For a dedicated PC gamer, few things are more important than a quality gaming mouse. Along with your keyboard, it’s your primary controller. A low quality mouse can cause you to miss shots, mis-time jumps, and generally means you’ll be playing far less effectively than your skill level. On the other hand, a well-designed gaming mouse will not only accept your inputs with precision, but most will include programmable buttons, so you can remap common keyboard controls to even easier mouse controls.
To find the best gaming mice on the market, we enlisted the help of four subreddits that are well-suited to the task. The folks at /r/pcmasterrace/ are notorious for only giving their seal of approval to pro-grade hardware, so we looked for their endorsement. Meanwhile, we looked at /r/buildapc/ for affordable options that are still reliable. And for in-game performance — as opposed to on-paper specs — we looked to the residents of /r/pcgaming/. Finally, we checked out /r/MouseReview/ to learn a little from PC mouse experts.
There were a few things we were looking for in our top gaming mouse selections. In addition to programmable buttons, we looked for mice with a sensitive DPI rating, and preferably adjustable sensitivity. This is ideal for first person shooters, since you can quickly toggle from high sensitivity in ordinary play to low sensitivity when you’re looking down the scope. Another feature we looked for was low latency. While you won’t see any latency ratings listed on our descriptions, there’s a reason: all of them are rated at 1 millisecond of latency or less. A few years back, 2-4 milliseconds of latency was still acceptable, but nowadays there’s no reason to settle for a gaming mouse with anything more than a millisecond’s latency.
Beyond those functional basics, we looked for mice with slick LED lights, a comfortable form factor, and other useful options. One of our selections even has weights that can be repositioned to customize the mouse’s balance. Now, let’s see what else Reddit’s most popular gaming mice have to offer!
The Razer Mamba Hyperflux is an upgraded version of the DeathAdder Elite, complete with wireless capability.
Check Prices On AmazonThe Razer Mamba Hyperflux is a heavyweight mouse that offers a lot of value. Now, to be completely transparent, redditors are torn on this issue. If you spend a few minutes on /r/MouseReview, you’ll see internet users in rare form, slinging insults at total strangers in debates about mouse weight. Suffice it to say that some people prefer a heavier mouse, and others prefer a lighter one. Lighter mice are generally preferred for FPS games, but again, that’s not universal. So, weight aside, we opted to choose the Mamba Hyperflux as our top choice.
To begin with, you’ve got durability. The buttons on the Mamba are rated for 50 million clicks, enough for several years of gaming. The frame is also well-constructed, with rubber grips for comfort and security. You also get plenty of customization options. And this is where the Mamba Hyperflux gets really cool.
To be fair, there are only 4 “extra” buttons in addition to the 2 primary buttons and the scroll wheel. However, you can program up to 5 profiles. In other words, you might “only” get 4 extra buttons, but you can map them for 5 different games. Switching between your CS:GO profile and your Fortnite profile is as easy as opening Razer’s configuration software and selecting another option. For hardcore gamers, this is a significant benefit.
The SteelSeries Sensei 310 is a large, ambidextrous mouse that accommodates large hands with a wide variety of grips.
Check Prices On AmazonThe SteelSeries Sensei 310 may not be the largest gaming mouse on our list, but it’s close, and it’s the most accommodating for large hands. This is due to the chunky, ambidextrous design that allows for a variety of grip styles. The downside is that it’s not ideal for any one grip, so you may prefer a shaped mouse if you want a more ergonomic grip. That said, the grips themselves are fat and rubbery, which keeps your hand from slipping during a tense gaming session.
The Sensei 310 features eight programmable buttons. Besides the primary buttons, the mouse wheel can be clicked, and a fourth button is located directly behind the wheel. There are two additional buttons on each side, although some of them may be difficult to reach depending on how you hold your mouse. This is going to be the case on any ambidextrous mouse, though, and it’s nice to see a southpaw-friendly design that’s ruggedly built.
The RGB lighting is fully programmable and also very attractive. It illuminates a SteelSeries logo at the back of the mouse, and also around the scroll wheel towards the front. And the buttons are rated for an impressive 50 million clicks, so you’ll get years of use out of the Sensei 310 even if you’re gaming every day. It’s also reasonably priced. There aren’t a lot of gaming mice that offer this many features at this price point.
