Greatest PC gaming mice 2023: Evaluations and shopping for recommendation

If you wish to be aggressive in PC video games as of late you may overlook about utilizing a run-of-the-mill workplace mouse. As an alternative, you’ll want a robust system that’s optimized only for gaming.

Producers go to nice pains to design specialist units that give gamers an edge, with enhancements like distinctive physique styles and sizes, customizable weight, and additional grips to extend pace and accuracy. On prime of that, the perfect gaming mice have distinctive {hardware} enhancements like extremely delicate sensors and complicated button configurations to maintain up with quick paced video games.

Deciding on the correct mouse is a extremely private determination that wants cautious consideration. Components like the dimensions and form of your hand, your most popular grip fashion, the varieties of video games you play, and the variety of buttons you want, are all elements that you just’ll wish to ponder in your quest for the perfect gaming mouse.

Under you’ll discover a record of tried-and-tested units chosen by PCWorld reviewers that sit among the many vanguard of gaming mice. For a rundown on how they had been chosen and additional shopping for recommendation, learn our useful recommendation under our record of suggestions.

Up to date 12/9/22 to incorporate our evaluate of the Roccat Burst Professional Air gaming mouse. Along with its really beautiful RGB implementation, it’s received versatile connectivity (wired and wi-fi), and strong efficiency. Thus it takes a proud spot on our suggestions record. Scroll under to study extra about this mouse and our different prime picks.

Table of Contents

1. Logitech G502 Hero – Greatest wired gaming mouse / Greatest general

Execs

• Extremely snug
• Buttons now rated for 50 million clicks
• Hero sensor performs in addition to the PWM3366

Cons

• Dearer than the earlier mannequin, however not a lot has modified
• Pretty heavy, which could dissuade some customers
• Nonetheless no wi-fi possibility

Logitech’s G502 mouse has gained a legendary standing right here at PCWorld by making our ‘Better of’ record yearly for the final 4 years, hitting the correct notes for energy, consolation, and sturdiness. Beneath the hood the G502 is powered by a really correct Logitech Hero sensor, whose exact efficiency is very wanted by severe avid gamers.

Within the design division, it presents up dollops of consolation with an elongated pill-shaped physique and excessive scoop that’s equally appropriate for palm, claw, or fingertip customers. MMO and MOBA avid gamers are properly catered to with 11 well-placed buttons that reply shortly and are rated for as much as 50 million clicks. Admittedly, the mouse’s 121 gram weight doesn’t make it the lightest possibility out there, however but it feels and performs simply in addition to lighter options.

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Evaluation Logitech G502 Hero

2. Mad Catz R.A.T. 8+ – Greatest gaming mouse for tinkerers

Execs

• Eminently customizable
• Makes use of a dependable PMW3389 sensor
• Feels sturdy

Cons

• Customization choices aren’t at all times intuitive
• Heavy, even with the weights eliminated
• Exhausting to know whether or not Mad Catz peripherals are the extra dependable these days

The Mad Catz R.A.T 8+ is about as customizable as gaming mice come, that includes a modular design that lets you change up its element elements precisely as you want to discover your ultimate mouse form and weight. Doing so requires you to drag discrete levers and switch knobs built-in into the mouse’s physique, so there’s a reasonably steep studying curve earlier than you realize what you’re doing.

Nonetheless, for those who love tinkering, this mouse will hold you entertained for hours at a time. It additionally doesn’t skimp within the button division, offering 10 buttons all advised, oriented in some fairly authentic positions for additional comfort. With a stripped-back, bare-bones look, the Mad Catz R.A.T 8+ additionally stands out within the crowd, making it an apparent speaking level at any group gaming classes.

3. SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wi-fi – Greatest wi-fi / Greatest for MOBA and MMO video games

Execs

• 18 simply programmable buttons
• Weighs solely 89 grams
• Fast and responsive
• Twin Bluetooth 5.0 and a pair of.4GHz wi-fi

Cons

• Some buttons on the aspect grid are exhausting to succeed in

The extra buttons, the heavier and slower gaming mice are usually, however the SteelSereis Aerox 9 bucks this development with a whopping 18 buttons and weighing simply 89 grams. For sure, having 18 buttons at your disposal reasonably than 6, 8 or 12, offers you somewhat extra firepower to launch instructions and macros in video games the place fast deployment is required—particularly in MMOs and MOBAs like The Elder Scrolls On-line or Last Fantasy XIV.

