Hand numb? Need more features? Read our guide to the best mice.
When you can get the best, there’s no reason to settle for anything less than the best mouse. Because, in 2017, it doesn’t matter if you’re a gamer or a number-cruncher, a student or a writer, you can’t remain stuck in the past or glued to a trackpad.
That’s right, even though you’ll still see the odd case where a mouse is graced with a good old-fashioned trackball, the top mice you’ll find today swap out the tech of yesteryear for today’s laser sensors. As a result, you can expect smooth sailing from the best mouse on our list.
Still, there’s a ton of variety to select from when it comes to computer mice. From travel buddies, like the Logitech MX Anywhere 2, to the gesture-based Apple Magic Mouse 2, you can bet on finding the best mouse for your needs below.
Versatile and feature-packed without going overboard
The MX Anywhere 2 is smaller than Logitech’s flagship MX Master, making it a more travel-friendly option. Capable of connecting with up to three devices using Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless technology, this mouse is known for its quick setup and lasting battery life. In a mere 4 minutes, the Logitech MX Anywhere 2 can be charged for an entire day’s use.
A veritable spaceship of a mouse
Logitech’s flagship is a mighty mouse indeed. Hand-sculpted for comfort, the MX Master connects via Bluetooth or USB dongle and it can pair to up to three devices. The rechargeable battery lasts for up to 40 days and goes from flat to a day of power in four minutes. Plus, you can even use it while it’s charging.
It looks weird, but it feels pretty good
Judging by the mouthful of a name, Anker’s mouse is defined by its vertical orientation. Though it looks and feels somewhat sideways at first, the Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse is only off-putting until you start to wonder how you ever lived without it. It’s built a little more cheaply than other ergonomic mice, but it’s ultimately an inexpensive means of preventing RSI.
As ever, Apple thinks different
It has its critics, but the Magic Mouse has plenty of fans and the second iteration is a major improvement over the first generation. It boasts a trackpad-like multi-touch surface and moves more smoothly around your desk than the first version. Best of all, it no longer requires alkaline batteries thanks to a built-in rechargeable battery.
A mouse designed for multi-taskers
Like the MX Master, the Triathlon M270 can pair with up to three devices using Bluetooth. What’s more, it uses the same free-spinning scroll wheel featured on the MX Master, letting you zip through documents or webpages. Logitech promises up to 24 months of use before the on one AA battery. The only drawback? Bluetooth makes for lower latency than a wired mouse.
Making 2017 feel like the new 1991
The third trackball mouse Logitech has put out since 2008, the MX Ergo Wireless is an anomaly in an industry that is otherwise crowded with optical laser mice. As such, it’s certain to charm those who haven’t quite moved on to the gesture-based desktop trackpads of the present. With the option to lay it flat or use it at a 20-degree angle, this mouse is uniquely satisfying.
A sophisticated gaming mouse for the modern player
Though it isn’t chock-full of buttons like most gaming mice in its price range, the Asus ROG Gladius II still shines. With only six buttons, this mouse is versatile, discreet and customizable, allowing you to change out its switches and personalize its stylish RGB lighting as you see fit. It’s lacking a few staples, such as swappable weights, but overall, it’s a solid get.
It’s as quiet as a….
The seventh best mouse on our list is seen but not heard. Because it’s unusually compact as well as silent, it’s the kind of mouse that’s ideally used atop an airplane tray next to a snoozing neighbor. Just slip it in your laptop bag when the flight touches down and, weighing less than a quarter of a pound, you won’t have to worry about any additional strain on your back.
It’s cheap! It’s cheerful! It lasts forever!
Keeping it simple as always, this version of Microsoft’s Bluetooth mouse is ambidextrous and travel-friendly for multiple reasons. For one, it takes advantage of BlueTrack technology, which makes it get along seamlessly with just about any surface, save for clear glass and mirrors. What’s more, there’s a four-way scroll wheel for navigating up, down, left and right.
When plain old death isn’t enough
While Razer has started to attract first-person shooter players with the sensitivity-focused Razer Basilisk, for everyone else, the Razer DeathAdder Chroma is the more utilitarian option. That’s because, with 16.8 million LED-backlit colors to choose from and a 10,000 DPI sensor, the DeathAdder Chroma is an impeccable value, ideal for aspiring eSports athletes.
