7 Things to Consider Before Buying a Gaming Mouse. How to pick a good gaming mouse

A mouse with a close detachment distance will stop tracking almost immediately after it is lifted from the surface. A mouse with a greater detachment distance will still move the mouse a few millimeters from the surface so you can continue moving while you lift the mouse.

Best gaming mouse under $50 for 2022

You don’t have to spend a lot or sacrifice features and performance to get a good gaming mouse.

There are tons of gaming mice to choose from – so many gaming mice, in fact, picking one size and style is a lot more complicated than searching Amazon or Reddit lists for answers, especially if you’re on a budget. Below are some of our favorite cheap gaming mice that cost under $ 50.

If you’ve never purchased a gaming mouse before, you should head to the store if you have the opportunity to try it out before buying. Various factors are critical to the best possible gaming experience – such as ergonomic design, weight, wired or wireless connection, mouse sensor, number and position of buttons, degree of programmability or adaptability, wired or wireless connection, and, of course, lighting.

We’ll continue to test new mice as they become available, so expect the list of cheap gaming mouse options to change as we weigh the pros and cons of each. And if you also need a new gaming keyboard, here are our current picks for under $ 100 .

Glorious Model O gaming mouse

The Model O is on this list for a penny under $ 50. However, it’s definitely worth the extra cost if you’re looking for a fully functional ultra-light gaming mouse with RGB lighting. The honeycomb design cuts the weight down to just 67 grams, and the paracord-style cable gives it an almost wireless feel (though you can get an actual wireless version for $ 80).

Despite the lower price, the Model O has high-quality components such as Omron switches with a pronounced click response and a Pixart sensor with a DPI of up to 12,000. The four DPI settings are pre-programmed into the button on the top, but you can use the desktop app to set them in any way. The light at the bottom shows which position you are in. RGB lighting can be changed with the same application.

You will also find 100% polytetrafluoroethylene rollers that ensure smooth and precise movements. They’re small though, so if you really push on the top you’ll linger a bit on the fabric mouse pad. (Consider getting the Glorious’ Air Surface for the best speed.) The skates are easy to replace, as is the cable Glorious sells in eight color variations. Amazing mouse for the money.

Optical sensors are much more common and would be the better choice in most cases. It’s true that laser sensors used to be better because they were more sensitive, but that was years ago. Gradually, technology has done what technology does – developed and soon caught up with optical sensors.

1. Play Styles

Gaming mouse requirements depend on the type of game you’re playing. Accordingly, the game you are going to play will determine the features you consider most important for a gaming mouse. For example, RTS and MMO players will need extra buttons that can be assigned to alternative functions and macros compared to FPS players who focus on accuracy and fast tracking.

2. Type of Sensor

Choosing the best sensor for your gaming experience will depend on your personal preferences. The players are divided into laser and optical sensors. The pro-optical mouse argues that it is the best sensor for its ability to provide users with a more reactive sensor and gaming experience. In addition, unlike a laser mouse, an optical mouse does not show latency.

A mouse with a close detachment distance will stop tracking almost immediately after it is lifted from the surface. A mouse with a greater detachment distance will still move the mouse a few millimeters from the surface so you can continue moving while you lift the mouse.

Sensitivity – DPI

One particular entry in the spec sheet that many manufacturers just love to flaunt is DPI, or dots per inch, and it describes the sensitivity of the mouse. So how much is enough? One dot is equal to one pixel on the display, so does it really make sense to have a 16,000 DPI mouse even on a 4K screen?

Well, when it comes to using your computer on a regular basis, no it doesn’t. For games, however, extra DPI can come in handy.

Namely, the main advantage of having a high DPI mouse is the ability to adjust the sensitivity on the fly. This can be very useful, especially in shooters where precision is important. You can use a high DPI setting by default, but switch to a low DPI setting when you need to be more accurate, such as when using a sniper rifle.

Don’t think, however, that high DPI is necessarily a quality indicator. You’ll likely see a lot of cheap mice marketed as having unusually high DPI, and if that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. High DPI simply means the sensor is sensitive, not that it is accurate or reliable.