On prime of the beneficiant button choice, the Aerox 9 contains a fast 18,000 DPI sensor and twin 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, so it’s extremely versatile and moveable. Design-wise, the Aerox 9 appears to be like and feels implausible because of a futuristic honeycomb-shaped again with RGB lighting. Moreover, because it weighs underneath 100 grams, it’s quick sufficient to maintain you aggressive in first-person shooters.

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Evaluation SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wi-fi

4. Razer Basilisk V3 – Greatest mouse wheel / Greatest for scrolling

Execs

• The Razer Focus + sensor offers faultless efficiency
• Scrolling is made easier with the HyperScroll Tilt Wheel
• The RGB lighting appears to be like implausible

Cons

• It is fairly heavy and ponderous
• You are restricted to wired connectivity solely

The Basilisk V3 resembles the Razer Basilisk V2 in measurement and form, sporting comparable right-handed curves and a barely arched thumb relaxation. Amongst its greatest options are an 11 button structure, 26,000 DPI Razer Focus+ sensor, and second-generation Razer optical switches which might be quick sufficient for all types of gaming—whether or not that’s informal or severe. However the true magic lies within the Basilisk V3’s HyperScroll Tilt Wheel, which is a flowery identify for its mouse wheel. This tilts in 4 instructions and triggers downwards to place 5 instructions at your fingertips, ultimate for tactical FPS video games like Rainbow Six.

Impressively, the HyperScroll Tilt Wheel additionally has additional AI scrolling modes that make your scrolling and searching loads simpler. In our testing we loved toggling between “Tactile” and “Free-Spin” modes, which allowed us to modify between a gradual, exact scrolling motion and a quicker, smoother scrolling motion that was helpful for attending to the tip of lengthy web sites extra simply.

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Evaluation Razer Basilisk V3

5. HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wi-fi – Greatest for esports / first-person shooters

Execs

• Weighs simply 61 grams
• Has a extremely correct sensor
• Design is snug and aids efficiency

Cons

• Lacks Bluetooth
• Button configuration is boring
• Has just one RGB lighting zone

For those who’re merely a great gamer HyperX’s Pulsefire Haste Wi-fi is the type of mouse that may elevate you to the standing of excellence. Weighing simply 61 grams, it’s the lightest and quickest mouse I’ve had the pleasure of gaming with, feeling barely-there in my arms.

Simply wanting on the specs, you’d be mistaken for considering its PAW3355 16,000 DPI sensor is somewhat underpowered—it’s not, proving extremely correct in shooters like Overwatch and CounterStrike: World Offensive, particularly with the DPI profile set to the bottom setting. Different issues that make this mouse a category act embrace its fast 2.4GHz wi-fi connectivity, futuristic and cozy honeycomb-shaped again, and the additional grips and PTFE glide skates that come equipped within the field.

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Evaluation HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wi-fi

6. Cooler Grasp MM830 – Greatest funds gaming mouse

Execs

• Extremely snug and sturdy
• Prime-tier efficiency, with a PMW3360 sensor
• You possibly can put a gun in your mouse, I assume

Cons

• D-pad is basically the identical as another thumb buttons
• OLED display is superfluous at greatest
• PWM3360 cranked to 24,000 DPI for no purpose

The MM830 differentiates itself from different funds gaming mice with enjoyable options like a built-in D-pad and tiny OLED show you can set as much as present info like your RAM, CPU, and GPU utilization stats. However wanting past these novelties, it additionally performs properly in video games, which is infinitely extra vital. Powering that efficiency is a top-end 24,000 DPI PMW3360 sensor, which for comparability’s sake, is identical because the premium Logitech Hero sensor simply with a better energy draw.

On prime of the mouse’s physique the MM830’s sports activities a textured plastic exterior that gives loads of grip to your hand. A delicate right-hand scoop additionally makes it extremely cozy to make use of even for lengthy gaming stints.

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Evaluation Cooler Grasp MM830

7. Logitech G203 LightSync – Greatest ultra-budget gaming mouse

Execs

• A snug design that resembles costlier esports mice
• Sturdy and well-built
• The RGB lighting actually pops

Cons

• Some sensor lag was skilled with giant, quick actions
• The sensor’s lift-off distance is increased than some mice
• The RGB brand on the highest is not customizable

Few units supply as a lot bang for buck as this wired RGB gaming mouse that mixes consolation, fashion and respectable efficiency however with no hefty price ticket. The Logitech G203 resembles costlier esports mice with its easy 6-button configuration, small physique and ambidextrous form, however regardless of being considerably cheaper than rivals, it nonetheless feels sturdy and well-built. The G203’s 8,000 DPI sensor isn’t the quickest you’ll discover, however for causal avid gamers it’s nonetheless a greater than satisfactory performer that tracks precisely.

