How To Pick The Best Gaming Mouse

A comprehensive guide to understanding and choosing the perfect gaming mouse.

Quick Summary Guide for Choosing the Best Gaming Mouse:

For optimal gaming performance, look for these key specifications:

  • IPS (Inches Per Second): 250+
  • Acceleration: 35G+
  • Polling Rate (Hz): 1,000Hz+
  • Connection: Wireless (wired is ok)
  • Weight: Lighter is better (but can be a preference)

Notable mentions:

  • Min. Lift-Off Distance: If you play with low sensitivity (low DPI, in-game sensitivity), then you will probably prefer a lower minimum lift-off distance (Some rare people may prefer a high lift-off distance!).
  • 2 side buttons: Most people want a couple buttons on the side of the mouse for their thumb to use.

Critical Features to Watch Out For

These features can harm gaming performance if they can't be disabled:

  • Hardware/Software Acceleration
  • Smoothing
  • Angle Snapping

Most other aspects of mice (shape, buttons, color, etc.) are personal preference. However:

  • MMO players often prefer mice with additional buttons, as they provide quick access to abilities without reaching for distant keyboard hotkeys.

To learn how to set up your gaming mouse on your computer, check out our essential Gaming Mouse Setup Guide.

Full Guide: Choosing the Best Gaming Mouse

In this guide, I will explain the the important performance specifications of gaming mice and how they affect your gaming experience, both positively and negatively.

Wireless vs Wired

Modern wireless gaming mice have caught up to their wired counterparts in performance. The old concerns about latency and reliability are no longer relevant with current technology.

Wireless mice offer several advantages:

  • No cable drag or interference
  • Clean desk setup
  • Freedom of movement
While wired mice are still perfectly viable, high-end wireless mice can provide a better overall experience due to the absence of cable management issues. Nothing feels worse than missing your shot because the mouse cable got caught on the mousepad or desk.


Full guide coming soon...