The Logitech G Pro Wireless is the current gold standard for a gaming mouse. Featuring a pleasingly grown up design the mouse offers wired-level response times thanks to Logitech’s custom. The best wireless gaming mouse is the Logitech G903 Lightspeed. It’s simply the best gaming mouse I’ve ever used, period. Thanks to long battery life, a great design, and performance every bit as good as a wired mouse, it’s a shining example of how far wireless gaming mice have come.
Welcome to our guide on the best mouse for designers. Although it may seem like an afterthought, you'll be using your computer mouse a lot, so choosing the right one is important. No matter what creative work you're doing, you'll want a mouse that is comfortable to hold, while also offering you fast and accurate performance.
So how do you find the best mouse for you? After all, there are thousands of variations of computer mouse out there. In this guide, we've rounded up what we think are the best mouse options available right now.
To make sure you're not paying over the odds, our dedicated tool checks through thousands of deals to show you the best prices from the most trustworthy retailers. For more awesome deals on computer accessories and more, take a look at our guide to the best Prime Day deals.
Not quite what you're after? We also have buying guides for the best left-handed mouse and the best stylus for iPad.
01. Logitech MX Master 2S
DPI: 4,000 | Interface: Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless | Buttons: 7 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: Scrolling wheel, Customizable buttons, Thumb wheel, ergonomic build
Customizable buttons
Not ambidextrous
Logitech produces some of the most responsive computer mice on the market, which is pretty handy when you need a tool with precision. Its cordless Logitech MX Master 2S Wireless Bluetooth Mouse improves on almost every aspect of the original MX Master, offering unrivalled comfort thanks to its ergonomic design. You can comfortably use it for hours on end, and it features a super-responsive scroll wheel that lets you browse web pages or documents at your own speed, depending on how fast you flick the wheel.
Buttons located on the side of the mouse also let you flit between windows, and you can configure the buttons to help speed up your workflow. It's wireless as well, which gives you more freedom when working on your desk. The only downside is that it is expensive.
02. Logitech MX Vertical
DPI: 4,000 | Interface: Bluetooth (up to three devices); USB-C | Buttons: 6 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: Ergonomic build, Easy-Switch and Flow-Enabled, Fast recharging, Cursor speed switch
Ergonomic design
4-month battery life
Slightly odd design
The Logitech MX Vertical is an extremely comfortable mouse to use. The handshake grip is designed to reduce the stress on your wrist and hand muscles. You can connect to up to three devices at a time, and a handy button on top of the mouse enables you to switch between different computers instantly. It also promises fast recharging and smooth performance. On the downside, there's no slot of a wireless receiver, and the quirky and slightly bulky design won't be for everyone.
03. Logitech M185 wireless mouse
![Best wireless gaming mouse for pc Best wireless gaming mouse for pc](/uploads/1/2/6/8/126880417/776842674.jpg)
DPI: 1000 | Interface: 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity; USB receiver | Buttons: 3 | Ergonomic: Ambidextrous | Features: Scroll wheel
Great value
![Best logitech gaming mouse Best logitech gaming mouse](/uploads/1/2/6/8/126880417/198517789.jpg)
Plug-and-play
If you're after a reliable, cheap, no-frills option, try the Logitech M185. This wireless mouse comes with an unobtrusive nano USB receiver, and offers 2.4GHZ connectivity that promises virtually no delay or dropouts. It works with Windows, Mac, Chrome OS and Linux, and is super-simple to get started with: just plug in the receiver and start using the mouse.
Of course, for this price, you're not getting anything fancy. While the symmetrical design can be used in either hand (good news for lefties), if you're going to be using it for long hours you might want to consider something with a more ergonomic design.
04. Apple Magic Mouse 2
The best mouse for Apple devices
DPI: 1300 | Interface: Bluetooth | Buttons: 0 | Ergonomic: Ambidextrous | Features: Multi-touch
Looks fantastic
Expensive
Apple was late to join the innovative mouse party then it created the Magic Mouse. Its replacement, the imaginatively titled Magic Mouse 2, has a super-light design and laser-tracking capabilities that make it easy to flick between InDesign CC pages and make even the smallest changes on practically any surface.
