The Best Gaming Mouse - Winter 2021 Mice Reviews

The best wireless gaming mouse that we’ve tested is the Razer Viper Ultimate. This is a versatile option that performs very well for a wide variety of uses, thanks in part to its well-built and comfortable design. Its body is entirely made out of plastic, which feels durable and makes it very light, even without a honeycomb pattern. It's suitable for all grip types, depending on your hand size, though those with larger hands will find it much more comfortable with a fingertip or claw grip. If you prefer to use it wired, the paracord-like USB cable is very flexible and retains almost no kinks from the packaging.

It has an ambidextrous design, with two side buttons on each side, all of which can easily be reprogrammed within Razer's Synapse 3 software. On top of this, you can also reprogram every other button, and even set an HyperShift button to give you a second layer of controls. The sensor is amazing thanks to its extra-wide and accurate CPI range and its high maximum polling rate, which gives you smooth cursor movements. It also has an extremely low click latency, whether you use it wired or with the USB receiver, and it comes with a unique charging station that can also serve as an extender for even better performance.

Unfortunately, it doesn't support Bluetooth, so you'll need to use the included USB receiver if you want to use it wirelessly. Also, some buttons don’t work on macOS and the software isn’t compatible at all with this operating system. However, it has onboard memory, so you can save your settings on a Windows PC and keep them when switching to another device. All in all, this is an amazing wireless gaming mouse and is among the best mice we've tested.

The best gaming mouse for versatility that we've tested is the Razer Naga Pro. This is essentially a wireless version of the popular Razer Naga Trinity, featuring the same modular design that lets you change the side panel to suit your needs. Unlike its wired predecessor, it now has a built-in rechargeable battery, and you can connect it with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth. It has a right-handed ergonomic shape that makes it very comfortable to use, and it's better suited for medium to large hands using a claw grip.

Its key feature is the swappable side panels, which are magnetically attached. There are three of them included in the box: a 2-button, a 6-button, and a 12-button. Every button is programmable, and if you set the HyperShift feature you end up with 42 programmable inputs when using the 12-button side panel, enough to satisfy hardcore MMO players. It uses an optical sensor with a wide CPI range and high polling rate; however, its high CPI variation causes inconsistent cursor movements, which might disappoint some FPS players.

Though you can easily customize it with Razer's Synapse 3 on any Windows PC, this software isn't compatible with macOS. However, it has onboard memory, allowing you to use your custom settings even on computers that don't have Synapse 3 installed. There's also a dock available to make charging easier, but it's sold separately. All in all, it has tons of features that make it the best versatile gaming mouse that we've tested.

The best gaming mouse with an ultra-light design that we've tested is the Glorious Model O. This wired-only option is incredibly lightweight due to the plastic material and honeycomb pattern on the body. Despite this, it has a solid build quality and doesn't feel flimsy. Both left and right-handed gamers can use it, and it's ideally suited for a palm or claw grip. It has onboard memory for saving your settings from the Glorious Model O Software, which is only compatible with Windows.

It's an excellent choice for gamers as it has a very wide adjustable CPI range, and its click latency is great and responsive enough for most users. Also, the maximum polling rate is quite high, which results in a very smooth cursor movement. The cable on the model we tested was lightweight and flexible, ideal for ultra-light gaming, but more recent models feature an updated version of the cable, which we expect to perform even better.

Unfortunately, the honeycomb pattern leaves the circuit boards exposed to dust, which may affect durability in the long run. Also, there are only two side buttons, which isn't enough for MMO gamers, and those with smaller hands may struggle to use it with any grip type. If this is your case, you can look into the smaller version, the Glorious Model O-, which performs quite similarly. Overall, the Model O is an amazing lightweight option and is among the best FPS gaming mice we've tested.

The best MMO gaming mouse that we’ve tested is the Corsair Scimitar Pro RGB. It's specifically designed for MMOs, with plenty of customization options and an amazing level of comfort thanks to the pinky finger rest and the large rounded back that feels nice in your hand. It also has a 12-button side panel that you can slide backward and forward to make it fit even better.

The build quality is outstanding, as it feels very solid and doesn’t have any wobbling or loose parts. The click latency is also very low and responsive, so most gamers shouldn’t notice any delay while playing. It has a total of 17 buttons, including a profile switch, and all of them can be programmed to pretty much anything you would like. The companion software allows you to easily customize your mouse according to your liking and is fully compatible with both Windows and macOS, which is great.

Unfortunately, the braided cable that’s included with it is only decent. It’s quite stiff, tends to retain kinks from packaging, and may create drag on your desk as you move it around. That said, this is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a dedicated MMO mouse, and it’s also one of the best MMO mice we’ve tested.

The best gaming mouse in the budget category that we’ve tested is the SteelSeries Rival 3. This wired-only model is fairly lightweight and has an impressive build quality for the price. It feels solid, with minimal rattle and no loose-feeling parts, and it’s also very comfortable with a low profile that’s well-suited for a claw or a fingertip grip.

The sensor has good performance, with a very consistent CPI and a high polling rate that results in smooth cursor movements. The click latency is also very low, so even competitive gamers shouldn’t notice any delay. It has a total of eight programmable inputs, including the scroll wheel, and the SteelSeries Engine 3 software allows you to easily customize every aspect of the mouse, either on Windows or on macOS.

Unfortunately, the rubber cable tends to retain kinks from packaging, which can be annoying. Also, the two side buttons feel quite stiff and are a bit difficult to press, as they start flush with the body and then raise slightly in the middle. That said, this is a great option for gaming and offers good value for its price, making it the best budget gaming mouse we’ve tested.