skip to main content

The Best Gaming Mice under $75

Best overallBest for fast actionBest budget mouse
Logitech G502 HERO High Performance Gaming MouseRazer DeathAdder Elite Gaming MouseUhuru Wireless Gaming Mouse Rechargeable
$$$$$$$
View on AmazonView on AmazonView on Amazon

Data effective 1/24/2020. Features and prices may vary and are subject to change.

Which gaming mouse is best?

Once you have a gaming laptop and the drive to compete, a good gaming mouse is one of the first purchases you’ll probably make. We had a dozen people, including several die-hard gamers, test the best-selling gaming mice to find the best performing and most comfortable devices.*

We ranked Logitech G502 HERO as number one with the Razer DeathAdder Elite coming in at a close second for shooter games. The highest priced model we tested (the SteelSeries Rival 600, which is about $70) was actually rated the lowest, which goes to show that paying top dollar doesn’t always get you the best in tech.

Some devices worked well but weren’t comfortable to use. The Corsair Harpoon Pro was rated as undersized by all testers, so we only recommend this one to kids, teens, or adults with small hands.

*Our testing relied on empirical results and didn’t test long-term durability.

Gaming mice comparison

ModelPrice*ButtonsOptical sensitivity**Get it
Top Pick #1Logitech G502 HERO High Performance Gaming Mouse$47.9911 customizable buttons Up to 16,000 DPIView on Amazon
#2Razer™ DeathAdder Elite$24.997 programmable buttonsUp to 16,000 DPIView on Amazon
#3PICTEK Gaming Mouse$13.998 programmable buttonsUp to 7,200 DPIView on Amazon
#4UHURU WM-02 Wireless Gaming Mouse$19.996 programmable buttonsUp to 4,800 DPIView on Amazon
#5Corsair Harpoon Pro – RGB Gaming Mouse$16.946 programmable buttonsUp to 6,000 DPIView on Amazon
#6SteelSeries Rival 600 Gaming Mouse$69.983 programmable side buttonsN/AView on Amazon
Top Pick #1
ModelLogitech G502 HERO High Performance Gaming Mouse
Price*$47.99
Buttons11 customizable buttons
Optical sensitivity**Up to 16,000 DPI
Get itView on Amazon
#2
ModelRazer™ DeathAdder Elite
Price*$24.99
Buttons7 programmable buttons
Optical sensitivity**Up to 16,000 DPI
Get itView on Amazon
#3
ModelPICTEK Gaming Mouse
Price*$13.99
Buttons8 programmable buttons
Optical sensitivity**Up to 7,200 DPI
Get itView on Amazon
#4
ModelUHURU WM-02 Wireless Gaming Mouse
Price*$19.99
Buttons6 programmable buttons
Optical sensitivity**Up to 4,800 DPI
Get itView on Amazon
#5
ModelCorsair Harpoon Pro – RGB Gaming Mouse
Price*$16.94
Buttons6 programmable buttons
Optical sensitivity**Up to 6,000 DPI
Get itView on Amazon
#6
ModelSteelSeries Rival 600 Gaming Mouse
Price*$69.98
Buttons3 programmable side buttons
Optical sensitivity**N/A
Get itView on Amazon

*Price at time of writing. Data effective 1/24/2020. Prices are subject to change.

**Sensitivity as measured in dots per inch

Logitech G502 HERO High Performance Gaming Mouse

Best all-around
  • 11 programmable buttons
  • Braided cord
  • Tracking speed at 400 IPS (inches per second)
  • Weight: 121g–139g (adjustable)
  • Polling rate: Up to 1000 Hz
  • Price: $47.99

The Logitech G502 HERO High Performance Gaming Mouse was our favorite gaming mouse. It’s comfortable to a variety of hand sizes and performs well. It’s easy to customize details on this snappy peripheral, from lighting to weight to buttons. Plus, we found the lights to be less distracting than a lot of the flashier mice were.

The G502 has rubberized sides and a thumb ledge that help minimize hand fatigue. An attached velcro strip is handy for cord control. We ranked the G502 on par with the SteelSeries as far as in-game sensitivity, yet it comes in $20 cheaper than the SteelSeries (score!).

