Choosing the best Computer Mouse: Wireless

Choosing the best Computer Mouse

Wireless (RF vs Bluetooth) vs Wired USB Mouse

The tech industry is undergoing a concerted drive towards making wireless devices ubiquitous. From wireless charging to wireless computer mice, and wireless earphones, this is basically the new frontier. But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Case in point: consumers initially protested Apple’s bid to do away with the audio jack slot in favor of wireless earphones. Unsuccessfully, I might add. As device manufacturers get on board, the novelty is wearing off pretty fast. While devices are getting slimmer and slimmer, wired devices like the computer mouse are continuing to take up PC real estate which they obviously can’t afford. That said, the wired mouse doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. With the demise of the mechanical mouse, let’s have a look at the case of RF (Wifi)/Bluetooth mouse versus the wired laser/optical variant we are used to.

Wired USB Computer Mouse: Optical versus Laser Mouse

The wired USB optical mouse is still the more popular of the lot. Even this, though, comes in two categories: Laser and Optical. The technology behind both is so similar to make them indistinguishable. Of the two, the Laser mouse is the newer technology, but don’t be deceived. The Optical mouse is still just as good, if not better in some respects.

Let’s get this straight: Optical and Laser mice are not restricted to just wired but also ship for wireless mice. Optical mice are prevalent in the market, especially for everyday tasks such as home and office use. Optical mice use an infrared LED light, usually red, as a light source. Laser mice on their part use an invisible infrared Laser source.

An optical mouse has about 2 buttons minimum and about 5 buttons maximum. A laser mouse, on the other hand, is more advanced and can have as many as 12 programmable buttons. These work in concert with the wheel to allow you navigate your computer.

While it’s disputable by some, the optical sensors are considered the superior of the two. They are supposedly more reliable and precise and have higher perfect control speeds and higher malfunction speeds. Optical mice are said not to fair that well with highly reflective surfaces.

It is said that laser mice can work perfectly on practically any given hard surface. Unfortunately, on soft surfaces with more depth, they pick up a lot of information leading to discrepancies with how they track your movements.

Wired versus Wireless USB Computer Mouse: Pros and Cons

Lag/Responsiveness: This is where the Wired USB Mouse shines. The responsiveness of the wired mouse is undisputed compared to their tailless cousins. Being connected to the computer hardware apparently gives it an advantage that translates to better pointer speed, mouse acceleration, control/malfunction speed. The new breed of wireless mice, however, upped their responsiveness game to a whole new level. The difference is marginal, if you can feel it, that is.

This is where the Wired USB Mouse shines. The responsiveness of the wired mouse is undisputed compared to their tailless cousins. Being connected to the computer hardware apparently gives it an advantage that translates to better pointer speed, mouse acceleration, control/malfunction speed. The new breed of wireless mice, however, upped their responsiveness game to a whole new level. The difference is marginal, if you can feel it, that is. Cost: Unless you’re looking for high-end mice, the wired USB mouse is cheaper than the wireless USB mouse. They also don’t need charging or buying new batteries periodically. In the long run, a one-time investment in a wired mouse beats having to incur extra costs and the inconvenience of owning a wireless mouse. However, these days, wired and wireless mice are more or less the same asking price. The rest is dependent on brand, quality, and other market forces. More to that, rechargeable batteries cut back on costs.

Unless you’re looking for high-end mice, the wired USB mouse is cheaper than the wireless USB mouse. They also don’t need charging or buying new batteries periodically. In the long run, a one-time investment in a wired mouse beats having to incur extra costs and the inconvenience of owning a wireless mouse. However, these days, wired and wireless mice are more or less the same asking price. The rest is dependent on brand, quality, and other market forces. More to that, rechargeable batteries cut back on costs. Interference : Wired Mice, unlike Bluetooth and Wifi Mice, don’t create any interference. Multiple Bluetooth devices might once in a while cross wires and turn off for a little while. The same goes for RF Mice which can mess up your Wifi connection. On the plus side, this isn’t something that often happens, but it might, just so you know.

