Competitive gaming is, well, competitive. And that competition gets heated. With every gamer looking to ensure they have the edge, it’s perhaps more important now than ever to win in this proverbial arms race if you want to win in-game.
Having the best gaming mouse means your inputs will be more accurately reproduced and with less latency. And having the right amount of properly placed buttons can make playing easier; this also largely determines what the best MOBA mouse, MMO mouse, and FPS mouse are. So, if you’re looking for the best mouse, you’ll find our gaming mouse reviews of the best gaming mice, as well as the short guide afterward, useful while shopping.
Best Wired Mouse
Razer Deathadder Elite
- RGB: Razer Chroma
- DPI: 16000
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 3.7 oz
Best Logitech
Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum
- RGB: Logitech Lightsync
- DPI: 12000
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 3.8 oz
19 Programmable buttons
Razer Naga Trinity
- RGB: Razer Chroma
- DPI: 16,000
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 4.2 Ounces
Durable aluminum
Corsair M65 Pro
- RGB: Corsair CUE
- DPI: 12000
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 5.9 oz
Onboard memory
HyperX Pulsefire Surge
- RGB: NGenuity
- DPI: 16000
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 4.6 Ounces
Ergonomic mouse
Logitech MX Vertical Mouse
- RGB: None
- DPI: 4000
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 8 Ounces
Unique button layout
Logitech G502 Hero
- RGB: Logitech Lightsync
- DPI: 16000
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 4.3 Ounces (Adjustable)
Most popular esports mouse
BenQ Zowie EC2-A
- RGB: None
- DPI: 3200
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 3.2 Ounces
Best cheap
Redragon M711 Cobra
- RGB: Yes
- DPI: 5000
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 9 oz
Affordable wireless mouse
Corsair Harpoon
- RGB: Corsair CUE
- DPI: 10000
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 3.5 Ounces
Table of Contents
1. Razer Deathadder Elite
The Best Wired Mouse is Simple, Comfortable, and Accurate
- RGB: Razer Chroma
- DPI: 16000
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 3.7 oz
- Very precise 5G sensor
- Razer Chroma compatibility
- 7 easily programmable keys
- Wired connection only
Razer is known for making very high-quality gaming peripherals, and the Deathadder Elite is praised by some as being the top gaming mouse on the market. It is preferred by a number of esports pros in Counter Strike, Fortnite, and a number of other fast-paced shooters.
The reason this mouse earns so much praise is its incredibly accurate sensor that is able to run at a true 16000 DPI. Many mice that claim to have 16000 DPI simply use a multiplier, meaning they run at perhaps 4000 DPI and multiply the measurement that is being taken by 4 to get “16000 DPI”. This is less accurate than a sensor that can truly run at 16000 DPI like the Deathadder.
The sensor is also capable of tracking movement at up to 450 inches per second with a 99.4% resolution accuracy. In games, this translates to the ability to perform quick but precise maneuvers.
This mouse also has seven programmable buttons: 2 on the left side, 2 on the top, the left and right clicks, and the mouse wheel itself. These buttons can be programmed to do just about anything in the Razer Synapse software. This software is also where you can customize the DPI and its RGB lighting.
2. Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum
The Best Logitech Gaming Mouse is Also a Top-of-the-line Wireless Mouse
- RGB: Logitech Lightsync
- DPI: 12000
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 3.8 oz
- Wireless
- Ambidextrous
- 11 programmable buttons
- Very sensitive buttons
Whether you’re in school, on a plane, or just about anywhere, the need to game can still strike. For those on the go, a wireless mouse is often much easier to take along than a wired one; some people just prefer wireless mice outright. If this sounds like you, then the Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum is a great choice.
This mouse’s edgy name is matched by its sharp geometry; although, it is surprisingly comfortable despite its shape. The sensor comes with five preset DPI settings that range from 200 to an impressive 12000. The DPI buttons can be reprogrammed for other purposes if you don’t often change DPI on the fly, along with all of the 11 total buttons on this mouse.