The Logitech G502 is a fat, rugged mouse that’s built to last. Even the scroll wheel is made of metal.
Check Prices On AmazonThe Logitech G502 is actually a whole family of mice that’s well-beloved by the gaming community. The version we reviewed was the G502 Proteus Spectrum, which features a set of adjustable weights that can be repositioned for balance. There are five 3.6-gram weights in total. Use them all, use none, stack them to one side or spread them out. Your options are virtually unlimited.
That said, there’s a lot to like about all versions of the G502. It’s one of the beefiest, chunkiest gaming mice on the market. This is a blessing if you have large hands, or if you just prefer a bigger mouse. Some redditors with small hands had problems reaching all the buttons, though. So if you’ve got smaller hands, you might prefer a smaller mouse to match.
One nice thing about Logitech mice is that they’re a tried and true brand. This includes their configuration software, which is intuitive and reliable. When compared to some other brands, you’ll have a much easier time programming custom buttons, adjusting DPI settings, and customizing the RGB lighting. If you already use a Logitech keyboard, you can easily set the RGB lighting to sync between the two. But as always, if you’re mixing and matching brands, you’ll need third-party RGB controller software.
The Logitech G Pro Wireless is a long-lasting wireless mouse with plenty of extra features.
Check Prices On AmazonThe Logitech G Pro Wireless is the first wireless mouse on our list, and it’s the consensus top wireless mouse choice of redditors. You’ll pay a few extra dollars for the privilege of owning one, but you won’t need to buy a new mouse for many years. Not only will you appreciate the performance, but the G Pro Wireless’ buttons are rated for 50 million clicks. That’s a lot of durability.
This mouse weighs less than 3 ounces, making it one of the lightest on the market. If you’re looking for a gaming mouse that’s as light as a feather, there’s no need to look any further. But what impressed us most of all was the battery life. The G Pro Wireless will run for 48 hours on a single charge. That’s 48 hours of active use, with up to four weeks of standby power. And while you’re obviously not going to buy a wireless mouse because you want a wired option, you certainly don’t want to stop gaming just because your battery died. The G Pro Wireless supports play and charge, so you can keep up with your World of Warcraft raid even if your battery just died.
The G Pro Wireless has an ambidextrous design, with 6 programmable buttons. Two of them are located on either side of the mouse, so you’ll get the most mileage if you use a claw grip. But no matter what your grip, you’ll still be able to take advantage of the powerful battery and light weight.
The Razer DeathAdder Elite is a great choice if you need a gaming mouse at an office mouse price.
Check Prices On AmazonThe Razer DeathAdder Elite is a right-handed gaming mouse that’s very reasonably priced. For the same cost as an everyday office mouse, you’ll get adjustable DPI sensitivity, RGB lighting, and four extra programmable buttons: two by your thumb, and two in the middle. One thing we should point out is that the durability isn’t what you’d expect from a pricier mouse. The buttons are rated for 50 million clicks, but real-world results are typically much less than this.
That said, the DeathAdder Elite still has a lot to offer, including a sensitivity that’s adjustable from 800 to 16,000 DPI. But the one thing redditors kept coming back to, again and again, was just how comfortable the grip is. The shape is sleek and well-formed, with a textured rubber pad along the right side that provides plenty of cushion for your pinky. The two primary buttons are also slightly concave, which makes it easy to comfortably keep your index and middle fingers in position.
The RGB lighting is also a nice touch. While it’s by no means a deal-breaker — or deal-maker — the DeathAdder Elite’s RGB lighting is compatible with Razer’s RGB controller software. If you already own one of Razer’s popular gaming keyboards, you’ll be able to sync the lighting between both of them.
The Razer Naga Trinity has more programmable buttons than you can shake a stick at.
Check Prices On AmazonAs they say in Hollywood, let’s cut to the chase. The Razer Naga Trinity is the best mouse for MMOs, real-time strategy, or any other game that relies on macros. It has not two but three interchangeable side plates. The first is a simple two-button side plate, and it’s not much to write home about. The second includes seven buttons, arranged in a circular pattern. And the third features a whopping twelve buttons in a 3 x 4 grid. If you’re an MMO or RTS player, your mouth is probably watering right about now. With that many macro options, you’ll hardly need to touch your keyboard at all.