However, the downside is that it’s perhaps a little over-sensitive at times. The multi-touch area on the top of the mouse, which lets you scroll in any direction, can sometimes become frustrating when you want to keep your finger in the same place for a long period of time. But for Magic Mouse evangelists, there is nothing that comes close to this mouse.
Alternatively, a lot of designers prefer the Apple Magic Trackpad 2, which brings Force Touch pressure-sensitive technology (as seen in the screen of the Apple Watch) and the trackpad of the 2015 12-inch MacBook. Or for a cheaper option, try the older Apple Magic Trackpad.
05. Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse
The best ergonomic mouse for creatives
DPI: 1000 | Interface: USB | Buttons: 5 | Ergonomic: Vertical | Features: No
Good for RSI sufferers
Thumb buttons don't work on Macs
Sure, the Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse looks weird. It’s vertically aligned to encourage healthy, neutral 'handshake' wrist and arm. But once you get used to it, it’s a cheap and very comfortable way to avoid RSI. If you're a digital creative that spends a lot of time using a mouse for work, then having one that is comfortable to use is essential. After all, if you injure yourself and cannot work, it could mean you lose money. That makes this odd-looking mouse a very wise investment, which is why we think it's the best ergonomic mouse for digital creatives.
06. Logitech MX Anywhere 2
Versatile and feature-packed mouse
DPI: 1,600 | Interface: Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless (pairs with up to three devices) | Buttons: 6 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: Scrolling wheel, Logitech Darkfield Laser Tracking, unifying receiver, easy-switch tech, gesture function
Pairs with three devices
Has a free-scrolling wheel
Can't use it wired
Smaller than Logitech’s flagship, the MX Master, the Logitech MX Anywhere 2 is the ideal travel mouse for digital creatives that work on the road. It can connect to three different devices via Bluetooth, and it can last all day with just four minutes of charging!
Despite its small size, it still comes with the high-build quality we've come to expect from Logitech. It's not as ergonomic as other mice in this guide, but if you're looking for a mouse to carry around with you, this is the one to go for.
07. Logitech MX Ergo Wireless
DPI: 512 – 2048 | Interface: Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless | Buttons: 8 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: Trackball, USB dongle, Logitech ‘Flow’ software compatibility for use with up to three PCs simultaneously, micro USB charging, precision mode
Comfortable design
No left-handed version
The MX Ergo Wireless is a distinctly retro-looking mouse thanks to its trackball. While many mice-makers have ditched trackballs in favour of optical laser mice, Logitech has continued to release trackball mice, and for that we're thankful. For many people, the tactile trackball makes working on creative projects much more intuitive and comfortable, and the MX Ergo Wireless can be used flat or at a 20-degree angle.
08. Microsoft Classic IntelliMouse
The legend returns
DPI: 3200 | Interface: Wired | Buttons: 5 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: classic design, programmable buttons, subdued white lighting
Solid design
Not wireless
For people of a certain age, the Microsoft Intellimouse will bring back strong memories of a real workhorse of a mouse, that wasn't flashy, but did the job brilliantly. Microsoft has tapped into that nostalgia with the Microsoft Classic Intellimouse, which modernises the classic design and improves the sensor, allowing users to ramp up the DPI to 3,200. It’s not wireless, but for a comfortable and dependable mouse, this is a brilliant update to a computing icon.
09. Razer DeathAdder Chroma
DPI: 10,000 | Interface: USB | Buttons: 5 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: lighting effects
Very comfortable
Lighting feels a bit gimmicky
Just like designers, gamers need a mouse that is sensitive and accurate, so it stands to reason that gaming mice are a good option for designers too. And the Razer range of gaming mice is one of the most responsive out there.
Razer mice have three types of sensors – dual, laser and optical – and an ergonomic shape designed to support the flow of your hand. The Razer Deathadder mouse is the bestseller (as well as the cheapest), and features an optical sensor and rubber side grips. It also syncs with all of your mouse settings stored in the Cloud.
10. Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600
The best budget mouse
DPI: 1000 | Interface: Bluetooth | Buttons: 2 | Ergonomic: Ambidextrous | Features: No
Really, really cheap
Smaller than most mice
Microsoft's Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600 is, in our view, the best budget mouse money can buy these days. Although it has a rock-bottom price, it has impressive build quality and is very reliable. This is because Microsoft isn't just a software company – it also makes some very good peripherals, such as this mouse. It's small enough to easily carry around with you as well, which is handy if you do a lot of work on the road.
