The Best Gaming Mouses
For PC gamers, a quality gaming mouse is essential. And because a missed click can mean the difference between clutching the round and getting booted from the party, we decided to scour the market for the absolute best. We also hoped to whittle down the options to make your search simpler. Read on to discover our top picks in the world of gaming mouses.
What to Look For
The market is flooded with different mouse designs, from the flimsy to the formidable. That’s why we used four guiding questions to separate the wheat from the chaff: Is it responsive and accurate? Does it have an ergonomic and comfortable design? Is the price fair for the quality? Does it have programmable features? Our top pick comes from Logitech, as their G502 HERO is the pinnacle of customizability. For example, you can adjust the weight and customize a total of 11 different buttons to personalize your gaming experience. But if you prefer something wireless, we recommend going with the Bluetooth-compatible Razer Orochi V2 or the super-responsive Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED. There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s dive into the reviews.
Logitech G502 HERO High Performance Wired Gaming Mouse
The cream of the crop
You’ll probably Logitech G series mentioned a lot since their high-performance gaming mouses set the gold standard. And out of all the different designs, this one is our favorite. It offers an insanely reliable 25K sensor with a max DPI setting of 25,600, so it makes sure that even the most precise inputs are recognized quickly and in the correct order. Better yet, it has adjustable weights to let you fine-tune the balance and movement speed. There’s a lot to love with this mouse, and the affordable price is the cherry on top.
Pros:
- Comfortable ergonomic shape
- Clicks have no discernable latency
- The programmable buttons are intuitively placed
- Easy to customize
- Excellent value for the price
Cons:
- Some gamers may prefer a symmetrical and smoother shape
Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse
The perfect price
The Logitech G203 gaming mouse may be our top budget option, but the awesomeness doesn’t stop there. It also has a super sleek and symmetrical feel and a smooth glide. And although it may not look quite as flashy as some of the more premium designs, it still packs in two discreet programmable buttons on the sides for a customizable gaming experience. In fact, you can program all the inputs to your liking, from the scroll wheel to the DPI button. As far as inexpensive hardware goes, this one truly offers the most bang for your buck.
Pros:
- Ideal for those that prefer symmetrical designs
- Smooth, sleek feel
- The max DPI of 8,000 is more than enough for competitive games
- Super accurate and responsive
Cons:
- Gamers with extra-large hands may find this one to be a bit on the small side
Razer Orochi V2 Mobile Wireless Gaming Mouse
Choose your connection
Beautiful, lightweight, and ergonomic, the Razer Orochi V2 is another excellent overall option. We were especially impressed by the responsiveness of its wireless modes, as it seems to be just as responsive as wired mouses. But where this pick really shines is in its portability. You can choose to connect it to your devices using the wireless USB receiver or the Bluetooth mode. This makes it ideal for everything from desktop PCs to mobile tablets.
Pros:
- The scroll wheel and side buttons feel satisfying to click
- Insane battery life lasts up to 950 hours
- Mechanical switches for nearly instant click response
- Not cheap, but fantastic value for the price
Cons:
- The side buttons may take a few hours to “break in” before they click with little resistance
Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse
Ditch the cables
Another excellent wireless option, this one doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity nor any fancy rainbow LEDs. But what it does have is a compact USB wireless receiver that delivers pro-level responsiveness. The advanced HERO 12K sensor can be set to some seriously high DPI settings, but most folks don’t even need such insane speeds. We prefer to use it on the second DPI setting of 800 DPI, which proves perfect for both competitive first-person shooters and work. And for those of us who prefer smooth mouses with a symmetrical shape, this is the best wireless option we’ve ever used.
Pros:
- It only requires one AA battery
- Battery life can last for over ten days of use
- Lightweight-yet-durable build
- Glides smoothly for precise micro-adjustments
Cons:
- The height of the DPI button makes it easy to accidentally click it when quickly grabbing the mouse, though there are LEDs that make switching to your preferred setting really easy
Redragon M808 Storm Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse
Hotkeys at the ready
Many gaming mouses have programmable buttons, but they’re often placed in less-than-convenient areas. Others have an excessive amount of such buttons, which makes accidental inputs even easier. But the Redragon M8008 Storm Pro has just the right amount of programmable buttons, and they’re all located in intuitive places along the top and sides of the mouse. Better yet, the interface for customizing their inputs is user-friendly and robust, so you can quickly set up some new hotkeys between rounds.
Pros:
- The “honeycomb form” adds extra grip
- Rechargeable battery lasts
- Can be used while charging
- Scroll wheel button is smooth and clicks easily
Cons:
- Relatively lightweight at 100 grams, though there are many lighter options out there
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DPI, and does it matter for gaming?
DPI is an acronym for “dots per inch.” Basically, it measures how far the cursor moves in response to an inch of movement from the mouse. For example, moving a mouse with a DPI of 12,000 by one inch will move the cursor 12,000 pixels across the screen. Because DPI determines your mouse sensitivity, it’s a good idea to figure out which DPI you prefer.
Do wireless mouses have higher latency than wired mouses?
Generally speaking, this is true. Wireless mouses typically have a slightly higher latency than wired mouses. However, the technology has improved immensely in recent years, and many wireless gaming mouses have response times as low as 1ms. The difference can thus be negligible, depending on the design and hardware.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.