Wireless and gaming mouse 2021 essential buyer’s guide

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Computer mice have evolved quite a bit in the last decade, from those that used primarily a ball to track movement, to today’s laser and optical sensor mice. They give unparalleled performance, depending on their quality, on almost any surface. We are going to venture into discovering what is the best wireless and gaming mouse 2021 brings in a detailed buying guide, showing you the bests options for you on each category.

We cover various market areas, from those who want to get the best wireless and gaming mouse 2021 possible spending as little as their budget allows, to those with a little more depth in their pockets who don’t care about the price of the mouse in order to obtain the one with the best features, which will generally be gaming oriented mice.

Best wireless and gaming mouse 2021 categories

• Economic computer mice
• Bluetooth computer mice
• Gaming computer mice
• Economic gaming computer mice
• All terrain computer mice
• FPS and RTS computer mice
• MMO and MOBA computer gaming mice

The types of computer mice

Currently, mice use only two types of sensors: laser and optical. In a nutshell both types are the same (optical) but each has its own advantages and disadvantages, although we can’t say one is better than the other. Optical sensors generally use a red LED to illuminate the area over which they have to register movement. Laser sensors, being also optical sensors, use infrared laser illumination to detect where the mouse is moving.

The movement of the mouse on the screen is based on capturing images of the surface (they are CMOS-type sensors, like those in cameras), comparing them to count the number of pixels that the mouse has moved. It is measured at a pixels per inch scale (DPI). To be more precise, it is called CPI (Counts Per Inch or Count Per Inch), of the sensor, which is the resolution of the images taken. In practice, DPI indicates the number of pixels on a screen that the cursor will displace when moving the mouse one inch over a surface.

Increasing the DPI of a mouse means that moving it one inch will allow it to travel much more distance on the screen, if the conversion were 1: 1. A mouse with a 2000 DPI sensor is sufficient to pan a 1920 x 1080 pixel screen from side to side in one inch (2.5 cm). Therefore, more DPI does not imply higher quality or better. It might be useful in setups with two or three 4K monitors where the mouse would have to move 6,000 or 10,000 pixels to get from one end of the desktop to the other with only one slight movement of the hand, but on a 1080p desktop a sensor with 16,000 PPP is unnecessary.

Neither can be said that an optical sensor is better than a laser one, or vice versa. In addition to the sensor DPI, the quality depends on the specific implementation that the manufacturer makes for it to be the best wireless and gaming mouse 2021. The analogy in this case is the cameras of a phone, where two can use the same high-quality sensor, but one uses color filters of different types and firmware, which in practice can give different results in terms of the quality of photos taken.

Laser sensors capture surface roughness with greater precision, and that when processed, implies noise that is added to the image reading, and can have erratic behavior on soft or fabric surfaces. In contrast, optical sensors with LED lighting capture less information from the surface and when it comes to counting movement, they are better for those soft surfaces, but bad for other types of surfaces such as glass.

Mouse acceleration

The acceleration in a mouse is intended to vary the speed of movement of the cursor. Positive acceleration allows the mouse to move more precisely when moving slowly, and the sensor to interpret a greater number of pixels traveled when moving quickly. If a mouse is set to a high DPI, the throttle would have to be adjusted down accordingly or it would be difficult to perform precision clicks.

In some operating systems, and specifically OS X, acceleration is done at the software level to provide greater precision with slow mouse movements. In Windows, it is left to the mouse programs and the games to make these kinds of decisions.

Increasing or decreasing the speed of a mouse in operating systems involves making a linear relationship of increase or decrease in the number of pixels that the mouse reads when scrolling. In general, it is best to leave the work of deciding the acceleration to the software and operating system. Some peripheral programs also allow you to modify the sensitivity (mouse movement based on DPI, acceleration, and surface) on the x and y axes separately, or to create speed milestones with different DPI values ​​to better suit each user.

The mouse sampling rate

The sensors of the mice can see their acceleration and precision in the pixel count modified depending on the surface on which it moves. The electronics of the mouse itself make unintended corrections to its movement, allowing straight lines to be drawn in the movement of the mouse.

