If you wish to be competitive in PC video games nowadays you can forget utilizing an ordinary workplace mouse. Rather, you’ll require an effective gadget that’s enhanced simply for video gaming.
Manufacturers go to excellent discomforts to develop professional gadgets that offer gamers an edge, with improvements like special body shapes and sizes, adjustable weight, and additional grips to increase speed and precision. The finest video gaming mice have distinct hardware improvements like extremely delicate sensing units and intricate button setups to keep up with quick paced video games.

Deciding on the best mouse is an extremely individual choice that requires cautious factor to consider. Elements like the shapes and size of your hand, your chosen grip design, the kinds of video games you play, and the variety of buttons you require, are all aspects that you’ll wish to consider in your mission for the very best video gaming mouse.
Below you’ll discover a list of tried-and-tested gadgets picked by PCWorld customers that sit amongst the lead of video gaming mice. For a rundown on how they were chosen and additional purchasing suggestions, read our useful recommendations listed below our list of suggestions.
1. Logitech G502 Hero– Best wired video gaming mouse/ Best general
Pros
- Incredibly comfy
- Buttons now ranked for 50 million clicks
- Hero sensing unit carries out in addition to the PWM3366
Cons
- More costly than the previous design, however very little has actually altered
- Fairly heavy, which may deter some users
- Still no cordless alternative
Logitech’s G502 mouse has actually gotten a famous status here at PCWorld by making our ‘Best of’ list every year for the last 4 years, striking the ideal notes for power, convenience, and resilience. Under the hood the G502 is powered by an extremely precise Logitech Hero sensing unit, whose exact efficiency is extremely searched for by severe players.
In the style department, it provides dollops of convenience with an extended pill-shaped body and high scoop that’s similarly ideal for palm, claw, or fingertip users. MMO and MOBA players are well accommodated with 11 well-placed buttons that react rapidly and are ranked for as much as 50 million clicks. Undoubtedly, the mouse’s 121 gram weight does not make it the lightest choice readily available, however yet it feels and carries out simply as well as lighter options.
Read our complete Logitech G502 Hero evaluation
2. Mad Catz R.A.T. 8+– Best video gaming mouse for tinkerers
Pros
- Eminently personalized
- Uses a trustworthy PMW3389 sensing unit
- Feels long lasting
Cons
- Customization choices aren’t constantly instinctive
- Heavy, even with the weights eliminated
- Hard to understand whether Mad Catz peripherals are the more reputable nowadays
The Mad Catz R.A.T 8+ has to do with as adjustable as video gaming mice come, including a modular style that permits you to alter its part precisely as you want to discover your perfect mouse shape and weight. Doing so needs you to pull discrete levers and turn knobs incorporated into the mouse’s body, so there’s a relatively high knowing curve prior to you understand what you’re doing.
Still, if you enjoy playing, this mouse will keep you amused for hours at a time. It likewise does not cut corners in the button department, supplying 10 buttons all informed, orientated in some lovely initial positions for additional benefit. With a stripped-back, bare-bones appearance, the Mad Catz R.A.T 8+ likewise stands apart in the crowd, making it an apparent talking point at any group video gaming sessions.
Read our complete Mad Catz R.A.T. 8+ evaluation
3. SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless– Best cordless/ Best for MOBA and MMO video games
Pros
- 18 quickly programmable buttons
- Weighs just 89 grams
- Quick and responsive
- Dual Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4 GHz cordless
Cons
- Some buttons on the side grid are tough to reach
The more buttons, the much heavier and slower video gaming mice tend to be, however the SteelSereis Aerox 9 dollars this pattern with a massive 18 buttons and weighing simply 89 grams. Needless to state, having 18 buttons at hand instead of 6, 8 or 12, offers you a little bit more firepower to introduce commands and macros in video games where fast release is required– particularly in MMOs and MOBAs like The Elder Scrolls Online or Final Fantasy XIV
On top of the generous button choice, the Aerox 9 functions a fast 18,000 DPI sensing unit and double 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection, so it’s extremely flexible and portable. Design-wise, the Aerox 9 feels and look great thanks to a futuristic honeycomb-shaped back with RGB lighting. In addition, because it weighs under 100 grams, it’s quick adequate to keep you competitive in first-person shooters.
