Gaming mice have changed a lot in the past few years, and we're at the point where the best wireless gaming mice have the same or even lower latency than some wired gaming mice. You might still prefer the reliability of a wired connection, but the difference won't be noticeable in most cases. When looking for the right gaming mouse, you'll want to find one that fits your hand size and is suitable for your preferred grip types. It should also have a high polling rate and low click latency. Keep in mind that mice aren't one size fits all, and you'll want to choose a mouse that complements the kinds of games you like to play. For example, you may prefer a lightweight option if you're into FPS games, or you may want a more versatile mouse with lots of side buttons if you play MOBAs, MMOs, or Battle Royales.
We've tested over 250 mice, most of which are gaming mice. We've listed our top picks for a range of genres and uses below. If you're only interested in wireless options, see our picks for the best wireless gaming mice, or if you're looking for a mouse not entirely dedicated to gaming, see our recommendations for the best mice or the best wireless mice.
The best wireless gaming mouse we've tested is the Razer Viper Ultimate. This lightweight option has a true ambidextrous design with a pair of buttons on each side, making it suitable for both left- and right-handed gamers. Due to its low profile, it feels remarkably comfortable if you have smaller hands and use a claw grip, or you have larger hands and use a fingertip grip.
This mouse glides smoothly across surfaces thanks to its high-quality feet, and its wireless connectivity means you don't have a cable causing additional drag or clutter. Its click latency is excellent, so it's more than suitable for even the most fast-paced or competitive games. Using the companion software, you can adjust sensor settings, reprogram all of its eight buttons, and assign a Hypershift button to enable a secondary layer of inputs.
Unfortunately, its companion software isn't compatible with macOS. However, since this mouse has onboard memory, you can save your settings on a PC and carry them across devices. Also, its charging cable uses an older micro-USB port instead of a newer USB-C standard, which is disappointing, especially considering its premium price point. With that said, it's our pick for the best gaming mouse with a wireless connection that we've tested overall.
The Corsair SABRE RGB PRO is the best wired gaming mouse we've tested. This well-built option has a comfortable shape that fits all hand sizes using a palm grip. It has a right-handed slant with two buttons on the left side, and the slightly textured body adds some additional grip.
Impressively, it's one of the few mice available with an 8000Hz maximum polling rate, which you can adjust in the companion software. While this feature produces more fluid cursor movements, it uses a lot of system resources, and not all games support the setting. You can also use the companion software to adjust the set CPI in increments of one and change the RGB lighting. It comes with a very consistent sensor, and its click latency is excellent, making it a great choice if you tend to play fast-paced or reaction-based games.
Unfortunately, its feet aren't very high-quality and tend to scratch on surfaces, which can cause drag during use. While the software offers great customization options, it doesn't allow you to assign a "shift" button for a second layer of commands, a popular feature found on other comparable gaming mice. Despite these minor shortcomings, it's a high-performing wired mouse that makes an excellent addition to any gaming setup.
If you're on a budget, the best gaming mouse we've tested is the Logitech G203 LIGHTSYNC. This wired model feels remarkably well-built and comfortable to use. It has an egg-shaped body suitable for both left and right-handed users. However, it only has side buttons on the left. Due to its smaller size, it's best suited for a fingertip grip, no matter your hand size, though if you have smaller hands, you can also use it comfortably using a claw or palm grip.
Despite its budget price point, it has amazing click latency and a consistent sensor. You can customize the mouse with Logitech G HUB software, which allows you to reprogram all of its buttons and assign a G-Shift button for an additional layer of inputs, should you need more. The software also allows you precisely set the CPI by steps of 50 within a fairly wide range, so you can get your sensitivity right where you like it.
Unfortunately, its rubber cable lacks flexibility and causes some drag on mousepads and desks. This mouse also lacks onboard memory, so you'll have to install the software on every system you use this mouse with if you'd like to use custom settings. This mouse is a great option if you're looking to scratch that high-performance itch without breaking the bank.
A lighter mouse in hand can give you the edge, especially for FPS gaming, and in the last few years, a huge number of ultra-lightweight gaming mice have popped on the scene. So, which one is the best for gaming? We've picked the ROCCAT Kone Pro. At 65g, it isn't the absolute lightest model out there, but it has more of a focus on comfort and customizability than many other lightweight options. It's also somewhat larger than many ultra-lightweight mice, but its shape makes it almost universally suited for all grip types and hand sizes.
It has two side buttons on the left, a sturdy aluminum scroll wheel, and small, indented thumb rest. There are also a pair of RGB lighting zones that light up under the translucent plastic of the L and R-click buttons. Performance-wise, this mouse has a very low minimum lift-off distance, excellent click latency, and you adjust your CPI settings precisely by increments of 50 within a very wide range.
Unfortunately, If you have small hands, you won't comfortably reach all buttons using a fingertip grip, and due to the finish on the plastic, the body can get slippery if you tend to sweat a lot while gaming. That said, this mouse is a well-balanced choice with excellent gaming performance and lightweight construction that also doesn't sacrifice comfort or customizability.
Of course, no list of the best gaming mice would be complete without mentioning the Logitech G PRO X SUPERLIGHT. In addition to its extremely high performance, it's also one of the lightest mice we've ever tested, as it has a solid plastic body rather than a honeycomb shell, and it's wireless with a rechargeable battery built-in.
