There’s a plethora of large gaming mice retired determination to take from. But much truthful than picking retired a large gaming headset, uncovering the close rodent has a batch to bash with idiosyncratic preference. Don’t get maine wrong, erstwhile reviewing gaming mice, respective factors marque immoderate demonstrably amended than others, but you’ll privation to see things similar weight, size, ergonomics, other buttons, oregon adjacent what types of games you play. Because of this, I’ve breached down my picks for champion gaming rodent based connected a fig of categories to assistance you marque the champion prime for your needs.
For example, the Logitech G502 X Lightspeed is 1 of the astir comfy mice that prioritizes ergonomics, but I would urge the Viper V3 Pro to those who privation an borderline successful competitory rounds of Valorant. Some whitethorn adjacent privation a versatile gaming rodent that makes consciousness successful enactment settings with bully Bluetooth and artillery life, which the Turtle Beach Pure Air fits admirably. Meanwhile, those other buttons connected the Corsair Scimitar Elite definite look bully to those who privation to programme each their MMO/MOBA commands disconnected the keyboard. But if I had to conscionable take 1 rodent retired of them each arsenic a broad recommendation, the DeathAdder V4 Pro from Razer gets my vote. Throughout this guide, I interruption down my hands-on acquisition with each of the gaming mice I urge to showcase wherefore I deliberation they’re the close acceptable for their category.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Mice
Of course, these aren’t the lone large gaming mice – products person matured implicit the years truthful features similar sensor accuracy, responsiveness, and durability are amended than ever, and thing worthy its brackish volition person those bases covered. That said, determination are inactive galore aspects to see erstwhile it comes to caller technologies and features being crammed into modern mice. With that successful mind, astatine the extremity of the usher I’ve outlined immoderate important questions to inquire erstwhile looking for a gaming rodent connected your own. And arsenic always, we’ll update this usher with caller recommendations arsenic we get hands connected and reappraisal much gaming mice successful the future, truthful beryllium definite to cheque backmost whenever you request immoderate buying advice.
See our database of the best gaming rodent pads, too!
Additional contributions by Danielle Abraham
Razer Deathadder V4 Pro - Photos
1. Razer Deathadder V4 Pro
Best Overall Gaming Mouse
Razer Deathadder V4 Pro
Incremental improvements implicit the V3 marque this Razer's best-ever mouse, with flawless gaming show and agelong artillery life.
Connectivity
2.4GHz Wireless up to 8K polling rate, USB wired
Sensor / DPI
Razer Focus Pro 45K (up to 45,000 DPI)
Battery life
Up to 150 hours (22 hours astatine 8K polling)
Flawless tracking and responsiveness
You're paying much for immoderate features that are overkill / Expensive
Razer's Deathadder has lived precocious connected this database for years, and each mentation conscionable gets better. The V4 Pro is nary exception: Razer has upgraded everything from the sensor to the scrollwheel, and though immoderate of the changes are incremental they adhd up to a noticeable leap forward.
This is simply a light, comfortable, sturdy, competitory gaming rodent that doesn't look flashy – nary RGB oregon obnoxious logos – but has specs you tin boast about. The 45K sensor is overkill, arsenic is the 8K polling rate, but this is the benignant of rodent you could bargain and support for years arsenic you upgrade the remainder of your setup.
I gave it a 9 successful my review: It performed flawlessly successful each crippled I tried, with precise tracking and ultra-responsive clicks connected some its main 2 buttons and the 2 broadside buttons. It's comfy to usage for hours astatine a clip nary substance what grip you favor, and I adjacent similar the USB dongle it comes with, which has 3 indicator lights to archer you everything you request astir your rodent astatine a glance. The cherry connected apical is the battery, which volition past 150 hours astatine 1K polling rate. That's much than I'll ever need.
It is costly – $10 much than the Viper V3 Pro, different top-of-the-line rodent connected this database – but $169.99 is by nary means absurd for a rodent that feels cutting edge. It's going to instrumentality thing peculiar to sound it disconnected the apical spot.
2. SteelSeries Rival 3
Best Budget Gaming Mouse
SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2
Save with this impressively susceptible wired rodent offering six programmable buttons and a TrueMove Core Optical sensor for outstanding tracking.
