How Heavy Should a Gaming Mouse Be? – Entertainment Den

When it comes to online gaming, finding a comfortable mouse that isn’t too heavy or too light can be pretty important depending on the type of game you’re playing. There have been numerous polls and studies that show what the ideal weight for a gaming mouse is.

A gaming mouse should weigh about 100 grams or less for an ideal gaming experience. However, some gamers believe that the weight of a gaming mouse is not an important factor in the playing experience. Instead, players should look for mice that just fit comfortably in their hands.

The weight of a gaming mouse can be subjective since one mouse might be comfortable to another person, but uncomfortable to someone else. Some like their mice heavier for better control while others like lighter mice to make faster movements. Overall, gamers need to find something that works best for them.

Best Rated Gaming Mice

Although a poll on showed that 34% of readers didn’t think that the gaming mouse weight is important, 23% of the readers said that a light-middle weight (about 91-110 grams) is ideal. 19% of the sample population of readers said that a middle-heavy (about 111-130 grams) is ideal. Since there are many different preferences about how heavy a mouse should be, here is a table that includes the best mice that range from light to heavy.

Mouse Weight DPI Rating on Price on Amazon Razer Deathadder V2 82 grams 20,000 4.5 out of 5 $59.98 USD (link) Razer Naga Pro 117 grams 20,000 4.5 out of 5 $119.99 USD (link) Logitech G203 Lightsync 85 grams 8,000 4 out of 5 $27.44 USD (link) Corsair Ironclaw RGB 105 grams 18,000 4.5 out of 5 $48.19 USD (link) Steelseries Sensei 310 92 grams 12,000 4.5 out of 5 $40 USD (link)

Most of these gaming mice in the table above fall under the light-middle weight group while the Logitech G203 Lightsync would be considered lightweight and the Razer Naga Pro would be considered middle-heavy weight. Each mouse has different features that make it stand out from its competitors.

The Razer Deathadder V2 is known for being ideal for most gamers as it fits most hand sizes and the shape of the mouse is ideal for a claw grip. The ergonomics of this mouse were designed with right-handed gamers in mind.

The Razer Naga Pro was named the best MMO mouse by PC Gamer. One of the most iconic features of this mouse is the customizable side plates for the thumb grip and 19+1 programmable buttons.

The Logitech G203 Lightsync is the best gaming mouse for the price and is lightweight. Out of all the most affordable gaming mice on the market, this mouse will probably give you the most bang for your buck.

The Corsair Ironclaw RGB is known to be the best shape for larger hands and it’s also light-middle weight. It is made with a blend of materials to suit each panel. It has a great grip and can glide smoothly over mouse pads.

The Steelseries Sensei 310 is one of the best gaming mice for either right-handed or left-handed gamers. The lightweight mouse is easy to grip and has an excellent gaming sensor.

Another factor that should be mentioned in the table is the DPI column. DPI stands for dot per inch which relates to the print resolution. In a more recent blog post, we compare DPI and CPI to one another and how they relate to mouse sensitivity (the terms CPI and DPI are used interchangeably by some companies and websites). This is extremely important to note because gaming mice with less than 30,000 CPI are ideal for the best possible gaming experience.

How to Change the Weight of a Gaming Mouse

Not all gaming mice are customizable, but some models allow gamers to change up the weight of their mouse. So if you love one brand but find that their mice are too heavy or light for your taste, you might be able to fix that! 2 different customizable gaming mice are the Rival 650 Wireless and the Rival 600.

Changing the Weight of Rival 600

The Rival 600 ranges from 96 grams to 128 grams. To change the weight, you must take off the sides of the mouse and you can either add or take out the weights, each of which weighs 4 grams. There are 8 weights in total, and you can choose how many weights you would like to put inside your gaming mouse.

Changing the Weight of Rival 350 Wireless

Changing the weight of the Rival 350 Wireless gaming mouse is the same as changing out the weights as the Rival 600. You can take off the sides of the mouse and either remove or add in up to 8 weights, each weighing in at 4 grams.

Light Mouse vs. Heavy Mouse

Everyone has their preferences when it comes to either a heavy gaming mouse or a light gaming mouse. As mentioned before, had a poll that showed that most of the readers didn’t have a preference when it came to the weight of their gaming mouse. Following that response was that people preferred the light-middle weight mouse and the minority said that they like a heavyweight mouse.

