel itself has also been redesigned with tiny bumps for extra grip. Razer worked with Omron on the Elite’s mechanical switches and claims they are “tweaked for the fastest response times for gaming and for extended durability up to 50 million clicks.' Longevity is specially important here given the DeathAdder's mixed track record in this department. Admittedly we are fans of the DeathAdder at TechSpot, a few people in the office use it and we've bought almost a dozen of them in the past few years. A portion of those were used through their expected lifespan, but three failed on us while still relatively new. So far the Elite's have kept on rocking, showing signs of wear and tear on the outside but mechanically they're still flawless. Your opinion may vary on how comfortable a mouse is depending on your grip style and hand size, but most agree the DeathAdder is extremely comfortable to use even in extended gaming sessions, and at approximately 100 grams it slides easily across a mousing surface.
Two Excellent Alternatives The is a well-made, high-performance gaming mouse with a comfortable design. The device is flexible, working flawlessly on a variety of surfaces, not to mention its five chevron-shaped 3.6g weights (it can go from 145g to 163g), eleven programmable buttons, dual mouse wheel modes and in-game DPI shifting ranging from the pixel-precise 200 DPI to a lightning-fast 12,000 DPI. Like the DeathAdder, the Logitech G502 has gone through various iterations, so this is a refined piece of hardware that is equally great for gaming or heavy duty desktop work - albeit a tad more heavy than the Razer. Originally launched at $80, the Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum can be found these days which is truly a steal. Another exceptional mouse beloved by many is the.
Arguably a brand that is not as widely known as the two previous, SteelSeries is very active in eSports circles and with a growing following of gamers, it manages to sell the as well. Build quality and ergonomics on the Rival 600 are top notch. It boasts of a unique two-sensor system that is supposed to track accurately on fast-paced action when you happen to lift the mouse. Elsewhere it packs the works: 7 programmable buttons, adjustable weights and customizable lighting, making this a solid recommendation alongside our favorite multi-purpose Razer and Logitech mice.
The MX Master 2S features a perfectly sculpted shape that supports your hand and wrist in a comfortable, natural position. It's precise and highly customizable.
Although it's a big mouse, the doesn't feel 'fat', with all of the main controls well positioned and easy to reach. You get five programmable buttons, a dual mode scroll wheel - click-to-click and hyperfast - and a thumb wheel that can be used for things like side-to-side scrolling, turn pages, switch applications, flip through tabs, and so on. Similar to other products in this list, the MX Master 2S is not entirely a newcomer. Rather it's an iteration of the MX Master that was widely praised, receiving subtle exterior changes but an important improvement to battery life and a higher resolution 4000 DPI sensor. Fully acknowledging the MX Master 2S is a productivity device first, Logitech's Flow is a new software feature that lets you switch between multiple computers by simply moving the cursor to the edge of the screen, like you would when swithing between two monitors using the same PC.
No button press necessary, you simply move across and jump from device to device, which is great if you use multiple PCs (e.g. Desktop + laptop, and so on). It's an interesting use case that Logitech has fully exploited by adding this functionality to its flagship wireless mouse along with a few other mice and keyboards.
It also works for seamless file/clipboard sharing and between Macs and PCs. The is rechargeable through the micro-USB port on the front. Based on eight hours of daily use, Logitech claims an improved battery life of up to 70 days. In any case, the MX Master 2S won't be stopped in its tracks once the battery runs flat. Instead, you just have to attach the USB cable and it can be used as a corded mouse while it recharges. Mac users get a, too.
All in all, the MX Master 2S is a great mouse that delivers in terms of form, features and performance. You have to be comfortable with a palm style mouse to like it, and if you are then there is a good chance you will love it. Our upgrade gaming mouse is not necessarily better than our main choices, but it surely is more luxurious, expensive and wireless. The Logitech G903 Lightspeed costs about twice as much as you might typically spend on a gaming mouse at, but it packs incredible hardware and unparalleled attention to detail.
It’s incredibly light for a wireless mouse at 110g, with a fantastic shape that contours to the hand beautifully and accommodates a variety of palm, claw and fingertip holds. It has an aggressive yet sleek ambidextrous design but this doesn’t come at the expense of comfort. The left and right-clicking buttons feel solid and use a pivot design to ensure a rapid, satisfying feedback no matter where you press. The G903 Lightspeed features the same PMW3366 sensor as its, which delivers tracking accuracy and consistent responsiveness at any speed, with zero smoothing or filtering across the entire DPI range (200-12,000 DPI).
