Whether you're gaming on your PC or just trying to get some work done, having a dependable and accurate mouse can make a big difference. Selecting text and clicking into the right spreadsheet cells is one thing, but once you're gaming, it gets even more important to have a great mouse, and there are many gaming mice to choose from. Unfortunately, with all those options, there are plenty of duds and many that just cost more than anyone should have to stomach (we're talking the price of a decent processor).
Fortunately, we've tried out so many mice, we know which can still muster solid performance while boasting a price tag that's more gentle on the eyes. In fact, some of these gaming mice even borrow the design and features of their more expensive counterparts but manage to stay a bit more affordable by dialing back things like RGB lighting or fancy connectivity options. Most of these options will cost you less than $50 while still delivering a great mouse that will track accurately enough for you to start working on your muscle memory and train those flick shots.
Below, you'll find wired and wireless mice that may seem simple at first, but that will work great whether you're a new gamer or a seasoned competitor.
Sensor: TrueMove Air Optical | Sensitivity: 18,000 CPI | Shape: Right-Handed | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wireless | Weight: 95-106 grams
The SteelSeries Rival 3 was already a top-notch budget gaming mouse, but now it's leveled up with the Rival 3 Wireless. This takes the familiar shape of the Rival series and provides it with speedy wireless connectivity while continuing to maintain a low price. Part of the low price comes from the fact that the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless doesn’t feature an integrated battery, but you can always just run off rechargeable AAA batteries if you don’t want to end up with a heap of dead batteries.
The Rival 3 Wireless can run for over 400 hours on a pair of AAA batteries, but you can also opt to run on a single AAA battery if you prefer a lighter weight. With an 18,000 CPI max sensitivity from its optical sensor and tracking at up to 400 inches-per-second and 40G accelerations, this is undoubtedly a high-performance mouse. Plus, its ability to operate wireless using a low-latency wireless dongle or Bluetooth provides a lot of flexibility for how you use it, giving you more value — something we love to see in a budget device.
Sensor: Optical PixArt PMW3325 | Sensitivity: 10,000 DPI | Shape: Right-handed | Buttons: 6 | Connection: 2.4GHz wireless done, Bluetooth | Battery life: 45 hours ● Weight: 99g
The Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless is the cheapest and best budget wireless gaming mice available on the market. For just $50, it'll connect to your gaming PC or gaming laptop, and even other devices using both its 2.4GHz wireless dongle and Bluetooth.
It also comes packing an impressive 10,000 DPI sensor and Omron switches, which are rated for 50 million mouse clicks. Overall, the Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless is a well-rounded gaming mouse that will last for 30-45 hours between charges.
Sensor: Optical PixArt PMW3360 | Sensitivity: 12,000 DPI | Shape: Right-handed | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 97g
The Fnatic Clutch 2 Pro gaming mouse is built for comfort and competitive gaming, but it comes at a very competitive price. Despite the low price, it includes a PixArt PMW3360 optical sensor that’s not only capable of some competitive tracking but also offers an adjustable lift-off distance so you can tune the mouse to behave appropriately in line with how you prefer to aim.
The mouse is capable of tracking up to 12,000 DPI and can handle accelerations up to 50G and speeds up to 250 inches-per-second. The mouse also maintains a low, 97 gram weight, making it easier to move it at high speeds. Fnatic tops it all off with some custom RGB lighting at the scroll wheel and on the Fnatic logo.
Sensor: Optical PixArt PMW3391 | Sensitivity: 18,000 DPI | Shape: Ambidextrous | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 73g
Need a cheap gaming mouse you can hold just as comfortably in your left hand as your right? The Corsair Katar Pro XT is it. This affordable gaming mouse has a symmetrical design, though it’s worth noting that there are only thumb buttons on one side. Beyond that, the Corsair Katar Pro XT brings plenty of performance potential to its price point.
It features an optical sensor that can track at up to 18,000 DPI, and you can tune the tracking exactly to your liking in 1 DPI increments. Corsair has also implemented Quickstrike buttons to reduce the depth the mouse buttons travel before actuating, helping you get your inputs registered that much faster. And, the Corsair Katar Pro XT weighs just 73 grams, making it easy to swing around in even the most frantic gaming moments.
