Now that wi-fi gaming mice are simply as quick and feature-packed as their wired counterparts, going wi-fi could be a sensible transfer, providing you with better flexibility as a gamer. But earlier than you narrow unfastened and purchase one, it’s value noting they’re not all alike. You’ll nonetheless want to think about elements like weight, dots per inch (DPI), and battery life which might be telling elements in how your gaming mouse performs and in the end how you’ll carry out in video games.

Our professional reviewers have put these mice by means of their paces, testing them throughout a spread of situations, and over prolonged intervals of time. Below are the outcomes of that effort. While these are the present finest wi-fi gaming mice obtainable, for a no holds barred listing, together with each wired and wi-fi fashions, make sure you take a look at PCWorld’s all-inclusive collection of the best gaming mice.

1. G502 Lightspeed – Best total

Pros

• Very comfy design
• Weighs lower than the wired model
• Compatible with Powerplay wi-fi charging mouse pad

Cons

• Scroll wheel feels much less substantial
• Weight customization is hampered by Powerplay
• Expensive

The G502 Hero was a success with PCWorld reviewers earlier than it went wi-fi due to its comfy design, well-thought-out button format and handy dual-mode scroll. Thankfully all these options return within the replace, however the G502 now has Powerplay compatibility—a function we will’t communicate extremely sufficient of.

The Powerplay system trickle-charges the mouse as you play, releasing you from having to cost it manually, and guaranteeing you’re by no means with out energy (Read extra about Logitech’s Powerplay Wireless Charging System.) The redesigned wi-fi G502 additionally sports activities a brand new rubber coated wheel as an alternative of the steel one we noticed within the wired model. This change reduces its weight down to only 114 grams, making it the lightest model you will get.

This mouse’s 11-button choice locations it in-between mice just like the 18-button SteelSeries Aerox 9 and the smaller 6-button HyperX Pulsefire Haste, which makes it best as a do-it-all mouse that doesn’t shirk on performance however gained’t overwhelm you with having to recollect too many instructions.

Read our full
Review G502 Lightspeed

2. SteelSeries Aerox 9 – Best for tinkerers

Pros

• 18 simply programmable buttons
• Weighs solely 89 grams
• Dual Bluetooth 5.0 and a couple of.4GHz wi-fi

Cons

• Some buttons on the facet grid are arduous to succeed in

SteelSeries Aerox 9 is a uncommon discover amongst wi-fi gaming mice in that it packs a whopping 18 programmable buttons however weighs simply 89 grams. That makes it a superb choice in case you wish to tinker with instructions and macros in MOBA and MMO video games however don’t wish to compromise on velocity. We additionally just like the Aerox 9 for its quick 18,000 CPI sensor and twin Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity that we discovered tremendous handy for switching between laptops instantly.

With an open high honey-comb design and inside RGB lighting, the Aerox 9 sports activities a slick, futuristic look that gained’t go unnoticed in any group gaming session. It additionally has the additional benefit of being extraordinarily comfy on scorching days, circulating loads of cool air on your hand.

Although punctuated by a mess of holes, this mouse can also be very sturdy: The high mesh didn’t present any give throughout our most frantic gameplay. According to SteelSeries, the mouse’s inside {hardware} is protected in opposition to mud and spillage by an IP54-rated Aquabarrier, which is reassuring for avid gamers like me who wish to preserve scorching drinks shut at hand.

Read our full
Review SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless

3. Logitech G903 – Best ambidextrous grip

Pros

• Excellent wi-fi efficiency
• Lightweight development, glides easily
• Suitable for ambidextrous avid gamers

Cons

• The ambidextrous form isn’t very ergonomic
• If you are not utilizing Powerplay there’s not a lot enchancment over the previous G900
• Expensive

Like the G502 Hero, the G903 makes use of Logitech’s Powerplay system that conveniently fees the mouse wirelessly as you play. However, the G903’s largest level of distinction is its ambidextrous design that lends itself equally to left- and right-handed gaming.

There are 10 buttons in all, and you’ll arrange the periphery buttons to match your dominant hand. For instance, you possibly can select to make both the 2 left-side edge buttons or two right-side edge buttons seem or disappear by swapping out a magnetic filler piece to both facet. In video games, this mouse’s premium PWM3366 sensor could be very exact. Additionally, the left and proper buttons hearth on a hair set off with the slightest quantity of strain, so if firing off instructions rapidly is vital to you, this mouse has you coated.

In our full PCWorld assessment, we discovered the G903 to have a barely flared again that meant it nestled comfortably in opposition to our palm. With a lot of the help being positioned in direction of the mouse’s rear. We additionally discovered the G903 was finest suited to avid gamers that like to make use of a claw grip.