The G900 comes with covers and replacement pieces for some of the buttons on the sides that allow you to easily convert it from a right-handed to a left-handed mouse. It also boasts a highly impressive 30 plus hour battery life that ensures you won’t have your mouse die in the middle of an intense match.
3. Razer Naga Trinity
Up to 19 Programmable buttons
- RGB: Razer Chroma
- DPI: 16,000
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 4.2 Ounces
- 3 different optional side panels
- Up to 19 programmable buttons
- Razer 5G sensor
- Somewhat heavy
If you’re looking for the best MOBA mouse or even the best MMO mouse, then the Razer Naga Trinity is definitely worth looking into. The Naga Trinity comes with three different side panels that you can switch out at any time, each one offering a different button layout.
The first option is more or less your standard mouse with two simple buttons. The second option has seven buttons laid out in a circle, which is great for MOBA players as this lets you map your abilities to the buttons.
Finally, the third option has a number pad like layout with 12 buttons, which is a great choice for MMO players who have gotten a little too obsessed with macros.
The Naga Trinity sports the same 5G sensor that the Deathadder uses, with up to 16000 DPI sensitivity. Both the DPI, RGB lighting, and layout of the programmable keys can be controlled from within Razer’s Synapse software.
4. Corsair M65 Pro
Durable aluminum mouse with dedicated sniper button
- RGB: Corsair CUE
- DPI: 12000
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 5.9 oz
- Adjustable weight and balance
- Eight programmable buttons
- High quality build and materials
- Very heavy
For those who are on the hunt for an extra durable gaming mouse, the Corsair M65 Pro might be right for you. The M65 Pro is built from aircraft grade aluminum and uses Omron switches that are rated for 20 million clicks. It also has three small weights in the bottom that can be removed or rearranged to change the overall weight and balance. That being said, the aluminum construction is heavy even with all the weights removed.
This mouse uses a 12000 DPI sensor that can be customized in Corsair’s CUE software. This is also where you can configure the RGB lights how you want, as well as program the eight buttons. This mouse has three buttons on the top, and three on the side.
One of the buttons on the side of the mouse is a large red square with a crosshair on it that Corsair refers to as a “sniper” button. By default, when you press down on this button it will lower your mouse’s DPI, allowing you to make more precise movements. Once released, your mouse will return to its regular DPI. This interesting feature certainly makes this mouse stand out from the crowd, and could be useful if you’re the long range style of player who’s looking for the best FPS mouse.
While this isn’t a budget gaming mouse if you go by features, this mouse does frequently have large price drops that push it into that range. As such, it might be worth tracking its price on a site like CamelCamelCamel until another one of those price drops comes around.
5. HyperX Pulsefire Surge
Onboard memory for taking your settings on the go
- RGB: NGenuity
- DPI: 16000
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 4.6 Ounces
- Stores up to 3 profiles onboard
- 16000 DPI sensor
- Pretty heavy
- Only six buttons
If you often go to LAN parties or take a mouse with you on the go and don’t want to mess with setting up your profile on every computer you use, then the HyperX Pulsefire Surge has the solution. Using HyperX’s Ngenuity software you can configure the six buttons, DPI, as well as the RGB ring and then save up to three profiles right to the mouse’s onboard storage.
The Pulsefire Surge uses a Pixart 3389 sensor that runs at up to 16000 DPI offering very high sensitivity and impressive accuracy. While it only has six buttons, which pales in comparison to some of the other options in our list, the buttons use Omron switches that are rated for up to 50 million clicks making this mouse a good long term investment. It also uses a durable braided cable and has two large pads on the bottom for easy gliding on practically any surface.
The RGB lighting in the Pulsefire is also some of the nicest you’ll find with a ring that runs all the way around the mouse with dozens of individually addressable zones that can each produce up to 16.8 million colors.
6. Logitech MX Vertical Mouse
Ergonomic mouse for long playing and working sessions
- RGB: None
- DPI: 4000
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 8 Ounces
- Highly ergonomic design
- Incredible 4 month battery life
- Only has 4 buttons
- No RGB
Repetitive strain injuries are something all too real for many people who work using a computer all day and then return home to game on a PC. Having your hands flat on your desk, as you do when using a normal keyboard and mouse, causes pronation of the wrists which often results in strain injuries.
