What was still considered a niche product a few years ago, is now finding its way into millions of children's rooms, offices & gaming dens all over the world. The mouse has long since ceased to be a simple peripheral that you select at random, but one of the most important components of any computer setup.
If you have found the perfect gaming mouse for you, you usually play much better than with any office model. The market is now hard to keep track of and the selection of gaming mice is huge. The range of features, specifications and types is so large that everyone can find the ideal gaming mouse. To give you a detailed overview of what to look for when buying a new mouse, we've put together this gaming mouse review for you. Which manufacturers have proven to be the best? What about the sensor? What should be considered in terms of ergonomics? You can find out all this and more in our gaming mouse review! Have fun.
1 Best Gaming Mouse - The most important in a nutshell!
Basically, there are a few factors to look out for when buying a new gaming mouse, but the most important and at the same time most individual should be the ergonomics. We all have different sized hands & fingers and while one mouse will fit you perfectly in the hand, there will be other people who can't do anything at all with your favorite mouse.
The weight of a mouse is absolutely crucial in many cases, because even here the feeling is very subjective and the motto "one fits all" cannot be applied. For this reason, some premium manufacturers already rely on mice with exchangeable weights - so you can determine the final weight of your mouse yourself. More about this below.
It's almost unbelievable what development has come out of the good old 2-button mouse, because you could now think that some gaming mice have more buttons than a full keyboard. Games are becoming more and more complex and require that you press many buttons quickly and reliably - for this reason, the topic of function keys is also very crucial when it comes to deciding which gaming mouse should be the next.
The sensor of a gaming mouse determines how precisely and reliably the mouse reacts to movements. A good sensor is therefore a basic requirement for successful gaming sessions, because precision is important when aiming and often only a few pixels decide between a deadly headshot and a body shot. We'll explain which sensors are available and what you should look for when buying one in the "Sensor" section below.
However, the basic question you should ask yourself before researching is whether it should be a wired or a wireless gaming mouse. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, which we will also explain in our guide.
2 The best gaming mice in comparison!
3 Buying guide: What you should look for when buying a gaming mouse!
Ergonomics
A gaming mouse is only good when you don't consciously notice it even after hours of sessions - that means it should fit perfectly in your hand and adapt to the conditions so you can grip and maneuver it reasonably. But how do you find the mouse shape that suits you best? First and foremost, you should look at what experience you've already had with other mice. If you find the shape of your old mouse comfortable, you should look for a similar one again and not do any great experiments, because we all know: Never Change a Winning System. Apart from that, a gaming mouse should of course neither be too big nor too small - for big hands a big mouse is recommended, for smaller hands you should rather reach for a smaller variant.
However, this can be easier said than done, because often the actual size can only be guessed at, even if the dimensions are shown in the data sheet. Only one thing helps here: try it out! At best, you should go to the store and test which gaming mouse you like best at first glance. Only when this has been clarified should you look at other criteria. Most webshops (Amazon & Co.) of course offer a return policy, which even allows you to order several mice and test them at home under real conditions. Make sure that you can reach all buttons easily and within a few milliseconds and don't have to search for them first, because speed is important when gaming and if you don't press the right button right away, you'll be in the dirt faster than you can look.
When it comes to the shape of the gaming mouse, manufacturers now make no secret of deviating from the norm and including generous thumb rests, recessed grips or other ergonomic features. You should test and decide for yourself which of these ergonomic refinements are right for you. Even though the majority of the population uses their mouse with their right hand, about 5-10% of all gamers need special left-handed mice, which are manufactured in such a way that they are virtually mirror-inverted to the right-handed version. So if you're left-handed, that's no reason to bury your head in the sand and force yourself to get used to a right-handed mouse!
Weight
Found the ideal mouse shape? Great, then you're ready for the next step - determining the weight. This can sometimes be just as difficult, if not more so, than finding the right mouse shape, because again, the issue is very subjective and completely individual. Gaming mice can vary extremely in weight. For some people, the mouse can't be light enough, while others prefer it to have a certain weight and stability.
