Gaming peripherals are often flashy and covered in RGB lights, but despite their edgy appearance and names, they can make a huge difference in how smooth and enjoyable your gameplay is. A gaming mouse, in particular, can up your game significantly.
Of course, gaming mice come in a variety of unique setups and what some consider amazing might be terrible for you. This is why we have compiled a list of the best gaming mice you can buy in 2019, each with its unique selling points that will appeal to a variety of gamers.
What to consider when buying a gaming mouse
If this is your first time delving into the world of gaming accessories, picking the right mouse might seem like a daunting task. There are tons of different mice out there and gaming mice use a lot of unique specs that are often described with abbreviations which might be confusing to newcomers. The ones you will see most often are DPI (dots per inch) and CPI (counts per inch).
Without getting too technical, both terms refer to the mouse's sensitivity – how much distance is covered on the screen related to the physical movement of the mouse. The higher the CPI or DPI number, the wider the range of sensitivity you can specify. You will see both used by different manufacturers, but the thing to remember is that higher DPI or CPI numbers doesn't mean the mouse is better.
Another important thing to consider is whether to buy a wireless or wired mouse. If you are aiming for top-notch performance, our advice would be to opt for a wired mouse. Despite major improvements in wireless mice over the years, latency is still slightly higher, and you need to deal with a lot of extra annoyances such as connecting, charging and so on. A wired mouse, on the other hand, is very much plug-and-play (installing drivers aside, since you will likely have to do the same with wireless) and they are generally cheaper. This is why our list includes mostly wired mice.
If you need top notch performance and low latency at an affordable price, a wired mouse is the better choice.
However, the biggest determining factor when buying a gaming mouse is what types of games you play. Going on lengthy WOW quests and raids? Then your ideal gaming mouse should have extra programmable keys for quick and efficient casting. The same applies for MOBA and ARTS fans. CS:GO players, on the other hand, or those that have given into the FPS battle royale trend, will appreciate a mouse with low latency and extreme precision. Competitive real-time strategy players could also benefit from such a mouse to select and maneuver units quickly, but gamers that switch between genres will want a gaming mouse that covers all basics.
Other things to keep in mind are mouse weight and size. These are all up to you – if you have small hands, a slim mouse is essential, for example. This is why we've included these stats in our list. So, without further ado here are the best gaming mice you can buy in 2019.
Logitech G502 Hero
Max DPI: 16,000 | Sensor: Optical | Buttons: 11 |Weight: 121 g | Width: 75 mm| Lenght: 132 mm
Price: $79.99
- Pros: Durable, many customizable buttons, thin braided cable
- Cons: Can be bulky and/or too heavy for some, not suitable for left-handed use
- Ideal for: FPS games, but a good allrounder
The Logitech G502 Hero is an updated version of the original G502 – probably Logitech's finest gaming mouse. It has been lauded as one of the best overall and its successor has more than earned its place on our list. With the new Hero sensor, the G502 Hero now sports a max DPI of 16, 000, and has a report rate of only 1 ms. As can be expected from a gaming mouse, it also has a programmable RGB light, which can shine, pulsate or "breathe" in a variety of colors. It can even sync with colors displayed on your screen. Bling aside, one of the best things the G502 Hero offers are extra modular weights which can be attached at the bottom of the mouse to increase its 121 g weight. There are 5 attachments, each weighing 3.6g, making it easy to customize and find the perfect weight for you.
For fans of first-person shooters, Logitech has also kept the Sniper button on the left side of the mouse, where your thumb would usually be. Pressing it instantly activates the lowest DPI preset you have chosen, so your aim can be as precise as possible. To top it all off, the G502 Hero is a relatively affordable gaming mouse. It usually retails at $79.99, but you can often find it for $60 or lower online and in stores.
Razer Deathadder Elite
Max DPI: 16,000 | Sensor: Optical | Buttons: 7 | Weight: 105 g | Width: 70 mm | Height: 44 mm | Lenght: 127 mm
Price: $69.99
- Pros: Curved design, rubber-side grips, mechanical switches
- Cons: Right-handed design, a bit pricey considering it's 3-years-old
- Ideal for: MOBA, FPS
Dubbed the esports mouse, the Razer Deathadder Elite might be a bit old compared to others on this list, but it still holds its own in many respects. This gaming mouse has a stylish, but also comfortable design with curved edges and top buttons that allow it sit perfectly in the hand. This is further helped by the rubber side grips, which make it easy to handle even in hot and sweaty summer days when you'd rather sit inside and play games all day. It even has a left-handed edition.
However, what makes the Razer Deathadder Elite hard to beat are its mechanical mouse switches, which give the mouse an incredibly fast response. The Deathadder Elite is also renowned for its flawless tracking even when moving it very quickly across multiple screens. However, compared to the G502 Hero and many other modern gaming mice, it doesn't have too many customizable side buttons – just two in fact. For some that might be a huge downside, but others will appreciate the minimalism. The Razer Deathadder Elite can be a bit pricey considering its age, however. It usually retails for $69.99, but if you're lucky you can find it on sale for $49.99.
SteelSeries Sensei 310
Max DPI: 12,000 | Sensor: Optical | Buttons: 8 |Weight: 92.1 g | Width: 60.8 mm | Height: 39 mm |Length: 125.1 mm
Price: $49.99
- Pros: Ambidextrous design, very affordable, on-board memory
- Cons: Non-braided cable, can be very light for some users
- Ideal for: Allrounder
SteelSeries is a well-known name in the gaming peripherals industry and deservedly so. It should therefore come as no surprise that the SteelSeries Sensei 310 is among the best on our list. This mouse sports an ambidextrous design, ideal for left-handed users, as well as comfortable silicone side grips. Its split trigger buttons, on the other hand, make it harder to accidentally misclick.
