Introduction
Gaming on PC is the way the big boys do it. The RTO and MMO worlds rely heavily on using mice with extra buttons to store combinations of moves. Pro gamers use PC rigs to play everything from Fortnite to League of Legends. What are some of the best gaming mice?
Buying a mouse for your rig could be as simple as choosing how the mouse operates to as complicated as which grip you choose to play with. Don’t let it get to you! Read on and learn what you need, to buy the perfect gaming mouse.
The Best Gaming Mice
Gaming mice are a large section of the gaming industry that has some innovative designs and high-tech ingenuity. They come for all grip and play styles, with some of the best models being used by gaming champions worldwide. There are even models that are ergonomic to cut down on overuse injuries in the hands and wrist.
As a gamer, my advice to you is try out something before you buy it. If you are putting together a competition PC gaming rig, take the time to color coordinate and your system will have a sizzle that not only makes the competition jealous but makes them dead meat on the gaming fields. I recommend going with a name brand to maximize your potential for kills.
The best gaming mice are:
- Razer DeathAdder
- Logitech LIGHTSYNC
- Corsair Ironclaw
- Razer Naga Pro
- SteelSeries Sensei
- Logitech Lightspeed
- UtechSmart Venus
- Red Dragon M801
The Razer DeathAdder is a Serious Gaming Mouse
The Razer DeathAdder is one of the most sought after mice on the market. Razer is a brilliant company that caters to serious gamers and makes an outstanding and well-liked product. It is three times faster than standard mice and works with DPI technology. It even comes with cool green lighting that gives it a robust feel.
One of the most important things about the DeathAdder is the cord. It is dragless, meaning that there is no drag on the table. When it comes to the high-stakes arena of FPS games, having any kind of drag on the mouse could mean certain death for the player and subsequent eradications for their teammates.
It shouldn’t be understated how many colors this mouse can emit. Over 16 million colors can be initiated with extra control inputs for those who want to get into some serious raiding. Chances are the competition is using a Razer, and it only makes sense that you should too. If you have a LED lighted gaming rig, that mouse could be the piece that completes the set.
Logitech Carries a Strong Brand Name and Reputation
Logitech was one of the first PC accessory companies, and they have built a reputation for having a durable product that is price efficient and great for gaming. It has the standard mouse design with a wheel on top and some extra input buttons on the side. The 8000 DPI sensor works quickly and makes for precise firing.
One of the biggest things that stand out about the Logitech LightSync is the buttons. They have reinforced springs behind the controls, making them responsive and able to be clicked with speed. There’s also a wheel that allows you to scroll options much faster than with a standard mouse.
One of the standard upgrades for mice is an LCD light system that allows the user to customize their mouse with over 16 million combinations. The Logitech LightSync has one of the most reactive and flowing color systems on the market. It outlines the areas between the top and bottom of the mouse for a fantastic aesthetic look.
The Corsair Ironclaw is the Ultimate FPS Mouse
When it comes to having a mouse set up for First Person Shooters, the Ironclaw from Corsair is the best thing going. It has an 18k DPI sensor, which makes it deadly with precise shots and throws. This a Palm Grip player’s dream come true as it fits very well in the hand and is exceptionally comfortable.
The seven buttons on the Ironclaw make it stand out above the other mice by leaps and bounds. They are all programmable for different functions meaning that you can set up combination shots that will break through an opponent’s defense and leave them sprawled on the battlefield, wondering what happened.
The clamshell design of the Ironclaw is perfect for long gaming sessions. It protects the arms and shoulders from any severe injury by enabling the whole hand to rest on the mouse. By placing a pad under the elbow, the Ironclaw will be a breeze on the forearms and hands as the hours pile up.
A Razer Naga Pro is the Model for the Ultimate Gamer
When it comes to having buttons to pull off difficult spells and power combinations, the Naga Pro is your model. There are 22 possible buttons on the mouse, which allows you to come up with some wicked combos to beat down your enemies and show off for your friends. Each of the buttons is responsive and reinforced with heavy springs.
The light beam based actuation of the buttons means that they can communicate with the computer faster than other optical mice. As quickly as you can press the buttons, you can get a response as the Naga Pro functions superbly for fast-paced action games, and the light beam actuation only increases your chances of kills.
A Razer Naga Pro is one of the most used models around. The people who make a significant investment to own one will hold onto them for years. The Naga has so many uses that it can be used for almost any type of PC game that you could have. The interchangeable panels are another excellent bright spot.
A SteelSeries Sensei is a Tough Mouse with an Incredible Reputation
If you are looking for a mouse that can hang with your furious style, the SteelSeries is your huckleberry. It has beefed up buttons and a wheel that allows you to take your aggression out on your enemies while keeping your mouse in perfect working order. This model is rated to function for more than 50 million clicks.
A great feature of this durable mouse is the ambidextrous mode. That means that right and left-handed people can use the mouse with no problems. If you are a righty, you probably don’t understand how hard it is for lefties to find things that work for them. The SteelSeries is an excellent example of a mouse that works for everyone.
The bottom line when it comes to gaming is having a dependable mouse that can get the job done. The SteelSeries Sensei is the type of mouse you can buy and never need to look for another. It comes in wired and wireless models, and each is rated as some of the most sought-after mice on the marketplace.
The Lightspeed is a Functional and Useful Mouse for any Gaming Style.
Logitech doesn’t make products that get bad reviews. The Lightspeed is one of their best-reviewed models and has an amazing reputation for being one of the best wireless mice they make. The Lightspeed is another favorite of pro-gamers as they are reported to be fast and precise.
The Lightspeed is one of the most customizable mice ever made. There are button skins that allow you to change the button number and location to serve your style of play better. There are also ways to add and remove weight from inside the mouse. This allows you to switch gaming gears in a heartbeat and never lose a step.
