A mouse is a key for gaming. And hence you must choose the right mouse if you are a devoted gamer. A gamer tends to seek the correct number of buttons, the right grip for his hand according to his hand size, and wishes for a sturdy mouse that will bear the pressure exerted in gaming. Therefore, regular mice just aren’t good enough for it. To choose the right mouse for yourself, you need to run your fingers across many mice, and what better way to do it than to go across product reviews?
Why Choose a Gaming Mouse Instead of a Regular One?
Mice that are specifically designed for gaming, have different features as compared to regular mice. Users draw away from gaming mice because, in the market, they are fairly high priced but if you do proper research there can be a cheap gaming mouse available in the market as well.
The reason for them being expensive is that they are more sensitive toward user input and are more responsive as well. Another main difference between regular mice and gaming mice is that gaming mice usually have a greater number of buttons as they are used by gamers to execute different functions within their games. Since gaming mice are sturdy they tend to last longer and are equipped with features and sensors that regular mice lack.
Hence, despite the fact that they are tough on the pocket, these mice are worth their price, especially for devoted gamers.
Product Reviews
Here are a number of gaming mice available in the market that rank best and are facilitated with state-of-the-art technology and the latest features available in the market, that are bound to enhance and improve your gaming experience.
1. Razer Deathadder v2
Razer Deathadder v2 offers great speed and smoothness since it’s powered by a 20k DPI optical sensor which assures great sensitivity. However, this does compromise your accuracy as it moves very fast. I use it for Autocad because I love the center click wheel feel. The wire isn’t braided though but that doesn’t matter much as there is a braided sleeve wrapped over the wire which makes running the mouse across the mouse pad easy.
Sadly, the “8 programmable buttons” include the buttons even regular mice offer. So basically, there are only two extra side keys for gaming installed on the left side of the mouse which you can click with your thumb. On the bright side, it feels sturdy despite being lightweight and offers Chroma RGB lighting with good rubberized side grips. It works fine for people with big hands too. One of the best things about this mouse is the way its grips are attached; they do not fall off even while cleaning.
2. Logitech G5O2 Lightspeed
Logitech G502 is absolutely smooth and lag-free with credit to its 25K powerful DPI sensor that gives it ultra sensitivity. Amazingly, it’s also a Wireless gaming mouse and is therefore easy to use while gaming. However, it seems to be overpriced. I have around 10 high-end mice and have disposed of them with time but Logitech G502 Lightspeed seems to be a perfect choice.
Logitech has redesigned the mouse with a completely new look and has equipped it with a better battery time. It offers about 11 buttons and comes with RCB lighting. It’s a relatively lightweight mouse for a wireless mouse and the software it provides. It can however cause the double click issue which is upsetting but is a problem given by most gaming mice. Logitech does provide tunable weights with the device though, which makes it easy to change the weight of the mouse as per demand.
3. Roccat Burst Pro
Roccat has lived up to its name after creating this wonderful mouse. Its top quality and ultra-light weight make it easy to scroll across and use smoothly while gaming. The skates provided by Roccat allow the mouse to glide over the plane. They also send an extra set of skates which is very handy. It isn’t a Wireless gaming mouse though. Roccat Burst Pro is a cheap gaming mouse as compared to its counterparts available in the market for greater prices, so it’s easier to purchase and seems to be pocket friendly. It’s a good package all in all.
Amazingly, most companies aren’t able to master the right-hand size for mice, Roccat Burst Pro seems to be good for smaller hands yet a good fit for larger ones too. Like most other gaming mice Roccat Burst Pro also offers RGB lighting which adds an aura to the overall gaming experience. However, one thing that is irritating is its Titan Scroll Wheel. It is slightly harder to click, it requires more pressure to be exerted for it to register a click.
4. Corsair Nightsword RGB
Corsair Nightword RGB comes in a pretty neat design, it gives the look of a “gaming mouse”. Unlike most mice, however, it is wired. It’s a good thing that being wired, your mouse connection remains stable and uninterrupted. It runs on 18K DPI, which is good enough. It is better than 12K DPI or less but is however less than mice that provide up to 25K DPI. The gaming experience is therefore smooth. It’s good to know that Corsair Nightsword is a budget gaming mouse. It isn’t as expensive as some overpriced mice.