Read our full
Review Logitech G903

4. Roccat Burst Pro Air – Best RGB lighting

Pros

• Owl-Eye sensor could be very exact and fast
• You will not discover a mouse with extra beautiful RGB lighting
• Dual wi-fi in addition to wired connectivity

Cons

• 81-gram weight can really feel heavy in case you’re used to a lighter mouse
• Mouse wheel lacks left and proper lateral clicks
• Pricey in comparison with some rivals

While some gaming mice solely have restricted RGB lighting round their buttons or periphery, the ROCCAT Burst Pro goes all out with 4 devoted programmable RGB lighting zones that mild up the entire mouse like a firecracker. Suffice to say, with 16.8 million coloration choices in Roccat’s Swarm software program app to play with, you will get some dazzling lighting results on this mouse.

But whereas the Pro Air is genuinely beautiful to have a look at, it’s equally as proficient in video games, because of its comfy eight-button configuration, highly effective 19,000 DPI Owl-Eye optical sensor, and low-latency switches, which have a 100-million click on sturdiness ranking.

The Pro Air can also be a particularly versatile mouse, because of its a number of connectivity choices, which embody a low-latency 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and a USB-A to USB-C cable for wired connectivity.

Read our full
Review ROCCAT Burst Pro Air

5. SteelSeries Rival 650 – Fastest recharging

Pros

• Gets 10 hours of cost in solely quarter-hour
• Comfortable and enticing design
• Removable weight system offers loads of choices

Cons

• Heavier than some may like
• Expensive
• Third thumb button is small and awkwardly positioned

On the floor, the SteelSeries Rival 650 could possibly be every other wi-fi gaming mouse, however dig a little bit deeper and also you’ll discover it has two huge benefits over rivals—its twin sensor {hardware} configuration and its quick charging functionality.

To enhance your accuracy, the Rival 650 pairs a main sensor, the PWM3360 TrueMove 3, with a devoted depth sensor whose job is solely to stop enter when your mouse leaves your mousepad. If you primarily preserve your mouse flat in your mouse pad or desk high, chances are high you gained’t discover a lot distinction in your gaming accuracy. However, in case you do elevate your mouse quite a bit, this function ought to make aiming a tad simpler.

SteelSeries claims quarter-hour quick charging is all of the Rival 650 must run for 10 hours straight. We put this declare to the take a look at and located it to be principally true; quarter-hour or generally just some minutes extra was sufficient to energy it by means of greater than a day of gaming, which made us very keen on this mouse.

Read our full
Review SteelSeries Rival 650

6. Logitech G603 – Best replaceable-battery choice

Pros

• Slim design makes it simple to pack
• Double AA batteries give 500 hours of battery life
• Hero sensor performs in addition to the famed PWM3366

Cons

• Weight distribution is a bit awkward due to the battery
• Undersized and a bit too flat for consolation

If you journey quite a bit along with your wi-fi gaming mouse, you’ll wish to ensure that it has two issues: a protracted battery life so you possibly can skip the fixed charging, and an outstanding sensor that performs in addition to what you’d discover in an honest wired gaming mouse. The Logitech G603 hits the mark for each of those options, sporting a good 500 hours of battery life from two AA batteries and a succesful 12,000 DPI Logitech Hero sensor.

The Hero sensor is the important thing to this mouse’s journey worthiness, it being many extra occasions as energy environment friendly because the famed PWM3366 sensor that Logitech makes use of in wi-fi gaming mice just like the G703 and G903, however with the identical form of high-end efficiency that eliminates smoothing, acceleration, or interference in your gameplay.

Read our full Logitech G603 review

How we take a look at wi-fi gaming mice

To ensure that our wi-fi gaming mice picks are the very best of the very best, the PCWolrd staff places them by means of a legion of checks. We take a look at all the things from how properly they’ve been designed and carry out in video games, to the suite of software program that helps you personalize them. Here’s a listing of the principle classes our checks fall below:

• Design and ergonomics: Here we issue within the mouse’s bodily traits, together with its form, styling, buttons, and RGB lighting (if any). We additionally take into account how comfy it’s, what dimension arms it suits and, importantly, what grip kind it should ideally go well with (palm, fingertip, or claw). Last of all, we take into account how robust it’s, together with how possible it’s to outlive the trials of gaming life.
• Wireless efficiency: This is the enjoyable a part of our testing the place we get to check out our mouse in a bunch of video games, whereas on the similar time evaluating elements like its monitoring accuracy, sensitivity, and how briskly it reacts to our actions. We’re testing the mouse’s sensor in a giant approach right here, but additionally our mouse’s wi-fi, and or Bluetooth connectivity.
• Software help: What you possibly can really obtain along with your wi-fi gaming mouse generally comes all the way down to what its supporting software program permits. When testing our mouse’s software program app we take into account how simple it’s to navigate, change settings, program buttons, arrange profiles for video games, and make adjustments to RGB lighting (if any).

How to select a wi-fi gaming mouse

Connectivity: Wireless or Bluetooth or each?

Most individuals know {that a} wired gaming mouse connects to your PC by way of a USB port and wi-fi gaming mouse by way of a wi-fi dongle or Bluetooth connection, however which one is finest?

