Mouse: all the information you need to know

Along with the keyboard and the monitor, the mouse is an essential part of our computer and therefore deserves special attention. Consequently, we at Professional Review bring you a guide with everything there is to know.

Index of contents

There are many aspects to consider when purchasing a new mouse. We have tried to divide them into understandable categories according to their operation, ergonomics, connections and other characteristics.

Types of operation:

Just as there are mice in many ways, the mechanisms that make them work are also diverse.

Analog mouse

Popularly known as the ball mouse. It is the one of a lifetime, the one we used in the 80's and 90's and today it is an antique. The operation of these mice is simple: a ball housed in the base rotates on itself as it moves across the surface and activates the rollers that recognize the direction of movement and move the cursor on the screen.

The main drawback of these mice is that they needed some maintenance since they have the dubious virtue of accumulating inside all the garbage and lint imaginable wherever they passed. They tended to get stuck, heavy and not very reliable. They were quickly displaced by the following model: the optical sensor.

Optical Sensor Mouse

Today's market masters and lords, optical mice are extremely reliable and highly appreciated by gamers. We find them in two categories:

1. Infrared (LED) Laser

The term tends to be somewhat confusing since people often refer to the optical mouse and the laser differently as if they were two different things. What actually happens is that when we speak of an "optical" mouse, we speak of an "infrared optical". Instead, the laser mouse is "laser optical". Therefore we conclude that both are optical.

Now how do they work? It is easy to explain. All optical mice function as cameras with an Active Pixel Sensor that detects light through a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) mechanism. What happens inside the mouse is that by means of its polling rate (250-1000Hz) the sensor captures the position of the mouse and sends its coordinates to the computer when moving.

You can find an article in which we have dedicated ourselves to explaining this in detail here: What is the polling rate in a mouse.

Infrared

Initially, the mice that we now know as infrared are illuminated by an LED of this color. In general, they work very efficiently on “imperfect” surfaces, such as most mats. This is because they detect only the first layer of the surface through which they move.

The vast majority, if not all, professional gamers use infrared LED optical mice.

The only downside to these models is that they need to be used on a surface other than glass or reflective. This is because they are not as accurate as laser models and lose a lot of information on surfaces as smooth as they have fewer imperfections to position and measure movement.

To be

Popularly they are considered the most accurate. Mice of this type employ a low-power laser built with a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emiting Laser) -based sensor that works similarly to infrared. Its wavelength is shorter and more focused. This causes them to work on smooth and reflective surfaces such as glass. The price for its accuracy, however, comes with a price. Due to their precision they also capture less useful data such as crystal imperfections. This can lead to unintentional shaking or movements, or (ironically) inaccurate shifting.

We have a fabulous article to shed light on this topic: Mouse with laser sensor or optical sensor: which is better?

Both types of mice are highly variable, from extremely cheap products under € 5 to professional gaming models of € 200. The difference between the two sensors is negligible, so unless we are going to use them on glass, we recommend an infrared optical mouse.

Touchball (trackball)

Kensington Orbit Trackball

Trackball mice like 3D mice have a very specific utility. Its tactile ball is very useful for design activities like Photoshop or 3D modeling, although they are not very popular. They have the peculiarity that the mouse itself does not move around the table, but that all movements are subject to the ball. All actions are carried out through its use, so it takes some time to get used to it.

This mechanism is probably familiar, and it is very similar to that of analog mice in that the movement of the sphere is what activates the internal sensors. Obviously it has the same drawbacks in the sense that they are heavy and dirty. However, not everything was going to be disadvantages.

As we do not need to move on the table we can have the arm comfortably supported on a palm rest while we work, which is very comfortable for long working hours. Something equally beneficial is that they do not require a lot of space to be used. There is also the issue that by being able to move only with the fingers, these mice can be very useful for people with reduced mobility or some type of disability.

