Looking for the best gaming mouse to level up your performance? Then you’re in the right place.
We’ve assembled a list of the top ten gaming mice that we’ve reviewed, including both wired and wireless options while also catering to as many different budgets as possible. High-profile brands such as Corsair, Logitech and Razer all feature, so you’ll be able to find your weapon of choice no matter how loyal you are to your favourite mouse maker.
And if you can’t find the gaming mouse you’re looking for right now, keep this page bookmarked for future updates. Without further ado, here are our top 10 recommended gaming mice:
1. Logitech G502 Lightspeed
The best overall wireless gaming mouse
Pros:
- The Hero sensor is precise and sharp
- Great battery life – 48hrs with full lighting enabled
- Some brilliant backlighting functions
Cons:
- Hyperscroll seems a little pointless
- The removable bottom panel is a little fiddly
- A lack of Bluetooth connectivity could be restrictive
The Logitech G502 Lightspeed is our top recommended wireless gaming mouse. The Hero sensor is supremely speedy with a 16,000 DPI, while there are lots of programmable buttons dotted around the mouse for flexible customisation.
The Logitech G502 uses Lightspeed wireless connectivity instead of Bluetooth to reduce latency as much as possible. As it’s a wireless mouse, Logitech has also made sure to maximise the battery life to an impressive 48hrs with lighting activated. The G Hub also gives you total control of the colours and lighting effects radiating from the mouse.
This mouse is also customisable in terms of performance, not only allowing you to quickly shift between DPI settings on the fly, but also bundling weights in the box so you can ensure the G502 Lightspeed has the perfect weight ratio for your preferred game style.
- Read our full Logitech G502 Lightspeed review
2. Razer DeathAdder V2
The best overall wired gaming mouse
Pros:
- 20,000 DPI Focus+ sensor is fantastic
- Timeless, ergonomic design
- Chroma lighting looks gorgeous
Cons:
- Only two RGB lighting zone
- Little more expensive than some competition
The Razer DeathAdder V2 is an updated version of a previous Razer peripheral that already flaunted the credentials of a top-spec gaming mouse. But with Razer fitting in its new DPI Focus+ sensor, allowing for a super-speedy 20,000 DPI sensitivity, the DeathAdder has leapfrogged rivals to become one of the best available weapons for PC gaming.
While you can get cheaper cabled gaming mice, few alternatives will offer such a stellar performance that can easily cope with the high demand of eSports. With only two RGB lighting zones and a simple design this isn’t the most glamorous mice, but it is one of the most efficient for seeing kill counts soar.
- Read our full Razer DeathAdder V2 review
3. Roccat Kain 200 AIMO
The best affordable wireless gaming mouse
Pros:
- Fantastically comfortable to use
- PixArt sensor works an absolute treat
- 35 hour battery life isn’t to be sniffed at
Cons:
- Roccat Swarm is a pain to install
- No compartment to store wireless dongle
With the standards of wireless gaming mice increasing rapidly, the Roccat Kain 200 AIMO doesn’t quite offer the same high-end end specs offered by the likes of Logitech and Razer. However, this is still a fantastic wireless peripheral and arguably represents better value than most thanks to its very attractive price point.
Awkward software installs and a lack of compartment for the bundled wireless dongle are niggling flaws in an otherwise ace package. If you want to be liberated from the wire but don’t fancy spending more than £100, then look no further.
- Read our Roccat Kain 200 AIMO review
4. Razer Basilisk Essential
Best budget wired gaming mouse
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Slick design
- Multi-function paddle offers versatility
- Razer software enables a lot of customisation
Cons:
- Low sensitivity range
- Bare-bones features
The Razer Basilisk Essential is a great wired gaming mouse for those making their first leap to a PC setup. With the current price floating around £30, it’s one of the cheapest options on this list, despite offering that top-notch Razer quality.
It looks great, has a lot of software customisation options for RGB lighting and inputs, and even has a multi-function paddle that makes your control setup even more flexible. Weighing just 95g, this gaming mouse is easy to speed across your desk’s surface too.
There’s a catch, though. The Razer Basilisk Essential has a low 6400 DPI optical sensor, which is only around half the sensitivity that most gaming mice offer. If you’re new to PC gaming or don’t like messing with the sensitivity, this shouldn’t be an issue. But for competitive gamers who like an ultra-responsive performance, there are better alternatives.