Sensor: Optical | Sensitivity: 26,000 DPI | Shape: Right-handed | Buttons: 11 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 101g
The Razer Basilisk line of mice has featured some of our favorite options for FPS gaming thanks to the ergonomic design and great sensor, and the tradition continues with the Razer Basilisk V3. Priced at $60, this mouse features a comfortable form factor designed for right-handers with easy access to buttons and an included thumb rest. There’s even customizable RGB lighting loaded in. And, you’ll get a 26K DPI optical sensor–which is plenty fast for any PC gamer.
The Razer Basilisk V3 comes packing all the buttons you could want on a mouse. There is a solid, non-removable thumb paddle. It has a DPI clutch—basically paddle shifts down the side of the mouse—that work perfectly for sniping. Though, you can customize those shifters and the ten other buttons on this mouse to do whatever you please with Razer Synapse. Plus, a HyperScroll Tilt Wheel allows for speedy scrolling or precision depending on what you’re using it for.
Sensor: Owl-Eye 16K Optical (Pixart PMW3389-based) | Sensitivity: 16,000 DPI | Shape: Ambidextrous (single-sided thumb buttons) | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 68g
For an affordable gaming mouse that has heaps of flair, you’ll want the Roccat Burst Pro. This gaming mouse borrows some cues from lightweight gaming mice — a category it actually falls into thanks to its 68g weight — with its use of a honeycomb pattern design. But, rather than actually opening up the frame, Roccat has covered the honeycomb in a translucent layer that lets the Burst Pro’s RGB lighting shine through brilliantly. That layer also keeps dirt and dust out of the mouse’s internals.
Of course, we wouldn’t recommend a gaming mouse if it didn’t also have the chops for gaming. The Roccat Burst Pro features the Owl-Eye 16K optical sensor, which handles high-speed mouse movements with high-resolution tracking. It also supports an adjustable lift-off distance, so you’ll get to fine tune your controls. Roccat has also implemented optical switches in the mouse buttons for incredibly fast actuation and extended hardware longevity.
Sensor: 5G Optical Sensor | Sensitivity: 18,000 DPI | Shape: Right-handed | Buttons: 16 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 85g
If you're playing MMOs, what you need from your mouse is really a second keyboard. And that's more or less what the Razer Naga X is offering at a fair price point. The Razer Naga X is a capable mouse in its own right with Razer's 5G optical sensor offering sensitivities up to 18,000 DPI. It also has a slightly ergonomic design with extra space for you pinky and ring fingers to not get cramped.
The star of the show on the Naga X is the thumb buttons. This controller features a three-by-four grid of thumb buttons. With those twelve programable buttons always within easy reach for your thumb, you'll be able to really dial up your APM and pop off abilities without having to reach across your keyboard to hit the right key.
Sensor: Optical | Sensitivity: 8,500 CPI | Shape: Ambi-dextrous | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 61g
The Razer Viper Mini carries on the legacy of the Razer Viper, except it does so while being outright compact. This is one of the lightest gaming mice you'll find, as it weighs in at just 61 grams. That's lighter than any mouse Razer has made prior. It's still a proper gaming mouse, though.
The Razer Viper Mini boasts an optical sensor that can track at 8,500 CPI and hold up to the fast movements it might experience while you're gaming. It'll track even when accelerating at up to 35Gs and moving at 300 inches-per-second, so don't worry about it holding you back during flick shots. It features six buttons to give you all your primary gaming controls. If you're a southpaw gamer, its ambidextrous design can help you as well, though you will lose access to the thumb buttons. Those buttons are also built with optical switches for fast activation and considerable longevity.
Sensor: PixArt PAW3335 Optical | Sensitivity: 16,000 CPI | Shape: Ambidextrous | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 59g
As far as capable gaming mice go, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste is about as light as they come. There are lighter, but the Pulsefire Haste combines its low weight with other quality features that make it a strong pick at a low price. You'll still be getting a high-resolution optical sensor from PixArt that can handle tracking at high speeds and accelerations. HyperX doesn't dump any of the traditional buttons either, keeping left thumb buttons (sorry, left-handed users) and the DPI switch in place.