Logitech M570 Trackman Wireless Trackball Mouse, 2.4 GHz with Unifying USB Receiver, Wheel Button, Battery 18 Months, PC / Mac / Laptop, Black EUR 49.85 Logitech TrackMan Marble Wireless Trackball Mouse, 300 DPI Optical Marble Tracking, Ambidextrous, USB, PC / Mac / Laptop, Gray Advanced Technology: Patented Marble optical technology for smooth tracking; Compatibility: compatible with Windows, Mac and other devices 29.95 EUR Logitech TrackMan Marble Mouse Wireless Trackball, 300 DPI Optical Marble Tracking, Ambidextrous, USB, PC / Mac / Laptop, Gray Advanced Technology: Patented Marble optical technology for uniform tracking; Compatibility: Compatible with Windows, Mac and other devices 29.95 EUR

Touch screen

We also know these, and that is that all portable mice include one. Touchscreen mice respond to both finger swipe and "double tap" to perform actions. The vast majority of them include two buttons on their base (left and right) in the style of a conventional mouse.

Touchscreen mice give us mixed feelings. They have a clean and elegant design, they are portable and light, but not exactly comfortable. They can be practical for activities that do not require a very dedicated use of the mouse, but they are not a very good idea for editing or gaming tasks.

Like trackball or 3D mice, touchpads are static and don't need to be moved around the table. Its most successful utility could be with wireless keyboards (we can find them integrated) to navigate in menus of our SmartTV or for a very casual office use.

VOGEK Wireless Trackpad, 2.4GHz Touchpad with Rechargeable Nano Receiver for Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 10, Laptop, PC, Laptop (2.4G Wireless Touchpad Gray) Jelly Comb Touchpad USB, Multi Touch Mouse for PC with Win7, Win10 System, 151x118.6x11.9mm size, Black Compatible operating systems: The USB Touchpad is compatible with Windows7 and Windows10 Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad for Televisions Connected to PC, Special Multi-Media Keys, Windows, Android, Computer / Tablet, Spanish QWERTY layout, Black color 24.99 EUR

3D Mouse

We leave this model for last because its use is in extremely specific and not very extensive fields. Basically they are a tool that offers great comfort and speed to people who are dedicated to 3D modeling or rendering editions. These mice become the equivalent of the graphics tablet for illustrators. They include buttons that can be linked to tools used within the program or keyboard shortcuts. The vast majority of them also include a six-degree trackpad with which to facilitate moving around stages or rotate models, functions from which it receives the label "3 Dimensional" .

As you can imagine, such a specific use implies that its utility is very subject to the programs in which it is used. With this in mind, we must ensure that it is suitable for those in whom we want to use them before purchasing one.

3Dconnexion SpaceMouse - Mouse Compact Personal Series, Black Color 155, 99 EUR 3D CONNEXION 3D Entrance Device Space Mat Computer Company SpaceMouse Enterprise; Use: Office; Device interface: USB; Number of keys: 31; Score type: Touch 444, 78 EUR 3DConnexion SpaceMouse Pro Wireless - Wireless 3D Mouse for Professionals Wireless 2.4 GHz microUSB receiver; 6 degrees of 3D motion; Operation with or without cable 384.15 EUR

Grip Types

Each one holds the mouse in their own way and on many occasions it is something that depends on their own size and shape. Popularly, there are three generic positions in which these preferences are usually grouped. Let's see which one is yours.

1. Palmar: the hand rests completely on the surface of the mouse, including the fingers. Claw: The palm rests partially on the mouse and the fingers are raised without contact with it. Fingertips: Only the tips of the fingers maintain contact with the mouse to handle it. It is the least common.

The palmar grip is comfortable and relaxed, ideal for long hours of use and large hands. The claw offers more precision but resents the wrist, it is the most popular. The fingertip grip is a hybrid of the first two, but it is not as precise as the claw grip and not very suitable for small hands.

Most professional players use the claw grip. This is largely due not only to precision, but because it keeps your fingers under tension and ready to go.

Special mice

Apart from the overwhelming number of right-handed mice that we are not going to mention, there are certain design variations to keep in mind when talking about special mice.