- Read our Razer Basilisk Essential review
5. Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE
Best value wireless gaming mouse
Pros:
- Speedy sensor works a dream
- 50-hour battery life is great
- Dual-connectivity switching is seamless
Cons:
- Not ambidextrous
- No additional weights
The Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE came the closest to beating the Logitech G502 Lightspeed as our top recommended wireless gaming mouse. It features a super-responsive 18,000 DPI sensor, up to 50-hour battery life and Qi wireless charging.
We’re also impressed to see it features dual connectivity, supporting both Bluetooth and a Slipstream-enabled USB dongle so you can seamlessly switch between two devices in a cinch.
Unfortunately, the Corsair mouse lacks bundled add-on weights, which gives the Logitech rival an advantage. But Corsair arguably makes up for that with the more affordable price point, making the Dark Core RGB Pro SE a superb option for wireless fans.
- Read our Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE review
6. Razer Basilisk Ultimate
The best wireless gaming mouse performance
Pros:
- The Focus+ 20,000 DPI sensor works a dream
- Latency-free wireless connectivity is incredible
- Razer’s Chroma lighting never fails to amaze
- Up to 100hrs of battery life
Cons:
- Hefty price tag
- No additional weights or side panels to allow for different-sized hands
If we didn’t factor in the price, the Razer Basilisk Ultimate would be at the very top of our best gaming mouse ranking – no question.
Razer’s Hyperspeed wireless connectivity is far faster than Bluetooth, and offers an almost identical performance to that of a wired mouse thanks to extremely low latency. The new Focus+ sensor also allows a sensitivity up to 20,000 DPI, which no other mouse can rival.
The biggest issue here is that the Razer Basilisk Ultimate costs a bomb, and is generally more expensive than both the Corsair and Logitech flagships. The Basilisk Ultimate is the best mouse of the three, but we’re not convinced it’s good enough to justify that big price difference. But if money is no issue, we absolutely recommend the Razer Basilisk Ultimate.
- Read our Razer Basilisk Ultimate review
7. Razer Viper Mini
A a small and affordable wired gaming mouse with some standout features
Pros:
- Great 8500 DPI sensor
- 61g weight makes it nimble
- Razer Chroma always delivers
Cons:
- May be too small for some people’s hands
Two lighting zones may not be enough
Careful not to neglect those of us with tiny hands, Razer has launched the Viper Mini which is a small gaming mouse that weighs a dainty 61g.
Competitive gamers may want something with a bit more heft for pinpoint accuracy, but the Viper Mini is a fantastic option for those who don’t want to stretch thumb in order to hit those side buttons. It’s also a great pick for those on a tight budget, as the Mini costs less than £40 despite flaunting many of Razer’s snazziest features.
The biggest drawback here is that there are only two RGB lighting zones, ensuring it’s not quite as glam as slightly more expensive options. But those are very minor issues considering the incredible value you’re getting with this dinky mouse.
- Read our Razer Viper Mini review
8. Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite
The perfect gaming mouse for MMO and MOBA players
Pros:
- Infinite programming ability with 12-side buttons
- Super-accurate tracking
- Classy design
Cons:
- Pretty expensive
- Hefty weight
- Might be too wide for some
Only planning on playing MOBA titles such as League of Legends? Then the Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite could well be your best option, featuring an astonishing 12 buttons on the side dedicated to activating power ups and special attacks.
This is still a good gaming mouse in its own right of course, with an 18,000 DPI optical sensor ensuring a solid performance. That said, the high price means you’re best off looking elsewhere if you’re not going to make the most out of the MOBA/ MMO features.
- Read our Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite review
9. Corsair Ironclaw RGB Wireless
A great mid-range wireless gaming mouse
Pros:
- Top-notch wireless performance
- Very good internal specifications
- Good core button, tracking and scroll-wheel performance
- Great software
Cons:
- Some buttons are a tad too soft
- Inconsistent looks
- Larger and heavier than many rivals
The Corsair Ironclaw RGB Wireless packs similar high-end features to the likes of the Logitech G502 Lightspeed and Razer Basilisk Ultimate wireless gaming mice, such as a 18,000 DPI sensor and 2.4GHz wireless technology, and yet is available at a significantly cheaper price.
We did find a couple of issues here however, as the side buttons feel too soft and the scroll wheel is a tad too heavy. It’s also a rather hefty and large mouse, which may put off those with small hands.
But if you’re looking for a high-end wireless performance and don’t want to spend more than £70, then the Corsair Ironclaw RGB Wireless is a very good option to consider.
