Luckily, switching to a wireless mouse doesn’t mean sacrificing precision or having to deal with frequent battery changes. The mice we’ve reviewed here all have fantastic specs, such as high counts per inch (CPI) and inches per second (IPS) ratings, to perform just as well as their wired brethren. When shopping for the best wireless mouse, you’ll want to look for features such as battery life, compatibility with multiple devices, ergonomics, and portability. You can find wireless mice at any budget too, so don’t assume that wireless has to mean expensive. Read on to see our picks for the best wireless mice in different categories and price ranges. If you enjoy customizing your mouse, the MX Master 3 has seven buttons for setting up personalized shortcuts and app-specific controls. Using Logitech’s companion software, you can give yourself quick access to programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Office, and Final Cut Pro. The MX Master 3 also helps you work fast, letting you switch between three different devices at once and on any surface, thanks to its track-anywhere sensor. The battery gives you up to 70 days of use on a single charge, and just one minute of charge time gives you three hours of use. You may not need all the bells and whistles this mouse can provide, but if you do, this is one of the best mice for both wireless and ergonomic use. It comes with a 1-year warranty. Number of Buttons: 7 | CPI: 4000 | Weight: 5.1 ounces | Interface: Bluetooth, Dongle With a smooth and sleek design, it sits nicely in smaller hands and gives you plenty of control options with the seven total buttons and a scroll wheel. The included Unifying USB receiver lets you use the M705 to control up to six devices at once, from up to 30 feet away—this also makes it a great mouse to use while presenting. You can work easily on just about any surface too, as the tracking is ultra-responsive and accurate, even on glass. The icing on the cake is that the M705 is surprisingly affordable, giving you a long-lasting mouse that’s both practical and comfortable. Number of Buttons: 7 | CPI: 1000 | Weight: 5.9 ounces | Interface: USB receiver The G502 also comes with six weights, which are useful for adding and removing as you want to customize the balance and weight of your device. Lightning-fast for gaming, professional gamers have used this mouse to get an edge during competitions. On a full charge, you’ll get up to 60 hours of use, or just five minutes of charging gives you two-and-a-half hours of use. However, note that it’s not compatible with Qi charging, which would be a nice feature to see at this price point. There’s plenty to love about the G502, and it may even help you take your gaming to the next level. Number of Buttons: 11 | CPI: 25,600 | Weight: 14.2 ounces | Interface: USB receiver Razer’s gaming mouse impresses with 16,000 DPI sensitivity, which you can quickly control via the DPI switch. You also have access to six buttons, which you can customize with Razer’s Synapse 3 program. There’s even internal memory within the device, with the ability to store up to five gamer profiles. Gaming is made even more challenging, thanks to the mouse’s 5G Advanced Optical Sensor, which Razer claims has a 99.4 percent tracking accuracy. This mouse runs on a single AA battery, giving you up to 450 hours of use while using Bluetooth connectivity and up to 285 hours of use while connected with Hyperspeed. Number of Buttons: 6 | CPI: 16000 | Weight: 7 ounces | Interface: Bluetooth, Dongle You can increase your productivity by customizing shortcut tasks for all of the buttons to make it easier to switch applications, open windows and tabs, or jump to full-screen mode. Remote work is a breeze too, as wireless access is controlled by the Logitech Unifying receiver, which can control up to six wireless devices. You can also use the M510 just about anywhere, thanks to responsive laser tracking that works effortlessly on most surfaces. Logitech claims the battery lasts up to two years with daily use, although the included batteries aren’t able to be recharged. Go for the M510 if you need a mouse that can offer both form and function, perfect for all-day use. Number of Buttons: 7 | CPI: 1000 | Weight: 4.55 ounces | Interface: Bluetooth, USB receiver Whether you’re working on airplane tray tables or in cafes, the MX Anywhere 3 is up to the task. A 4000 DPI sensor can accurately work on just about any surface, including glass, and you’ve got a long-lasting battery for wireless use. The MX Anywhere 3 holds a charge for up to 70 days and can be topped up in one minute for three additional hours of usage. The small size makes it perfect for travel, but the flip side is that it may feel a bit too small in larger hands. But for most people, it’s hard to look past the convenience and comfort of the Anywhere, especially with the included USB-C to A charging cable. Number of Buttons: 6 | CPI: 4000 | Weight: 3.49 ounces | Interface: Bluetooth, USB receiver As with many other Logitech models, the M575 works smoothly on most surfaces. You can connect this mouse to up to six devices at a time, making it a great choice if you move between devices a lot. When it comes to battery life, you have up to 24 months on the included AA battery. The oversized design takes some getting used to, and probably isn’t convenient for travel, but it’s a top choice for a trusty desk mouse that could potentially help prevent wrist cramps. Number of Buttons: 5 | CPI: 2000 | Weight: 5.1 ounces | Interface: Bluetooth, USB dongle It won’t disturb those around you, as the mouse’s design eliminates 90 percent of click noise. The battery life won’t let you down either, with a full charge lasting up to 36 months. The FD V8 is energy-efficient, and it automatically powers down after around 5 minutes of idling. While there aren’t