Sensor / DPI
TrueMove Optical (8,500 DPI)
Incredible worth for its performance
Doesn’t person the features oregon caller tech of higher-end mice
If you’re truly choky connected wealth but request to either upgrade from a modular bureau rodent oregon regenerate an aging gaming rodent without breaking the bank, the SteelSeries Rival 3 inactive holds down the fort admirably. It’s a symmetrical, somewhat-compact USB wired rodent coming successful astatine 77g, and it's a bully acceptable for fingertip- and claw-style grips. It’s designed with a small flash and flair with a programmable RGB portion astir the basal and connected the SteelSeries logo astatine the palm. Most importantly, it’s comfy and close to the constituent wherever I don’t caput utilizing it for ranked Counter-Strike 2 matches.
It whitethorn not person the astir blase tech arsenic its sensor taps retired astatine 8,500 max DPI, but adjacent then, the TrueMove optical sensor is inactive precise accurate. Its near and close clicks aren’t rather arsenic crunchy arsenic my existent favorites (and the broadside buttons are precise thin), but that doesn’t clasp it backmost from performing nether pressure. It goes for a benignant of one-size-fits-all design, truthful portion I had nary problems whipping it astir for shooters, it apt won’t acceptable similar a mitt arsenic immoderate of the much higher-end mice thin to. But the information that you tin get a rodent that performs astatine this level for conscionable $20 to $30 is an unthinkable value, making the Rival 3 1 of the fund gaming mice.
3. SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless
Best Budget Wireless Gaming Mouse
SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless
The Aerox 3 is 1 of SteelSeries’ champion gaming mice; it's ace lightweight, has a long-lasting battery, and sports a large optical sensor that allows for lightning-fast, yet close swipes.
Connectivity
2.4GHz, USB wired
Sensor / DPI
TrueMove Air optical (18,000 DPI)
Flashy, charismatic aesthetic
High-performance sensor keeps you competitive
Grip and ergonomics could beryllium a spot better
Sticking with SteelSeries, the Aerox 3 is simply a flashy rodent that looks loud. The triangular cutouts astatine the thenar and the agleam RGB whitethorn look implicit the top, but successful existent use, its effects are rather bully (which you tin customize done SteelSeries’ software). And if you’re disquieted astir damaging the internals, they’re guarded truthful it's not actually exposed. None of that would substance if the Aerox 3 wasn’t acceptable for gaming, and thankfully it’s 1 of my favourite wireless mice you tin get connected merchantability for astir $50 to $60. That makes it a large worth for an all-rounder
In our Aerox 3 gaming rodent review, it earned a 9 for holding its ain successful competitory shooters with SteelSeries’ TrueMove Air optical sensor (topping retired astatine 18,000 DPI) portion not having to devour up excessively overmuch artillery – though artillery beingness has evolved successful marque caller wireless mice, the Aerox 3 inactive isn’t a slouch and charges fast, if anything. It’s a spot pugnacious to find a flashy, high-performance wireless rodent astatine this terms range, making the Aerox 3 my existent proposal for a fund wireless mouse.
4. Logitech G403 Hero
Best Wired Gaming Mouse
Logitech G403 Hero
With its ergonomic shape, rubberized texture for grip, and accelerated and close sensor, the G403 is 1 of the champion all-around gaming mice available.
Sensor / DPI
Hero 25K optical (25,600 DPI)
Cute, rounded ergonomic design
Hero sensor is inactive 1 of the champion around
Chunky broadside buttons and tactile clicks
A spot connected the heavier side
The Logitech G403 has been a idiosyncratic favourite for galore years arsenic I spot it arsenic the spiritual successor to my all-time favorite, the MX 518 from decades ago. Its grooves and ace grippy rubberized texture connected the sides marque it casual to prime up and swipe astir contempt it being a spot connected the heavier broadside of mice (although I volition admit that the worldly picks up grime much truthful than others). I truly similar however ample the G403 is since I person large hands, and that makes a thenar grip precise comfortable. However, its size is thing to enactment if you similar thing smaller.
One happening I’ve ever loved astir it much than adjacent brand-new top-line mice is the chunky and clicky broadside buttons – this makes them casual to usage and separate from 1 another, which is adjuvant since I usage them often. It’s outfitted with the aforesaid super-accurate Hero sensor arsenic each of Logitech’s high-performance mice, making it a large worth to get the aforesaid prime sensor successful a reasonably-priced wired mouse. I besides conscionable similar the elemental aesthetic of the Logitech G merchandise line, particularly with this 1 being rounded and elegant with conscionable the Logitech “G” and scroll instrumentality portion giving a spot of RGB lighting to boot.
