If you’re looking to upgrade your computer mouse, we recommend making the switch to a mouse designed for gamers. A computer mouse that is specially designed for gaming comes with several features that make it easy to use over long periods of time and with a quick response to high-end graphics, but that doesn’t mean it’s not also a great everyday mouse. With a move towards making the gaming mouse industry one with affordable options, office workers and those who use their computers at home or for school are starting to embrace the game mice and switch out their standard computer mouse for more comfortable and impressive options.
A mouse designed for gamers is often more focused on comfort, with the idea that gamers will use their mouse for hours on end. This means the mouse has an ergonomic design with added pads and smart button positioning that helps to reduce hand fatigue and make for easy shortcuts to use while on the computer. The shortcuts can be customized to fit the users’ needs, from gaming to browsing the internet to cutting and pasting in documents.
Gaming mice are also intended to be long-lasting, with wireless options available, as well as wireless mice that are designed to run on a set of batteries for a longer period than a traditional mouse.
A mouse with a high DPI setting is better suited for uses with high-end monitors and laptops, as the mouse is more sensitive to movement and better designed to use with games. But even non-gamers will benefit from a high DPI. If you do any photo editing or graphic design in your spare time or for work, a mouse with a high DPI will help you achieve small and targeted edits. But a high DPI shouldn’t scare you away from purchasing a mouse. While the DPI can’t be increased, it can be decreased to better suit your computer and ensure that small movements don’t send your cursor flying across the screen.
If you spend even a small part of your day on the computer, we recommend making the switch to a gaming mouse. Here are three great options.
1. Logitech G502 HERO
Like the Redragon, the Logitech is not wireless, but it also comes with a 6-foot cable and can easily reach your tower or laptop. The Logitech G502 is a heavy mouse that can be customized with five additional weights. It also features 11 programmable buttons that are designed for game play but can be used to quickly access browsers and provide shortcuts for commonly used keystrokes. We also felt that this option was significantly more durable than other similar models.
2. Redragon M601 Wired Gaming Mouse
Comfortable and easy to use thanks to its Teflon pads for smooth movement, the Redragon can hold up to eight weights to get the desired feel. It also has six programmable buttons that are ideal for gameplay and everyday use, with the ability to program frequently used keystrokes. The Redragon works best with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, but some users noted that they were able to download software that allowed them to use the Redragon on a Mac. Durable and long-lasting, the Redragon comes with a carrying case for easy travel. A big pro of the Redragon is that it is designed for both left and right-handed users, making it the only non-right-handed mouse on our list.
3. Razer DeathAdder Essential Gaming Mouse
This economical gaming mouse from Razer has a simple enough design that it wouldn’t look out of place in an office setting, making it a more versatile option than some of the more over-designed gaming mouses. That said, this mouse will more than keep you in the game — the 6400 DPI makes it quick and responsive, and the five programmable buttons give you plenty to work with.