AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse  Mouse Review

Reviewed Oct 04, 2022 at 11:05am
Tested using Methodology v1.3 
AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse
5.5
Office/Multimedia 
7.1
Video Games (FPS) 
4.4
Video Games (MMO) 
5.1
Travel 
 0

The AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse is a straightforward, wired office mouse. It has a symmetrical shape, making it a good choice for right- and left-handed users. However, the design is also very low-profile, and the mouse's overall size is small, so it isn't well-suited for larger hands.

Our Verdict

5.5
Office/Multimedia 

The AmazonBasics Mouse is a sub-par mouse for office use. It feels decently sturdy, and its click buttons are very quiet, so they're unlikely to bother anyone working around you. Unfortunately, it's made from cheap-feeling materials. It also has no wireless connection options, and you can't reprogram any of its buttons as there isn't any software for customization. Also, the scroll wheel lacks L/R tilt buttons and doesn't unlock for free-scrolling.

Pros
  • Feels sturdy despite its inexpensive price point.
  • Ambidextrous design well-suited for medium and smaller hand sizes.
Cons
  • Cheap-feeling materials.
  • No wireless connectivity.
  • No customization software.
  • Poor quality mouse feet don't glide very smoothly on mousepads or desks.
7.1
Video Games (FPS) 

The AmazonBasics Mouse is a satisfactory option for FPS gaming, though it isn't designed for this use. It offers good overall comfort for smaller hand sizes and is extremely lightweight, weighing slightly less than even most premium lightweight gaming mice. However, it mainly achieves this due to its small size and cheap construction materials. It also has a very stiff cable, very high and inconsistent click latency, and there's no way to adjust the extremely low polling rate or CPI settings.

Pros
  • Feels sturdy despite its inexpensive price point.
  • Ambidextrous design well-suited for medium and smaller hand sizes.
Cons
  • Cheap-feeling materials.
  • Stiff, poor quality cable.
  • Poor click latency and an extremely low, fixed polling rate.
  • Poor quality mouse feet don't glide very smoothly on mousepads or desks.
4.4
Video Games (MMO) 

The AmazonBasics Mouse isn't designed for MMO gaming and performs poorly for this use. It only has three buttons, and you can't reprogram any of them as there isn't any companion software. It also has very high and inconsistent click latency, no CPI adjustment options, and a very low, fixed polling rate.

Pros
  • Feels sturdy despite its inexpensive price point.
  • Ambidextrous design well-suited for medium and smaller hand sizes.
Cons
  • Cheap-feeling materials.
  • Poor click latency and an extremely low, fixed polling rate.
  • No customization software.
  • Poor quality mouse feet don't glide very smoothly on mousepads or desks.
5.1
Travel 

The AmazonBasics Mouse is inadequate for travel, but it isn't designed for this usage. While it's extremely lightweight and feels sturdy, it lacks wireless connectivity and has a stiff, poor-quality cable. Also, it has thin, cheap-feeling feet that don't glide very smoothly.

Pros
  • Feels sturdy despite its inexpensive price point.
  • Ambidextrous design well-suited for medium and smaller hand sizes.
Cons
  • Cheap-feeling materials.
  • No wireless connectivity.
  • Poor quality mouse feet don't glide very smoothly on mousepads or desks.
  • 5.5
    Office/Multimedia
  • 7.1
    Video Games (FPS)
  • 4.4
    Video Games (MMO)
  • 5.1
    Travel
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Oct 20, 2022: Added a comparison to the recently reviewed Logitech M317.
    2.  Updated Oct 04, 2022: Review published.
    3.  Updated Sep 26, 2022: Early access published.
    4.  Updated Sep 20, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.

    Check Price

    Black3-Button USB Wired Mouse
    SEE PRICE
    Amazon.com
    Black3-Button USB Wired Mouse
    SEE PRICE
    Walmart.com
    Black3-Button USB Wired Mouse
    B&H
    Black3-Button USB Wired Mouse
    BestBuy.com

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse comes in a black colorway, without any other variants available. You can see the label for our unit here.

    Popular Mouse Comparisons

    The AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse is one of the cheapest mice currently available at the time of writing and is aimed at individuals and businesses that need a basic and inexpensive option without extra features. That said, some small but noticeable quality differences exist between similarly straightforward office models, like the Logitech M100, which feels better built and made with higher quality materials.

    For more recommendations, see our picks for the best wired mouse, the best mouse for work, and the best ergonomic mouse.

    Razer Viper Mini

    The AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse is a very basic, wired office mouse. On the other hand, the Razer Viper Mini is a gaming mouse with much lower click latency and significantly better sensor performance.

    Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse

    The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse and the AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse are wired mice intended primarily for office use. The Microsoft has a larger, right-handed shape and has two side buttons on the left. It's significantly better built and is made from higher quality materials. It also has customization software and much better sensor performance and click latency. On the other hand, the AmazonBasics mouse has a symmetrical shape and lacks side buttons and customization software.

    Logitech M100

    The Logitech M100 and the AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse are very straightforward wired office mice. The Logitech is heavier but is better built, and the materials it's made of are of higher quality. It also has a higher quality cable and better overall sensor performance.

    Logitech M510

    The AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse and the Logitech M510 are both straightforward office mice. The Logitech is a wireless model that feels significantly better built. It also has customization software compatible with Windows and macOS. On the other hand, the AmazonBasics Mouse is a significantly lighter, wired-only model that lacks customization software.

    Show more 

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    Type
    Standard
    Lighting ColorNo Lighting

    This mouse has a very simple look and is made of matte black plastic. The left- and right-click buttons and the palm rest have a smooth soft-touch coating, and the rest of the mouse has a slightly textured black plastic finish. There's also an "AmazonBasics" logo on the palm rest, just below the left- and right-click buttons.