So, why do most gamers, according to this poll, like a light-middle weight gaming mouse in comparison to a heavy gaming mouse? A light-middle weight mouse ranges from 91 to 110 grams, which is what is considered an ideal weight for gaming mice. The reason why gamers might prefer this weight is because the mouse can move quickly, provides pinpoint accuracy, is more mobile, and gamers won’t get hand fatigue as they would with a heavy gaming mouse. However, gamers that prefer heavier gaming mice say that the heavyweight can be more accurate (of course, this depends on the DPI).

If you enjoy playing MMO or MOBA games, you can use either a light or heavyweight mouse; it completely depends on the preference of the gamer. If anything, it is better to have a high DPI for these types of games. If you play FPS games, it is better to go with a gaming mouse that leans on the lightweight scale. This helps gamers to make movements that are quicker and more accurate.

The Best Computer Mice for 2022

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test. (Opens in a new window)

Over time, distinct classes of mice have evolved, each made for different computing situations. The most common of these is the mainstream desktop mouse, designed for use with a desktop or laptop PC at a desk or table. Aside from the inevitable right and left mouse buttons, the usual features are a clickable scroll wheel and, in some cases, additional thumb buttons that let you navigate forward and back in your web browser.

In its most basic form, a computer mouse is simple hardware—a sensor on the bottom, two buttons and a scroll wheel on top—that lets you interact with programs as though they were extensions of your own hand. But while a mouse is simple in concept, the market for them is a scattered field of mouse genres, prices, and designs. You need to know a little about the landscape when you go shopping for a new model.

Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Wireless Mouse Best Budget Mouse for Work 4.0 Excellent Bottom Line: With strong battery life, multi-device pairing, and an attractive design, the Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse sets a strong baseline for productivity mice. PROS Comfortable grip

Comfortable grip Metal scroll wheel

Metal scroll wheel Multi-device pairing

Multi-device pairing Good battery life

Good battery life Reasonably priced CONS No DPI presets

No DPI presets Requires disposable AAA batteries Sold By List Price Price Amazon $49.99 $29.71 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Wireless Mouse Review

Evoluent VerticalMouse C Right Wired Best Ergonomic Mouse 4.5 Outstanding Bottom Line: The Evoluent VerticalMouse C Right Wired is a stylish update to a comfortable and highly customizable ergonomic mouse. It might even make you a vertical mouse convert. PROS Comfortable, ergonomic grip.

Comfortable, ergonomic grip. Sleek chrome design.

Sleek chrome design. Five customizable buttons.

Five customizable buttons. On-the-fly dpi switching.

On-the-fly dpi switching. Easy-to-use software. CONS Wired.

Wired. Shape won't appeal to everyone.

Shape won't appeal to everyone. Right-handed only. Sold By List Price Price Amazon $105.76 $105.76 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Evoluent VerticalMouse C Right Wired Review

HyperX Pulsefire Haste Gaming Mouse Best Budget Gaming Mouse 4.5 Outstanding Bottom Line: Lightweight, comfortable, and reasonably priced, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste is the best esports mouse to come along in some time. PROS Extremely light

Extremely light Terrific sensor for the price

Terrific sensor for the price Onboard memory

Onboard memory Stylish honeycomb chassis CONS Chassis shape could use a bit more support

Chassis shape could use a bit more support Little RGB lighting Sold By List Price Price Amazon $49.99 $24.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our HyperX Pulsefire Haste Gaming Mouse Review

Roccat Kone XP Best Esports Mouse 4.5 Outstanding Bottom Line: Roccat nearly perfects its AIMO line with the Kone XP, a gaming mouse with a cornucopia of top-shelf components and features. PROS Generous complement of 15 buttons

Generous complement of 15 buttons Nvidia Reflex support

Nvidia Reflex support Gorgeous RGB lighting

Gorgeous RGB lighting Premium switches

Premium switches Good price for the features CONS Not for left-handed users

Not for left-handed users Slightly bulky shell

Slightly bulky shell Swarm app could use a bit of modernizing Sold By List Price Price Amazon $89.99 $74.99 See It (Opens in a new window) ROCCAT $89.99 $89.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Roccat Kone XP Review

Razer Viper V2 Pro Best Extremely Light Gaming Mouse 4.0 Excellent Bottom Line: Tons of small changes morph the Razer Viper V2 Pro gaming mouse into a perfect match for esports players looking for the lightest and fastest controller. PROS Clean, minimalist design