1. Left-handed Ergonomic horizontal Ergonomic vertical

Left-handed and ambidextrous

Logitech G Pro Wireless

Let's be honest: the world is a place made for right-handers. It is an overwhelming reality that can be frustrating to 10% of the world's population that is not, and with good reason. Today we might think that it should be easy to adapt mice that are manufactured in an automated way to be comfortable for left-handers since in theory they would only need to make a mirror of the original design, but the reality is not so simple.

There are very few left-handed mice and surprisingly they sell worse than ambidextrous designs. The reasons are simple. A left-hander ends up getting used to the setbacks of his condition and uses products made for right-handers. The main drawback of this comes from the buttons made to be used by the thumb, but precisely for this reason we can find ambidextrous mice.

One of the best professional gaming mice, the Logitech G Pro Wireless is a great example for these cases. It is a totally symmetrical mouse both in shape and in the distribution of buttons. These in turn are customizable using software and is an example of what an adaptable and versatile mouse should be.

perixx PERIMICE-518R - Ergonomic Vertical Wired Mouse for right-handed (5 Buttons, programmable) PERIMICE-518 hand mouse with ergonomic vertical design and wired; Extraordinary red / black design that adapts perfectly in any environment 15.99 EUR YockTec Gaming Mouse Ambidextrous, 5000 DPI, 9 Programmable Buttons Gaming Mice Optical 6 colors RGB Backlit Ergonomic Mouse Left-handed / Right-handed Gaming for Gamer / PC / Mac / Windows 23, 95 EUR CSL - Wireless Optical Mouse for Left-Handers - Vertical Shape - Ergonomic - Prevention of Tennis Elbow RSI Syndrome Mouse Disease - Especially Protects the Arm - Wireless - 5 Buttons Provides better handling than traditional mice | Color: black

Horizontal ergonomic

We wanted to divide the “ergonomic mice” section into two because many mice can be ergonomic, but not all of them are vertically ergonomic. Many of you may not see much difference, but we assure you that it is worth knowing.

We recommend reading the Ergonomic Mouse: how to find the ideal model.

Well, let's start with something elementary: all mice try to be as comfortable and ergonomic as possible. Nobody buys a mouse just because it is beautiful, after all we are going to spend a lot of time using them. Its shape, weight and size should also matter to us just as manufacturers do. Now, we all have in mind the standard form of any mouse. They have a tapered shape, this being thicker and higher at the back to adapt to the hole that the palm of our hand forms when holding it.

Horizontal ergonomic mice take that premise to the extreme with shapes that favor other factors when using the mouse that do not involve changing the position of the buttons as vertical ergonomics mice do. There are designs that try to be more rounded, others create depressions for the areas where the thumb or little finger rests and others directly incorporate a platform to rest the thumb. It is interesting to stop to look at the number of options that we can find in the market until we find our perfect mouse.

Ergonomic Microsoft Sculpt Mouse (L6V-00001) Customize the individual lighting of a 16 million Razer DeathAdder Elite palette - gaming mouse Esposts, True 16000 5G dpi optical sensor, Razer mechanical mouse switches (up to 50 million clicks) The Razer DeathAdder Elite includes an optical sensor and Razer mechanical switches; Additional PPP Buttons on Fingertips 41.89 EUR Corsair Glaive RGB Pro - Comfortable FPS / MOBA Gaming Mouse (Interchangeable Grips, RGB LED Backlight, 18, 000 PPP, Optical) Black 79.99 EUR

Vertical ergonomic

The "real ergonomics", as many might say. The vertical mouse has a particular shape and position. Generally all mice are made to hold the palm down. This forces the ulna and radius into a crossed position, and is one of the reasons that problems such as tendiditis or carpal tunnel occur due to tension. Upright mice keep the ulna and radius in a parallel position and the palm perpendicular to the table, reducing tension.

Following this posture, the distribution of the right and left clicks together with the scroll wheel and optional buttons is very different, but also very comfortable.

