Now you may be asking, who is this dude? What does he know about mice? Well, I’ve been a PC player ever since I started gaming, and I’ve been on a search for the perfect mouse for nigh on 2 years now. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly but endearing. I’ve used the small, medium and large mice, wireless and wired, good sensors and bad sensors, I’ve seen it all!

Knowing that, I have a list of criteria that I look for in a mouse. First and foremost, the shape is king. Every mouse has a slightly different shape, even mice that are considered clones of each other, and all the little twists and curves can make or break a certain shape for someone. An extra millimeter here, or a slightly deeper dip there, and the mouse may feel entirely different. Unfortunately, the shape is also totally subjective, and what feels great to me at my hand size and grip style may be absolutely abhorrent to someone else. I will attempt to give recommendations for who I think the mouse is designed for, but at the end of the day, it’s totally up to you, the consumer, to decide what works best for you.

Next in line for importance is the sensor. It is absolutely critical that a mouse meet a certain standard of sensor performance, but anything past that threshold is icing on the cake. Without getting too technical, anything listed as having a PMW3310, 3325, 3360, 3389, 3989, or Mercury will perform extremely well. All the mice in our list use one of these sensors, so for this list, there is no need to worry about the sensor. If you want to learn more about sensors you can read our guide here.

Then, in no particular order, we have buttons, cable and weight. Buttons and cable are generally a matter of personal preference, although some cables are noticeably stiff and actually impede swift movement of the mouse. Weight is a hotly contested issue in the mouse enthusiast community (yes it exists, go check out r/mousereview for more info), and some people are on the search for the lightest possible mouse. Some mice are even below 60g, which is an absolutely staggering achievement. Personally, I find anything under 105g to be the ideal weight, although this may have something to do with my high sensitivity.

A little bit about me and my preferences: I play shooters, so my focus is on accuracy and precision. I play fast-paced, twitchy shooters like Destiny 2 and Overwatch, so I need a mouse that can keep up with lots of fast flicks and also smooth tracking. I have very large hands, roughly 20.5 cm long by 10.5 cm wide. If you don’t know how to find those measurements, measure from the base of the wrist to the tip of the middle finger for length and from the knuckle of the pinky to the outside of the thumb. I also use a hybrid of a palm and claw grip, so keep that in mind when you read my reviews. You can learn more about mouse grips right here.

Our under $30 budget gaming mouse series

The unfortunate reality of the gaming mouse market is that there are few really high-quality mice that are $30 or under. We have already reviewed some, such as the Talentech Ember and the G203, but most mice in this category fail in one category or another. Some are much too heavy, others have bad sensors, others have poor reliability. SteelSeries has the Rival 100, or the Rival 110 for 4 dollars more. Logitech offers the G203, and Cooler Master has the MM530 and the CM310. If you are looking for a wireless mouse in this price range, the only options have poor connections or noticeable amounts of lag.

We will be taking a look at 5 different “budget” mice. Budget, in this case, is being defined as anything under $30 USD, but still maintaining a high level of quality and performance. Our first gaming mouse in our budget series is the Talentech Ember, you can read our review right here.

Talentech Ember Mouse Review

Logitech G203 Review

Our under $50 budget gaming mouse series

When you extend your budget up to $50, a whole new world opens up. Logitech’s excellent G403 is reachable, as is the wireless G305. They also offer the sleek, streamlined G302, a niche favorite among FPS gamers. SteelSeries offers the Rival 110 and Sensei 310 for small and medium ambidextrous mice, respectively, as well as the Rival 310 and Rival 600 for medium and large ergo mice. The classic Razer Deathadder Elite is another option, a large, right-handed mouse that has been a fan favorite in various incarnations for years.

We will be reviewing the following gaming mice, all which sit in or around the $50 price mark. Once we have reviewed them we will report back here with our top 5 gaming mice under $50.

Razer DeathAdder Elite

It’s not always easy to find a perfect balance of shape, weight, and price when buying a decent gaming mouse but its hard to say anything bad about the Deathadder Elite. Razer released this ergonomic shape over ten years ago and it’s still regarded by many as one of the best right-handed shapes money can buy. They have done away with the old laser sensors and implemented the co-developed PixArt 3389. The mouse performs excellently and comfort is never compromised with the Deathadder.

The Deathadder surpasses expectations with its tech being brought up to date with other top gaming mice. Even though it can take a while to get used to its new lightweight stature it still feels like a deadly weapon in the hand.

Read our complete review of the Razer Deathadder Elite here.

