Gaming can be super fun and thrilling with the right equipment. One of the most crucial accessories that can help improve the experience is the mouse.
A gaming mouse is different from a productivity mouse. They tend to be more comfortable to hold and have other buttons that help players optimize their playing experience.
However, with plenty of choices available claiming to be the best gaming mouse, finding the right fit for your needs can be a little more challenging. But, if this is your case, you don’t have to worry.
In this article, you’ll get a comprehensive review of the top-rated gaming mouse that will make your gaming experience better than ever.
Top 6 Gaming Mice in 2022
Here are some of the top-rated gaming mouse for 2022 that you might want to consider:
1. Razer Viper 8K – the Fastest Response Time in Gaming
The Razer Viper 8K is a sleek and stylish gaming mouse that has tons of amazing features. However, its most notable feature is its fast response time.
This allows you to enjoy a high-performance gaming experience with a stable mouse connection.
Aside from that, this mouse also features a RAZER™ FOCUS+ Optical Sensor. This provides flawless tracking performance on different surfaces. You can freely choose the surface you’re most comfortable with without worrying about its compatibility with the mouse.
The Razer Viper 8K is also equipped with the Razer 8000 Hz technology. This allows the mouse to communicate its position and click at a faster speed and accuracy. With this, you’ll enjoy almost zero input latency at a very fast speed.
The design of this mouse is also very easy to handle. It only weighs 71 grams, so it is super lightweight, minimizing hand strain and increasing your control accuracy.
View On AmazonSpecs
- 71 Grams
- RAZER™ FOCUS+ Optical Sensor
- 2nd gen Optical Mouse Switches
- Wired – Speedflex Cable
- Razer 8000HZ HyperPolling technology
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Long life cycle
- Excellent accuracy
Cons:
- It’s at a higher price point
- No Dock Compatibility
2. SABRE RGB PRO Champion Series – Best for e-Sports Gaming
When it comes to gaming accessories and equipment, Corsair is one of the most reputable brands in the market. They are known for their premium and durable products, and this wired gaming mouse is no different.
The SABRE RGB Pro champion series is specially designed for e-Sports gaming. It features an ergonomic shape for a comfortable hand grip. You can also feel comfortable for a longer period of time because it only weighs 74 grams, reducing hand strain and allowing rapid hand movement.
The button quality in this mouse is also noteworthy. It has a spring-loaded design that creates no gap between the primary mouse and its switches, making your clicks faster than ever.
Although this is a wired gaming mouse, it has a flexible paracord weave cable that reduces drag, allowing your mouse to maintain its fluid and agile movement. This type of cord is also more durable.
View On AmazonSpecs
- 74 grams weight
- Responsive Quickstrike Buttons
- CORSAIR AXON Hyper-processing Technology
- Flexible Paracord Weave cable
- 7 ft. cable
Pros:
- Durable cable
- Ergonomic design
- Excellent button quality
- Hyper responsive outputs
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- Not ideal for left-handed users
3. Logitech G303 – Best for FPS Gaming
Another reputable brand for computer accessories is Logitech. Unlike Corsair, Logitech is not that well known for its gaming accessories, but when it comes to the best gaming mouses for 2022, the Logitech G303 is worth considering for many good reasons.
The Logitech G303 weighs 75 grams which is lightweight. Despite being light, it is built with high-quality materials, so it does not feel like it will crumble when you hold it.
This gaming mouse also features a HERO 25k Sensor. This offers precision, efficiency, and speed unlike any other. It also pairs effortlessly with low-sensitivity DPI settings, making it easier for you to hit the bullseye.
On top of that, this features Logitech’s Lightspeed technology. This is the brand’s pro-grade wireless technology that allows you to enjoy ultra-low latency and ultimate performance.
View On AmazonSpecs
- 75 Grams
- Pro-grade wireless technology
- HERO 25k Sensor
- Lightweight scroll wheel
Pros:
- Excellent accuracy
- Stable connection
- Climate pledge-friendly
- New and improved
- High-quality material
Cons:
- The mouse shape can take some time to get used to
4. Razer Naga Pro – Best for MMO Gaming
Here’s another option from Razer. This one has the HyperSpeed wireless technology that allows it to be 25% faster than most wireless mice on the market.
