Rival 3 from SteelSeries
The SteelSeries Rival 3 is proof that you don’t need to shell out a lot of money for a gaming mouse. It is a right-handed compact, lightweight wired mouse that is ideal for a cosy claw or fingertip grasp. It is lightweight (77 grammes) and has a short (6-foot) cord, making it incredibly manoeuvrable, and it is well-made.
These are three RGB lighting zones and six buttons. The programme known as SteelSeries Engine 3 may be used to customise anything. The Rival 3’s sensor has a decent 8,500 DPI maximum and a polling rate range of up to 1,000 Hz. Although being rather tiny, accuracy was not a problem.
The comparatively low cost is the key draw. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of some of the other alternatives on our list, it is still a great value for the performance it offers. We don’t believe you can find anything better without paying much more money. Both Windows and macOS are compatible with the SteelSeries Rival 3.
Pros
- Adaptable lighting.
- customizable buttons.
Cons
- Wired There are not many buttons.
- from Amazon, $24.99.
- From Best Buy, $25.99.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to PC Gaming Headsets: Wired vs. Wireless and Top Picks
This full-featured, right-handed, wireless gaming mouse has the best comfort and grip for the money and offers a tonne of value. It’s best suited to larger hands because it’s rather massive and heavy.
Your palm has a textured surface for better grip, and the left thumb rest also has a textured surface. To keep your hand entirely off the desktop, you may install a textured pinkie rest after removing the right-side panel, which also reveals a space for the USB receiver. It is really comfortable to use for extended times.
With to Corsair’s exclusive Slipstream technology, which can instantly change 2.4GHz channel, connectivity is effortless. As a backup, Bluetooth connection is available. This mouse, which has a sensor that can reach 18,000 DPI and a polling rate of 2,000 Hz, manages the hectic in-game action with ease.
You may remap or modify the eight programmable buttons using shortcuts and macros. There are nine RGB lighting zones as well. Corsair’s iCue programme, which requires some focus to learn but proves to be quite versatile and offers deep customizability, is used to setup everything.
The Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro promises a battery life of up to 50 hours, but you’ll need to be in power-saving mode with all the lights off to get anywhere close to that. When the battery runs out, you can always plug in and continue playing because there is a USB-C connector. The Dark Core Pro RGB SE has Qi wireless charging compatibility for an additional cost if you truly want it.
You can charge the mouse on any Qi wireless charging pad, or you can purchase Corsair’s MM1000 Qi Wireless Charging Mouse Pad for $34.99. But be aware that at most merchants, the wireless option might sometimes tend to add more to the bottom line than we feel is worthwhile.
Considering all of the features, the current price of $69.99 is unbeatable, especially if wireless charging isn’t a priority for you. This was the mouse we wanted to come back to at the conclusion of our testing. The Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro gaming mouse has all the features you could ask for.
Pros
- many functional buttons.
- Comfortable illumination that may be adjusted.
Cons
- optimal palm grip.
MM711 for Cooler Master
Something like the Cooler Master MM711 is proof that gaming isn’t just for the really wealthy, as many individuals are searching for a high-quality gaming mouse at a reasonable cost. It includes characteristics that every gamer desires in a small, light ambidextrous design. With a lightweight honeycomb shell and a sturdy six-foot ultra weave cable, this wired mouse maximises comfort and performance.
The device’s distinctive vented design ensured that even after prolonged use, our tester’s hand never became fatigued or perspired. Gamers who play with their left hand may also like the MM711’s ambidextrous design. But, using the two completely customisable buttons next to your thumb will be simpler for you if you are right-handed.
The Cooler Master MM711 gaming mouse also has a 16,000 DPI optical sensor for little to no stuttering, low lag, and exceptional tracking. You may anticipate effortless control and accurate targeting in whatever game you play when combined with the white PTFE (Teflon) feet.
The mouse is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, but only PCs can utilise Cooler Master’s MasterPlus+ programme to set up RGB colours and button settings. The MM711 connects through USB-A, thus an adaptor could be required depending on the number of available ports on your computer.
The Cooler Master MM711 gaming mouse is quite affordable overall. A superior build quality, more RGB customization choices, and an ambidextrous design are all included for a few dollars more than alternatives like the SteelSeries Rival 3. In addition to using it for gaming, you may also use it for regular tasks.
