The Best Cheap Gaming Mouse - Spring 2022 Mice Reviews

The best cheap gaming mouse we've tested is the SteelSeries Rival 100. It's a bit older than the other options on this list, and it's no longer in production, but it's a great, affordable option for the time being. It feels well-built and comes in a wide range of colors that can make your setup pop. Keep in mind that the price varies between colors, but some retailers have specific colors for as low as $20. This mouse has a symmetrical shape based on the original SteelSeries Rival, one of the most popular and influential shapes in the SteelSeries catalog.

It has RGB lighting, which you can customize using the SteelSeries GG software. You can also use the software to reprogram the buttons. There are two side buttons on the left and a dedicated button behind the scroll wheel that lets you switch between custom CPI settings. Performance-wise its click latency is good for casual gaming, but if you're a more serious gamer and play reaction-based or competitive games, you'll likely prefer a more responsive-feeling option.

Unfortunately, it's heavy compared to similarly designed but more recent gaming mice, so your hand may tire out over long gaming periods. Also, its rubber cable is stiff and retains kinks from its packaging, so it causes some drag on mousepads and desks. Altogether, this mouse performs very well for its price point, and it's a good choice if you're looking for a gaming mouse at a fraction of the cost of some more contemporary models.

The best cheap MMO gaming mouse that we've tested is the UtechSmart VENUS. It's a wired model with a 12-button side panel, two CPI switching buttons below the scroll wheel, and an additional button next to its left click. You can reprogram all buttons using its companion software, so you'll have plenty of options for binding all your spells, potions, and abilities in-game. Plus, it has onboard memory, meaning you can still use your custom settings on computers without the software installed.

The two CPI buttons allow you to make on-the-fly adjustments to the set CPI in precise steps of 50 without requiring the software. Also, it feels well-built and has a thumb rest and textured body for extra grip and comfort. It also comes with eight 2.5g weights so you can customize the weight distribution, although it's still heavy without any weights installed. Thankfully, its low lift-off distance means you can easily reposition the mouse without having to lift it too high off the surface, helping to ensure the sensor doesn't register your movements accidentally.

Unfortunately, its side buttons feel quite a bit mushier than the left- and right-click buttons. Also, its click latency is relatively high for a gaming mouse, so it won't feel as responsive as more premium options. Lastly, the braided cable is stiff and creates a lot of drag on desks and mousepads. With that said, it's still a great mouse with lots of programmable inputs and customization if you're looking for an inexpensive option for your MMO gaming sessions.

The best budget wireless gaming mouse for MMOs we've tested is the UtechSmart VENUS Pro. It's nearly identical in shape and style to the UtechSmart VENUS, but it connects wirelessly with a USB receiver, so you don't have to worry about a stiff rubber cable causing any drag on your mousepad or desk.

It feels sturdily built and comfortable. It has a thumb rest on the left and a slightly textured, plastic body that provides extra grip. Its rechargeable battery has an advertised life of up to 70 hours, and it has good all-around sensor performance, including a wide CPI range and a very low minimum lift-off distance. It also has excellent companion software that allows you to reprogram all of its 19 total buttons, so you can map out all your abilities, items, and spells exactly where you want them.

Unfortunately, its click latency is higher than its wired counterpart, so it isn't an ideal choice for fast-paced games, but it's adequate for slower-paced, non-competitive play. Altogether, it's a great choice if you're looking for a cheap MMO mouse but don't have the desk space for extra cables getting in the way.

The Logitech G203 LIGHTSYNC is the best budget gaming mouse we've tested. It's a wired model with excellent click latency, making it a great choice for FPS gaming. It has a symmetrical, egg-shaped design suitable for left- and right-handed users, especially with a fingertip grip. Despite its low price point, it feels very well-built and solid.

You can reprogram all of its buttons using Logitech's G HUB software, and you can also customize the RGB lighting to match your set-up's aesthetic. Also, it offers the option of assigning a G-Shift button for an additional layer of commands should you need it. It also has a very low lift-off distance which means that the sensor is less likely to track any unwanted movement if you lift your mouse off the desk or mousepad you're using. It's especially helpful if you have a smaller mousepad or play on lower sensitivity settings and frequently lift your mouse to reposition.

Unfortunately, it has a thin rubber cable that isn't very flexible and causes a bit of drag. This mouse also lacks onboard memory, so you can't carry your settings onto computers without the software installed. With that said, it's an excellent choice if you're looking for a budget-friendly option that offers very responsive-feeling gameplay.

The best wireless budget gaming mouse we’ve tested is the Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED. It connects using a USB receiver and uses a single AA battery for power, so you don't have to worry about cable management. There's also an indicator light behind the default CPI button that alerts you when the battery needs replacing.

Thanks to its symmetrical, egg-like shape, it feels very comfortable whether you're right- or left-handed. It also feels very well-built, despite its cheap price point. Its click latency is also impressively low, so even the most competitive gamers shouldn't notice a delay. Its companion software offers a good range of customization options, including button re-programming and sensor adjustments, so you can fine-tune the settings that suit your needs.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have RGB lighting, which is disappointing considering most other options have at least limited lighting. Also, this mouse is fairly small, and it isn't comfortable to use with a claw or palm grip if you have larger-sized hands. With that said, it's an excellent option at a low price point if you're looking for a high-performance, budget-friendly gaming mouse that connects wirelessly.

The best lightweight budget gaming mouse we've tested is the Razer Viper Mini. At 61g, this small, wired option offers very responsive-feeling gameplay thanks to its amazingly low click latency. Neither its feet nor cable cause drag on desks or mousepads, so you'll have a smooth and fluid gliding experience.

Using the companion software you can reprogram all of its buttons, and you can adjust the sensor settings and customize the RGB lighting to suit your preferences. However, the software isn't available on macOS. Although, you can save your settings to the mouse's onboard memory using a PC and carry them across to other devices without the software installed.

Unfortunately, its sensor is a bit inconsistent and tends to undershoot the set CPI by quite a bit more during slow, tracking cursor movements. Also, due to its small size, it's best suited for a fingertip grip, so if you have larger hands, you'll likely want to check out a larger option if you prefer either a claw or palm grip. With that said, it's still an impressive lightweight option for a gaming mouse and performs excellently for its budget price point.