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The Best Gaming Mice for 2026

The right mouse is the most critical weapon in your PC-gaming arsenal. Shape, weight, shortcuts, customization software: Our expert buying guide has it all covered, plus top, hands-on tested picks to help you smoke the competition.

 & John Burek Executive Editor and PC Labs Director
 & Zackery Cuevas Writer, Hardware
Our Experts
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65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS

Targeting, slashing, hacking, attacking: The key actions you take in any PC game are at the mercy of the click of your mouse. You can't skimp on your best weapon if you want to win. You should expect reliable connectivity, responsive tracking, and crisp click and scroll functions, but these days, those are just table stakes. Comfort and accuracy come more naturally to some models than others, while extra controls can speed up switching modes or in-game tools. We have decades of experience in testing and evaluating mice for gaming, productivity, and other important tasks, so you can rest assured that each of our picks below has what it takes to help you win, including the best overall for wireless gaming, the Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed. After checking out our list of top recommendations, read on for the ultimate guide to choosing the right gaming mouse.

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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

  • Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed
    Best Mainstream Wireless Gaming Mouse

    Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • More affordable than its V3 Pro predecessor
      • Comfortable ergonomic design
      • Lightweight
      • Highest polling rate requires an accessory sold separately
      • Available in only one color
      • High, but not the highest, DPI maximum

    Why We Picked It

    Razer’s gaming peripherals are often best in class, and the Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed is no exception. This wireless gaming mouse impressed us for a few reasons. While the shape of the DeathAdder remains the same as previous models, you will notice some important spec improvements, including an increased polling rate. It's not without caveats—you still need to buy a Hyperpolling Dongle to achieve the highest rate—but the DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed's design and reasonable price solidify it as one of the best wireless gaming mice you can buy.

    Who It's For

    Gamers who want a lightweight mouse: At 1.9 ounces, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed is one of the lightest gaming mice you can buy.

    Casual PC gamers: This Razer mouse may not offer the highest dots per inch (dpi) on the market, but its 26,000dpi is more than enough for most.

    Users who own the Razer Hyperpolling Dongle: If you've bought any of Razer's gaming mice over the last few years, there's a chance you might already own the Hyperpolling Dongle. And that makes it extremely easy to upgrade to the DeathAdder V3 and take full advantage of its high polling rate.

    Specs & Configurations

    Hand Orientation Right-Handed
    Interface 2.4GHz Wireless
    Interface USB Wired
    Number of Buttons 5
    Power Source Internal Battery
    Sensor Maker and Model Focus X 26K Optical Sensor
    Sensor Maximum Resolution 26000
    Warranty (Parts and Labor) 2
    Weight 1.9
    Get It Now
  • Turtle Beach Kone II
    Best Mainstream Wired Gaming Mouse

    Turtle Beach Kone II

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Comfortable for medium and large hands
      • Excellent optical button switches
      • High-resolution 26,000dpi sensor
      • Seven buttons are highly customizable
      • Adjustable RGB lighting
      • Not a good fit for small hands
      • On the pricey side for a wired gaming mouse

    Why We Picked It

    Turtle Beach may be better known for its headphones, but we're big fans of this brand's gaming mice. The Turtle Beach Kone II is a hefty but relatively lightweight wired option that packs in plenty of quality gaming features. The 26,000dpi sensor, optical button switches, and distinctive Easy-Shift[+] capability sweeten the deal, while the touch of adjustable RGB lighting adds a splash of style that most gaming mice seem to overlook. It's a great gaming mouse if you have large hands, but it won't be a comfortable fit for smaller hands.

    Who It's For

    Gamers who want a wired mouse: The Turtle Beach Kone II is a fully wired mouse, and that design eliminates any of the potential latency you may experience when using wireless mice.

    Users who can't get enough of RGB: The stylish, customizable RGB lighting on the Kone II gives it a pop of style and color that many gamers will appreciate.

    Gamers with medium-to-large hands: This beast of a mouse is a great fit for gamers with large hands, but it'll likely be less comfortable and more difficult to maneuver if your hands are smaller.