Read our complete SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless evaluation
4. HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless– Best for esports/ first-person shooters
Pros
- Weighs simply 61 grams
- Has an extremely precise sensing unit
- Design is comfy and help efficiency
Cons
- Lacks Bluetooth
- Button setup is dull
- Has just one RGB lighting zone
If you’re simply a great player HyperX’s Pulsefire Haste Wireless is the type of mouse that can raise you to the status of quality. Weighing simply 61 grams, it’s the lightest and quickest mouse I’ve had the enjoyment of video gaming with, feeling barely-there in my hands.
Just taking a look at the specs, you ‘d be misinterpreted for believing its PAW335516,000 DPI sensing unit is a little underpowered– it’s not, showing exceptionally precise in shooters like Overwatch and CounterStrike: Global Offensive, particularly with the DPI profile set to the most affordable setting. Other things that make this mouse a class act include its fast 2.4 GHz cordless connection, futuristic and comfy honeycomb-shaped back, and the additional grips and PTFE move skates that come provided in package.
Read our complete HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless evaluation
5. Cooler Master MM830– Best budget plan video gaming mouse
Pros
- Incredibly comfy and resilient
- Top-tier efficiency, with a PMW3360 sensing unit
- You can put a weapon on your mouse, I think
Cons
- D-pad is mostly the like any other thumb buttons
- OLED screen is unnecessary at finest
- PWM3360 cranked to 24,000 DPI for no factor
The MM830 separates itself from other budget plan video gaming mice with enjoyable functions like an integrated D-pad and small OLED show that you can establish to reveal details like your RAM, CPU, and GPU use statistics. Looking beyond these novelties, it likewise carries out well in video games, which is considerably more essential. Powering that efficiency is a top-end 24,000 DPI PMW3360 sensing unit, which for contrast’s sake, is the very same as the premium Logitech Hero sensing unit simply with a greater power draw.
On top of the mouse’s body the MM830’s sports a textured plastic outside that offers a lot of grip for your hand. A mild right-hand scoop likewise makes it exceptionally comfy to utilize even for long video gaming stints.
Read our complete Cooler Master MM830 evaluation
6. Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed– Best dual-purpose video gaming and efficiency mouse
Pros
- Comfortable, ergonomic style
- Dual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection
- Long battery life
Cons
- No RGB lighting
- Slightly slower than top-shelf video gaming mice
The Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed integrates functions for video gaming along with efficiency, making it perfect for both. In the conference room it synchronizes stealthily with its environments thanks to an all-black style without any RGB lighting zones. Below its modest outside it conceals an extremely delicate 14,000 DPI sensing unit, which is a strong entertainer in AAA video games.
Dual 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection lets you change in between your video gaming PC and work laptop computer simply by snapping a switch below the mouse’s body. Unlike some video gaming mice, the Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed is powered by either an AA or AAA battery, making it ultraportable. It can remain powered a massive 235 hours in Wi-Fi mode and 615 hours in Bluetooth mode simply on a single AA battery.
Read our complete DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed evaluation
7. SteelSeries Rival 650– Best rechargeable cordless video gaming mouse
Pros
- Get 10 hours of charge in just 15 minutes
- Comfortable and appealing style
- Removable weight system offers lots of choices
Cons
- Heavier than some may like
- Expensive
- Third thumb button is little and awkwardly positioned
Two functions stand apart to make the SteelSeries Rival 650 a leading option for players. The very first is a double sensing unit system consisted of a TrueMove 3 sensing unit and a devoted depth sensing unit. The depth sensing unit permits the Rival 650 to identify lift-off at a range as little as half a millimeter, which is double the level of sensitivity of competing video gaming mice. Needless to state, if you’re susceptible to lifting, the Rival 650 ought to assist consistent your goal.