Clean, minimalist design Excellent sensor

Excellent sensor Durable optical switches

Durable optical switches Lightweight CONS Expensive

Expensive No RGB lighting

No RGB lighting Fewer buttons Sold By List Price Price Amazon $149.99 $127.50 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Razer Viper V2 Pro Review

Razer Pro Click Wireless Mouse Best Wireless Mouse for Work and Play 4.5 Outstanding Bottom Line: The Razer Pro Click tweaks the company’s best gaming mouse design to make an essential office mouse for power-users. PROS Strong ergonomic shape

Strong ergonomic shape Supports Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless

Supports Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless Multi-device syncing

Multi-device syncing Eight buttons, including wheel tilt inputs

Eight buttons, including wheel tilt inputs Built-in wireless dongle storage

Built-in wireless dongle storage Very strong battery life CONS Micro-USB charging port Sold By List Price Price Amazon $99.99 $99.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Razer $99.99 $99.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Razer Pro Click Wireless Mouse Review

Razer Pro Click Mini Best Mobile Mouse 4.5 Outstanding Bottom Line: It's not cheap, but Razer's Pro Click Mini is a stellar compact wireless mouse that complements a laptop perfectly for on-the-go use. PROS Supports both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity

Supports both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity Works with up to four devices

Works with up to four devices Two scrolling modes and seven programmable buttons (including wheel tilt)

Two scrolling modes and seven programmable buttons (including wheel tilt) Long battery life

Long battery life In-body dongle storage CONS Relies on AA batteries

Relies on AA batteries Synapse 3 software requires registration and hawks spending programs

Synapse 3 software requires registration and hawks spending programs Windows only, not macOS Sold By List Price Price Amazon $79.99 $79.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Razer Pro Click Mini Review

Logitech Ergo M575 Best Trackball 4.0 Excellent Bottom Line: The Logitech Ergo M575 is a well-built, more ergonomic alternative to a traditional mouse that's held back only by a design that won't quite fit everyone's hands or workflows. PROS Ergonomic design

Ergonomic design Solid construction

Solid construction Supports both Bluetooth and Logitech's USB Unifying receiver CONS Thumb-ball design isn't for everyone

Thumb-ball design isn't for everyone No support for wired connections Sold By List Price Price Logitech $49.99 $49.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Logitech Ergo M575 Review

Buying Guide: The Best Computer Mice for 2022

How to Buy the Best Computer Mouse

Travel mice (or "mobile mice") offer many of these same features but come in a smaller size. They're designed to fit easily into the pocket of a backpack or laptop bag. For this same reason, however, travel mice tend to be small for most hands—you can use them just fine for short stints, but they become uncomfortable over long periods due to the unnatural grip required. Generally speaking, travel mice are wireless and battery-powered, so you may want to bring along a spare set of AA or AAA batteries if that is what they use.

Beyond these "ordinary" mice are two key mouse genres: the gaming mouse, and the ergonomic mouse. There's a lot of variance within each, and some crossover among all of these classes. (For example, a few "travel gaming" mice exist.) Let's take a look at the gaming field first, then move on to other genres and aspects that affect all mice.

How Do I Choose the Right Mouse for Gaming?

Gaming mice amplify every element of the basic mouse concept to the extreme: more buttons, higher tracking resolutions, curvier curves.

Some gaming mice are general gaming models, while others are designed for specific game genres. In the latter case, depending upon the style of the game that the mouse is intended for (first-person shooter, real-time strategy game, MMO), you may see a variety of specialized features.

(Photo: Mike Epstein)

What most gaming mice have in common, though, is a combination of high-performance parts—laser sensors, feather-light click buttons, gold-plated USB connectors—and customization features, such as programmable macro commands and on-the-fly resolution switching. Gaming mice also stand apart in that the better ones tend to feature vendor-supplied software for setting up these custom features and shortcuts, defined sometimes on a per-game basis via profiles. The software's quality and functionality can vary wildly from vendor to vendor; that's where our reviews come in. Certain utilities are easier to pick up than others.

For maximum comfort, some gaming mice let you customize the body of the mouse itself. Removable weights are common, letting you tweak the total heft of the mouse one way or the other. Some models take this even further, letting you shift the center of balance, or adjust the height and pitch of the palm rest. For non-gamers, these features are overkill; for dedicated gamers, they provide a competitive edge.