Aside from its excellent wireless technology, the Razer Naga Pro has a Focus Plus 20K DPI optical sensor feature. This offers on-the-go sensitivity adjustment, thanks to its dedicated DPI button that is customizable according to your preference.
Speaking of customizability, this gaming mouse also has 3 interchangeable side plates that have 2, 6, and 12-button configurations. It also has upto 19 programmable buttons for macro function assignment and remapping with the use of Razer Synapse.
View On AmazonSpecs
- HyperSpeed wireless technology
- 20k DPI optical sensor
- Modular design
- Mechanical switches
- Customizable RGB chroma profile
- 150 hours of battery life
- Swappable side plates
Pros:
- Wide range of personalization options
- Long battery life
- Ergonomic
- Stable connection
Cons:
- Double-clicking problems after a few months
- Customer service could be better
5. Steelseries Prime Wireless – Best for Wireless Gaming
At first glance, you’ll think that this is just a standard mouse. However, it’s actually packed with features that make it a top-rated gaming mouse. The Steelseries Prime Wireless gaming mouse was designed with the collaboration of over 100 professional gamers.
This gaming mouse features optical, magnetic switches. This offers a faster click-response rate and more durability than other models in the market. It is also equipped with a Pro-precision sensor that helps increase your gaming accuracy.
Since it’s a wireless mouse, you might be worried about potential lags and connectivity issues that can affect your gaming experience. However, this mouse features the Quantum 2.0 technology that ensures stable and reliable transmission of data.
View On AmazonSpecs:
- Optical, magnetic switches
- Pro-precision sensor
- Quantum 2.0 technology wireless connection
- 100-hour battery life
- Truemove air Gaming sensor
Pros:
- Stable connection
- Excellent tracking performance
- Customizable
- Long battery life
- Ergonomic design
Cons:
- Not designed for right-handed users
6. Logitech G Pro X Superlight – Best Lightweight Gaming
The Logitech G Pro X Superlight was carefully designed with the insights of the world’s best eSport professionals. It was made to increase your performance and chances of winning games.
Despite being a wireless gaming mouse, it lives up to its Superlight name. It weighs only 63 grams, and that’s already including the batteries. Its new design is 25% lighter than average pro mouses in the market.
Another reason why the Logitech G Pro X is noteworthy is because of its Hero Sensor. It allows this mouse to be priced, consistent, and fast. It also features large, zero-additive PTFE feet. This lets you effortlessly glide this mouse for a more fluid gaming experience.
It’s also among the few on this list that offers color options. You can choose between the black or white versions, which are both very stylish and cool.
View On AmazonSpecs:
- 63 grams
- 70 hours of battery life
- Hero 25k sensor
- Zero-additive PTFE feet
- Compatible with Windows 8 and macOS 10.11 or later
Pros:
- Ergonomic design
- Nice stock feat
- Consistent
- Stable connection
- Minimized friction
Cons:
- Battery life is only 70 hours
What Makes a Gaming Mouse Different from Others?
You might find it confusing to distinguish a gaming mouse from other types of mouse. If this is your case, the following general characteristics will make it easier for you to spot a gaming mouse:
- DPI
DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. The dots refer to the number of points your mouse is able to register movement in a single inch. Mouses with DPI higher than 20 can detect movement between 2000 different spots in an inch.
A gaming mouse typically has a higher DPI because it needs to be responsive to keep up with the demands of gaming. You might not find this feature helpful if you are only using your mouse for work or school. However, it makes a lot of difference when you are planning games because it can increase your accuracy.
- Polling Rate
Most gaming mouses have a high polling rate. The polling rate is what determines your mouse sensitivity. It refers to how frequently your mouse reports its movement or position to your PC.
Even if your mouse has a high DPI, if its polling rate is low, it will be unable to report the small changes in position to the PC. As a result, you’ll get less responsive controls.
- Buttons
The traditional mouse only has 2 buttons: right and left clicks. However, gaming mouses have extra buttons that are mappable, allowing you to add more inputs without added effort. This is a vital feature for gaming because it maintains your hand in a resting position, causing less strain and fatigue.
Depending on the gaming mouse model, there are plenty of different buttons added. There are even mouses with more than 10 buttons. Of course, there’s a learning curve in having more buttons on a mouse, but once you get used to it, using the controls will be effortless.