The sampling rate or polling is the rate at which samples are taken from the mouse location to send them to the PC, expressed in frequency (Hertz). Since frequency is the inverse of the time it takes for something to repeat itself (period), a 1000 Hz sampling results in samples being taken every 1 ms. The higher the sampling rate, the more reliable the calculation of the mouse position, while the lower the less reliable.

Changing the sampling to 125, 250, 500 and 1000 Hz are common settings, and each mouse and program will interpret these changes in different ways. Some will make more predictions about mouse movement, and others will just provide the information as-is to the operating system. In general, it is standard to use 1000 Hz sampling in commercially available mice.

Buttons or keys

Like keyboard keys, mouse buttons also use various mechanisms to perform clicks. Depending on whether their quality is better or worse, they will have a longer or shorter life expectancies. There are several companies like Razer that also provide in some models mechanisms that are pressed practically without force (like the red Cherry MX mechanisms of the keyboards) which can be an advantage in certain types of games, and a disadvantage in others.

Now, without further ado, let check the best wireless and gaming mouse 2021 offers per each category:

Economic computer mice

Mice generalists are used to those tasks that don’t necessarily includes playing games, so they may be more interested simply in detecting movement well, being wireless, or connecting via Bluetooth. They can also appreciate their design, but in general these mice, with few exceptions, are not specifically designed for gaming. Determining what would be the Best wireless and gaming mouse 2021 in the economic price range wasn’t hard, considering there are many good options out there. Nonetheless, we narrowed down the best options for you.

As in any other technology product, the best products can be those that provide the best features at any price, those that provide you with the best value for money, or simply those that are cheaper and do their job without problems.

In this section we will be seeing the economic best wireless and gaming mouse 2021 options. The rule of thumb in this category is not only that they are cheap, but also that they are the most reliable option for their price tags.

Bluetooth computer mice

Reliable mice that connect via Bluetooth and that can be used at a plug-and -play convenience with laptops and other devices that have this type of connection. They are oriented towards portability, thus they can also be smaller than normal for easy storage.

Razer Pro Click

The PRO Click, although a productivity-oriented Bluetooth mouse, it has a high-performance 5G sensor from Razer with 16,0000 DPI, 450 PPS and 40 G of acceleration. It weighs around 106 g, works via Bluetooth, a 2.4 GHz USB adapter and via cable. Use a standard USB Type-C connector for recharging. It is sold in a white color that can be appealing even to the most picky users.

Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless

This small mouse (116.8 mm × 68.6 mm × 40.6 mm) is designed for use with laptops and to be able to take it anywhere without problems. That is why it uses Bluetooth connectivity to work, although it also has a USB adapter to work in the 2.4 GHz band with devices that do not have Bluetooth. Includes a 10,000 DPI sensor. It has two additional buttons on the left side. Its autonomy is around 60 hours without lighting using Bluetooth.

Logitech G603

The G603 mouse uses the sensor called HERO, which is optical type configurable between 200 and 12,000 DPI, with 400 PPS and an acceleration of 40 G. It uses two batteries for power, and has two modes of use of high and low consumption, depending on whether you prefer to obtain the best performance or the greatest possible autonomy. It has Bluetooth connectivity, in addition to the company’s Lightspeed.

It is designed for right-handed users, and has two additional buttons on the left side. It has an internal memory to save the configuration of the buttons and to be able to use them without installing anything on any PC. It is 124 × 68 × 43 mm in size and weighs 88.9 g, although with one battery it is 112.3 g, and with two batteries it becomes 135.7 g.

Basilisk X Hyperspeed by Razer

This Bluetooth mouse also includes a wireless USB adapter that stores inside the mouse. It works with an AA battery to give it up to 450 hours of autonomy over Bluetooth, and it has a great 16,000 DPI optical sensor.

Razer Atheris

Atheris is a Bluetooth mouse that uses frequency adaptive technology over the 2.4 GHz channel, with which, according to Razer, greater signal stability is achieved, avoiding interference from other Bluetooth devices even in crowded places such as an office or cafeteria.

