Buying a computer mouse: characteristics to consider

Whether you go from laptop to desktop or if you are renovating peripherals, today we bring you some keys to keep in mind when choosing a computer mouse and choosing the best possible without forgetting your needs. Let's go there!

Index of contents

What use are you going to give your mouse?

The big question, and not always easy to answer. There are people who use the computer mouse for a little bit of everything, be it browsing, working, playing games or streaming. We are aware that there are users who look for the best of the best in peripherals because they play competitively and trust the big brands while others are more casual line gamers or it is simply not their priority.

We have an article that covers everything in terms of mice and whose reading we highly recommend: Best mice on the market: Gaming, cheap and wireless.

Keys to keep in mind for the computer mouse

Due to this variety of possibilities we are going to focus this guide considering all the possible points for any use. It's always better than about missing, right?

DPI

Dots Per Inch (dots per inch) define the speed and precision of a mouse in addition to the quality of the sensor. Many are the users who say that beyond 4, 000 DPI there is no real perceptible difference, but the truth is that the market is already going through a ceiling of 20, 000 DPI in professional gaming models of premium range.

Screens with high pixel density per inch (300px retina screens or similar) benefit the most from high DPI numbers, although a ceiling of 16, 000 will generally be more than enough for the vast majority of gamers (although they usually move between 800 and 6000 real points).

We know that the world of DPI raises doubts for many readers, so here are some articles to help the computer mouse:

• What is DPI in a mouse? How can I find out the DPI of the mouse? How to change the mouse DPI

Ergonomics

There are several factors that you must keep in mind when choosing a mouse regardless of all the technical and past aspects. In terms of ergonomics, it is convenient to:

• Availability of mice: right-handed, left-handed and ambidextrous. Your kind of grip. Size of your hand.

The shape of an ergonomic computer mouse can be worthy of a Stanley Kubrick movie due to its extravagance, but you can rest easy knowing that they are the models that are most concerned with softening the impact of bad postures or preventing carpal tunnel problems..

For more information, we recommend reading the Ergonomic Mouse: how to find the ideal model.

For right and left handed

There are many manufacturers who have verified after various studies that the small number of left-handed users does not make profitable mice specifically aimed at this sector. This does not mean that they do not exist, but it does mean that the models are limited and receive less "news".

Logitech G Pro Wireless (ambidextrous) You can take a look at our article on The best left-handed mice.

On the other hand, those who have gained a lot of popularity (not everything was going to be bad news) are the ambidextrous models. Built with full symmetry and even having additional side buttons on many models (also configurable), they are the answer for many left-handers who had resigned themselves to being second-class citizens. Many brands like Logitech, Zowie or Razer have premium models that are ambidextrous, so not all hope is lost.

The grips

The three predominant positions

Saving the issue of our predominant hand, we have the issue of grip. There are three predominant types: claw, palm and finger. It is interesting to know which is yours because there are more suitable mice to some than to others, although generally anyone can be worth it. Here are some keys:

Claw hold

• It is the most widely used and generally valid for almost all mice, large or small. It benefits from mice that have greater height in the central area.

Palm hold

• The most relaxed and less stressful on the wrist. It is convenient to use large mice where our hand can rest completely.

Finger grip

• It is not as common, but widely used among users of large hands. The weight of the hand rests on the wrist, but does not fall on the mouse.

Size of hands

Zowie ZA range variants depending on the size of our hands

The factor of the size of our hands affects the type of mouse that suits us in a very similar way to the type of grip we use. To start, the measure you should use is from the tip of the middle finger to the base of the palm:

1. 18'5cm and up means having big hands. If your result is between 16 and 18'5cm your hand is medium. Less than 16cm is considered a small hand.

Unfortunately for some men and many women, the mouse market (especially gaming) focuses on the two most common variants among users: large and medium. However it is possible to find small or mini models.

Once you have this controlled, you should simply pay attention to the dimensions specified in each model regarding its technical characteristics. Those with a length similar to that of your hands will be the ones that fit you like a finger ring.

Weight

Key in many ways. An excessively heavy mouse can destroy our wrist in a matter of days and another one that is too light without the appropriate mat can make us lose precision. The optimal weight of a mouse is a balance that is highly user dependent. There are those who feel more comfortable if they are around 130g and others who prefer ultra light lines of 80g.

• Light mice: Finalmouse Ultralight vs Model O vs Razer Viper

There is nothing written about tastes, so the weight is very variable according to the user. In this field there are several mice that offer weight sets to adapt them to consumer preferences, especially in the field of gaming.

We recommend reading: Tips for choosing a gaming mouse since it delves into all the aspects of this ergonomics section and are also useful for users looking for a more conventional mouse.

Number of buttons

Razer Naga Trinity

It may seem irrelevant, but it is a determining factor for many users. Having extra buttons on the mouse offers many possibilities both at the office and gaming levels. Depending on the model, we can program macros or specific functions and gain in quality of life, it all depends on the priorities of each user.

The number of additional buttons can be quite large in some models and there are users (and players) who will get more out of them than others. A MOBA player will benefit more from having many buttons available for each skill than another FPS gamer. Our recommendation is that, if you are a player, take into account your style of play and take a look at the best options on the market.

