Gone are the times when wi-fi mice had been laggy, battery-sucking substitutes for a actual mouse. Wi-fi mice have improved in leaps and bounds over the previous few years, with mouse producers having largely solved the issues that blighted these units previously. Stability, virtually lag-free connections, and lengthy battery lives are actually the norm. Actually, with not one of the points that held them again previously, wi-fi mice have turn into the go-to mice of alternative for most individuals.
Wi-fi mice include two moderately apparent advantages: they eradicate the tether to your laptop and they’re journey pleasant for whenever you want a mouse on the go—nobody objects to carrying round one much less wire. Whilst you may pay a bit extra for a wi-fi mouse than a wired one, the worth of this type of comfort is properly value it.
Wish to pair your wi-fi mouse with a wi-fi keyboard? We’ve received you coated—see PCWorld’s roundup of the most effective wi-fi keyboards.
In search of a wi-fi mouse particular to gaming? Check out our greatest wi-fi gaming mice.
Our picks for finest wi-fi mice embrace revolutionary designs, ergonomic options, and a number of connectivity choices. In addition they cowl each informal and gaming makes use of, so it is best to have the ability to discover a minimum of one which fits your wants. You’ll discover our recommendations on what to search for in a wi-fi mouse beneath our suggestions. Learn on to be taught extra.
Up to date 8/8/2023: We’ve added the Contour SliderMouse Professional as our new alternative for finest wi-fi mouse for RSI. Learn extra about this nice ergonomic new decide within the abstract beneath.
Microsoft Arc Mouse – Greatest wi-fi mouse for journey


Execs
- Journey-friendly measurement
- Comfy design
- Good productiveness efficiency
Cons
- Restricted customization choices
- Wants two AAA batteries
- Could be small for greater palms
If we had a “most uncommon mouse design” class, the Arc Mouse would win that as properly. It lays flat till you bend it into an arc that conforms to the form of your mouse-ing hand. It makes use of a single click on pad for left and proper buttons and scrolling, and the default settings could be modified in Home windows machine settings.
At simply 5.17 x 2.17 x 0.56 inches, the Arc Mouse is well probably the most moveable mouse we examined. We additionally like that there isn’t a USB receiver to fret about misplacing—the Arc Mouse connects through Bluetooth 4.0. Of us with extra-large palms may discover it just a little small, however for most individuals it is going to be a welcome addition to their gear bag.
Logitech MX Ergo – Greatest wi-fi mouse with a trackball


Execs
- Comfy ergonomic tilt
- Strong construct
- Extremely customizable
Cons
- Proper-handed solely
- Costly
Trackball mice are an acquired style, however the MX Ergo’s revolutionary design could have wider enchantment. Its width and form can accommodate most hand sizes and its responsive thumb-side trackball is straightforward to make use of and management.
A detachable steel plate on the underside serves a twin objective. Its weight retains the mouse completely nonetheless in your desk as you rotate the scroll wheel. And it may also be adjusted to tilt the mouse 20 levels, an angle that places your arm in a extra pure, rested place.
The mouse has eight buttons—together with a devoted precision button that slows the cursor velocity so you can also make extra correct actions with the trackball—all of which could be custom-made utilizing Logitech Choices software program. The mouse connects through an accompanying USB dongle or Bluetooth, and Logitech claims its battery can go 4 months on a single full cost. The one downer is it’s not ambidextrous, so southpaws must look elsewhere.
Logitech MX Vertical – Greatest ergonomic wi-fi mouse


Execs
- Comfy ergonomic design
- Can cross-control a number of units
- Customizable button mapping
Cons
- Has a little bit of a studying curve
- Costly
If in case you have a historical past of mouse-related hand and arm discomfort, the MX vertical is a superb possibility. Its upright place and contoured physique places your arm at a few 57-degree vertical angle, decreasing the strain in your wrist and creating a snug thumb relaxation. Regardless of the unconventional design, the mouse nonetheless provides acquainted controls with cut up mouse buttons, a scroll wheel aligned to your first two fingers, and a pair of thumb buttons on the adjascent facet.
The mouse helps Logitech’s Unified Receiver and Bluetooth connections. You may also wire it to your laptop utilizing the USB-C charging cable. You need to use it with Logitech Choices to customise button settings and with Logitech Circulation to seamlessly management a number of computer systems with a single mouse.
The MX Veritcal is a high-performing productiveness software when you get acclimated to the vertical design, and one which will stop ache and pressure in addition to ease them.
Logitech Raise – Greatest ergonomic wi-fi mouse for lefties