    Specs & Configurations

    Hand Orientation Right-Handed
    Interface USB Wired
    Number of Buttons 7
    Power Source Wired USB
    Sensor Maker and Model Turtle Beach Owl-Eye
    Sensor Maximum Resolution 26000
    Warranty (Parts and Labor) 1
    Weight 3.17
    Get It Now
  • 8BitDo Retro R8
    Best Budget Wireless Gaming Mouse

    8BitDo Retro R8

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Lightweight
      • Included charging dock
      • Up to 26,000dpi and 8,000Hz polling rate
      • Ergonomics aren’t great
      • Only available in two colors
      • Barebones software

    Why We Picked It

    The 8BitDo Retro R8 is a blast from the past, but its tech is anything but old. With a 26,000dpi sensor and a nostalgic shape, the Retro R8 proves itself to be a versatile, well-rounded mouse. Add an 8,000Hz polling rate and a charging dock to the equation, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a mouse that offers so much at an affordable price. While the 8BitDo mouse's unique, throwback shape is eye-catching, it's not the most ergonomic option.

    Who It's For

    Gamers looking for a budget mouse: The Retro R8 wireless gaming mouse is built to impress. It packs a lot of functionality and features into its compact frame, which is especially impressive given its affordable price.

    Users who love retro hardware: The Retro R8 calls back to the look of the Nintendo Entertainment System, and while it lacks compatibility with any '80s console, enthusiasts who remember the classic console will appreciate its retro design.

    Specs & Configurations

    Hand Orientation Ambidextrous
    Interface Bluetooth
    Interface RF Wireless
    Interface USB Wired
    Number of Buttons 6
    Power Source Internal Battery
    Power Source Wired USB
    Sensor Maker and Model PixArt PAW3395
    Sensor Maximum Resolution 26000
    Warranty (Parts and Labor) 1
    Weight 2.7
    Get It Now
  • HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2
    Best Budget Wired Gaming Mouse

    HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Reasonably priced for the feature set
      • Lightweight
      • Attractive design
      • Fully customizable via software utility
      • Not a good fit for large hands
      • Limited RGB
      • No onboard profile storage

    Why We Picked It

    The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 innovates on everything that made the original great—including its super-lightweight body—while remaining well-priced. Its larger size and lighter-weight build make it extremely comfortable and fast, ideal for competitive gaming. This wired gaming mouse offers 26,000dpi tracking resolution, a high polling rate, and plenty of customization options inside. It’s not a great fit for large hands, but most gamers will find all their bases are covered with the Haste 2.

    Who It's For

    Esports gamers: With a lightweight design, comfortable shape, and high polling rate, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is an ideal gaming mouse for esports fans.

    Gamers on a budget: If you're looking for a top-quality gaming mouse that's fast, powerful, and won't blow your budget, this HyperX option is a great fit.

    Specs & Configurations

    Hand Orientation Right-Handed
    Interface USB Wired
    Number of Buttons 6
    Power Source Wired USB
    Sensor Maker and Model HyperX 26K Sensor
    Sensor Maximum Resolution 26000
    Warranty (Parts and Labor) 2
    Weight 1.92
    Get It Now
  • Asus ROG Keris II Ace
    Best Premium Gaming Mouse

    Asus ROG Keris II Ace

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Super lightweight
      • Two colors available
      • High DPI ceiling
      • 8,000Hz polling rate maximum
      • Expensive
      • No version for lefties
      • 8,000Hz polling requires a wired connection

    Why We Picked It

    If money’s not an issue, we recommend checking out the Asus ROG Keris II Ace. It’s an esports darling, and its powerful sensor supports a 42,000dpi tracking resolution and an 8,000Hz polling rate (though the latter is only accessible via a wired connection). And at 1.9 ounces, it’s one of the lightest mice you can buy. The ROG Keris II Ace is perfect for twitch shooters, so esports hopefuls should take note.

    Who It's For

    Hardcore gamers: With a high resolution and polling rate, the ROG Keris II Ace is an ideal tool for gamers who want to dominate the battlefield.

    Gamers who want a lightweight mouse: The Asus ROG Keris II Ace is incredibly light, ideal for twitch shooters and action games that demand lightning-fast reactions.