Logitech set out to solve this problem with the MX Vertical. This mouse features a 57-degree vertical angle that lets you grip the mouse like you’re giving it a good handshake. Those are Logitech’s words, not mine; I don’t like other people so I’d never use a human touch-based metaphor.
This mouse’s sensor only runs at 4000 DPI max; however, despite the huge drop off, this should still be enough for most gamers. The MX Vertical also boasts an insane battery life of up to four months on a full charge. It can even be used for three hours on a one minute charge.
While this wireless mouse is undoubtedly the best ergonomic gaming mouse-- and is also great for productivity-- it does carry some downsides. It only has four programmable buttons, which is the least of any of the mice we’ve looked at so far. Also, it lacks any RGB, which is also kind of a turn off for some.
7. Logitech G502 Hero
Unique button layout and custom weights
- RGB: Logitech Lightsync
- DPI: 16000
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 4.3 Ounces (Adjustable)
- 11 uniquely laid out programmable buttons
- Five weights for custom balancing
- Poor design with angular surfaces and edges
The Logitech G502 Hero in many ways resembles the G900 we looked at earlier, but with some changes that seem to be even more gaming oriented. The G502 has the same number of programmable buttons as the G900-- 11-- but have a much different layout this time.
Rather than having covers for some of the buttons to allow for ambidextrous use, the G502 has most of the buttons on the left side, meaning only right-handed people will be able to use the mouse efficiently. It also has a sniper button very similar to the Corsair M65 Pro we looked at.
The layout of the buttons is very well thought out and is great for gaming, however, the overall ergonomics of the mouse are somewhat poor with tons of sharp edges.
This mouse also comes with five small weights that can be placed in the bottom of the mouse in various configurations which let you change how the weight is distributed. The mouse also has an impressive range of sensitivities ranging from 200 DPI all the way to 16000 DPI.
8. BenQ Zowie EC2-A
Most popular esports mouse
- RGB: None
- DPI: 3200
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 3.2 Ounces
- Used by more esports pros than any mouse
- Simplicity
- Only 5 buttons
- 3200 max DPI
If you watch a lot of pro esports, then you’ve probably asked yourself what mouse your favorite players use. While this information is often out there if you look hard enough, one of the most popular mice out there is the unassuming choice by far is the BenQ Zowie EC2-A. While it is most popular amongst CS:GO players, you also see it and its EC1-A popup amongst the most popular PUBG mice.
This mouse is very plain looking, and is even plain in terms of features. It has no RGB lighting, only goes up to 3200 DPI, and only has five buttons. That being said, it is a very comfortable mouse to use, which is important for pros (or aspiring pros) who practice their play for hours a day.
9. Redragon M711 Cobra
Best cheap gaming mouse
- RGB: Yes
- DPI: 5000
- Connection: Wired
- Weight: 9 oz
- Very affordable
- Highly configurable in software
- Very heavy
You’re not typically going to find any of the mice we’ve looked at so far in this roundup for less than $50, but the Redragon M711 Cobra breaks that mold and is easily the best gaming mouse under $50. While it lacks a lot of the more elaborate bells and whistles of its pricier brethren, it does still sport some impressive features for the price; despite the price, it’s still a good gaming mouse.
For one thing, the sensitivity can be adjusted anywhere from 100 DPI to 10000 DPI within Redragon’s software. That being said, the sensor itself only runs at a maximum of 5000 DPI, meaning anything higher is using a multiplier and will not be as accurate.
Within the Redragon software, you can also customize the RGB, as well as the seven programmable buttons. The M711 Cobra actually has very impressive build quality for the price and even uses high-quality Omron switches for the buttons that are rated for up to 10 million clicks. This mouse won’t die on you any time soon despite its affordable price, and actually has all the features that most people are looking for.
