Choosing the Best Gaming Mouse for You: A Gamer’s Quick Guide

Whether you’re new to gaming or a seasoned veteran that has seen the dawn of MMORPGs, choosing the right gaming mouse can be quite a daunting task. With so MANY options available today, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that you can call “The Best.” In fact, “Best” has become such a rapidly changing concept in terms of Technology. One day you have the “Best” smartphone, then the next day, they release “Best 2.0”. So, in hindsight, it’s better to choose a gaming mouse (or any device for that matter) with what “Best Fits You” rather than what’s touted as such. In fact, by doing so, you’ve probably already narrowed down your options to half.

But, before heading to the shop or your favorite online store, you also have to figure out a few more things. You wouldn’t want to buy one with a hefty price tag, only to see a better option or worse, a better option with a cheaper price tag, right? Luckily, listed below are a few deciding factors that might help you in your quest for the “Best Gaming Mouse.”

What a Gaming Mouse Can Offer You

What sets gaming mice apart from standard mice is the control and comfort the former provides. For control, you usually get higher sensitivity than the standard ones because of the high and often, adjustable DPI (Dots Per Inch) that they come with. Simply put, the higher the DPI, the higher the responsiveness and precision of your mouse movement. This feature is essential to most games, but most notably for FPS (First-Person Shooter) games that require fast movement and even quicker reaction times.

On the other hand, for comfort, you can expect that most gaming mice have been structured to fit the curvature of your hand better, provide extra functionality through easily accessible buttons, and ease the tension of your grip while still giving you a vast amount of control. For many gamers, these extra features can make a whole world of a difference in their gameplay. Just imagine custom-mapping the side buttons of an ergonomically built gaming mouse, and you’ll see just why gaming mice prices can skyrocket pretty fast.

Software and Customizations

More often than not, gaming mice already have built-in software that allows for various customizations. These include adjusting the DPI, changing the lighting profile, custom-mapping the buttons, and so much more. As such, you should be on the lookout for ones that best fit your gaming style or set-up. Some come with custom profiles that you can configure per game, while some come with extra functions if coupled with the same brand ecosystem of your keyboard and headset.

Comfort and Shape

Right off the bat, you should be looking into the comfort and shape that your ideal gaming mouse should provide. This includes the curvature, accessibility of buttons, scroll button fluidity, and whether it can accommodate the size of your hands and grip. Going for one less than ideal can make or break your gaming experience.

Laser versus Optical Mice

You can say that the sensor is the heart of any mouse and can be categorized into three types: laser, optical, and infrared. For this aspect, we’ll only be talking about the first two as the infrared variants are limited.

Undoubtedly, the laser sensor variants are the most popular and common ones. This popularity is likely attributed to its capacity to work on just about any surface. However, while this might seem like the go-to option, some drawbacks make it less than favorable for most professional gamers. For one, it has a higher lift-off distance than optical ones. This means that as you lift the mouse to reposition the sensor, it continues to read this as a surface motion (it has to be above a centimeter in the air for it to recognize it is no longer on any surface). This makes it an inferior choice for those who play FPS games since repositioning your mouse can send your game view almost anywhere. As such, most professional gamers opt for optical sensors and high-quality gaming mats to compensate for these types’ lack of surface versatility.

Wired versus Wireless

This is a crucial aspect you should think about. While wireless gaming mice offer more convenience and portability than wired types, you can almost always expect latency issues. Even for half a second, a lag in precision and accuracy could mean life or death in fast-paced games like Valorant and CS: GO. While there are some equipped with significantly higher reliability, these often come with a heavy price tag. But, if you’re looking for a good investment that couples convenience and precision, then these might be for you.

On the other hand, wired mice can prove to be a lot cheaper, with almost no latency issues. These are usually what professional gamers go for because they tend to be more reliable and don’t need constant battery changes or charging. I mean, you wouldn’t want to be in the middle of a game and suddenly run out of battery, right?

Performance versus Budget

As mentioned before, gaming mice prices can skyrocket pretty quickly. While cheaper alternatives are readily available and deliver pretty decent precision and accuracy, they often overlook some key aspects. Often, to compensate for the lighter price tag, they overlook the construction, material, durability, and sometimes quality of the device.

If you’re a serious gamer or rely on your mouse for heavy-duty gaming, then opting for a cheaper mouse can actually be less cost-effective than you think. You’re better off with a mouse that can provide you versatility, functionality, and durability for a higher cost. However, the choice really relies on you and your budget. You have to think whether the price is good enough to compensate for the quality sacrificed.

Ultimately, the answer to choosing the best gaming mouse can only be answered by you and you alone. You have to take these aspects and insert your preferences and need to understand the best fit for you. Don’t let brand loyalty and trend get in the way of getting an off-brand gaming mouse that could actually be more beneficial to you in the long run. After all, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ feature in the world of gaming accessories – only a better fit.