    Specs & Configurations

    Hand Orientation Right-Handed
    Interface 2.4GHz Wireless
    Interface Bluetooth
    Interface USB Wired
    Number of Buttons 5
    Power Source Internal Battery
    Sensor Maker and Model ROG AimPoint Pro
    Sensor Maximum Resolution 42000
    Warranty (Parts and Labor) 1
    Weight 1.9
    Get It Now
  • Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro
    Best Gaming Mouse for Esports

    Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Incredibly lightweight
      • Improved sensor with 45,000dpi resolution
      • Upgraded HyperPolling dongle
      • Plenty of new and useful game-improving functionality
      • New switches are noisy, with an unpleasing hollow sound

    Why We Picked It

    The Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro is our go-to mouse for competitive gaming, and a champ for several reasons. From its new ultra-high-resolution sensor to its improved optical switches to its redesigned wireless dongle, the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro is an all-around improvement and an excellent addition to Razer’s gaming portfolio. Whether you're a casual gamer or a hard-core one, you'll appreciate the DeathAdder's excellent ergonomics, lightweight body, and ease of use.

    Who It's For

    Esports gamers: The DeathAdder V4 Pro is an essential tool for serious competitive players. It offers ultra-high 45,000dpi tracking, an 8,000Hz polling rate, and Razer's updated dongle, which lets you tap into Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2 technology.

    Casual gamers: Even occasional gamers will appreciate the additional functionality packed into the DeathAdder, including Razer Exchange, a program within Razer Synapse used to streamline workflows with prebuilt macros for a range of tasks.

    Specs & Configurations

    Hand Orientation Right-Handed
    Interface 2.4GHz Wireless
    Interface USB Wired
    Number of Buttons 5
    Power Source Internal Battery
    Sensor Maker and Model Razer Focus Pro 45K Optical Sensor
    Sensor Maximum Resolution 45000
    Warranty (Parts and Labor) 2
    Weight 2
    Get It Now
  • Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE
    Best Gaming Mouse for MMOs

    Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • High-quality build and comfortable shape
      • Adjustable 12-button thumb grid
      • Excellent battery life with three connection modes
      • Responsive sensor and optical switches
      • Includes USB-C cable and dongle storage
      • Expensive
      • Software has a learning curve
      • Large size may not fit all users

    Why We Picked It

    The Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE is a high-end gaming mouse built with a clear focus on MMO and MOBA players. Packed with 16 programmable buttons, three connectivity modes, a high-performance optical sensor, and support for Elgato Stream Deck integration, this gaming mouse is one of Corsair’s finest. The additional buttons make it a great choice for both gaming and productivity. Whether you’re grinding for levels or just streaming content, the Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE gets the job done.

    Who It's For

    MMO players: If you enjoy MMOs like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV, you'll find a lot to love in the Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE.

    Streamers: The additional buttons on the Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE aren't just for deploying macro shortcuts in-game. They're handy productivity tools for content creators, too.

    Specs & Configurations

    Hand Orientation Right-Handed
    Interface 2.4GHz Wireless
    Interface Bluetooth
    Interface USB Wired
    Number of Buttons 16
    Power Source Internal Battery
    Sensor Maker and Model Corsair Marksman S 33K Optical Sensor
    Sensor Maximum Resolution 33000
    Warranty (Parts and Labor) 2
    Weight 4.02
    Get It Now
  • Corsair M75 Wireless Lightweight RGB Gaming Mouse
    Best Gaming Mouse for Lefties

    Corsair M75 Wireless Lightweight RGB Gaming Mouse

    3.5 Good

    Pros & Cons

      • Excellent ambidextrous design, with side-swappable buttons
      • Improved battery life
      • Includes RGB lighting
      • Max polling rate is low compared with other premium gaming mice
      • Significantly more expensive than wired version

    Why We Picked It

    You’d be surprised by how few truly ambidextrous mice there are, but the Corsair M75 Wireless Lightweight RGB Gaming Mouse is one of the finest. This gaming mouse is a great option for lefties. Even if we didn’t love it as much as the M75 Air, the M75 is still a very competent gaming mouse with excellent battery life, some slick RGB lighting, and swappable side buttons.

    Who It's For

    Ambidextrous gamers: Whether you're left-handed, right-handed, or like to use both, the Corsair M75 Wireless Lightweight RGB Gaming Mouse is more than up for the task.

    Gamers who want a mouse with RGB lighting: Who doesn't love that glow of RGB lights? The Corsair M75 adds a touch of RGB lighting that'll sync up to your games as you play.