The 2nd function highlighted by our PCWorld customer is its fast-charging ability that gets you back video gaming earlier when the battery goes out. SteelSeries claims simply 15 minutes charging time suffices to power the mouse for 10 (or more) hours of battery. On top of these 2 beneficial developments the Rival 650 sports a classy style that lets you peel of the left and ideal side panels and change it to your favored weight.
Read our complete SteelSeries Rival 650 evaluation
How we evaluate video gaming mice
To make sure that our video gaming mice choices are the choice of the crop, the PCWorld group topics them to comprehensive play screening in addition to a legion of other tests. We inspect whatever from how well a mouse carry out in video games, to the shapes and size of it in the hand, to comfort and ergonomics, to personalizations. Here are the primary classifications our tests fall under:
- Gaming efficiency: At the end of the day it does not matter how a mouse looks; it’s how it carries out that matters. To assess a mouse’s efficiency we look particularly at how delicate and responsive its sensing unit is and likewise how well the sensing unit tracks motion. Accuracy is likewise a crucial factor to consider, with mice that are more precise usually scoring much better in our evaluations than those that aren’t. In cordless mice we likewise examine the speed and strength of the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals, keeping a keep an eye out for warnings like signal dropouts or disturbance. Some mice likewise include software application improvements that identify the mouse’s lift-off range, which we likewise analyze in our screening.
- Design and ergonomics: You will not discover another tech gadget for which style plays a more essential part of a user’s experience. And, while it’s real that there’s nobody shape, size, or setup that fits every player, there’s adequate variation out there for every single player to discover their own ideal fit. When taking a look at style, we think about the shapes and size of the gadget itself and the kind of hand it fits. Players tend to utilize among 3 typical grip types– palm, claw, or fingertip– so a mouse’s compatibility with one or all of those types is a huge factor to consider.
- Software: Being able to modify settings like your mouse’s DPI and ballot rate and produce particular profiles for your preferred video games can make or break your video gaming experience, which is why a mouse’s software application assistance is so crucial. Our PCWorld customers’ focus here is to think about the variety and scope of software application assistance and how easily settings can be customized, altered, and conserved for future usage.
What to try to find in a video gaming mouse
Connectivity: Wired versus wireless?
It utilized to be typically well accepted that wired video gaming mice had the edge over their cordless equivalents, supplying players with a much faster and more precise signal in between mice and PCs. That’s less real than it utilized to be thanks to the appeal of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth cordless innovations, which have actually nearly levelled the playing field.
I state practically, due to the fact that there’s no rejecting that wired video gaming mice still provide the fastest and most safe connections you can get. That stated, whether you pick one type over the other must boil down to your video gaming concerns.
If you’re a severe competitive player or esports gamer, where winning or losing rests on a knife’s edge, choosing a wired mouse over a cordless one is an excellent choice, because it’s less most likely a signal dropout or disturbance will interrupt your play. Every one-upmanship counts. Cordless mice are definitely more portable and enable you to change in between gadgets at an impulse, so if nimbleness and mobility is more essential, a cordless mouse will be a much better fit.
What shapes and size should I get?
Hands, similar to video gaming mice, can be found in all various sizes and shapes and for convenience factors it pays to match like with like. While classifying sizes of hands can be extremely subjective, opportunities are you’ll have the ability to think whether your hand is on typical little, medium, or big. You can then discover a mouse that finest fits from amongst the size classifications listed below:
- Small video gaming mouse: Length: Less than 6.7 inches; width: 2.9 to 3.3 inches
- Medium video gaming mouse: Length: 6.7 to 7.9 inches; width: 3.3 to 3.9 inches
- Large video gaming mouse: Length: 7.9 inches; width: 3.9 to 4.3 inches
Gaming mice typically can be found in 3 shapes: left-handed, right-handed, and ambidextrous. Ambidextrous mice are developed to be neutral because they can be simply as quickly utilized by your left or right-hand man. Left-handed and right-handed mice are custom-made for the dominant hands defined by their names, typically sporting custom curves and button positionings for one or the other. Unless you change in between hands, utilizing a video gaming mouse that matches your dominant hand will go a long method to enhancing your efficiency and convenience.
