Logitech Marathon Mouse M705 The best wireless mouse for most hands. The inexpensive Marathon is comfortable for a variety of hand sizes and grips, and it tracks accurately on most surfaces. The Razer Ouroboros Elite Ambidextrous Wireless Gaming Mouse is one of the best true ambidextrous gaming mouses on the market today. It’s also one of the best overall values out there which is how it wound up on our 10 best list to begin with. Logitech's G602 is the best wireless mouse for clicking with the speed and efficiency needed to get through the toughest dungeon, beat the baddest boss, or out-skill the most talented sporting opponent.
Pointing the Way: How to Buy the Right Mouse
In its most basic form, a computer mouse is simple hardware—a sensor on the bottom, two buttons and a scroll wheel on top—that lets you interact with programs as though they were extensions of your own hand. But while a mouse is simple in concept, the market for them is a scattered mess of types, prices, and designs. You need to know a little about the landscape when you go shopping for a new model.
Over time, distinct classes of mice have evolved, each made for different computing situations. The most common of these is the mainstream desktop mouse, designed for use with a desktop or laptop PC at a desk or table. Aside from the inevitable right and left mouse buttons, the usual features are a clickable scroll wheel and, in some cases, additional thumb buttons that let you navigate forward and back in your Web browser.
Travel mice (or 'mobile mice') offer many of these same features but come in a smaller size. They're designed to fit easily into the pocket of a backpack or laptop bag.
For this same reason, however, travel mice tend to be small for most hands—you can use them just fine for short stints, but they become uncomfortable over long periods due to the unnatural grip required. Generally speaking, travel mice are wireless and battery-powered, so you may want to bring along a spare set of AA or AAA batteries.
The Right Mouse for Gaming
Gaming mice amplify every element of the basic mouse concept to the extreme: more buttons, higher tracking resolutions, curvier curves.
Some gaming mice are general gaming models, while others are designed for specific game genres. In the latter case, depending upon the style of the game that the mouse is intended for (first-person shooter, real-time strategy game, MMO title), you may see a variety of specialized features.
What most gaming mice have in common, though, is a combination of high-performance parts—laser sensors, featherlight click buttons, gold-plated USB connectors—and customization features, such as programmable macro commands and on-the-fly resolution switching. Gaming mice also stand apart in that the better ones tend to feature vendor-supplied software for setting up these custom features and shortcuts, defined sometimes on a per-game basis via profiles. The software's quality and functionality can vary wildly from vendor to vendor; that's where our reviews come in. Certain utilities are easier to pick up than others.
For maximum comfort, some gaming mice let you customize the body of the mouse itself. Removable weights are common, letting you tweak the total heft of the mouse one way or the other. Some models take this even further, letting you shift the center of balance, or adjust the height and pitch of the palm rest. For non-gamers, these features are overkill; for dedicated gamers, they provide a competitive edge.
Finding the ideal gaming mouse for you comes down to knowing your preferred style of game, determining whether or not you will take advantage of any of a mouse's more complex functions (it's easy to overspend on a gaming mouse), and then tweaking your choice to your specific tastes.
What's the Best Ergonomic Mouse?
Ergonomics-first designs put all of the typical mouse functions into a form factor that places your hand in a neutral position. Designed to reduce the stresses that can lead to carpal tunnel and repetitive strain injury, ergonomic mice may look unusual and take some getting used to, but they do alleviate some very real problems. Some have a vertical design; others may have one-off sculpts.
Whether you're looking at a specialized ergonomic mouse or ergonomics are simply a concern in a more ordinary one, pay attention to the size of your mouse. (Make sure that it's not too big or too small for your hand.) Weight is also a consideration. Some people prefer a heavier mouse that anchors the hand, while others, especially players of MOBA games, want something light that furnishes little resistance to flicking and clicking. As a rule of thumb, a heavier mouse requires more effort to move, and even though the difference may not seem like much, over time it can mount.
It's not just weight and size that are important. The sculpting of the mouse can also lead to unnecessary strain on (or conversely, extra support for) your hand and wrist. The most comfortable mice will fit the contour of your hand, rather than having a flat, shallow shape.Some mice have a thumb rest, providing a resting spot from which the finger can rise as needed to activate controls.