    Specs & Configurations

    Hand Orientation Ambidextrous
    Interface 2.4GHz Wireless
    Interface Bluetooth
    Interface USB Wired
    Number of Buttons 5
    Power Source Internal Battery
    Sensor Maker and Model Corsair Marksman
    Sensor Maximum Resolution 26000
    Warranty (Parts and Labor) 2
    Weight 3.1
    Get It Now
  • Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini
    Best Mobile Gaming Mouse

    Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Lightweight
      • More portable than the full-size ROG Harpe Ace
      • Onboard dongle storage
      • 8,000Hz polling rate requires a separate purchase
      • No left-handed option

    Why We Picked It

    The Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini is an extraordinarily compact mouse that is great for competitive play. The mouse is smaller and lighter than the original Harpe Ace, but don’t let the size fool you. This tiny mouse crams a ton of improvements into its tiny shell, such as an incredibly high 42,000dpi sensor resolution and better battery life. It's a great mobile gaming mouse for most, but it isn't ideal for left-handed gamers.

    Who It's For

    Gamers always on the go: The Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini's tiny design and lightweight feel make it an excellent mouse to tuck in a book or tote bag when you're on the move.

    Esports pros who prefer claw-style grips: This little powerhouse mouse is designed for a claw-style grip (in which your fingertips grasp the body of the mouse), making it a great option for esports gamers who prefer this grip style.

    Specs & Configurations

    Hand Orientation Right-Handed
    Interface 2.4GHz Wireless
    Interface Bluetooth
    Interface USB Wired
    Number of Buttons 5
    Power Source Internal Battery
    Sensor Maker and Model ROG AimPoint Pro
    Sensor Maximum Resolution 42000
    Warranty (Parts and Labor) 1
    Weight 1.72
    Get It Now
The Best Gaming Mice for 2026

Compare Specs

Select Up To 3Select Up To 2
Our Pick
Rating
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.5 Outstanding
4.5 Outstanding
3.5 Good
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
Best For
Best Mainstream Wireless Gaming Mouse
Best Mainstream Wired Gaming Mouse
Best Budget Wireless Gaming Mouse
Best Budget Wired Gaming Mouse
Best Premium Gaming Mouse
Best Gaming Mouse for Esports
Best Gaming Mouse for MMOs
Best Gaming Mouse for Lefties
Best Mobile Gaming Mouse
Best Mainstream Wireless Gaming Mouse
Best Mainstream Wired Gaming Mouse
Best Budget Wireless Gaming Mouse
Number of Buttons
5766551655576
Interface
2.4GHz Wireless, USB WiredUSB WiredUSB Wired, Bluetooth, RF WirelessUSB WiredBluetooth, USB Wired, 2.4GHz WirelessUSB Wired, 2.4GHz WirelessUSB Wired, 2.4GHz Wireless, BluetoothBluetooth, USB Wired, 2.4GHz WirelessUSB Wired, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz Wireless2.4GHz Wireless, USB WiredUSB WiredUSB Wired, Bluetooth, RF Wireless
Hand Orientation
Right-HandedRight-HandedAmbidextrousRight-HandedRight-HandedRight-HandedRight-HandedAmbidextrousRight-HandedRight-HandedRight-HandedAmbidextrous
Sensor Maker and Model
Focus X 26K Optical SensorTurtle Beach Owl-EyePixArt PAW3395HyperX 26K SensorROG AimPoint ProRazer Focus Pro 45K Optical SensorCorsair Marksman S 33K Optical SensorCorsair MarksmanROG AimPoint ProFocus X 26K Optical SensorTurtle Beach Owl-EyePixArt PAW3395
Sensor Maximum Resolution
260002600026000260004200045000330002600042000260002600026000
Power Source
Internal BatteryWired USBInternal Battery, Wired USBWired USBInternal BatteryInternal BatteryInternal BatteryInternal BatteryInternal BatteryInternal BatteryWired USBInternal Battery, Wired USB
Weight
1.93.172.71.921.924.023.11.721.93.172.7
Warranty (Parts and Labor)
211212221211

Buying Guide: The Best Gaming Mice for 2026

Nailing down a high-quality gaming mouse is tricky without getting hands-on time with a given model. But to narrow your search, start by deciding which type of sensor you need. The two key sensor types are "optical" and "laser" sensors, but you can't apply absolutes when judging them. Your best bet is to try out a mouse in person, or to rely on formal reviews like ours, as well as online forums, for the skinny on how a mouse feels in specific play situations.

