A higher dpi means it can respond quicker, which is helpful in competitive online games.

Don't buy the dpi hype: Dots per inch is a metric that describes a mouse’s overall sensitivity.

Top-of-the-line gaming mice often feature proprietary mechanical switches inside that give them a more tactile feel when you click. The left and right buttons should have individual switches inside the mouse, tensioned to register rapid clicks and reinforced to withstand more frequent clicks than a normal mouse.

Better buttons: They should also have higher-quality buttons than a standard office mouse, and more of them.

Those extra thumb buttons can be lifesavers in competitive games.

More buttons: At a minimum, a good gaming mouse should have a clickable scroll wheel, a button for adjusting sensitivity, and two buttons where your thumb rests.

Extra-sensitive optical sensors: Gaming mice should have more sensitive optical sensors that can detect smaller movements more quickly than a standard mouse.

There are a few features that really separate a gaming mouse from a regular came-with-my-PC kind of mouse. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Updated December 2021: We removed the Roccat 120 AIMO due to availability and added the Grovemade Matte Desk Pad. These are the best gaming mice for every kind of gamer, plus a couple of mousepads for good measure.īe sure to also read up on our other buying guides, like the Best Gaming Headsets, Best Wireless Gaming Headsets, and Best Keyboards for more gear recommendations. I can't tell you precisely which mouse is right for you, but I can give you a few recommendations. Being stuck inside means a lot of time in front of a computer, for work and for play. I've tested quite a few before and throughout the pandemic. The result is a market loaded with high-quality yet relatively inexpensive gaming mice. That's why we're lucky to live in the golden age of gaming mice, with major manufacturers pouring engineering muscle into one-upping each other. Everyone's hands are different, everyone's preferences and needs are different, and we all play different games. Picking a gaming mouse is a very personal endeavor.

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