- Read our Corsair Ironclaw RGB Wireless review
10. HP Omen Photon Wireless Mouse
A fantastic wireless ambidextrous gaming mouse
Pros:
- Sensor can compete with the very best
- Ambidextrous design great for left handers
- 50 hour battery life is plentiful
Cons:
- Software is too simplistic
- No additional weights in the box
Most high-end wireless gaming mice have been built with right-handers in mind. The HP Omen Photon Wireless Mouse aims to be more inclusive, featuring a ambidextrous design that both right- and left- handers can enjoy. The magnetic sidepods and swappable buttons also allow you to customise the mouse to find your perfect sweet spot for comfort.
It’s no slouch in terms of performance either, featuring a 16,000 DPI sensor and 2.4GHz wireless connection, putting it right up there with the very best gaming mice. However, the accompanying software isn’t quite as sophisticated as those from Logitech and Razer and it’s more expensive than alternative options from Corsair.
This all means the only real standout feature is the ambidextrous design, but that should be more than enough if you’re a lefty wanting to compete at the highest level.
- Read our HP Omen Photon Wireless Mouse
Gaming mouse buyer’s guide
Here we take you gently by the hand (in a purely platonic fashion) and run through some of the common jargon that you’re bound to encounter when researching the best gaming mice.
What is DPI?
DPI stands for dots-per-inch. It’s one of the first things you’ll see mouse makers shouting about when they launch a new product.
It’s shorthand for how sensitive your mouse is. A high DPI means your cursor will move further relative to your hand movement. A low DPI, by contrast, will move a shorter distance.
Each gaming mouse will have a DPI range (for example, 200 – 8000), and the user can select a point within the range that feels comfortable. A very high DPI would be something like 16,000. Most office mice will have a DPI of well below 1000, by comparison. The majority of gamers will find 800 to 3000 comfortable, but you can train yourself to cope with higher sensitivities over time.
The advantage of having a high DPI is that you can perform reactive actions quicker, because your cursor is moving faster. The disadvantage is that the higher the sensitivity you choose, the harder the mouse is to control because the cursor is moving so quickly.
Most people won’t venture to lofty heights like 12,000, so beware of falling into the trap of assuming a high DPI equals a better mouse.
However, if you have a high-resolution (think 1440p QHD or 4K) monitor, buying a high DPI mouse can be advantageous. That’s because your cursor has more pixels to travel across, so higher DPI settings won’t seem as fast when compared to using a 1080p Full HD display.
What is polling rate?
The polling rate is how often your mouse reports its position to the computer.
A high polling rate means your mouse tells your computer where it is more often. That’s good, because it means your cursor reflects your mouse movements more accurately.
However, a high polling rate also means your computer has to work harder to understand where you mouse is, because it’s receiving more data per second.
Most high-end mice cap out at 1000Hz, which means they reporting their position 1000 times each second. Fortunately, companies like Razer and Logitech let you change polling rate on the fly, so you don’t have to settle for the maximum if you’re using a low-end computer.
It’s generally accepted that it’s hard to tell the difference between 500Hz and 1000Hz. But you’ll definitely notice the difference between 125Hz and 1000Hz, because the mouse will jitter a little more. That’s why polling rate is important but, as with DPI, don’t assume that a higher number is always better.
Wired vs wireless
For a long time, it was generally accepted that wireless gaming mice simply weren’t good enough for professional gaming.
That’s because of latency, or “lag”. A wireless connection is generally slower than a wired connection, due to the nature of the medium. So if a wired mouse reports to your computer in 1ms, and a wireless mouse reports to your computer in 5ms, it’s obvious that you should choose the wired device.
But thanks to advances in wireless technology, many wireless mice, including the Logitech G900 and Razer Mamba (2015), now claim 1ms – basically instantaneous – connections.
This means it’s no longer really fair to warn users off wireless mice, at least because of latency issues. In fact, Cloud9’s CounterStrike: Global Offensive team uses the wireless Logitech G900 in tournaments, which indicates its speed.
But there are also other things to consider. Wireless mice tend to be heavier, due to the onboard battery. However, on the positive side, there are no cables getting in the way.
Wired mice will always be low-latency, irrespective of quality. They’re also typically lighter than wireless mice, generally cost less, and are more widely available.
You’ll have to make up your own mind about these trade-offs.
What is RGB lighting?
Gaming mice aren’t just about performance, with seemingly every gaming mouse now equipped with multicoloured lighting that can be adjusted to suit the player’s preference.
It’s worth paying attention to how many individually lit zones the mouse has, since this will determine the size and scope for RGB customisation. If you want to synchronise the lighting effects between other peripherals, you’ll need to buy into the same brand ecosystem.
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