1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best wireless
4. Best wired
5. Best ergonomic
6. Best MMO
7. Best budget
8. How to choose
9. How we test
If there's one PC gaming peripheral we'd recommend prioritizing over any other, it'd be a quality gaming mouse. It's what you'll use the most to interact with software and games (ones that you're not better off using a controller for, at least), and having one that's reliable and enjoyable to use will make for a more compelling in-game experience.
These days, there's an ocean of mice on the market to consider when buying, including tons of inexpensive and simplistic options, premium feature-packed ones, and everything in between. As a result, it can be difficult to pin down which gaming mice are the best, even if you have a general idea of what you're looking for.
To help you choose a mouse for yourself or for a PC gamer in your life, we've put together a list of all of our favorite gaming mice below. This includes our pick for the best overall mouse on the market, our recommendations for both wired and wireless mice, top specialized options for things like ergonomics and MMO gameplay, and more.
Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. You'll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.
The quick list
We go into far more detail about each of our picks in the sections below, but if all you're looking for is a quick-and-dirty overview of Team Windows Central's favorite gaming mice, look no further than this one. If you'd like to learn more about why we've put these mice above the rest, use the below links to jump to their dedicated sections with pros, cons, and additional information.
Best overall
With its lightweight and comfortable design, incredibly accurate and capable 30K optical sensor, stellar battery life, sleek appearance, and colorway variety, Razer's DeathAdder V3 Pro stands tall as the best of the best.
Best wireless
The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro is similar to our top pick, featuring more programmable buttons and Bluetooth compatibility. However, it's considerably heavier, and the "louder" RGB lighting isn't for everyone. All in all, this is a fantastic alternative.
Best wired
If you're after something wired, we strongly recommend the Razer DeathAdder V2. You get the same great sleek and ergonomic design as the V3 Pro, along with an excellent 20K optical sensor for a great price.
Best ergonomic
We loved the Logitech G502 Lightspeed for its exceedingly ergonomic and comfortable design, and the newer Logitech G502 X improves on it in subtle, but special ways. Its 25K optical sensor and durable LIGHTFORCE switches are fantastic, too.
Best MMO
The Razer Naga Pro sports interchangeable side covers that give you access to up to 20 customizable buttons, a 20K optical sensor, and stellar battery life. If you need lots of buttons for MMO or MOBA gameplay, look no further.
Best budget
If you're on a tight budget, you won't find anything better than Logitech's G305 Lightspeed. For a fraction of what other mice cost, you get a sweet 12K optical sensor and 250 hours of use on a single AA battery. Notably, the design is lefty-friendly, too.
The best gaming mice in 2024
Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Below, you'll find thorough, in-depth writeups for each of the mice we spotlighted in the list above. Keep in mind that while they're similar in many ways, there are key differences that distinguish each of these mice and make them all worth considering.
The best overall gaming mouse
There's so much to appreciate with the refreshed Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro. It's the third generation of what's often considered Razer's top line of mice, and is arguably the best gaming mouse that money can buy.
First, let's talk about the design. This mouse is one of the more comfortable gaming mice on the market thanks to the exceptionally well-designed shape ergonomics. Even if you're planning an intense all-day gaming session, you can rest easy knowing you won't have to worry about discomfort.
Razer's phenomenal Focus Pro 30K Optical sensor is present, and is capable of reading movement up to 750 inches per second (IPS), allowing one to glide the DeathAdder V3 Pro smoothly with ease.
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 has been a joy for us to use for hours at end, whether for work or for play.
Note that there isn't any ARGB lighting present on this mouse, which results in a very understated look — something you can't always say about Razer's products. One advantage of this is that it allows Razer to get as much life as possible out of the integrated batteries, which last up to 90 hours on a full charge.
The best wireless gaming mouse
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 extra buttons and Bluetooth compatibility is great, but the tradeoff is that the Basilisk V3 Pro is a little on the heavier side compared to the more lightweight DeathAdder V3. The RGB-focused design will also undoubtedly be a bit polarizing; some players fully embrace the unicorn vomit, while others detest it.
Ultimately, if you're comfortable with a weighty pointer for gaming and don't mind RGB lighting (keep in mind that you can turn it off), this is about as good as a wireless mouse can get.
The best wired gaming mouse
Even though it's a few years old and has been succeeded by newer DeathAdder models, the Razer DeathAdder V2 is still our top pick for everyone looking for a wired mouse. With it, you're getting the same fantastic design that makes the newer V3 Pro such a great choice, along with elite performance and features.
Its Focus 20K optical sensor may not be as advanced as the 30K one you'll find on the DeathAdder or Basilisk V3 Pro, but it still performs wonderfully and is one of the most accurate and reliable sensors ever put in a mouse. Similarly, its 650 IPS acceleration is plenty for what the vast majority of gamers need.