: Wired Mice, unlike Bluetooth and Wifi Mice, don’t create any interference. Multiple Bluetooth devices might once in a while cross wires and turn off for a little while. The same goes for RF Mice which can mess up your Wifi connection. On the plus side, this isn’t something that often happens, but it might, just so you know. Power usage/Battery : Another thing not to worry about with wired mice is a power source. With a wired mouse drawing its power from the PC, it edges out its rivals which depend on batteries, rechargeable and otherwise. In that regard, Laser mice consume less power than their Optical cousins. Also, note that standard mice will consume less power, by having fewer features.

: Another thing not to worry about with wired mice is a power source. With a wired mouse drawing its power from the PC, it edges out its rivals which depend on batteries, rechargeable and otherwise. In that regard, Laser mice consume less power than their Optical cousins. Also, note that standard mice will consume less power, by having fewer features. USB Ports : On the downside, a wired mouse calls first dibs on your USB port. Same goes for RF mice and their WiFi receivers. In the process, this takes one port out of commission at any given time. Newer laptops and slim notebooks usually have ever fewer USB ports, to begin with. It can be quite the inconvenience to have to unplug the mouse whenever you need an extra port. A major brand, Logitech’s Unifying Technology lets you pair multiple devices using just one USB receiver. It would save you the extra USB ports. Unfortunately, you will have to buy only Logitech devices, if you don’t mind it.

: On the downside, a wired mouse calls first dibs on your USB port. Same goes for RF mice and their WiFi receivers. In the process, this takes one port out of commission at any given time. Newer laptops and slim notebooks usually have ever fewer USB ports, to begin with. It can be quite the inconvenience to have to unplug the mouse whenever you need an extra port. A major brand, Logitech’s Unifying Technology lets you pair multiple devices using just one USB receiver. It would save you the extra USB ports. Unfortunately, you will have to buy only Logitech devices, if you don’t mind it. Workspace Clutter/Mobility: Some people take offence at having excess wires crisscrossing a workstation. Also, you often need to create some space for a mouse pad. Unlike the wireless mouse, you don’t have the luxury of placing the mouse pad somewhere out-of-the-way. On top of which, the wire can only stretch so far. All in all, we feel this messes up with the ergonomics of the device.

Wireless Computer Mouse

Like the Wired Mouse, the Wireless Computer Mouse also comes in both Laser and Optical variants. Both operate at 2.4 GHz frequency and a range of about 30 feet. Although one would wonder why anyone would wish to use a mouse from across the room, but who are we to judge? Being wireless, these mice require batteries (Usually AAA or AA rechargeable and otherwise) to operate.

To further break down the categorization, we also have the Bluetooth and RF (Wifi) computer mouse.

RF/Wifi versus Bluetooth Mouse

The RF wireless mouse uses a radio frequency (RF) to connect to a computer. It works in concert with a Nano/USB Receiver/RF transmitter which plugs into a USB port. The setup is basically Plug and Play. At the bottom of the mouse, there’s a small On/Off switch. Use this to power down the mouse when not in use and then back on when the need arises. While this might appear to be common sense, we would also like to clarify that the USB receiver has to remain plugged in when the RF mouse is in use. Lose/misplace this USB receiver, and the mouse is practically useless. And no, you can’t get a replacement receiver.

The Bluetooth Mouse differs only slightly in how it connects to your computer. Connecting to a computer shouldn’t be a problem if you have any experience pairing a Bluetooth device. This is something most of us have done at some point in the past. A Bluetooth mouse would be perfect if you have few USB ports. Similarly, an RF mouse is a lifesaver if your computer doesn’t support Bluetooth, or when your Bluetooth drivers are acting up. Bluetooth works wonders when you have multiple devices and prefer to use one mouse for all. Or if you have few USB ports to dedicate to a mouse.

Wifi/RF Mouse versus Bluetooth Mouse: Pros and Cons

Lag/Responsiveness: On boot up, a Bluetooth Mouse will take a few seconds longer to start up compared to an RF mouse. The same happens when coming out of sleep. It’s also a general belief that an RF mouse offers better responsiveness. Users have also commented that once in a while Bluetooth mice disconnect abruptly. However, this is debatable and an even split among users.

