Looking to get the competitive edge in your favourite games? Then up your kill count with our pick of the best mice for serious gaming
If you’re serious about PC gaming, a bog-standard Microsoft mouse will not do. To compete with the very best gamers out there, you’ll need to equip yourself with the best gaming mouse you can afford. And that’s where we come in: we’ve spent hundreds of hours in our favourite games to sort the winners from the wannabes, so read on and we’ll help you pick the right mouse for you.
If you already know what you’re looking for, then scroll down and read through the bite-size reviews of all our current favourites. With prices starting at a budget-friendly £25 and stretching up to a wallet-bruising £140, there’s something here for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner looking to gain an edge in your favourite games, or a seasoned expert who wants to maintain their elite kill-to-death ratio, we can recommend something that fits the bill.
If, on the other hand, you don’t know your palm grip from your claw grip, or your PixArt sensors from your Avago, skip to the bottom of the page where we’ll explain everything you need to know in our handy buying guide.
The best gaming mice to buy
Cooler Master MasterMouse Pro L: The best under £50
- Price when reviewed: £39
The Cooler Master MasterMouse Pro L is easily the best mouse under £40. It has a large array of features, which include RGB lighting and eight programmable buttons (one is found underneath). You can even change the covers to transform it from a palm- to a fingertip-grip mouse.
Cooler Master has really thought through the design of this mouse, providing two different, magnetically attached covers – one has a softer UV coating, while the other a harder plastic shell – and, as one of them is 5mm longer, the MasterMouse Pro L can be customised to suit larger hands. Its ambidextrous design allows lefties to use it, too.
It’s no slouch in performance either, coming equipped with the excellent Avago PMW3360 sensor, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy a zero-acceleration mouse for less than £40.
Key specs – Grip: Palm and fingertip; Weight: 99g; Sensor: Avago PMW3360; Maximum DPI: 12,000; Buttons: 8; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 125/130 x 67.8 x 38mm
Logitech G203: The best under £25
- Price when reviewed: £25
If you’re on a budget, the Logitech G203 is a great pick. The mouse costs just £25, and yet, offers all the great attributes you’d want from a gaming mouse. There are six programmable buttons and RGB lighting that can be customised through Logitech’s gaming software. It has a simplistic design and a small form factor, which make it ideal for those who have slightly smaller-sized hands.
As for performance, the mouse has Logitech’s very own Mercury sensor that is capable of reaching up to 8,000 DPI. It won’t compete with some of the expensive mice (listed above), but for the price, it’s a top-performer. If you’re not set on a Logitech G203, there’s also the SteelSeries Rival 110 that’s equally impressive for under £25, and offers GameSense illumination, too.
Key specs – Grip: Claw, palm and fingertip; Weight: 85g; Sensor: Logitech Mercury; Maximum DPI: 8,000; Buttons: 6; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 116.6 x 62.15 x 38.2mm
Logitech G Pro: A brilliant wireless gaming mouse for FPS gamers
- Price when reviewed: £130
The Logitech G Pro is specifically designed for those who want a lightweight, accurate wireless gaming mouse. Unlike the G903 (below), the G Pro doesn’t have 11 programmable buttons, nor does it have a Hyperscroll wheel. Instead, the G Pro weighs just 80g, has seven programmable buttons (one below as a dedicated DPI switch), RGB lighting and is compatible to work on Logitech’s Powerplay charging mouse mat.
The G Pro’s design is somewhat reminiscent of its wired sibling, the ambidextrous G Pro. The star of the show is its sensor – Logitech’s Hero sensor is among the very best. You have up to 16,000dpi at your disposal, and thanks to the excellent wireless technology that’s built inside, the G Pro will last you between 48 and 60 hours of usage.
Not only does the G Pro wireless have an efficient sensor, but it boasts class-leading performance, too – be it versus rival wired or wireless gaming mice.
Key specs – Grip: Palm, fingertip and claw; Weight: 80g; Sensor: Logitech Hero sensor; Maximum DPI: 16,000; Buttons: 8; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 125 x 63.5 x 40mm
Logitech G903: The best wireless gaming mouse
- Price when reviewed: £130
There are very few mice in the world that’ll appeal to all types of gamers, but Logitech has come up with the goods. The only downside to the G903’s versatility, however, is its price. At £130, it’s one of the most expensive mice on the market.
