While using a mouse or trackpad with an iPad used to be a somewhat complicated affair, Apple introduced full mouse support in iPadOS 13.4 so you can now access an on-screen pointer and navigate around your iPad in much the same way you would on a Mac or Windows PC. The best mice for iPads are designed for anybody who needs to take their iPad experience to the next level, especially if you’re also using an external keyboard. Looking at the design, it’s clear that Logitech put a great deal of thought into the MX Master 3, with a versatile array of customizable buttons all within easy reach, plus a high-quality construction of tactile rubber and plastic that makes it feel comfortable in the hand while keeping it free of smudges. Scrolling is also dead-quiet, and it can pair up with your iPad via Bluetooth and be paired with two other devices that you can easily switch between, so you can be working in Photoshop on your iPad Pro one moment, and then flip over to Premiere Pro on your Mac at the push of a button. Naturally, the MX Master 3 also supports Logitech’s Unifying USB Receiver, so it works with other devices even if they don’t have Bluetooth, and the built-in rechargeable battery offers up to 70 days of active use. The high-res 4,000DPI sensor also tracks beautifully and precisely on any surface—even glass—so you won’t need to worry about finding a compatible surface when you’re on the go. Number of Buttons: 7 | CPI: 4000 | Weight: 4.97oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / USB Receiver Logitech’s MX Anywhere 2S covers all of these bases in a pretty balanced way, making it a great pick for an iPad mouse. It’s just the right size to be portable while still remaining comfortable to use over long periods of time, it uses a rechargeable battery, it can pair with more than one device so you can use it with your computer as well, and it’s got five programmable buttons that can be customized with iPadOS 13.4 or later. It also sports a high-precision 4000dpi sensor that will track smoothly on any surface, even on glass, so you’ll have a hard time finding a place where you won’t be able to use it—hence the name “Anywhere." The battery will give you about to two months of use before you have to recharge it, which is another win for portability. Number of Buttons: 5 | CPI: 4000 | Weight: 3.74oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / USB Receiver For instance, you can use two fingers to scroll up, down, right, and left through web pages, emails, and documents, just like you can on a MacBook, and that’s not all. You can also use pinch gestures to zoom in and out on photos and web pages, and use two- and three-finger swipes to return to the Home Screen, open the App Switcher, swipe between open apps, and pull up the today view and Spotlight search windows. In fact, if you’re a MacBook user, the Magic Trackpad 2 makes an even better choice, as there will be almost no learning curve at all. The gestures are almost entirely the same between macOS and iPadOS, and it offers the same Force Touch technology that makes the entire surface receptive to both light and firmer presses for initiating actions, selecting text, and more. Best of all, you won’t need a large open desk surface to take advantage of it, as it sits in one place beside your iPad, connecting wirelessly using Bluetooth LE. It lasts for around a month between charges, and you can even juice it up directly from the USB-C port on an iPad Pro or fourth-generation iPad Air. Number of Buttons: 1 | CPI: N/A | Weight: 8.16oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / Lightning While the aluminum construction makes it one of the heavier mice we’ve used, it also makes it one of the most solid, so if you like a mouse with a bit of heft to it, you’re going to really enjoy using this one. Even better is that it’s remarkably affordable, but don’t let the low price fool you, as it’s lightning-fast at scrolling and tracking, and seamlessly pairs with an iPad or Mac using Bluetooth LE. The only downside is that users with larger hands may find it a bit uncomfortable to use. While the size makes it very portable, the aluminum construction also means that any increased size would also significantly increase the weight, and we’re quite sure that Satechi didn’t want to push things too far in that area. On the upside, however, it’s ambidextrous, so it works just as well for left-handed users. The built-in battery should last for a couple of months of normal use, and it recharges easily through the built-in USB-C port. Number of Buttons: 3 | CPI: 1200 | Weight: 6.2oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE It’s also handy if you’re using your iPad alongside a desktop computer, since Logitech’s “Easy Switch” feature lets you pair it with two devices, which can use either Bluetooth LE or Logitech’s USB Unifying Receiver to connect. A button on top lets you quickly switch from one to the other, so you can be moving your pointer around Illustrator on your desktop one second, then switch to touching up a photo on your iPad with a single click. A surprisingly generous collection of buttons are included, all of which are fully customizable, even on iPadOS. Plus, the advanced “precision mode” even works on your iPad, slowing down the pointer for more accurate tracking, since it’s a feature that’s baked into the MX Ergo’s firmware and not dependent on Logitech’s software drivers. Number of Buttons: 8 | CPI: 2048 | Weight: 9.14oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / USB Receiver Logitech’s M720 Triathlon, as the name implies, will pair with up to three different devices, which should be as many as most people need for a single mouse. It can do this over either Bluetooth (which is great for your iPad) or Logitech’s own Unifying USB Receiver for devices that don’t have Bluetooth LE capabilities. Best of all, it can