5. Logitech G703 Hero
Best Wireless Gaming Mouse
Logitech G703 Hero
The G703 brings everything large astir its wired counterpart and packages it arsenic an ultra-fast wireless gaming rodent that delivers top-tier comfortableness and performance.
Connectivity
2.4GHz, USB wired
Sensor / DPI
Hero 25K optical (25,600 DPI)
Battery beingness
Up to 60 hours
Hero sensor and Lightspeed tech connection precocious performance
Same ergonomics arsenic the G403 means its a joyousness to use
Solid artillery beingness and accelerated charging
Also a spot connected the heavier side
This prime is benignant of an casual 1 considering the praise I gave the Logitech G403 – that’s due to the fact that the Logitech G703 is fundamentally the aforesaid mouse, but wireless. It shares the aforesaid dimensions arsenic its wired counterpart, prevention that it weighs a spot much (95g) due to the fact that of the battery. But you get each the aforesaid high-performance tech and ergonomic upside, conscionable without the wire.
Despite it being ever truthful somewhat connected the heavier broadside of different wireless mice I’ve recommended successful caller years, the G703 inactive feels casual to wield due to the fact that its value organisation makes it nicely balanced. The rubberized grips besides assistance support it unafraid successful your hand, truthful it takes immoderate of the load disconnected of you arsenic you’re lifting and swiping the rodent successful gaming scenarios. And arsenic I said earlier, the Hero 25K optical sensor makes Logitech mice immoderate of the champion successful concern successful presumption of tracking accuracy. It’s a bigger mouse, truthful again, instrumentality enactment of whether oregon not you similar thing larger (effectively making it fantastic for thenar grips).
Razer Viper V3 Pro - Photos
6. Razer Viper V3 Pro
Best FPS Gaming Mouse
Razer Viper V3 Pro
The Viper V3 Pro is ace lightweight and sports Razer's champion rodent tech, packing 8000Hz polling complaint and the Focus Pro sensor. Its symmetrical signifier and larger size marque it comfy to clasp arsenic well.
Connectivity
HyperPolling receiver (with USB cable)
Sensor / DPI
Focus Pro 35K optical (30,000 DPI)
Battery beingness
Up to 80 hours (17 hours astatine 8K polling)
Super lightweight contempt its size
8K polling complaint and optical sensor gives top-end performance
HyperPolling dongle indispensable beryllium connected via USB cable
To get the astir retired of the Razer Viper V3 Pro, you person to beryllium beauteous superior astir competitory shooters – which I tin be, astatine times, without getting toxic. It shares a batch of similarities with the year-old DeathAdder V3, but determination are a fewer cardinal differences that acceptable it isolated for those who privation the implicit champion performance, whether oregon not it beryllium the determining origin successful wins oregon losses.
The Viper V3 Pro is susceptible of a polling complaint up to 8000Hz, meaning it sends inputs to your PC astatine a overmuch faster complaint than emblematic 1,000Hz mice. However, that quality is very hard to announcement without the close scenario. It’s overmuch much noticeable astatine precocious resolutions and higher refresh rates / framework rates since the accrued input complaint volition really construe connected surface to smoother and snappier tracking. I could consciousness that quality erstwhile I gave the Viper V3 Pro a 9 successful my review, and portion I can’t accidental it made maine a amended player, it was noticeable.
Even if you are utilizing this rodent astatine the modular 1,000Hz (which is plentifulness accelerated for competitory play), it does everything other close connected top. The wider aboveground country of the rodent feet assistance it glide effortlessly connected my rodent pad, and the springy clicks are precise responsive for accelerated fire. It’s a symmetrical mouse, truthful it whitethorn not gel with right-handed players rather arsenic good arsenic the DeathAdder, but the Viper V3’s size, weight, and texture marque it a fantastic acceptable for fast-paced shooters. The lone annoying portion astir it is that you have to use the HyperPolling receiver to usage the rodent wirelessly, and the receiver requires a USB cablegram for connectivity. This rodent was designed with competitory FPS games successful mind, truthful if that’s your priority, you won’t caput this flimsy compromise astatine all.
Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless MMO – Photos
7. Corsair Scimitar Elite
Best MMO/MOBA Gaming Mouse
Corsair Scimitar Elite
The Scimitar Elite is 1 of the champion multi-button gaming mice for its ergonomic plan and adjustable textured broadside buttons. It's casual to grip contempt its other features, making it cleanable for MMOs/MOBAs and productivity.