Not Just USB: Mouse Connectivity
The simplest way to hook up a mouse to your PC is through a wired USB connection. Computer mice are usually plug-and-play devices, with no additional software to install (with the exception of higher-end gaming mice), meaning that plugging in the cable is all the setup you'll need to deal with. Unlike wireless alternatives, a wired device will draw its power over USB, so there are no batteries to worry about. Wired connections are also preferable for serious gaming or esports use (no battery to conk out in the midst of a match), though some high-end wireless mice are indistinguishable, from a response-time perspective, from wired ones.
If you want more freedom and less cable clutter on your desk, however, it's hard to beat a wireless mouse. Instead of a wired connection, wireless mice transmit data to your PC through one of two primary means: an RF connection to a USB receiver, or via Bluetooth. Both have their pros and cons, but if you want to reduce the number of cables on your desk and gain the flexibility to use your mouse unhindered—or even from across the room—wireless is the way to go.
Most wireless mice connect to the host computer via the same 2.4GHz wireless frequency used by cordless phones and some Wi-Fi Internet bands. A dime-size USB dongle—small enough to plug in and forget about—provides the link to your PC. Know, however, that only in some isolated cases (such as with Logitech's Unifying-branded gear) can a single USB dongle provide connectivity to more than one device. That means that unless the vendor specifically notes otherwise, you can't use the same adapter for your wireless mouse and keyboard. You may need to devote two USB ports to separate mouse and keyboard USB dongles.
Bluetooth options, in contrast, don't monopolize a USB port, and the stable, easy-to-manage connections are ideal for use with mobile devices, such as ultraportables, tablet PCs, and 2-in-1s. In regular use, a Bluetooth connection gives you roughly 30 feet of wireless range, but a Bluetooth mouse may not match the battery life offered by devices with an RF-based USB dongle. New innovations, such as motion sensors tied to power and connection management, can improve the battery life versus older Bluetooth devices, which maintained an always-on link that drained battery relatively quickly. But you'll want to look at the vendors' estimated battery life on a charge (as well as whether the mouse uses an internal battery you recharge, or disposables).
Sensors and Sensitivity
Most of today's mice use one of two types of light-based motion sensor: optical/LED, or laser. Unlike mechanical tracking options of yore, light-based sensors have fewer issues with dust and dirt, and the absence of moving parts means fewer failures.
Optical sensors pair a glowing LED beam—often red, blue, or infrared—with a small photo sensor, tracking movement by repeatedly imaging the surface below the mouse, translating any movement of the mouse into cursor movement. (The frequency of this imaging is called the 'polling rate,' expressed as hertz, or hundreds of instances per second.) Because of the imaging sensor used, optical mice are a little less prone to problems caused by lifting the mouse when in use or by mousing on an uneven surface.
Laser mice operate in a similar way, but they use an infrared laser diode instead of an LED. This allows, in some cases, for greater potential sensitivity (measured in dots per inch, or dpi) and polling rates. The one drawback is that they can be finicky about the surfaces on which they are used. Premium gaming mice generally use laser sensors, and they tend to work better with opaque mouse-pad surfaces meant for mousing; LEDs can be more forgiving. But this is not an absolute, and frankly, if you're concerned at all about mousing precision, a basic mouse pad will solve all ails.
To offer the higher sensitivity of a laser sensor and the versatility of an optical mouse, a few isolated mice use both in tandem. Most gaming mice also offer sensitivity adjustment, letting you shift from a precision setting for tight cursor-control circumstances (such as lining up a sniper's shot) to a broader-sweep one for melee combat and run-and-gun situations. This may be via dedicated-purpose button, or you may be able to program one of the mouse's buttons or toggles to execute resolution/sensitivity changes on the fly.
Ready for Our Recommendations?
Below is a rundown of the current top-rated computer mice we've run across in our testing. (Click through to read the full reviews.) We've tested a wide array of models across the categories of gaming, productivity, and specialized ergonomic mice.