I think this mouse is best suited for users with large hands, as it is difficult to grip or even reach the buttons you require, with smaller hands. Like most other gaming mice, Corsair Nightsword RGB also comes with RGB lighting that makes gaming interesting and fun. There are chances of coming across a double click issue like most mice tend to have. This can become problematic.
5. Roccat Kone Pro Air
One thing that is beneficial here is the fact that Roccat Kone Pro Air is pretty lightweight. It weighs only 66g. It’s a smooth-running mouse as it is powered by an Owl-Eye 19K DPI optical sensor, which makes gaming lag free. Sadly, despite it being a Wireless gaming mouse the wireless connection starts stuttering sometimes which makes gaming tough but since it has an option of attaching a USB cable and converting it into a wired mouse, it can be compensated, but again, it is an issue that Roccat should be paying attention to.
The shape of the mouse is such that it becomes easy to grip and its lightweight eases things further. The scroll wheel is problematic sometimes as it scrolls up while scrolling down. However, the battery span is amazing as it lasts for days if you’re not a gaming addict. It has a 100+ hour battery life and is equipped with vivid AIMO 16.8 million color RGB lighting. Roccat has done well on this product if it only fixes the scrolling issue.
6. Glorious Model O
It’s a sad thing for people with smaller hands, as the Glorious Model O isn’t made for small hands. It’s easier to use by gamers with medium to large hands. So, this mouse seems to glide smoothly across with its glides.
Although the Glorious Model O isn’t a wireless mouse, its cable is flexible which makes it feel like it’s moving as an extension of your hand. This company also gives a 180-day replacement guarantee and a 2+ year warranty. So you can easily contact them if needed. The price on the other hand isn’t that of a cheap gaming mouse.
It felt like a great mouse to use. However, the connection problems do arise sometimes making gaming difficult as the mouse temporarily disconnects from the computer. The mouse gives amazing lighting with its RGB lighting though considering the fact that it weighs only 67g. The cable is good as it doesn’t mess up the gaming since it has very little friction with the surface and hence the Glorious Model 0 glides across the surface making it easy to indulge in gaming.
7. CORSAIR SABRE RGB Pro Champion Series
Corsair has done well in shape on this mouse. It feels easy to grip and works smoothly while gaming. It does have a fast responsive input like Corsair said it would. However, as compared to many other gaming mice it does have comparatively fewer buttons. It features 6 buttons and also comes with RGB lighting, which goes out of control sometimes. Amazingly though, despite the fact that Corsair Sabre RGB Pro is a wired mouse, its cable reduces the drag with its flexible paracord weave cable.
As compared to other mice, Corsair has done well on speed since it’s powered by 8000Hz hyper-polling. It works well with the iCue engine.
It feels lightweight too as it weighs 74g but it is slightly heavier than other gaming mice in the market.
It’s running in good competition with other similar devices but seems to be priced higher than others.
All in all, Corsair has done a good job with this device making it faster than other similar devices.
8. RAZER Naga Pro
The Razer Naga Pro is relatively more expensive as compared to other gaming mice, but it seems to be so because of its interchangeable side plates that host 19 programmable buttons. Razer has equipped this device with a good 5G optical sensor which allows the device to run pretty fast. Naga needs to work on certain things though as when the side plates are changed the device takes time to register the buttons. This can get annoying. Razer Naga Pro is powered by a 20K DPI optical sensor which gives very high sensitivity and good accuracy to the mouse. However, it has been giving problems and for this price, Razer should have done a better job. Removing and reattaching the plates is a very frustrating thing to do. Razer has, like all other gaming mice, brought in RGB lighting which enhances the aura of gaming. It does support 16.8 million color combinations which include some preset ones too.