It uses two AA batteries that can last for months. The sensor is an optical type of 7200 CPP (counting per inch), 220 PPS, and acceleration of 30 G. It has a top button to control the sensitivity of the sensor, and two others in the left side to move forward and backward, although they are customizable.

Microsoft Mobile Mouse 3600

Apple Magic Mouse 2

The top surface of the Magic Mouse 2 is tactile, with a right-click zone and a left-click zone. It can be used to, depending on the application, make scrolling gestures with one or two fingers that can be recognized as going back and forth, switching desktop in OS X or sliding within the window, so it does not have a typical wheel mouse for it.

Logitech M720 Triathlon

Logitech MX Master 3

This MX Master 3 model is similar to the MX Master 2S, but various aspects of it are improved. Starting with ergonomics, with the thumb rest zone, the mouse wheel that is a MagSpeed designed in Switzerland controlled by electromagnets for maximum precision, and has a 4000 DPI laser Darkfield sensor. The connectivity is Bluetooth 4.0 or with a USB adapter, and it has a 500 mAh battery that will last up to seventy days. It has a fast charge for three hours of use with one minute of charging.

Logitech MX Anywhere 2S

Logitech MX Anywhere 3

Gaming computer mice

Classifying mice according to the type of game they are going to be used with is sometimes difficult. That is why, although in this classification we have tried to separate them into three categories (off-road, FPS / RTS and MMO / MOBA), there will not be great differences in use in one or the other games. Take it as a non-restrictive classification, but certainly a mouse with a twelve-key numeric keypad is clearly geared towards MMORPGs.

Sometimes they claim that a type of mouse grip is better for certain styles of play, therefore the design is thought to accommodate that specific group of players. They are partly right, but that doesn’t mean that they are bad for the rest of the games, or that they cannot be as good.

Many of these mice also include weights to adjust the mouse balance, and others can be modified in length or the height of the palm rest. Everything aimed at making the buyer feel completely comfortable with the product he has bought, which in elite eSports tournaments and for professional or serious gamers it is very important.

Economic gaming computer mice

Logitech G203 Lightsync

Sharkoon Skiller SGM2

The Skiller SGM2 is an inexpensive mouse, with a 6400 DPI sensor, sufficient for the vast majority of users, with configurable RGB lighting and two additional buttons on the left side. It has a right-handed design, measuring 132mm × 69mm × 42mm and weighing 106g.

Sharkoon Light² S

All terrain computer mice

They are mice that are well adapted to all types of games, either by configurable number of buttons or mouse precision, which doesn’t depend on PPP.

Corsair Katar Pro Wireless

Logitech G305

Logitech has a wireless connection system called Lightspeed. It promises a much more stable connection in its peripherals, without extra delays and without cuts. It’s the one that implements the G305. It requires a USB adapter that is stored inside.

It runs on a single AA battery for up to 250 hours of use running the sensor at 1 ms (1000 Hz), or a configurable long-life mode running at 8 ms (125 Hz) for up to nine months of use. The Hero sensor has a sensitivity of 12,000 DPI (dots per inch), 40G acceleration and 400 PPS (inches per second) of displacement, making it among the best on the market.

The G305 has two additional side buttons, one on the top, plus the thumbwheel click and the two main buttons, all fully reconfigurable. The mouse isn’t too big, at 116.6mm × 62.15mm × 38.2mm and weighing 99g, and it’s quite ergonomic, with the advantage that it won’t disturb with a cable as it is wireless.

Razer Mamba Wireless

The Mamba Wireless works with a USB adapter in the 2.4 GHz band, and is totally stable. It has an ergonomic design, more suitable for holding it in the palm, and for right-handed users. It has two additional buttons on the left side and two on the top. The 16,000 DPI sensor, with 450 PPS speed and 50 G acceleration, is one of the best on the market, and the mouse glides perfectly, with very little friction exerted by its lower pads.

Newskill Eos

The Eos includes a sensor PMW3360 of 16,000 DPI and 250 PPS, with an acceleration of 50 G, being a sensor of the good ones. The underside has Teflon pads to improve gliding, and it features RGB lighting on the palm rest, wheel, and around the bottom of the mouse.