Razer Deathadder Elite

$46.99

Buy on Amazon

SteelSeries Rival 310

Not to be confused with the Sensei 310, the Rival 310 is an ergonomic right-handed mouse and looks quite simplistic at first glance. It’s an uncomplicated mouse built with comfort and more importantly performance in mind. The mouse features arguably one of the best sensors available and its no-nonsense approach helps it deliver a seriously low weight so you can fling this around with no problems.

The mouse didn’t falter once through testing and is a brilliant option for anyone right handed as it packs a lot of quality specs into quite a small shell. The comfort grooves and rubber textures are a masterful touch and all for an affordable price.

Read our complete review of the SteelSeries Rival 310 here.

SteelSeries Rival 310

$39.31

Buy on Amazon

HyperX PulseFire FPS Pro

The FPS Pro is a mid-range mouse from HyperX and appears to be direct competition with the Deathadder. This mouse offers similar specifications to the DA Elite for less with a PMW3389 under the shell and is built inside a comfortable ergonomic shape.

Overall the mouse performs brilliantly and it has a great balance to it. The extra large feet on the bottom made flicking great fun and its comfortable shape is great for right-handed gamers.  It’s worth noting it’s not as comfortable as the DA elite or as durable but a nice alternative all the same.

Read our complete review of the HyperX Pulsefire FPS Pro here.

HyperX Pulsefire FPS Pro

$34.99

Buy on Amazon

Logitech G305

The G305 from Logitech may seem like an uninteresting small mouse on the surface but don’t judge a book by its cover! This mouse packs in some brilliant features in such a small place. You get the highly regarded HERO sensor that Logitech says is the best they have ever implemented. You get Logitech’s excellent wireless technology, quality switches, and a comfy ambidextrous shape all for an unbelievable price.

It’s a small mouse so be wary if you consider yourself to have large hands but oh boy does it perform.

Read our complete review of the Logitech G305 here.

Logitech G305

The Logitech G305 is a small, lightweight and affordable wireless gaming mouse for the performance conscientious budget gamer.

$40.99

Buy on Amazon

Logitech G403

The G403 offers gamers a fantastic ergonomic shape that many will find highly comfortable in the right hand. The aim of this range was to bring professional-grade mice to the casual gamer at an affordable price and Logitech achieved this with the G403. Underneath the safe simplistic shape lies some fantastic hardware with the implementation of the PWM3366 which is one of the best sensors on the market. It performs brilliantly, however, the cable can be considered to be a bit too thick and abrasive but nothing a bungee wouldn’t fix and with the value of this mouse, you could treat yourself.

Read our complete review of the Logitech G403 here.

Logitech G403

$74.95

Buy on Amazon

Logitech G603

Here we have another wireless Logitech option but this time in an ergonomic right-hand form and who can be surprised with the variety Logitech release. The G603 has the best of both worlds as it features the brilliant HERO sensor and Logitech’s lightspeed technology giving this mouse some of the best performance you can get. It shares similar specs to the G Pro wireless however doesn’t have the advanced battery so you can’t wirelessly charge the G603. That being said you won’t really ever need to charge this beast as the battery life is 250 hours per AA battery you put in with the maximum battery life being up to 500 hours!

A comfy mouse with all the specs you could possibly want!

Read our complete review of the Logitech G603 here.

Logitech G603

$53.39

Buy on Amazon

Corsair Glaive

The Corsair Glaive could be described by some as a monster as its possibly the widest mouse we tested but its performance and comfort were superb for the price. With the look and feel of the Glaive being the DA Elites direct competitor, it features a great sensor, the PWM3367 and is home to some high-quality features. Despite its stature, it sits very comfortably in the hand and feels like a direct extension. The design is something unrivaled in this price category and I know it’s not important but the RGB on the Glaive is something to be admired. The build quality from Corsair is superb and it feels like you get a lot for your money with this mouse.

You can read our complete review of the Corsair Glaive here.

Corsair Glaive

Buy on Amazon

Logitech G Pro Wired

coming soon

Razer Abyssus V2

coming soon

Roccat Kone Pure Owl Eye

coming soon

Our under $100 gaming mouse series

The $50-$100 range is where the sweet spot hits. Zowie mice become available, giving such options as the ergonomic EC series, and the ambidextrous FK series. Both series come with multiple options for many hand sizes and preferences. Logitech wireless mice become available, including the G703 with wireless charging, and the old-generation G900. The newer G903 is closer, at only $110, and offers improved reliability along with the same wireless charging technology as the G703. Razer offers the wireless Lancehead Tournament, Mamba wireless, along with the unique Naga Trinity. The Trinity is based on the Naga, an MMO favourite, but with multiple hot-swappable sides in various configurations: the standard 12-key for MMOs, a 6-key version for a hybrid, and a 2-button option for normal browsing and FPS games.