The G203 isn’t missing fashion both. It contains a signature rounded again design with colourful RGB band and Logitech brand that lights up your gaming den with pops of shade. The RGB band can also be customizable within the Logitech G Hub app, with the choice to personalize three separate lighting zones.

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Evaluation Logitech G203 LightSync

8. ROCCAT Kone XP – Greatest RGB gaming mouse

Execs

• Beautiful RGB lighting that lights up the entire prime part
• The Owl-Eye sensor is very correct and highly effective
• The 15 buttons could be custom-made with as much as 29 features

Cons

• The button structure could be complicated earlier than you get the cling of it
• Some avid gamers could not just like the daring RGB
• The supporting Swarm software program might do with an replace

There are strange RGB gaming mice after which there’s the wired ROCCAT Kone XP whose dazzling RGB lighting is one thing else. Extra exactly, it options eight inner lighting “pipelines” powered by 22 particular person LEDs that diffuse mild all through the mouse’s clear plastic prime. That a lot RGB is a daring assertion that you just’re both going to like or hate. However both means, it’s exhausting to disclaim the Kone XP factors for originality.

Regardless of its flashiness, the ROCCAT Kone XP can also be a really succesful performer in video games. It sports activities a 15-button structure—programmable to 29 features—that makes it ultimate for MMO, RPG, and RTS gaming, the place you may not often have sufficient choices for instructions. What’s extra, a 19,000 DPI Owl-Eye optical sensor and fast optical switches make sure the Kone XP is suitably quick and responsive when you want to hearth off instructions shortly and precisely.

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Evaluation ROCCAT Kone XP

9. ROCCAT Burst Professional Air – Greatest RGB gaming mouse runner-up

Execs

• Owl-Eye sensor could be very exact and fast
• You will not discover a mouse with extra beautiful RGB lighting
• Twin wi-fi in addition to wired connectivity

Cons

• 81-gram weight can really feel heavy for those who’re used to a lighter mouse
• Mouse wheel lacks left and proper lateral clicks
• Expensive in comparison with some rivals

The ROCCAT Burst Professional Air’s 4 devoted RGB lighting zones shine coloured mild by its semi-transparent physique, making a mesmerizing sheen-like glow that appears completely beautiful from any angle. If the semi-transparent shell is your canvas, then ROCCAT’s Swarm app supplies your painter’s palette, letting you go to city customizing every zone with as much as 16.8 million colours and a spread of beautiful results.

However as any gamer is aware of, appears to be like aren’t every little thing. Consequently, we additionally selected the Professional Air due to its glorious gaming efficiency, which in our play testing we attributed to its snug eight-button design, highly effective 19,000 DPI Owl-Eye optical sensor, and low-latency optical switches, that are rated for 100 million clicks.

The Professional Air additionally scores massive factors for its glorious connectivity choices, which incorporates low-latency 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2 wi-fi choices, and a USB-A to USB-C cable for wired connectivity.

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Evaluation ROCCAT Burst Professional Air

10. Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed – Greatest dual-purpose gaming and productiveness mouse

Execs

• Comfy, ergonomic design
• Twin Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
• Lengthy battery life

Cons

• No RGB lighting
• Barely slower than top-shelf gaming mice

The Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed combines options for gaming in addition to productiveness, making it ultimate for each. Within the boardroom it syncs stealthily with its environment because of an all-black design with no RGB lighting zones. However beneath its modest exterior it hides a extremely delicate 14,000 DPI sensor, which is a strong performer in AAA video games.

Twin 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity enables you to swap between your gaming PC and work laptop computer simply by flicking a swap beneath the mouse’s physique. Not like some gaming mice, the Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed is powered by both an AA or AAA battery, making it ultraportable. It will possibly keep powered a whopping 235 hours in Wi-Fi mode and 615 hours in Bluetooth mode simply on a single AA battery.

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Evaluation DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed

11. SteelSeries Rival 650 – Greatest rechargeable wi-fi gaming mouse

Execs

• Get 10 hours of cost in solely quarter-hour
• Comfy and enticing design
• Detachable weight system supplies loads of choices

Cons

• Heavier than some may like
• Costly
• Third thumb button is small and awkwardly positioned

Two options stand out to make the SteelSeries Rival 650 a best choice for avid gamers. The primary is a twin sensor system comprised of a TrueMove 3 sensor and a devoted depth sensor. The depth sensor permits the Rival 650 to detect lift-off at a distance as small as half a millimeter, which is double the sensitivity of rival gaming mice. For sure, for those who’re vulnerable to lifting, the Rival 650 ought to assist regular your goal.