One standout advantage of the DeathAdder V2 compared to the wireless V3 Pro is that it comes with eight programmable buttons instead of five, which gives you some extra flexibility when it comes to assigning mouse inputs to keybinds or macros. You will, of course, be tethered since this is a wired mouse, but the DeathAdder V2's relatively lightweight 82g and drag-free cable ensures you'll have a very smooth user experience.
Note that there's customizable RGB lighting on the scroll wheel and the Razer logo on the face of the mouse. If you ask us, it strikes a nice and tasteful middle ground between the DeathAdder V3 Pro's lack of RGB and the Basilisk V3 Pro's abundance of it.
The best ergonomic gaming mouse
The Logitech G502 Lightspeed has been one of our favorite gaming mice since it launched in 2019 due to its high performance and exceptional ergonomics, so we were ecstatic to see the manufacturer put out a follow-up, the Logitech G502 X, late last year.
This new G502 keeps the same fantastic Hero 25K optical sensor that the Lightspeed had, as well as all 11 of its programmable buttons and the overall shape of the original's chassis. However, by giving the X a more low-profile design and making the DPI switch button near the thumb rest adjustable, Logitech has made an excellent design even more comfortable to use. The mouse also weighs in at 89g, which is considerably lighter than the Lightspeed's base 114g.
One downside of the G502 X is that there aren't any extra tuning weights you can use to add some mass if you'd prefer something a little heavier, though this really isn't that big of a deal. What's a bit more disappointing, though, is the lack of a braided cable. Damage isn't likely as long as you're careful, of course, but even so, this really isn't a corner that Logitech should be cutting.
Even with these drawbacks taken into account, though, the G502 X is a premium ergonomic gaming mouse we're more than happy to recommend. The wired version without any RGB is quite affordable and our favorite of the three that are available, though you could opt for the Logitech G502 X Wireless to cut the cord or the Logitech G502 X Plus to get rid of the cable and tack on some snazzy lighting.
The best MMO gaming mouse
If you're playing an MMO like World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV, you're going to want something with tons of programmable buttons so that you can manage your hotbars efficiently. And after putting it through its paces, we've determined that there's nothing as good as the Razer Naga Pro for the job. It's a versatile mouse that has interchangeable side covers, with each one giving you access to two, six, or 12 buttons, respectively. Eight additional buttons are found elsewhere on the mouse, too, giving you up to 20 in total.
This allows you to use setups more conducive to RPGs or shooters, then quickly switch to an MMO button layout without swapping your mouse. Five profiles are available for storing various settings as well, making the Naga Pro one mouse to rule them all.
As always, Razer's Focus 20K Optical sensor is great, and allows the pointer to track up to 650 inches per second (IPS). It's also wireless, taking advantage of Razer's compact receivers. And with a battery life of up to 150 hours, you'll be able to enjoy long days of grinding and raiding before needing to plug in.
The best budget gaming 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 for gaming. It's not the best gaming mouse around, but it's a really good one, and you'll save a lot of money by choosing it (it's also ambidextrous, making it a good choice for lefties).
There's a wide variety of colors available, and the mouse itself is built well for something so affordable. It doesn't at all feel like the $30-50 mouse it is, and Logitech even includes its Lightspeed receiver (hence the mouse's name) that unlocks the ability to register actions at 1,000Hz for better performance. Also, the 12K sensor can register movement up to 400 inches per second (IPS).
Six programmable buttons can be configured using Logitech's G HUB software and the 250-hour battery life will keep you gaming for ages (though you'll need a single AA battery).
The only downsides here are that the the mouse is a bit heavy and on the small side, but when you're getting something this good for such a low cost, it's hard to complain much.
How to choose the best gaming mouse for you
Even with a narrowed list like the one we've put together above, it can be tough to figure out which mouse is the best for you and your needs. We recommend thinking carefully about the features and functions that matter to you the most, then seeing which of these mice both offer what you're looking for and fit into your budget.
For example, if you're simply looking for a top-notch lightweight mouse with a premium optical sensor and you're not worried about how much it'll cost you, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro is what you'll be best off with. However, if you need something a little more affordable but still want elite performance, check out the DeathAdder V2.
How we test gaming mice
We're lifelong PC gamers here at Team Windows Central, and over the years, we've extensively tried out countless gaming mice alongside other peripherals such as the best keyboards. This includes wired, wireless, and specialized options, as well as budget-friendly ones, expensive offerings, and everything between.
We've put them through their paces in everything from the latest and greatest competitive shooters to fan-favorite RPG and MMO classics, and will continue to do so as manufacturers continue to improve and iterate on their designs. Should a new mouse dethrone one of the ones on this list, we'll be sure to update this article.