Finding the ideal gaming mouse for you comes down to knowing your preferred style of game, determining whether or not you will take advantage of any of a mouse's more complex functions (it's easy to overspend on a gaming mouse), and then tweaking your choice to your specific tastes. Drive by our gaming mouse roundup for much more detail on the nuances of these mice.

What's the Best Ergonomic Mouse?

Ergonomics-first designs put all of the typical mouse functions into a form factor that places your hand in a neutral position. Designed to reduce the stresses that can lead to carpal tunnel and repetitive strain injury, ergonomic mice may look unusual and take some getting used to, but they do alleviate some very real problems. Some have a vertical design; others may have one-off sculpts.

(Photo: Mike Epstein)

Whether you're looking at a specialized ergonomic mouse, or comfort is simply a concern in a more ordinary one, pay attention to the size of your mouse. (Make sure that it's not too big or too small for your hand.) Weight is also a consideration. Some people prefer a heavier mouse that anchors the hand, while others, especially players of MOBA games, want something light that furnishes little resistance to flicking and clicking. As a rule of thumb, a heavier mouse requires more effort to move, and even though the difference may not seem like much, over time it can mount.

It's not just weight and size that are important. The sculpting of the mouse can also lead to unnecessary strain on (or conversely, extra support for) your hand and wrist. The most comfortable mice will fit the contour of your hand, rather than having a flat, shallow shape. Some mice have a thumb rest, providing a resting spot from which the finger can rise as needed to activate controls. (See our guide to the best ergonomic mice for more about the nuances of these very variable mice, in addition to a discussion of trackballs.)

Not Just USB: Mouse Connectivity

The simplest way to hook up a mouse to your PC is through a wired USB connection. Computer mice are usually plug-and-play devices, with no additional software to install (with the exception of higher-end gaming mice), meaning that plugging in the cable is all the setup you'll need to deal with. Unlike wireless alternatives, a wired device will draw its power over USB, so there are no batteries to worry about. Wired connections are also preferable for serious gaming or esports use (no battery to conk out in the midst of a match), though some high-end wireless mice are indistinguishable, from a response-time perspective, from wired ones.

If you want more freedom and less cable clutter on your desk, however, it's hard to beat a wireless mouse. Instead of a wired connection, wireless mice transmit data to your PC through one of two primary means: an RF connection to a USB receiver, or via Bluetooth. (Some mice actually support both, but this is less common than supporting just one.) Both have their pros and cons, but if you want to reduce the number of cables on your desk and gain the flexibility to use your mouse unhindered—or even from across the room—wireless is the way to go.

Most wireless mice connect to the host computer via the same 2.4GHz wireless frequency used by cordless phones and some Wi-Fi Internet bands. A dime-size USB dongle—small enough to plug in and forget about—provides the link to your PC. Know, however, that only in some isolated cases (such as with Logitech's Unifying-branded gear) can a single USB dongle provide connectivity to more than one device. That means that unless the vendor specifically notes otherwise, you can't use the same adapter for your wireless mouse and keyboard. You may need to devote two USB ports to separate mouse and keyboard USB dongles.

Bluetooth options, in contrast, don't monopolize a USB port, and the stable, easy-to-manage connections are ideal for use with mobile devices, such as ultraportables, tablet PCs, and 2-in-1s. In regular use, a Bluetooth connection gives you roughly 30 feet of wireless range, but a Bluetooth mouse may not match the battery life offered by devices with an RF-based USB dongle. New innovations, such as motion sensors tied to power and connection management, can improve the battery life versus older Bluetooth devices, which maintained an always-on link that drained battery relatively quickly. But you'll want to look at the vendors' estimated battery life on a charge (as well as whether the mouse uses an internal battery you recharge, or disposables).

Understanding Mouse Sensors and Sensitivity Specs

Most of today's mice use one of two types of light-based motion sensor: optical/LED, or laser. Unlike mechanical tracking options of yore, light-based sensors have fewer issues with dust and dirt, and the absence of moving parts means fewer failures.

Optical sensors pair a glowing LED beam—often red, blue, or infrared—with a small photo sensor, tracking movement by repeatedly imaging the surface below the mouse, translating any movement of the mouse into cursor movement. (The frequency of this imaging is called the "polling rate," expressed as hertz, or hundreds of instances per second.) Because of the imaging sensor used, optical mice are a little less prone to problems caused by lifting the mouse when in use or by mousing on an uneven surface.