For more information you can take a look at Vertical mouse: its history, its characteristics and our recommendations. TECKNET Vertical Wireless Mouse Ergonomic Mouse 2000 dpi, Vertical Ergonomic Design to Reduce Grimace Pain, 6 Adjustable Push Buttons, Battery Life 18 Months 16.99 EUR CSL - Optical Mouse Vertical Shape - Ergonomic Design Prevention of Tennis Elbow - Mouse Disease - Especially Protects the Wireless Arm - 5 Buttons CSL TM137U | USB optical mouse | Vertical shape | Especially protects the arm; Provides better handling than traditional mice | Color: Black 19.99 EUR J-Tech Digital Wireless Mouse Ergonomic Vertical Mouse, Rechargeable 2.4G RF and Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Connection Optical Mice with Adjustable LED Light 800/1200/1600/2400 dpi (Black Gold) 32.99 EUR

Connectivity

We can differentiate mouse connectivity into two categories:

1. Wireless: by radio frequency with receiver or Bluetooth. Cable: with standard USB connector.

Wireless mouse

Wireless mice are very popular since they are practical when transporting and involve forgetting to have to plug cables and have them in between. The average user will appreciate these benefits, although it is not always ideal. Within wireless technology we can find two variants, radio frequency and bluetooth.

Bluetooth is made to be flexible and versatile, while radio frequency allows only two paired devices to communicate.

Radiofrequency is widely used in mice. All those who bring a USB receiver to connect to our laptop or desktop computer use it. It is a very stable and safe technology with a reliable response rate within a radius of 10m. Unlike Bluetooth, it is intended to be bidirectional and enhance communication between the two associated devices. In radio frequency the percentage of interferences or latency is less than in bluetooth.

Bluetooth is a technology that has an important advantage over radio frequency and is that it is not subject to receivers. As long as the device to which we want to connect our mouse has bluetooth, we can count on it. They perform very well over short distances (less than ten meters) and emit around 2.4GHz. Unlike its opponent, bluetooth technology is more standardized precisely because of this fact, while in radio frequency each company sets its data exchange standard. Another point in its favor is that it is backward compatible with previous versions.

This other article may be interesting to you: Bluetooth vs Wireless Mouse: what differences do they have and which one is better?

Comparing both, it is easy to summarize the nuances. Bluetooth is made to be flexible and versatile, while radio frequency allows only two paired devices to communicate. If we lose the nanoreceptor of our mouse it can be difficult to find a substitute, while for bluetooth those things do not exist. Finally, bluetooth usually faces more latency or interference problems than a mouse using a receiver. In fact, if you are looking for a mouse to play, we advise against using it. On the other hand, if you want a mouse that works for both your desktop computer, your new Ultra Slim laptop (which comes without standard USB ports) or your tablet, a bluetooth mouse would be your best ally.

There are also models that combine both technologies and can be connected through one or the other at convenience, which is a great success. We leave you a few examples of wireless models with a little of everything: from standard use to professional gaming.

Logitech M185 Wireless Mouse, 2.4 GHz with Mini USB Receiver, Battery 12 Months, Optical Tracking 1000 DPI, Ambidextrous, PC / Mac / Laptop, Gray Note! The receiver is located inside the battery compartment 9, 99 EUR Rechargeable Wireless Mouse, Silent Infamous Optical Mouse Silent Click Mini, Ultra Slim 1600 DPI For Laptop, PC, Notebook, Computer, Macbook (Light Silver) 11, 99 EUR VicTsing Portable Rechargeable Wireless Mouse, Silent with USB C, Type C Adapter, 3 Adjustable dpi Levels (800/1200/1600), Compatible with PC, Computer, Mac, Windows for Travel, Office 13.49 EUR VicTsing Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 & Mouse 2.4G, 5 dpi Attachable and Multi-Device Control, for PC, Computer, Laptop, Mac, and Tablet Andorid, Smart Phones EUR 13.99 Xiaomi HLK4007GL, Portable, Wireless RF + Bluetooth, Silver Device interface: rf wireless + bluetooth; Use with: office; Buttons type: pressed buttons. 21, 47 EUR TECKNET Wireless Bluetooth Mouse, Wireless Bluetooth Mouse, 3000DPI 5 Levels Adjustable Compatible with Laptop, PC, Computer, Chromebook, Notebook 24 Months Battery Life 15, 39 EUR

Wired mouse

There's not much we can tell you about corded mice you don't already know. They have always been credited with being the most reliable and with the lowest latency. In general we can affirm that this is the case, but today there are many wireless mice with receivers that minimize this problem to almost nonexistence.

