Thursday, September 2, 2021

Best gaming mouse 2021: the best gaming mice we've tested

The best gaming mouse can take your gaming to the next level. That’s because you need top-notch peripherals to keep up with that gaming PC you’ve invested so much money in for a truly immersive gaming experience.

Your success when playing the best PC games depends largely on having a mouse for gaming. That’s because these mice are different from typical ones in more than a few ways. Not only do they come with better sensors, customizable and remappable buttons, and are more robust, but they have a bigger DPI range that allows you to move more accurately and quickly. On top of that, some come with gamer-centric features like RGB lighting, tilt tracking, and weight adjustments.

It doesn’t matter if you’re playing free PC games or one of the newest AAA titles out there, get the most out of your gaming sessions by upgrading to a better mouse. And, to find the right one for you, take a look at our picks for the best gaming mice on the market right now. Make sure to check our price comparison tool to score the best mouse deals.

Roccat Burst Core with its wheel RGB lighting turned on, on a white background

The Roccat Burst Core proves you don't need to spend a lot for the best gaming mouse. (Image credit: Roccat)

1. Roccat Burst Core

Cheap price, premium body

DPI: 8,500 | Features: Solid honeycomb shell, Titan optical switch, 35G acceleration

Extremely lightweight
Premium build
Rigid cable

The Roccat Burst Core proves that you don’t need to pay more than $50/£50 to get a premium mouse. This affordable wired option wins as much in performance and build and it does in price. Though minimal on frills, it’s an absolute stand-out in everything else, including ergonomics and lightweight design. RGB fans might want to go for the pricier Roccat Burst Pro, but if you don’t mind something more minimalist and classy, this one is the one to go for no matter your budget.

Read the full review: Roccat Burst Core

Razer Viper 8K at an angle on a white background

The Razer Viper 8K is the fastest gaming mouse on this list. (Image credit: Razer)

2. Razer Viper 8K

What a difference 8K makes

DPI: 20,000 | Features: Razer Focus+ Optical Sensor, HyperPolling Technology, <0.125ms click latency, 8000 Hz polling rate

8,000Hz polling rate
Ambidextrous design
Somewhat expensive

Competitive fast-paced games require a gaming mouse that can keep up, and for that, you’d want to take a look at the Razer Viper 8K. This is among the fastest and most responsive gaming mice out there, thanks to its 8,000Hz polling rate and <0.125ms click latency. It’s also inherited the Razer Viper line’s impressive build as well as the ambidextrous design that some of its models come with. You'll need a speedy monitor to get the full benefit from the Viper 8K though, but if you need the most responsive mouse possible, this is the best one for you.

Read the full review: Razer Viper 8K

Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro from above on a white background

Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro is the best gaming mouse if you want to go wireless. (Image credit: Corsair)

3. Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro Wireless

Wireless at its finest

DPI: 18,000 | Features: Sub-1ms wireless speed, interchangeable side grips, hyper-polling up to 2,000Hz

Low latency
Very robust software
Not for claw grip gamers
More difficult to use when wired

Impressive wireless gaming mice are hardly a dime a dozen. Due to their latency, wireless mice are generally not ideal for gaming where every fraction of a second counts. This is why the Corsair Dark Core RGB has impressed us even more. With its sub-1ms speed, incredibly low latency, and reliability, this is truly a mouse we can game with, wireless or otherwise. And, that’s without mentioning its highly customizable RGB lighting and very robust software. There’s one catch: it’s not ideal for claw grip gamers as its palm rest is a bit flat. However, if you’re a palm gripper, you’ll love how it fits in your hand.

Read the full review: Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro Wireless

Steelseries Rival 5 from above on a white background

The Steelseries Rival 5 is nearly flawless in its performance. (Image credit: Steelseries)

4. Steelseries Rival 5

Greatness can trickle down

DPI: up to 18,000 | Features: TrueMove Air precision optical gaming sensor, 5 quick action side buttons, 10 RGB zones

Consistent performance
Stylish design
Buttoned up
Tricky extra buttons
No grips

Inheriting the Rival 600’s best attributes but also keeping its price of entry affordable, SteelSeries’ latest addition to its gaming mouse family is more than a solid contender in the battle for the best gaming mouse. The SteelSeries Rival 5’s greatness is apparent in both its design and its features, as it very much does in its performance. It’s lightweight and comes with more side buttons – not to mention, nearly flawless in its performance, making it an undeniable excellent value for gamers.

Read the full review: Steelseries Rival 5

SteelSeries Sensei Ten from above on a white background

The SteelSeries Sensei Ten may be older, but it's still a great gaming mouse. (Image credit: Techradar.uk)

5. SteelSeries Sensei Ten

SteelSeries returns to its Sensei roots

DPI: 50–18,000 in 50 in increments | Features: TrueMove Pro sensor, 50G acceleration, Tilt Tracking, 60 Million Click Mechanical Switches, Ambidextrous Design

Ambidextrous design
Onboard profile customization
A bit lightweight
Easy to accidentally click side buttons

Its onboard profile customization and nice matte finish are just two of the things you’ll love about the SteelSeries Sensei Ten. Most importantly, this ambidextrous mouse boasts a top-of-the-line sensor, making it one of the best gaming mice we’ve tested. It delivers such impressive acceleration and deceleration customization options, as well as butter-smooth performance. SteelSeries tops it all off with Tilt Tracking, which essentially keeps tracking consistent and precise even when you’re lifting your mouse and putting it back down at tilted angles.