10. Corsair Harpoon
Affordable wireless mouse
- RGB: Corsair CUE
- DPI: 10000
- Connection: Wireless
- Weight: 3.5 Ounces
- Affordable wireless mouse
- 50 million click switches
- Mediocre battery life
- Only 6 buttons
The last mouse we’re taking a look at is the Corsair Harpoon, a very affordable wireless mouse for people who want to game on the go without breaking the bank. The Corsair Harpoon is specifically designed for gamers and uses Corsair's slipstream wireless technology to offer as little latency as possible, which is often a problem when gaming with wireless mice.
The mouse can be configured using the Corsair utility engine software which allows you to customize the lights as well as the six programmable buttons. The sensor runs at up to 10000 DPI and the switches for the buttons are Omron switches rated at up to 50 million clicks.
The overall design of the mouse is very nice and offers an ergonomic experience that is very comfortable to use. However, the battery only has a 60 hour life meaning you’ll be charging it more frequently than some of the other wireless mice on our list. If you like the mouse, but not needing to charge it, then there is a wired option as well.
What to Look for in a Gaming Mouse
When shopping for a gaming mouse there are a number of things to take into consideration. Even when looking at a lot of good gaming mice, like in this list, it can be hard to find the right mouse for you. The most important things to look at when shopping for a new gaming mouse are the sensitivity, the ergonomics, and the number of buttons.
DPI, or Dots Per Inch
The first thing most people are going to want to consider is the sensitivity, which is usually measured in dots per inch, or DPI. This is a measurement of how sensitive the sensor on the mouse is to small movements, and in some ways also measures how accurately it can detect these movements.
DPI roughly translates to how many pixels the cursor will move across on your screen if your mouse is moved one inch. So, a mouse with 16000 DPI will move the cursor 16000 pixels with a single inch of movement. This much sensitivity is far too much for most people, but having a sensor that can read movement with such precision allows your movements to be registered more accurately when it is turned down.
Many people will play games with DPIs sitting somewhere between 400 and 1000. Some mice can change their DPI on the fly, while for some mice like the Razer Deathadder it must be changed in an accompanying software.
The Corsair M65 Pro even has a button that can be held down to shift into a less sensitive DPI, and then returns the mouse to its normal sensitivity when the button is released. Ultimately, the higher the DPI of the sensor the more precisely it will be able to register movement, and the higher you can take the sensitivity.
If you’re really unsure about whether a mouse with “only” 10000 DPI is going to work compared to the true 16000 DPI of the DeathAdder, it’s worth noting that many pros use mice like the BenQ Zowie EC2-A that top out at 3200.
Ergonomics
Next, you’ll want to take the ergonomics of the mouse you’re looking to purchase into consideration. Having a comfortable mouse can be the difference between playing for hours on end, and getting a repetitive strain injury, or RSI.
If you already have an RSI, then consider taking a look at the Logitech MX Vertical. This mouse boasts a unique angled design that takes stress off the bones and tendons in your arms and can help people who are prone to carpal tunnel and the like. Everything about the design of this mouse is intended to put your hand into a more comfortable and natural position that allows your bones and tendons to move normally.
If you’re left-handed, then getting a mouse with ergonomics that will work for you is even more important. Most gaming mice have many more buttons than typical mice, and most of them are placed in such a way that they only accommodate right-handed players. If you’re looking for an ambidextrous mouse, then check out the Logitech G900.
Finally, many people will want to consider the number of buttons and how easy it is to configure them. Different types of games often require different button layouts.
Shooters will usually only require a few buttons and relatively plain mice are often preferred for these games. This is why mice like the Razer Deathadder and BenQ Zowie are so popular amongst pros in these games. The smaller number of buttons present on these mice means that there is less to get in the way while aiming and shooting, and reduces the chances of accidentally clicking something at an inopportune moment.
On the other hand, MOBAs and MMOs require players to quickly trigger abilities or even set up custom macros. For these games, mice like the Razer Naga Trinity or Logitech G502 Hero are ideal. These mice have 11 or more buttons that can be programmed to do just about anything you need them to. This allows you to set up tons of macros, or even play MOBAs without using a keyboard at all.