- Customization
Most gaming mouses are customizable to some extent, giving you endless possibilities for your keybinds. Having these customization options can help improve your gaming experience because you can tailor your controls according to your preference.
- Aesthetics
Another telltale sign that a mouse is made for gaming is its aesthetics. Most gaming mouses have more buttons than a traditional mouse. You’ll also notice that most of them have lights that make them look super stylish.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Ultimate Gaming Mouse
There are plenty of excellent gaming mouse options in the market. So, how can you determine which one is the right fit for you? The best way to do that is to consider the following factors:
- Shape & Weight
The majority of gamers use their entire palm when controlling a mouse. However, there are many ways of holding it. For example, many gamers favor the claw grip while others only use their fingertips when using a mouse. Determining your grip style will help make it easier to identify what is the best gaming mouse shape.
Users who make little to no contact with their mouse have difficulty exerting as much force as they would when they are holding the mouse with a palm grip which is why it’s better for them to choose a lightweight mouse.
Taking the mouse weight into consideration is also crucial in letting you enjoy your gaming style. There are mice that have customizable weights, allowing you to tailor them according to your preference.
If you are unsure of what shape or weight is comfortable for you, going to the physical stores where mouses are sold is highly recommended. There, you can try the mouse first hand and see how it feels in your hand and whether you are comfortable using it.
- Size
Another factor to consider is your hand size. Some people have small hands while others have big hands. Buying a gaming mouse that’s too big for your hand will cause your fingers to stretch more, making you feel uncomfortable after playing for a long period. On the other hand, a mouse that’s too small can make it difficult for you to navigate the buttons.
- Inputs
The buttons on traditional mouses could be enough for some gamers, but there are others who prefer their gaming mouse with more buttons. For example, gamers who play MMORPG or MOBAs will benefit from mouses with programmable macro keys. Meanwhile, gamers who want to make quick switches would prefer having a dedicated DPI button.
- Connection Type
There has been significant improvement in the quality of wireless mouse in the past few years. When used in everyday tasks for office and schoolwork, there’s not much difference in the experience that a wireless mouse has to offer. Unfortunately, that is not the case when gaming.
Most games require significant use of the mouse, meaning the battery can drain quicker than expected. When that happens, you need to wait for a couple of hours before your mouse is ready for use again.
However, wired mice are also not perfect. Sure, they are great for convenience because they are plug-and-play. However, the cable can affect your gaming performance because it limits your range of motion. There is also such a thing as cable drag which adds unnecessary friction and strain to your hands.
- Type of Sensor
Some gamers prefer laser sensors, while others love optical sensors. However, many would argue that the best mouse sensors are pro-optical because it’s a more reactive sensor that elevates the gaming experience. It is also less likely to lag compared to a laser mouse, but it is a bit more expensive.
- Lighting and Customization
Your gaming mouse should be customizable according to your preference. You must first determine whether the mouse buttons and software are customizable according to your preferred choice. The same thing goes with the lighting.
Most gaming mice have bright lights. These are cool, but for some users, they can be distracting when playing. Luckily, some models have options where you can turn off the lights or tone down the brightness.
- Mouse Pad
If you have already bought a mouse pad, the gaming mouse should be compatible with its surface unless you’re willing to buy a new mouse pad as well. The mouse pad surface can significantly affect the performance of the gaming mouse and your comfort while using it.
- Reliability
You’d expect that for the money that you are paying to buy a good quality gaming mouse, it will last for a long time. However, that is not always the case. This is why it’s important to check the reviews and see whether the products are durable.
If you find a gaming mouse that fits your needs and preference, but they are from a lesser known brand that does not have many reviews, it’s not worth taking the risk. You might end up with unwanted surprises and regrets later on.
Wired or Wireless: Which One is Best for Gaming?
One of the biggest questions gaming mouse buyers have is whether they should choose a wired or wireless option. There is no answer that fits all for this question because it will all boil down to your personal preference. However, looking at the advantages and disadvantages of a wireless or wired mouse will help make your decision-making process easier.
Wired Mouse Pros and Cons
These are the benefits of a wired mouse:
- More affordable cost
The biggest advantage that a wired mouse has to offer is its price. These are always significantly cheaper than a wireless mouse because they don’t have batteries and require less hardware to build.