In order to make the decision easier for as many gamers as possible, there are now mice that allow you to determine the total weight individually using interchangeable weights. Gaming mice with interchangeable weights are available from many manufacturers, which means that the way you replace and place the weights varies from model to model. Sometimes the weights are placed in the mouse's casing, sometimes again directly under the mouse - but the basic functionality always remains the same.
Function keys
There are gaming mice that are kept simple as far as possible and those that are equipped with additional buttons besides the three main function keys (left, right & middle mouse button). These so-called function keys can usually be assigned individually and in some cases even arranged modularly. Besides the specifications of a gaming mouse, you should also know how many buttons you need and what you want to do with them. Additional function keys can be especially helpful when playing MMORPGs, MOBAs or real-time strategy games, for example. Especially in games that require a lot of UI interaction, such as action bars or grid menus. However, most shooter fans should manage relatively well with the common 3 action keys.
Sensor
The sensor of a gaming mouse is the element responsible for the accuracy when moving the mouse. In contrast to conventional office models, gaming mice usually have very sensitive sensors that enable extremely high precision when aiming. A few years ago, there was still disagreement about which type of sensor was better: laser or optical? But the vast majority of today's gaming mice have a so-called optical sensor installed.
Nevertheless, these sensors sometimes differ considerably from each other, which often causes puzzled faces in the community, because the designations of the sensors often either cannot be seen clearly or have designations that are hardly informative even for die-hard gamers. It is often the case that the individual manufacturers (Razer, Logitech, Corsair, etc.) develop and install their own sensors. This makes it difficult to determine the specific differences between the sensors - not a real decision-making aid for someone looking for a new gaming mouse.
In order to counteract the confusion, we would like to give you a tip on the subject of sensors: Make sure that your new mouse has a maximum sampling rate of at least 16000 dpi. With the right software settings and the corresponding individual adjustment, good results can usually be achieved, which should also be sufficient for budding professional gamers.
DPI
Dpi means dots per inch, i.e. how accurately the gaming mouse's sensor registers movements. The dpi value can be adjusted individually in increments of 1 on most gaming models and determines how sensitively the mouse cursor moves when the mouse is moved. Which dpi value is the best is a very subjective matter - while some prefer a high sensitivity, others prefer a relatively low dpi value.
The mouse's surface is also decisive here, because the ideal setting is often a combination of mouse pad and dpi value. On a fabric mouse pad, for example, the gaming mouse doesn't glide as smoothly as on a plastic mouse pad. The best thing to do is to play around with the dpi settings a bit and try to find the perfect way for you based on practical tests.
4 Best Gaming mouse - wireless vs. cable mouse
The question of connectivity is actually a basic one, because before you start looking for a suitable gaming mouse, you should be clear about whether you want to connect it to your PC via USB or go completely wireless.
The decision criteria can be very diverse - some prefer wireless mice because of the tidy look on the desk and the elimination of the often annoying cable, others want to get the last bit of precision out of their gaming mouse with a wired gaming mouse. Of course, both variants have advantages and disadvantages. We would like to explain them briefly and concisely in this short overview.
Wired gaming mouse
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Wireless gaming mouse
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5 grip types - the right way to hold your gaming mouse
Now it gets very specific. In this section, we're going to look at grip types, that is, how you grip your mouse while gaming. In fact, determining the grip type can have a significant impact on which gaming mouse you ultimately choose, because the shape of the mouse plays an important role here. So instead of telling you how to best hold your mouse (you'd better figure that out for yourself), we're going to focus more on introducing you to the different grips here.
Palm-Grip
With the Palm Grip, you hold your gaming mouse with the entire palm of your hand, while your fingers rest on the mouse buttons without being bent. Because the rest of your hand rests on the mouse pad in this position, you should make sure that you choose a rather high dpi value, because the lower part of your hand, which rests on the mouse pad, slows down the movement of the mouse during large-scale movements. Try to move your mouse more from the wrist. For palm grip, we logically recommend larger gaming mice - especially people with larger hands should pay attention here.