On boot up, a Bluetooth Mouse will take a few seconds longer to start up compared to an RF mouse. The same happens when coming out of sleep. It’s also a general belief that an RF mouse offers better responsiveness. Users have also commented that once in a while Bluetooth mice disconnect abruptly. However, this is debatable and an even split among users. USB Ports: The RF mouse requires a dedicated USB port for the USB receiver/Transmitter. If you have few USB ports, this might become an issue. The Bluetooth mouse doesn’t require extra peripherals and hence takes this round hands down.

The RF mouse requires a dedicated USB port for the USB receiver/Transmitter. If you have few USB ports, this might become an issue. The Bluetooth mouse doesn’t require extra peripherals and hence takes this round hands down. Power usage/Battery: RF and Bluetooth mice use AA and AAA batteries. Much as it’s a nuisance to purchase non-rechargeable batteries, it’s still an option. Battery duration for both mostly depends on usage and the extra functionalities of extra buttons. Some users believe that as Bluetooth requires two-way communication, a Bluetooth mouse has to stay ON for longer spells to maintain a connection. Otherwise, it would take precious seconds to reconnect. This consumes more battery power than its RF counterpart. Newer Bluetooth standards Bluetooth 4 have low emission designed for low energy and latency. This evens the playing field by providing much-needed battery efficiency.

RF and Bluetooth mice use AA and AAA batteries. Much as it’s a nuisance to purchase non-rechargeable batteries, it’s still an option. Battery duration for both mostly depends on usage and the extra functionalities of extra buttons. Some users believe that as Bluetooth requires two-way communication, a Bluetooth mouse has to stay ON for longer spells to maintain a connection. Otherwise, it would take precious seconds to reconnect. This consumes more battery power than its RF counterpart. Newer Bluetooth standards Bluetooth 4 have low emission designed for low energy and latency. This evens the playing field by providing much-needed battery efficiency. Cost : Proprietary Bluetooth SIG qualification costs drive the price of Bluetooth devices upward. This is coupled with other various costs of materials, which isn’t the case with RF mice. This might have played a hand in the scarcity of Bluetooth mice on the market. However, recent years have seen the emergence of affordable computer mice at par with its RF counterparts.

: Proprietary Bluetooth SIG qualification costs drive the price of Bluetooth devices upward. This is coupled with other various costs of materials, which isn’t the case with RF mice. This might have played a hand in the scarcity of Bluetooth mice on the market. However, recent years have seen the emergence of affordable computer mice at par with its RF counterparts. Interoperability : A limitation to the RF computer mouse is that it can only connect to one device at a time. It also translates only devices with USB ports. Bluetooth, on the other hand, provides interoperability with multiple devices. The same Bluetooth mouse will work with devices implementing the HID profile. e.g Wireless mouse, keyboard, smartphone, tablet, computer,

: A limitation to the RF computer mouse is that it can only connect to one device at a time. It also translates only devices with USB ports. Bluetooth, on the other hand, provides interoperability with multiple devices. The same Bluetooth mouse will work with devices implementing the HID profile. e.g Wireless mouse, keyboard, smartphone, tablet, computer, Interference: As stated earlier, both Bluetooth and RF mice operate within the 2.4 GHz spectrum. At some point, frequency congestion is bound to occur. It will be evident from reduced Internet speeds, erratic wireless device behavior, But even so, this shouldn’t be the norm, much less with Bluetooth devices. If it does happen, you might have to get do some tinkering. You can change the port for your USB receiver and/or change the channel of your router.

Mouse user reviews

Computer Mouse users are split half and half in their opinions. Get ready to read fervent endorsements and ruthless diatribe: optical versus laser, wired versus, wireless and Bluetooth versus RF. There’s talk of DPI/CPI (Dots Per Inch/Count Per Inch), Polling rate and all that mumbo-jumbo. At the end of the day, the info dump will drive you crazy. Our best advice is to create your own user experience. Try them all out and see what works for you. User reviews are simply personal opinions. The best we can do is show you all angles as then let you make the final decision. Happy hunting!

