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Finding the best gaming mouse for your specific needs can be tricky, and really comes down to your priorities when gaming. Do you want a wired or wireless model? Do you prefer heavier or lightweight options? Do you need RGB lighting? How many buttons do you want? What’s your budget?

We took all of these questions and more into account when testing dozens of mice to select our top four picks. Buyers who want the best gaming mouse overall should check out the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro. It’s a feature-loaded option with a premium build and wireless support. If you prefer a wired mouse on a budget, consider the Razer Cobra. It’s lightweight with a simple, symmetrical design that feels great in hand. 

Below, you can find full details on all four of our best gaming mouse picks, including more wireless and wired options. 

Our top picks for the best gaming mouse of 2024

Best overall: Razer Basilisk V3 Pro – See at Amazon

Best budget wired: Razer Cobra – See at Amazon

Best budget wireless: Logitech G305 Lightspeed – See at Amazon

Best for FPS: Glorious Model O 2 – See at Amazon

Best overall

When it comes to choosing the best gaming mouse for most people, the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro wins the top spot. It caters to various gamers and play styles with its slew of features. In terms of programmable buttons, RGB lighting, and on-board profiles, it’s one of the most capable mice that we tested, without feeling clunky or overbearing. Its unique characteristics only add more options to your experience without ever getting in the way if you don’t want to use them.

The Basilisk V3 Pro’s asymmetrical and ergonomic form factor is a common design for a gaming mouse, but this model really perfects this style. Between its textured grips, thoughtful button placement, and smooth feet, the mouse delivers a premium feel that beats the competition. The switches also click quietly and easily without too much resistance. 

Its 2.4GHz wireless connection is reliable, and movements are instantly translated to your screen without lag. We found that the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro had no problems remaining connected to a PC, no matter where the dongle was plugged in, even when using a USB hub. 

With its 11 buttons, right-handed ergonomic grip, 30,000 DPI, and multi-zone RGB, most gamers will be more than satisfied with the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro. Those who don’t need wireless support can even buy the wired version for a fraction of the cost.

Ultimately, we think there are only two types of gamers that might want to avoid the Basilisk V3 Pro: Heavier-handed players who may accidentally trigger its lightly actuated buttons or competitive gamers who prefer the speed of an ultralight design. Otherwise, this is the best gaming mouse you can buy.

Read our Razer Basilisk V3 Pro review.

Best budget wired

For those confident that they don’t need the wireless capability or extra bells and whistles of the Basilisk V3 Pro, we recommend the simple and budget-friendly Razer Cobra. It’s an affordable wired option with great performance in a symmetrical, lightweight shell. Its woven cable is soft and flexible too, so you won’t experience any unnecessary kinking or tangles when making fast movements.

At only 58 grams, the Razer Cobra is our lightest pick, though it is tethered by a wire that can inhibit movements more than a wireless mouse might. If that’s not a problem for you, the Corba’s 8,500 DPI Optical Sensor lends to smooth movements that translate quickly to your PC. Its PTFE feet also glide cleanly across smooth surfaces and the mouse just feels great to use.

As a whole, it’s becoming hard to recommend wired gaming mice in an age where wireless mice provide equivalent performance, but the Razer Cobra is an exception. This is an ideal fit for anyone who doesn’t want to bother with batteries or charging, and its affordable price point certainly doesn’t hurt.

Best budget wireless

If you want the freedom of a wireless mouse without the hefty cost of one, the Logitech G305 Lightspeed is a reliable companion that has stood the test of time. 

This mouse keeps it simple: six programmable buttons, a right-handed symmetrical design, 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, and a AA battery for power. It lacks some of the nicer features found on our pricier picks — like RGB lighting, a higher DPI range, and an ergonomic form factor — but for less than $50, it’s hard to argue with the G305’s performance.

Even after years of use, the G305 still holds its own against brand-new models thanks to its smooth-gliding feet and stable connection. Regardless of where we plugged its dongle in on our PC, it experienced no connectivity issues when testing. You’ll also rarely need to change its AA battery. And though some might prefer USB charging, this design spares you from needing to keep an extra cable around. 

The G305 is also one of the only gaming mice available in more colors than just black and white, making it a great choice for aesthetically focused gamers. In a market full of mice defined by harsh angles and neon lights, this mouse stands out for its minimalistic design and subtle colorways. 

And though already a great value at full price, the G305 Lightspeed often drops well below its $50 retail price, and can be found for $40 or even $30 most times of the year. If you’re someone who can get by without the extra flourishes of a more expensive mouse, the G305 Lightspeed offers unbeatable value and performance for the money. 

Read our Logitech G305 Lightspeed review.

Best for FPS

The best gaming mouse for FPS (first-person shooters) can depend on your play style, but in general, ultralight options reign supreme thanks to their low resistance when making fast movements. Of all the ones we tested, the Glorious Model O 2 is the best. 

It has an attractive and effective perforated shell, tasteful RGB and, of course, a super lightweight design. At only 59 grams (or 68 grams if you opt for the wireless version), the Model O 2 flies when needed, allowing you to react swiftly for quick pivots and headshots.

The O 2 keeps things relatively simple from the outside: six programmable buttons, customizable RGB, and a right-handed symmetrical design. Where it stands out compared to other similar ultralight models is its build quality, which you can feel as soon as you put a hand on it. 

