If you want to get the most out of your gaming setup, you need the best gaming mouse you can get your hands on. No matter how powerful your gaming PC, you’ll be limited by your peripherals if they can’t keep up. So, start by upgrading to a better mouse.
With a quality gaming mouse, you get a whole lot more than just the ability to point and click. You’ll feel like it’s an extension of your hand whether you’re playing AAA PC games or less demanding free titles. You’ll also find important features like better sensors, a wider DPI range, and faster polling rates, not to mention remappable buttons. In some cases, they come with some very gamer-focused features like RGB lighting and weight adjustments.
Take your gaming to the next level with one of the best gaming mice on the market. Since there are so many options to choose from, let us help narrow the playing field. We’ve collected our top picks that we’ve gotten our hands on here for you to check out. And, we’ve included our price comparison tool to help you score the best mouse deals, which you’re more likely to find now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner.
1. Roccat Burst Core
Cheap price, premium body
DPI: 8,500 | Features: Solid honeycomb shell, Titan optical switch, 35G acceleration
Extremely lightweightPremium buildRigid cable
The Roccat Burst Core proves that you don’t need to pay more than $50/£50 to get a premium mouse. This affordable wired option wins as much in performance and build and it does in price. Though minimal on frills, it’s an absolute stand-out in everything else, including ergonomics and lightweight design. RGB fans might want to go for the pricier Roccat Burst Pro, but if you don’t mind something more minimalist and classy, this one is the one to go for no matter your budget.
Read the full review: Roccat Burst Core
2. Razer Viper 8K
What a difference 8K makes
DPI: 20,000 | Features: Razer Focus+ Optical Sensor, HyperPolling Technology,
8,000Hz polling rateAmbidextrous designSomewhat expensive
Competitive fast-paced games require a gaming mouse that can keep up, and for that, you’d want to take a look at the Razer Viper 8K. This is among the fastest and most responsive gaming mice out there, thanks to its 8,000Hz polling rate and
Read the full review: Razer Viper 8K
3. Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro Wireless
Wireless at its finest
DPI: 18,000 | Features: Sub-1ms wireless speed, interchangeable side grips, hyper-polling up to 2,000Hz
Low latencyVery robust softwareNot for claw grip gamersMore difficult to use when wired
Impressive wireless gaming mice are hardly a dime a dozen. Due to their latency, wireless mice are generally not ideal for gaming where every fraction of a second counts. This is why the Corsair Dark Core RGB has impressed us even more. With its sub-1ms speed, incredibly low latency, and reliability, this is truly a mouse we can game with, wireless or otherwise. And, that’s without mentioning its highly customizable RGB lighting and very robust software. There’s one catch: it’s not ideal for claw grip gamers as its palm rest is a bit flat. However, if you’re a palm gripper, you’ll love how it fits in your hand.
Read the full review: Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro Wireless
4. Steelseries Rival 5
Greatness can trickle down
DPI: up to 18,000 | Features: TrueMove Air precision optical gaming sensor, 5 quick action side buttons, 10 RGB zones
Consistent performanceStylish designButtoned upTricky extra buttonsNo grips
Inheriting the Rival 600’s best attributes but also keeping its price of entry affordable, SteelSeries’ latest addition to its gaming mouse family is more than a solid contender in the battle for the best gaming mouse. The SteelSeries Rival 5’s greatness is apparent in both its design and its features, as it very much does in its performance. It’s lightweight and comes with more side buttons – not to mention, nearly flawless in its performance, making it an undeniable excellent value for gamers.
Read the full review: Steelseries Rival 5
5. SteelSeries Sensei Ten
SteelSeries returns to its Sensei roots
DPI: 50–18,000 in 50 in increments | Features: TrueMove Pro sensor, 50G acceleration, Tilt Tracking, 60 Million Click Mechanical Switches, Ambidextrous Design
Ambidextrous designOnboard profile customizationA bit lightweightEasy to accidentally click side buttons
Its onboard profile customization and nice matte finish are just two of the things you’ll love about the SteelSeries Sensei Ten. Most importantly, this ambidextrous mouse boasts a top-of-the-line sensor, making it one of the best gaming mice we’ve tested. It delivers such impressive acceleration and deceleration customization options, as well as butter-smooth performance. SteelSeries tops it all off with Tilt Tracking, which essentially keeps tracking consistent and precise even when you’re lifting your mouse and putting it back down at tilted angles.
Read the full review: SteelSeries Sensei Ten
6. Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed
All the performance, double the wireless
DPI: up to 16,000 | Features: 450 IPS tracking speed, up to 40G acceleration, HyperSpeed Wireless, 6 programmable buttons
Two connection optionsLong-lasting batteryNo wired backupNo DPI indicator
With up to 450 hours in Bluetooth mode, the Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed is one of the longest lasting wireless mouse on the market. But, it’s got more going for it than just longevity. It also boasts excellent performance with 450 IPS tracking speed and up to 40G acceleration. It’s key feature, however, is the HyperSpeed Wireless, which reduces the time it takes to send data between your mouse and PC so it’s 25% faster than any other wireless gaming technology.