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Ready, Aim, Click: Buying the Right Gaming Mouse
Targeting, slashing, hacking, attacking: The key actions you take in any PC game happen at the click of your mouse, so you can't skimp on your weapon if you want to win. Today, though, the quality bar is high for all but the cheapest gaming mice, so you can afford to be picky. Nowadays, you should expect reliable connectivity, smooth and responsive tracking, and crisp click and scroll functions. Those are the table stakes—it takes much more to elevate a 'good' gaming mouse to 'great.'
So, what makes the difference? Comfort and accuracy come more naturally to some models than others. An extra button in the right spot can speed up switching modes or weapons, saving you life-or-death fractions of a second. And the right supporting software can power simple or complex shortcuts that decide defeat or victory.
Here's what to look for in a right-fit gaming mouse.
Sensors and Resolutions: Don't Overthink 'Em
Nailing down a high-quality mouse sensor is tricky without getting hands-on time with a given mouse. The two key sensor types are 'optical' and 'laser' sensors, but you can't apply absolutes when judging them. Your best bet is to try out a mouse in person, or to rely on formal reviews like ours, as well as online forums, for the skinny on how a mouse feels in specific play situations.
Less-expensive mice tend to have optical sensors, which offer good tracking sensitivity and tend to map well on a variety of surfaces, including textured ones such as cloth. Laser sensors, on the other hand, map onto the same or more kinds of surfaces (including some smooth or glossy ones that may give optical sensors fits), but they can be more finicky about rough surface textures. That said, we wouldn't let one kind or the other be the main reason you choose a mouse. Likewise, some vendors market branded versions of sensors that track, say, on glass or reflective surfaces. Don't take them too seriously, as you can solve any challenging mousing surface with..a $2 mousepad.
More important to look for is a suitable resolution range, measured in dots per inch (dpi), that allows for fine-grained and wide-sweep tracking. Just as crucial is a button or toggle that lets you adjust the setting easily on the fly—as opposed to only in software. Mouse resolution is mostly a marketing numbers game; you would use extreme dpi settings in the five-figure range only if you have one or more very high-pixel-count displays, such as 4K monitors, to mouse across. So don't put a whole lot of stock, say, in a 10,000dpi maximum setting versus a 12,000dpi one. Either will serve you well under most real-world circumstances.
It's (Still) a Wired World: Mouse Interfaces
Gaming mice are either wired or wireless in design, but the majority of today's high-end models still, surprisingly, use an old-school USB cable to connect to your computer.
For a long time, competitive gamers strongly preferred wired gaming mice to wireless ones to eliminate perceived latency, as well as the possibility of a battery running down in the midst of a heated match. Many serious players still hold that bias, but Razer, Logitech, and others have released higher-end mice of late with low latency ratings that ought to satisfy all but the most extreme of gamers.
More the issue is knowing how your mouse connects to its host. The three main possibilities are USB (via a typical cable), USB (wirelessly, via an RF USB dongle), or Bluetooth (also wireless, usually via the host's built-in Bluetooth radio). Bluetooth is the least common of the three in gaming mice; it tends to be found more often in productivity or mobile mice. Note that some wireless models with rechargeable batteries come with a USB charging cable that can double as a mouse cable while you're juicing back up, letting you continue using the mouse with the battery depleted.
The key thing here is to know what you're getting, and to make sure you have the appropriate port free (or that you have Bluetooth support). If you opt for a cabled mouse, don't forget to check the cable length. Is it long enough to reach from a PC tower on the floor to your desk? Is it six feet long, but only needs to run from your mouse pad to the laptop beside it? Also look at the cable itself. A braided nylon or cloth cover is more durable than a standard rubber coating.
Niche Mice: Know Your Genre
The best gaming mice offer comfort and customization that will please a wide range of users, but in some cases, the core features of a mouse revolve around certain kinds of games. Blazing away in a firefight, staving off an advancing horde in a real-time strategy (RTS) title, or commanding an NFL franchise: Game genres have specific needs, and some mice outright target specific ones.
Mice aimed at first-person shooters, for one, tend to feature ratcheting scroll wheels—letting you cycle through your arsenal without selecting the wrong weapon—and on-the-fly resolution switchers. The latter will help you snap-change between the broad tracking you need in a frantic shootout and the tight control for lining up a sniper shot. (Sometimes this feature is dubbed something like 'sniper mode,' and it may involve a dedicated button for getting granular.) Best external hard drive for mac 2018 thunderbolt 2.