Regarding the minimum DPI resolution to aim for in a mouse, we believe it should be roughly equivalent to the horizontal resolution of the display. For example, it would be around 2,000 for a Full HD display, 2,500 for QHD, and 4,000 for 4K. As you probably know, gaming mice with this kind of DPI are not uncommon, so you won’t have to worry about shortcomings in this department.

In the end, DPI settings are mostly about personal preference rather than choosing the right hardware, as most gaming mice are more than enough DPI for modern displays. That said, as long as you stick to reliable models from reliable manufacturers, you won’t have to worry about a thing.

Connection – Wired vs Wireless

Moving on, we come to another important question: wired or wireless?

Of course, there are pros and cons.

Wired mice are definitely more popular, especially among gamers. They’re a bit cheaper, provide a more stable connection, and you never have to worry about charging them. The main downside to wired mice is – you guessed it – cable management.

Wireless mice, on the other hand, offer their own perks. The first and most obvious benefit of a wireless mouse is that it doesn’t have to be bothersome cables. This means a cleaner desk surface, but also a mouse that you can move around freely and even use away from your computer desk.

However, it comes at a price – literally. First, wireless mice tend to be more expensive, although the price difference is nowhere near as significant as it used to be. Moreover, as mentioned above, the wireless connection is not as stable and lag-free as a wired connection, as well as batteries that will need to be recharged or replaced.

That said, which is better for playing?

We are willing to go with the leads on this front. Wired mice are more affordable (albeit only slightly), offer better value for money, and there’s always the fact that a cable is more reliable than a wireless dongle.

We don’t recommend spending the extra money on a wireless mouse unless you actually plan to take advantage of its portability, such as if you intend to use it away from your desk or use the mouse on multiple devices.

Of course, you can still buy a wireless mouse just for the lack of a cable, but remember that a relatively cheap bungee mouse can also make your life a lot easier if you’re tired of grabbing the mouse cable all the time on the edge of your desk.

For this reason, you have to be careful about the marketing hype (and prices) surrounding high DPI mice. Most premium mice are able to reach around 5,000 DPI, and Razer began shifting its mice up to 6,400 DPI.

Sensor

Most gaming mice coming out today have great sensors, if you buy a reputable mouse you will likely get a flawless sensor and the best sensors stand out at these key things.

A good sensor will have the following characteristics:

• High DPI range accurate tracking
• No jitter
• No acceleration
• No prediction and angular attraction
• Quick poll
• Low lifting distance

There are a handful of sensors that have all of the above characteristics, and they can basically be called the ideal sensors.

Here’s what all these mouse sensor terms mean.

Dots per inch (DPI)/Counts per inch (CPI)

DPI is a measure of how sensitive a mouse is to motion. The higher the DPI value, the farther the cursor will move per inch as you move the mouse.

While the ideal DPI level for performance comes down to personal preference, most professionals prefer low DPI in order to be able to micro-adjust the target without having to move the mouse a few millimeters.

Most modern mice are able to track accurately at low DPI, but the problem with some mice at high DPI is that the sensor no longer tracks one-to-one motion and uses software to boost sensitivity, which can cause inaccuracies.

Jitter

Smooth line movement on the mouse pad should result in a smooth line on the screen. Jitter occurs when the sensor is unable to track in certain environments, for example some sensors interpolate (falsify) a higher sensitivity instead of actually tracking points per inch, which usually results in the mouse cursor bouncing.

If you’re playing on a non-standard surface such as glass, the sensor may have trouble tracking motion, which will also cause vibration or if a speck of dust gets on the sensor lens. An easy solution to both of these problems would be to use a mouse pad and clean the sensor with a blast of air.

Acceleration

The distance the mouse travels should always match the distance the cursor moves, which builds up muscle memory for consistency.

Acceleration is another way the software tries to help, acceleration moves the cursor faster and faster as you move the mouse faster. If you move the mouse 20 cm on the mousepad slowly with acceleration, the cursor will be in a different place if you move the mouse 20 cm fast.

It assumes you want to pass through the screen, so it helps you get it there faster and with less effort.

Prediction and Angle Snapping

Prediction is when your mouse software (or Windows software) tries to predict where you are going with your mouse and straighten a line.

