The right mouse can make the difference.
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Overview
What do you need for a great gaming session? A PC or console. Check. That’s an absolute must. A monitor and a comfy chair. Check and check. And last — but certainly not least — a gaming mouse. Not just any old mouse, but a high-quality gaming mouse. If that’s not already a check, it’s time to start shopping for an upgrade.
All serious gamers know that a good gaming mouse is an absolutely must-have. And this basic computer accessory has become more and more sophisticated over the years. It has evolved to keep up with the needs of gamers and the evolution of gaming tech.
But the question is, how to choose a gaming mouse? With so many different options and specs out there, it’s easy to get blinded by jargon or all the options out there. That’s why we’re here to help. Here’s a guide to the need-to-know information.
Do you need a gaming mouse?
If you’re serious about gaming, yes. A regular mouse just won’t cut it. A dedicated gaming mouse has sensors that are designed to be more responsive and more accurate than your average PC mouse. This means that a good gaming mouse will improve your aim and respond better to your reflexes. They also have programmable buttons that you can customise so you don’t have to ever use your keyboard when you’re chasing that all-important kill-streak.
The difference between winning and losing in PC gaming can come down to split seconds, so having a gaming mouse that reacts and responds quickly is absolutely vital. Using a gaming mouse ultimately means you’re better equipped for success.
What are the most important features in a gaming mouse?
There’s a long list of things to keep in mind when shopping for a gaming mouse, but we’ve tried to highlight the most important features:
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Comfort — Since you’re probably going to spend hours playing your favourite games, you’ll want something that’s comfortable in your hand. Gaming mice come in lots of shapes, sizes, widths, and weights. Pick one that feels right for you. What feels comfortable to one gamer might not for another. For example, some are also designed with left-handed gamers in mind.
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DPI — You’ll also want to pay attention to Dots Per Inch, or DPI. This is how sensitive your mouse is to movements. You can find mice with DPI counts up to 20,000, though most gamers don’t need something quite that sensitive. Anything over 2,000 is considered pretty good.
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Wired/wireless — Wireless mice used to be less accurate and slower than wired ones, but upgraded techn makes them incredibly competitive. Still, you should know that wireless mice generally cost more. Pay attention to battery life if you opt for a wireless mouse — the last thing you need is to run out of power mid-game.
Also think about things like brand, style, and price, but this is a good place to start.
What is the best gaming mouse?
We know that this is a lot to think about, so we’ve tried to make things a little bit easier for you. We have checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of the best gaming mice from top brands like Logitech and SteelSeries. There should be something for everyone in this list.
These are the best gaming mice in 2024.
The widely-loved Logitech G502 Hero is proof you don’t have to spend big to get quality. The price — which has come down recently — is almost too good to be true, especially considering this mouse’s slick features and performance.
Its size and shape are comfortable to use, whether you have big or small hands, and it has a series of 3.6 gram weights that allow you to adjust the overall weight to suit your mouse-handling needs. It also has a range of 11 responsive and programmable buttons, as well as RGB lights. The buttons are built to last for a whopping 50 million clicks. So click away.
The fast responses come via a mechanical button tension system, which means the clicks are sharp and exact. That combines with a next-gen Hero 16K sensor, which gives you precise, super accurate tracking.
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This Razer Basilisk Ultimate lives up to its name. When it comes to wireless mice, it’s pretty much the ultimate option. Indeed, this wireless mouse has been designed with gaming professionals in mind.
It’s also built to be comfortable in your hand, with programmable buttons in comfortable places. However, this one is definitely designed for right-handed gamers. Lefties might want to consider an alternative.
This mouse is wireless but doesn’t experience connection issues. In fact, it’s just as fast and responsive as a wired gaming mouse. Plus, it has great battery life — up to 100 hours. You don’t have to worry about it giving out mid-game.
The biggest drawback is the price. But if gaming is your thing, maybe you won’t mind the expense. Gamers know full well that accessories can get pricey.
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The SteelSeries Sensei Ten isn’t the only ambidextrous mouse on this list, but it is probably the best. Indeed, the purpose built ambidextrous shape of the SteelSeries Sensei Ten gaming mouse is incredibly comfortable — whether you’re a rightie, leftie, or a bit of both.
It has a pair of identical thumb buttons on both sides. The flexibility also makes it a great choice if you share your gaming platform with a partner. It’s grippy and it won’t get sweaty — even after hours of gameplay — thanks to its plastic shell.
In addition, this mouse is small, lightweight, and comes with a great game sensor — SteelSeries boasts the best in the business — so you won’t have any tracking issues when you play. Despite its weight, it doesn’t feel hollow. It’s also one of the few RGB lit mice that isn’t super cheesy.
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Don’t let the price fool you. The Redragon M612 Predator has all the features you need for a good gaming session. If you need something affordable that gets the job done, the Redragon M612 Predator is the one for you.
It has an 8,000 DPI sensor, which means no inconsistencies while you’re locked in your campaign — not to mention the fact the DPI is actually adjustable between 500 and 8,000.
All of its 11 buttons are programmable, allowing you to customise to your preference — a feature you might expect to compromise at this price — plus a frosted coating and claw grip design for sturdy, non-slip action.
Our only real gripe is that the RGB lighting looks a bit cheap and cheerful. Which, to be fair, the Redragon M612 Predator absolutely is.
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Available in wired and wireless form (though the price doubles for the wireless), the Corsair Ironclaw RGB is designed for larger hands and wide grips. It’s thick — a full three inches across at the widest point — but, unexpectedly perhaps, it’s also incredibly comfortable to hold.
It’s got the performance to match, thanks to its optical Pixart PMW339a sensor and other advanced gaming settings. Also included are multiple programmable buttons, RGB backlighting for that authentic gaming style, and option to use it with your Xbox (it’s compatible with multiple generations of Xbox consoles).
All in all, that makes the Corsair Ironclaw RGB a pretty much perfect mouse for the serious, competitive gamers out there. Not to mention affordable, too.
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The SteelSeries Rival 600 has dual optical sensors to maximise responsiveness and accuracy. Additional customisation allows for removal of the sides where you can access, adjust, remove, or add eight small weights to maximise balance and grip. Distribute the weight to one of 256 different centre of gravity configurations.
The ergonomic design of the SteelSeries Rival 600 features a split-trigger system, which reinforces the click action and allows for 60 million total clicks. And for comfort and versatility, there are three side buttons built into the mouse, one of which is customisable. SteelSeries Engine software coupled with eight-zone RGB lighting integrates with gaming apps to receive in-game notifications on your mouse.
Both wired and wireless versions of this mouse are available, but it’s worth nothing that the wireless option is significantly more expensive.
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The Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro isn’t just one of the best reviewed gaming mice around, it’s also the lightest in this roundup by some margin. Sure, you’ll pay a bit extra for this mouse — it’s very much at the premium end of the price scale — but the quality in your hand will be unmistakable.
At 25% lighter than the previous-gen version, this mouse is made for speed and control. There’s also incredible precision thanks to the Razer Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor with a DPI rating of 30,000 — the highest on this list.
It strips back on features — there are only five programmable buttons, for instance. But the frame is designed to offer support, giving you literally hours — no, days — of ache-free gaming.
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Joseph joined Mashable as the UK Shopping Editor in 2018. He worked for a number of print publications before making the switch to the glittery world of digital media, and now writes about everything from coffee machines to VPNs.
Matt Ford is a freelance contributor to Mashable.
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