In my pursuit of optimal gaming gear, I’ve found that the wired gaming mouse stands out for its reliability and performance. Let’s dive into 6 solid reasons why I advocate for choosing wired over wireless for your gaming setup.
1. Connectivity is always consistent
Direct physical connection between your computer and the cable to the mouse provide a more reliable connection. It allows for a consistent flow of data and there is zero risk of any signal interference that might be caused from environmental factors.
Wireless mice operate off of radio frequencies, which are also subject to interference from other electronic devices or even physical obstacles. Only wired mice can bypass this issue completely
2. No battery concerns
Depending on the type of games you play, it can be very frustrating to be in an online multiplayer match and have your battery go out. This literally happened to me when I was playing Halo Infinite the other day and I was unable to move my character and completely let my team down.
A wired mouse doesn’t have this problem because it receives power from your computer. Continuous power supply is especially important for competitive gamers.
“Switching from a wireless to a wired gaming mouse was a game-changer for me. I used to struggle with occasional signal drops and battery anxiety during intense gaming sessions, but the reliability and consistent performance of a wired mouse have alleviated those concerns completely.”
Edward T- Pro-Amateur gamer friend
Another huge benefit of a wired gaming mouse is there’s no need to charge it, so you can start gaming right away and not have to wait in between periods if you forgot to charge it last time.
Performance is more consistent with a wired mouse because it won’t degrade over time unlike a wireless mouse whos battery will start to affect that.
3. Lower latency
Wireless mice require additional processing to encode and decode signals for transmission over the airwaves. This processing introduces a very slight delay compared to the instantaneous data transfer of wired mice.
Even though modern wireless technologies have significantly reduced latency compared to older iterations, there is still a perceptible difference, especially in fast-paced gaming scenarios where split-second reactions are crucial.
Latency is only a concern for gamers, if you want to know if a gaming mouse is good for work, check out this article.
There are also small amounts of differences regarding signal strength. A wired gaming mouse will always have more consistent signal than a wireless one. This is especially the case for gamers who play on their TV and sit several feet away from their Bluetooth receiver if they use a wireless mouse.
4. A wired gaming mouse weighs less
Not having a battery in your gaming mouse takes away roughly .81 ounces, which makes a huge difference in fast paced gaming over many hours. Your hand won’t get fatigued at the same rate, and your movements of aiming and maneuvering will be much faster.
See the below table that compares the average weight of some popular gaming mice brands.
| Wireless Gaming Mice | Weight (grams) |
|---|---|
| Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO SE | 133 grams |
| Logitech G903 LIGHTSPEED | 110 grams |
| Razer Naga Pro | 120 grams |
| Wired Gaming Mice | Weight (grams) |
|---|---|
| Razer DeathAdder V2 | 82 grams |
| Logitech G502 HERO | 121 grams |
| SteelSeries Rival 310 | 88 grams |
Important Note: the wired gaming mice are also factoring the weight of the cord, but the raw weight of the mouse itself is usually lighter.
This also allows for a simplified design of a gaming mouse, allowing more freedom for gaming companies to create products with ergonomic design and other customizable features.
5. No need for pairing
Plug and play is a fantastic concept that is great for busy people like myself when I want to game for 15 minutes during a lunch break at work. It also means I spend less time overall waiting for my gaming setup to power up for use. The only time I use my Bluetooth mouse is for when I want to play for a couple hours in my living room gaming setup.
Not having connectivity issues is one less thing I also have to hassle with when I’m using a wired gaming mouse. It’s not uncommon for my wireless mouse to update its drivers on Windows 10 and I’m stuck having to wait a few minutes for that to process.
6. Most wired gaming mice are less expensive
| Mouse Model | Type | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Logitech G Pro X Superlight | Wireless | $149.99 |
| Razer Viper Ultimate | Wireless | $129.99 |
| Corsair DARK CORE RGB PRO SE | Wireless | $89.99 |
| Razer DeathAdder V2 | Wired | $69.99 |
| Logitech G502 HERO | Wired | $49.99 |
| SteelSeries Rival 310 | Wired | $39.99 |
The table above shows the most common brands and their average price from online stores. These gaming mice are relatively the same in terms of capability and DPI (dots per inch) but notice how wired mice are significantly less expensive.
To really get more insight as to why gaming mice are so expensive, check out this article here.
The Logitech G Pro X Superlight and Razer Viper Ultimate stand out as premium wireless choices, while the Razer DeathAdder V2 and Logitech G502 HERO offer solid performance at a lower price point.
If you’re on a budget or don’t mind a cable, the wired options provide excellent value without sacrificing quality.
Are there any drawbacks to using a wired mouse?
The only major drawbacks to a wired gaming mouse would be the fact that you have tethered movement when using it, so be sure to not tangle your cords and keep your gaming surface tidy. The only other disadvantage is that it’s not as travel-friendly as a wireless mouse but these factors are all personal preference.
When I traveled a lot for my job, I switched to a wireless mouse because it was easier to setup at airports or on plane rides.
Additional Free Resource
As we wrap up, I hope these insights have shed light on why a wired gaming mouse might be your next best gaming investment. Ready to level up your gaming experience?
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