Best PC gaming mice 2023: Reviews and buying advice

The Logitech G502, which so wowed avid gamers again in 2014 has advanced into a brand new mannequin, the Logitech G502X, which boasts a number of massive enhancements over its predecessor. These embrace: a higher-resolution 25K sensor, a brand new rubberized thumb grip, and lightning-fast hybrid optical-mechanical switches.

Admittedly, its 89-gram weight means it’s not the lightest gaming mouse in the marketplace. Nonetheless, any considerations about efficiency fall by the wayside due to the bigger and extra accessible buttons. You continue to get 13 programmable choices, together with the facet set off button and DPI buttons lower into the left fundamental click on, however the set off is now nearer to your thumb and simpler to succeed in, and the DPI buttons are longer and more durable to misclick. This in the end means the G502X has arguably the very best all-rounder button setup you may get.

Few gaming mice can cater to a gamer’s various connectivity wants, which is why the Keychron M3 is so distinctive. It sports activities not one, however three connectivity choices, together with low-latency 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and wired connectivity by way of a USB cable, in an effort to join it as much as nearly any machine in your house. What’s much more spectacular is that the Keychron M3 weighs a lowly 79 grams, which makes it one of many lightest gaming-grade mice with wi-fi connectivity you may get.

Within the {hardware} division too, the M3 could be very lucky, sporting an especially fast 26,000 DPI sensor with flawless monitoring. It proved simply perfect for precision transferring and aiming in my playtesting. This sensor is backed up by a few of the quickest buttons I’ve ever used; they’re powered by Kailh GM 8.0 micro switches.

The M3’s buttons have additionally been designed with gamer comfort in thoughts. You get 9 in complete, however 4 let you change numerous settings just like the polling charge, RGB lighting, connectivity mode, and DPI settings on the fly with out having to enter Keychron’s M3 companion software program app. It’s onerous to imagine, however you get all this for simply $49, which makes the Keychron M3 an distinctive worth purchase that’s prone to rapidly run off cabinets this yr.

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 part elements precisely as you want to discover your perfect mouse form and weight. Doing so requires you to tug discrete levers and switch knobs built-in into the mouse’s physique, so there’s a reasonably steep studying curve earlier than you understand what you’re doing.

Nonetheless, if you happen to love tinkering, this mouse will maintain you entertained for hours at a time. It additionally doesn’t skimp within the button division, offering 10 buttons all informed, oriented in some fairly authentic positions for further 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 periods.

Learn our Mad Catz R.A.T 8+ overview

The Razer Naga V2 Professional does one higher than simply allow you to program your buttons how you want them—it options three swappable side-button plates that you may change out to tailor your mouse’s bodily button setup to your sport’s command load. Consequently, it makes an awesome all-around gaming mouse. In my playtesting I discovered it was particularly excellent for MOBA and MMO video games because you get a complete of twenty-two instructions with the 12-button plate connected, so there’s numerous choices.

In addition to a really snug design, the V2 Professional additionally sports activities an correct and exact 30,000 DPI sensor and Razer Gen 3 Optical Switches within the buttons that actuate in simply 0.2 milliseconds. In our overview, its 134-gram weight made it slightly heavy for reaching prime efficiency in FPS video games, however in MMO video games this further weightiness made weapons play really feel extraordinarily genuine and extremely satisfying.

The extra buttons, the heavier and slower gaming mice are typically, however the SteelSereis Aerox 9 bucks this development with a whopping 18 buttons and weighing simply 89 grams. Evidently, having 18 buttons at your disposal somewhat than 6, 8 or 12, provides you slightly 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 improbable due to 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.

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 format, 26,000 DPI Razer Focus+ sensor, and second-generation Razer optical switches which can be quick sufficient for every kind of gaming—whether or not that’s informal or critical. 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, perfect for tactical FPS video games like Rainbow Six.

Impressively, the HyperScroll Tilt Wheel additionally has further AI scrolling modes that make your scrolling and searching so much 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.

Weighing simply 63 grams, the five-button DeathAdder V3 Professional is ultra-lightweight and exceptionally fast off the mark in FPS video games. It additionally sports activities a symmetrical streamlined physique that matches completely into the contours of any medium to massive hand. However what actually units it aside, is its pro-grade 30,000 DPI optical sensor, the likes of which you’d be onerous pressed to search out an equal. The V3 Professional’s sensor not solely tracks your actions flawlessly, but it surely’s additionally able to hyper polling as much as a whopping 4,000Hz.

It’s also possible to set a lift-off and touchdown distance to one in every of 26 granular ranges, which is 23 greater than what you get in lots of rivals. Admittedly, pretty much as good as it’s, there are nonetheless just a few drawbacks. The DPI button is situated on the underside, which suggests altering DPIs on the fly generally is a little gradual, and for the privilege of hyper polling you’ll have to buy a Razer HyperPolling dongle for an extra $29.99. Nonetheless, with the V3 Professional you’re getting a top-notch machine that may serve you extraordinarily nicely when the warmth is on.

In case you’re merely a very good gamer HyperX’s Pulsefire Haste Wi-fi is the form 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 fingers.

Simply trying on the specs, you’d be mistaken for pondering its PAW3355 16,000 DPI sensor is slightly 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 comfy honeycomb-shaped again, and the additional grips and PTFE glide skates that come equipped within the field.

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

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

Few units supply as a lot bang for buck as this wired RGB gaming mouse that mixes consolation, model and respectable efficiency however with no hefty price ticket. The Logitech G203 resembles dearer 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 ample performer that tracks precisely.

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

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 manner, it’s onerous to disclaim the Kone XP factors for originality.

Regardless of its flashiness, the ROCCAT Kone XP can be a really succesful performer in video games. It sports activities a 15-button format—programmable to 29 capabilities—that makes it perfect for MMO, RPG, and RTS gaming, the place you possibly can hardly ever 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 it’s good to hearth off instructions rapidly and precisely.

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 gorgeous 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 variety of gorgeous results.

However as any gamer is aware of, appears to be like aren’t every thing. Consequently, we additionally selected the Professional Air due to its wonderful 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 wonderful 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.

The Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed combines options for gaming in addition to productiveness, making it perfect for each. Within the boardroom it syncs stealthily with its environment due to 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 stable performer in AAA video games.

Twin 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity allows 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.

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. Evidently, if you happen to’re vulnerable to lifting, the Rival 650 ought to assist regular your goal.

The second function 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 permits you to peel of the left and proper facet panels and modify it to your most well-liked weight.