![Best Wireless Mouse For Mac 2018 Best Wireless Mouse For Mac 2018](/uploads/1/2/6/0/126082694/178657577.jpg)
Best Mice Featured in This Roundup:
Logitech MX Master 2S Review
MSRP: $99.99Pros: Comfortable. Switches automatically between devices. Cross-platform copy and paste. Works on all surfaces. Long-lasting battery.Cons: Gesture buttons and motions can be unintuitive at first.Bottom Line: The Logitech MX Master 2S is the ultimate wireless multitasking mouse, especially if you have a Mac and a Windows PC on the same desk.Read ReviewLogitech G903 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse and Powerplay Charging Mat Review
MSRP: $249.98Pros: Light, ergonomic, and functional. When paired with the Powerplay mat, mouse offers a truly wireless gaming experience.Cons: Expensive. Few RGB lighting options.Bottom Line: The Logitech G903 Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse brings together a remarkably light and reliable peripheral with virtually limitless battery life, at a premium price.Read ReviewLogitech MX Anywhere 2S Review
MSRP: $79.99Pros: Super-portable design. Tracks on virtually any surface, including glass. Robust customization software with useful Flow continuity feature. Long battery life. Works with Windows or Mac.Cons: Might be too small for some users. Somewhat pricey.Bottom Line: The Logitech MX Anywhere 2 is a well-built, versatile mouse that lives up to its name with a travel-friendly design and a sensor that works on nearly every surface.Read ReviewCorsair Dark Core RGB SE Review
MSRP: $89.99Pros: Competitively priced. Solid and attractive form factor.Cons: Large, heavy frame may not appeal to everyone. Can't be used while wirelessly charging.Bottom Line: The affordable Corsair Dark Core RGB SE is a rock-solid entry in the realm of wireless gaming mice.Read ReviewCorsair Ironclaw RGB Wireless Review
MSRP: $79.99Pros: Snappy wireless, via 2.4GHz adapter or Bluetooth. Hand-pleasing shape for big paws. Highly configurable resolution settings.Cons: Indifferent RGB placement. Can't configure while using Bluetooth. No wireless charging.Bottom Line: Corsair's latest wireless mouse, the Ironclaw RGB Wireless, is a little more practical than some of its top-end competitors. It's a strong pick for big-handed users.Read ReviewLogitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse Review
MSRP: $99.99Pros: Unique tilting stand lets you experiment between horizontal and semi-vertical orientation. Good build quality. Wireless.Cons: Expensive. Right-handed only. Struggles to perform precision cursor movements.Bottom Line: With its well-designed, premium-priced MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse, Logitech is hoping to bring trackballs back into fashion.Read ReviewRazer Basilisk Essential Review
MSRP: $49.99Pros: Comfortable shape for right-handed users. Removable 'sniper mode' resolution-toggling paddle. Solid configuration software.Cons: Only lighting feature is hidden by hand during play. No left-handed variant. $20 price drop means lower-endurance switches.Bottom Line: Razer's Basilisk Essential scales down one of our favorite gaming mice while keeping most of its best features intact.Read ReviewRoccat Kova Aimo Review
MSRP: $49.99Pros: Ambidextrous design lets you customize right- and left-handed buttons. 'Taillight' RGB and Aimo light system add a novel approach to mouse lighting. Inexpensive.Cons: Sensor offers low maximum DPI compared with high-end mice. Ability to use off-side buttons leads to some weird finger reaches. Aimo adds some aggressive marketing hooks.Bottom Line: Roccat's Kova Aimo is a solid, affordable, ambidextrous gaming mouse, not just for lefties and claw players but for anyone who wants to experiment with new grip styles.Read ReviewSteelSeries Rival 650 Review
MSRP: $119.99Pros: High durability. Excellent performance. No perceptible jitter. Can operate wirelessly or wired. Weight-adjustable.Cons: Price a bit high. No storage niche for USB dongle.Bottom Line: Able to operate wired or wirelessly, and packing removable weights and strong software, the SteelSeries Rival 650 is a highly flexible mouse for power gamers looking for an all-occasions device.Read ReviewSteelSeries Rival 710 Review
MSRP: $99.99Pros: Accurate proprietary sensor. OLED display, customizable haptic feedback are fun for tinkerers. Body is customizable via swappable sensor, side panels.Cons: Display and haptic feedback lack deep integration with many games. Pricey for a wired mouse.Bottom Line: Like its predecessor the Rival 700, the SteelSeries Rival 710 is a solid, pricey gaming mouse, with unique features (such as an on-body screen) that are more fun and flashy than technically useful.Read Review
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
The Rundown
- Best Overall: Microsoft Sculpt at Amazon, “The natural arc keys mimic the curved shape of your fingertips to create a more natural look and feel.”
- Best Wireless: Microsoft Surface at Amazon, “The Surface keyboard excels at protecting your hands and wrists through its keycap geometry.”
- Best Budget: Fellowes Microban at Amazon, “Includes seven hot keys dedicated to controlling multimedia playback, as well as one-touch access to open a Web browser.”
- Best for Macs:Kinesis Freestyle 2 Blue at Amazon, “The Bluetooth-based functionality allows for a total of three devices to be synced at one time.”