- Convenient
You can plug a wired mouse, and it’s ready for use. You don’t have to wait for it to be fully charged so that you can use it. At the same time, if you are on the go, you don’t need to pack its charger or look for a nearby charging port just to be able to use it.
- Fast speed
Regarding speed, there’s little to no difference in how fast the mouse’s response time is. But most wired mouse have a quick response time. You could also adjust the mouse sensitivity when playing games so you can customize it according to your preference.
However, a wired mouse also has its fair share of downsides. These include the following:
- Limited range
The most notable disadvantage of a wired mouse versus a wireless one is range. Since the wired mouse has cables, the range of motion you have when using it is limited to the cable length. This is why a wired mouse might not be the best option if the PC is far from your chair.
- Durability
The cable of a wired mouse is its most vulnerable part because it gets tugged and moved around all the time. When this gets destroyed, your mouse won’t work anymore and reconnecting it will also affect its performance.
- Comfort
The cable drag of a wired mouse can create friction that can affect the quality of comfort you feel when using it. Although some wired mouse has mouse bungees that prevent this from happening, they increase the overall cost of the mouse enough to make you consider buying a wireless mouse with the same performance.
Wireless Mouse Pros and Cons
Wireless mouse are becoming popular among celebrity e-sports gears. There are reasons for this because of its benefit such as:
- Comfort
The comfort that a wireless mouse offers is way better than a wired mouse. A wireless mouse has little to no resistance and drag because it does not have a cable, allowing you to have unrestricted movement.
- Durability
Since a wireless mouse does not have a cable susceptible to wear and tear, it has a longer lifespan. Besides, if your mouse ends up having battery issues, all you have to do is buy new batteries instead of buying an entirely new mouse.
However, some wireless mouse docking stations or cables are expensive to replace once damaged. This means that you should be extra careful in handling and storing these so that you don’t have this issue.
- Longer Range
Newer models of a wireless mouse are equipped with Bluetooth that has a longer range. This is a convenient feature if your PC is far away from your gaming chair. You don’t have to think about how to extend your cables and how to arrange your PC setup.
However, a wireless mouse also has several disadvantages that you should take note of. These include:
- Expensive
Wireless mouses are significantly more expensive than wired ones. The main reason is that the batteries add more to the cost. Its construction is also made more complicated because of it, hence the higher production cost.
- Heavy
The batteries of a wireless mouse add to its weight. The weight is not really that much but can cause discomfort to other people.
- Battery Life
The battery life of a wireless mouse depends on the model. Nevertheless, you need to ensure that it’s well charged when gaming to avoid performance issues.
- Signal Interference
Since most mouse are connected via Bluetooth, it’s susceptible to signal interference, affecting their performance. However, a mouse from reputable brands does not have these issues, thanks to the latest technology they used.
Why Hand Grip & Comfort Should Be Your Priority?
Hand grip and comfort should be your priority when choosing the best gaming mouse. These are the reasons why:
- Maximize hand movements
A lot of online games require you to have quick mouse movements. This is especially the case with playing a shooter or combat games. A mouse with an excellent hand grip will make this possible.
- Prevent hand strain
If you are playing for an extended period, a mouse that is difficult to grip will cause your hand to feel tired and strained. This will significantly affect your performance in the game. At the same time, it might eventually cause chronic pain or injury to your hand.
- Makes your reaction time fast
A mouse with an excellent hand grip will make it easier for you to click the right button. This will make your reaction time faster, improving your game performance.
- Prevent mistakes
Mitigating mistakes in using a mouse is crucial in winning a game, especially if you want to become a pro. A comfortable mouse with a right-hand grip will make this possible.
Final Words
It’s understandable if you’re overwhelmed with the number of options for the best gaming mouse on the market. However, since these are not the cheapest accessories, buying the right one for your first try is crucial.
Some people prefer wireless over wired gaming mouse. On top of that, what’s comfortable for others might not be for other people. In short, there is no size fits all answer to the question of what is the best gaming mouse.
However, the guide above will help point you to the right option that fits your needs and preference. From there, it would be easier to choose from the list of top-rated products mentioned above.