The Pulsefire Haste trims its weight with a honeycomb pattern cut out from the frame, similar to what you'll see from many lightweight gaming mice. HyperX works to keep the USB cable light by using a flexible paracord. The paracord and PTFE skates on the underside of the mouse also help cut down on friction, so your mouse movements will be smooth and consistent. If you're willing to sacrifice a bit of weight for more grip, HyperX includes grip tape the can go on the sides and primary mouse buttons. The whole package is topped off with – you guessed it – a single RGB lighting zone on the scroll wheel.
In this day and age, you really don't have to sacrifice a lot when you're trying to save a buck on a gaming mouse. Many of the cheap options out there offer a high level of DPI and polling rate to keep up with even the best premium gaming mice. That said, not all mice are built equal; some offer more buttons with others are ergonomically designed for a certain handiness (usually for right-handed users), so there are a few things to consider when choosing the right peripheral for you.
The first and most important thing about choosing the right mouse for you is its shape. For the most part, mice come in exactly two shapes: ambidextrous or ergonomic. While it might seem like a simple choice that all right-handed users should pick an ergonomic shape while left-handed are left with whatever is ambidextrous, the way you hold the mouse is just as important too.
To that end, there are also two primary types of mouse grip: palm and claw. For the former palm grip technique, you'll want a mouse with a tall back that can support your hand—as well as some level of pinky and ring finger support. Claw grippers, on the other hand, should look for a mouse that's relatively short and has a small footprint.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
Continue reading...
Fortunately, we've tried out so many mice, we know which can still muster solid performance while boasting a price tag that's more gentle on the eyes. In fact, some of these gaming mice even borrow the design and features of their more expensive counterparts but manage to stay a bit more affordable by dialing back things like RGB lighting or fancy connectivity options. Most of these options will cost you less than $50 while still delivering a great mouse that will track accurately enough for you to start working on your muscle memory and train those flick shots.
Below, you'll find wired and wireless mice that may seem simple at first, but that will work great whether you're a new gamer or a seasoned competitor.
TL;DR – These are the Best Budget Gaming Mice:
- SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless
- Corsair Harpoon Wireless
- Fnatic Clutch 2 Pro
- Corsair Katar Pro XT
- Razer Basilisk V3
- Roccat Burst Pro
- Razer Naga X
- Razer Viper Mini
- HyperX Pulsefire Haste
1. SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless
Best Budget Gaming Mouse
Sensor: TrueMove Air Optical | Sensitivity: 18,000 CPI | Shape: Right-Handed | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wireless | Weight: 95-106 grams
The SteelSeries Rival 3 was already a top-notch budget gaming mouse, but now it's leveled up with the Rival 3 Wireless. This takes the familiar shape of the Rival series and provides it with speedy wireless connectivity while continuing to maintain a low price. Part of the low price comes from the fact that the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless doesn’t feature an integrated battery, but you can always just run off rechargeable AAA batteries if you don’t want to end up with a heap of dead batteries.
The Rival 3 Wireless can run for over 400 hours on a pair of AAA batteries, but you can also opt to run on a single AAA battery if you prefer a lighter weight. With an 18,000 CPI max sensitivity from its optical sensor and tracking at up to 400 inches-per-second and 40G accelerations, this is undoubtedly a high-performance mouse. Plus, its ability to operate wireless using a low-latency wireless dongle or Bluetooth provides a lot of flexibility for how you use it, giving you more value — something we love to see in a budget device.
2. Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless
Best Budget Wireless Gaming Mouse
Sensor: Optical PixArt PMW3325 | Sensitivity: 10,000 DPI | Shape: Right-handed | Buttons: 6 | Connection: 2.4GHz wireless done, Bluetooth | Battery life: 45 hours ● Weight: 99g
The Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless is the cheapest and best budget wireless gaming mice available on the market. For just $50, it'll connect to your gaming PC or gaming laptop, and even other devices using both its 2.4GHz wireless dongle and Bluetooth.
