A good mouse can have a huge impact on a player’s performance, particularly in certain types of games. Sadly, however, it’s not quite as simple as Googling “What’s the best gaming mouse in 2022?” as what works well for one player might not necessarily be ideal for another. In fact, due to the huge number of potential use cases, prospective buyers actually have a surprising amount to consider when choosing their next gaming mouse.
The good news is that there are hundreds of different gaming mice available, meaning that there’ll likely be more than a few different ones out there that perfectly suit the buyer’s needs. Granted, this huge variety can be something of a double-edged sword as it can make narrowing down choices a little tricky, but, with the right research and some careful consideration, buyers should still be able to find the best gaming mouse for them.
Connection Type
Wireless mice have come a long way over the past few years to the point where they’re almost as reliable as their wired counterparts. In fact, outside competitive gaming, most players probably wouldn’t be able to notice the difference. There are still some major drawbacks to wireless mice, however, such as the need to regularly recharge the battery or the additional weight that a battery can provide. Granted, some may actually prefer a heavier mouse and there are mouse pads available that can charge wireless mice during use, but this may not suit everyone.
Size and Weight
Most people use their full palm, but there are actually a few different ways of holding a mouse. A lot of gamers actually favor a claw grip, for example, while some only make contact with the mouse using their fingertips. After establishing which grip works best for them, prospective buyers should look for a mouse that best suits both their preferred grip and the size of their hands. Those who make minimal contact with their mouse may also find it difficult to exert as much force as they would be able to when using a palm grip and so may want to look for a slightly lighter mouse. With this in mind, it can really help to get some hands-on experience with a mouse before buying.
Reliability
Given how expensive a high-end gaming mouse can be these days, it seems reasonable to expect them to last a decent amount of time. This isn’t always the case, however, especially when it comes to some cheaper and lesser-known brands. Reviews are obviously a great way to get a good idea of how reliable a product is, but if a mouse or listing is still relatively new, there might not be enough reviews out there to paint a clear and accurate picture. In such instances, purchasing from a reputable brand is typically a great way to avoid any unwanted surprises later on.
Inputs
For most gamers, the inputs found on a standard mouse should perfectly satisfy their needs, but there are some who will benefit from additional buttons. Those who play a lot of MOBAs and MMORPGs, for example, will probably want a mouse with at least a few programmable macro keys, while anybody who hopes to be able to quickly switch between fast and precise movements may want a mouse with a dedicated button for DPI switching. As a result, the type of games that players plan on using their mouse with should have a bearing on their final decision.
DPI and Polling Rate
Though DPI and polling rates are often lumped together, they’re actually two very different things. The former dictates how far a mouse cursor moves across a screen when the mouse is moved by an inch while the polling rate determines how often the mouse’s sensor reports its position back to the computer. Generally speaking, a higher polling rate should lead to less delay and a higher DPI will allow users to move their cursor from one side of the screen to the other much faster. As a result, both are ideal for first-person shooters and other games in which quick player responses are important.
RGB Functionality
RGB may have very little impact on how a mouse actually functions, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t still an important thing to consider for some. Many people, particularly streamers, take a lot of pride in the overall aesthetics of their gaming rigs and RGB can play a big part in this. Anybody in the market for an RGB gaming mouse should therefore look into how well a mouse will gel with their current RGB setup. Certain models may work with RGB controlling software that the buyer is already using or, conversely, may lack the ability to sync up with the user’s other RGB devices entirely.
Mouse Pad
There’s no point in spending money on a high-end gaming mouse if it’s going to be used on the wrong surface, which is where a good mouse pad comes in. The surface on which a mouse is used can have a huge impact on its operation, not to mention how comfortable using it for extended periods can be. Depending on the quality of their desk, buyers may therefore want to invest in a decent mouse pad to go along with their new gaming mouse. There are a variety of sizes available from small to full desk pads as well as pads of varying degrees of firmness.