Cable or wireless

For many general reason for dispute, and that is that the thing comes from far away. Wired mice have always been considered to be more reliable at a competitive gaming level due to their low latency, although this is something that with current technology has advanced a lot and yet we can find high-level players using wireless mice in tournaments.

The wireless world grows more and more in the environment of pro players, so here we leave you an article on Wireless gaming mouse: the 5 best models.

If we prefer a wired mouse we can look at details such as that it is removable or lined in fiber for greater durability. Instead, for a wireless mouse the most essential thing would be to monitor the life of its batteries to make sure it is profitable or see if it has a compartment to store the receiver.

Wireless mice that are really worth playing are expensive. If you are looking for something more current there are many models of mid-range and economic.

materials

It doesn't sound as relevant from the start as it may sound, but give me a second. The importance of materials is in everything:

• Housing plastic (texture, quality) Non- slip rubber sides The surfers of the base (number, size) The buttons (number, texture, shape, pressed) The cable (normal or braided, removable…) USB receiver (frequency, range) Scroll wheel (plastic, rubber, grooved…) Weights (number, distribution)

Do you see where I'm going? These knickknacks are what make the price of a computer mouse more expensive (in addition to the sensor, but that's another story). In the quality of its materials are factors such as the slimy sensation that a mouse with much use acquires or the disappearance of serigraphs on its surface. Here are our tips for each of the points mentioned above:

• Casing: check its solidity and weight, if it has any texture it can be a plus. Side: the ideal is that they are rubber or have some texture to optimize the grip, especially in the thumb area. Surfers: they must be smooth and the edges rounded. If they are less than four, check that they are at the top and bottom and have an acceptable width. Buttons: Remember the use you are looking for for your mouse and choose a mouse with the number of them that best convinces you. Press them to check the force required by the click, check its surface or texture (if it is different from that of the sides, the better). The cable: look at its length. Ideally, it should be braided but it is not essential. USB Receiver: Polling rate is important to gamers (1000Hz ideal), while maximum usage distance can be helpful. Scroll wheel: the best ones are with grooved and rubberized texture. Weights: for those mice that have them, see how many types there are and if they are stored in the central area of ​​the mouse (by symmetry).

RGB lighting

Thermaltake Level 20 Gaming Mouse

We love the little lights. We know that it is a silly whim and that in many cases it can increase the price of the mouse itself just for doing the grace, but it is a factor that has a certain charm and we know that we are not the only ones who think so.

RGB lighting has no real advantage in a mouse since, unlike other peripherals such as the keyboard, our hand usually covers it completely. It is a purely aesthetic element and depending on the model it may or may not be customizable.

If you are going to opt for a wireless model, it is convenient to remember that RGB lighting will always eat up part of the maximum durability of the battery or batteries.

software

It may not be essential for many, but a software mouse allows us to configure it in and out of the game. Those with backlighting can customize their patterns in some cases and also allow customizing DPI points or polling rate options.

This is undoubtedly a very interesting option for players who want to get the most out of their peripherals, but an ordinary user who is not going to be modifying these types of options would throw the money away.

Computer mouse sensors

A bit more advanced matter since sensors define the PC gaming industry. Currently there are four brands that carry the show: Pixart, Steelseries, Logitech and Roccat.

Pixart generally supplies many other brands of its sensors while Logitech, Steelseries and Roccat design their own or adapted versions themselves.

Now you will understand why Logitech always appears in the gaming market on high-level mice and keyboards. These brands have earned their position by hand and are a benchmark of quality for all others.

Sensor type: optical and laser

The first clarification is mandatory: both are optical. The difference is that the "optic" is "infrared optic" and the "laser" is "laser optic". Here what matters is not so much how they work but their differences.

Laser optical

• Traditionally considered superior for its greater precision. Its light delves deeper into the playing surface and sends a lot of information to the sensor, often excessive or unnecessary. It works optimally on almost any surface.

Infrared Optical

• Initially lower, although currently at the level of lasers. Its light is less penetrating and transmits only the necessary data to the sensor. It does not perform very well on reflective surfaces or glass. It is convenient to use optical mice on a mat.

Take a look at this article for more information: Mouse with laser sensor or optical sensor Which is better?

Gaming mice are mostly optical. This is because your target audience is sitting at a desk, and possibly even using a mat designed to offer the best tracking and best friction.

Our recommendation is that you opt for an optical mouse for your gaming sessions, although this will force you to use a mat. That said, optical sensors have evolved a lot in recent years and are already capable of working correctly on a large number of surfaces. If instead you want your mouse for general office use, you can ignore it a bit about the type of sensor to choose.

How much can you spend

Here comes the glove of reality since it is very important to always keep in mind the budget you have. Here in Professional Review we have numerous guides to buy mice according to their price, both for office work and gaming. We leave you some accounts:

Conclusions on the computer mouse

Mice are a staple of our day-to-day use of a desktop computer. As a general rule they are quite long-lived devices with the right treatment and the variety of catalog existing in the current market is extremely wide.

Our intention with this mini-tutorial guide is that you do not go through the hills of Úbeda when choosing and not only be guided by what you like, but also have a critical eye when evaluating the perfect computer mouse.

What is clear is that today there are mice of all sizes, shapes, weights, colors, DPI or whatever you can think of. Not finding one to suit you is almost impossible, so it is not a factor to worry excessively (unlike prices, which can vary from laughter to madness depending on the model).