It also comes packing an impressive 10,000 DPI sensor and Omron switches, which are rated for 50 million mouse clicks. Overall, the Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless is a well-rounded gaming mouse that will last for 30-45 hours between charges.
3. Fnatic Clutch 2 Pro
Best Budget Ergonomic Gaming Mouse
Sensor: Optical PixArt PMW3360 | Sensitivity: 12,000 DPI | Shape: Right-handed | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 97g
The Fnatic Clutch 2 Pro gaming mouse is built for comfort and competitive gaming, but it comes at a very competitive price. Despite the low price, it includes a PixArt PMW3360 optical sensor that’s not only capable of some competitive tracking but also offers an adjustable lift-off distance so you can tune the mouse to behave appropriately in line with how you prefer to aim.
The mouse is capable of tracking up to 12,000 DPI and can handle accelerations up to 50G and speeds up to 250 inches-per-second. The mouse also maintains a low, 97 gram weight, making it easier to move it at high speeds. Fnatic tops it all off with some custom RGB lighting at the scroll wheel and on the Fnatic logo.
4. Corsair Katar Pro XT
Best Budget Ambidextrous Gaming Mouse
Sensor: Optical PixArt PMW3391 | Sensitivity: 18,000 DPI | Shape: Ambidextrous | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 73g
Need a cheap gaming mouse you can hold just as comfortably in your left hand as your right? The Corsair Katar Pro XT is it. This affordable gaming mouse has a symmetrical design, though it’s worth noting that there are only thumb buttons on one side. Beyond that, the Corsair Katar Pro XT brings plenty of performance potential to its price point.
It features an optical sensor that can track at up to 18,000 DPI, and you can tune the tracking exactly to your liking in 1 DPI increments. Corsair has also implemented Quickstrike buttons to reduce the depth the mouse buttons travel before actuating, helping you get your inputs registered that much faster. And, the Corsair Katar Pro XT weighs just 73 grams, making it easy to swing around in even the most frantic gaming moments.
5. Razer Basilisk V3
Best Budget FPS Gaming Mouse
Sensor: Optical | Sensitivity: 26,000 DPI | Shape: Right-handed | Buttons: 11 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 101g
The Razer Basilisk line of mice has featured some of our favorite options for FPS gaming thanks to the ergonomic design and great sensor, and the tradition continues with the Razer Basilisk V3. Priced at $60, this mouse features a comfortable form factor designed for right-handers with easy access to buttons and an included thumb rest. There’s even customizable RGB lighting loaded in. And, you’ll get a 26K DPI optical sensor–which is plenty fast for any PC gamer.
The Razer Basilisk V3 comes packing all the buttons you could want on a mouse. There is a solid, non-removable thumb paddle. It has a DPI clutch—basically paddle shifts down the side of the mouse—that work perfectly for sniping. Though, you can customize those shifters and the ten other buttons on this mouse to do whatever you please with Razer Synapse. Plus, a HyperScroll Tilt Wheel allows for speedy scrolling or precision depending on what you’re using it for.
6. Roccat Burst Pro
Best Budget RGB Gaming Mouse
Sensor: Owl-Eye 16K Optical (Pixart PMW3389-based) | Sensitivity: 16,000 DPI | Shape: Ambidextrous (single-sided thumb buttons) | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 68g
For an affordable gaming mouse that has heaps of flair, you’ll want the Roccat Burst Pro. This gaming mouse borrows some cues from lightweight gaming mice — a category it actually falls into thanks to its 68g weight — with its use of a honeycomb pattern design. But, rather than actually opening up the frame, Roccat has covered the honeycomb in a translucent layer that lets the Burst Pro’s RGB lighting shine through brilliantly. That layer also keeps dirt and dust out of the mouse’s internals.
Of course, we wouldn’t recommend a gaming mouse if it didn’t also have the chops for gaming. The Roccat Burst Pro features the Owl-Eye 16K optical sensor, which handles high-speed mouse movements with high-resolution tracking. It also supports an adjustable lift-off distance, so you’ll get to fine tune your controls. Roccat has also implemented optical switches in the mouse buttons for incredibly fast actuation and extended hardware longevity.
