Pair the best mouse with your gaming laptop or PC for comfort and a smoother workflow. Whether you’re strictly looking for a work machine, are a hardcore gamer, or are more creative-minded having the perfect mouse will prevent long-term pain and injury while you create content, work on spreadsheets, or indulge in hours-long gaming sessions.
Though you could simply purchase any old cheap mouse, investing in a more advanced mouse is far more reliable and long-lasting, more accurate, and more comfortable. And these are all vital traits for a piece of computing equipment that will see constant use. If a mouse doesn’t have an ergonomic design you could risk injuring your hand, wrist, or shoulder.
Those who are already investing in the best gaming keyboards and the best gaming laptops, in particular, will want to get the best mouse for their machines. And to make that process even easier, we’ve gathered some of the top choices that are sure to enhance your computer experience.
The best mouse 2022
Logitech has once again updated its MX Master series, with the MX Master 3S succeeding the popular MX Master 3. So, not only is it great for the line, but it keeps getting better.
Of course, the 3S doesn't take that lofty standing for granted, boasting the same versatility as its predecessors including those seven customizable buttons and three connectivity options. The battery life is also as long as ever, offering up to 70 days of charge, which is a boon to pros who loathe charging.
But, there are improvements here as well. During testing, we found it to be much quieter – 90% quieter, says Logitech. It also now comes with an 8000 DPI track anywhere sensor that lets it perform beautifully even on glass surfaces. We found this sensor to be more responsive and more accurate as well.
Read the full Logitech MX Master 3S review
Microsoft updated its Mobile Mouse and gave it a nice modern refresh – thus the name. It certainly looks like it, with a rounded rectangular look with a lower, thinner profile, a lighter weight, and an ambidextrous frame.
But, that’s not all. It also features Microsoft’s BlueTrack technology so you can skip those pesky mouse pads, as well as Bluetooth connectivity with up to 33 feet in range. Although we haven't fully tested this mouse, verified users have praised it for boasting effortless glide as well as an accurate, responsive performance. It has nice, clicky buttons that might be a little too loud for some, but those buttons are also extremely satisfying to press.
To match the aesthetic of your existing rig, it also comes in eight different shades. The best part? It’s only less than much less like it looks.
Why go for the mediocre when you can have a productivity mouse that’s both stunning, feature-rich and extremely functional? The Razer Pro Click is one of our favorites out of all the mice we've tested. If macros are your life – whether you use video editors a lot or heavily rely on graphics design – this is the mouse of your dreams, with 8 fully programmable buttons at your disposal.
Razer also gives it a whopping 16,000 DPI for the smoothest and fastest experience, and slaps on the multi-host connectivity because it knows that you’re a multi-tasking machine who uses several devices at once. This is one of the most responsive office mice we've ever tested, as well as the most comfortable to use.
Of course, being the modern professional or creator that you are, you do things in style. This mouse has that covered as well with its gorgeous and sleek white on gray design.
Read the full Razer Pro Click review
Ergonomic mice don’t have to come with a higher price tag. The Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse is proof of this. It’s also a terrific value, offering more than just a comfortable grip, natural hand position, and light weight that this Bluetooth mouse offers.
While we’re still in the process of reviewing this mouse, verified users on Amazon have praised it for its excellent performance. It’s just the right mouse for Windows users, whether they’re only using their PC for streaming, browsing, and sending emails or spending a full day of productivity.
Its battery life of up to 15 months is an absolute boon to most users, though those hoping to be able to recharge it will be disappointed. It also comes with two programmable buttons and multi-device connectivity – up to three devices can be connected at the same time.
Whether you're working at cafes or have a small desk, this follow up to Logitech’s MX Anywhere mouse is an excellent pointing-and-clicking companion. That's especially if you’re a digital creator who values seamlessness.
This wireless mouse isn’t just designed to be super portable. It's also been created to make your workflow go a lot smoother with fantastic features like three-device connectivity so you can switch from your laptop to your tablet to your phone with click of a tiny button, app-specific profiles and button customizations, and up to a whopping 70-day use on a full charge.
Some might feel that over $50 is pricey of a tiny mouse, and others would probably want to also invest in a proper mouse pad, but after testing it ourselves, we feel like it’s worth the added cost. It even comes with three different shades so it can match your aesthetic.
Read the full Logitech MX Anywhere 3 review
Take the pressure off your wrist, and let your thumb steer for a change. The Logitech Ergo M575 Wireless Trackball’s thumb control is smooth and responsive. More importantly, it keeps your wrist and arms comfortable and at rest. Adding to its comfort is the ergonomic shape of its palm rest, which reduces hand and arm fatigue.
We have yet to test this mouse ourselves, but it comes highly recommended by verified users, with some noting its improvement over the older M570 thanks to its heavier ball and studier build. Users also note an improvement in their wrist and arms, saying that it helped alleviate any discomfort they suffered from using a regular mouse.
Sadly, it’s not rechargeable. However, the fact that it gives you about 24 months of battery life should make up for that slight oversight.
When Apple isn’t busy making very expensive phones and even more expensive Mac and MacBook powerhouses, it’s hard at work crafting one of the strangest yet most effective mice we’ve ever laid our hands on.
