Our Mouse Design Tests

Comfort Of Use and Grip Types

When testing comfort of use, we check if the general feel of the grip seems comfortable, how the buttons are placed, and if they're easy to reach or not. Comfortable curved designs are scored higher, but if buttons are hard to use or if the mouse doesn't feature additional grips, the score is penalized. Since most people are used to their preferred grip, we don't ask the personal opinion of the test subjects on the different grips for their hand sizes. The tester looks at the overall grip of the test subject and notes if his expectations based on the mouse's shape and size are confirmed. 

Although a medium-hand test subject might like using a tall-back MMO mouse with a fingertip grip, we ask ourselves if it's still recommended for that type of grip. It's not because one test subject likes it that most people will. When uncertain, different testers' opinions are asked. If there's ever a debate on whether a hand size is good or not regarding a certain grip, then we consider it not good for this grip.

​​ Grip Width Test

Grip width differs from the actual width of the product. We use the standard width to calculate the volume of the mouse, which is the largest part of its body. However, some mice's grip width isn't the same as the largest horizontal distance. The grip width is more related to the distance between where you apply pressure on both sides of the mouse when holding it. Since not everybody holds their mouse the same way, we measure the grip width at three different positions and report the average of those measurements.

A wider grip width usually indicates a bigger mouse, which should be better suited most of the time for either a palm or a claw grip. Narrow, small, and low-profile mice are usually better with a fingertip grip. The average grip width of our initial mice test units is around 64mm.

​​ Palm Grip

The palm grip is the most popular one due to its comfort. Your whole palm sits on the back of the mouse, wrapping the mouse comfortably. There are a lot of points of contact with the mouse, which gives you a more relaxed grip. It's often used with mice that have a high-back body and a longer shape. It's great for wide, slow, and precise gliding.

Although it's the most relaxed grip, it does have some downsides. The palm grip isn't ideal for fast movements like flick shots and your arm and elbow might be needed, especially for vertical movement. The accuracy and precision of the movements are slightly worse than the other grips.

​​ Claw Grip

The claw grip is fairly similar to the palm grip, but with the two fingers curled up, giving a claw look to your hand. The hand is arched up and there's a bit less contact between your palm and the mouse's body. Also, instead of using your whole finger to click, you only need a more linear press from the tip of your fingers, as they are more perpendicular to the mouse.

This grip is better suited for faster gliding movements than the palm grip and offers better precision. Mice that have a claw grip design usually are quite similar to palm grip ones but can have a lower-back design.

​​ Fingertip Grip

The fingertip grip is the one where, like its name suggests, mainly your fingertips are holding the mouse. This allows for minimal contact between your hand and the mouse, resulting in great control with fast movements like flick shots as the strain of your wrist, elbow, and shoulder is near none.

Mice that usually benefit from a fingertip grip are usually shorter and low-profile. They are usually quite lightweight as well.  Unfortunately, this grip isn't as good as the palm grip for slow and precise movement.