7. Razer Naga X
Best Budget MMO Gaming Mouse
Sensor: 5G Optical Sensor | Sensitivity: 18,000 DPI | Shape: Right-handed | Buttons: 16 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 85g
If you're playing MMOs, what you need from your mouse is really a second keyboard. And that's more or less what the Razer Naga X is offering at a fair price point. The Razer Naga X is a capable mouse in its own right with Razer's 5G optical sensor offering sensitivities up to 18,000 DPI. It also has a slightly ergonomic design with extra space for you pinky and ring fingers to not get cramped.
The star of the show on the Naga X is the thumb buttons. This controller features a three-by-four grid of thumb buttons. With those twelve programable buttons always within easy reach for your thumb, you'll be able to really dial up your APM and pop off abilities without having to reach across your keyboard to hit the right key.
8. Razer Viper Mini
Ambidextrous Awesomeness
Sensor: Optical | Sensitivity: 8,500 CPI | Shape: Ambi-dextrous | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 61g
The Razer Viper Mini carries on the legacy of the Razer Viper, except it does so while being outright compact. This is one of the lightest gaming mice you'll find, as it weighs in at just 61 grams. That's lighter than any mouse Razer has made prior. It's still a proper gaming mouse, though.
The Razer Viper Mini boasts an optical sensor that can track at 8,500 CPI and hold up to the fast movements it might experience while you're gaming. It'll track even when accelerating at up to 35Gs and moving at 300 inches-per-second, so don't worry about it holding you back during flick shots. It features six buttons to give you all your primary gaming controls. If you're a southpaw gamer, its ambidextrous design can help you as well, though you will lose access to the thumb buttons. Those buttons are also built with optical switches for fast activation and considerable longevity.
9. HyperX Pulsefire Haste
Best Budget Ultra Lightweight Gaming Mouse
Sensor: PixArt PAW3335 Optical | Sensitivity: 16,000 CPI | Shape: Ambidextrous | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 59g
As far as capable gaming mice go, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste is about as light as they come. There are lighter, but the Pulsefire Haste combines its low weight with other quality features that make it a strong pick at a low price. You'll still be getting a high-resolution optical sensor from PixArt that can handle tracking at high speeds and accelerations. HyperX doesn't dump any of the traditional buttons either, keeping left thumb buttons (sorry, left-handed users) and the DPI switch in place.
The Pulsefire Haste trims its weight with a honeycomb pattern cut out from the frame, similar to what you'll see from many lightweight gaming mice. HyperX works to keep the USB cable light by using a flexible paracord. The paracord and PTFE skates on the underside of the mouse also help cut down on friction, so your mouse movements will be smooth and consistent. If you're willing to sacrifice a bit of weight for more grip, HyperX includes grip tape the can go on the sides and primary mouse buttons. The whole package is topped off with – you guessed it – a single RGB lighting zone on the scroll wheel.
What to Look for in a Budget Gaming Mouse
In this day and age, you really don't have to sacrifice a lot when you're trying to save a buck on a gaming mouse. Many of the cheap options out there offer a high level of DPI and polling rate to keep up with even the best premium gaming mice. That said, not all mice are built equal; some offer more buttons with others are ergonomically designed for a certain handiness (usually for right-handed users), so there are a few things to consider when choosing the right peripheral for you.
The first and most important thing about choosing the right mouse for you is its shape. For the most part, mice come in exactly two shapes: ambidextrous or ergonomic. While it might seem like a simple choice that all right-handed users should pick an ergonomic shape while left-handed are left with whatever is ambidextrous, the way you hold the mouse is just as important too.
To that end, there are also two primary types of mouse grip: palm and claw. For the former palm grip technique, you'll want a mouse with a tall back that can support your hand—as well as some level of pinky and ring finger support. Claw grippers, on the other hand, should look for a mouse that's relatively short and has a small footprint.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
Continue reading...
