Best Gaming Mouse Comparison: Mices You Can Count On In 2012
Since the release of Windows 95, the gaming industry started to evolve at a very rapid pace. Faster hardware components led every year to more complex pc games, with outstanding graphics and gameplay. But, for us to fully enjoy the experience brought by the developers, just having a good configuration on our personal computer isn’t enough. A key element (to the game immersion) it is constituted by the peripherals, especially the mouse, which helps the user to control the game. Conclusion: you need the best gaming mouse if you want to fragg all your foes with precision aim.
What makes a gaming mouse so different from a normal mouse?
There are 6 features that make a gaming mouse different from a normal mouse: sensitivity, sensor, sensitivity customization, extra buttons, aesthetics and adjustable weight systems. Those six points mean the difference between a good mouse and the best.
1. Sensitivity
First of all, there is the sensitivity. This is measured in dots per inch (DPI) and a higher number in here represents less physical movement of the mouse to change the cursor’s position on screen. A top mouse for gaming can score over 5000 DPI, while a consumer mouse usually has no more than 600 DPI.
2. Sensor
Depending on the surface you intend to use your mouse on, you might want a laser sensor or an optical one. The first one will work even on a glass surface, while the second one will not.
3. Sensitivity customization
Even if you have a very good gaming mouse, you will not want the same sensitivity in every game or application you run. That is why is important to have sensitivity customization at your disposal.
4. Extra buttons
Every gaming mouse has extra buttons, such as thumb-buttons, allowing you to assign a macro to a single button press for actions that you use frequently.
5. Aesthetics
When you decide to spend money on a gaming mouse, you will want both performance and looks. Good looks. That is why many products in this category have innovative designs for a good grip and LED lights to give them a cool aura on your desk.
6. Adjustable Weight Systems
For most gamers, the weight of their mouse is very important and so is the ability to adjust it. A system with cartridges that can be loaded with different combinations of disks will help you achieve the perfect weight of your mouse for each task.
Top 10 models
10. Microsoft SideWinder X5
Technical details: 2000 dpi | laser sensor | 5 programmable buttons | adjustable sensitivity (on-the-fly DPI switching)
The X5 series from Microsoft Sidewinder seems to offer everything a gaming mouse needs at a very good price, just $29.95. Even so, you might need time to get used with the buttons and with its size, which may appear a little big. [read our full review]
Microsoft SideWinder X5
The good:
- packs in plenty of features
- on-the-fly DPI switching
- the aesthetics
- the price
The bad:
- no adjustable weight system
- the programmable buttons are not that easy to set
- the size
9. Razer Spectre StarCraft II Edition
Technical details: 5600 dpi | Laser sensor | 5 programmable buttons | 1000 Hz Ultrapooling
If you want a Limited Edition mouse with great aesthetics you can get the Razer Specte StarCraft II Edition. Just don’t expect amazing performance or customizability. It’s ambidextrous, so that’s a good thing, as most mices are for right-handed people. The APM-Lighting system makes for an impressive appearance in the dark, but there’s not much else as functionality goes. It’s a nice mouse, with 1000 Hz ultrapooling frequency and a Laser sensor capable of detecting 5600 dpi moves, but is a little bit pricey. [read our coverage]
Razer Spectre StarCraft II Gaming Mouse
The good:
- left-handed and right-handed
- 1000 Hz ultrapooling
- the aesthetics
The bad:
- no adjustable weight system
- no adjustable sensitivity on-the-fly
- shape is not ergonomic
8. Razer Naga MMOG Laser
Technical details: 5600 dpi | laser sensor | 17 programmable buttons | wired with 1000 Hz ultra-pooling
If you love buttons then you’ll love the Razer Naga MMOG Laser Gaming mouse. It comes with 17 programmable buttons. You can program unlimited character profiles and you can even install some MMO specific software addons. The scroll wheel has 24 individual click points. The shape is pretty ergonomic, but you don’t get weight adjustment. Being a wired mouse, there a hyper fast 1000 Hz pooling, so no delay from the 5600 laser sensor capable of tracking movements up to 200 inches per second, way more than you’ll ever be able to achieve while maintaining precision. [read the test]
Razer Naga MMOG Laser Gaming Mouse
The good:
- lots of buttons
- 1000 Hz ultrapooling
- the aesthetics
The bad:
- no adjustable weight system
- no adjustable sensitivity on-the-fly
- too many buttons for many
7. Logitech MX518
Technical details: 1800 dpi | optical sensor | 8 programmable buttons | adjustable sensitivity
Yes, MX518 is old gaming mouse, but many gamers prefer to think that it’s old school. Over the years, this mouse led them into fierce battles and received great reviews very often. Nevertheless, it lacks modern technologies, like a laser sensor and an adjustable weight system, reason for its 4th place on this top. [read our article]
Logitech MX 518
The good:
- the grip
- smooth movement
- easy to use
- slick classic design
The bad:
- no adjustable weight system
- only for right-handed users
- only 1800 DPI
6. Thermaltake Tt eSports Black Laser
Technical details: laser sensor | 4000 dpi | wired(500 reports/s) | 9 programmable buttons | adjustable sensitivity | adjustable weight
The Thermaltake Tt eSports Black Laser Gaming Mouse is one of the best looking products in our top due to the use of black plastic with red illumination (scrool wheel, Tt logo and current sensitivity). It’s priced very low without sacrificing on features: 4000 DPI Laser sensor, 500 reports per second via USB, 9 programmable buttons and adjustable sensitivity and weight.