Going with a proven name brand like Logitech means that you will have comfort in knowing the mouse is well-built and held to a high functional standard. When it says Lightspeed, it means it. The mouse has some of the fastest targeting and selecting software that has been made to date.
UtechSmart is an Exceptional Company with a Fantastic Gaming Mouse
The UtechSmart Venus excels in all phases of it’s game. It connects well and has a fantastic response time. It is ergonomically designed so that it can be used for several hours at a time with no fatigue in the wrists. Being able to stay on for hours is important when you are playing MMOs, which is why the Venus was created.
The venus has 16 programmable buttons which allow you to create an order of specific spells to cast while fighting or in a team raid. Along with the buttons comes a lighting fast wireless connection which gives you a leg up on the competition. The 2.4 gHz connection is one of the most advanced on the market and could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
It has a 16k DPI sensor which allows for a high level of precision. The World of Warcraft series was an MMO that made targeting and attacking, often from a distance, a crucial part of adventuring and advancing your avatar. The UtechSmart Venus is the way to go for anyone looking to take their game to the next level.
Using a Red Dragon Wireless Mouse Will Improve Your Game and Last Forever
Sometimes having a mouse that looks great and works well isn’t an option. When you buy the Red Dragon you get good looks and a high performing mouse that is common among the top gamers in the world. The colorful RGB colors give a nice accent to a colored PC rig that is filled with LED lights or neon tubing.
The seven programmable buttons make it a nice option for shooters or RTS games where you need different quick select options to build or fight with. The roller is coated with a durable rubber and fitted with a series or raised lines that allow the fingers a much more secure grip when rolling.
As it has an ergonomic design it will be much easier on your hand while keeping your wrist in a secure position. The buttons are very clickable with the main buttons being reinforced with springs that allow for several million pressings. Top it off with extreme responsiveness and the bodies will begin to pile up around your battlefield.
What to Look for in a Gaming Mouse
Games have gone mobile, and some of the largest franchises are running their games across several different platforms simultaneously. I cut my teeth on Atari 2600 and Asteroids before the promised land of today’s gaming was as much a part of the American culture as apple pie. Today there are multimillion-dollar gaming tournaments that center around the PC.
Setting out to buy the perfect gaming mouse will open you up to several different avenues of playing. For MMOs, having a mouse that can perform several actions at once is critical to raiding and fighting. When it comes to FPS games, you need something that can slow the frame rate to allow for precise shooting.
Some things to consider when buying a gaming mouse are:
- Grip Style – How you grip your mouse will determine which kind of mouse you should buy. Different grips allow for faster button selection and target location. Others protect the rest of the arm and shoulder against overuse injuries. There are three different styles of mouse grip, and they are:
- Claw Grip – A claw grip means that you arch your fingers to trigger the mouse’s buttons while resting your palm on the backside of the mouse. This style is great for pushing buttons faster but not so great if you are looking for accurate shooting or selection.
- Palm Grip – The Palm Grip is the most used type of grip. It means that you rest your entire hand atop the mouse covering the buttons with your finger. While Palm is the most comfortable grip, it can lead to shoulder and arm problems and be less accurate.
- Fingertip Grip – This is the Maserati of mouse grips. It is challenging to master, but the clicks and selections are fast and furious when you do. Just arch the hand atop the mouse and leave your palm off the back end.
- Sensor Type – The sensor type you choose will significantly impact your play and playing style. Sensors can be bugged with data that offset your total control. Be wary of mice that have targeting algorithms that take away complete control. The most common types of mouse sensor are:
- Laser Sensor – This type of mouse has a laser that connects with your desktop surface to move the reticle around on the screen. Laser mice are known for their lag and should be tried out before sinking lots of cash into a good one.
- Optical Sensor – An Optical mouse works just a touch different than the Laser counterpart. There’s a tiny LED light on the bottom of the mouse that shines towards the desk surface. A photocell located on the bottom receives the light and tracks the movement of the mouse.
- Playing Style – The style of gaming you play will be very important in choosing a mouse. The FPS world consists of pointing and shooting, meaning you need a fast-moving mouse that doesn’t lag and is precise. For MMO or RTS games, you need a mouse with several different inputs that allow you to chain moves.
- Wireless/Wired – How your mouse connects to the computer is also an important thing to look for when buying a mouse. The chord could cause a bit of drag when moving, and a wireless mouse could have lagged in communication time. Also, using a wireless mouse could mean extra batteries and power usage by the rig.
- CPI/DPI – Mouse sensitivity is broken down into separate counts. DPI is Dots Per Inch, and that is how far your mouse cursor will cover with each movement. CPI is Counts Per Inch, and it is the resolution of the camera that returns the signal to the mouse. Those with larger screens should opt for the DPI as it is made for large monitors.
- Customization – Today, mice come with some fantastic upgrades like lights and wheel replacement. Some even go as far as having different skins that have different button combinations on the mouse. Choose something that fits your style only after you have the playing style nailed down.
- Heaviness – There are some heavy mice out there. If you have a style that favors moving around, you could need a lighter mouse. Heavier mice usually work for RTS games, where you tend to make mostly lateral movements. The most customizable mice have areas that allow you to add or take away weight.
Conclusion
There are some amazing options for gaming mice on the market. The mouse has traveled a long way since its inception and today’s models come with extra buttons and a million possibilities for LCD lighting. Choose a mouse that fits your playing style and won’t harm your arms and shoulders.
Mice are best suited for fast-paced First-Person Shooters and MMO Raiding that is intricate and requires speed and skill. The types of games you play have a significant impact on what kind of mouse would work best for you.