- Best for Portability: MoKo Foldable at Amazon, “The tech accessory feels more like a Kindle than a full-sized keyboard when stowed in your bag.”
- Best Splurge: Mistel Barocco at Amazon, “The ergonomic design breaks the keyboard into two pieces for a split design that can be positioned for a natural feel on your wrists.”
- Best for Gaming:Razer Ornata Chroma Revolutionary at Amazon, “LED backlighting and in-game effects immerse you into the experience.”
- Best Mechanical:Matias Ergo Pro at Amazon, “It’s capable of being used flat and at a nine-degree angle courtesy of the built-in keyboard legs.”
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Microsoft Sculpt
4.8
Widely recognized as the best ergonomic keyboard on the market, Microsoft's Sculpt for Windows computers is a standout choice for all-day comfort. The split keyboard design immediately assists in positioning your wrists into a more natural position rather than the straight-on approach most keyboards favor. The domed design helps maintain positioning throughout the day, keeping your wrists at a more relaxed angle, which helps to eliminates the discomforts that come from other models. Beyond its split design, the natural arc keys mimic the curved shape of your fingertips to create a more natural look and feel, which increases overall comfort. Rounding out its ergonomic design is a cushioned palm rest that allows your wrists to relax and form a completely natural feel from your fingertips to your wrists. A separate number pad allows you to choose its position for an ideal comfort level beside the Sculpt keyboard.
Read up on some helpful tips before you buy your keyboard.
Best Wireless: Microsoft Surface
Ideally suited for Microsoft’s Surface line of computers, this ergonomic keyboard is designed with comfort in mind and is a great choice for finding a natural arc. Powered by Bluetooth 4.0/4.1 and three AAA batteries with a 12-month lifespan, the Surface keyboard is wirelessly compatible up to 32 feet away from the Surface lineup. When you’re in front of the computer, you’ll find that the double-cushioned palm rest, which is covered in a mix of polyester and polyurethane (better known as Alcantara), is both durable and stain resistant. Beyond its durability, the Surface keyboard excels at protecting your hands and wrists through its keycap geometry, split space bar and a more natural design that works to prevent wrist and hand strain. The expert build quality allows for a smooth typing experience that’s whisper quiet with excellent stability for use on nearly any surface.
Best Budget: Fellowes Microban
Budget priced with premium comfort, the Fellowes Microban split design keyboard offers more natural comfort without breaking the piggy bank. Part of the Microban family of products, the antimicrobial protection will help keep your keyboard clean while still offering a more natural hand and arm position. Created with Windows machines in mind, the Fellowes includes seven hot keys dedicated to controlling multimedia playback, as well as one-touch access to open a Web browser. The dedicated number pad on the side reduces the need for external hardware and having to look for the numerical numbers at the top of the keyboard. While there’s undoubtedly an adjustment period to any ergonomic keyboard, the immediate benefit of reduced pain and stress combined with Fellowes outstanding wrist support will quickly have you asking why you didn’t switch to an ergonomic keyboard sooner.
Looking for more ergonomic accessories? Check out our roundup of the best ergonomic mice.
Best for Macs: Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue
![Best wireless gaming mouse for mac 2018 Best wireless gaming mouse for mac 2018](/uploads/1/2/6/0/126082694/488321280.jpg)
Apple computer users should look no further than the Kinesis Freestyle2 blue wireless ergonomic keyboard that comes with a bevy of Apple-specific keyboard shortcuts, including cut, copy, paste and undo. Connecting to your Apple machine via Bluetooth 3.0, a single battery charge on the Kinesis should last around 300 hours or six months (based on two hours per day of typing).
You’ll immediately discover that the negative slope design reduces the required extension of your wrist to hit each key. Available with three different channels, the Bluetooth-based functionality allows for a total of three devices to be synced at one time (switching between the devices requires the single press of a key). Additional buttons include a shortcut for hiding (and showing) the dock, advanced controls for multimedia playback and volume.
Best for Portability: MoKo Foldable Keyboard
Considering how thin and sleek it is, the MoKo keyboard's size alone could likely qualify it as the most portable on this list. But when you factor in that the ergonomic keyboard is foldable, things look even better.
Weighing only 6.2 ounces and sporting dimensions of 6.2' x 4' (with an unbelievable thickness of only half an inch), the tech accessory feels more like a Kindle than a full-sized keyboard when stowed in your bag. It connects via Bluetooth (though the keystrokes for turning it on seem a little quirky), and it’s laid out into two key sections to support the standard two-hand ergonomic feel.
