The best mouse 2024: top computer mice for work and play
Using the best mouse can have a transformative effect on your overall PC experience. More than just a peripheral device, a decent mouse controls the ebb and flow of your workflow management, enabling you to work fluidly with better accuracy. These days, having a suitable mouse that offers a high-quality point-and-click experience is essential.
Logitech dominates the current mouse market, thanks to superb offerings such as the Logitech MX Master 3S, which offers a premium customizable experience in a quality wireless mouse. It has an 8000 DPI sensor that tracks effortlessly across multiple surfaces, including glass, and there’s a seven-button custom input that provides plenty of versatility. To top it off, it boasts an excellent battery life, coasting through 70 days on a full charge.
Elsewhere, there are bargains to be had for those on the lookout for an efficient travel mouse. The Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse is a slimline travel mouse that clicks all the right buttons for remote working. A neat ambidextrous design makes it useable for lefties and righties, and Microsoft’s BlueTrack technology means smooth tracking across almost any surface.
At TechRadar, we’ve tested dozens of top mice, including the best gaming mice, to bring you our carefully curated selections below. So no matter whether it’s for work or play (or a little bit of both), we’ve got the perfect solution to let you glide across the screen with ease and enjoy flawless control.
The best mouse in 2024
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Below you’ll find write ups for each of our picks for the best mouse of the year. We’ve tested each of the mice on our list, so you can trust our advice to help you find the best mouse for your needs and budget.
The Best Mouse overall
Logitech has once again updated its MX Master series, with the MX Master 3S succeeding the popular MX Master 3. So, not only is it great for the line, but it keeps getting better.
Of course, the 3S doesn’t take that lofty standing for granted, boasting the same versatility as its predecessors including those seven customizable buttons and three connectivity options. The battery life is also as long as ever, offering up to 70 days of charge, which is a boon to pros who loathe charging.
But, there are improvements here as well. During testing, we found it to be much quieter – 90% quieter, says Logitech. It also now comes with an 8000 DPI track anywhere sensor that lets it perform beautifully even on glass surfaces. We found this sensor to be more responsive and more accurate as well.
Read the full Logitech MX Master 3S review
The best budget mouse
Microsoft updated its Mobile Mouse and gave it a nice modern refresh – thus the name. It certainly looks like it, with a rounded rectangular look with a lower, thinner profile, a lighter weight, and an ambidextrous frame.
But, that’s not all. It also features Microsoft’s BlueTrack technology so you can skip those pesky mouse pads, as well as Bluetooth connectivity with up to 33 feet in range. Although we haven’t fully tested this mouse, verified users have praised it for boasting effortless glide as well as an accurate, responsive performance. It has nice, clicky buttons that might be a little too loud for some, but those buttons are also extremely satisfying to press.
To match the aesthetic of your existing rig, it also comes in eight different shades. The best part? It’s only less than much less like it looks.
Read our full Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse review
The best premium mouse
Why go for the mediocre when you can have a productivity mouse that’s both stunning, feature-rich and extremely functional? The Razer Pro Click is one of our favorites out of all the mice we’ve tested. If macros are your life – whether you use video editors a lot or heavily rely on graphics design – this is the mouse of your dreams, with 8 fully programmable buttons at your disposal.
Razer also gives it a whopping 16,000 DPI for the smoothest and fastest experience, and slaps on the multi-host connectivity because it knows that you’re a multi-tasking machine who uses several devices at once. This is one of the most responsive office mice we’ve ever tested, as well as the most comfortable to use.
Of course, being the modern professional or creator that you are, you do things in style. This mouse has that covered as well with its gorgeous and sleek white on gray design.
Read the full Razer Pro Click review
The best portable mouse
Whether you’re working at cafes or have a small desk, this follow up to Logitech’s MX Anywhere mouse is an excellent pointing-and-clicking companion. That’s especially if you’re a digital creator who values seamlessness.
This wireless mouse isn’t just designed to be super portable. It’s also been created to make your workflow go a lot smoother with fantastic features like three-device connectivity so you can switch from your laptop to your tablet to your phone with click of a tiny button, app-specific profiles and button customizations, and up to a whopping 70-day use on a full charge.
Some might feel that over $50 is pricey of a tiny mouse, and others would probably want to also invest in a proper mouse pad, but after testing it ourselves, we feel like it’s worth the added cost. It even comes with three different shades so it can match your aesthetic.