The second characteristic highlighted by our PCWorld reviewer is its fast-charging functionality that will get you again gaming sooner when the battery runs out. SteelSeries claims simply quarter-hour charging time is sufficient to energy the mouse for 10 (or extra) hours of battery. On prime of those two helpful improvements the Rival 650 sports activities a sublime design that allows you to peel of the left and proper aspect panels and modify it to your most popular weight.

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Evaluation SteelSeries Rival 650

How we check gaming mice

To make sure that our gaming mice alternatives are the choose of the crop, the PCWorld staff topics them to in depth play testing in addition to a legion of different exams. We scrutinize every little thing from how properly a mouse carry out in video games, to the dimensions and form of it within the hand, to consolation and ergonomics, to customizations. Listed below are the principle classes our exams fall underneath:

• Gaming efficiency: On the finish of the day it doesn’t matter how a mouse appears to be like; it’s the way it performs that issues. To guage a mouse’s efficiency we glance particularly at how delicate and responsive its sensor is and likewise how properly the sensor tracks motion. Precision can also be a key consideration, with mice which might be extra correct usually scoring higher in our critiques than those who aren’t. In wi-fi mice we additionally consider the pace and energy of the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth indicators, conserving a glance out for pink flags like sign dropouts or interference. Some mice additionally include software program enhancements that decide the mouse’s lift-off distance, which we additionally study in our testing.
• Design and ergonomics: You gained’t discover one other tech system for which design performs a extra essential a part of a person’s expertise. And, whereas it’s true that there’s nobody form, measurement, or configuration that matches each gamer, there’s sufficient variation on the market for each gamer to search out their very own excellent match. When taking a look at design, we take into account the dimensions and form of the system itself and the kind of hand it matches. Players have a tendency to make use of one in every of three widespread grip sorts—palm, claw, or fingertip—so a mouse’s compatibility with one or all of these sorts is an enormous consideration.
• Software program: Having the ability to tweak settings like your mouse’s DPI and polling price and create particular profiles to your favourite video games could make or break your gaming expertise, which is why a mouse’s software program help is so vital. Our PCWorld reviewers’ focus right here is to contemplate the vary and scope of software program help and the way readily settings could be modified, modified, and saved for future use.

What to search for in a gaming mouse

Connectivity: Wired versus wi-fi?

It was once usually properly accepted that wired gaming mice had the sting over their wi-fi counterparts, offering avid gamers with a a lot quicker and extra correct sign between mice and PCs. Nevertheless, that’s much less true than it was once because of the recognition of two.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wi-fi applied sciences, which have virtually levelled the taking part in area.

I say virtually, as a result of there’s no denying that wired gaming mice nonetheless ship the quickest and most safe connections you may get. That stated, whether or not or not you select one kind over the opposite ought to come all the way down to your gaming priorities.

For those who’re a severe aggressive gamer or esports participant, the place successful or shedding sits on a knife’s edge, choosing a wired mouse over a wi-fi one is an effective determination, because it’s much less possible a sign dropout or interference will disrupt your play. Each aggressive edge counts. Nevertheless, wi-fi mice are infinitely extra moveable and can help you swap between units at a whim, so if nimbleness and portability is extra vital, a wi-fi mouse can be a greater match.

What measurement and form ought to I get?

Arms, similar to gaming mice, are available all completely different sizes and shapes and for consolation causes it pays to match like with like. Whereas categorizing sizes of arms could be extremely subjective, chances are high you’ll be capable to guess whether or not your hand is on common small, medium, or giant. You possibly can then discover a mouse that most closely fits from among the many measurement classes under:

• Small gaming mouse: Size: Lower than 6.7 inches; width: 2.9 to three.3 inches
• Medium gaming mouse: Size: 6.7 to 7.9 inches; width: 3.3 to three.9 inches
• Giant gaming mouse: Size: 7.9 inches; width: 3.9 to 4.3 inches

Gaming mice usually are available three shapes: left-handed, right-handed, and ambidextrous. Ambidextrous mice are designed to be impartial in that they are often simply as simply utilized by your left or proper hand. Alternatively, left-handed and right-handed mice are tailored for the dominant arms specified by their namesakes, usually sporting bespoke curves and button placements for one or the opposite. Until you turn between arms, utilizing a gaming mouse that matches your dominant hand will go a protracted strategy to bettering your efficiency and luxury.

