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Finding Your Next Gaming Mouse: A Buyer’s Guide
Whether you’re competing in multiplayer for fame and glory or you’re immersing yourself in a single-player adventure, a low-quality peripheral just won’t cut it. While a good gaming mouse can’t really improve your gaming skills directly, having a quality mouse can mean the difference between a win and a loss. A quality mouse can help give you more complete control over your movement, and they offer you a chance to shine by eliminating unwanted inputs.Choosing a mouse for your video games might not be as simple as it sounds though — some of these products are more compact, and others come with extra bells and whistles, like allowing you to customize the weight on your hand for a perfect fit. We’ve sifted the market and curated a list of some of the highest-rated gaming mice for 2023. So check them out and find something that fits your aesthetic preferences and playstyle.
Logitech G305 Gaming Mouse
Best Overall
Redragon M602 Gaming Mouse
Best Aesthetics
Razer Viper Gaming Mouse
Most Compact
Bengoo Gaming Mouse
Budget-Friendly
Uhuru Gaming Mouse
Premium Quality
Factors to Consider When Buying a Gaming Mouse
LEDs
Both professional and casual gamers love decorating their gaming laptops, workstations, and displays using LEDs. And If you’re really into gaming, you should get a gaming mouse that comes with some user-defined color lighting or pulsating effects.Weight
Every gamer has different tastes when it comes to the weight or the handling of a mouse. Some premium gaming mice even come with little weights you can insert to change the weight of your mouse.Ergonomic design
Long gaming sessions can be hard on your wrists, which is why some gaming mice offer an ergonomic hand position that helps reduce wrist stress. To reduce the chances of long-term damage, it’s a good idea to get a wrist rest for your mouse pad even if you’re buying an ergonomically designed gaming mouse.Software
The majority of computer gaming mice are plug-and-play devices, so you can attach them to almost any computer and count on them performing the same basic functions.Because of how a gaming mouse functions, these products are often seen as just plug-and-play devices, but their greatest features are really their extra functions. Software is necessary for some customization and added functionality, and Windows is almost always the primarily supported operating system. Consider the specs when you browse gaming mice too, and be sure your operating system is compatible with the gaming mouse you plan on purchasing.Types of Gaming Mouse
Wireless
If you don’t want to clutter up your space, go for a wireless gaming mouse that connects to your computer through a USB dongle. A lot of gamers prefer using wireless mice because of the added convenience and their compact size.Wired
This type of gaming mouse is precisely what it sounds like. Rather than using a USB connection to connect to your computer, these versions come with wires for connecting to different devices. The real bonus is that a wired gaming mouse has shorter lag times than a wireless version, offering computer gamers the extra advantage they’re looking for.Tips for Buying a Gaming Mouse
Learn about the extra features
Gaming gear manufacturers often compete with each other by including distinctive features in their products. To find out what other features come with a gaming mouse, thoroughly read through the user manual.Know your hand size
Not every gaming mouse will fit your hand comfortably. For example, certain gaming mice are made especially for bigger hands. So, spend some time confirming that the gaming mouse you’re looking at is the appropriate size for your hands. In simpler terms, each button should be easy to press without requiring you to extend your fingers too much.Look for a warranty
Make sure that the gaming mouse you choose has a decent warranty. While gaming mice are made for gaming, they can still break down after being used for hundreds of hours — and trust us, those hours add up quickly. But don’t worry, you can help avoid the cost of buying a gaming mouse over and over by investing in something with a solid warranty.Logitech G305 Gaming Mouse
Best Overall
This option from Logitech boasts amazing performance with its 400-inch per second (IPS) precision and up to 12000-dot per inch (DPI) sensitivity. Its egg-shaped, symmetrical body is extremely accommodating to fingers and nearly any hand size. You can connect this mouse wirelessly using a lightspeed USB receiver, and the six programmable buttons allow for instant customization.You can play games for hours with a single AA battery that can power this product for up to 250 hours. And you can store the USB receiver in the built-in compartment, preventing it from getting lost when you’re on the go. With its excellent click latency and next-gen sensor, this gaming mouse is the best overall pick on this list.