The G903 is Powerplay-compatible, which is a mouse mat with clever wireless charging capabilities built-in. With it, you can charge and use your G903 and benefit from one less adapter plugged into your computer. The mouse features the highly impressive PMW3366 sensor, with zero-acceleration. It also has 11 programmable buttons. Notably, there are two buttons on either side of the mouse, which you can replace with plastic blanking plates instead.
The mouse has RGB lighting, weighs 110g and is ideal for palm- or fingertip-grip gamers. Like the popular Logitech G502, it features a multi-functional scroll wheel: Hyperscroll and clicky. Best of all, the mouse can be used both wirelessly and when plugged in.
Key specs – Grip: Palm and fingertip; Weight: 110g; Sensor: PixArt PMW3366; Maximum DPI: 12,000; Buttons: 11; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 130 x 66.5 x 40.4mm
Roccat Leadr: The most customisable wireless gaming mouse
- Price when reviewed: £122
The Roccat Leadr is an ultra-customizable wireless gaming mouse that looks incredible. Its charging dock even holds the mouse up vertically, making it look like a hanging piece of art.
As for performance, the Leadr features 14 fully customisable buttons that can be programmed through the accompanying Swarm software. Its analogue paddle found on the left-hand side of the mouse is particularly useful if you always switch weapons in games.
Inside the Roccat mouse is a PixArt PMW3361 or, as the company calls it, an “Owl-Eye” optical sensor. This is extremely precise and is able to reach up to 12,000dpi. Lift-off distance can also be fine-tuned through the software, which is essential if you play with a low dpi. Its battery life isn’t bad either, with a quoted 20 hours playtime and the ability to plug in the mouse while it’s out of charge.
Key specs – Grip: Palm and fingertip; Weight: 134g; Sensor: PixArt PMW3361; Maximum DPI: 12,000; Buttons: 14; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 126 x 80 x 45mm
SteelSeries Rival 600: Customisable weights, stunning performance
- Price when reviewed: £80
The SteelSeries Rival 600 features two magnetic side panels on either side of the mouse, where you can add four 4g weights. Yes, these weights can be independently added, so you can play around with the mouse’s weight distribution. Much like a car, the Rival 600 is made to fit your playing style and hand.
Aside from the level of weight customisation, the Rival 600 has eight different independent RGB lighting zones, which can be changed to your liking via SteelSeries’ Engine software. It’s unlike other mice on the market, as the level of RGB customisation is insane.
As for performance, the TrueMove3+ dual sensor is made for those who lift their mice off the mouse mat. This applies to those who predominantly snipe in-game or those with low sensitivity settings. SteelSeries has created a sensor that aids jitter and helps remove any unwanted inaccuracies when lifting off. The effect is only noticeable if you lift your mouse off regularly.
Key specs – Grip: Claw, palm and fingertip; Weight: 96g without cable, customizable up to 128g; Sensor: SteelSeries TrueMove3; Maximum DPI: 12,000; Buttons: 7; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 131 x 62 x 43mm
Creative Sound BlasterX Siege M04: Light up your desk with this super-accurate RGB mouse
- Price when reviewed: £65
The Creative Sound BlasterX Siege M04 is a mouse that’ll light up your desk with RGB lights. The level of customisation through the Sound Blaster Connect app is impressive.
There are seven buttons in total, all of which can be fully customised through the software (including macros). We particularly like its “Sniper” button, which allows you to click and hold the button to change the dpi on-the-fly. This is useful if you need to be extra precise when sniping – you can set the dpi for the three modes and the Sniper mode through the software. The Siege M04 houses the PixArt PMW3360, a fantastic, accurate sensor. I had no problems using it in competitive games. The only downside is its 110g weight, which may be a bit heavy for some.
Key specs – Grip: Palm and fingertip; Weight: 110g; Sensor: PixArt PMW3360; Maximum DPI: 12,000; Buttons: 7; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 135.6 x 67.65 x 43mm
SteelSeries Rival 500: The best MOBA gaming mouse
- Price when reviewed: £65
The SteelSeries Rival 500 is a fantastic take on your regular MMO/MOBA/RTS mouse. Most mice have a series of buttons on the left-hand side. SteelSeries has developed a way of having up to 15 buttons without the need for a claw grip, making it suitable for all grip types.