There isn’t a greater value for the money than with this mouse, even though the MM771 lacks some of the higher-end capabilities you’ll get on something like the Logitech G502 X Lightspeed.
Pros
- RGB lighting that is customised Shape factor.
Cons
- Wired at Amazon for $58.78.
- from Walmart $57.31.
G502 X Lightspeed by Logitech.
The G502 and G502 Lightspeed gaming mice from Logitech were among the best available. With the G502 X Lightspeed, Logitech responded to the needs of a younger generation of gamers who are seeking for more sophisticated features.
It has a small, lightweight design that conforms to the shape of your hand. To make sure you can recharge the built-in battery after a good 140 hours, this wireless mouse is equipped with a sturdy six-foot cord and weighs in at a decent 99.7 grammes.
The enhanced LIGHTFORCE hybrid optical-mechanical Switches and updated LIGHTSPEED wireless technology from Logitech are responsible for the long battery life. As compared to the original G502 Lightspeed, the firm asserts that the reaction time is 68% quicker. Using this technology also extends the lifespan of the mouse by minimising mechanical wear.
The 25,600 DPI optical sensor is also there for little latency, little to no stuttering, and simple tracking in games. The G Hub software from Logitech enables the mouse to function on both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Also, you may obtain profiles from other players using G Hub and load custom button profiles for each game.
There is no doubting that the G502 X Lightspeed much outperforms the old model, and Logitech also provides three different versions of the updated G502 X to suit a variety of budgets. In addition to the Lightspeed, the simple G502 X, which only supports wired connections, is available for $80; if you like wireless connectivity and RGB lighting, you’ll have to pay $160 for the G502 X Plus.
Whatever model you choose, you’ll get a long-lasting, comfortable gaming mouse that performs at a high level.
Pros
- extensive compatibility.
- fantastic battery life.
- The Logitech G Hub programme.
Cons
- On Amazon, RGB on the Pro model is only $139.99.
- Best Buy’s price is $139.99.
- 139 dollars from Walmart.
Basilisk V3 Pro by Razer
The Razer Basilisk Ultimate is no longer the company’s most costly or best-performing gaming mouse. The Basilisk V3 Pro, a development of the Basilisk series, deserves the accolade since it incorporates the newest internals into the same comfortable form factor—but at a price. To be precise, $160, or $200 if you choose the essentially required Mouse Dock Pro, which combines a 4000Hz polling receiver with a wireless Qi charger.
In addition to increasing the sensor from 26,000 DPI to 30,000, upgrading the optical switches to gen 3 (90 million versus 70 million clicks), and adding 2.4GHz HyperSpeed wireless and Bluetooth connection, Razer’s Basilisk V3 Pro maintains the same appearance as the wired Basilisk V3.
Also, it sports the greatest scroll wheel we’ve ever tried, 13 independently configurable lighting zones, and 11 reprogrammable buttons. At the stroke of a button, it can switch between tactile and free spinning, and you can enable “Smart-Reel” in Razer Synapse to combine the best features of both modes.
The Basilisk V3 Pro is extraordinarily comfortable in addition to having a high-quality sensor and being customizable. Large PTFE feet on the bottom allow it to slide with ease, and the aggressive but comfortable style. Your thumb may rest comfortably on the flared pad, and your middle and index fingers can rest comfortably on the diagonally slanted left and right mouse buttons.
The Basilisk V3 Pro is unfortunately prevented from taking the top rank on this list by a number of shortcomings. The first is the cost, especially in light of the fact that the Razer Basilisk Ultimate is around $50 less expensive. Price-wise, the wired Basilisk V3 non-Pro is more affordable.
Furthermore terrible is the battery life. Razer promises a 90-hour battery life, although that doesn’t include RGB. Expect a portion of that amount if you turn it on. Yet, the V3 Pro is a powerful gaming mouse worth considering if you’re prepared to spend the money.
Pros
- a lot of features.
- excellent ability to customise.
- exceptional comfort.
Cons
- cost-prohibitive wireless charging dock
- poor battery life while using RGB
- From Amazon, $159.99
- 159.99 dollars at Best Buy
- From Walmart, $159.99