Date: 26.02.2021г.

Wired Vs. Wireless Mice: Which Is Better?

Wired Vs. Wireless Mice: Which Is Better?

Which is better, wired mice, or wireless mice?

The truth is, a wireless mouse, or a wired mouse, is better in different situations. For some people, the type of mouse they use doesn’t really matter.

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However, for more serious PC and laptop users (see also ‘How Long Does A Gaming Laptop Last?‘), they need to make sure the mouse is right for their job, or their hobby.

This is especially true for gamers, who need to make sure that they are using the right mouse.

In this article, we discuss the pros and cons of wired and wireless mice, and which mouse is better for gamers!

What’s A Wired Mouse?

A wired mouse has an electrical cord connected to it. The cord is plugged into the USB socket of a computer, or PC, which is what powers the mouse.

This is seen as the most basic type of mouse, and the more traditional option. A lot of people find it easier to use, and it’s generally cheaper than wireless mice.

However, wired mouses have become more popular due to their reliability, and some wired mouses sell for hundreds of bucks.

What’s A Wireless Mouse?

A wireless mouse is a mouse that does not have a cord.

Instead, the mouse works by using Bluetooth, which is a technology that allows devices to communicate with each other over short distances.

Wireless mice offer more freedom than a wired mouse, because there’s no restriction of a cord.

In the past, wireless mice were viewed as much more technologically advanced than a wired mouse.

This isn’t the case anymore, but there are still main differences between wireless mice and wired mice, which makes people favor either wired mice, or wireless mice.

What’s The Main Difference Between A Wireless And Wired Mouse?

There are a few main differences between wireless and wired mouse, which is discussed below.

The Difference In Speed

One of the main differences between wired and wireless mice is the difference in speed.

Wired mice are actually much faster than wireless mice. That’s because for a wireless mouse to work, it has to use Bluetooth.

Most people will not notice the difference, unless their career, or hobby, involves using computers. For day to day use, there really is not that much difference in the speed of the mice.

However, because wireless mice use Bluetooth, it takes longer for information from the mouse to transmit to the computer.

The good news is that some companies have created wireless mice that have advanced technology, which means they are not as slow as other brands of wireless mice.

The only issue with this is that these mice cost a lot more money than standard wireless mice, so it’s only a necessary purchase if you prefer wireless mice, and your career or hobbies involve computers.

Freedom

A main reason that people prefer using a wireless mouse is the fact it offers much more freedom than a wired mouse.

With a wired mouse, you’re limited to where you can place the mouse on the desk. You cannot move the mouse around freely like with a wireless mouse.

It limits the distance at which you can use the mouse, since it needs a cord to be able to connect to the computer. Usually, this is not a big deal.

For the most part, people have more than enough room to use a wired mouse on their desk, providing the desk isn’t cluttered, which could tangle the wire.

However, many people just find a wired mouse annoying, because of the way it looks. For someone who likes to keep their desk clean, the sight of a wire can really annoy them.

Wireless mice don’t have that problem, because there is no cord, which means the desk looks tidier.

Battery

Another difference is the battery.

In wired mice, you do not have to worry about batteries. The wired mouse uses the computer to work, so you do not have to buy any batteries, or charge the mouse. It’s pretty simple and reliable.

With a wireless mouse, it’s a little different. Most wireless mice require batteries to work, which means that if your batteries run out, the mouse will stop working. This can be really annoying, especially if someone is traveling, and cannot buy batteries.

For that reason, some people prefer using a wired mouse, because they do not have to worry about the mouse charging, given it uses the computer, or PC, to work.

Which Mouse Is Better?

Now that we’ve covered the differences between wired and wireless, let’s talk about what makes each type of mouse better.

Wired Mouse

Pros

Battery Life : You do not have to replace batteries, you do not need to worry about the battery life. With a wired mouse, you would have to buy new batteries every few months.

: You do not have to replace batteries, you do not need to worry about the battery life. With a wired mouse, you would have to buy new batteries every few months. Speed: Wireless mice tend to be faster than wired mice.