Connectivity
2.4GHz, Bluetooth (wireless), USB wired
Sensor / DPI
PMW3391 optical (18,000 DPI)
Battery beingness
Up to 100 hours
Remains casual to grip contempt its style
Tactility to broadside buttons makes them casual to use
Doubles up for productivity and successful originative settings
I thin to instrumentality with normal-style mice careless of the crippled I’m playing, but whenever I bash effort retired a caller multi-button rodent designed for MMORPGs oregon MOBAs, I ever comparison it to the Corsair Scimitar. And with the latest iteration successful the Scimitar Elite, I’ve yet to find 1 that tin apical what Corsair seems to person perfected.
It’s a tricky happening to juggle – having upwards of 12 broadside buttons crossed your thumb portion inactive being ergonomically sensible to usage similar a mean rodent is nary casual feat. Still, I wasn’t acrophobic of accidentally activating 1 of the broadside buttons due to the fact that they person a indispensable firmness to them, which is what makes the Scimitar Elite truthful good. Those broadside buttons besides person a bully tactile aboveground to them. By alternating the texture benignant of each file of buttons, it’s casual to separate which acceptable of buttons you’re touching, and successful turn, pressing down. It’s a elemental and astute design, and I’d beryllium hard-pressed to deliberation of a mode a caller exemplary oregon antithetic marque tin amended connected what the Scimitar Elite already does.
Granted, this is simply a dense rodent fixed each the buttons and further internals required to marque it each work, but this isn’t a rodent you’ll beryllium swiping frantically for lining up flick shots successful a Counter-Strike match. Although we’re present to absorption connected gaming, the 12 broadside buttons besides travel successful useful successful video production, photograph editing, oregon information absorption since you tin representation shortcuts to them. It's a beauteous hyper-specific niche to fill, but aft hands-on investigating of the Corsair Scimitar Elite is an casual proposal if you similar this benignant of rodent and tin payment from its features successful MMOs oregon MOBAs,
8. Turtle Beach Pure Air
Most Versatile Gaming Mouse
Turtle Beach Pure Air
With large ergonomics, a feather-weight feel, and long-lasting artillery life, the Pure Air strikes a fantastic equilibrium betwixt mundane usage and aggravated gaming.
Connectivity
2.4GHz, Bluetooth, USB wired
Sensor / DPI
Owl-Eye 26K optical (26,000 DPI)
Battery beingness
Up to 120 hours
Light and ergonomic makes it precise comfortable
Bluetooth connectivity is clutch for versatility
Great artillery beingness and accelerated charging
Side buttons are tiny and sometimes indistinguishable
I’ve recovered Turtle Beach mice to beryllium a small hit-or-miss, but the Pure Air is simply a definite deed for me. It strikes a bully equilibrium of being bully for gaming portion being a large work-style rodent acknowledgment to its agelong artillery life, airy weight, ergonomic shape, and Bluetooth connectivity. The heavy thumb groove lets the rodent acceptable similar a glove, and due to the fact that it’s much compact than astir gaming mice, it’s easier to wield with constricted space.
And adjacent if I privation to compression successful immoderate crippled clip successful Final Fantasy XIV oregon marque advancement successful a azygous subordinate game, it tin inactive execute astatine a precocious level. I utilized it extensively portion raiding successful FFXIV portion investigating it retired for review, and realized I hadn’t skipped a bushed successful presumption of keeping up with however hectic that crippled tin get. Granted, each of my captious actions are mapped to my keyboard, but astatine slightest the Pure Air was comfy for agelong sessions. The lone noticeable drawback during that clip was the broadside buttons, which are reasonably bladed and pugnacious to separate since they don’t person a spread to consciousness betwixt them. Otherwise, it’s my favourite rodent to instrumentality connected the spell erstwhile I’m traveling and person enactment to do, since its Bluetooth connectivity adds versatility. And erstwhile I’m not connected the go, I cognize that the 2.4 GHz dongle means I tin crippled without overmuch compromise.
9. HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini
Best Small Gaming Mouse
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini
Beyond conscionable being the shrunken counterpart, the Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini is simply a coagulated all-rounder and afloat featured gaming mouse.
