The Best Gaming Mice in 2023

Using a gaming mouse is the way to go for gamers who want precise, speedy gameplay on their PC. There are multiple kinds to buy that offer different advantages when it comes to gaming mice. For example, a lighter mouse may be easier to move, while one with a higher DPI may be more receptive to a small mousepad or lack thereof. Gamers may want a mouse that matches their PC rig, one that looks good on a desk, or one that doesn’t get in their way with wires.

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There are a ton of gaming mice to choose from, so when purchasing a new gaming mouse. Whether it’s a heavy gaming mouse that feels good in the palm or a wired gaming mouse that tracks even the lightest of movements, there’s a mouse out there that has every need covered.

How To Choose The Best Gaming Mouse?

A good mouse can make an average gaming experience feel excellent. Most gamers have probably used that cheap office mouse for gaming at one point. By the end of the session, hands were cramped, and half the shots missed were because of the mouse. When looking for a new mouse or a first gaming mouse, the number of options can be daunting, but there are four things to remember.

Connection Type

The connection of the best gaming mice is vital to choosing which mouse is perfect for every gamer. Wireless mice offer convenience and a clean look to a desk that a wired mouse can not compete with. For gamers who don’t want to worry about ever charging their mouse, a wired mouse is perfect and can provide slightly better performance most of the time. Gamers who want a wireless mouse, don’t worry. For the most part, the performance advantage is for those who want to be on the bleeding edge of gaming.

Gaming Style & Shape

Different games tend to lean towards different styles of mice. For example, FPS fans who use a palm grip and cannot stand to use a wired mouse are probably going to want to check out something like the Logitech Superlight Pro X. The standard for each game type is not perfect for each gamer, so make sure to shop around and find one that is fits for personal needs and not just whatever is deemed the best by some buyers guide, except for the ones on Game Rant, of course!

In all seriousness, though, not every FPS gamer will want an ultra-lightweight mouse, and not every MMO gamer will want a mouse with 20 macro buttons. So Game Rant highly recommends trying out a couple of different mice in a store, if able, to see what mouse shape would work best.

Special Features

Special features make a mouse perfect for each user, whether a joystick on the side of the mouse or a customizable side plate to fit different gaming styles on the fly. Some unique features or creature comforts can take a mouse, like many others out there, to a perfect mouse.

When looking for a new gaming mouse, there are a couple of factors to keep in mind.

• Connectivity: Would a wired or wireless mouse work better?
• Gaming Style and Shape: What type of mouse works best for different game genres?
• Special Features: What extra features will make a mouse perfect?

Our picks for the Best Gaming Mice for 2023

The Razer Basilisk Ultimate wireless mouse is perfect for any player. This high-performance gaming mouse uses Razer’s Focus+ sensor to offer a max DPI of 20k and a max acceleration of 50g. Designed with a medium build, this mouse fits under most hand sizes and weighs 107g, which is basically right in the middle of the weight range for gaming mice.

There are 11 programmable buttons and 5 onboard memory profile slots, making it easy to customize button layouts for different activities. One significant improvement in button layouts is the use of a paddle switch as a sniper DPI toggle. Conveniently hovering slightly over the side, players can lower their DPI instantly while never worrying about mis-clicks. Another greatly improved function is the scroll wheel. Players can adjust the wheel’s resistance using a dial on the base of the mouse to give more or less tactile feedback for each scroll movement. The wheel can also be used side to side, creating another opportunity for increased precision on the fly.

Read our full review of the Razer Basilisk Ultimate.

A reasonably new mouse on the scene, the MSI Clutch GM51 is an excellent option for most FPS gamers out there. Despite its slightly heavier 85 grams, this mouse still feels incredibly lightweight and can easily glide across any desk. But being light alone doesn’t make a mouse a good FPS mouse; the Clutch GM51 also has a list of very impressive specs. Most notably, the PixArt PAW-3395 sensor is capable of 26000 DPI and is incredibly accurate. This is one of those mice that make gamers feel like pro gamers in any competitive game they play with it.

Besides the excellent specs, this mouse has fantastic looks, primarily thanks to the Diamond Light Grips on the sides. These textured holes allow RGB lighting to shine and add an excellent grip to the sides of the mouse. It also comes with a charging dock where gamers can leave the mouse when they are done for the day, and the GM51 will be ready to go when it’s time to game next.

Read our full review of the Clutch GM51 here!