Read the full review: SteelSeries Sensei Ten

Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed from above on a white background

The wireless Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed is the best gaming mouse. (Image credit: Razer)

6. Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed

All the performance, double the wireless

DPI: up to 16,000 | Features: 450 IPS tracking speed, up to 40G acceleration, HyperSpeed Wireless, 6 programmable buttons

Two connection options
Long-lasting battery
No wired backup
No DPI indicator

With up to 450 hours in Bluetooth mode, the Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed is one of the longest lasting wireless mouse on the market. But, it’s got more going for it than just longevity. It also boasts excellent performance with 450 IPS tracking speed and up to 40G acceleration. It’s key feature, however, is the HyperSpeed Wireless, which reduces the time it takes to send data between your mouse and PC so it’s 25% faster than any other wireless gaming technology.

Read the full review: Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed

Corsair Sabre Pro at an angle on a white background

The minimalist Corsair Sabre Pro is all about being fast. (Image credit: Corsair)

7. Corsair Sabre Pro

Fast and furious

DPI: up to 18,000 | Features: 8,000Hz polling rate, Quickstrike buttons, PTFE glide pads

Incredibly fast performance with 8,000Hz polling rate
Innovative drag-reducing paracord
Possible performance hit at 8,000Hz with lower specs

The Corsair Sabre RGB Pro Champion Series may lack all the frills and pizazz of other mice for gaming, but its minimalist design is made up for by its speed. Designed by esports gamers, this mouse is all about being fast with its 8,000Hz polling rate, the AXON hyper-processing technology, and Quickstrike buttons with fast actuation. And, it does so without setting you back a whole lot, making it a great option for competitive gamers who want to be economical.

Read the full review: Corsair Sabre Pro

HP Omen Vector Wireless Mouse at an angle on a white background

The HP Omen Vector Wireless Mouse is the best gaming mouse if you want longevity. (Image credit: HP)

8. HP Omen Vector Wireless

Great performance meets long battery life

DPI: 16,000 | Features: up to 180 hours of battery, fast charging, customizable buttons, 50 million clicks

Incredibly fast response time
Great battery life
Fast charging
Lacks Bluetooth connectivity
Can only cycle DPI in one direction

The Omen Vector doesn’t only deliver that impeccable no-latency performance and 1ms polling rage. It also comes with an extremely long battery life of up to 180 hours as well as a fast USB-C charging capability that gives you a full charge after only 90 minutes. There’s not a lot of extra features here, and you might miss being able to connect via Bluetooth, but this mouse about minimalism and sticking to the basics. If that’s something you’re looking for, this is the best gaming mouse for you.

Read the full review: HP Omen Vector Wireless

HyperX Pulsefire Dart at an angle on a white background

You’ll be happy to shell out a little more for what the HyperX Pulsefire Dart has to offer. (Image credit: HyperX)

9. HyperX Pulsefire Dart

Best of both worlds

DPI: up to 16,000 | Features: Qi Certified for wireless charging, padded leatherette grips, USB wireless adapter

Extra comfortable side padding
Impressive battery life
Wireless and wired, with Qi charging
Not the most interesting design

If you want a high-end mouse to see you through your gaming needs, then you’ll be happy to shell out a little more for what the HyperX Pulsefire Dart has to offer. This gaming mouse boasts robust build quality, responsive buttons, great ergonomics, and top-notch performance. In other words, it has all the makings of the best gaming mouse. And yet, it goes above and beyond, giving you the best of both worlds with its wired and wireless capabilities. Not only that, but it touts longevity and Qi charging as well. What more could you ask for?

Read the full review: HyperX Pulsefire Dart

Roccat Kone Pro showcasing its RGB lighting on a white background

The Roccat Kone Pro is light as a feather yet also as fast as lighting (Image credit: Roccat)

10. Roccat Kone Pro

Remarkably lightweight and esports-ready

DPI: up to 19,000 | Features: Extreme lightweight shell, Titan Switch Optical, Titan Wheel Pro, PhantomFlex cable

Extremely Lightweight
Titan Switch provide great click-throughs
Titan Wheel Pro Scroll is perfect
Lacks DPI adjustment buttons

Roccat’s Kone Pro is undeniably stunning, combining the brand’s clean and minimalist and gorgeous RGB lighting uniquely located underneath the left and right buttons. But, it also doesn’t go by looks alone. Light as a feather yet also as fast as lighting, this high-end gaming mouse boasts serious esports grade performance, making it an excellent option for pros and those who take gaming seriously. To make it truly yours, Roccat even slaps on a respectable slew of customization options for good measure. 

Read the full review: Roccat Kone Pro

How to choose the best gaming mouse

While you’ll definitely find the best gaming mouse of your gaming dreams, doing so might take some time and effort. That’s expected; there’s a ton of complicated technical jargon that goes into the best gaming mice – terms like polling rates and DPI ratings that a regular buyer may not be familiar with. For the record, you’ll want a higher number of both, even though these two terms mean very different things.

For newcomers to the world of PC gaming, when you come across the term DPI, that is shorthand for ‘dots per inch.’ The higher the number, the wider the range wherein you can specify how sensitive your mouse is. If you don’t have a lot of desk space available, but you still want accuracy and precision, then opt for the best gaming mouse with a higher DPI rating that can toggle to a lower DPI, in case you get a bigger desk.

Meanwhile, a high polling rate means you’re getting faster response times. The polling rate is measured in hertz, and it usually ranges from around 125 to 1,000Hz. The latter means that your mouse’s position is reported to your computer 1,000 times per second.

Other key gaming mouse factors you’ll want to keep in mind are ergonomics – particularly if you’re left-handed – and RGB lighting.

Gabe Carey and Michelle Rae Uy have also contributed to this article



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