Getting the best mouse isn’t just so you can have the fanciest peripherals on the block. While $10 mice you can get at some random store may satisfy your pointing and shooting needs, they just won’t be enough if you care at all about your wrists and shoulders, not to mention your productivity.
In fact, if you’re in front of your computer or laptop for extended periods of time, not just any old mouse will do. Cheap pointing devices might barely get you by, but the best mouse will offer a much superior performance, build, and ergonomics. It will give you a smoother, more integrated computing experience and come with some great features that you won’t get with the more mediocre options. Perhaps most importantly, it will be kinder to your wrist and shoulders.
Regardless of your computer, whether it’s a desktop computer or a laptop, treat yourself to the best mouse you can get your hands on. Whether you’re looking for the best wireless mice or the more traditional wired ones, gaming mice or ones geared toward productivity, we have our top picks of 2021 to help you decide which one is best for you. You may have to spend a little more, but know that you will end up with one that’s a better value.
- These are the best keyboards of 2021.
- Here are our top picks for the best gaming keyboards.
The follow-up to the Logitech MX Master 2S takes the best things about the mouse and improves on them. If you do a lot of creative and productivity work on your computer, then this might just be the best wireless mouse for you. The Logitech MX Master 3 will help make your workflow more seamless, whether your work entails having several browser tabs and applications open or involves Photoshop and Lightroom for photo editing. It’s a tad pricey, but also totally worth it considering the overabundance of features – from the 7 buttons and dials to its 70-day battery life at full charge, connectivity to 3 devices, MagSpeed Smartshift Wheel and Darkfield Tracking. Plus, the Logitech MX Master 3 is also 5x more precise than your typical mouse.
Why go for the mediocre when you can have a productivity mouse that’s both stunning, feature-rich and extremely functional? 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. Of course, being the modern professional or creator that you are, you do things in style, and this mouse has that covered as well with its gorgeous and sleek white on gray design.
Read the full review: Razer Pro Click
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. To match the aesthetic of your existing rig, it also comes in eight different shades. The best part? It’s only less than $50.
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, especially if you’re a digital creator who values seamlessness. This wireless mouse isn’t just designed to be super portable; it’s also 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 it’s worth the added cost. It even comes with three different shades so it can match your aesthetic.
Read the full review: Logitech MX Anywhere 3
- After finding a great mouse, get the best keyboard
Ergonomic mice don’t have to come with a higher price tag. The Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse is proof of this. But it’s more than just a comfortable grip, natural hand position, and light weight that this Bluetooth mouse offers. It also comes with two programmable buttons, a battery life of up to 15 months, and multi-device connectivity – up to three devices can be connected at the same time.
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, responsive, and 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. Sadly, it’s not rechargeable, but the fact that it gives you about 24 months of battery life does help.
When Apple isn’t busy making very expensive phones and even more expensive PC powerhouses like the new Mac Pro 2019, it’s hard at work crafting one of the strangest yet most effective mice we’ve ever laid our hands on.
If you find yourself doing a double take when looking at the specs, as there are no buttons on the Magic Mouse 2. This mouse is completely controlled by gestures, giving it all the benefits of a trackpad, as well as a mouse.
Don’t let its odd design and annoying tongue twister moniker fool you. The Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical mouse is only off putting until you get your hands on it. From the moment you start using this mouse, you’ll know it’s the best mouse for you. Sure, it’s built a little more cheaply than other ergonomic mice. But look at it this way: it’s an affordable way to prevent RSI.
Competitive fast-paced games require a gaming mouse that can keep up, and for that, you’d want to take a look at the Razer Viper 8K. This is among the fastest and most responsive gaming mice out there, thanks to its 8,000Hz polling rate and <0.125ms click latency. It’s also inherited the Razer Viper line’s impressive build as well as the ambidextrous design that some of its models come with. You'll need a speedy monitor to get the full benefit from the Viper 8K though, but if you need the most responsive mouse possible, this is the best one for you.
Read the full review: Razer Viper 8K
Delivering top-notch wireless gaming performance with impressive accuracy and responsiveness, the Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed is, without a doubt, the best wireless mouse we’ve tested in 2021 so far. But, unlike their wired counterparts, wireless gaming mice need to tick a few other things to be truly good – namely, battery life, an affordable price and reliable connectivity. In those, this Razer peripheral excels as well. This gaming mouse can run up to 450 hours on a single AA battery, for instance. And, while it may not be the cheapest option out there, it’s certainly more than reasonable for anyone who’s serious about gaming.
Read the full review: Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed
- These are the best gaming mice of 2021