The mouse has two side buttons positioned under the thumb, which can be magnetically detached and placed on either side for left or right hand use. You can also have all four buttons attached to both sides if it suits your needs.
If you're feeling spendy, you can (mouse pad) to the G903 and have the mouse wireless charge while sitting in its place or even during use so you can forget about battery life on your wireless mouse. It's an unnecessary, albeit cool, luxury that is unique to a handful of mice.
It's not a requirement given the G903's more than decent battery life, but going by those who own it, they love it. In total there are 11 programmable controls, including DPI sensitivity toggles and a click / tilt scroll wheel that can be configured for click to click precision or blazing scrolling speeds. Other perks include RGB lighting that’s configurable through Logitech's software.
The G903 contains a 720 mAh rechargeable lithium-polymer battery that will give you around a week between charges. Conveniently, the G903 turns into a wired mouse with a micro-USB cable when it needs a recharge in case you don't opt for the Powerplay wireless charging functionality. Massively multiplayer online gamers have different needs than those of first-person shooter or real-time strategy fans. They need social interaction. They need extremely comfortable chairs. But most of all they need buttons.
So many buttons. If you want a lot of buttons for MMO and MOBA games, it's a close battle between the. The Corsair is often favored by those with larger hands, while the Naga Trinity is smaller for a MOBA/MMO mouse, but that's something many gamers like. Optimized specifically for MOBA/MMO games, the Scimitar Pro offers a total of 12 buttons that work with a key slider system that lets you adjust their positioning up to 8mm and securely lock them into place. The buttons are designed for consistent tactile feedback and include textured side button keycaps for enhanced feel (plus color-coded DPI profiles!). Both the Scimitar Pro and Naga Trinity use 16,000 DPI sensors and come with its own flavor of RGB lighting and software customizations. The Razer Naga Trinity claim to fame is its versatility.
After several successful Naga MMO mouse releases, Razer came up with the idea of interchangable plates which will let you choose the button arrangement you prefer for different game genres. So you can do the standard 2 thumb buttons for desktop work or shooters, and then morph your devices for a round 7-button or the full 12-button configuration similar to the Scimitar Pro. If you are constantly on the go then you probably don't want to carry around a full size mouse.
The Logitech MX Anywhere 2S is a smaller travel mouse that's portable enough to keep on your bag, but not too small to be cumbersome to use for extended periods. The Anywhere 2S' offers two main feats besides the obvious: 1) it can track on nearly any surface including glass, and 2) it inherits from Logitech's latest Flow software features that lets you seamlessly navigate up to three computers (Windows and Mac combined if needed), as you would if you were moving the cursor from one monitor to the other in a dual/triple display setup.
Logitech Flow acts like a software-based KVM with no button presses necessary, plus adds clipboard and file sharing. This portable yet fully featured mouse uses Logitech's speed-adaptive scroll wheel like the larger MX Master, uses the same 4,000 DPI sensor and is expected to last up to 70 days on a single charge. But if you run out of battery, you can still plug it and keep using it. If you rely on your portable mouse on a daily basis, then you should have no problem justifying the Anywhere 2S'. However, if you rarely use a mouse on the go, then there are cheaper options to consider. Within that group the is an old favorite that's available for on Amazon and the Logitech is much newer and also supports Logitech's cool Flow software for PC switching. Choosing the best budget mouse proved trickier than usual this year.
With our top choices hovering around $50, most so-called 'budget' mouse models from a variety of manufacturers were not selling for much lower prices. Our previous pick, the remains a great option as a leaner/simpler version of the G502, but four years after release it's still selling for, a mere $7 discount over the DeathAdder Elite, so we'd simply buy that instead. We also love what Logitech has done with. It's spartan mousing perfection for (used to sell for more). Surely you can't go wrong with that PMW3366 optical sensor (200 to 12,000 DPI), six programmable buttons optimized for eSports and shooters (translation: reliable click performance) among other perks.
And then we found our true budget choice. Inspired by the classic G100S series, for shares many of the G Pro's best features, including its simplistic but proven build quality and ergonomics. It loses the braided cable and that high performance sensor, however you'll be hard-pressed to notice a difference (6000 DPI on the Prodigy). That's why many gamers say the G203 is the G Pro for a fraction of the price (also found as the G102 in some markets).