9. ASUS ROG Spatha
A SUS ROG SPATHA provides smooth mouse tracking but is rather a heavy mouse. The feel is good as it looks sturdy and is well built when it comes to the structure. It powers on an 8200 DPI sensor, which is less compared to others available in stores. It’s interesting to note though that it provides both a wired as well as a wireless connection which is helpful if one wants to go from wireless to wired. It also sorts of works as a backup. It brings sad news for left-handers as this mouse is specifically designed for right-hand use.
A SUS ROG SPATHA comes with magnetic charging, it snaps on easily with the charger making it easy to charge the mouse, as compared to Naga’s previous devices which fell off charging. Amazingly, it provides a number of profiles for a 3 zone RGB lighting and supports a lot of buttons, more specifically “12”. It has a built-in flash memory that helps store 5 profiles for audio and comes with replacement switches as well. It is a good device overall but does give in some lags and cursor hanging, which is an issue for gamers.
10. HYPERX PULSEFIRE HASTE
Hyperx Pulsefire Haste is very easy to handle for the fact that it’s lightweight but that kind of makes it feel weakly built too. It should have come in with some customizable weights but for this price range, it’s good. The Honey Comb Shell is helpful and yet harmful in many ways too. It allows the mouse to get a good light feel but makes it susceptible and vulnerable to spills such as water that might enter the mouse and cause malfunctioning.
Hyperx Pulsefire Haste comes with 6 programmable buttons and is run by an optical sensor of 16K DPI. The paracord material allows the wire to reduce tension between it and the table making the mouse easy to use for gaming. With the features, it provides this mouse is certainly a cheap gaming mouse. The PTFE skates help the mouse to glide across the surface. Sadly, it only provides one DPI button for setting which is quite a bummer.
11. ROCCAT KAIN 120 AIMO
Roccat Kain 12 Aimo is a mid-range gaming mouse. It’s more expensive compared to some budget gaming mice such as the Roccat Burst Pro. It is comfortable to use due to its ergonomic features such as the textured grips. Although the Roccat Kain 120 Aimo is a wired gaming mouse, the wire is quite bendable and stays in the position it has been set. It has really bright RGB lighting. If you’re a fan of bright lights, this is the one for you. There is a problem with the scroll wheel though, after some time of use it scrolls up before continuing to scroll down. This is problematic when it comes to gaming. This issue though is not limited to this device but rather is given by most gaming mice.
The shape feels generic and it provides decent precision and accuracy in clicking too.
12. Logitech G203 Lightsync
Logitech’s G203 Lightsync provides 8000 DPI, which is okay, when it comes to sensitivity and accuracy but is pretty less if you compare it with other gaming mice that provide up to 25K DPI. For a cheap gaming mouse, it serves well. The DPI can be changed through 5 DPI settings.
The RGB lighting can be altered in its patterns too, as per the profiles Logitech provides. However, its compatibility with MAC is somehow questionable. When I plug it in and load ‘“G Hub”, it just says “not connected”. It seems to be plugged in and recognized but doesn’t work.
G203 Lightsync comes with 6 programmable buttons. It also offers screen Mapping and audio visualization via G Hub. Also, it’s comfortable for people with small hands, and large ones too, unless you have extra large hands. The cord makes gaming comfortable and easy since it’s made of rubber.
13. Corsair Ironclaw RGB
Corsair Ironclaw RGB supports an 18K DPI sensor which is pretty good as compared to the DPI sensors mouse mice have hence giving great accuracy and high sensitivity. Corsair mice usually provide RGB lighting and hence the same is the case for Iron Claw RGB/. It provides a Two-Zone RGB Backlighting with a profile you can use to match the setup.
Corsair has given 7 buttons here in this device, however, despite this, although they are easy to configure, they miss out on their function while gaming.
This mouse, though, more specifically focuses on FPS and MOBA gamers. It is rather heavy as it’s designed for large hand, palm gamers. It becomes really hard to grip for small hands and the buttons become unreachable. So if you’re a small-handed gamer I wouldn’t recommend this device. It can be connected via a wireless and also runs well while wired. The Bluetooth connection didn’t give an issue and the connection was smooth throughout.