Serie Zowie by BenQ

This series from Zowie has quite restrained sensors but they are excellent for games where precision is required.

Sensei 310

SteelSeries Rival 310

The Rival 310 is a TrueMove3 optical sensor mouse designed by SteelSeries in conjunction with PixArt, with 12,000 DPI, 350 PPS and 50G acceleration, giving it exceptional scrolling. It is also a sensor that eliminates jitter or fluctuation in the movement of the mouse. The mouse is designed for right-handed users with two additional buttons on the left side, and a rest area on the right side. It has customizable RGB lighting. Its size is moderate, at 127.6mm × 70.1mm × 41.98mm and a weight of 88.3 grams.

Logitech G Pro

FPS and RTS computer mice

Mice for shooting games (FPS) and real-time strategy (RTS) usually require the mouse to be precise and fast, perfectly accompanying movement and actions within the game. That is why these mice usually stand out in the precision of the mouse sensor, have an additional configurable button as well as its acceleration, and the increasingly common colored LEDs, either a static color or that cover the RGB range.

Razer Viper 8 kHz

Razer has the first mouse with 8000 Hz sensor sampling which reduces input latency. A 144 Hz or higher monitor is required to notice any difference compared to the usual 1000 Hz sampling, and it will be noticeable much more on 360 Hz monitors.

SteelSeries Aero 3 and 3 Wireless

Logitech G PRO X Superlight

The PRO X Superlight is a very interesting mouse with a sensor of 25,400 DPI, a speed of 400 PPS and an acceleration of 40 G. It is also ultralight, weighing only 63 g, and that is wireless. It works through a USB adapter that is stored inside. It has autonomy for about 70 hours of play, it has internal memory for profiles.

Razer DeathAdder v2

The DeathAdder v2 is a well and ergonomically designed mouse that includes the company’s optical switches and the best sensor on the market, the Focus + with 20,000 DPI sensitivity, 650 PPS speed and 50 G acceleration. It glides really well with its pads made of Teflon and its low weight of 82 g, and it is not an expensive mouse for the technology it includes, although it can be out of the budget for many. It has internal memory for various configuration profiles.

Roccat Burst Pro

Razer Viper

The Viper is the first mouse with optical switches on its two main buttons, giving it an extremely fast response time to clicks. It is a mouse with good ergonomics, with a symmetrical design —for right- and left-handed people—, with two additional buttons on each side of it. At the bottom there is a button to change the sensor sensitivity up to 16,000 DPI included, and various sensitivity profiles can be saved from Synapse 3.0. It’s a really good gliding mouse, one of the best wireless and gaming mouse 2021.

The Viper Ultimate version is wireless with a USB adapter to operate in the 2.4 GHz band, with an improved Focus + sensor of 20,000 DPI and much more precise. The Viper Mini is the smallest and lightest, at 118.3mm × 53.5mm × 38.3mm and weighs 61g, with an 8000 DPI sensor, 300 PPS speed and 35 G acceleration.

Xtrfy M4 RGB

Corsair Nightsword RGB

This model has an ergonomic design with a thumb rest area, favors grip and has customizable RGB lighting. It has six weights to modify the mouse’s 119 g weight by another 22 g, with three weights of 4.5 g and another three of 2.8 g. The sensor is a high precision 18,000 DPI, with 400 PPS of speed and 50 G of acceleration. This is self-calibrating based on the modified weight of the mouse. For some people this mouse is a little cumbersome to move.

Glorious Gaming Model O

The wireless version is as good as the regular, with autonomy for 71 hours of use via a USB adapter in the 2.4 GHz band.

Glorious Gaming Model D

Razer Basilisk v2

Logitech G903 Lightspeed

Logitech G502 Lightspeed

This Logitech mouse has wireless connectivity through its own system that allows a 1000 Hz sampling and a totally stable connection to play, through a USB adapter, although it can also be used with cable to recharge its battery that gives it 60 hours of autonomy.

