The Best Trackball Mouse - Fall 2024 Mice Reviews

The best thumb-operated trackball we've tested is the Logitech MX ERGO. It has a comfortable right-handed shape that's still fairly similar to a traditional mouse, so it takes less of a learning curve, even if you're new to using trackballs. While using it, your hand posture is between a handshake and a more traditional palm-down position. It also features a metal plate attachment that lets you choose between a 0-degree or 20-degree tilt position. You can connect this mouse wirelessly using its Logitech Unifying USB receiver or Bluetooth, and it can pair up to two devices simultaneously.

The Logitech feels well-built and sturdy, and the materials and finish are high quality. Some users also report that the rubber coating is prone to wear out after extended use. The scroll wheel has tilt buttons for horizontal scrolling but doesn't unlock for a quicker free-scrolling mode like some high-end productivity mice.

While it has companion software to program buttons and adjust sensitivity settings, you can't increase the polling rate. This won't concern most people, but it isn't high enough to produce smooth cursor movements for gaming or if you use a 4k monitor. Alternatively, you can check out the Logitech ERGO M575, a similar model typically available for less. However, it doesn't include a tilt base, doesn't support multi-device connectivity, and feels cheaper overall.

The best finger-operated trackball we recommend is the Kensington SlimBlade Pro Trackball. If you aren't sure whether a finger- or thumb-operated trackball is right for you, a lot of it comes down to preference. However, many people prefer finger-operated trackballs if they normally experience discomfort from using conventional mice. They're also typically the favored choice compared to thumb-operated trackballs if you're specifically trying to reduce your risk of developing repetitive strain injuries.

The SlimBlade Pro leans into its ergonomic strengths with a very low profile design that lets you comfortably rest your wrist on your desk without needing to angle your wrist sharply upwards to move the ball and reach all the buttons. Like the Logitech MX ERGO above, it also connects wirelessly with an included USB receiver or Bluetooth, with multi-device support for up to two simultaneous devices. Unlike the Logitech, it lacks a traditional scroll wheel, but you can twist the trackball to scroll. This scroll method is precise and fairly intuitive, but it may take some getting used to at first. Overall, the SlimBlade's construction also feels a bit cheaper, and its glossy plastic finish attracts fingerprints.

To sum it all up, the SlimBlade Pro is a great, fully ambidextrous pick with versatile connectivity options. Crucially, its distinct low-profile ergonomic design can address some of the most common sources of discomfort from using a conventional mouse and minimize the risk of long-term strains.

At a mid-range price point, we recommend the ELECOM HUGE M-HT1DRBK, which is a versatile finger-operated trackball with a right-handed shape. It has a conventional scroll wheel with left and right tilt buttons and a total of 10 programmable inputs. The ELECOM has an integrated leatherette wrist rest, which, true to its name, makes it fairly large and bulky. However, it's still a good fit for all but small-sized hands. It connects wirelessly with a USB receiver and uses a pair of AA batteries for power. You can use the companion software to remap buttons and adjust CPI settings.

However, only three sensitivity presets are available, and the highest setting is only 1200 CPI, which may not feel sensitive enough if you use a very high-resolution display. Unfortunately, this trackball doesn't have Bluetooth support like the Logitech MX ERGO or the Kensington SlimBlade Pro Trackball above. Also, like most trackballs, it has a very low fixed polling rate, making it unsuitable for gaming. That said, it's an affordable pick with plenty of customizable controls for productivity or everyday use.

We recommend the Kensington Orbit Wireless Trackball with Scroll Ring as a budget option. While it frequently sits at around a $50 USD price point, it's at its best value when it occasionally goes on sale for around $35 USD, so we recommend waiting for a sale if you can. It has a truly ambidextrous design with a center-mounted, finger-operated trackball. It also has a ring-style scroll wheel and two main buttons that serve as left- and right-click buttons on either side. There's an included palm rest that you can detach, making it much more compact. Overall, it feels very well-built and connects wirelessly with its USB receiver. It uses two AA batteries for power.

Unfortunately, this mouse doesn't have as many programmable inputs as our mid-range recommendation, the ELECOM HUGE M-HT1DRBK. Additionally, if you aren't familiar with the somewhat unconventional ring-style scroll wheel, getting used to it may take a little. Also, like most trackball options, this mouse has a very low, fixed polling rate and a low maximum CPI setting, which means it isn't suitable for gaming or if you have a very high-resolution display. It's an affordable wireless option for anyone looking for a no-fuss trackball for work or everyday browsing.

If you're a trackball enthusiast who appreciates a DIY approach, we recommend the Ploopy Adept Trackball. This is a finger-operated, wired-only trackball with a drag scroll that you can buy fully pre-assembled or as a build-it-yourself kit. It uses 3D-printed parts, so it has a rougher look and feel compared to other picks on this list. However, this rougher aesthetic underlines Ploopy's philosophy for this trackball, which prioritizes customizability and ease of repair. All its design and production files are available online, too. It also supports VIA software and QMK firmware for in-depth customization, and there's even a small but driven community of modders out there.

This trackball's internal components also set it apart from the crowd. It uses a widely used previous-generation gaming sensor and supports a polling rate of 1000Hz, making it the most viable trackball for competitive gaming that we've tested to date. Notably, the Ploopy Adept also uses ball bearings. These ball bearings provide smooth and accurate ball movement and aren't prone to static friction issues that can affect other trackballs on this list.

The only downside is that these ball bearings are significantly louder, making a slightly scratchy, grinding sound that isn't unpleasant but definitely noticeable. It's also worth mentioning that while this mouse offers a huge amount of customizability in terms of mobility, repair, software, and firmware, there's a much higher skill ceiling involved, and even something like changing the mouse's CPI takes a bit of technical know-how. But again, if you're more excited than deterred by the DIY approach, the Ploopy is a standout pick for diehard trackball fans.

Also, note that it's only available from Ploopy's website.