You can create and store up to five unique profiles using Logitech mouse software (Logitech SetPoint). This lets you save the perfect settings for each game, so you can jump in quicker without adjusting the settings.

About the only thing missing from this mouse is an ambidextrous design that works for left-handed gamers or for hand switching during long campaigns. There’s no way the thumb ledge and buttons would be remotely comfortable left handed, so we’d recommend the Logitech G903 instead for left-handed gamers.

Pros:

  • Super comfy design
  • Textured scroll wheel for quick weapon changes
  • Great placement of 3 side buttons for intuitive gaming

Cons:

  • Right-handed design that won’t work for lefties
  • Moderately high price point

Razer™ DeathAdder Elite

Best for shooters
  • Up to 16,000 DPI
  • 7 programmable buttons
  • Tracking speed at 450 IPS (inches per second)
  • Weight: 105g
  • Polling rate: 125–1000 Hz
  • Price: $24.99

The cool, sleek design of the Razer DeathAdder hasn’t changed much in the past dozen years—probably because it’s so cool. If Batman had a mouse, this would be it. Designed to minimize hand fatigue during long gaming sessions, the DeathAdder has rubber grips on the sides that keep you in the game, even when your mouse catches air during heavy action. Its subtle LED lighting won’t distract you when gaming in the dark.

Esports gamers like the natural, intuitive feel of this stealthy appendage, and it has ruled the court in many battles. The DeathAdder is considered a classic and has inspired numerous knock-offs, most of which don’t come close to it in accuracy and ergonomics. The long braided cord is extremely flexible and won’t drag you down. When you’re moving the mouse around on a gaming mat, it feels almost cordless.

After playing Rainbow Six Siege with the Razer DeathAdder, our gaming tester Chloe Gawrych ranked this mouse in second place. Top features included the textured wheel that helps gamers stay in control.

This model is made for right-handed gamers, but lefties listen up: there’s one for you too. Razer DeathAdder is one of the few top gaming mice that offers a left-handed version for the same price.

Pros:

  • Sleek looking design
  • Excellent accuracy
  • Customizable details galore using the Razer Synapse software
  • Left-handed version available

Cons:

  • Not designed for ambidextrous play (you can’t switch hands)
  • Moderately high cost (around $45)
  •  

Looking to save a few bucks? Check out the Razer DeathAdder Essential for $29. It’s a pared-down version of the DeathAdder Elite, with a lower-grade sensor but the same ergonomics and sleek style as the pricier model.

SteelSeries Rival 600 Gaming Mouse

Best for fast-action games
steel-series-rival-600-mouse-side
  • Up to 16,000 DPI
  • 7 programmable buttons
  • 2 sensors for advanced precision
  • Weight: 96–128g (adjustable)
  • Polling rate: 125–1000 Hz
  • Price: $69.98

Many fast-action gamers have a habit of tossing the mouse around on the pad a bit more vigorously than is strictly necessary. This often causes tracking errors. The SteelSeries Rival 600 is designed to fix this problem. It has two sensors on the underside of the mouse, which reduce jitters and errors—one to measure movement and the other to measure lift off. It takes some getting used to, but it’s a cool feature if you frequently catch air with your mouse.

The Rival 600 is the most expensive gaming mouse we reviewed ($70 to $75), but it was rated at the bottom of the pack by the majority of our testers. We didn’t like the way it fit in the hand, we thought it was difficult to customize, and it performed worse in shooter games than expected. However, it is tough and durable and won’t break easily. This is a good mouse for those who are a bit rough on their peripherals.

The Rival 600 is a right-handed design. If you like SteelSeries mice and you’re used to the double sensor, we recommend the SteelSeries Sensei 310 for lefties, which has similar features.