Razer Mamba Elite

The Mamba Elite has a great 5G sensor from Razer, with 16,000 DPI, 450 PPS speed and 50 G acceleration, with a design in the top line of what Razer brings to the market. It has two main buttons, a wheel with a side click, two extra buttons under the wheel, and two buttons on the left side, so it can also be used by right- and left-handed users. It has rubber side areas to improve grip, and in general it is very ergonomic. The Chroma lighting system integrated in two side stripes, wheel and palm rest is highly customizable in colors and effects since it has seven lighting LEDs per side.

Corsair Ironclaw RGB Wireless

Logitech G502 Hero

The G502 HERO is a version of the G502 with a new 16,000 DPI sensor instead of 12,000 DPI, with a better speed of 400 PPS and an acceleration of 40 G. It maintains weight and dimensions, and includes weights that can add up to 18 grams additionally. It has two extra buttons on the top, five on the side, and with side clicks of the wheel, making it a mouse that can also be used in more complex games. The included lighting is RGB. The braided fabric covered cable is 2.1 meters long.

HyperX Pulsefire Surge

The Pulsefire Surge is a mouse that provides a PixArt PMW3389 sensor, which has up to 16,000 DPI sensitivity, with 400 PPS and 50G acceleration, making it one of the best there is in the market. The mouse design is right-handed, with two additional buttons on the left side. It also has an additional button on the top for changing sensitivity settings on the fly.

Your case’s RGB lighting can be configured through HyperX’s NGenuity tool. It has a 1.8 meter USB 2.0 connection cable. At the bottom it includes wide pads to facilitate movement.

Corsair M65 Elite RGB

The M65 Elite RGB is similar to the M65 Pro but changes the sensor, which is 18,000 DPI with a speed of 400 PPS and acceleration of 50 G, configurable in increments of only 1 DPI. It has a side sniper button that instantly reduces sensitivity for precision shooting in games. All the buttons are configurable as well as its weight thanks to three 6.33 g weights that can be stacked into it. This mouse is definitely one of the best wireless and gaming mouse 2021.

Corsair M65 Pro RGB

MMO and MOBA computer gaming mice

Mice for MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online games) or MOBA (Massive Online Battle Arena) usually have the need to have a good number of keys mapped. Much better if they are within reach of the thumb, thus making the most of the side of the mouse.

In the case of MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft, between character actions and macros, dozens of shortcuts may be required on the keyboard. In the case of MOBAs, it is usually limited to five or six basic skills, and for them there is also a specific mouse such as the Razer Naga Hex 2. The following mice are highly configurable, and good companions for MMOs.

Razer Naga Pro

The Naga Pro is the best mouse Razer has on the market and has the crown on this buyer’s guide for the best wireless and gaming mouse 2021. In addition to being wireless, which means a slight increase in weight, it has Bluetooth connectivity, USB adapter and cable, making it very versatile. It also has three side panels for different types of game, be it FPS, MOBA or MMORPG. It is highly accurate, glides beautifully, and has a high autonomy. It is the best and most versatile mouse on the market.

Razer Naga Trinity

The Naga Trinity is the Swiss army knife for gamers who enjoy more than one genre. The left side has a series of contacts to adjust three different panels: one with two buttons (type sets), another with a circle of seven buttons (MOBA), and the last one with twelve buttons (MMORPG). It can be changed on the fly, and each panel is managed through Synapse 3.0.

It has configurable RGB lighting, a 5G optical sensor up to 16,000 DPI. It has a very smooth glide thanks to its lower pads, and a weight of 120 g.

Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite

Tt eSports Nemesis

The Nemesis is a mouse aimed at those who want to have multiple keys within reach of their thumb, because it is also highly configurable. It has a rotating drum and movable keys to have the ideal user configuration. The actions to each key are configured through the companion application for Windows. It has a descent sensor PMW3360 up to 12,000 DPI, with 50 G and 250 PPS.

UtechSmart Venus

Depending on your budget, computer use or gaming style, you have here plenty of options to choose from. This guide contains all the best wireless and gaming mouse 2021 as of the date of publishing. Therefore there would be a couple of options more available that might have escaped this guide.

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