Currently wired mice have a standard USB connection and in gaming models we can find that the port can even be gold plated to optimize its connectivity. On the other hand we can also find them with braided fabric cable and even removable for easy transportation. It is also more common in these models that have extras such as set of interchangeable weights.

Polling Rate

The last section of the connectivity section, but not the least important. Apart from issues such as latency and interference when connecting a mouse, one of its most important aspects is the frequency with which they send information to the computer. This is what we know as Polling Rate or Polling Rate. The frequency or speed at which this is carried out is measured in Hertz and these are translated in milliseconds.

Polling Rate	Report frequency
125 Hz	8 milliseconds
250 Hz	4 milliseconds
500 Hz	2 milliseconds
1000 Hz	1 millisecond

As you can imagine, the higher the polling rate, the better. Gaming mice typically go at 1000Hz, while the rest move at lower ranges. This is relevant only if we care about the speed of response, which is usually the case in FPS games.

You can find a detailed article about this section here: What is Polling Rate.

Mouse CPI and DPI

This is a section that will be interesting to talk about since when we talk about mice and sensitivity, the issue of DPI ( dots per inch or dots per inch) always comes up, but although it catches many by surprise, it should be measured in CPI or count per inch.

CPIs refer to the number of pixels on the screen to be moved for each inch that the mouse moves. That is, if we have a mouse set to 1000 CPI, it means that the pointer will move 1000 pixels on the screen for every inch that the mouse moves on the surface. Then you will think, "It is the same as DPI, right?" well not exactly.

Visual example of less to more DPI

The CPI are the measurement of movement that you must make with the mouse so that the cursor moves on the screen. We can consider them "pixels detected in displacement". DPI is the number of pixels that can be detected in one square inch, they would be “pixels detected in image”. This can be misleading because for many more DPI it is synonymous with more precision (after all, it is what they have sold us), when the quality of the mouse sensor is often the main responsible in this regard.

You want to know more? Take a look here: What is DPI in a mouse?

Better sensors

One last point is that of the mouse sensors. Each manufacturer tries to develop its own technology, especially in the gaming universe. Today we find four companies responsible for the best mouse sensors on the market today: Pixart, Steelseries, Logitech and Roccat. It goes without saying that all these sensors work with infrared optical technology (they are optical).

Currently the PMW3391 sensor is the best, followed by the PMW3389 (both from Pixart).

Hand in hand with the sensor parameters, we can find issues such as the acceleration rate of movement, rate of sounding and the number of detectable CPI. When we tell you that the sensor is more important than it seems, it is serious. We list the most outstanding ones in the current market, although all of them have Pixart as a reference:

• Logitech Hero Roccat Owl Eye PMW3366 ADNS 3095 Steelseries TrueMove 3

Conclusions about the perfect mouse

There is a perfect mouse for every person. With the existing variety on the market, the impossible would be not to find one to our liking. After having observed all the aspects that we should take into account before choosing one, here we leave you the most relevant points:

• Check your grip type and the size of your hand, keep them in mind before deciding on one model or another. If you use the mouse a lot, forget about the mini models and invest in a normal size one. You will not regret. If you are left-handed and share your computer, you can always opt for an ambidextrous model. DPI is not everything for a mouse. The sensor is more important than the maximum amount of DPI. Infrared optical mice are a foolproof choice as a general rule. For illustration or modeling work, a 3D trackpad or mouse would be an excellent choice. Otherwise they are not worth it. If you have tendiditis or carpal tunnel problems, an ergonomic vertical mouse will be your best option and your wrist will appreciate that posture. Bluetooth is not a good idea for gaming mice. Choose one with a good USB micro-receiver or directly wired. Take your weight into account and try to have a comfortable mat.

If you liked this article and are still looking for more information, these others will come to you not even by hair:

• Best mice on the market: gaming, cheap and wireless Best silent mouse: recommended models The best mouse for tablet

Which is your mouse Which one would you like to have? We are waiting your comments!