Pros:

  • Delivers precision movement at high speeds
  • Gives satisfying clicks and auditory feedback
  • Offers a comfortable ergonomic design

Cons:

  • Has a high cost (about $70)
  • Requires a larger mousepad for best results

PICTEK Gaming Mouse

Best for gamers on a budget
  • Up to 10,000 DPI
  • 8 programmable buttons
  • Tracking speed: Unavailable
  • Polling rate: 125–1000Hz
  • Weight: 6.4 ounces
  • Price: $13.99

The PICTEK High-Precision Gaming Mouse is made for the PC gamer who likes to play shooter, strategy, and role-playing games (RPGs). The PICTEK is inexpensive (less than $20) and includes some features that you don’t usually get with a budget gaming mouse, like a braided cord, a dedicated fire button, and a built-in velcro cord keeper (the latter being handy for gamers on the go).

This is a low-cost gaming mouse similar in design to. Although it looks similar to the Razer DeathAdder, when you hold them in your hands you can tell the difference. When compared to the Razer DeathAdder, the PICTEK is smaller and less comfortable to average- or large-sized hands. Still, the PICTEK is less than half the price and offers similar functionality.

The braided cord is a little stiff at first, but gets more flexible with use. It gives the PICTEK smoother movement than a wired mouse with a standard plastic cord. We noted that if you don’t secure the cord properly, it drags a little to one side since the cord juts out of the top left.

The flywheel has a nubby texture that helps you keep your grip even during long, strenuous battles. It has handy DPI adjustments below the wheel. The side grips, on the other hand, don’t do much. The sides are made of the same smooth plastic, with crosshatch score marks, which feel slippery at times. It’s easy to change the LED lighting effects with a button on the bottom of the mouse, which is a plus.

Although the PICTEK feels a little clunkier in the hand than the similarly designed Razer DeathAdder, it performs well and we rated it in third place, thanks to its inexpensive price point. For the casual gamer who doesn’t want to spend much, the PICTEK will work well and hit on target.

Pros:

  • LED light show that’s easy to adjust or turn off
  • Upgraded braided cord
  • Low price

Cons:

  • Right-handed design only
  • Additional setup time required (drivers and software)

UHURU WM-02 Wireless Gaming Mouse Rechargeable

Best for RPG
  • 800–10,000 DPI
  • Ergonomic design
  • 50 ft. wireless transmission
  • Polling rate: 125–1000Hz
  • Weight: 3.2 ounces (90 g)
  • Polling rate: Up to 250 Hz
  • Price: $19.99

With a near-instant response time and comfortable design, the Uhuru WM-02 Wireless Gaming Mouse is designed for long, intense battles. It looks like something straight out of Tron with its sleek black moulded design and a futuristic LED light show. And it’s inexpensive, selling for less than $25 on Amazon.

It tested well on all tested surfaces, with near perfect accuracy. It’s a good mouse for role-playing games (RPGs) like Stardew Valley or Final Fantasy XV, and Borderlands.

Like most gaming mice, the Uhuru comes with Windows-only software for customization. It has six customizable buttons, a CPI adjuster below the scroll, and a stable feel. This wireless mouse has a Nano receiver that plugs into a USB, which stores in the underside of the mouse when you’re not using it. It also comes with a battery charging cord, which you can use while gaming.

We rated the ergonomic design as a hit or miss. One fourth of testers thought the Uhuru was the most comfortable mouse they’d ever tested, and three fourths didn’t like it at all. People with average-hand sizes liked it better. Although it’s a larger mouse, the curves were in the wrong places for people with larger hands.

The Uhuru mouse has a bright and busy LED light show, which is great for those who enjoy it but it can get annoying for gamers who get distracted easily. There isn’t a left handed version of the Uhuru Gaming Mouse, so it won’t work for lefties.

Pros:

  • Inexpensive
  • Comfortable to average sized hands
  • Snappy and responsive
  • Wireless

Cons:

  • Uncomfortable to small- or large-sized hands
  • Right-handed design only

Corsair Harpoon Pro – RGB Gaming Mouse

Best for small hands
corsair-harpoon-rgb-pro-gaming-mouse-front
  • 6,000 DPI
  • 6 programmable buttons
  • Advanced tracking speed
  • Super lightweight (85g)
  • 1000HZ polling rate
  • Price: $16.94

With a near-instant response time and comfortable design, the Uhuru WM-02 Wireless Gaming Mouse is designed for long, intense battles. It looks like something straight out of Tron with its sleek black moulded design and a futuristic LED light show. And it’s inexpensive, selling for less than $25 on Amazon.

