The Best Gaming Mouse in Every Kind of Gamer

It’s hard to beat the precision and control a mouse and keyboard give you. It’s one of the reasons why many gamers proclaim PC gaming as the best way to play. Even if you aren’t a believer in PC superiority, you’ll want the best gaming mouse to get all you can from your computer setup.

You’ll find more consensus in which mouse brands are the best than you will with other peripherals — get ready for lots of Logitech and Razer. Still, which specific model is best depends on your budget and preferences. Learn what you like the most, then start with this list of the seven best gaming mice for any gamer.

1. Razer Basilisk V3 — The Overall Best

Razer is one of the best gaming mouse manufacturers out there, and the Basilisk V3 is its best value. At $70, it’s not cheap, but it’s far from the most expensive you’ll see. For that moderate price tag, you’ll also get 13 customizable buttons, up to 20,000 dots per inch (DPI) sensitivity and plenty of RGB lighting.

A DPI-dropping “sniper” button, adjustable scroll wheel and easy, gliding movement make the Basilisk V3 an ideal mouse for first-person shooters. It is a wired mouse, which some may find annoying, but others argue wireless mice aren’t sufficient for competitive gaming, so that could be an advantage.

2. Logitech G502 X — The Most Comfortable

While not strictly a gaming peripheral company, Logitech has become the other premiere gaming mouse maker today. One of its best is the G502 X. Some gamers proclaim it reigns supreme instead of the Basilisk V3, and its ergonomics are hard to ignore.

The G502 is roughly $10 more than the Basilisk, but its curves and finger supports make it more comfortable. It also has at least a dozen programmable buttons and a sky-high DPI. It doesn’t have any RBG, but contrary to popular belief, that won’t make you a better or worse gamer.

3. Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro — The Best Wireless

If you’d prefer something wireless, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro may be the best gaming mouse for you. Despite being relatively small, the DeathAdder V3 Pro has great ergonomics. It also delivers some of the fastest, most sensitive performance you’ll see in a wireless mouse.

This mouse is also impressively light for a wireless mouse, making it easier to move around. Its rechargeable battery lasts a long time, too. As for downsides, it only has five buttons and the $150 price tag is steep.

4. Logitech G305 Lightspeed — The Best Budget

Gaming peripherals can quickly get expensive, but they don’t have to be. Logitech’s G305 Lightspeed delivers top-notch performance for just $50, and you can often find it on sale for less. It’s not quite as sensitive or customizable as more expensive options, but you still get six buttons and up to 12,000 DPI — plenty for most gamers.

The G305 Lightspeed uses a AA battery instead of a built-in rechargeable and can squeeze hundreds of hours out of it. It is on the heavier side, but it has all the comfort and satisfying feel you’d expect from Logitech.

5. Logitech G Pro Wireless — The Best Ambidextrous

Almost all gaming mouse designs favor right-handed gamers. If you’re one of the 10 to 12% of people who are left-handed, the wireless Logitech G Pro may be the mouse for you. Its stripped-back design makes it entirely ambidextrous, so you can use it in any hand without modification.

Logitech makes a wired version of the G Pro, but it’s not quite as leftie-friendly, thanks to right-handed thumb buttons. The wireless version features swappable thumb buttons, as well as a remarkable DPI, light weight and a comfortable soft plastic grip. At $130, though, it may be outside of some gamers’ budgets.

6. HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 — The Best Portable

While PC gaming often brings up images of giant desktops and their accompanying “battle stations,” you may prefer to play on the move. Cloud gaming services make leading performance accessible over the internet, so portable gaming is more viable than ever. If that suits your style, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 may be the best gaming mouse for you.

The Pulsefire Haste 2 weighs just 61 grams, uses a wireless Bluetooth connection and has a sleek, minimalistic design. All that portability also comes with 26,000 DPI, so you won’t sacrifice performance. However, some may find its $90 price tag too much for a relatively minimal mouse.

7. Razer Naga V2 Pro — The Most Customizable

Other gamers favor personalization above everything else. If you fall into that category, check out the Razer Naga V2 Pro. It’s the most expensive mouse on this list at $180, but you get a lot in return — namely, up to 20 programmable buttons, including a modular thumb-side plate.

You can place and program up to 12 side buttons — ideal for fast-paced MMOs — or strip it down to six or two if you want something less crowded. The Naga V2 Pro also has three connectivity options and a staggering 30,000 DPI.

What to Look for in a Gaming Mouse

While the best gaming mouse depends on your preferences, you should look for a few features. You’ll want at least 3,200 DPI and, ideally, a dedicated button for adjusting it on the fly to fit different games. It should also be comfortable for your dominant hand, as you’ll likely be using it for hours.

Programmable buttons are nice to have, but you may not need many. If you mainly play FPS games or turn-based strategy games, you may find that too many buttons crowds the mouse. However, if you’re a competitive MMO player, you’ll want more options for quick actions.

Lightweight mice are ideal, as they’re easier to move around. If you’re concerned about connectivity, opt for a wired mouse, but wireless options are reliable enough in most cases and minimize clutter.

Do You Really Need a Gaming Mouse?

In some cases, a gaming mouse may be unnecessary. You can find plenty of cheaper, office-use mice with sufficient DPIs and a comfortable grip. If you’re more or a casual gamer, skip the gaming brands in favor of these options. If you’re more competitive, though, you may need the extra buttons and high performance of a gaming mouse.

The Best Gaming Mouse Depends on Your Needs

No matter how you like to play and what your budget looks like, there’s a gaming mouse for you. When you know what’s available and what they offer, you can find the best gaming mouse for your specific needs. You can then take your game to the next level, even without excessive spending.