The use of these two under-thumb buttons can be seen as a nuisance to some as, depending on your grip, it might lead you to misclick. SteelSeries’ design allows you to mechanically disable these buttons.
The mouse has RGB lighting and houses the impressive PixArt PMW3360, where your movements will be accurately tracked. The Rival 500 also has tactile feedback, where you’ll be alerted about events in your game through your mouse, which is a handy tool to have. Its only flaw is its non-customisable weight – at 129g, the mouse is heavy.
Key specs – Grip: Claw, palm and fingertip; Weight: 129g; Sensor: PixArt PMW3360; Maximum DPI: 16,000; Buttons: 15; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 118.75 x 78.34 x 43.34mm
Roccat Kone Aimo: The best large-sized RGB gaming mouse
- Price when reviewed: £60
The Roccat Kone Aimo is much like the SteelSeries Rival 500 (above). It features a set of useful right-thumb buttons, which make it ideal for MOBA gamers. Here, the Kone Aimo is a little less intrusive with its button layout and provides an ergonomic design that works for a claw, palm and fingertip grip.
Roccat uses a custom PixArt 3361 “Owl-Eye” sensor to deliver class-leading performance. With excellent 1:1 tracking, 12,000dpi and a zero-acceleration sensor, this mouse can be used for all types of games, including competitive FPS.
The mouse also has fully customisable RGB strips, Roccat takes it one step further – each RGB strip has three independently lit zones, which means you have a total of seven customisable zones to play around with. The result is rather unique, especially when you’ve also got three separate finishes to choose from: black, grey and white.
Key specs – Grip: Claw, palm and fingertip; Weight: 130g; Sensor: PixArt 3361; Maximum DPI: 12,000; Buttons: 10; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 105 x 75 x 45mm
SteelSeries Rival 310 and Sensei 310: The best under £100
- Price when reviewed: £60
The SteelSeries Rival 310 and SteelSeries Sensei 310 are two very similar mice that only vary in terms of shape and size. Inside both mice, there’s the fantastic TrueMove3 sensor, which has been developed alongside PixArt to deliver a jitter-free experience at all dpi levels.
Both mice feature independent RGB lighting by the scroll wheel and the SteelSeries logo that sits under your palm. All the buttons can be customised through the SteelSeries’ Engine software. There are no weight adjustments on either the Rival 310 or Sensei 310, which sit at 88.3g and 92.1g respectively.
The mice also differ in grip and buttons. The Sensei 310 is an ambidextrous mouse and is flatter at just 38.95mm in height, versus the Rival 310’s 41.98mm. The Sensei 310 also has eight buttons in total, while the Rival 310 sits at a modest six.
Key specs (Rival 310) – Grip: Claw, palm and fingertip; Weight: 88.3g; Sensor: SteelSeries TrueMove3; Maximum DPI: 12,000; Buttons: 6; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 127.6 x 62.07 x 41.98mm
BenQ Zowie FK1/FK1+/FK2: A superb mouse for FPS gamers, and great for LAN tournaments
- Price when reviewed: £57
The BenQ Zowie FK1 has been around for a long time and is highly regarded as one of the best FPS mice money can buy. Zowie has three identical mice: The FK1+, FK1 and FK2. The only difference between the three mice is their sizes. The FK1+ is aimed at those who have bigger hands, the FK1 for medium-sized hands and the FK2 for smaller hands. A comparison between the mice sizes can be found on BenQ’s website.
The mice have seven buttons, but you’ll only be able to utilise five at a time. This comes from Zowie’s philosophy of not needing to rely on software. By eliminating the need for software, the FK1 needs to be programmed before being plugged into your computer – making it ideal for LAN tournaments.
Its ambidextrous design allows you to use it left- or right-handed. A button underneath the mouse allows you to cycle through the four dpi levels: 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200. Unfortunately, due to its software-free design, you won’t be able to make any other dpi adjustments.
Within the mouse, you’ll find the Avago 3310 sensor, which has flawless tracking capabilities. I didn’t experience any acceleration or deceleration when using the FK1 in competitive games. Finally, Zowie provides an extra set of mouse glides/skates – great for longevity.