It tested well on all tested surfaces, with near perfect accuracy. It’s a good mouse for role-playing games (RPGs) like Stardew Valley or Final Fantasy XV, and Borderlands.

Like most gaming mice, the Uhuru comes with Windows-only software for customization. It has six customizable buttons, a CPI adjuster below the scroll, and a stable feel. This wireless mouse has a Nano receiver that plugs into a USB, which stores in the underside of the mouse when you’re not using it. It also comes with a battery charging cord, which you can use while gaming.

We rated the ergonomic design as a hit or miss. One fourth of testers thought the Uhuru was the most comfortable mouse they’d ever tested, and three fourths didn’t like it at all. People with average-hand sizes liked it better. Although it’s a larger mouse, the curves were in the wrong places for people with larger hands.

The Uhuru mouse has a bright and busy LED light show, which is great for those who enjoy it but it can get annoying for gamers who get distracted easily. There isn’t a left handed version of the Uhuru Gaming Mouse, so it won’t work for lefties.

Pros:

  • Inexpensive
  • Comfortable to average sized hands
  • Snappy and responsive
  • Wireless

Cons:

  • Uncomfortable to small- or large-sized hands
  • Right-handed design only

What to look for in a gaming mouse

If you’re picking out a gaming mouse, make sure you look beyond the coolness factor and go for something that will perform in battle. Here are three things to compare when you’re looking at gaming mice.

Ergonomics

There’s a reason behind the sleek, contoured, and shapely curves of a gaming mouse. A good mouse is ample in size and comfortably supports your hand for long gaming sessions. It isn’t flat or low profile (Apple Magic Mouse, we’re talking to you here), because that design can cause wrist fatigue.

The ideal mouse for gamers varies based on your chosen game genre, gaming style, hand size, duration of gaming sessions, and posture. Find a mouse that feels like it’s part of your hand during gaming. Also, find one that works well with your grip.

You might have more of a palm grip, a fingertip grip, or a claw grip.

  • Do you grip the mouse tightly at the bottom? You have a palm grip.
  • Do your fingers arch up like a bear claw when you’re shooting? You have a claw grip.
  • Do you hold the mouse tightly with the tips of your fingers? You have a fingertip grip.

Your ideal mouse will support your hand during long gaming sessions with minimal fatigue. The mouse also needs to be a comfortable weight. Some gamers like a heavier mouse with some heft, while others prefer something lighter and quicker. High-end gaming mice allow you to customize the weight.

Pro tip: If you use a mouse that is actively uncomfortable for long periods of time, you can develop pain in the wrist or even carpal tunnel syndrome. You can use a padded mouse pad  or a wrist rest to supplement your mouse’s ergonomics and prevent fatigue.

Adjustable DPI

Most (but not all) gaming mice have adjustable DPI. What’s DPI? Computer mice measure movement in DPI, which stands for Dots Per Inch. If you have your mouse DPI turned all the way up to to the max, which might be 16,000 DPI on some devices, your mouse will move further on the screen with each little movement. If you turn it down, it’ll move more slowly.

Newbies often make the mistake of turning the DPI too far up, which can result in loss of control. For games that involve control and precision, you don’t want to be leaping across the screen every time you make a tiny movement.

Most gamers prefer to keep DPI turned down as much as possible, while still permitting quick movement when necessary. Having easy-to-access buttons that adjust DPI up and down is a must for many gamers. In addition to using these buttons, serious gamers often create a unique user profile for each game that gives them the perfect balance of control and speed.

Inches per second

The sensor underneath your mouse tracks movement. IPS stands for inches per second and is a standard for measuring how fast a mouse can be moved and still accurately track movement.