Of note in this category is the upcoming Glorious Odin. This mouse is unreleased as of now but promises an extremely lightweight (sub 70g), safe shape, excellent sensor, and beautiful RGB, all for a low price of $50 dollars.

Logitech G703

The G703 has been designed exclusively for right-handed gamers and it comes with a supremely comfortable shape similar to the G403 and G603. It features soft comfort grooves allowing the mouse to nestle in your palm nicely. The G703 features the PWM3366 which is a variant on the 3360 and performs just as well. The sensor is insanely precise and micro adjustments have never been easier than with this mouse. Tracking is smooth and stable with no noticeable lag or acceleration. It performs like a champ thanks to Logitech’s lightspeed technology on board so if you’re looking for a top quality wireless mouse then the G703 has to be considered.

Read our complete review of the G703 here.

Logitech G903

The G903 is one unique looking mouse, Its sharp edges and straight lines give it a futuristic look. The design is great and the mouse is very comfortable to grip even as an ambidextrous mouse. Side buttons can be removed making it customisable for both hands and the complete removal of these buttons only adds to the comfort. It shares the same sensor as the G703 and it’s a powerful one, The PMW3366 hasn’t let me down once and no matter how fast I try and move this mouse it won’t spin out. The shape is not safe at all but somehow still offers one of the comfiest ambidextrous shapes you can get and a larger alternative to the G Pro Wireless. It’s worth considering the G903 based on its performance alone but it’s full to the brim with features like Lightspeed technology, which enables this mouse to be used with Logitech’s Powerplay pad.

Check out the full review here.

Razer Mamba Wireless

The untethered Mamba has a fantastic shape. Similar to the Deathadder but with a few adjustments, it’s one comfy mouse. It features the PMW3389 which Razer seemed to be using across most of their mice these days and it performs excellently. The mouse isn’t just an ergonomic shape it has been packed with some extra juicy features too. The wireless technology Razer have implemented is genius and gives enough performance for Mamba to be a stellar alternative. If you want to cut the cable but keep control then consider the Mamba wireless.

Read our in-depth review here.

Money is no object gaming mouse $100+

The crème de la crème of mice fall into this category. First and foremost is the Logitech G Pro Wireless, the pinnacle of wireless tech. It is a safe, ambidextrous shape, and it is true ambidextrous with side button options for both sides. It is fully wireless, with long battery life and most importantly, only weighs in at 80g. Continuing in the vein of ultra-light mice, there are various options from FinalMouse. The UltraLight, UltraLight Phantom, and Air58 are all essentially the same mouse, with minor improvements here and there. They were all limited-run mice, and while the Air58 still has some units left, the rest can only be found second-hand. They are extremely expensive, some variants pushing $250+ dollars, and have been subject to some quality control issues that leave something to be desired. However, they are extremely good mice, with a weight well 80g, and in the case of the Air58, below 60g.

Logitech G Pro Wireless

The G Pro wireless from Logitech is considered by some as the pinnacle in wireless gaming mice and we can see why. A universally comfortable shape which may not be for everyone but its certainly been designed to be comfortable for many. The sleek design is superb and is matched by what’s going on under the shell. As you would expect Logitech have packed the best of what they offer into this mouse with the HERO sensor at the helm. Its got the brilliant Lightspeed technology inside and the mouse can continually charge via the Powerplay mousepad even while playing if you desired. A jam-packed ambidextrous mouse that only weighs 80 grams makes the G Pro a top option.

You can read more about the G Pro wireless here.

SteelSeries Rival 650

Another mouse brimming with tech is the ever so attractive Rival 650 from SteelSeries. This ergonomic beast does have some heft to it with a default weight of 121 grams but in terms of design and performance its a stunner. The 650 is the latest wireless solution from Steelseries and it’s essentially the Rival 600 with its cable cut off! It features the same TrueMove3+ sensor we see being implemented in other SteelSeries mice and like the 600 is joined by the depth sensor. SteelSeries are trying to combat lift off in their own way and I’m ok with that. This is a premium wireless mouse with some luxurious materials used in its construction and you can tell just looking at it. So if you are ok with the weight and fancy a cable and lag-free experience the Rival 650 with its fast charging capabilities could be needing serious consideration.

Read our full review here.