Finger-Grip
The Finger-Grip is a bit more delicate than the Palm-Grip, because here the gaming mouse is not gripped by the entire palm, but only by the 5 fingers. The index and middle fingers rest on the mouse buttons, the thumb holds the inside of the mouse, while the ring and little fingers provide stability on the outside of the mouse. With this type of grip, the size of the mouse doesn't play quite as decisive a role as with the Palm Grip. Since the finger grip requires more ... grip, a mouse with rubberized inner and/or outer sides would be highly recommended. Furthermore, the weight of the mouse is also important here, because the finger grip requires constant lifting of the mouse, especially at low dpi values. In order to be as agile and precise as possible, your gaming mouse should not be too heavy.
Claw-Grip
Claw grip makes your hand look like a claw when you hold the mouse - hence the name. This type of grip is not very common among gamers, but it brings the same advantages that the finger grip has. The way the mouse is held is hardly different from the finger grip - only the positioning of the fingers that are responsible for the mouse buttons is different. Depending on the size of your hand, you should tend towards the smaller and lighter gaming mouse with the Claw-Grip.
6 Best Gaming Mouse - The Cost
Due to the fact that there are now extremely many gaming mouse models, it is clear that the prices also differ, sometimes significantly. While the price doesn't necessarily determine how you good or bad a gaming mouse is, it can still be an indication of workmanship, manufacturer experience, innovation or feature set.
Of course, there are gaming mice in the huge selection that definitely deserve the seal "good and cheap", because there are already models starting at 30€ that can be absolutely sufficient for everyday use. However, if you value a high durability, manufacturer warranty or sophisticated functions, you should calculate at least 50€ for a new gaming mouse. In this price range, you can already get high-quality models from well-known manufacturers like Logitech or Corsair.
Another important point that affects the overall price of your new mouse is the type of connectivity. While wired mice are already available for little money, the situation is quite different for wireless models. Due to the built-in technology, wireless gaming mice can cost a good €100. Especially those that run on battery power have their price.
7 The best gaming mouse brands / manufacturers
Nowadays, in every product category there is a list of manufacturers that have proven themselves for years and produce the highest quality models. If you take a look at the best gaming mouse manufacturers, you will quickly see that they offer a huge range of products, with the right model for every budget. The best-known manufacturer in this segment is undoubtedly Logitech. The company from Switzerland has already dealt with the topic of gaming when the entire industry was still in its infancy. It's not for nothing that Logitech stands for quality, innovation and consistency today with its accumulated experience.
Besides Logitech, the Razer company from the USA has made a name for itself in the world of gaming over many years. Especially in the field of gaming mice, Razer set a decisive milestone in 1999: The Razer Boomslang - the world's first gaming mouse. While Logitech also covers the market of entertainment and office products, Razer has always stood for one thing above all: GAMING. Thus, the company was able to earn the trust of the community within 20 years and is not considered one of the most innovative and best manufacturers of gaming accessories for nothing.
Besides Logitech & Razer, there are of course other manufacturers that we do not want to leave unmentioned here. Therefore, for the sake of completeness, here is the list of the best gaming mouse brands once again:
- Logitech
- Razer
- Corsair
- SteelSeries
- Roccat
- Sharkoon
- HyperX
- Titanwolf
- MSI
8 Best Gaming Mouse - Conclusion
Of course, the topic "gaming mouse" can be very complex on paper and the prices of the individual models sometimes differ greatly, but the purchase of a new gaming mouse still depends significantly on your own preferences. In this detailed gaming mouse review, we've explained what you should objectively look for when looking for a new mouse - what you make of it is up to you.
We recommend you take our tips to heart, then shortlist and test these devices to find the perfect gaming mouse. Decide on a type of connectivity (wired or wireless), determine your grip style, set your budget, and think about what type of video game you primarily prefer. Only once these points are checked off will you be able to compile a list of potential models and test them.
9 Frequently asked questions about the best gaming mouse
Which mouse sensor is the best?
The optical sensor has emerged as the most common option in recent years.
Which mouse do pro gamers use?
Most pro gamers use mice with high sampling rates and interchangeable weights.
Are ergonomic mice better?
As a rule, ergonomic mice are significantly better than standard mice in terms of handling and freedom of movement.
What makes a good gaming mouse?
The sensor, the manufacturer and the workmanship.
What does DPI mean?
DPI means dots per inch and determines how precisely the gaming mouse reacts to movements.
How much DPI does a good gaming mouse need?
At least 16,000 dpi.