The 110 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery takes about two hours to fully juice up, but that’ll give you up to 30 days of standby time and 40 hours of continuous type time. The company also promises about 3 million clicks of key lifetime, so this keyboard will be kicking for a while. To round out the cool factor, this gadget is pretty intuitive — right out of your bag it automatically powers on and off just by opening and closing it.
Best Splurge: Mistel Barocco
The Mistel Barocco is specifically designed for typing purists, gamers and programmers. While gamers will love the lighting fast key registering, typists will enjoy the compact, design-saving space on the desk and programmers will appreciate both Dvorak and Coleman (as well the common QWERTY) preset layouts along with three extra customizable layouts. The ergonomic design breaks the keyboard into two pieces for a split design that can be positioned for a natural feel on your wrists, thus increasing productivity and reducing pain and stress. Minimizing hand movement is a benefit of a split keyboard design and this is where Mistel delivers. The keyboard remains both durable and tough, thanks to a temperature-resistant build that’s resistant to friction and solvents (read: its lifespan is likely to outlast your existing computer).
You may also be interested in our roundup of the best computer keyboards on the market today.
Best for Gaming: Razer Ornata Chroma Revolutionary
Gaming fans who want a more comfortable keyboard feel combined with the features and looks of a mechanical one have found their answer with the Razer Ornata Chroma Revolutionary option. Gaming-centric features such as LED backlighting and in-game effects immerse you into the experience. For long-term gaming sessions, it’s the curved wrist rest that really appeals. Built specifically for the Razer Ornata, the curved wrist rest makes up for the lack of a split keyboard, allowing long-term gaming sessions to feel more comfortable and natural than a traditional gaming keyboard would allow. Adding to the ergonomic value is the mid-height keycap sizing that allows for easier keystrokes between each key depression, which minimizes the impact continuous finger movements will have on your wrists.
Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best gaming keyboards.
Best Mechanical: Matias Ergo Pro
Quieter than the more traditional mechanical keyboard, the Matias Ergo Pro for Windows computers offers a tactical feel and reduces the impact that standard ones have from the repetitious jarring of the hands and fingers. The split keyboard design immediately improves body posture, elbow placement and allows your wrists to be placed outward from your body for a more natural feel. Additionally, the compact design reduces the reach to a mouse, thereby lessening the impact on your neck and shoulders. A padded palm rest combines with a 4.5-degree of negative tilt for even more reduction of wrist strain. Its capable of being used flat and at a nine-degree angle courtesy of the built-in keyboard legs.
Check out our other reviews of the best mechanical keyboards available on the market today.
Tested by
How We Tested
Our reviewers spent 42 hours testing one of the most popular ergonomic keyboards available. To really get the full experience, we asked them to consider the most important features when using this ergonomic keyboard — from size to compatibility with different operating systems — and we've outlined them here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.
What to Look for in an Ergonomic Keyboard
Usage - Where will you be using this keyboard? Is it mostly for personal use, or will you take it to the office? Do you need an ergonomic keyboard made specifically with gamers in mind? While you can use a keyboard for multiple purposes, you may enjoy customizing which one you buy based on how you’re going to use it the most.
Mac vs. PC - Do you have a Mac or a PC? While it seems like keyboards should be usable with both, that’s not always the case. You need to make sure whatever keyboard you buy is compatible with your system (this is usually a bigger problem for Macs rather than PCs). Additionally, the two different systems have slightly different keys. While you can often use mapping software to alleviate these issues, you may want to purchase a keyboard that is specifically designed for your type of machine.
Keyboard size - Do you need a full-size keyboard, complete with a number pad? If you’re inputting a lot of numbers, you probably find the number pad vital. But if you’re used to typing on a laptop, it’s likely you barely use it. Do you need a foldable, portable keyboard? Or do you need something with a small footprint but not necessarily portable? You can find ergonomic keyboards in all sizes — just think about what exactly it is you’ll need.
Test Results: Microsoft Sculpt (Best Overall)
Best Mouse For Laptops 2018
4.8
Best Pc Mouse 2018
What We Like
- Very comfortable
- Wireless
- Responsive keys
What We Don't Like
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- Large footprint
Our testers thought that this keyboard was very comfortable to use, even for long periods of time. “The leather pad on the bottom feels great when resting my wrists on it,” one reviewer said. While our testers liked that this keyboard was wireless and “made desk organization easier,” they wished it also had Bluetooth capability.