So you’ve decided to shell out the extra money for a gaming mouse. Maybe you’re going into the store to buy it in person, maybe you’re more comfortable scrolling through an online retailer. In either case, you’ll have plenty of options. Which brand and which mouse should you choose? There are many different brands like Razer but which is the best Razer mouse? There are several features to consider and compare while shopping, namely, sensor type, connection type, grip, and sensitivity. Let’s jump into those now.
Sensors, Optical or Laser? : Both offer a great experience. However, optical mice have slightly better accuracy while laser mice work on a wider variety of surfaces.
Connection, Wireless or Wired? : Wireless mice have improved drastically in the last few years, but they still have some disadvantages when compared to wired mice such as limited battery life (particularly when there are RGB lights) and latency. However, if you do decide to purchase a wireless mouse, 30 hours of battery life or more is ideal. You’ll also need to choose between a standard Bluetooth connection or a more robust 2.4 GHz dongle connection. A Bluetooth connection is handy for switching among multiple devices but also has latency issues. A 2.4 GHz dongle will require an extra USB port on your rig, and the dongle itself is easy to lose.
Grip, Palm, Claw, or Fingertip? :
Palm Grip – A “standard office mouse” type grip where the base of the palm rests on the base of the mouse.
Claw Grip – A “palm-free” grip where the wrist rests on the mouse mat and the fingertips grip the edges of the mouse.
Fingertip Grip – A “low-contact” grip where both the wrist and palm are elevated off the mouse, and it’s gripped with just the fingertips.
Sensitivity, How much DPI?: Dots Per Inch or DPI measures the sensitivity of the mouse. More DPI, the more sensitive the mouse is.
Now that you know what to look for in terms of features, here are some of the best mice on the market today:
Razer DeathAdder V2
DPI: 20,000
Sensor: Optical
Interface: USB
Buttons: 6
Ergonomic: Right-handed
Grip: Palm or hybrid Palm/claw
Weight: 82 g (2.9 oz)
Battery life: N/A
REASONS TO BUY:
+Its sensor is one of the best sensors available
+Versatile grip configurations (palm or claw)
+Fits a variety of hand sizes
REASONS TO AVOID:
-Flimsy Buttons
Logitech G203 Lightsync
SPECIFICATIONS:
DPI: 8,000
Sensor: Optical
Interface: USB
Buttons: 5
Ergonomic: Right-handed
Grip: Palm
Weight: 85 g (3.0 oz)
Battery life: N/A
REASONS TO BUY:
+A quality product at an attractive price
+Great for smaller hands
+Three-zone RGB lighting
REASONS TO AVOID:
-Feature-light
-Less DPI granularity
Razer Naga Pro
SPECIFICATIONS:
DPI: 20,000
Sensor: Razer Focus+ optical sensor
Interface: Wireless, USB, Bluetooth
Buttons: 3 swappable side plates with up to 19+1 programmable buttons
Ergonomic: Right-handed
Grip: Palm
Weight: 117 g (4.1 oz)
Battery life: 150 Hrs.
REASONS TO BUY:
+Comes with a customizable thumb grip and 3 different button area options
+The charging Dock is Chroma Compatible
REASONS TO AVOID:
-Heavy and chunky
SteelSeries Prime Wireless
SPECIFICATIONS:
DPI: 18,000
Sensor: TrueMove
ProInterface: Quantum Wireless 2.0 + USB Type-C
Buttons: 6
Ergonomic: Right-handed
Grip: Claw/Fingertip
Weight: 80 g (2.82 oz)
Battery life: 100Hrs + quick charge
REASONS TO BUY:
+Excellent feel
+Low latency wireless connection
+Great battery life and charges quickly
REASONS TO AVOID:
-Looks boring
-CPI switch is inconveniently on the bottom
-Funky USB Type-C charging cable
As you can tell from the list, Razer and Logitech are both very well-represented brands. Another brand, Steel Series, which also made the list above, is also a very solid option. Some other notable brands that appear on many ‘Top X’ lists are Corsair and Glorious. Ultimately, whichever brand and whichever mouse ends up on your desk depends on your budget and personal preferences. I hope this guide has been helpful and happy shopping.