Key specs – Grip: Claw, palm and fingertip; Weight: 90g; Sensor: Avago 3310; Maximum DPI: 3,200; Buttons: 5(7); RGB: No; Dimensions: 128 x 97 x 37mm
SteelSeries Rival 700: Modular, upgradeable, brilliant
- Price when reviewed: £56
The SteelSeries’ Rival 700 is a mouse to be reckoned with. The modular design means that you fine-tune the feel by swapping out the soft-touch top plate with a selection of different textured panels. You can even replace the supplied PixArt optical sensor with an upgraded laser sensor for around £25.
At 135g, the mouse is very heavy and will suit a palm or fingertip grip. Featuring the PixArt PMW3360 sensor, it’s ideal for all types of games and provides a zero-acceleration experience. The GameSense feature is moderately handy, too, using the small OLED display on the front left of the mouse to display customisable information from compatible games. You can add small images or even GIFs to your mouse, where they’ll be displayed in monochrome. The mouse also features a removable cable, has RGB lights by the scroll wheel and by the SteelSeries logo, and has seven customisable buttons.
Key specs – Grip: Palm and fingertip; Weight: 135g; Sensor: PixArt PMW3360; Maximum DPI: 16,000; Buttons: 7; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 124.85 x 68.46 x 41.97mm
Corsair Gaming M65 Pro: A flat gaming mouse to be reckoned with
- Price when reviewed: £55
If you’re a self-affirmed claw- or fingertip-grip gamer, the Corsair Gaming M65 Pro might be your dream come true. Featuring the impressive PixArt PMW3366 sensor for zero-acceleration performance which goes up to 12,000dpi, the mouse also has eight programmable buttons and three-zone RGB lighting. The mouse is relatively heavy at 115g, and can be further increased in weight to 135.5g with the supplied weights. The weight system itself is rather clever: three bolts are spread out across three corners of the base, and each bolt has a ring-shaped weight under it. Spreading them out allows you to customise the weight distribution, meaning the mouse balances perfectly when gripped.
Key specs – Grip: Claw and fingertip; Weight: 115/135.5g; Sensor: PixArt PMW3366; Maximum DPI: 12,000; Buttons: 8; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 118 x 72 x 39mm
Razer Atheris: The best mouse for gaming anywhere, anytime
- Price when reviewed: £55
The Razer Atheris is not your everyday mouse. It’s an ultraportable wireless mouse that can be used for gaming. It features an optical sensor with 7,200dpi, five programmable buttons and works wirelessly via a 2.4GHz dongle or via Bluetooth Low-Energy (LE) – making it a versatile mouse to use on-the-go.
At only 60g, it’s an extremely light mouse, but that’s without the two AA batteries that are required to power it. With the batteries inserted, it has an odd weight distribution, which might cause some discomfort during long gaming sessions. Its ambidextrous design means it’s both a left- and right-handed mouse, though, and two buttons are on the left-hand side.
Key specs – Grip: Claw; Weight: 60g (excluding batteries); Sensor: Not disclosed; Maximum DPI: 7,200; Buttons: 5; RGB: No; Dimensions: 99.7 x 62.8 x 34.1mm
Logitech G403 Prodigy: A great-value gaming mouse for FPS gamers
- Price when reviewed: £52
The Logitech G403 is simply the best affordable gaming mouse for FPS gamers. It only weighs 87.3g (although that can be increased to 97.3g with the bundled 10g weight), has the perfect ergonomics for a palm/fingertip grip, and features the PixArt PMW3366 sensor to provide a zero-acceleration mouse, which goes up to 12,000dpi. The mouse has RGB lighting by the scroll wheel and Logitech “G” logo.
If you’re looking for a wireless version, Logitech’s G703 uses the G403’s form factor, but adds Logitech’s own Lightspeed technology into the mix. The combination is fantastic and, aside from the G903, makes the G703 one of the best wireless gaming mice on the market.
Key specs – Grip: Palm and fingertip; Weight: 87.3g (can be increased to 97.3g); Sensor: PixArt PMW3366; Maximum DPI: 12,000; Buttons: 6; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 124 x 68 x 43mm
Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum: The gold standard under £50
- Price when reviewed: £49
The Logitech G502 is among one of the most popular gaming mice in the world, and for good reason. It features a flawless PixArt 3366 sensor that’s capable of up to 12,000DPI, has 11 programmable buttons, Logitech’s much-loved Hyperscroll Wheel, and comes with RGB illumination (the original, now discontinued G502 only had a Blue LED). The mouse also features optional extra weighs of up to 18g (5 x 3.6g), though, the mouse itself is rather heavy – weighing 121g it’s not ideal if you want to do quick flicks in FPS games.