Read the full Logitech MX Anywhere 3 review
The best vertical mouse
The Logitech Lift Ergonomic Vertical Mouse might just alleviate any wrist or arm discomfort you suffer from, from regular mouse use. Whereas other mice are not exactly the best at keeping your mouse arm in its most optimal position, this vertical mouse from Logitech keeps it in its natural handshake position, which in turn help prevent RSI or repetitive strain injury.
It’s also never too late to start using one. Even if you’re not suffering from chronic pain from mouse usage, it’s a great idea to start using one, especially if you do spend a lot of time on the computer.
While we haven’t started testing this one, we’ve heard great things from users, some of them saying that not only has it reduced their pre-existing wrist pain, but it’s also minimized fatigue. That makes it ideal for folks who spend long hours working as well.
Read our full Logitech Lift Ergonomic Vertical Mouse review
Check out our Logitech promo codes to get the best deal on your next purchase.
The best gaming mouse
When it comes to whizz-bang gaming mice, you can always rely on Razer to come and represent. Offerings such as the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro remain at the top of the tree in terms of their functionality, visual appeal, and ergonomics. The Razer Cobra Pro borrows all the tech from the Basilisk V3 Pro and repackages it in a smaller and more lightweight frame.
Weighing in at a very diminutive 77g, the Razer Cobra Pro feels like a stiff breeze could carry it away. But despite its petite frame, this is a powerhouse of a gaming mouse. Its 30K optical sensor ensures flawlessly smooth tracking, and it’s refreshing to be offered the choice of Bluetooth, 2.4 wireless, or wired connection.
With up to an 8K polling rate, the performance is impeccable, and you’re unlikely to experience any issues with latency or reliability. It also provides the facility to store up to five custom profiles and runs for an impressive 100 hours on a full charge.
Naturally, it accommodates Razer’s signature RGB lighting, with eleven customizable zones, which you can noodle with, using Razer’s Synapse software, until you achieve the underglow of your dreams.
The Razer Cobra Pro has some seriously impressive chops and is undeniably an absolute beast when it comes to both productivity and gaming. The rub here is that price tag, which we call ‘premium’ when we’re being polite, and ‘expensive’ when we’re not. Whether you’re prepared to pay approximately £130 for a mouse is your business, but for those who do, there’s very little to argue with in terms of performance.
Take a look at our Razer discount codes for the best Razer offers and savings.
How to choose the best mouse for you
How to choose the best mouse for you
Your mouse should function as an extension of your hand and arm, not a separate entity. You’ll want a mouse that can move and click as fast as you, without any lag time or lack of response. If you spend a lot of time at your computer, you might want to get an ergonomically designed mouse to alleviate and prevent pain in your hand, wrist, or shoulder.
If you can’t stand having cords connected to your computer, you may want to consider a wireless, Bluetooth mouse. However, there are also few things more annoying than a mouse that won’t connect, so you need to choose something that has a strong signal and minimal connectivity issues. Long battery life is also essential.
Beyond two clickers and a scroll wheel, the best mouse might have additional buttons that you can program to suit your computer needs. If you’re left-handed, you’ll want to invest in a mouse that’s ambidextrous or specifically designed with ergonomics for the left hand. If you’re a laptop user who travels frequently, you’ll want a mouse that is lightweight and travels easily. Above all, you’ll want to pick a mouse that fits in your price range and gets the job done without being overly expensive.
How we test mice
They might just be peripherals, but we take our mice testing seriously. After all, a computer can only be as good as it’s peripherals, and if you’re using a crappy mouse, your experience is never going to be as seamless.
So, we test every mouse that lands on our desk extensively, from its performance to its ergonomics to its features. First, we take a look at its design, not just how good it looks and how easy it is to use or setup, but how comfortable it feels in our hands – whether or not it’s too heavy, too light or just right, if it glides easily on most surfaces, and which grip styles it’s ideal for.
Then we test its performance, including speed, accuracy, and reliability, by using it in our day to day workloads and in gaming, especially if it’s a gaming mouse. We also check its buttons and scroll wheels to see how easy and comfortable they are to use. If you’ve been using a cheap mouse your whole life, you’ll certainly notice the difference between that and a great mouse. And, that’s what we look for here, regardless of whether it’s a productivity mouse or a gaming one, a wired mouse or a wireless one. If it’s wireless, however, we also test its connectivity, range and battery life.
Naturally, if a mouse has special features like customizable weight, programmable buttons, or RGB lighting, we check those as well to see just how good and useful they are. When all is said and done, we consider everything and compare it to the price to see if it’s a great value for our readers before we make our recommendation.
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