14. Steelseries Sensei 310
Steelseries Sensei 310 gaming mouse works well as a gaming mouse with a sensor designed with a CPI of 12K. It supports both claw and palm grip styles but the design seems to be made for larger hands and not medium or small ones. The RGB lighting here is a two-zone multi-colored one with multi-colored RGB illumination. Although the mouse seems lightweight, it doesn’t seem like it’s hollow from within. So despite the lightweight, it has a firm feel. There is one problem though, the glue from within the rubber sides may start to ooze out after a few weeks making the grips slip off. The body inside is smooth and hence this flaw affects the gaming experience. Steelseries should work on this.
The clicks feel good on the buttons and the resistance is medium therefore making it easy to use. As compared to other mice the scroll wheel does pretty good and is one of the easiest to use.
15. Razer Viper Ultimate Wireless
Razer Viper Ultimate wireless is powered by a 20K DPI optical sensor which makes it amazingly fast in sensitivity and accuracy. The left and right switches cause some issues though. Razer has made this mouse lightweight, weighing only 74g, and is equipped with 8 programmable buttons. The mouse has an amazing battery span of 70 hours and a dock that charges it looks totally amazing. The price is high though and it can not be considered as a budget gaming mouse. It’s overpriced in this respect but does provide a number of features that other cheaper mice don’t.
The grips that Razer has to offer for these mice are super grippy even when compared to Logitech mice. The grips enhance the gaming experience. The buttons too, on the other hand, are soft and easy to handle while gaming.
16. Logitech G Pro Wireless
Logitech has designed this mouse to be wireless and yet provides RGB lighting with it. Its speed is amazing. It has the power to deliver an amazing 1-millisecond report rate connection. The best part about Logitech G Pro Wireless is the sensitivity and speed it has to offer. It is powered by a 25K DPI sensor which is the best one on the market. Logitech has been keen here to keep it lightweight despite the features it provides.
Logitech G Pro weighs only 80 grams making it remarkably lightweight. It provides a 50 million click durability and has an amazing ergonomic design making gaming easier and more enjoyable. One issue that is pretty annoying though, is that it starts to double click accompanied by slight problems in scrolling too. Logitech G Pro model is highly-priced but I think the features it gives pay it all.
17. Corsair Katar Pro XT
Corsair Katar Pro proved to be an ultra-lightweight gaming mouse weighing only 73 grams. It was easy to handle and deal with. The 18K DPI sensor provides high sensitivity and good accuracy. The DPI sensor is pretty good if you compare it with others in the market. Corsair gives 6 programmable buttons in this device and a cable made of paracord that makes it lightweight and drag-free. For FPS gaming and for enhancing one’s clicking speed Corsair Katar Pro XT does well. The Corsair Katar Pro is amazing when it comes to clawing grip and even for the fingertip style, especially for medium-sized palms. It gives a comfortable feel while gaming. The auto sleep feature though can be very annoying as the mouse sleeps over and over and is very disturbing while using the PC. The hard plastic finish, however, can get uncomfortable if you’re using it for a longer duration. The battery doesn’t last very long which is a drawback of Corsair Katar Pro Xt.
18. Razer Basilisk V2
Powered by an amazing 20K DPI sensor, Razer Basilisk V2 is a wired gaming mouse with 11 programmable buttons. Usually, mice tend to hold 6-7 buttons but Razer Basilisk caters to more.
The 20K DPI sensor accompanied by 11 programmable buttons is a lot for a mid-range device. It’s useful while gaming as it’s easy to switch DPI as per your requirement using the dedicated DPI buttons for gaming. Like most other Razer gaming mice, the Razer Basilisk V2 also provides RGB lighting which supports 16.8 million color combinations. The best part about the mouse though, is the thumb rest, not all gaming mice feature this. One thing that’s a definite setback is the way that Razer asks for data to log in to their online server, after installing their software. This allows them to collect user data and definitely makes one uncomfortable knowing the razor company can keep an eye on you.