Changing the angle happens when the mouse tries to anticipate your movements, which can make you miss the cute headshots.

The most common prediction problem is to position your mouse in Windows with a checkbox called “Increase Pointer Precision”, which is the exact opposite of what that sounds like, turn it off.

Poll Rate

The mouse polling rate shows how often the mouse reports to the computer, measured in Hz. The higher the polling rate, the more times the mouse speaks to the computer to report location and tracking. You need a mouse with a high polling rate, and most modern sensors have a good polling rate.

Buttons

There are two major button manufacturers, Omron and Huano. Omron switches are the majority of mice, and they do a good job.

Huano switches are a bit stiffer and have had some QA issues in the past, they are better suited for FPS games. If you made me choose, I would choose a mouse with Omron switches to keep it safe.

All gaming mouse companies tighten their buttons a bit differently, so for a cheap check what type of button press you prefer and what type of button press suits the type of games you like to play.

For RTS and MOBA games, you probably need a softer click with a clear click and low pitch, you need to be able to spam the click commands without getting tired.

For shooters (FPS and third person), purchasing mice with heavier buttons ensures that you won’t have any random shots or shooting skills that reveal your position, of course it depends on how heavily your hand rests naturally on the mice. With shooters, being tired shouldn’t be that big of a deal as you don’t click constantly.

A common button issue that you should look out for is double-click issues, all mice have them at a different rate.

The number of buttons depends on your preferences. I found that if you’re not playing MMOs, the standard set of 5 buttons, left, right, 2 sides, and a scroll click are more than adequate for most games.

Any other setting in the windows except the center one throws data or creates coordinate data that does not actually exist, increases or decreases motion.

Left Handed Or Right Handed

If you’re a left-handed player, your choices are sadly limited as the producers don’t seem to see enough profit margins to meet the needs of left-handed players. The vast majority of ergonomically designed gaming mice are only intended for right-handed gamers, but there are plenty of choices if you’re satisfied with using a two-handed mouse.

You’ll likely find a few left-handed mice on offer, but they generally don’t meet the requirements of a good gaming mouse (few buttons, low DPI). However, there is one left-handed gaming mouse that I can recommend and it is the Razer Deathadder. Available in left-handed and right-handed versions, the Deathadder boasts five programmable buttons and a resolution of up to 1800 dpi. I’ve been using the Deathadder for years and it’s one of the best mice I’ve ever had, so if you’re left-handed it’s definitely worth a try.

Claw Grip versus Palm Grip

There are basically two methods of holding the mouse. The first is a claw grip in which the mouse is held by the tips of the fingers and (almost) lifted over the surface of the mouse pad, which is favorable for small and light mice. The second is the palm grip, in which the hand rests on top of the mouse and slides it over the pad, and is more suitable for large mice.

Some mice will do both, but some mice are more suited to one or the other. For example, Razer has produced many mice that are small and well suited for claw-grabbing, such as the Copperhead and Krait. Logitech, on the other hand, tends to design larger mice that are more comfortable for hand-held users like the G500 and G700.

The Logitech G9 has a smart trick up its sleeve. It comes with two removable grips so you can change the shape of the mouse to fit your preferred grip. Saitek also tried to create a mouse for different hand sizes, namely Cyborg. It can be extended in length to accommodate both large and small hands. Both systems work surprisingly well, but you may be better off picking a different mouse if top comfort is a priority.

But every player is different and there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to how to play. To find out which mouse is right for you, we need to identify two key factors:

The best wired or wireless gaming mouse you can buy

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It can be difficult to find the right gaming mouse among all the options available. There are many factors to consider, such as appearance, handhold, button selection and placement, sensor quality, and whether you need a wireless or wired mouse. Insignificant as they may seem, these details can make a big difference in the use of the mouse you choose to buy. On the other hand, sometimes mice have features that are over the top and aren’t worth the extra cost.

If you’re looking for a wireless gaming mouse, you’ll need whatever your budget allows. We will make this decision easier for you. The best wireless gaming mouse is the Logitech G502 Lightspeed. It is the most versatile choice if you care about comfort, long battery life and the best selection and placement of buttons. But if you want any alternatives, you’ll find some new, solid competitors below that offer a variety of designs and features.