Many ultralight gaming mice can feel a bit unsteady or shaky in construction, — but not the Glorious Model O 2. Somehow, this mouse balances its incredibly light weight with a sturdy build. Its mesh shell is thoughtfully designed to feel comfortable and breathable, without any holes unnecessarily placed on the buttons. 

Ultralight gaming mice aren’t for everyone as some users prefer a bit more heft. But players that want some extra speed for FPS games won’t be disappointed by the Glorious Model O 2. It offers all the essentials of a great gaming mouse, from its thoughtful build to wide DPI range, without any extra weight. 

How we test gaming mice

Every PC gamer has their own set of preferences, so we make sure to take every kind of player into account when testing contenders for the best gaming mouse. We use a series of weighted factors to judge models in order to ensure a uniform testing method. The most important aspects we evaluate include customizability, weight/build, click quality, and connectivity.

Customizability: One of the most important factors that sets the best gaming mouse apart from your average office mouse is how customizable it is. These features are designed to make gaming more convenient and comfortable, so options like programmable buttons and a wide DPI range are important to consider when determining our top picks. Though not required, we do also factor in RGB, as many gamers like to have a cohesive and well-lit setup. 

Weight/build: Weight is another one of those subjective factors that’s dependent on your personal gaming style, so we make sure to include a range of weights across different mice. In terms of build quality, our top picks all need to feel sturdy in hand, with attractive designs that glide smoothly on a mouse pad or desk mat. Check out our guide to the best gaming mouse pads for recommendations that pair well with our picks. 

Click quality: Have you ever noticed that between some mice, the clicks can feel different, with some feeling gummy and others feeling crunchy? That has to do with the switches that each mouse uses, and the best gaming mice will have switches that aren’t too loud or too easily actuated. All of our picks have premium clicks that don’t wear out easily. 

Connectivity: Gone are the days of relying on only wired mice to maintain the best connection — nowadays 2.4GHz wireless options are just as good at communicating with your PC. Still, we take into consideration folks who prefer wired options to avoid having to recharge their mouse. With wireless options, we also look for a stable connection that doesn’t get inhibited by dongle placement.

What to look for in a gaming mouse

To find the best gaming mouse for you, you need to ask yourself some questions. Do you require speed in the games and genres you play most? What is your budget? Do you have a pet who could get tangled in a mouse cable? Does color matter? What about RGB?

These kinds of questions can help you narrow down what kind of gaming mouse is best for your needs. For most gamers, the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro will be an excellent fit, with 11 programmable buttons, multi-zone RGB, and strong wireless connection. However, for those confident they won’t need so many features or those on a budget, you can find other options with fewer bells and whistles for less money. 

If you don’t mind losing the wireless connection, you can buy the Razer Basilisk V3 wired version for much less or opt for the wired Razer Cobra for a simple yet mighty variant. If you’re worried about your cat pawing at your cable, the cheap Logitech G305 Lightspeed is an excellent pick, and it gives you the freedom of wireless movement. If you need an ultralight mouse for quick headshots and instant reactions in FPS games, the Glorious Model O 2 may be your speed.

For more gaming gear recommendations to pair with your new mouse, be sure to check out our guides to the best gaming PCs and best gaming laptops. 

Gaming mouse FAQs

Should you buy a wireless or wired gaming mouse?

Back in the day, the most serious gamers stood by wired gaming mice for their stable connectivity. However, top wireless gaming mice today with 2.4GHz connections are just as good when it comes to latency. 

With that out of the way, the main benefits of wired gaming mice are lower prices, lighter weights, and battery-free operation. If those are your priorities, we recommend a wired mouse like our budget pick, the Razer Cobra. However, wireless gaming mice offer a lot of freedom that is worth considering if you can afford it. Specifically, folks tired of cable management, pet owners, and gamers using fast or sweeping movements can benefit from a wireless option that doesn’t tether them down.

What is the difference between a gaming mouse and a regular mouse?

When it comes to responsiveness, connectivity, programmability, and comfort, a normal mouse designed for productivity just won’t cut it. A gaming mouse provides a competitive advantage with quality of life improvement for gamers.

The best gaming mice stand out with their extra customizable buttons, RGB lights, wide DPI ranges, soft braided cables, and specialized switches. It’s these kinds of features that can make a big difference between winning and losing, and they also make gaming on a computer more enjoyable as a whole.

What is DPI in a gaming mouse?

DPI is a measure of mouse sensitivity and stands for “dots per inch.” Literally, the number translates to how many pixels your cursor travels corresponding to the inches your mouse moves on your mouse pad. The higher your DPI, the more sensitive your mouse feels. 

Generally speaking, a lower DPI is good for more precision and accuracy, but requires more desk space to play games. A higher DPI is better for speed, with especially high settings capable of crossing your entire monitor with just the flick of the wrist. Most gaming mice also include the ability to adjust their DPI within a certain range, so you can toggle the sensitivity depending on your style of play.

What about the Logitech G502 Lightspeed?

The Logitech G502 Lightspeed is a beloved gaming mouse with a cult following, and for good reason: it pioneered the game-changing asymmetrical feature-loaded design that so many brands have adopted for their own mice. It’s still an excellent mouse that we recommend as our runner-up in our guide to the best wireless gaming mouse, but we otherwise find that the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro has it beat in terms of build quality and technical specs.