Less-expensive mice often use optical sensors, which offer good tracking sensitivity and map well on a variety of surfaces, including textured ones like cloth. Laser sensors, on the other hand, map onto the same or more kinds of surfaces (including some smooth or glossy ones that may give optical sensors fits), but they can be more finicky about rough surface textures. That said, we wouldn't let one kind or the other be the main reason you choose a mouse. Likewise, some vendors market branded versions of sensors that track, say, on glass or reflective surfaces. Don't take them too seriously, as you can solve any challenging mousing surface with...a $2 mousepad.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

More important to look for is a suitable resolution range, measured in dots per inch (dpi), that allows for fine-grained and wide-sweep tracking. Just as crucial is a button or toggle that lets you adjust the setting easily on the fly, rather than only in software. Sometimes this button is on the top of the mouse for fast changes; on other mice, it's on the underside for resolution changes outside the flow of the game. Which one you want depends on your style of gameplay. (More about resolution switching in a moment.)

The numbers you see in terms of mouse resolution, though, are less crucial. Mouse resolution is mostly a marketing numbers game. You would use extreme dpi settings in the five-figure range only if you have one or more very high-pixel-count displays, such as 4K monitors, to mouse across. So don't put a whole lot of stock, say, in a 16,000dpi maximum setting versus a 14,000dpi one. Either will serve you well under most real-world circumstances.


Should My Gaming Mouse Be Wired, or Wireless?

Gaming mice are either wired or wireless in design, but most of today's high-end models still, surprisingly, use an old-school USB cable to connect to your computer.

For a long time, competitive gamers strongly preferred wired gaming mice to wireless ones to eliminate perceived latency and the risk of a battery running down in the midst of a heated match. Many serious players still hold that bias, but Razer, Logitech, and others have released higher-end mice with low latency ratings that ought to satisfy all but the most extreme gamers. (See our favorite wireless mice.)

More the issue is knowing how your mouse connects to its host. The three main possibilities are USB (via a typical cable), USB (wirelessly, via an RF USB dongle), or Bluetooth (also wireless, usually via the host's built-in Bluetooth radio). Bluetooth is the least common of the three among gaming mice; it's more common in productivity or mobile mice. Note that some wireless models with rechargeable batteries come with a USB charging cable that can double as a mouse cable while you're juicing back up, letting you continue using the mouse with the battery depleted.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

The key thing here is to know what you're getting and to make sure you have the appropriate port free (or Bluetooth support). If you opt for a cabled mouse, don't forget to check the cable length. Is it long enough to reach from a PC tower on the floor to your desk? Is it six feet long, but only needs to run from your mouse pad to the laptop beside it? Also, look at the cable itself. A braided nylon or cloth cover is more durable than a standard rubber coating.


Are Special Gaming Mice for Specific Kinds of Games Worth It?

Yes. "Niche" gaming mice and gaming-mouse features are definitely a thing, and serious players of particular game genres will find them worth looking into.

The best gaming mice offer comfort and customization that will please a wide range of users, but in some cases, their core features revolve around specific types of games. Blazing away in a firefight, staving off an advancing horde in a real-time strategy (RTS) title, or commanding an NFL franchise: Game genres have specific needs, and some mice outright target specific ones.

Mice aimed at first-person shooters, for one, tend to feature ratcheting scroll wheels—letting you cycle accurately through your arsenal without selecting the wrong weapon—and on-the-fly resolution switchers mentioned earlier. The latter will help you snap-change between the broad tracking you need in a frantic shootout and the tight control for lining up a precision shot. (Sometimes this feature is dubbed something like Sniper Mode, and it may involve a dedicated button for getting granular.)

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Mice designed for RTS and MMO games, on the other hand, look quite different. The most extreme come outfitted with an array of 10 or more programmable buttons. Usually set just under the tip of the thumb, these buttons can serve as simple shortcut triggers, or be programmed to execute longer macro commands. (For more on these mice, see our specialized guide to the best mice for MMO games.)