It’s not the best performing mouse out there, but for $40 is almost as steal. [learn more from our presentation]
Thermaltake Tt eSports Black Laser 4000 DPI Gaming Mouse
The good:
- laser sensor with 4000 dpi
- adjustable weight system
- easy to install and use
- adjustable sensitivity on the fly (with led indicator)
- design
- price
The bad:
- no memory for profiles
- best suited for right-handed users
5. Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse G700
Technical details: laser sensor | 5700 dpi | wireless (1000 reports/s) | 13 programmable buttons | adjustable sensitivity | memory for five profiles
The Logitech G700 is simply one of the best wireless gaming mices, featuring an impressive Laser sensor capable to catch movements as fast as 5700 dpi. It’s got also 13 programmable buttons and memory for storing up to 5 preset profiles (configured through the SetPoint software from Logitech). There’s no way to adjust weight, and the impressive design of the case is pretty bulky for small hands but you can adjust sensitivity on the fly and get a visual reading of the current situation through 3 LEDs. [here's our test]
Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse G700
The good:
- 5700 dpi
- smooth movement despite being wireless
- plenty of buttons to use
- impressive design
The bad:
- no adjustable weight system
- only for right-handed users
- expensive
- not so comfortable in hand
4. Logitech G500
Technical details: 5700 dpi | laser sensor |10 programmable buttons | adjustable sensitivity (on-the-fly adjustable DPI) | adjustable weight system
Logitech engineers tried to implement the best features of a gaming mouse on G500 and they succeeded, mostly. G500 has an incredible adjustable sensitivity, provided by a laser sensor, which can go up to 5700 DPI but the design of the thumb buttons and the scroll wheel is a big downgrade for this mouse. It also has an onboard memory which you can use to store your settings and take them everywhere with you. [read full article]
Logitech G500 Programmable Gaming Mouse
The good:
- great sensitivity
- laser sensor
- adjustment systems
- onboard memory
The bad:
- the design of the thumb buttons and the scroll wheel
3. Razer Deathadder (3500)
Technical details: 3500 dpi | infrared sensor | 5 programmable buttons | adjustable sensitivity
With excellent aesthetics, comes great performance, like Razer would say in this case. The new version of Deathadder has a sensitivity of 3500 DPI, provided by its 3.5G infrared sensor, 1 ms response time and great ergonomics. Also, Deathadder 3500 comes in two flavors: standard edition, which is for right-handed users, and a special edition, for left-handed users. It’s one of the few gaming mices compatible with left-handed people, so take this into account if the case. [link to our full test]
Razer Deathadder 3500
The good:
- the sensitivity
- the response time
- the infrared sensor
- the ergonomic design
- gold plated USB connector
- basically, everything
The bad:
- no adjustable weight system
2. Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9 , R.A.T. 7
Technical details: 5600 dpi | wireless laser sensor | 6 buttons | 3 programmable profiles | adjustable sensitivity | adjustable weight system| adjustable size
If you want the most adjustable gaming mouse ever produced get the Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9. It looks like it came from the Transformers movies, and for a good reason: you can adjust the length, thumb area, pinkie grips and even the palm rests. Weight is adjustable by 45 grams. A very fast Laser sensor (5600 DPI) coupled with 1000 fast pooling rate means the best precision you get from a wireless mouse. The only problem I’ve found with it is pricing, which at $150 makes for a hard to justify investment. Oh, and the three custom profiles are stored in the Cyborg software that you have to install for yourself. [our test is here]
If you want to save 70 bucks you can always get the R.A.T. 7 wired model from Mad Catz (see buying details below).
Mad Catz Cyborg R.A.T. 9
The good:
- wireless connectivity with charging base
- response time (1000 Hz pooling)
- high DPI Laser sensor
- adjustable size design
- adjustable weight
The bad:
- no memory for profiles (requires installed software)
- very expensive
1. Logitech G9x, G9
Technical details: 5700 dpi | laser sensor | 7 buttons | 5 button profiles | adjustable sensitivity | adjustable weight system| interchangeable grips | custom color LED display
The champ, best gaming mouse today, is here. G9x takes the gaming experience to a whole new level. Besides the presence of all the features we discussed at the beginning of this article, each one at its best, the successor of the Logitech G9 comes with revolutionary specifications: interchangeable grips, onboard memory with buttons for 5 different profiles and custom color LED display, making G9x the best choice and the proud winner of this top gaming mouse models. [read full post]
Logitech G9X Programmable Laser Gaming
The good:
- everything
The bad:
- the price
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Amazing info on these mice (mouses? meeses?). Very detailed and helpful. It will make my buying decision a lot more solid. Thank you!
I really did not know that there is such thing as a gaming mouse! They all look great, nice list. I wonder if any of those can work with an android tablet as well….Thanks!
Dear lord, so many features! I am a simple and old-school gamer who hardly has time anymore to scrap it up online. But I’ll tell you, I would have snapped that G9x up in a heartbeat if it had been around 5-10 years ago. Sick.
I like that Razer one! That’s a sharp looking mouse. I may need a new mouse now. lol
Wow, didn’t realize mice had come such a long way, especially in gaming. My brother used to play a ton of games online (not sure if he still does)…we’re more into video games, but thanks for sharing all the features, I had no idea! I agree with Joanne, makes me want a new one too :)
These make my plain old mouse look so old and tired! Until now I hadn’t really thought about how much a mouse gets used — in my case, it’s even more than my cell phone. It makes sense to get a really good one.
I had never heard of gaming mice, but then I don’t play a lot of games. I can see how all of those extra buttons would come in handy, though. The typical computer mouse just isn’t build for playing video games.