Although we haven't finished our review of the Magic Mouse – long overdue, we know – we've been using ours for months now, and it's still the best mouse for productivity and creative workloads we've ever used. If you find yourself doing a double take when looking at the specs, as there are no buttons on the Magic Mouse. This mouse is completely controlled by gestures, giving it all the benefits of a trackpad, as well as a mouse.
The only thing that puts us off is that its charging port is on the underside, which means you cannot use it while charging. However, its battery life is long so you won't have to deal with that issue constantly.
The Logitech Lift Ergonomic Vertical Mouse might just alleviate any wrist or arm discomfort you suffer from, from regular mouse use. Whereas other mice are not exactly the best at keeping your mouse arm in its most optimal position, this vertical mouse from Logitech keeps it in its natural handshake position, which in turn help prevent RSI or repetitive strain injury.
It's also never too late to start using one. Even if you're not suffering from chronic pain from mouse usage, it's a great idea to start using one, especially if you do spend a lot of time on the computer.
While we haven't started testing this one, we've heard great things from users, some of them saying that not only has it reduced their pre-existing wrist pain, but it's also minimized fatigue. That makes it ideal for folks who spend long hours working as well.
The Razer Basilisk V3 is one of the most versatile and fastest gaming mice on the market. And, it's an excellent option for gamers looking for something with lots of features crammed inside.
Macro-loving gamers will appreciate its 11 programmable buttons, one of which is a multi-function trigger meant for executing essential actions, while those with a need for speed will love its 4-way HyperScrolling wheel and optical switches with 0.2ms actuation. Meanwhile, those who prioritize comfort above all else will appreciate its ergonomic design that comes with a thumb rest.
We found it comfortable to use during testing, the thumb rest offering enough support even in the most intense game moments. Of course, the optical sensors and optical mouse switch were just as impressive, delivering fast response time and high accuracy. Finally, wrapping all that in an appealing package is its RGB lighting with 11 zones that you can customize.
Read our full Razer Basilsk V3 review
The Roccat Burst Pro Air’s stellar performance will pull you in, even if its brilliant RGB lighting isn't enough to convince you. This mouse can handle even the most competitive of games, thanks to its sensor that sports up to a 19,000 DPI and optical switches that actuate at the speed of light. We even tested it with fast-paced games like Doom Eternal, and it performed swimmingly under pressure.
Better yet, it slides around like butter on our Secretlab desk mat so as long as you use a quality mousepad, it moves like a dream. It’s incredibly easy to customize as well, whether that’s remapping its six buttons, fine-tuning its four RGB zones, or adjusting the five different DPI settings accessible on-the-fly via its DPI button.
Of course, it’s not the cheapest option out there. We've also found that it doesn’t do well on many surfaces and the battery life is slightly shorter than advertised. But, none of those can keep it from being the best mouse out there if you want wireless gaming.
Read our full Roccat Burst Pro Air review
How to choose the best gaming mouse for you
Your mouse should function as an extension of your hand and arm, not a separate entity. You’ll want a mouse that can move and click as fast as you, without any lag time or lack of response. If you spend a lot of time at your computer, you might want to get an ergonomically designed mouse to alleviate and prevent pain in your hand, wrist, or shoulder.
If you can’t stand having cords connected to your computer, you may want to consider a wireless, Bluetooth mouse. However, there are also few things more annoying than a mouse that won’t connect, so you need to choose something that has a strong signal and minimal connectivity issues. Long battery life is also essential.
Beyond two clickers and a scroll wheel, the best mouse might have additional buttons that you can program to suit your computer needs. If you’re left-handed, you’ll want to invest in a mouse that’s ambidextrous or specifically designed with ergonomics for the left hand. If you’re a laptop user who travels frequently, you’ll want a mouse that is lightweight and travels easily. Above all, you’ll want to pick a mouse that fits in your price range and gets the job done without being overly expensive.
How we test mice
They might just be peripherals, but we take our mice testing seriously. After all, a computer can only be as good as it’s peripherals, and if you’re using a crappy mouse, your experience is never going to be as seamless.
So, we test every mouse that lands on our desk extensively, from its performance to its ergonomics to its features. First, we take a look at its design, not just how good it looks and how easy it is to use or setup, but how comfortable it feels in our hands – whether or not it’s too heavy, too light or just right, if it glides easily on most surfaces, and which grip styles it’s ideal for.
Then we test its performance, including speed, accuracy, and reliability, by using it in our day to day workloads and in gaming, especially if it’s a gaming mouse. We also check its buttons and scroll wheels to see how easy and comfortable they are to use. If you’ve been using a cheap mouse your whole life, you’ll certainly notice the difference between that and a great mouse. And, that’s what we look for here, regardless of whether it’s a productivity mouse or a gaming one, a wired mouse or a wireless one. If it’s wireless, however, we also test its connectivity, range and battery life.
Naturally, if a mouse has special features like customizable weight, programmable buttons, or RGB lighting, we check those as well to see just how good and useful they are. When all is said and done, we consider everything and compare it to the price to see if it’s a great value for our readers before we make our recommendation.