    Shape
    Length4.3" (109 mm)
    Height1.3" (34 mm)
    Width2.4" (61 mm)
    Grip Width
    57 mm
    6.0
    Portability
    Volume
    13.79 in³ (226 cm³)
    Cable/Receiver Storing
    No

    If you're interested in a wireless three button mouse that's more portable, check out the Logitech M317.

    7.0
    Build Quality

    Overall the build quality of this mouse is decent. The plastic body is very sturdy and doesn't creak or flex. However, the materials all feel very cheap, and there's a faint rattling sound if you shake the mouse. The left- and right-click buttons and the palm rest have a smooth, soft-touch coating, while the rest of the mouse has a slightly textured black plastic finish. The soft-touch material may wear off over time, as with other products with similar coatings, especially at a budget price point.

    9.4
    Weight
    Lowest Weight
    51.5 g
    Default Weight
    51.5 g
    Weight Distribution
    Front-heavy
    Extra Weights
    No
    7.5
    Comfort Of Use
    Left-Handed Friendly
    Yes
    Ambidextrous
    True Ambidextrous
    Coating
    Matte
    Finger Rest
    No

    The AmazonBasics Mouse is fairly compact and best suited for a claw or fingertip grip for most hand sizes but most comfortable for those with smaller hands.

    Palm Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    Yes
    Medium Hand
    No
    Large Hand
    No
    X.Large Hand
    No

    Due to its small size and shape, only those with small hands can use this mouse comfortably with a palm grip.

    Claw Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    Yes
    Medium Hand
    Yes
    Large Hand
    No
    X.Large Hand
    No

    If you have large or extra-large hands, you'll likely find this mouse is too small to use comfortably, as you'll need to bend your fingers at a very sharp angle to use it with a claw grip.

    Fingertip Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
    Small Hand
    Yes
    Medium Hand
    Yes
    Large Hand
    Yes
    X.Large Hand
    No

    If you have extra-large hands, you'll find this mouse is too small to comfortably use with a fingertip grip.

    0.0
    Wireless Versatility
    Bluetooth
    No
    Maximum Of Paired Devices
    Wired
    Receiver
    No
    Battery Type
    No Batteries
    Use When Charging
    No
    On/Off Activation
    None
    Receiver Extender
    No
    Battery IndicatorNo

    It's a wired-only mouse without any wireless connectivity options.

    6.0
    Cable
    ConnectivityWired
    Cable Length
    4.8 ft (1.5 m)
    Cable Type
    Rubber
    Permanent Kink
    Yes
    Port Type: Mouse End
    No Port
    Port Type: PC End
    USB

    This mouse has a mediocre rubber cable with poor flexibility that retains permanent kinks from its packaging.

    6.0
    Mouse Feet
    Gliding Experience
    Bad
    Material
    Plastic
    Extra Included
    No

    The AmazonBasics Mouse has passable feet, but they don't glide smoothly and have a noticeable scratchiness moving directly on desks or mousepads.

    In The Box

    • AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse
    • User documentation
    Control
    1.7
    Additional Buttons
    Total Number Of Buttons
    3
    Number Of Side Buttons
    0
    Number Of Programmable Inputs
    0
    Profile Switching Button
    No
    Gesture Support
    No

    This mouse has conventional left- and right-click buttons and a scroll wheel with a middle-click button. There are no additional buttons.

    5.3
    Click Latency
    See details on graph tool
    Expected Connection
    24.3 ms
    Wired
    24.3 ms
    Receiver
    N/A
    Bluetooth
    N/A

    The AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse has poor click latency, and while it isn't suitable for gaming, it's appropriate for productivity tasks or everyday browsing. This mouse exhibits somewhat unusual click latency behavior, but this result is confirmed to be consistent across repeated test attempts.

    7.4
    CPI
    See details on graph tool
    SRAV @ 1600 CPI
    N/A
    SRAV @ 800 CPI
    N/A
    SRAV @ 400 CPI
    N/A
    SRAV @ Fixed CPI
    -3.30%
    Precision Error Between Speeds
    1.77%
    Precision Error Between CPI
    N/A
    Worst Tracking Error
    -8.80%
    Minimum CPI
    1,000 CPI
    Maximum CPI
    1,000 CPI
    CPI Adjustment Steps
    N/A
    7.9
    Sensor Latency
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Delay To Start Of Movement
    18.9 ms
    Delay At Half Movement
    7.2 ms
    Delay To End Of Movement
    8.7 ms
    Sensor Specifications
    Sensor Technology
    Optical (LED)
    Sensor Model
    Not Specified
    Works On Glass
    No
    Minimum Lift Off Distance
    1.2 mm
    Maximum Polling Rate
    125 Hz

    This mouse has a fixed polling rate of 125Hz, and the CPI is locked to 1000. The sensor position isn't quite centered and is placed further towards the front.

    Mouse Wheel
    Scroll Wheel
    Notched Wheel
    Scroll Wheel Steps
    24 Steps
    Scroll Wheel Tilt
    No
    Thumb Wheel
    No
    Thumb Wheel Steps
    No Thumb Wheel

    The scroll wheel on the AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse is fairly quiet, and scrolling feels precise. However, the steps aren't very well-defined.

    Noise
    Click Noise
    Very Quiet
    Operating System And Software
    0.0
    Compatible Software Option
    Software NameNo software
    Software Windows Compatibility
    No
    Software macOS Compatibility
    No
    Account Needed
    No Software
    On-Board Memory
    No
    CPI (DPI) Adjustment
    No
    Polling Rate Adjustment
    No
    Profile Configuration
    No
    RGB On/Off
    No

    This mouse has no software option available.

    10
    Mouse Compatibility
    Windows CompatibilityFully
    macOS CompatibilityFully