Its click latency is outstanding, so it's an excellent choice for fans of fast-paced FPS games. Under the hood, the top-tier HERO 25K sensor is very consistent, and it offers a very wide CPI range, within which you can set your CPI precisely to get the right sensitivity. You can save all of your settings to the mouse's onboard memory using the Logitech G HUB software, meaning your button configurations and sensor adjustments are easily accessible.
With all that said, it's on the pricier side, meaning you may prefer a less expensive option. Also, its rubber charging cable uses a micro-USB connector rather than a newer USB-C type, which is disappointing given the premium price point. Overall, it's an excellent option if you're willing to spend the extra money on a high-performing, ultra-light gaming mouse.
For fans of MMO games, the Corsair SCIMITAR RGB ELITE is a solid, wired model with a 12-button side panel you slide forward or backward to fit your hand size. It's suitable for every hand size if you use a claw grip, and its body has a soft-touch covering and textured side grips for additional control.
Every button is programmable using the companion software, so you have plenty of inputs for macros or media controls. Like the other Corsair mice on this list, it offers the same precise customization of sensitivity settings and RGB lighting. This mouse is very performant, offering impressive click latency and a consistent sensor. You won't have to worry about the sensor picking up unintentional movements, as it has a very low lift-off distance, which is good since the mouse is a bit on the heavier side, so it's harder to reposition quickly.
Unfortunately, the feet aren't very high-quality and tend to scratch or drag on smooth surfaces. Its braided cable also isn't as high-quality as some other gaming options, and it tends to retain kinks from the packaging. This is still a well-built model with great customization features, and it's an excellent choice for MMO gamers looking for a comfortable mouse.
If wires aren't your style, the best wireless MMO mouse we've tested is the Razer Naga Pro. This versatile option comes with three interchangeable side panels with a 2-, 6-, or 12-button layout for whatever genre of game you play. Its right-handed shape feels comfortable thanks to the additional support from the pinky rest on the right side.
Regardless of what side panel you have installed, every button is reprogrammable in the companion software, and with Razer's Hypershift feature enabled, you have quite a few programmable inputs for macros, media controls, or keystrokes. It connects wirelessly with a USB receiver, and it comes with a signal extender to make sure that you're always within range.
Unfortunately, its sensor is pretty inconsistent and undershoots the set CPI significantly during fast mouse movements. Also, if you have small hands, you may have difficulty reaching the forward buttons as the mouse is pretty bulky. Overall, it's a great option for MMO gamers looking for a versatile, wireless mouse.
For those long gaming sessions, the best ergonomic gaming mouse we've tested is the Razer Basilisk V3. This continuation of the Basilisk lineup has a comfortable, right-handed shape with a thumb rest and a slightly textured body for better grip. It's suitable for all hand sizes using a palm grip, though medium to extra-large-sized hands will have no problem using it with a claw or fingertip grip.
There's a sniper button on the left side, which is a great feature for fans of FPS games. Its excellent click latency provides responsive feeling gameplay, and its low lift-off distance means you can easily reposition the mouse without the sensor picking up unintended movement. Using the companion software, you can re-program all of the buttons and assign a Hypershift button for a second layer of commands.
Unfortunately, it's on the heavy side, and it's a bit bulky, so users with small hands may struggle to reach the sniper button. It also only connects via a wired connection; however, the Razer Basilisk Ultimate is a similarly performing mouse with a wireless connection if that's what you'd prefer. With that said, it's an excellent choice if you're looking for a gaming mouse with an ergonomic design.
If you're looking for a lightweight mouse with an ergonomic design, the best option we've tested is the Cooler Master MM720. This mouse weighs in at only 54g without the weight of its cable, making it among the lightest gaming mice currently available. It features a honeycomb shell and an unconventional design with a ring finger rest for additional ergonomic support. It also comes with extra adhesive side grips if you find the plastic body too slippery. Its design is especially well-suited for claw grip users.
It's a wired-only mouse, but its cable is extremely flexible and doesn't retain kinks or get snagged on desks or mousepads. Also, its high-quality feet offer a very smooth gliding experience. Fans of fast-paced games will appreciate its extremely low click latency as games feel very responsive. You'll have no problem finding a suitable sensitivity setting within its very wide CPI range.
Unfortunately, it doesn't feel as well-built as some similar honeycomb-bodied mice, and there's a bit of flex in the body when squeezed. Also, its sensor is inconsistent and tends to undershoot the set CPI during quick movements. With that said, it's a fantastic choice for a lightweight gaming mouse with ergonomic features to support those long nights spent gaming.
May 09, 2022: Picks verified for availability and accuracy; text updated; no changes to picks.
Apr 06, 2022: Made several small changes for accuracy and confirmed all picks are currently available and remain the best choices for their respective categories.
Mar 11, 2022: We've replaced the GLORIOUS Model O with the ROCCAT Kone Pro as our pick for the 'Best Wired Lightweight Gaming Mouse' as it feels better-built, has slightly better click latency, and is well-suited for a broader range of hand sizes. We've also removed the Logitech G703 LIGHTSPEED as a cheaper alternative to the 'Best Wireless Gaming Mouse' category as it's currently too similar in price to the Razer Viper Ultimate. Lastly, we added the Pulsar Xlite Wireless to our list of Notable Mentions.
Feb 11, 2022: Picks verified for availability; text updated for clarity; no changes to picks.
Jan 14, 2022: Text updated for clarity and accuracy; no changes to picks.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best mice for gaming for most people, whether you prefer wired or wireless models. We factor in the price (a cheaper mouse wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no mice that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of our gaming mice reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no mouse is perfect for every use, most mice are great enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.