The mouse is one of the most essential accessories for any gaming PC. It's what you'll use the most to interact with software and games (ones that don't require a gamepad at least), and having a pointer you enjoy using will make for a more compelling in-game experience. We've rounded up our picks for the best gaming mouse.
There's so much to appreciate with the refreshed Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro. It's the third generation with plenty of improvements on the already excellent V2 Pro. First, let's talk about the design. This mouse is one of the more comfortable gaming mice you can wield, thanks to the exceptionally well-designed ergonomics. Even if you're planning a solid eight-hour gaming session, your hand won't feel any discomfort.
The latest Focus Pro 30K Optical sensor from Razer is present. This monster is capable of reading movement up to 750 inches per second (IPS), allowing one to glide the DeathAdder V3 Pro across the smoothest of surfaces. There isn't any ARGB lighting present on this mouse, resulting in a very understated look. This does allow Razer to get as much battery life as possible out of the integrated pack, lasting up to 90 hours.
An optional 4,000Hz receiver is available, should you want a faster polling rate. The included 1,000Hz dongle is good enough for most gamers, but those with high refresh rate monitors may want to consider this upgrade. Weighing just 63g, the DeathAdder V3 Pro was a joy to use for hours at end, whether it was for work or play. It's going to be a challenge for Razer to improve upon anything here for V4.
The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro is something truly special if you're in the market for a wireless gaming mouse. It's rocking similar internals to our top pick, the DeathAdder V3 Pro, including the same Razer Focus Pro 30K Optical sensor. This allows the mouse to track up to 750 inches per second (IPS) and can be configured to a seriously high DPS.
There are 11 programmable buttons present on the Basilisk V3 Pro, as well as ARGB lighting through Razer Chroma. 2.4Ghz wireless is supported and Bluetooth can be used if the dongle cannot be connected to a free USB port (a USB-C cable is included for charging and use). One stellar party trick is an optional Qi wireless charging dock, which works seamlessly.
The Basilisk V3 Pro is a little on the heavier side with all this tech included, weighing in at 112g. If you're comfortable with a weighty pointer for gaming, this is about as good as you can get for a wireless mouse.
One would imagine the best budget gaming mouse would be from some unknown brand that has a reputation for poor quality hardware. But that's not the case here as we're highlighting the Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED as the best budget mouse to buy for gaming. It's not the best gaming mouse around, but it will save you some money.
There's a choice of colors available, including mint, and the mouse itself is built well. It won't feel like a $50 mouse. Logitech includes its LIGHTSPEED receiver (hence the mouse's name), which unlocks the ability to register actions at 1,000Hz for better performance. There's a response time of just 1ms and the 12K sensor can register movement up to 400 inches per second (IPS).
Six programmable buttons can be configured using Logitech's handy software and the 250-hour battery life will keep you gaming for longer between swaps (it takes a single AA battery). This could be viewed as a positive for those who don't like to be tethered to a PC at all between charges.
Razer's latest Viper 8K mouse was incredible when it originally launched. Not only do you have mechanical switches for your main clickers, but Razer also threw in a 5G optical sensor and a polling rate of 8,000 for good measure. This combination results in incredibly accurate movement detection and button actuation.
The mouse itself weighs in at around 69g and attaches to your PC using Razer's Speedflex Cable, which may sound like some marketing gimmick, but is significantly better than other cables out there in terms of quality. The only real drawback we found with this wired mouse is the inability to detach the cable. This would make it easier to transport to LAN events and allow for replacing the cable should it be damaged.
Still, the onboard DPI storage and eight programmable buttons more than make up for this shortfall, making it our favorite gaming mouse so far in 2022 and one of the best mice you can buy. You should consider buying this mouse if you're serious about PC gaming.
For MMO players (and I'm talking everything from League of Legends to OSRS and World of Warcraft), you're likely going to need a mouse with a few more programmable buttons. There's nothing as good as the Razer Naga Pro for the job. It's a versatile mouse that has interchangeable side covers. Three are included, each for MMO/RTS, MOBA/Battle Royale, and FPS games.
This allows you to change between games without swapping a mouse. Five profiles are available for storing various settings as well, making the Naga Pro one mouse to rule them all. The Focus+ 20K Optical sensor is excellent, allowing the pointer to track up to 650 inches per second (IPS). It's also wireless, taking advantage of Razer's compact receivers.
With a battery life of up to 150 hours, depending on the connection type used, you will be able to enjoy long raids before needing to plug in the Naga Pro. As a Razer mouse, it will offer the best build quality and software support.
If you're frequently out and about but still enjoy playing games, the Razer Orochi V2 is what you'll require. It's small and light enough to carry around, but it's also comfortable to use despite its compact size. There's no Chroma lighting, no option for a wired version, and it's right-handed only. But if you're happy with all that, this is one of the best portable gaming mice around.
There are six programmable buttons and an 18K optical sensor that's capable of tracking up to 450 inches per second (IPS). A single profile can be stored on the mouse, which is more than enough for most people on the move, especially if you plan on using the same mouse. What's incredible with the Razer Orochi V2 is the battery life.
On a single charge, you can look to expect up to 950 hours on Bluetooth or 425 on 2.4Ghz wireless. And it takes a single battery, which means you can quickly swap it out to get back to work (or gaming).
Choosing the best gaming mouse
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The best overall gaming mouse would be the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro because of the solid ergonomics, brilliant performance in-game, excellent features like internal storage for DPI settings, and more. It's about as good as you can get, and I won't overstate just how comfortable this thing is to use for longer periods of time.
Other recommendations here consider different games you may prefer (MMOs, MOBAs, etc.) and pricing, but it all comes down to what you prefer to use. Mouse and keyboards are mostly subjective since not everyone will enjoy the same features, appreciate the same performance, or have $100 to blow on a shiny new accessory.
If you do want the absolute best in terms of performance, look no further than the Razer Viper 8K. But really, any mouse in this collection is an excellent pointer to game with.