Cons

The Wire: The wire can be annoying for organized people, or those who need the freedom to move the mouse around without a cord.

Wireless Mice

Pros

Freedom of Movement : Wireless mice are not restricted by a cord, and so are better for those who do not want to be restricted by a cord.

: Wireless mice are not restricted by a cord, and so are better for those who do not want to be restricted by a cord. No Wire: Having no wire can make a desk look more organized, and some people simply do mice with wires.

Cons

Slower Than Wired Mice: Wireless mice are slower than wired mice. While some wireless mice do not have this problem, they tend to be a lot more expensive.

Summary

If you are looking for a portable mouse with no annoying cords, then go with a wireless mouse. It’s just important to remember that these mice are slower, and that you need batteries to charge them.

If you are looking for something that works well in terms of speed, then get a wired mouse.

While wires tangling can be annoying, they are pretty reliable, and you don’t have to charge them, which is ideal for traveling and makes them less expensive overall.

Wireless Vs Wired Gaming Mouse

So you are planning on getting a new gaming mouse but don’t know whether you should get a wired gaming mouse or a wireless one. We got you covered. Here is our detailed comparison between a wired gaming mouse and a wireless gaming mouse.

Why Would Someone Want A Wireless Mouse

Imagine that you are playing a fast-paced first-person shooter game like Apex Legends, and you come across a situation where you have to move the mouse instantly over a long distance on the mouse pad. Let’s say you do move your mouse instantly, but the wire of your mouse gets stuck on something. You couldn’t move the mouse all the way and missed the aim. Because of this, you couldn’t land the first shots on the enemy and get killed. You can see how frustrating this situation would be.

The example that we mentioned above is no exaggeration. It does happen to a lot of gamers. Besides that, it is quite annoying to deal with a wire that is dangling all over the place while you try to move your mouse rapidly. In short, the wire of a wired mouse can cause a detriment in the in-game performance of a gamer.

Performance factors aside, there is another reason why someone would want a wireless mouse over a wired one. And that reason is simply aesthetics. Let’s face it, no one likes tons of wires cluttered up on your gaming setup. Fewer wires mean that the setup will look clean, it will take less effort to clean and dust the setup, and it also means that less effort will be required for cable management.

Is Latency Really A Problem In Wireless Mice

It is common knowledge amongst gamers that a wired connection will always be able to achieve a much faster speed than a wireless connection. This will result in much lower latency times. The difference in latency is easily noticeable when switching from a wireless internet connection to a wired one.

For the longest time, this has been true for wireless mice as well. Wireless mice have always struggled to provide even similar latency numbers to what wired mice have been able to provide. However, wireless technology has made tons of improvements. Not only the wireless technology but mice themselves have also seen tons of improvements over the years.

With all these advancements, the latency issue of the wireless mouse has now been solved. We are at a point where there is minimal to no difference between the latency of a wireless gaming mouse and a wired one. There are even certain wireless gaming mice that have better latency than some wired options.

Battery Timing

Another drawback that wireless gaming mice used to have was their battery timing. Nothing is worse than having to wait for your gaming mouse to charge up so you can play a game or have your gaming mouse run out of juice in the middle of a match. However, gaming mice these days do not have this issue. A wireless gaming mouse can easily last for months on a single charge.

The Issues With A Wireless Gaming Mouse

With everything that we have mentioned so far, it seems that there is no reason to go for a wired gaming mouse over the wireless option. However, there are several issues with a wireless gaming mouse that may make it a deal-breaker for some gamers.

Because a wireless mouse cannot draw power from the computer, it needs to have a set of batteries. These batteries have some weight. This means that no matter how hard a manufacturer tries, a wireless mouse will not be able to be as light as its wired counterpart. The second issue with wireless gaming mice is the price. A wireless mouse will always be more expensive than its wired counterpart because of the more expensive parts used in its making.

The Bottom Line

Wireless gaming mice and wired gaming mice are both great. It all depends on personal preference. If you have no problem with the extra weight and the extra cost, you can go for the wireless route. But if these are dealbreakers for you, then you can stick to the wired options.