Your favored grip type ought to likewise be thought about when choosing an appropriately shaped mouse. Here’s a rough guide for matching grip types with mouse shapes:
- Palm grip: Long, flat mice tend to be a much better fit and more comfy
- Claw grip: Narrower and smaller sized mice tend to match this grip design
- Fingertip grip: Lighter mice are typically chosen by fingertip grippers to decrease pressure
How light should my mouse be?
Gaming mice weights have actually been slowly trending downwards throughout the years as gamers search for lighter choices that are quicker to move and avoid arms and wrists getting extremely worn out or aching in long play sessions. FPS (first-person shooter) players in specific tend to opt for the lightest mice possible, seeing every millisecond of speed benefit as worth chasing.
Despite this, there’s no perfect video gaming mouse weight for all players, however rather a deeply individual choice. Some players– typically those with bigger hands or more powerful arms– really choose much heavier mice for the additional stability they get. Still if you are among those searching for the lightest mouse possible, anything under 100 grams will be amongst the lightest on the marketplace.
Does DPI actually matter?
Your mouse’s sensing unit is the important hardware part that passes on motion to your PC. Mice sensing units are ranked for DPI, or dots per inch, which informs us how far a cursor moves per inch of mouse motion– that is, how delicate it is. Makers truly buzz up the value of high DPIs, which can be a bit deceptive since they do not always correspond to much better video gaming efficiency (they can, however not in all situations).
For example, if you play a great deal of FPS and desire the outright finest precision while targeting challengers, a lower DPI (in between 800 -1,000) is more suitable, considering that this enables you to make brief, sharp, and accurate motions more quickly. If you make a lot of broad, sweeping hand motions, or if your display screen is an extremely high resolution, a mouse with a high DPI (in between 12,000-30,000 DPI) can be a benefit.
The fantastic aspect of a lot of contemporary video gaming mice is that they can change in between DPI profiles simply by clicking a little button behind the mouse wheel. That stated, our guidance is to go with a video gaming mouse with the greatest DPI your budget plan enables, and after that pick your favored setting for various video gaming situations by utilizing this convenient DPI-switching function.
Is an optical or laser sensing unit much better?
Optical sensing units are the most popular with players given that they tend to have less jitter and smoothing issues. These sensing units work by casting down infrared or LED light onto your mousepad and catching countless digital images per 2nd, that then exposes the exact place of the mouse to the PC.
On the other hand, laser sensing units utilize a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser diode to identify placing. An optical sensing unit will do simply great. If you prepare on utilizing your mouse on a clear surface area (like glass), a laser sensing unit is more suitable given that it will have much better level of sensitivity to a range of surface area textures.
Button count: How numerous do I require?
The kind of video games you play must assist you identify the number of buttons you require. If you’re a huge fan of genuine time technique (RTS), role-playing video games (RPG), or enormously multiplayer online (MMOs) video games, you ‘d be we’ll encouraged to select a mouse with in between 10 and18 buttons– like the Razer Naga Pro or the SteelSeries Aerox 9. These video games normally need you to fire off a great deal of commands rapidly, so the more buttons you need to set commands and macros in, the much better.
On the flipside, if FPS is your go-to video game type, you’ll most likely wish to keep your button count to in between 6 and 8 buttons. Opportunities are you will not require the greater button-count for your smaller sized list of commands. Plus, buttons tend to increase a mouse’s weight, so choosing a mouse with less will probably mean it’s lighter and quicker to relocate the frenzied FPS action.
RGB lighting or no?
RGB lighting is an enjoyable function to have in any video gaming gadget that can cheer up your video gaming den with pops of color. It can likewise be quite helpful, enabling you to see your gadget much better in poorly lit spaces or in the evening. And yet, there might be times when you decide to utilize a mouse that has just a very little RGB, or none at all.
The most typical example is if you intend on utilizing your video gaming mouse discreetly at work. In this case, mice like the Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed, that have no RGB lighting zones and can convincingly pass as basic black workplace mice, are perfect since your associates will be none the smarter.

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