Your most popular grip kind also needs to be thought of when choosing a suitably formed mouse. Right here’s a tough information for matching grip sorts with mouse shapes:

• Palm grip: Lengthy, flat mice are usually a greater match and extra snug
• Claw grip: Narrower and smaller mice are likely to go well with this grip fashion
• Fingertip grip: Lighter mice are sometimes most popular by fingertip grippers to cut back pressure

How mild ought to my mouse be?

Gaming mice weights have been step by step trending downwards through the years as gamers search for lighter choices which might be faster to maneuver and forestall arms and wrists getting overly drained or sore in lengthy play classes. FPS (first-person shooter) avid gamers specifically are likely to go for the lightest mice potential, seeing each millisecond of pace benefit as price chasing.

Regardless of this, there’s no ultimate gaming mouse weight for all avid gamers, however reasonably a deeply private desire. Actually, some avid gamers—usually these with bigger arms or stronger arms—truly favor heavier mice for the additional stability they get. Nonetheless if you’re a kind of searching for the lightest mouse potential, something underneath 100 grams can be among the many lightest available on the market.

Does DPI actually matter?

Your mouse’s sensor is the important {hardware} element that relays motion to your PC. Mice sensors are rated for DPI, or dots per inch, which tells us how far a cursor strikes per inch of mouse motion—that’s, how delicate it’s. Producers actually hype up the significance of excessive DPIs, which is usually a bit deceptive as a result of they don’t essentially equate to raised gaming efficiency (they will, however not in all circumstances).

For instance, for those who play a variety of FPS and wish the best possible accuracy whereas focusing on opponents, a decrease DPI (between 800-1,000) is preferable, since this lets you make quick, sharp, and exact actions extra simply. Nevertheless, for those who make a variety of vast, sweeping hand actions, or in case your show is a really excessive decision, a mouse with a excessive DPI (between 12,000-30,000 DPI) could be a bonus.

The beauty of most trendy gaming mice is that they will swap between DPI profiles simply by clicking a small button behind the mouse wheel. That stated, our recommendation is to go for a gaming mouse with the very best DPI your funds permits, after which select your most popular setting for various gaming situations through the use of this helpful DPI-switching characteristic.

Is an optical or laser sensor higher?

Optical sensors are the preferred with avid gamers since they have an inclination to have much less jitter and smoothing issues. These sensors work by casting down infrared or LED mild onto your mousepad and capturing hundreds of digital photographs per second, that then reveals the exact location of the mouse to the PC.

Then again, laser sensors use a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser diode to find out positioning. Generally an optical sensor will do exactly advantageous. Nevertheless, for those who plan on utilizing your mouse on a translucent floor (like glass), a laser sensor is preferable since it should have higher sensitivity to quite a lot of floor textures.

Button depend: What number of do I would like?

The kind of video games you play ought to provide help to decide what number of buttons you want. For instance, for those who’re an enormous fan of actual time technique (RTS), role-playing video games (RPG), or massively multiplayer on-line (MMOs) video games, you’d be we’ll suggested to decide on a mouse with between 10 and18 buttons—just like the Razer Naga Professional or the SteelSeries Aerox 9. These video games sometimes require you to fireplace off a variety of instructions shortly, so the extra buttons it’s important to program instructions and macros in, the higher.

On the flipside, if FPS is your go-to recreation kind, you’ll most likely wish to hold your button depend to between 6 and eight buttons. Chances are high you gained’t want the upper button-count to your smaller record of instructions. Plus, buttons have a tendency to extend a mouse’s weight, so choosing a mouse with fewer will more than likely imply it’s lighter and faster to maneuver within the frantic FPS motion.

RGB lighting or no?

RGB lighting is a enjoyable characteristic to have in any gaming system that may brighten up your gaming den with pops of shade. It will also be fairly helpful, permitting you to see your system higher in dimly lit rooms or at evening. And but, there could also be occasions while you decide to make use of a mouse that has solely a minimal RGB, or none in any respect.

The most typical instance is for those who plan on utilizing your gaming mouse covertly at work. On this case, mice just like the Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed, that haven’t any RGB lighting zones and might convincingly move as normal black workplace mice, are ultimate as a result of your colleagues can be none the wiser.