19. Glorious Model D
Using the Glorious model D wasn’t a difficult task as the DPI settings and the RGB lighting controls were pretty easy to cater to. It’s ideal for medium to large hands and is ultra-lightweight, which makes it easy to use. Since it’s a wired mouse, drag can be an issue, but it’s good to know this model hosts a braided wire that is pretty smooth on the surface and doesn’t cause too much friction. The blades make things even better as they help the device glide on the surface, so all in all it doesn’t feel like a “wired” mouse. However, the quality of the mouse doesn’t seem too good. It is a mid-range device so it should provide better quality. The shape though is very fine and attractive. The overall feel is good. Glorious PC Gaming race does provide a two-year warranty so registering a complaint might become easy if there are any issues.
20. Cooler Master MM720
Cooler Master MM720 is comfortable to use and is fast. Not as fast as many gaming mice but in this price range it’s speedy and smooth since it’s powered by a 16K optical sensor which provides good accuracy and sensitivity. The mouse ultra weave cable slides across the table as it reduces tension between it and the surface. It’s lightweight too, due to its honeycomb design but that does make it more vulnerable and sensitive to spills and ultimately damage to the mouse’s interior. The cooler master provides a claw grip, for users who hold the mouse using their fingers this is very suitable. The RGB lighting can be customized through its profiles. The most amazing part though is its 32K DPI sensor making the device very sensitive. However, you can adjust it according to your will if you seek less sensitivity.
FAQs
1. Is 20K DPI good for gaming?
DPI stands for dots per inch, it’s a computer’s way of measuring physical distance. The more the DPI the more the sensitivity of your device. This high DPI is good in some cases but is not too necessary for gaming as the lower your DPI the better your accuracy. Most gamers, although having devices with high DPI, prefer to go for adjusting a lower DPI on their device as it helps them gain better control over their gaming mouse.
2. Which gaming mice are better, lightweight or heavily built?
Mice which are light in a structure are easy to move around and they help you increase your speed in gaming. The heavier a mouse is, the more the trouble of having to drag it around. So pro and expert gamers tend to go for rather lighter mice that do not compromise on quality.
3. Which mice are best suited for left-handed gamers?
The Razer Naga Left handed edition, specially designed for left-handed gamers, provides benefits for left-handed users. It gives incredibly handy thumb buttons for gamers who use their left hands for gaming. It provides 12 programmable buttons on the sides. Making it easy for left-handed people to play.
4. Which brands are best for gaming mice?
There are many brands available in the market that produce good gaming mice but the top-ranked are Logitech, Steelseries, Razer, and Roccat. Pro gamers usually use mice from these companies such as the Logitech G502, SteelSeries Sensei, and the Razer Death adder by Razer. Other than this, expert players also use the Zowie FK Series.
5. Is Corsair an expensive brand?
Corsair is a top-notch brand and it makes firm hardware that proves to be more functional when it comes to gaming. It uses raw materials that are rather expensive for manufacturing its products, to maintain good quality. Hence, the brand itself is expensive as compared to cheaper brands.
6. How is a gaming mouse any better than a regular one?
Gaming mice are specifically designed for gamers, who tend to spend most of their time on the PC. Hence gaming mice introduce better software and come with high CPI and DPI. They also provide GRB lighting and other cool features such as armrests to enable better gaming.
7. Which mouse is cheap yet good for gaming?
One of the best cheap gaming mice is the Steelseries Rival 100. It’s catchy and colorful. It comes in a variety of colors for you to choose from. Steelseries Rival is also very well built and is amongst the wired gaming mice available in stores.
8. How is a wired mouse better than a wireless one?
Wired mice are more responsive as compared to wireless ones since they depend on Bluetooth connections and hence their connection can be lost more easily. Wired mice are “wired” to the computer whereas wireless mice enable you to run your mouse freely over your desk.
9. Which gaming mouse is the most expensive?
The Mad Catz R.A.T Pro X3 ranges up to $220 which is the highest price a gaming mouse has so far. Most mice are available for $100 or more whereas mid-range mice range from $60 onwards. Some cheap gaming mice on the other hand can be even less than $50.
10. How can I get my gaming mouse repaired?
If your gaming mouse is in warranty you may contact the helpline of that particular brand for either a replacement or a spare part. Some brands are less responsive and do not cater to customers. If your mouse is out of warranty it is better to buy a new one.