If you’re looking for the best wired gaming mouse, we recently made some major changes to this section. The Razer DeathAdder V2 was dethroned by a more extensive version of the Razer Basilisk V3. And for people who don’t want to spend $ 70, there is a cheaper alternative you can use.

Similar to our guide to the best gaming headsets, the following guide mainly focuses on newer models that are more likely to be seen on store shelves, as opposed to older models that can be harder to find in stock – even if they are still there worth the money.

The best wireless gaming mouse: Logitech G502 Lightspeed ($120)

Logitech G502 Lightspeed Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

The Logitech G502 Lightspeed is a great gaming mouse for discerning gamers who don’t want to compromise – or for casual users who just want a good, solid mouse. It’s convenient and feature-rich, and while it’s wireless, it’s a fast and accurate device that doesn’t come at a disadvantage compared to wired mice.

At $ 150, the best isn’t cheap (though you can sometimes find them for around $ 100 these days). But if you dismissed the idea of ​​investing in a high-end wireless mouse, no other model I tested in this buying guide made it so easy to justify its price. The G502 Lightspeed has the best features of Logitech’s gaming and general use mice rolled into one. The main buttons provide a satisfactory bounce response when touched and, unlike some other popular models, they click with ease no matter how your hand is on the mouse.

This mouse also has a quick release button, a feature borrowed from other Logitech consumer and gaming mice. By default, the scroll wheel moves down one webpage with each step, just like you expect the scroll wheel to work. Pressing the button releases the wheel holding mechanism, allowing it to freely float down the long side. It’s a minor feature, but it gives the mouse more versatility in certain situations, such as the ability to quickly scroll through your inventory while playing a game.

The G502 Lightspeed may not have the most inviting looks, but it’s amazingly comfortable to use. Photo Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Another nice feature is the inclusion of 16 grams of weights that can be inserted into the mouse to increase its resistance. Mouse weight depends on personal preference and may vary from game to game. This mouse is one of the few modern wireless devices that gives you the flexibility to add weight.

The fact that the G502 Lightspeed is wireless makes it much easier to take it with you wherever you go. But if you just can’t change the $ 150 price, I suggest you check out the $ 50 Logitech G502 Hero, which is the wired version of this mouse. It has almost all the features you’ll find in a wireless model – except, you know, wireless capabilities.

The most common prediction problem is to position your mouse in Windows with a checkbox called “Increase Pointer Precision”, which is the exact opposite of what that sounds like, turn it off.

How big your hand is

The first step in choosing the right gaming mouse is determining your mouse hand size.
Measure its length (palm and fingers together) and palm width to find out if your hand is large, medium or small.

SIZE	HAND LENGTH	HAND WIDTH
S	Less than 17 cm / 6.7 inch	7.5 – 8.5 cm / 2.9 – 3.3 inch
M	17-20 cm / 6.7 – 7.9 inches	8.5 – 10 cm / 3.3 – 3.9 inches
L	More than 20 cm / 7.9 inch	10 – 11 cm / 3.9 – 4.3 inches

The way you hold your mouse

While there are many variations of the mouse grip styles, the 3 main ones are: Hand, Claw, and Fingers.

As most games are played using one dominant grip style, it’s also worth mentioning that the grip can change depending on the context and situation. Find out more about what each grip style has to offer and decide which one benefits you the most.

As one of the more popular grip styles used by gamers, it offers a natural and relaxed hand position for maximum support as the entire hand and fingers are resting flat on the mouse.

While this provides a more comfortable gaming experience, it’s not so ideal for games that require large, fast movements.

This grip keeps your hand partially resting on the back of the mouse, and the fingertips grasp the buttons and sides – a compromise between comfort and greater agility.

While not as comfortable as a hand grip, claw grip is more beneficial when making large, controlled movements, such as making sudden 180-degree turns in FPS games.

FINGERTIP

This grip doesn’t touch your hand and only uses your fingertips to control the mouse – the lightest touch for the fastest movements.

Since it’s not anchored in the hand, it also means more finesse in vertical movement and is well-suited to lower mice with flatter curves.