Whenever ultra-lightweight gaming mice are a topic of conversation, most of the time, it is followed up by the Logitech G Pro X Superlight. This mouse is not only incredibly lightweight at 63 grams, but it is also wireless. Many mice in this weight class rely on a honeycomb design to cut out a lot of weight, but due to some engineering magic, Logitech has kept the weight incredibly low while still keeping a non-perforated shell.

Compared to many other gaming mice, the G Pro X Superlight is quite bare bones, with no RGB lighting or adjustable buttons, but it does make up for it with its impressive performance. Using Logitech’s LIGHTSPEED wireless technology, the accuracy and latency are indistinguishable from a wired mouse. So, no more worrying about a pesky cable holding back those sweet flick shots.

Check out the full review for the Logitech G Pro X Superlight here!

Gamers needing a mouse that performs excellently and looks good on a desk should consider the Logitech G502 HERO. The HERO comes with a Hero 25k sensor provided by Logitech that allows for a maximum DPI of 25600. The RGB elements on the top of the mouse can cycle through many different colors, making it able to sync with other devices. The Lightsync technology allows users to program their mouse with other elements of their gaming rig, such as a keyboard, PC fans, or external lights. Gamers on a budget will be hard pressed finding a mouse in this price range with so many features!

With 11 customizable buttons and an impressive onboard memory system, gamers can assign custom commands to the Logitech G502 HERO with a simple flick of the switch. Adjust the weight of the Logitech G502 HERO to find the perfect balance, both in and out of gaming. However, it should be noted that the G502 HERO is a relatively heavy mouse at 121 grams and the additional weights will only make it heavier so those looking for something solid and substantial feeling in their hands will appreciate the G502 HERO more.

Read our full review of the Logitech G502 HERO Gaming Mouse.

MMO fans love to have access to all their macros at the reach of a finger and be able to customize their gaming experience easily. The Razer Naga Pro V2 can do just that with its 12 side buttons and wealth of customizability options. This mouse does come with three different side panels that can be swapped out for different gaming styles, so for those who don’t always want to have 12 buttons on the side of their mouse, the Naga Pro V2 is the best of both worlds. The customizability doesn’t stop there; the scroll wheel can be changed to affect the smoothness or tactility, the number of steps in a full rotation, and how the wheel functions when scrolling at different speeds.

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Performance-wise, the Naga Pro V2 is very accurate, mainly thanks to the Focus Pro 30K sensor; however, the heavy build makes it hard to move around consistently. In most MMOs, gamers won’t move a mouse around as much as in FPS games, so the weight isn’t as much of a drawback as with other categories.

The Razer DeathAdder V2 is a direct improvement on its predecessor, The DeathAdder Elite. The previous was one of the most beloved gaming mice out there, being available since 2016 as a mainstay for gamers everywhere. The Razer DeathAdder V2 improves upon the Elite’s concept with multiple subtle changes. The new scroll wheel is one of the first notable changes from the previous model. The V2 features a scroll wheel that offers customizable tightness settings. The V2 also features a new wire, the Speedflex Cable, which is less stiff than most standard wires, offering less drag and more flexibility when playing with a wired mouse. The left and right mouse buttons are more durable than the previous model, giving players a crisp clicking experience.

Razer promises that the left and right clicks of the DeathAdder V2 will last 70 million clicks each, unlike the previous version’s 50 million guarantee. The DeathAdder has an incredible sensor for precise gaming, with up to 20,000 DPI sensitivity. The optical sensors can track up to 650 inches per second, with a resolution accuracy of 99.6%. The left and right mouse buttons are responsive to even light clicks, making the DeathAdder V2 a great mouse for gaming, regardless of play style.

Read our full review of the mini version of the DeathAdder V2 Gaming Mouse.

The Logitech G903 LIGHTSPEED, despite having an ambidextrous design instead of a dedicated left-handed mouse, is easily one of the top gaming mice for left-handed gamers. The side buttons can be put on either side of the mouse, allowing them to be set for left-handed use or flipped to the right-hand side. Regardless of hand preference, the G903 is incredibly comfortable and one of the very few mice that allow for this level of customizability.

When it comes to performance, the G903 is powered by the Hero 25K sensor, which is the same sensor shared by the other high-end Logitech gaming mice. This sensor is incredibly responsive and will easily keep up with fast movements, not to mention it is highly accurate, making it a great all-around mouse for lefties. The G903 mouse is compatible with Power Play wireless charging mousepad and gamers who don’t want to pick up a Power Play mousepad need not worry as the mouse is rated for 180 hours of battery life.

The Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE can be charged with the provided USB-C cable. The Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE provides a comfortable shape that can fit easily into the palm of most hands and is designed to be comfortable even after gaming for hours, making it perfect for anyone who loves multi-hour gaming sessions. With the nine-zone dynamic RGB lighting, the Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE is a stylish and fully customizable mouse that can fit on any desktop.

Also important to note, the Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE features three ways to connect: Bluetooth connection, USB direct connection, and Slipstream Wireless technology. And thanks to the custom DPI adjustment settings, users can change their DPI settings even mid-game.

Check out the full review here!

For gamers who want a PC setup with RGB all over the place, this mouse will be a perfect addition. Thanks to the honeycomb design and the 4 independent RGB zones of the Roccat Burst Pro Air, it can make any desk glow. Besides the excellent lighting effects, this mouse offers exceptional performance and comfort. Weighing in at just 80.8 grams, this is one of the lightest mice on this list, making it an excellent option for FPS gamers or people who don’t like heavier mice.

The Roccat Burst Pro Air glides easily across most desk materials, making it easier to travel with and use wherever gamers want. Plus, for gamers with a laptop with only USB-C inputs, this mouse easily connects over Bluetooth, making it easy to connect wirelessly. Although it is not recommended to game with Bluetooth, latency spikes make it less reliable than 2.4GHz and wired connections. When the mouse needs to be charged after its impressive battery life of 100 hours is up, it charges over USB-C and is plugged into the front, so it can keep gaming even while charging.

The Asus ROG Chakram Core is a gaming mouse produced by ASUS with low latency and precise tracking. With a 16,000 DPI sensor and a wired connection, the Asus ROG Chakram Core will provide an accurate gaming experience, perfect for action game lovers. It has many programmable buttons, including a removable thumb stick that gamers can use to add even more control to their mouse. Gamers who want to adjust the weight of their mouse can with the Asus ROG Chakram Core. Whether a game works better with a light mouse for more precise, feather-touch movements or a heavier mouse for more robust sweeping motions, the Asus ROG Chakram Core has gamers covered as far as customizability is concerned.

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The Asus ROG Chakram Core has a DPI adjustment button that allows gamers to cycle through 4 levels of sensitivity. With the DPI On-The-Scroll feature on the Asus ROG Chakram Core, gamers can adjust their mouse sensitivity, even in the middle of a game. There’s no driver required to get the Asus ROG Chakram Core to work just as described; get it out of the box, plug it in, and enjoy the fun.

The SteelSeries Rival 600 Gaming Mouse is a wired gaming mouse perfect for FPS and other high-demanding games. With a wired connection, FPS gamers experience little to no lag between inputs for crisp, seamless motion and accurate shots. The SteelSeries Rival 600 Gaming Mouse also has RGB lighting underneath each panel, making it a glowing addition to any desk or office. RGB lighting on the SteelSeries Rival 600 Gaming Mouse is fully customizable.

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The SteelSeries Rival 600 Gaming Mouse features a tactile scrolling wheel, great for casual scrolling or fast research. The DPI on the SteelSeries Rival 600 Gaming Mouse is great for fast-paced games, making it a responsive and delicate mouse to work with. The 10-zone RGB illumination is excellent for customization, allowing gamers to choose the exact flow and colors that cover their mouse.

Overall, the G502 X Plus is very speedy. Despite weighing a bit more than comparable wireless gaming mice at 106g, the max acceleration is just under 40G, and the IPS maxes out at 400. Logitech’s Lightspeed wireless technology further protects against high latency while thin yet effective PTFE feet reduce friction to keep the mouse gliding smoothly. The average mouse size feels good under any grip style, and the shape provides ergonomic support to prevent joint pain.

Like all of Logitech’s top-tier gaming mice, the G502 X Plus relies on the Hero 25k sensor. Providing a max DPI of 25,600, this sensor is one of the best available even outside the Logitech lineup. Gamers can quickly change their settings with the DPI shift button, which can be reoriented to suit individual preferences, or players can decide to forgo it entirely and replace it with the included button cover.

FAQ

Q: Which is a better mouse for gaming, wired or wireless?

Wired mice tend to have lower latency than wireless mice. Modern examples of both today show little difference, however.

Q: What does DPI mean?

DPI, in simple terms, is the rate at which the mouse detects movement. A higher DPI means a mouse can detect movement more precisely.

Q: What are the advantages of a ball mouse?

A ball mouse is a stationary mouse that doesn’t require the movement of the arm to move the mouse. While not optimal for FPS games, these mice are great for if users want to save desk space, have a stationary mouse, or want to save the space on their desk for other gadgets.