Another, newer niche variety is mice aimed at esports players and professionals. The games they play vary widely, so there is a lot of crossover between these and MMO or other more generic gaming-mouse types. Indeed, many esports players don't feel the need to gravitate to an "esports-specific" mouse at all, and find that general-use gaming mice work just fine.

Nonetheless, a subgenre of esports mice has emerged that emphasizes a light body weight and a simple design, in terms of buttons and overall sculpting. At the extreme, some lightweight esports mice have holes molded into their shells to reduce the mouse's mass, making it faster to move or flick. (See our guide to our favorite esports mice.)


What Should I Look for in Mouse Software?

Just as crucial as shortcut buttons and tracking-speed toggles is the software utility, if any, that the mouse maker provides for the hardware.

All of the major (and some of the minor) gaming-gear manufacturers have developed their own mouse-control customization software, which usually encompasses advanced macro programming. Often, the software also lets you control and customize a gaming keyboard from the same brand. In addition to recording macro commands, these software dashboards let you activate premade, game-specific profiles; create your own profiles; and adjust on-mouse lighting/LED bling, if any. Many also offer presets for non-gaming use, letting you leverage your mouse's programmability in Excel or Photoshop when you're not blowing up starships or hapless zombies.

(Credit: Corsair)

At this point, the major mouse makers' software packages have been through generations of refinement, so they are slick. Logitech G Hub, Corsair Utility Engine (iCUE), and Razer Synapse are among the best-regarded mouse- and keyboard-control utilities that cater to gamers. All offer advanced tweakability, with iCUE regarded by many users and reviewers as the deepest, but also the trickiest to master.

A few less common items are worth looking for if you're a serious mouse tweaker. The software might control "lift distance," or how far you can raise a mouse off the pad or desk before it stops tracking. A slider, or better yet, a wizard-style setup function, will dictate this in the utility, if present. Another feature is surface calibration, in which the mouse software runs a routine that optimizes the mouse and its sensor for the texture and traits of your mousing surface. On the even more esoteric side: support for angle snapping (a movement-compensation feature that helps you move the mouse in straight lines) and for designating different resolutions for the X and Y axes (say, for faster tracking only side to side, to traverse a vast landscape in a real-time strategy gameworld).

(Credit: Razer)

Know that the presence or absence of a dedicated control utility is a big differentiator between low-end and high-end gaming mice. Some cheap gaming mice will come with no software of their own. Without such a utility, you'll be able to customize mouse commands only within a game (via its in-game menus) or in your computer's mouse settings. That's not necessarily a bad thing; just know what you are getting, or not getting.

Don't worry, Apple fans: Plenty of gaming mice are Mac-compatible, including their configuration software. We've tracked down the best gaming mice for Macs so you can take advantage of all those software perks.


What Is the Right Shape and Weight for My Gaming Mouse?

For increased comfort, some gaming mice allow you to customize their actual bodies to your hand. Removable weights, often resembling small steel pills, are common in better gaming mice. Adding or removing these weights from slots inside the mouse body will shift the overall feel and the amount of drag. Some models take this even further, letting you adjust the center of balance or change the height and pitch of the palm rest.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Body tweaks more radical than that are rare, but a few models have swap-out side grips that snap or screw onto the left or right edge. Swapping out sides might enable you to adjust the mouse to your personal grip "style," or to compensate for different hand sizes, if the mouse will be used by more than one person.

Finally, note that most gaming-mouse designs sculpted for a specific hand are designed for right-handed users. Few and far between, alas, are the models that are just for lefties. The most that a left-handed user can hope for is a good ambidextrous design.


Ready to Buy the Right Gaming Mouse for You?

Finding the best gaming mouse for you comes down to knowing your preferred game style, deciding whether you'll use more complex features, and then tweaking the chosen mouse to your specific tastes. Our advice above and our spec breakout should arm you with what you need to find your next favorite gaming mouse.

Looking to round out your gaming setup? Check out the guides to our favorite gaming keyboardsmonitors, and headsets. And if you need to buy a new rig, you'll want to read about our top-rated gaming desktops and laptops.