Connectivity
2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Sensor / DPI
Precision 26K optical (26,000 DPI)
Battery beingness
Up to 80 hours
Fully featured contempt its smaller size
Fast, close sensor keeps it competitive
Texture is simply a spot excessively slick for gripping
It’s a spot pugnacious to find compact versions of fashionable gaming mice, which helps the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini basal retired and radiance bright. The archetypal Pulsefire Haste 2 is simply a large rodent to statesman with (and oddly enough, its larger size was 1 of my favourite aspects astir it), but shrinking that down to thing noticeably smaller is much than conscionable a novelty. It inactive sports a sleek look with a spot of RGB flair and inactive has a grippy worldly indispensable for a fingertip-style grip, which is however I usage a rodent this small. However, the simplification successful wide tallness and extent (or rather, vertical length) marque it easier to wield.
Those with smaller hands mightiness not person amusive with the likes of the larger Logitech G703 oregon Razer Viper V3 Pro, but with thing similar the Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini, they don’t person to marque galore (if any) compromises erstwhile it comes to gaming performance. You tin find mice adjacent smaller oregon lighter, but HyperX is capable to see the high-performance Precision 26K sensor and agelong artillery life, which are cardinal features for a due gaming mouse. It besides includes Bluetooth connectivity which adds immoderate versatility arsenic a rodent to instrumentality connected the spell for work. So, beyond conscionable being the shrunken counterpart, the Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini is simply a coagulated all-rounder arsenic well.
Asus ROG Keris II Ace - Photos
10. Asus ROG Keris II Ace
Best Lightweight Gaming Mouse
Asus ROG Keris II Ace
The Asus ROG Keris II Ace is simply a lightweight, larger enactment with close tracking and a precocious polling complaint that keeps things simpler than your emblematic gaming mouse.
Connectivity
2.4GHz, high-polling dongle (up to 8K Hz), USB wired
Sensor / DPI
ROG AimPoint Pro (42,000 DPI)
Battery beingness
up to 100 hours
Right-handed contour feels comfortable
Super airy with large value distribution
8000 Hz polling complaint gives it a precocious show ceiling
Texture isn’t arsenic grippy arsenic different mice
On paper, the Asus ROG Keris II Ace astir shares the aforesaid value arsenic different “lightweight” branded counterparts, but the crushed wherefore I’d urge it if you’re prioritizing lightness specifically is due to the fact that of its value distribution. Even arsenic I’m typing this, I’m switching betwixt the DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed and the Keris II Ace to marque definite that I’m not misremembering the clip I reviewed these mice – and yes, Asus’ rodent has the flimsy borderline successful this regard. It contours specifically for right-handed use, which makes it acceptable gracefully into my hand, making some thenar and claw grips comfortable.
It wouldn’t beryllium a due gaming rodent if it besides didn’t perform, and not lone does it travel with the AimPoint Pro sensor with a whopping 42,000 DPI, it's besides susceptible of a 8000 Hz polling rate. As I mentioned erstwhile talking astir the Viper V3 Pro, higher than 1000 Hz polling complaint is lone going to beryllium beneficial, fto unsocial noticeable, nether circumstantial circumstances (high refresh complaint and framerate astatine precocious resolutions). And with each those factors accounted for, I was noticing smoother rodent tracking, truthful not lone are you getting the champion successful the lightweight category, it’s besides a pro-level rodent successful presumption of performance. In my ROG Keris II Ace review, I gave it an 8 owed to a fewer shortcomings similar the texture being a tad spot slick and clicks having a flimsy squish, but it excels successful each different aspect.
11. Logitech G502 X Lightspeed
Best Ergonomic Gaming Mouse
Logitech G502 X Lightspeed
Logitech brings its high-performance Hero sensor to the ergonomic workhorse successful the G502. Its heavy grooves, coagulated grip, and wide basal marque it ace comfy and the other buttons elevate it arsenic a productivity workhorse.
Connectivity
2.4GHz, USB wired
Sensor / DPI
Hero 25K optical (25,600 DPI)
Battery beingness
Up to 60 hours
More programmable buttons than astir gaming mice
Wide basal and heavy grooves marque it precise comfortable
Won’t beryllium the champion enactment for intense, competitory settings
If you privation a true ergonomic gaming rodent you'll request an upright rodent oregon a trackball, but if you privation a comfy rodent that volition some cradle your manus and way your movements accurately, past the Logitech G502 X Lightspeed is simply a bully pick. Its heavy thumb groove and curvy assemblage suit immoderate grip, and erstwhile I tested it for my upcoming reappraisal I utilized it for aggregate agelong gaming sessions without immoderate aches oregon pains.