really customization options, you can choose between several different colors. Pretty much everything else you might want in a wireless mouse is here too, including smooth tracking on most surfaces and hyper-fast scrolling. A nano receiver is included, which allows you to quickly plug into any computer. Number of Buttons: 2 | CPI: 1500 | Weight: 3.52 ounces | Interface: Nano receiver Thanks to its simple build, the mouse is equally usable for both right and left-hand users. You’ll either love or hate this unique way of working, but we imagine it will appeal to Apple fans who are used to touchscreen phones and iPads. In terms of battery life, users have around 30 days before requiring a recharge through the included Lightning-to-USB cable (it’ll fully charge in 9 hours). However, note that the mouse can’t be used while charging. Number of Buttons: None | CPI: 1300 | Weight: 3.52 ounces | Interface: Bluetooth
About Our Trusted Experts
Erika Rawes has been writing professionally for more than a decade, and she’s spent the last five years writing about consumer technology. Erika has reviewed roughly 125 gadgets, including computers, peripherals, A/V equipment, mobile devices, and smart home gadgets. Erika currently writes for Digital Trends and Lifewire. Yoona Wagener has a background in content and technical writing. She has written for BigTime Software, Idealist Careers, and other small tech companies. Gannon Burgett has more than a decade of experience as a tech and photojournalist and has written for a number of top tech publications. His specific expertise in the area of PCs and peripherals is why we chose him to dive deep into the world of wireless mice and review five of the models that landed on this list.
The Ultimate Wireless Mouse Buying Guide
A computer mouse is like an extension of your hand. It’s an accessory that’s essential for general computer use and helps you work, game, or just browse the web with more accuracy. While wired mice are often the default for home shoppers and professionals, wireless mice can be just as effective and more convenient for a number of reasons. Most obviously, wireless mice eliminate the distraction and hassle of cords. And since they’re free from the restriction of wires, they’re portable too. If you work remotely or fluctuate between the office and the occasional work-from-home day, a wireless mouse goes where you go. And even if you plan to stay put, many wireless mice come with connectivity options to get you set up on a main device and work with other accessories like wireless keyboards. You can also set up connections to multiple computers and move between devices as you see fit. Wireless mice come in many styles, sizes, and price ranges. The recommendations on our list appeal to both general users and shoppers with more specific needs. There’s a lot to consider when purchasing such any computer accessory, but here are a few pointers to help you identify the wireless mouse features that will allow you to work, browse, and game most effectively.
Compatibility
Wireless mice aren’t just for PC users, but it’s generally a bit easier to find a variety of models that are PC- and Windows-ready. If you work with a MacBook, iPad, or Chromebook exclusively or in addition to a PC, pay attention to operating system compatibility. There are some wireless mice that offer seamless connectivity across platforms, and some crossover models are the best mice for Macs even if they’re not marketed as such. Along with OS flexibility, consider the programs and applications you use most frequently and the level of control you want. For example, if you’re a graphic designer or programmer, you can find devices with app-specific settings to help you work faster and easier. Many wireless mice also offer flexible and fast scrolling to help you quickly sift through long lines of content. And if you use multiple displays or devices, some wireless mice allow easy back-and-forth movement and file transferring too. Even if your primary use involves browser-based activities, certain products come with browser-centric controls for faster tab creation and navigating between them.
Connectivity
There are two main ways that wireless mice create a connection with your laptop or PC. The most common is via a wireless USB receiver, which is often generally referred to as a dongle. These are miniature USB devices that require access to one of your device’s USB Type-A ports and are almost invisible once put in place. The small profile makes it easy to plug in a USB receiver and still have easy access to other ports on your laptop without any interference. When you prompt an action with a click or scroll on the mouse, the command is sent to your device over the 2.4GHz wireless frequency. Most wireless mice with a USB receiver have a handy compartment somewhere on the device itself to store the adapter when it’s not in use. There are models that don’t offer this convenience, though, so if you easily misplace small items, that could be a dealbreaker. Of course, if you’d rather not fuss with any dongles at all, a Bluetooth wireless mouse could be ideal. Rather than communicating with your computer’s internal USB receiver, a Bluetooth mouse uses a different radio frequency technology. It connects to your laptop or PC’s internal Bluetooth antenna. The setup/pairing process is lengthier and Bluetooth connectivity can present its fair share of hiccups at times, including connection drops or sluggish performance. But there’s greater platform compatibility with a Bluetooth mouse. If you’re a Mac user and you don’t have USB Type-A ports at your disposal, a Bluetooth mouse offers a USB-free solution. And if you use a Mac and a PC or you change machines and operating systems in the future, a wireless mouse with both USB and Bluetooth connectivity can help you cover your bases.
