The Best Cheap Gaming Mouse - Summer 2021 Mice Reviews

The best cheap gaming mouse that we've tested is the Logitech G300s. This wired-only ambidextrous model feels comfortable and well-built. It's especially well-suited for any hand size using a claw grip. It comes with good PFTE feet that glide smoothly, despite a slight scratching sound on wooden surfaces. It’s also fairly lightweight, and despite its low price, it performs very well.

It has a very low click latency and an extremely consistent CPI, whether you’re moving it quickly or slowly. However, the CPI range is quite limited, and you can only adjust it by steps of 250, which isn’t very precise. Also, it comes with fantastic companion software compatible with both Windows and macOS, giving you tons of customization options while also allowing you to save your favorite settings to the onboard memory.

Unfortunately, the lift-off distance is very high, so the sensor may track your movements when you reposition your mouse. There aren’t any side buttons, but you can remap all of the top buttons within the customization software. Also, we don't recommend it for larger hands using a palm grip, and small ones may find it hard to reach all the buttons with a fingertip grip. Nevertheless, this is a great gaming mouse that offers very good value for the price.

The best cheap gaming mouse for MMOs that we've tested is the Redragon M908. This wired model is a great choice for MMOs, thanks to its 12 programmable buttons on its left side. It has a short but tall profile, making it most suitable for a palm or claw grip for medium and large hands, and it has both a thumb and pinky rest.

It's a fairly heavy mouse on its own, but if you prefer even heavier mice, you can customize it using the eight 2.5g weights it comes with. It has a wide CPI range, a set CPI that you can adjust precisely in increments of 100, and a low lift-off distance, although it isn't as low as other gaming options. Using the dedicated customization software, you can customize the RGB lighting, remap buttons, and create up to five profiles to save on the onboard memory.

Unfortunately, its click latency is only decent, so it may not be the best option if you're looking for something with lower latency. Also, if you have small or extra-large hands, you may not find this mouse comfortable due to its short and tall design. That said, it's still a great option for MMO games if you want a decent model with lots of customization options.

The best budget gaming mouse we've tested is the SteelSeries Rival 3. It's a wired-only model with an ambidextrous shape suitable for most hand sizes when using a claw or fingertip grip. It feels excellently built for its price, made of good quality plastic with minimal rattle and no loose-feeling parts. While it isn't as light as some mice with a honeycomb design, it's still light.

It has a low click latency, and it should feel responsive enough for casual gaming. It has a wide CPI range that you can adjust in increments of 100, and its sensor is very consistent whether you move your mouse fast or slow. Thanks to the high polling rate, the cursor should feel very smooth. You can remap all of its inputs, including the two side buttons, the CPI switching button, and the up and down scroll in the SteelSeries Engine 3 software, available on both Windows and macOS.

Unfortunately, its rubber cable maintains kinks from packaging and may catch onto things on your desk. Also, its lift-off distance isn't as high as some other gaming options, but it's still good. Nevertheless, this is still a great choice if you're looking for a gaming mouse while on a budget.

If you like ultra-light mice, the best budget gaming mouse that we've tested is the Razer Viper Mini. While it doesn't have a honeycomb design like some other lightweight mice, it's still incredibly light. It's similar to the regular Razer Viper, but it's smaller and much cheaper. Because of its size, it's suitable for a fingertip grip, although people with smaller hands may be comfortable with a palm or claw grip.

It has a wide CPI range that you can adjust in increments of 100. It also has a high polling rate, which should provide smooth cursor movements. You can remap each of its buttons, including the up and down scroll, and you can customize the RGB of the rear strip and logo through the Razer Synapse 3 software. Also, it has onboard memory, so you can save your settings and keep them when you switch computers.

Unfortunately, its minimum lift-off distance is higher than some other options, so the sensor may track some of your movements when you reposition the mouse. Also, the sensor is a bit inconsistent, so the CPI may feel different depending on the speed you move the cursor. Overall, this is still a great budget gaming mouse, especially if you're a fan of ultra-light gaming mice.