Execs
- Comfy vertical grip
- Left-hand possibility
- Extremely customizable buttons
- Clean monitoring
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Angle of mouse higher suited to folks stopping or decreasing gentle wrist and elbow discomfort
Logitech does it once more with the Raise. What units this ergonomic providing other than the superb MX Vertical is that this mouse is smaller, thus suited to small-to-medium palms, it may be had in a left-handed model, and it is available in enjoyable duo-tone colours. It’s snug within the hand and may join through Bluetooth or the included 2.4GHz wi-fi dongle. The buttons could be custom-made utilizing the Logi Choices+ software program, so this mouse will meet your work-process calls for in addition to your calls for for bodily consolation.
Learn our full
Logitech Raise evaluation
Contour SliderMouse Professional – Greatest wi-fi mouse for RSI


Execs
- Ergonomic design
- Programmable buttons
- Comfy to make use of
Cons
- Costly
- Takes up quite a lot of room on the desk
- Some software program inconsistencies
For many who work all day on the pc, you understand that it will possibly take a toll in your palms and wrists. Lessening the impacts of RSI or arthritis could be a main concern for a lot of. If protecting your palms and wrists wholesome is one in all your main wants then the SliderMouse Professional is a superb possibility. Taking a novel strategy to ergonomics, it makes use of an ingenious Sliderbar part that may be slid vertically or horizontally to maneuver the cursor similar to a normal mouse. The entire mouse seems like a large wrist wrest and is meant to be positioned straight in entrance of a keyboard—very like a touchpad beneath the keyboard on a laptop computer. This configuration signifies that you don’t should place your hand in a clumsy spot off to the facet.
It takes a little bit of getting used to and the motion of the slider could make a little bit of a smooth contact sound, but it surely doesn’t have an effect on the expertise all that a lot. It additionally comes with programmable buttons that may carry out the identical features as a normal mouse. Admittedly it’s costly, however the well being and security of your wrists and palms is greater than value it.
Learn our full
Contour SliderMouse Professional evaluation
Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse – Greatest funds wi-fi mouse


Execs
- Compact, ambidextrous design
- Clickable scroll wheel
- Cheap
Cons
- No programmable buttons
- No ergonomic options
For a no-nonsense, go-anywhere mouse, the Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse is tough to beat. As its identify makes clear, it connects over Bluetooth so there’s no USB dongle to maintain monitor of. Cut up buttons and a clickable scroll wheel allow you to exactly navigate net pages and enormous paperwork, and it tracks simply over most surfaces.
The Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse runs on a single AA battery however because it makes use of Bluetooth Low Power, you may anticipate as much as 12 months of battery life. It’s obtainable in 5 colours.
Logitech G502 Lightspeed – Greatest wi-fi mouse for gaming


Execs
- Quick charging
- Comfy and engaging design
- Detachable weight system gives loads of choices
Cons
- Heavier than some may like
- Costly
- Third thumb button is small and awkwardly positioned
We at PCWorld liked Logitech’s G502 Hero earlier than it went wi-fi and was renamed the G502 Lightspeed. It has the identical nice snug design, well-thought-out button configuaration, and handy dual-mode scroll. Logitech carried over all these options within the wi-fi replace, however the G502 Lightspeed improves upon the unique with its Powerplay compatibility—a function we will’t communicate extremely sufficient of.
The Powerplay system trickle-charges the mouse as you play, which frees you from having to cost it manually when the battery runs out, and guaranteeing the mouse at all times has energy (learn extra about Logitech’s Powerplay Wi-fi Charging System.) Logitech additionally redesigned the wi-fi G502 with a brand new rubber-coated wheel as an alternative of the outdated steel one we noticed within the wired model. This has additional decreased its weight—now a featherlight 114 grams—making it the lightest model obtainable.
The Lightspeed mouse comes with an 11-button choice, which locations it within the candy spot between mice just like the 18-button SteelSeries Aerox 9 and the smaller 6-button HyperX Pulsefire Haste. This makes it supreme as a do-it-all mouse that received’t overwhelm you with command choices, however doesn’t shirk on performance both.
Learn our full
G502 Lightspeed evaluation
Logitech G603 – Greatest funds wi-fi mouse for gaming