About Our Experts

John Burek

John Burek

Executive Editor and PC Labs Director

My Experience

I have been a technology journalist for almost 30 years and have covered just about every kind of computer gear—from the 386SX to 64-core processors—in my long tenure as an editor, a writer, and an advice columnist. For almost a quarter-century, I worked on the seminal, gigantic Computer Shopper magazine (and later, its digital counterpart), aka the phone book for PC buyers, and the nemesis of every postal delivery person. I was Computer Shopper's editor in chief for its final nine years, after which much of its digital content was folded into PCMag.com. I also served, briefly, as the editor in chief of the well-known hard-core tech site Tom's Hardware.

During that time, I've built and torn down enough desktop PCs to equip a city block's worth of internet cafes. Under race conditions, I've built PCs from bare-board to bootup in under 5 minutes. I never met a screwdriver I didn't like.

I was also a copy chief and a fact checker early in my career. (Editing and polishing technical content to make it palatable for consumer audiences is my forte.) I also worked as an editor of scholarly science books, and as an editor of "Dummies"-style computer guidebooks for Brady Books (now, BradyGames). I'm a lifetime New Yorker, a graduate of New York University's journalism program, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

The Technology I Use

I use a lot of computers on rotation in my daily work, but I rely on just a few to get things done. I split my work life mostly between a Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 (a 15-inch Ryzen model), paired with a Lenovo ThinkVision portable monitor, and a custom-built big-chassis Windows 10 desktop PC that has served me well for years now. (Specs: Liquid-cooled Intel Core i7-6950X Extreme Edition, 32GB of RAM, and a GeForce GTX 1080 card.) That's all in a giant chassis with six hard drives and SSDs packing its bays. (As I upgrade systems, I just keep moving the old warhorse drives over.) This behemoth is hooked up to a 32-inch LG monitor.

I also have a bunch of PCs around the house, all custom builds: another one attached to my main TV (for gaming and occasional forays into VR), a mini-PC on the bedroom TV (acting as a media server), and a Mini-ITX desktop in a corner of the living room...just because. I carry around an oversize OnePlus phone, but when I do long-haul travel, a vintage iPod Touch comes along, too, for old times' sake.

I wasn't always a PC guy. I cut my teeth on a cassette-drive-equipped Commodore VIC-20 in the 1980s. But I got serious with Apple desktops in the early 1990s, starting with a Macintosh SE, then a Macintosh LC, and finally one of the short-lived Umax "clone" Macs, before building my first PC and never looking back.

With all my typing and editing work over the years, I've become a huge proponent of thumb trackballs, which minimize wrist action (and my wrist pain). I have a secret cache of the long-discontinued Microsoft Trackball Optical Mouse (my personal favorite), held in an undisclosed location.

Read full bio

Zackery Cuevas

Zackery Cuevas

Writer, Hardware

My Experience

I’m a PCMag reviewer and ISF-certified TV calibrator focused on computer accessories, laptops, gaming monitors, and video games. I’ve been writing, playing, and complaining about games for as long as I remember, but it wasn’t until recently that I’ve been able to shout my opinions directly at a larger audience. My work has appeared on iMore, Windows Central, Android Central, and TWICE, and I have a diverse portfolio of editing work under my belt from my time spent at Scholastic and Oxford University Press. I also have a few book-author credits under my belt—I’ve contributed to the sci-fi anthology Under New Suns, and I’ve even written a Peppa Pig book.

The Technology I Use

My rig consists of an Intel Core i7-10700K processor, a GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. I also use an Alienware AW3225QF 4K QD-OLED monitor, a SteelSeries Apex Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, and a Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K mouse. For work, I use the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% keyboard and the Logitech MX Master 3S mouse. When I’m not on my main computer, you’ll find me cycling among my Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.

In addition to my physical gear, I use Google Drive heavily to keep track of all my writing and Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. I’m an iPhone user, but aside from my Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds, I’ve largely avoided being sucked too deeply into Apple’s ecosystem (at least right now). I do my best to remain platform-agnostic.

That said, I’ve been a Nintendo fanboy since the N64, though my first console was the Sega Genesis. I love retro gaming and own a wide variety of classic consoles, including a Nintendo Entertainment System, a Super Nintendo, a GameCube, a Wii, multiple older PlayStations (1, 2, and 3), an Xbox 360, and a Sega Dreamcast.

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