Our Control Tests and Scores

Sensor Specifications

To identify the sensor’s technology (optical or laser), we look at one of the following: user guide, specs on the box, manufacturer’s website, or any other reliable source. We evaluate whether or not the mouse works on glossy surfaces by placing it on a glass panel and observing the behavior of the cursor on the screen. If the mouse works like usual, we know it has a laser sensor.

To identify the sensor model, we search for reliable information online or look at the user guide or product’s box. We usually try to find multiple sources to validate the model if we can't find it on the manufacturer's website.

We also note the sensor's position. Some users may find it annoying to have a sensor that’s not well-centered, as it could affect the way the cursor moves when rotating the mouse around its central axis, for example.

The CPI represents the number of pixels your mouse travels on the screen when moved one inch on a surface.

While DPI is a more recognizable term that's often used in marketing, it generally refers to "digital dots per inch" and is more commonly associated with display resolutions. CPI stands for "counts per inch" and generally refers to the sensitivity of a mouse. Therefore, we use the term CPI, though you may see it listed elsewhere as DPI, they generally refer to the same thing.

We split our CPI tests into three sections: the CPI range, the CPI adjustment steps, and the CPI variation.

The minimum CPI value is stated using the manufacturer's statement or the mouse's software. 

While this test isn't scored directly in the Sensor section, we assign it a score to be included in the FPS Gaming and MMO usage boxes. For this, we consider that the lower the value, the better it is, so a minimum CPI of one would receive a 10 for scoring.

The maximum CPI value is stated using the manufacturer's statement or the mouse's software.

While this test isn't scored directly in the Sensor section, we assign it a score to be included in the MMO usage box. For this, we consider that the higher the value, the better, so a maximum CPI of 20,000 or higher would receive a 10 for scoring.

The CPI adjustment steps are stated using the manufacturer's statement or the mouse's software. If we set the value at 0, it means the CPI isn't adjustable.

While this test isn't scored directly in the Sensor section, we assign it a score to be included in the FPS Gaming and MMO usage boxes. For this, we consider that the lower the value, the better it is, so if the CPI is adjustable by increments of one, it scores a 10.

CPI variation represents the difference between the stated/chosen CPI and the real CPI we obtain while moving the mouse at different speeds.

Our testing process follows the steps below and uses data obtained from this website.

• We set the CPI to 1000, or as close as possible, and ensure the mouse's acceleration and multiplier are turned off in Windows.
• We then position the mouse on the modified mouse pad, on the top left hole (see picture).
• We click and drag the mouse following a predetermined pattern at low speed.
• We write down the error percentage given in the Deviation section of the website and do this nine more times to validate the result and calculate an average.
• After that, we click and drag the mouse again, but at high speed.
• We write down the error percentage given in the Deviation section of the website and do this nine more times to validate the result and calculate an average.

The CPI consistency is obtained by calculating the difference between the two average results (low speed and high speed).

This means that if your mouse has a variation of 5% when moving it slowly and 5% when moving it quickly, the final result would be 0% because the set CPI is consistent at any speed. However, if it has a variation of 5% when moving slowly and -5% when moving quickly, then the final result would be 10%, as that's the difference between -5% and 5%.

As you can see, a result of 0% doesn't mean the real CPI is the same as the set CPI, but rather that regardless of the speed you're moving your mouse, it's going to react the same way.

Lift-off distance represents the height at which the sensor stops seeing the surface underneath the mouse. A higher value means the sensor could potentially detect movements while you're repositioning your mouse, resulting in unwanted cursor movements.

To measure the minimum lift-off distance, we use the same equipment as the online community: CDs or DVDs, which have a thickness of 1.2 mm. We stack them one by one under the mouse and check if the cursor’s still moving while the sensor passes over the hole in the middle.

Accordingly, results are given in increments of 1.2 mm. The lower the distance, the better, so a result of 1.2 mm or less is considered excellent, and a result of 3.6 mm or higher is considered bad.

Keep in mind that since we measure this value in increments of 1.2 mm, if a mouse is tagged as having a 1.2 mm lift-off distance, the real distance may actually be lower.

The polling rate is defined in Hz and represents how often the sensor reports its position to your computer. For example, 1000Hz means the sensor tells your computer where it is 1000 times every second.

A higher value results in smoother cursor movement, which is very important while gaming. That said, many mice give you the possibility to set your own desired polling rate, with usual values of 90Hz, 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, or 1000Hz. Some manufacturers are starting to come up with even higher polling rates, reaching up to 8000Hz in some cases, but this is still very uncommon.

Generally, most people will want to use the highest possible polling rate. However, for wireless mice, a lower polling rate may result in longer battery life. That said, since most people will likely always want the best possible performance, we only list the maximum polling rate.

Our testing process follows the steps below and uses data obtained from this website.

• We set the mouse to its maximum polling rate.
• We click anywhere on the website to initialize the test.
• While pressing on the mouse click, we draw fast circles until the average value stabilizes itself.
• We write down the given polling rate and compare the result to the maximum polling rate selected at the beginning.