If you’re a hardcore FPS gamer, the G403 (above) is the better option, but if you want something a little more versatile for all sorts of operations, especially one that has a lot more buttons for on-the-fly macros or Windows commands, the G502 should be your go-to gaming mouse.
There’s also the newer G502 Hero, which uses Logitech’s all-new Hero sensor that goes up to 16,000DPI; however, the latter is around £80 and doesn’t offer anything particularly new, so we’d suggest its predecessor with the PixArt 3366 sensor as it can be found for under £50.
Key specs – Grip: Palm and fingertip; Weight: 121g; Sensor: PixArt PMW3366; Maximum DPI: 12,000; Buttons: 11; RGB: Yes; Dimensions: 132 x 75 x 40mm
How to buy the best gaming mouse for you
To find the best mouse, there are a few things to consider before splashing out: your hand size and grip; weight; mouse sensor accuracy; whether it’s wired or wireless; your preferred game genre (FPS, MOBA, RTS, RPG); the buttons required; and whether you want fancy LED lighting.
Will my hand size change the mouse I get?
If you’re going to perform to your fullest, a mouse needs to ergonomically fit your hands. Every hand is different, but you’ll find manufacturers tailoring mice to certain hand sizes and grips. Your hand size will change the way you grip a mouse, and different mice will be designed with specific grip styles in mind – buy the wrong one and you’ll never be able to play to the best of your abilities. There’s no right or wrong way to grip a mouse, though – it’s all about choosing the most comfortable grip for you. In this article, I’ll list which grip type each mouse is best suited for, using my hands as a median.
Do I have a palm grip, a fingertip grip, or a claw grip?
Palm grip: You have a large contact area between your hand and the mouse, with the majority of your palm and fingertips touching the mouse’s surface.
Fingertip grip: Only the fingertips of your hands touch the mouse’s surface, with your palm remaining elevated from the mouse.
Claw grip: Your fingertips and the bottom part of your palm touch the mouse’s surface, with your fingers raised above the right and left mouse buttons.
Is a heavy mouse better than a lighter one?
As with your grip, the weight will depend on your own taste. I personally like a mouse that weighs 80 to 100g, and it’s not uncommon for gaming mice to provide optional add-on weights so you can tailor them to your preferences.
Should I buy a gaming mouse with an optical or a laser sensor?
Optical sensors are better for use on soft mousemats, while a laser’s light can get confused by the slightly hollow structure. Laser is still the superior tech for a larger variety of surfaces, though, particularly shiny ones.
For FPS gamers, the sensor manufacturer and specifications are arguably the most important things to look out for, as they can greatly impact your feeling of the game. There are various manufacturers of mice sensors out there, such as PixArt Imaging and Broadcom, both highly respected companies among mice enthusiasts for their sensors. I personally use the PixArt PMW3366 (and variations of it), as my go-to gaming mouse for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The sensor can change the way positive and negative acceleration is felt, drastically changing your performance in-game.
Can I get the same performance on a wireless mouse?
It’s argued by many that the performance of a wireless mouse is limited by its extra latency. Having tested the Logitech G403 in both wired and wireless iterations, it’s clear that wireless technology has greatly improved over the years. However, if you’re a seriously competitive gamer, a wired mouse will still provide the best, most consistent gaming experience. If you’re a casual gamer, though, a wireless mouse will be perfectly acceptable, especially as the wireless technology is now far more reliable and robust than it used to be.
How many buttons do I need on a mouse?
Just like the grip and weight, this is entirely up to you. I used to need nine buttons to feel comfortable, but now I only need three buttons. Most mice can be fully programmed, right down to applying dedicated macros to each button – which provides vast scope for customisation and game-specific tweaking.
The aesthetic design and bonus features such as integrated LED lighting are entirely more trivial, as you won’t be looking at your mouse when you’re gaming. Still, it’s always nice to have something beautiful on your desk. Certain companies use RGB lighting, whereas others have a fully customisable OLED display, such as on the SteelSeries Rival 700.
It should also be mentioned that all popular gaming mice are designed for right-handers, but due to symmetrical design, some can be used by left-handers. However, left-handed usage may mean that some buttons are redundant so it’s worth taking a closer look at the button layout before you buy.
Source: expertreviews.co.uk