It has acold much other buttons than astir gaming mice, with 3 connected the broadside for your thumb and 2 connected top, adjacent to your main near click. Mapping controls to those buttons – oregon adjacent commands extracurricular of games – volition assistance support your keyboard manus rested, too. And though it's somewhat larger and heavier than astir mice, it's not arsenic large and hefty arsenic you mightiness deliberation by looking astatine it. If you've got somewhat smaller-than-average hands, oregon bigger, you'll beryllium perfectly fine. My 1 gripe is that if you usage a thenar grip, you mightiness find it tricky to scope 1 of the broadside thumb buttons, but that's not a large capable flaw to halt maine recommending it.
As a rodent from 2022, it's starting to amusement its age: It lone goes up to 1K polling rate, little than galore of its competitors, and nary of its buttons consciousness rather arsenic satisfying arsenic the champion 2025 mice. But the payment is that it's often connected sale, and you tin regularly find it for astir $100. It's coagulated worth astatine that price.
The X Plus is the mentation with RGB, but the Lightspeed has amended artillery life, is somewhat lighter, and has a little retail price.
Gaming Mouse FAQ
How bash you find what makes a bully gaming mouse?
Much of what makes a bully gaming rodent comes down to your idiosyncratic preferences oregon what precisely you privation to get retired of a mouse. For example, I wouldn’t urge the Viper V3 Pro to idiosyncratic who wants a compact versatile rodent that’s inactive bully for gaming – but I would for an aspiring Valorant pro! While I surely person my ain preferences, investigating and reviewing a wide assortment of mice implicit the years has opened maine up to the intricacies betwixt antithetic models, giving maine the accidental to acquisition first-hand what makes 1 amended than another.
The archetypal happening you’ll privation to see is your preferred grip style: palm, claw, oregon fingertip. Generally, a bigger rodent is simply a amended prime for thenar grips portion lighter and smaller mice are amended suited for fingertip grips. Do you similar having a much ergonomic consciousness with deep-set grooves for your thumb and pinky to assistance clasp onto the mouse? Does utilizing thing ace lightweight substance much for erstwhile you’re whipping the rodent astir during clutch moments successful Counter-Strike 2? For me, I gravitate towards the second since I’m astir comfy with a claw grip.
Again, it comes down to preference, but reviews volition exemplify the mode antithetic mice contour to the user’s hands and however value factors into whether oregon not it is casual to wield. Some mice are ambidextrous/symmetrical, which should enactment conscionable good for right-handed users portion giving lefties retired determination a viable option. However, mice built specifically for right-hand usage whitethorn acceptable much similar a mitt for, well, right-handed players.
Button consciousness is simply a pugnacious happening to suss retired erstwhile researching mice, but I marque it a constituent successful my rodent reviews to find the squishiness oregon springiness of rodent clicks since that’s an important origin for some comfortableness and performance. Manufacturers thin to disagree connected the kinds of mechanical switches utilized from rodent to mouse, but the much steadfast and tactile the clicking feels, the better, since it helps with accelerated firing successful shooters oregon repeated clicks successful MMOs/MOBAs.
Another diagnostic that’s go modular is programmable broadside buttons. Most mice connection 2 astir the thumb area, but they travel successful each shapes and sizes. Comfortable positioning and being casual to actuate successful a moment's announcement are things we relationship for erstwhile determining whether oregon not a mouse’s broadside buttons are good. You whitethorn besides beryllium funny successful mice that spell the other mile with further buttons, specified arsenic the ergonomic-minded Logitech G502 oregon the MMO/MOBA powerhouse that is the Corsair Scimitar Elite – they’re obscurity adjacent arsenic nimble arsenic different mice, but that’s the compromise they marque to connection those unsocial benefits.
Another adaptable to relationship for is the sensor, which tracks movement. Almost each marque sanction gaming-grade rodent contiguous is equipped with an close and accelerated optical sensor that’s much than capable to enactment up shots successful a competitory shooter. A higher maximum DPI (dots-per-inch, which is 1 adaptable that affects sensitivity) utilized to beryllium shorthand for a mouse’s show ceiling, but it has gotten to the constituent of diminishing returns.
What’s the woody with precocious polling complaint connected gaming mice?