When you’re gaming, you’ll move your mouse move quickly across the mouse pad to combat enemies, capture loot, and explore new territory. But if your mouse can’t keep up with your fast movement, you’ll have skips and jumps across the screen.

Not all mice are made for fast action. Some are designed for clicking on websites or scrolling through pages of content. The higher your IPS rating is, the better you’ll be able to control and dominate the game.

Many gaming mice have an IPS of 250 or higher. The Razer DeathAdder Elite gaming mouse has one of the highest ratings of 450 IPS. Mice designed for casual desktop use have a much lower IPS.

Polling rate

If you’re playing multiplayer, fast-action games, you’ll want to pay attention to polling rate. Your mouse’s polling rate tells you how often it will update the cursor to show your position in play. The slower the polling rate, the higher the chance for lag and latency.

If you have a polling rate of 250 Hz, it will update the position 250 times a second. A polling rate of 1,000 Hz (the highest available) will give you a slight edge in play. Many gaming mice have an adjustable polling rate. Push it up to 1,000 Hz.

Pro tip: When you adjust your mouse’s polling rate, it won’t reflect any changes until after you restart your computer.

Of course, lag might not be due to your mouse at all—it’s most commonly the result of a bad internet connection. You need fast speeds, unlimited data for gaming updates, and a steady connection. You can find out how much speed you need for gaming by checking out our internet speed recommendations.

If you’re playing multiplayer games, upload speed is an often overlooked key to low lag. Some types of internet, such as satellite and cable, usually have lower upload speeds in proportion to download. Find out more about the best internet providers for online gaming by reading our expert review.

Shopping around for new internet?

Enter your zip code below to see which providers are available in your area.

 

Our verdict

After tallying up all the ratings and averaging them, we came up with a winner. Consistently, the Logitech G502 HERO came out on top. It’s the all-around favorite picked by nine out of 12 people with different hand sizes and gaming styles.

The Razer DeathAdder was a close second. Like the Logitech G502, it’s great for action games and shooters, as well as any type of RPG. For gamers looking for a good device under $25, we recommend the Uhuru or the PICTEK.

Of course, the best mouse for you may vary from our top model based on what kinds of games you play most, your budget, grip style, hand size, and posture. You might play once a month or every day. You might like shooter games like Fortnite or Rainbow Six Siege, or you might gravitate to role-playing games (RPGs) like World of Warcraft, Stardew Valley, or The Witcher.

The wrong mouse can cramp your style, distract you, and make long battles difficult. Once you have the right mouse, you’ll know it. The right gaming mouse can amp up your play and give you a competitive edge, leading to new worlds and fiercer battles.

Methodology

In addition to 20 hours of research, we also performed testing on each mouse. We gathered a team of a dozen testers with varying hand sizes, grip, and gaming preferences. We had each tester rank all the mice from one to six according to comfort level, functionality, and style.

In addition, we selected an avid gamer (Chloe Gawrych) to test the mice in-play. Gawrych played tested all the mice for several hours while playing Rainbow Six Siege (shooter) and Age of Empires II (RTS). Her observations were critical to the assessment of each mouse’s qualities and overall ranking.

Gaming mice FAQ

Can I program buttons on the Logitech G502?

Yes. The Logitech G502 HERO includes gaming mouse software where you can customize buttons, colors, sensitivity, and more. Logitech is one of the few companies that offers gaming software for Windows or Mac.

Does the Razer DeathAdder Elite work on a Mac?

Gaming mice are primarily designed for PC gaming laptop use, and the Razer DeathAdder Elite is no exception. While the DeathAdder is usable on most Macs with a USB drive, you won’t be able to customize it on a Mac since the software requires Windows.

Author -

After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Utah, Kristin learned to geek speak while working as a technical recruiter, interviewing software developers and tech companies. For over 20 years, she has created award-winning content for technology, health, and finance companies. Kristin is an advocate for affordable internet for all and writes about rural internet solutions, satellite internet news, and tech products at SatelliteInternet.com. Her work has been featured in New York Post, PCMag, Forbes, Business Insider, Telecompetitor, Space.com, and The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.

Editor - Cara Haynes

Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.