Mice that are specially designed for RTS games and MMOs, on the other hand, look quite different. The most extreme come outfitted with an array of 10 or more programmable buttons. Usually set just under the tip of the thumb, these buttons can serve as simple shortcut triggers, or be programmed to execute longer macro commands. (For more on these mice, see our specialized guide to the best mice for MMO games.)
Customization Software: Why It Matters
Just as crucial as shortcut buttons and tracking-speed toggles is the software utility—if any—that the mouse maker provides for the hardware.
All of the major (and some of the minor) gaming-gear manufacturers have developed their own mouse-control customization software, which usually encompasses advanced macro programming. Often, the software also enables you to control and customize a gaming keyboard of the same brand. In addition to recording macro commands, these software dashboards let you activate premade, game-specific profiles; create your own profiles; and adjust any on-mouse lighting/LED bling. Many also offer presets for non-gaming use, letting you leverage your mouse's programmability in Excel or Photoshop when you're not blowing up starships or hapless zombies.
At this point, the major mouse makers' software packages have been through generations of refinement, so they are slick. Logitech Gaming System (LGS), Corsair Utility Engine (CUE), and Razer Synapse are three of the best-regarded mouse- and keyboard-control utilities that cater to gamers. All offer advanced tweakability, with CUE regarded by many users and reviewers as the deepest, but also the trickiest to master in-depth.
A few less common items are worth looking for if you're a serious mouse tweaker. The software might control 'lift distance,' or how far you can raise a mouse off the pad or desk before it stops tracking. A slider or, better, a wizard-style setup function will dictate this in the utility, if present. Another feature is surface calibration, in which the mouse software runs a routine that optimizes the mouse and its sensor for the texture and traits of your mousing surface. On the even more esoteric side: support for angle snapping (a movement-compensation feature that helps you move the mouse in straight lines) and for designating different resolutions for the X and Y axes (say, for faster tracking only sideways, to traverse a vast landscape in an RTS world).
Know that the presence or absence of a dedicated control utility is a big differentiator between low-end and high-end gaming mice. Some cheap gaming mice will come with no software of their own. Without such a utility, you'll be able to customize mouse commands only within a game (via its in-game menus) or in Windows' own mouse settings. That's not necessarily a bad thing; just know what you are getting, or not getting.
Best Wireless Gaming Mouse For Mac 2018
Other Possible Tweakables: Shape and Weight
For increased comfort, some gaming mice allow you to customize their actual bodies to your hand. Removable weights, often resembling small steel pills, are common in better gaming mice. Adding or removing these weights from slots inside the mouse body will shift the overall feel and the amount of drag. Some models take this even further, letting you adjust the center of balance, or change the height and pitch of the palm rest.
Body tweaks more radical than that are rare, but a few models have swap-out side grips that snap or screw onto the left or right edge. Swapping out sides might enable you to adjust the mouse to your personal grip 'style,' or to compensate for different hand sizes, if the mouse will be used by more than one person.
Finally, note that most gaming-mouse designs sculpted for a specific hand cater to right-handed users. Few and far between, alas, are the models that are just for lefties. The most that a left-handed user can hope for is a good ambidextrous design.
Ready for Our Recommendations?
Finding the best gaming mouse for you comes down to knowing your preferred style of game, determining whether or not you will take advantage of more complex functions, and then tweaking the chosen mouse to your specific tastes. Our advice above should arm you with what to seek out; the list below, of our top-rated gaming mice, is a great place to start shopping.
Looking to round out your gaming setup? Check out the guides to our favorite gaming keyboards, monitors, and headsets. And if you need to buy a new rig, you'll want to read about our top-rated gaming desktops and laptops.