Pros
- Lightspeed wireless technology for lag-free play
- One millisecond report rate offers better performance
- Highly maneuverable, lightweight design
Cons
- May cause hand fatigue
Redragon M602 Gaming Mouse
Best Aesthetics
This pick from Redragon is a stylish option that comes in black and white to match your overall gaming setup. This mouse also has RGB lighting with seven different backlit modes, allowing you to enjoy your gaming experience to the fullest. You can also turn the backlight off while you’re playing games during the day or when you need to concentrate. This product has seven customizable buttons that can help advance your gameplay, and it includes an adjustable DPI of 800 to 7,200. You can also easily bind different actions to one button according to your preferences. And this mouse is designed to fit in your hand’s natural contours, reducing the likelihood of repetitive strain injury (RSI).
Pros
- Anti-skid scroll wheel for more control
- Ergonomic design reduces hand fatigue
- Built-in weight offers more balance
Cons
- Possible customization issues with the software
Razer Viper Gaming Mouse
Most Compact
Want a lightweight and portable gaming mouse? The Razer Viper Gaming Mouse is 10% smaller than other versions and it only weighs 3.4 ounces, making it extremely easy to move around and take with you wherever you go. Plus, this option is extremely fast and more responsive than traditional models, and it uses a light-beam based actuation for more complete control over movement. You can also customize the chroma RGB color profile with 16.8 million color combinations and preset profiles to fully immerse yourself. This pick allows you to configure things with the help of six buttons too, letting you to assign complex programs.
Pros
- Drag-free cord for wireless-like performance
- Ultra-lightweight build for precise control
- The cable promotes accuracy
Cons
- Non-cordless design
Bengoo Gaming Mouse
Budget-Friendly
If you’re looking for an inexpensive mouse from a major manufacturer, this option from Bengoo is a perfect choice. It allows you to choose from four adjustable DPI speed settings, ranging from 1200 to 3600 DPI — letting you pick something according to your proficiency and performance requirements. You don’t need any drivers to use this gaming mouse ethier, it comes with a plug-and-play design for some added convenience. This mouse also comes equipped with six flexible buttons for customizing the functions to different games. What’s even better is, the built-in multi-color lights lend this pick an appealing look to match with a fancy gaming setup.
Pros
- Ergonomic design reduces hand fatigue
- Skin-friendly material for extended use
- Braided cable for added durability
Cons
- Scroll wheel isn’t very responsive
Uhuru Gaming Mouse
Premium Quality
The Uhuru Gaming Mouse boasts excellent performance, amazing build quality, and attractive design. This wireless product adopts 2.4 GHz transmission technology to provide long-range connectivity of up to 50 feet, offering a lag-free gaming experience. You’ll also be surprised with its almost instant responsiveness and the excellent data transmission speeds — there’s almost zero delay, which is awesome for fierce gaming sessions. This option also features a five-level easy-to-adjust DPI, the highest being 10,000, so it can serve gaming and work needs well. You can customize your gaming setup with this product’s seven changeable colors, too. And the backlit LED lights and the six programmable buttons allow you to set macro functions with the help of the driver software. With its wide compatibility and pulsating effects, this gaming mouse will probably become your favorite in no time.
Pros
- The rechargeable battery lasts seven to 10 days
- Automatic, light-changing system
- Wide connectivity range
Cons
- The sensitivity control is limited
People Also Asked
Can I move my gaming mouse to another computer and still keep my settings?
Your customized gaming mouse settings are stored in a computer locally, rather than the mouse itself. Unfortunately, any adjustments you make to your gaming mouse while using a particular computer will only apply to that computer and not any others.
Can I use my gaming mouse regularly?
Absolutely. A gaming mouse is also good for general scrolling, browsing the web, or navigating across your desktop.
Should I use my gaming mouse and keyboard or a controller?
This depends on your personal preferences, budget, and gaming style. Some people find gaming controllers more comfortable, and others prefer using a gaming mouse because of its near-instantaneous response time and better control.
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