The overall design is also very comfortable. The left side of the mouse is well-padded, with a large well for positioning your pinky and ring fingers. And with up to 50 inches per second of acceleration, the Naga Trinity can keep up with quick movements, maximizing your reaction time.
While the Naga Trinity is ideal for games with a lot of macros, it’s a bit bulky for first person shooters. The sensitivity and responsiveness are just fine, but the size and heft are a bit much. That said, it also uses Razer’s Chroma RGB lighting, which means it can by synchronized with your other Razer RGB hardware.
The HyperX Pulsefire Surge is a slim, but heavy mouse with intense RGB lighting.
Check Prices On AmazonThe HyperX Pulsefire Surge is the most adjustable mouse we’ve seen. Unlike most others, there’s no lower limit to the DPI setting. If for some inscrutable reason you want to set the sensitivity to 1, you can. More realistically, you can scale it down below 200 to 150 or even 100 DPi for hyper-accurate sniping.
Some redditors complained about the weight, and at 4.6 ounces, the Pulsefire Surge is definitely on the heavy side. This is a matter of preference, but it’s something you should be aware of if you’re considering making a purchase. That said, the glides are well-engineered, so the mouse will slide across your desk or mousepad with minimal effort.
The Pulsefire Surge features a total of 6 buttons, with two located by your thumb and an additional button directly under the scroll wheel. All of them can be programmed, and the mouse can remember up to three different profiles. This makes it a solid choice if you want to switch between different games, since it’s a lot easier to switch profiles than it is to reprogram all your buttons on a regular basis.
RGB lighting is just a cosmetic feature, but it’s still worth considering. And the Pulsefire Surge delivers in spades. The RGB light extends 360 degrees around the unit, and can be programmed to cycle colors, or even to change based on what’s on your screen.
The Corsair Sabre RGB is a wide, lightweight mouse with 5 extra programmable buttons.
Check Prices On AmazonThe Corsair Sabre RGB is one of the lightest mice on the market, ideal for quick response times while playing FPS games. At only 3.2 ounces (about 91 grams), it’s very easy to control, and it’s still comfortable enough for large hands. You’ll notice the shape is very ergonomic, with a large cutaway for your thumb and a wide “shelf” at the bottom for easier gliding.
In addition to the standard buttons and scroll wheel, there are five additional buttons: two by your thumb, two more by your forefinger, and another just below the scroll wheel. All of them can be managed via the Corsair Utility Engine (CUE), which is also the controlling software for Corsair’s keyboards. So if you’re already using a Corsair keyboard, you’ll already be familiar with the management software.
One thing this mouse doesn’t do is DPI adjustment. It’s fixed at 10,000 DPI, which is right in the middle of the road when it comes to sensitivity. As a result, it should perform just fine for the majority of games, but you’re not going to have a sniper button. That said, the optical sensor is quite good, and tracks accurately to ensure your crosshairs stay on target.
That said, there’s still a lot to like. The buttons have a firm, clicky feel, which is something you don’t often see at this price point. The profile is also very attractive, with highlighting on the scroll wheel and along the side.
If you ask 10 redditors to name their choice for best gaming mouse, you’re liable to get 10 different answers. Most of this comes down to three factors: what type of game you’re playing, how big your hands are, and what type of grip you prefer. For example, some folks prefer a wide grip, while others prefer a tighter, claw-style grip.
Still, if we had to choose a single “best” gaming mouse, it would be the Razer Mamba Hyperflux. It’s tough, it’s durable, and it’s highly adjustable. It’s also wireless, so you won’t have to fuss with a wire or worry about it getting tangled. That said, it’s on the heavy side, and some people don’t like the feel of a heavy mouse.
The Razer Naga Trinity also stood out. Its interchangeable side plates allow for an impressive number of macros, which can be a life-saver when playing MMOs, RTS games, or other games that require a lot of macros for efficient play. These buttons also make the Naga Trinity bulky, though, which means it’s less than ideal for FPS games.
Finally, the Logitech G502 is tough to beat when it comes to overall feel. The adjustable weights allow for a truly custom balance and weight. Whether you want a heavy mouse or a light one, the G502 is just what you want it to be. And like most Logitech mice, it’s well-engineered, so it will last you for several years of gaming.