Sensitivity and Speed
No one wants a sluggish and laggy mouse, but everyone handles this accessory differently. Generally speaking, mice that use the USB radio frequency are swifter than mice that connect over Bluetooth—meaning there’s less delay or latency. But what you consider fast or slow is individual to you. A helpful way to find the right blend of accuracy and speed is to look at specs that relate to a device’s precision with movement.
LED vs. Laser Sensor
Modern mice use a source of light to sense movement on a surface. Optical mice use LED light as the light source and work best on a mouse pad or non-glass surface. Wireless mice with LED sensor technology are often more affordable than laser mice, and peak at a resolution of 3,000 CPI (counts per inch). Laser mice, on the other hand, use a laser instead of an LED. This kind of wireless mouse works well on any surface and is pricier than an optical mouse. The higher price goes hand in hand with more sensitivity too, since this type of mouse features resolutions of 6,000 CPI or higher.
CPI/DPI
CPI stands for counts per inch and describes the number of pixels your mouse covers on screen with one inch of movement. In other words, CPI describes how sensitive it is. Confusingly, CPI is often listed as DPI on manufacturer websites and product packaging. If you don’t find it listed as CPI, take note of the DPI value. CPI values range from 100 to a whopping 16,000 on gaming mice. It’s easy to think that the higher the CPI, the better the mouse. But if the CPI rating is too high, you might end up with an over-sensitive mouse that doesn’t really serve you well. Laser-sensor models that boast 4,000 CPI or higher are jack-of-all-trades mice that offer plenty of precision for general use along with more specialized tasks like video and photo editing and gaming.
IPS and Polling Rate
Other important factors that pertain to speed—mainly for gaming—are IPS and polling rate. IPS, or inches per second, describes a mouse’s ability to keep up with rapid movement. It’s basically the maximum speed the mouse can keep up with. Gaming mice feature IPS rates of 300 or higher. Polling rate is how frequently and quickly the mouse reports its position to your laptop or PC. This is measured in seconds and expressed in hertz (Hz). For more serious gaming, a polling rate of 500Hz is popular, which means that the mouse checks in with the computer 500 times every second. Polling rates are usually customizable and span 125Hz to 1000Hz. Like CPI, higher polling rates don’t always equal better responsiveness. It’s best to find a balance between all factors that match your sensitivity and control preferences.
Customization
Scrolling speed and versatility are also helpful gauges of how well a wireless mouse fits into your setup at home or work. Most wireless mice offer a fair amount of control over how fast or slow scrolling action is—whether through a physical button or through your OS mouse settings. Many wireless mice also come with a toggle or button that gives you the option to scroll silently or match each movement with an accompanying click. Some wireless mice also feature fast-scrolling ability to scan lines and lines of content in a mere second as well as cover side-to-side movements. Beyond scrolling controls, many wireless mice come with numerous and programmable buttons. Take advantage of manufacturer software to control everything from application-specific prompts, gesture controls for switching between desktops and apps, or even adjusting RGB lighting and highlights on the device itself.
Ergonomics
Arriving at the best design for your hand is an individual decision that may come with some trial and error. But it’s generally helpful to look for specs about how large a mouse is and whether it suits smaller hands if that’s what you’re working with. Even if you can operate a mouse that’s too small or large, it’s not really worth purchasing a device that’s unwieldy. Consider the number of buttons for customizing and sensitivity settings that could make the workday easier. Wheels and trackballs could ease strain on some users’ fingers, as could the ability to use various hand grips. Figure out if you prefer more of a claw grip or a flat-palm approach and whether a thumb rest matters to you. If the traditional mouse shape doesn’t work for you, consider a vertical mouse that’s designed to keep your wrist and arm in a neutral position at all times. And if you’re ambidextrous and it’s important to you to be able to use a model with either hand, look for models that can switch back and forth as easily as you do.
Portability
If you don’t have petite hands, a smaller and more portable wireless mouse could be less of a draw. But the more ergonomic a model is, the more likely it will be larger and bulkier with more button and scrolling controls. Even if the design accents prevent a mouse from being easily stuffed in a slim pocket, wireless mice are generally lightweight. It’s possible to find both a sufficiently ergonomic and lightweight mouse that weighs well under a pound—and somewhere within the range of 5-8 ounces—and is easy to tote with you to and from work everyday or pack for traveling. If you’re always on the move, it’s in your best interest to find a wireless mouse with a USB receiver placeholder on the device or one that also offers Bluetooth operation. Otherwise, keeping track of the dongle could cramp your style.