The fact is there’s not such an excessive amount of distinction anymore. For a few years wired mice had a efficiency edge in video games as a result of their decrease enter lag. However, nearly all wi-fi gaming mice now function 2.4GHz connectivity which offers a dependable low-latency connection in video games and efficiency that’s akin to their wired counterparts. Some wi-fi gaming mice even have twin connectivity with Bluetooth and allow you to swap between the 2, however not all the time. While it’s true that the two.4GHz connection is quicker and extra secure than a Bluetooth connection, latency isn’t all the things. Bluetooth is suitable with extra units and affords dongle-less connection on the go, so it may be a handy-to-have function in case you plan on utilizing your system for varsity or work.

Is my mouse’s sensor actually vital?

A gaming mouse’s sensor is the the primary {hardware} part that determines how properly a mouse performs in video games. The sensor decides the mouse’s monitoring velocity and accuracy, two elements we scrutinize in our checks. The principal spec to search for in any sensor is dpi (dots per inch), which tells you ways properly the mouse’s sensor experiences motion per inch of bodily motion. The latest wi-fi gaming mice have dpi starting from 12,000 to twenty,000, with increased numbers indicating mice with better sensitivity.

While a number of fuss is made about dpi in producer brochures, there’s actually no excellent dpi for gaming, it being largely a private alternative. While it may well’t harm to have the very best, except you’re an expert esports gamer you in all probability gained’t want a 20,000 dpi sensor. In actuality, even 12,000 dpi offers first rate efficiency in video games.

Orientation: proper, left, or ambidextrous?

Are you left- or right-handed, or ambidextrous? For practicality’s sake the reply to this query ought to inform your alternative when shopping for a wi-fi gaming mouse. That approach you’ll get a greater match to your hand form and the buttons might be inside attain of your fingers. While most of our wi-fi gaming mice evaluations might be for right-handed mice, just because that’s what most individuals use, we’ll endeavor to carry you left-handed and ambidextrous mice evaluations when doable.

What grip kind do I take advantage of?

How you grip your mouse isn’t one thing you’ve in all probability given a lot thought to—identical to you don’t give a lot thought to the way you maintain your fork whenever you eat. Still, it may be vital because you’ll wish to get a mouse that matches your particular grip kind. The three principal grip varieties are:

Palm grip: This is the commonest kind of mouse grip amongst avid gamers. It’s additionally essentially the most comfy for lengthy gaming classes because it places extra of your hand involved along with your mouse and prevents rigidity in your wrist. For palm grippers, lengthy, flat mice are usually a greater match and extra comfy.

Claw grip: If you employ a claw grip, you’re arching your palm over the mouse to make a claw form. This grip is common within the e-sports neighborhood, particularly amongst FPS gamers, because it permits you to make fast wrist actions—helpful for sweeping assaults on targets. It does nonetheless clench the wrist and trigger some rigidity there. Narrower and smaller mice go well with a claw grip.

Fingertip grip: This grip offers you the least quantity of management however essentially the most dexterity for aiming. Gamers who use this grip primarily use simply their fingertips on the left and proper clicks, placing a number of pressure on their wrists. Because of the added pressure, lighter mice are sometimes most popular by fingertip grippers.

Should I purchase a lightweight or heavy mouse?

A mouse’s weight can have a big effect on how precisely you possibly can goal and place its curser or crosshairs. Gamers as of late are inclined to go for the lightest mice obtainable since they require much less effort to maneuver and are additionally naturally sooner.

Lighter mice additionally lend themselves to longer gaming classes, since gamer arms (and arms) aren’t as simply fatigued by them. Wireless gaming mice are among the many lightest obtainable as a result of they’re unencumbered by wires.

One factor to notice a few mouse’s weight is that whether or not it’s thought-about mild is relative to what number of buttons it has. For instance, the 18-button SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless may appear to be a heavyweight at 89 grams in comparison with the six-button / 61-gram HyperX Pulsefire Haste, but for an 18-button mouse it’s thought-about exceptionally light-weight.

How many buttons do I want?

The kind of video games you play ought to provide help to resolve what number of buttons you want. If you’re primarily into FPS (first-person shooters) a wi-fi gaming mouse with six buttons—which tends to be the minimal quantity we see in wi-fi gaming mice as of late—needs to be greater than sufficient.

On the opposite hand, in case you play video games the place it’s good to rapidly deploy a number of instructions—like MOBA and MMO video games—a mouse with between 6 and 18 buttons will give you extra versatility.

Why is software program vital?

If your mouse is your weapon in video games, then the mouse’s help software program is its armory. The finest software program apps for wi-fi gaming mice permit you to change and customise settings like your mouse’s sensitivity and acceleration and deceleration. They additionally allow you to set instructions and macros and save your preferences in profiles which you could simply swap to whenever you wish to play particular video games.