Execs
- Adopts Logitech’s snug G703 scooped form
- 500 hours of high-performance gaming off two AA batteries
- Flashy one-piece battery cowl and button design
Cons
- Heavy, because of the twin batteries
- Arduous to say how sturdy the buttons might be over time
You need to use your most important mouse for gaming on the street. However Logitech’s G603 is a better option. This devoted wi-fi gaming mouse options six programmable buttons, together with the scroll wheel and a snug scoop form that conforms to right-handers’ thumbs. Two AA batteries energy as much as 500 hours of gaming because of Logitech’s proprietary HERO sensor, which gives correct efficiency with no smoothing, no acceleration, and no interference as much as 12,000 DPI.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Logitech G603.
What to search for in a wi-fi mouse
Connectivity
In lieu of a wire, wi-fi mice join in one in all two methods: through Bluetooth or radio frequencies. Most fashionable computer systems ship with Bluetooth help, so if you are going to buy a Bluetooth-compatible mouse, you’ll simply must pair the 2 units to stand up and working.
Wi-fi mice that join utilizing radio frequencies include a USB-RF receiver that plugs right into a USB port in your laptop. It is a plug-and-play course of and the mouse ought to discuss to the receiver—typically referred to as a “dongle”—as quickly as you plug it in. If you happen to don’t or can’t maintain the dongle plugged into your laptop always—you solely have so many USB ports, in any case—you’ll should vigilantly maintain monitor of it. If you happen to lose it, your mouse received’t be good for something however a paper weight. For that reason, some mice include a small compartment in which you’ll retailer the receiver when it’s not in use.
The primary concern with wi-fi connectivity is latency. In case your enter doesn’t register onscreen practically immediately, you productiveness will rapidly take successful. A mouse’s responsiveness is much more essential when gaming, the place fast reflexes could be the distinction between digital life and loss of life.
Sadly, there’s little settlement round which connectivity technique is quicker. Gaming corporations like Razer and SteelSeries declare RF connections have the benefit, and that’s probably true for gaming. However the latency distinction between Bluetooth and RF, which is measured in tenths of a millisecond, might be negligible for productiveness. In our exams, we noticed little distinction between the 2 varieties of connectivity throughout fundamental work duties.
Ergonomics
Mouse use has been implicated in repetitive stress accidents for years, and producers have responded with all types of quirky designs they declare will stop or relieve wrist and arm ache. They’ve tweaked the mouse’s sculpt, button place, and form seemingly each which option to facilitate a extra pure angle in your arm when it’s shifting and at relaxation. However simply because the field says a mouse is ergonomic doesn’t imply it’s assured to scale back your discomfort. The one option to inform for positive is to make use of it for a time frame, and sadly retailers don’t sometimes permit take a look at drives.
Nonetheless, for designers, PC players, and others who who spend steady hours utilizing a mouse, prioritizing an ergonomic mannequin might be value it. Simply bear in mind, the kind of mouse you utilize is just one consider minimizing RSIs, and your habits could also be an much more necessary issue.
Programmable buttons
Whereas the features of left and proper buttons and the scroll wheel are clear, many mice embrace extra buttons on the facet and/or prime of the mouse you could configure for customized duties. Mapping these buttons to issues just like the again button of your browser, “minimize” and “paste” instructions, or different repetitive duties can prevent quite a lot of time in the long term. Usually, if a mouse comes with a half-dozen buttons, it would additionally embrace the producer’s software program for programming them.
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of a wi-fi mouse?
There are a couple of disadvantages of a wi-fi mouse in comparison with a wired model. The primary drawback is concerning velocity and response time. Data travels sooner through a wired connection than a wi-fi radio protocol connection—which most wi-fi mice make the most of. This velocity distinction could be particularly noticeable whereas enjoying video games that require quick reflexes and split-second selections. Nevertheless, most fashionable gaming mice now make the most of superior expertise that produces virtually nonexistent enter lag.
One other drawback to utilizing a wi-fi mouse over a wired mouse is that of energy. Wired mice draw their energy straight from the machine they’re related to and due to this fact by no means run out of juice. Nevertheless, a wi-fi mouse runs off of batteries that both should be recharged often or changed.
However at PCWorld we predict that these disadvantages are comparatively minor and utilizing a wi-fi mouse probably gives extra benefits than drawbacks.
Do all wi-fi mice want USB?
No. Whereas it’s nonetheless frequent for wi-fi mice to make the most of a USB dongle that connects to a pc, increasingly more wi-fi mice are starting to make use of Bluetooth connections as an alternative. There isn’t any efficiency distinction between the 2; nevertheless, in case your machine has Bluetooth compatibility, that may be the way in which to go. Bluetooth has the benefit of not requiring an open USB port in your machine and plenty of peripherals could be related to at least one machine through Bluetooth.
How do you join a wi-fi mouse to a pc?
To attach a wi-fi mouse that makes use of a USB dongle, it’s so simple as plugging the dongle into your laptop after which turning on the wi-fi mouse. Most definitely your laptop will mechanically obtain any firmware required and you then’re off to the races.
If you wish to join your wi-fi mouse through Bluetooth, first be sure that each your mouse and laptop are Bluetooth appropriate and it’s enabled. Then discover your machine settings in your laptop and press and maintain the synchronization button on the wi-fi mouse. It ought to pop up on the record of obtainable Bluetooth units in your laptop. Merely click on to attach and also you’re good to go.