Read the full review: Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed
7. Corsair Sabre Pro
Fast and furious
DPI: up to 18,000 | Features: 8,000Hz polling rate, Quickstrike buttons, PTFE glide pads
Incredibly fast performance with 8,000Hz polling rateInnovative drag-reducing paracordPossible performance hit at 8,000Hz with lower specs
The Corsair Sabre RGB Pro Champion Series may lack all the frills and pizazz of other mice for gaming, but its minimalist design is made up for by its speed. Designed by esports gamers, this mouse is all about being fast with its 8,000Hz polling rate, the AXON hyper-processing technology, and Quickstrike buttons with fast actuation. And, it does so without setting you back a whole lot, making it a great option for competitive gamers who want to be economical.
Read the full review: Corsair Sabre Pro
8. HP Omen Vector Wireless
Great performance meets long battery life
DPI: 16,000 | Features: up to 180 hours of battery, fast charging, customizable buttons, 50 million clicks
Incredibly fast response timeGreat battery lifeFast chargingLacks Bluetooth connectivityCan only cycle DPI in one direction
The Omen Vector doesn’t only deliver that impeccable no-latency performance and 1ms polling rage. It also comes with an extremely long battery life of up to 180 hours as well as a fast USB-C charging capability that gives you a full charge after only 90 minutes. There’s not a lot of extra features here, and you might miss being able to connect via Bluetooth, but this mouse about minimalism and sticking to the basics. If that’s something you’re looking for, this is the best gaming mouse for you.
Read the full review: HP Omen Vector Wireless
9. HyperX Pulsefire Dart
Best of both worlds
DPI: up to 16,000 | Features: Qi Certified for wireless charging, padded leatherette grips, USB wireless adapter
Extra comfortable side paddingImpressive battery lifeWireless and wired, with Qi chargingNot the most interesting design
If you want a high-end mouse to see you through your gaming needs, then you’ll be happy to shell out a little more for what the HyperX Pulsefire Dart has to offer. This gaming mouse boasts robust build quality, responsive buttons, great ergonomics, and top-notch performance. In other words, it has all the makings of the best gaming mouse. And yet, it goes above and beyond, giving you the best of both worlds with its wired and wireless capabilities. Not only that, but it touts longevity and Qi charging as well. What more could you ask for?
Read the full review: HyperX Pulsefire Dart
10. Roccat Kone Pro
Remarkably lightweight and esports-ready
DPI: up to 19,000 | Features: Extreme lightweight shell, Titan Switch Optical, Titan Wheel Pro, PhantomFlex cable
Extremely LightweightTitan Switch provide great click-throughsTitan Wheel Pro Scroll is perfectLacks DPI adjustment buttons
Roccat’s Kone Pro is undeniably stunning, combining the brand’s clean and minimalist and gorgeous RGB lighting uniquely located underneath the left and right buttons. But, it also doesn’t go by looks alone. Light as a feather yet also as fast as lighting, this high-end gaming mouse boasts serious esports grade performance, making it an excellent option for pros and those who take gaming seriously. To make it truly yours, Roccat even slaps on a respectable slew of customization options for good measure.
Read the full review: Roccat Kone Pro
How to choose the best gaming mouse
While you’ll definitely find the best gaming mouse of your gaming dreams, doing so might take some time and effort. That’s expected; there’s a ton of complicated technical jargon that goes into the best gaming mice – terms like polling rates and DPI ratings that a regular buyer may not be familiar with. For the record, you’ll want a higher number of both, even though these two terms mean very different things.
For newcomers to the world of PC gaming, when you come across the term DPI, that is shorthand for ‘dots per inch.’ The higher the number, the wider the range wherein you can specify how sensitive your mouse is. If you don’t have a lot of desk space available, but you still want accuracy and precision, then opt for the best gaming mouse with a higher DPI rating that can toggle to a lower DPI, in case you get a bigger desk.
Meanwhile, a high polling rate means you’re getting faster response times. The polling rate is measured in hertz, and it usually ranges from around 125 to 1,000Hz. The latter means that your mouse’s position is reported to your computer 1,000 times per second.
Other key gaming mouse factors you’ll want to keep in mind are ergonomics – particularly if you’re left-handed – and RGB lighting.
How we test gaming mice
Gaming mice come in all shapes, sizes, and quality, so of course we test each one that lands on our desks. There’s a lot that we do to ensure that every mouse is up to gamers’ standards, but naturally, we start with the design. We take a look at its aesthetics as well as its ergonomics and ease of use, making sure that it feels as good as it looks. If there’s RGB lighting, we test that as well, checking to see if it works as it should.
Then we move on to its performance – from its responsiveness to its accuracy and speed. We use it extensively to play the latest and greatest games, ensuring that it delivers as promised. If it comes with software customizations for RGB lighting, macros, and key remapping, we check those too. If it’s a wireless gaming mouse, we also test its connectivity, range, and battery life.
Finally, we gather all the information we’ve collected and decide if it’s worth the price and if it’s of great value to the target audience.
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