(Photo: Mike Epstein)

Laser mice operate in a similar way, but they use an infrared laser diode instead of an LED. This allows, in some cases, for greater potential sensitivity (measured in dots per inch, or dpi) and polling rates. The one drawback is that they can be finicky about the surfaces on which they are used. Premium gaming mice generally use laser sensors, and they tend to work better with opaque mouse-pad surfaces meant for mousing; LEDs can be more forgiving. But this is not an absolute, and frankly, if you're concerned at all about mousing precision, a basic mouse pad will solve all ails.

To offer the higher sensitivity of a laser sensor and the versatility of an optical mouse, a few isolated mice use both in tandem. Most better gaming mice also offer sensitivity adjustment, letting you shift from a precision setting for tight cursor-control circumstances (such as lining up a sniper's shot) to a broader-sweep one for melee combat and run-and-gun situations, or panning across an RTS world. This may be via dedicated-purpose button, or you may be able to program one of the mouse's buttons or toggles to execute resolution/sensitivity changes on the fly.

So, Which Mouse Should I Buy?

Below is a rundown of the current top-rated computer mice we've run across in our testing. (Click through to read the full reviews.) We've tested a wide array of models across the categories of gaming, productivity, and specialized ergonomic mice.

Optimal weight of a gaming mouse

When it comes to selecting a gaming mouse too many just look at the sensor or the number of buttons. One of the most important aspects of a gaming mouse however is frequently ignored: its weight. But what is the optimal weight of a gaming mouse?

Implications of low and high weight in a gaming mouse

On inertia and gaming mice

According to Wikipedia «inertia is the resistance, of any physical object, to any change in its velocity.» At every change of direction you have to overcome the inertia of your mouse. You can feel the inertia working against you. Each time you stop your hand it feels like your mouse would like to keep on moving. And the higher the weight of your mouse, the more inertia you have to overcome and the more disconnected you feel from your mouse.

Your brain is very accustomed to moving just your hand without any added weight. The more weight you are holding in your hand while moving your hand, the more difficulties your brain will have computing the extra amount of force necessary to overcome the inertia. Therefore, the higher the weight of your mouse is, the more errors your brain will make when moving the mouse. More errors in movement result of course in lower precision and accuracy.

Put another way: the heavier your mouse, the more often you will miss your targets.

Light gaming mice are quicker

Another advantage of low weight is that accelerating and stopping the mouse will be quicker. Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus Cars, put it well:

«Adding power makes you faster on the straights; subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere.»

Vice versa heavy mice will be slower to accelerate or stop due to their increased mass. Even if it is only by a fraction of a second. If you think about it: playing a game on a high level can be boiled down to the rapid succession of accelerating and stopping your mouse. And if each and every single acceleration and stopping of your mouse is quicker, that is a huge advantage. You effectively lower your input lag. Think of added mouse weight as built-in latency.

Heavy gaming mice have more friction

Some gamers prefer a heavy gaming mouse because of its higher friction. Higher friction could certainly help with better control over your mouse. However, if you prefer higher friction using a slower mousepad or slower mouse feet is strictly superior as you forgo the negative effects of higher inertia.

If you want high control over your aiming, nothing beats a very light mouse plus a slow mousepad and slow mouse feet.

Light gaming mice could be healthier

A light gaming mouse could be healthier for you. Considering the enormous training pensum of a progamer a light mouse will decrease the accumulated stress on the wrist. Therefore, light gaming mice could be critical in preventing carpal tunnel syndrome or similar health issues.

The optimal weight of a gaming mouse is zero grams

Very light gaming mice have huge advantages: you can accelerate and stop them more precisely and more accurately. Each and every one of your movements is quicker. Less weight also could be healthier. The optimal weight of a gaming mouse therefore is zero grams. When you need high friction for increased control use slow mousepads or slow mouse feet.

Todays gaming industry is plagued by unknowingness as to what a professional gaming mouse actually should be. Hence the giant monstrosities of plastic, brimming over with RGB LEDs, weight tuning systems and buttons left and right (and sometimes even on the bottom). It is really quite ironic: These mice try to be everything and in doing so fail at one of the most basic requirements for a gaming mouse: low weight.