Battery Life
Since wireless mice don’t use the power from your PC or laptop, many require batteries to operate. Lackluster battery life isn’t much of an issue with modern mice. Some last a full month to several months and even up to 2 years on a single AA battery. Certain models offer alternate charging options beyond physical battery replacement via other charging accessories. This could be more convenient or appealing if you have the space for these kinds of charging solutions (charging pads and cables) and don’t want to worry about having batteries on hand.
Brands/Manufacturers
If you’re looking for a versatile mouse that can work and play, there are many brands that offer general functionality across operating systems. For gamers, designers, and software engineers, some of these manufacturers provide more options for accuracy and control than others.
Logitech
It’s safe to say that Logitech is a powerhouse in the computer peripherals market. Along with many wired options, this company offers several different wireless models, a few of which are included in our roundup. Many models cost around $25-$30 and fit the bill for straightforward use. Some are built for scrolling comfort, others for portability, and some even offer noise-free performance. Even many multi-device models are under $50, while the most innovative options range from $80-$100. These higher-end mice, like the Logitech MX3, offer sought-after features including ergonomic touches like trackballs and vertical builds, or highly customizable control with app-specific settings for coding and creative software like Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. And if you’re looking for a gaming-specific mouse, Logitech has you covered with models like the G502 LIGHTSPEED.
Microsoft
The Microsoft brand serves up a few wireless options as well, from very simple and ultra-compact mice that cost under $15 or others that are more aesthetically pleasing and minimalist for under $30. The Arc Touch Mouse even starts flat when not in use for more portability and curves and uses haptic feedback from your fingers to pick up details like scrolling speed. This is the same kind of touch technology you see in your smartphone when it vibrates in response to taps. There are a few models that are built with ergonomics in mind, too, but there is not much variety when it comes to customization. Only four current wireless models offer programmable buttons, scrolling flexibility, or MacOS compatibility. And there are no gaming-ready wireless mice or others from the brand that can handle heavier lifting for creatives.
Razer
Razer mice are built specifically for gaming. There aren’t as many wireless options compared to their wired products—just four in total—which is unsurprising. After all, wired mice are usually preferable for gaming since they offer more control and dependability. But the wireless mice Razer manufacturers come with the specs that gamers will appreciate, including optical sensors with up to 20,000 DPI sensitivity and IPS tracking speeds of up to 650. Prices aren’t through the roof either, ranging from $50-$150. And there’s even one model that comes with complete wireless power for continuous use via a charging pad.
SteelSeries
The SteelSeries brand is another trusted one for gaming enthusiasts, but it’s more limited than Razer in terms of wireless mice options. There’s only one single wireless model, the Rival 650. While a single charge is supposed to supply over 24 hours of battery life, this product can also be fast-charged for 15 minutes and deliver an impressive 10 hours of play. It’s also RGB-customizable, which could be appealing for gamers who want to add a bit of flash to their battle station.
Accessories
Some of the aforementioned brands also sweeten the deal with accessories that extend the functionality and convenience of their mice. Gaming mouse pads work in harmony with a gaming mouse to provide smooth movements, more traction when you want it, and play without performance issues like skipping or dropping. Some even enhance battery life by supporting more precise clicks. Speaking of battery life, if you’re interested in continuous use from your wireless mouse, consider a laser mouse that’s compatible with a wireless charging system. Brands including Logitech, Corsair, and Razer offer mouse pads that provide the perfect surface for gaming and also wirelessly charge the mouse whenever you’re playing—or not. Another unique accessory the Logitech brand offers is a unifying USB receiver. This small USB dongle is the tiniest they make and is compatible with any Logitech product that comes with a USB receiver. So if you misplace the one your mouse came with, this is an easy replacement. Plus, it’s compatible with up to six different devices, which means you can hook up multiple mice and keyboards to a single computer via this tiny accessory.
Conclusion
Everybody has different needs from a mouse, but main buying priorities should center around comfort and efficiency, especially if you’ll be using this product for specialized needs like gaming, coding, or photo editing. Even regular web browsing requires a fair level of comfort. Think about hand placements that feel most natural to you and features like thumb rests, flexibility with different grips, scrolling motions, and quick-access buttons. Connectivity and battery life are other big elements to consider. If you’re a Windows- or Mac-only user, maybe your needs are more specific, but flexibility with connectivity could give you room for changing work setups or switching back and forth between systems. And when it comes down to stats like CPI, IPS, and battery life, there aren’t necessarily magic numbers. It’s helpful to keep these figures in mind along with priorities like portability and customization to find a wireless mouse that delivers in all of the major ways you need it to.