The SteelSeries Sensei 310 seemingly has one major downside, however. Its max DPI sits at 12, 000 – lower than the current industry standard of 16, 000. Nevertheless, this gaming mouse provides true 1-to-1 tracking up to 3500 DPI, according to SteelSeries, which is invaluable for those that love playing with high sensitivity. You can even switch seamlessly between DPI profiles anywhere thanks to the ARM processor. It allows you to save your DPI settings, custom button remaps and even light settings on-board, without the need of additional software. This makes the Sensei 310 ideal for tournaments. The best part? It costs only $49.99 without having to wait for a sale. One of its few rivals is the Rival 310, which is a very similar SteelSeries right-handed model.
Corsair M65 RGB Elite
Max CPI: 18,000 | Sensor: Optical | Buttons: 8 | Weight: 97 g | Width: 76.6 mm| Height: 39.2 mm | Length: 116.5 mm
Price: $59.99
- Pros: On-board memory, weight tuning
- Cons: Big and bulky, no silicone or rubber side grips
- Ideal for: FPS games
If numbers are a top priority for you, then you will be impressed with Corsair's M65 RGB Elite gaming mouse. It sports a max DPI of 18, 000 and has an overall impressive performance. It also offers some of the best features of the SteelSeries Sensei 310 and Logitech G502 Hero in a single package – on-board memory, a sniper button and additional attachable weights. The M65 RGB Elite also has two handy DPI switches that enable you switch between five presets. The color of the RGB light between these buttons is customizable. You can assign a different color to each DPI setting. For example, green for low DPI and FPS games and red for higher DPI and MOBA games.
However, Corsair's gaming mouse is not without its drawbacks. In terms of design, it sports the typical edgy gamer aesthetic which might not be to everyone's liking. The M65 RGB Elite is also very wide, making it ideal for those that "claw grip" their mouse, but not so comfortable for everyone else, especially those with small hands. It doesn't have rubber or silicone grips either, which can make prolonged used unpleasant. Nevertheless, if that doesn't bother you, the Corsair M65 RGB Elite is a solid gaming mouse that won't cost you much at $59.99.
HyperX Pulsefire Surge
Max DPI: 16,000 | Sensor: Optical | Buttons: 6 |Weight: 100 g | Width: 63 mm| Height: 41 mm | Length: 120 mm
Price: ~$53
- Pros: Ambidextrous, slim and minimalist design, stunning RGB light
- Cons: No silicone or rubber side grips, no buttons on the right side
- Ideal for: MOBA, FPS
HyperX is another name you might be familiar with, thanks to their great gaming headsets. The company is relatively new on the mouse market, but they have a lot to offer with the HyperX Pulsefire Surge. One of the most underrated gaming mice around, it has a minimalist ambidextrous design that instantly catches the eye. It has no protruding edges or weird shapes, but features a highly customizable edge RGB light which can cycle through colors, pulse, and more. And if you decide to keep the flashing lights off, it's easily a mouse you can bring with you to the office without looking unprofessional.
However, the HyperX Pulsefire Surge doesn't rely on looks only. It has a great build quality, and even if silicone or rubber side grips are missing, its matte coating makes it easy to handle regardless. The best part is that the Pulsefire Surge also offers stellar performance and great accuracy in FPS games. The only major con for left-handed people is that there are no customizable buttons on the right side. But with a price of around $53, the HyperX Pulsefire Surge is one of the best gaming mice in terms of price-performance ratio you can currently buy.
Razer Naga Trinity
Max DPI: 16,000 | Sensor: Optical | Buttons: up to 19 | Weight: 120 g | Width: 74 mm | Height: 43 mm | Length: 119 mm
Price: $99.99
- Pros: Interchangeable side plates, ideal for every game, mechanical switches
- Cons: Right-handed design, can be heavy for some, pricier than most
- Ideal for: MMO RPGs, MOBA, allrounder
If you want to control all of your Meepo or Beastmaster units with your mouse in DOTA 2, or you simply want a mouse that can transform into the ideal peripheral for your favorite MMO RPG, you should look no further than the Razer Naga Trinity. This sci-fi looking mouse comes with three interchangeable side plates, which allow you to customize it like no other. The first is your standard two button side plate, the second has seven buttons arranged in a circle (great for League of Legends or DOTA 2 custom shortcuts), and a third one with a whopping 12 side buttons for the MMO RPG addicts.
The Naga Trinity can be on the heavier side, but strong magnets keep the attached plate from wiggling, generally providing a great gaming experience. The mouse also features the typical 16, 000 max DPI and Razer mechanical switches. Unfortunately, as many other gaming mice, it is right-handed, and its shape might not be to everyone's liking. Nevertheless, the Razer Naga Trinity is incredibly versatile and although a bit pricier than most at $99.99 (often on sale for $79.99), is one of the best mice you can currently buy.
Honorable mentions
If you think your ideal mouse is not on this list, we also recommend checking out the SteelSeries Rival 600 and 650 Wireless, as well as the Logitech G Pro Wireless.
This is our list of the best gaming mice you can buy in 2019. What is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
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