Gaming mice travel modular with a 1000Hz polling complaint nowadays, which means your rodent updates your PC with movements and inputs each millisecond (1 ms). That’s plentifulness accelerated for astir gamers, but a caller inclination calved retired of the esports satellite is equipping mice with higher polling rates – up to 8000 Hz. Pro-grade mice specified arsenic the Razer Viper V3 Pro and Asus Keris II Ace are susceptible of this, offering polling rates of 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz, and 8000 Hz. It’s technically impressive, but does it truly impact performance? It can, nether circumstantial circumstances.
Polling Rate | Response Time | Battery Life* |
1000 Hz | 1 ms | 100 hours |
2000 Hz | 0.5 ms | 70 hours |
4000 Hz | 0.25 ms | 40 hours |
8000 Hz | 0.125 ms | 20 hours |
* General scope utilizing the Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed arsenic an example.
Polling complaint doesn’t needfully trim latency, alternatively it increases the frequence astatine which your rodent movements are read. This tin pb to an summation successful smoothness since your PC is picking up and tracking the much incremental movements. Basically, polling complaint is the measurement of however often the rodent sends information to your instrumentality (see illustration above).
However, you won’t beryllium capable to really reap the benefits if the remainder of the input pipeline isn’t up to snuff. Two things to support successful caput are the solution you’re playing astatine and the refresh complaint of your screen. With higher pixel density (and surface space), the much those incremental movements matter. But also, higher refresh rates (such arsenic 144 Hz and above) are important too. To payment from those precocious refresh rates, your PC needs to beryllium almighty capable to nutrient the precocious framework rates to match. In different words, there’s a batch that goes into PC gaming earlier you tin commencement to announcement the vantage of a mouse’s higher polling rate.
Part of maine thinks of it arsenic tech simply striving for higher numbers, but I indispensable admit I consciousness a quality erstwhile utilizing a higher polling complaint (when the aforementioned conditions are met). And successful the esports scene, those seemingly negligible differences tin surely help. Which is to say, don’t spell retired and get a 8000 Hz rodent and deliberation you’ll scope Radiant successful ranked Valorant without putting successful the work.
Should I spell wired oregon wireless for a gaming mouse?
Similar to optical sensors with accelerated and close tracking, wireless exertion has gotten to the constituent wherever it’s precise overmuch imperceptible to archer the quality successful input latency betwixt wired and wireless mice. The standardization of the 2.4 GHz wireless receiver makes rodent show accordant crossed respective brands and models, truthful it’s not thing you’ll request to relationship for erstwhile looking for a bully gaming mouse. Various brands volition enactment fancy names connected proprietary tech, similar Razer’s HyperSpeed oregon Logitech’s Lightspeed, but those are wireless technologies that are legitimately high-performing. Some mice besides travel fitted with Bluetooth connectivity, which makes them versatile successful enactment oregon casual settings, but nether nary circumstances should you usage a rodent successful Bluetooth mode for aggravated gaming scenarios.
Another diagnostic that has evolved substantially implicit the years is artillery beingness connected wireless mice. Plenty of variables spell into artillery life, and usually the standing you get from a manufacturer’s website is apt nether the champion conditions. But adjacent with RGB lighting and blase sensors and wireless technologies, you tin get decent artillery beingness that’ll past for a fewer days of changeless usage earlier having to charge. Every modern gaming rodent is chargeable done USB-C and tin beryllium utilized similar a wired rodent erstwhile plugged in, too. As indicated successful the illustration supra with regards to polling rate, the higher it is, the much powerfulness it’ll drain since you’re fundamentally asking your rodent to enactment overmuch harder.
Many flagship mice person wired and wireless versions disposable – specified arsenic the DeathAdder V4 oregon the Scimitar Elite, for illustration – and of course, the wireless ones are much expensive. So if you don’t truly attraction overmuch for having wireless capabilities, you tin prevention immoderate wealth by opting for the wired mice. Note that if you’re funny successful higher polling rates, it’s presently restricted to wireless mice, which besides tends to tack connected a fewer other bucks onto the terms tag.
Michael Higham is the tech reviews exertion astatine IGN and has been precise peculiar astir his gaming mice since rocking a Logitech MX 518 similar a decennary ago. Having grown up playing Counter-Strike 1.6, and present keeping up with the Valorant competitory scene, having the close rodent has been important successful his mind, adjacent though helium should conscionable get bully first.
Originally posted:
Aug 13, 2025 4:10 pm