Best Wireless Gaming Mouse For Laptop
Best Gaming Mice Featured in This Roundup:
Razer Basilisk Review
MSRP: $69.99Pros: Comfy thumb grip. Customizable scroll-wheel resistance. Size-swappable DPI control. Aggressive price.Cons: No left-handed option. Software in beta.Bottom Line: Packing deep color customization, lots of sensitivity options, and a nifty thumb grip, the Razer Basilisk is a proficient gaming mouse at a promising price.Read ReviewLogitech G903 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse and Powerplay Charging Mat Review
MSRP: $249.98Pros: Light, ergonomic, and functional. When paired with the Powerplay mat, mouse offers a truly wireless gaming experience.Cons: Expensive. Few RGB lighting options.Bottom Line: The Logitech G903 Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse brings together a remarkably light and reliable peripheral with virtually limitless battery life, at a premium price.Read ReviewSwiftpoint Z Mouse Review
MSRP: $229.00Pros: Ergonomic design, with lots of buttons and a top-notch optical sensor. Very customizable, with multiple tilt feet and button caps. Flight stick extender and internal gyroscope. Deepest macro editor we've seen.Cons: Super-pricey. Shaped for righties only. Side grips don't grip. Configuration software needs a manual. No game-specific profiles.Bottom Line: We're frankly wowed by the Swiftpoint Z's configurable design elements and button assignments that reveal a rich macro editor. Worth the price..if you can afford it.Read ReviewCorsair Dark Core RGB SE Review
MSRP: $89.99Pros: Competitively priced. Solid and attractive form factor.Cons: Large, heavy frame may not appeal to everyone. Can't be used while wirelessly charging.Bottom Line: The affordable Corsair Dark Core RGB SE is a rock-solid entry in the realm of wireless gaming mice.Read ReviewCorsair Ironclaw RGB Wireless Review
MSRP: $79.99Pros: Snappy wireless, via 2.4GHz adapter or Bluetooth. Hand-pleasing shape for big paws. Highly configurable resolution settings.Cons: Indifferent RGB placement. Can't configure while using Bluetooth. No wireless charging.Bottom Line: Corsair's latest wireless mouse, the Ironclaw RGB Wireless, is a little more practical than some of its top-end competitors. It's a strong pick for big-handed users.Read ReviewCougar Revenger S Review
MSRP: $49.99Pros: Reasonably priced. PixArt 3360 optical sensor and Omron switches. Unlimited game-specific profiles. Lift-distance wizard with stored profiles. Good macro editor.Cons: Only six buttons. Side buttons are too shallow. Lighting configuration is buggy. No DPI toggle. No lefty version.Bottom Line: Set aside the lofty claims of sky-high polling rates and greater accuracy, and the Cougar Revenger S proves itself an excellent FPS mouse at a reasonable price.Read ReviewLogitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse Review
MSRP: $149.99Pros: Wireless with almost no latency. Great battery life. Wireless charging with PowerPlay mousepad.Cons: Expensive. Lighting isn't visible when in use.Bottom Line: Logitech's G502 Lightspeed is pricey, even for a wireless mouse, but you get all the benefits of a cordless controller without the trade-offs.Read ReviewRazer Lancehead Review
MSRP: $139.99Pros: Attractive, ambidextrous design. No discernible transmission dropouts, and superb sensor. Unlimited game-specific profiles, and five stored DPI settings. Acceleration support. Sleep timer.Cons: Pricey. Rubber side grips need more bite. Macro editor could use some improvement. No deceleration, angle-snapping.Bottom Line: A steady wireless experience is what the Razer Lancehead is all about, and its laser sensor is killer-accurate. This is among the best wireless gaming mice you can buy, though we'd like to see a few tweaks to the software.Read ReviewRoccat Kone AIMO Review
MSRP: $79.99Pros: PixArt 3361 optical sensor. Excellent selection of assignable button actions and Easy-Shift for doubling them. Five DPI settings. Game-specific profiles.Cons: Expensive. No side grips. Heavy for fast gaming. Only five stored profiles. No separate X/Y axis controls. Configuration utility is hard to read. No lefty version.Bottom Line: Its heaviness and lack of unlimited game profiles detract, but the Kone AIMO's physical design, PixArt sensor, and Easy-Shift programmability help it shine.Read ReviewSteelSeries Rival 650 Review
MSRP: $119.99Pros: High durability. Excellent performance. No perceptible jitter. Can operate wirelessly or wired. Weight-adjustable.Cons: Price a bit high. No storage niche for USB dongle.Bottom Line: Able to operate wired or wirelessly, and packing removable weights and strong software, the SteelSeries Rival 650 is a highly flexible mouse for power gamers looking for an all-occasions device.Read Review