seamlessly switch between both modes. However, there are other things that make the M720 a great pick. It features a standard design that’s appealing to a wide range of users and different hand sizes, so it’s one of the most comfortable mice in this price range. It also tracks well on almost any surface, and offers eight buttons, six of which are fully programmable and be customized to your liking, both in iPadOS and on your Mac or Windows PC. There are also three illuminated numbers on top so you can quickly see which device you’re controlling, and a single button lets you quickly move from controlling your computer to your iPad and back. Number of Buttons: 8 | CPI: 1000 | Weight: 4.76oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / USB Receiver For instance, the clean, minimalist design actually hides quite a bit of power, with a multi-touch surface on top that can be used to replicate most of the gestures you’d find on a trackpad, including scrolling and swiping between apps, pinching to zoom in one photos, opening the app switcher, and returning to the Home Screen. It’s a mouse with an elegant design that’s deceptive in its simplicity, since the top multi-touch surface offers more clever tricks than most multi-button mice can accomplish. It pairs up with your iPad over Bluetooth, and packs in a battery that can be recharged with the same Lightning cable that comes with Apple’s iPhone and standard iPad models. Sadly, Apple still weirdly insists on putting the Lightning port on the bottom of the mouse, so you won’t be able to use it in wired mode. But with 70 days of active use between charges, you won’t need to plug it in all that often. Plus, if you ever find yourself in a pinch, you can get up to three hours of additional juice just by plugging it in for 60 seconds. Number of Buttons: 1 | CPI: 1300 | Weight: 3.49oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / Lightning Despite the odd look, the MX Vertical actually works really well, and best of all is that Logitech promises noticeably reduced muscle strain by taking pressure off the wrist. The high-resolution 4,000 DPI sensor also minimizes the arm movements that are normally required when using a traditional mouse, and a solid collection of comfortably placed buttons put all the necessary controls at your fingertips, and of course they’re fully customizable too. Bluetooth LE allows for a simple, reliable connection to your iPad with no extra hardware required. While you can still use Logitech’s included USB Unifying receiver when you want to use it with a computer that doesn’t support Bluetooth, you can also just plug it right into an iPad Air or iPad Pro with the included USB-C charging cable and run it in wired mode. Number of Buttons: 4 | CPI: 4000 | Weight: 4.76oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / USB Receiver / USB-C It’s as minimalist in concept as Apple’s Magic Mouse 2, but in a much more interesting way. The curved arch looks great on a desk, while also easily snapping flat so you can slip it into a iPad valise or laptop bag, or even just store it away in your desk when you’re not using it. At less than 3 ounces and 0.56 inches in thickness, it’s so slim that you could easily put it in the same pocket as your iPad, and it’s available in a wide range of colors too, including far less common options like lilac, sage, and soft pink. It also features the great build quality that Microsoft’s mice are known for, with a solid feel that’s comfortable to use for long periods of time. The biggest downside is that such a clean aesthetic comes far fewer buttons than most other mice, and Microsoft hasn’t don’t anything quite as clever as the multi-touch surface found on Apple’s Magic Mouse 2, so what you see is what you get with this one. It’s got great battery life, however, lasting up to six months on a single charge. Number of Buttons: 2 | CPI: 1000 | Weight: 2.91oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE Yoona Wagener has a background in content and technical writing. She has written for BigTime Software, Idealist Careers, and other small tech companies. Yoona enjoys helping people simplify processes and specializes in computers and computer peripherals, including mice. She has reviewed several of the mice on this list. Gannon Burgett has written for Gizmodo, Digital Trends, Yahoo News, PetaPixel, DPReview, Imaging Resource, and many others. He specializes in computers and peripherals, including mice. He has reviewed some of the mice on this list. Sandra Stafford is a teacher and tech journalist who specializes in Apple products, especially the iPad lineup, and a range of other consumer electronics. She’s been reviewing consumer technology for Lifewire since 2019.
What to Look For in a Mouse For Your iPad
Wireless Connectivity
Most Bluetooth mice will connect to modern iPads relatively easily, but since most iPads don’t have a USB port, connecting a mouse via USB receiver can be a bit more challenging. While the newest iPad Air and iPad Pro models now include USB-C ports, you’ll need to use a Lightning-to-USB Camera Adapter if you want to connect a wired USB mouse or a wireless mouse with a USB dongle to a standard iPad or older iPad model.
Comfort and Grip Style
Are you right or left-handed? Do you prefer a claw grip mouse, a palm grip, or a top grip? Make sure the mouse you choose will be comfortable, especially if you plan on using it for long periods or across multiple devices. Since you’ll probably be taking your iPad mouse with you on the go, you may want a smaller, more lightweight mouse that can easily fit in a bag.
Customization Options
Do you want a mouse with programmable buttons? Maybe you want to be able to switch between continuous and ratcheted scrolling? Check out the customization options the mouse offers, the mouse’s companion software, and make sure it’s compatible with your device.
