I've seen quite a few reviews on here for mice already but at the same time I've yet to see someone come on here and give some general guidelines and suggestions for purchasing one. It was a thread like this that got me to purchase my first gaming mouse when I started to play the first modern warfare and battlefield 2142 so I figure it's time I helped do the same here. Let's begin!
What defines a "gaming" mouse?
A gaming mouse is a bit of a loose term but it typically involves the following
- Greater sensitivity
- Adjustable features
- More buttons
- "Upgraded" Aesthetics to include features like lights and color
The term is applied rather loosely these days as I have seen a 3 button, 1500 dpi mouse billed as "gaming" because it was red. This was done to justify the 10$ price increase over the black model which had identical specs.......so yeah, please don't buy very generic brand "gaming" mice.
What do I need to know when shopping for one?
There are a lot of factors to consider when buying a gaming mouse, but in my mind the #1 feature is comfort. This can be difficult when buying online but to give you an idea of what you're looking for, go down to a best buy or micro center or whatever and pay close attention to how you naturally grab the various mice on display. What you want to look for is how you hold the mice - do you use more of a "claw" grip or a "palm" grip? And do you feel more comfortable on a larger mouse, or a smaller mouse? What I mean by claw vs. palm is whether or not your palm actually makes regular contact with the mouse. This is common with a larger, heavier mouse as you need more force to move the mouse around so using a palm grip (in my useage at least) helps you keep control. In a "claw" grip, your fingers alone move the mouse around. The claw grip is better on a smaller mouse by a comfort standpoint, but again, your mileage may vary. Best buy does sell gaming mice in store so there is no replacement for going down there and giving the different models a feel in your hand. Some mice such as the Razer Naga will have over 10 buttons on them so a comfortable feel is important if you want to use all of them.
Once you know what type of mouse you think will suit you best, the other thing to consider is the features of the mouse. Wireless mode, adjustable weights, adjustable size, adjustable sensitivity, # of buttons, macro capabilities, and remappable buttons. There are even more features but these are the most common. For a beginner mouse, adjustable sensitivity is a MUST. You just don't know how sensitive you want it until you get one for yourself and use it for a while. The maximum sensitivity doesn't matter, so long as you are in the 2k-3000 DPI (more DPI = more cursor movement for every inch or cm you move the mouse) range. Buying a 100$ mouse capable of 6k DPI does you no good if you don't like it past 4k DPI. I am on my 8th gaming mouse so by this point, I know what sensitivities I like and don't like, as well as what features I will use and what features I won't.
So what mouse is good for a beginner?
I'm sure others will disagree so I will make a short list at the bottom for popular choices based on price or features. Most peripheral manufacturers make a "gaming" mouse these days so you're not at all limited in choice, no matter your style. Here's what I consider to be a "good" gaming mouse
- Price <50$ since you will likely upgrade in a year or so to something more specialized for a game or your personal preference
- DPI between 2 and 4 thousand. with the ability to adjust on the fly (meaning you press a button to make it more or less sensitive and cycle through preset settings)
- At least 5 buttons, two of which are easily used by the thumb
- Wired over wireless. Simpler construction, cheaper cost.
The models I used when I started were the razer diamondback and the microsoft sidewinder (OG sidewinder mouse, not the X5 refresh). They couldn't be more different. The sidewinder was incredibly light and designed for a "claw" grip. My hands are large so I found it uncomfortable for a long gaming session. It also topped out at 1600 DPI which was fine on an old CRT monitor but when I upgraded to a 1080 resolution LCD it just didn't cut it. The sidewinder had a much more easily adjustable sensitivity (3 dedicated buttons to switch between user defined modes) and had a much larger area meant for a "palm" grip. The buttons for the thumb were easier to use since they were stacked vertically instead of horizontally like on the diamondback. Oh and the diamondback broke within 6 months of use. The sidewinder? I gave it away to a friend as his first gaming mouse back in 2009 and he still uses it today. The mouse came with extra teflon feet and adjustable weights but he said he removed one of the weights (I like a heavy mouse) and replaced the feet in 2011 and it is still his daily mouse.
What about their use outside of my game?
Gaming mice are typically sculpted a bit more comfortably to fit your grip style. Some even come with adjustable bodies like the R.A.T. mouse series or the logitech G9. Not to mention that some mice can be used to compensate for other features that might be lacking on your computer. This laptop I game on lacks a decent media bar. But my newest addition (logitech G700) has three buttons just to the left of left click. I use them as media control buttons since I now have 4 buttons within my thumb's reach. They were easily changeable within the mouse software and it took about a half an hour to get this setup between some testing and changing.
After using gaming mice for so long, I have begun to hate my work mouse due to its lack of comfort and features. I am about to bring in an older mouse I don't use too often (poor contruction + lack of features) just so I can have some comfort when doing work on the computer.
Enough talk, give me some specific mice to look for!
I'll do my best to update this as needed but here are my current suggestions based on personal experience. Note that these mice are outside the realm of a "typical" first time buyer unless a major sale happens but they are very good mice.
Logitech G9x - http://www.newegg.co...VirtualParent=1
It is a wired mouse that has become my gold standard for mice since microsoft decided to stop making the sidewinder X8 (discussed later). 5700 DPI, two "bodies" for the mouse, easily adjustable DPI between 5 settings, adjustable weights, and a very solid laser sensor. I highly recommend that you download the software to customize the mouse to your liking. I don't recommend paying 80$ for it though, not if it's your first mouse anyways.
Logitech G700 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16826104377 Again, I don't recommend paying this price for the mouse, but it is my current favorite. 13 buttons helps make up for a lack of media buttons on my laptop but it is a larger mouse so I can palm it with ease. The wireless mode is great when the wire gets uncomfortable and the internal battery is rechargeable via USB cable.
*I am willing to hear suggestions for other mice here, please link to a good review and I will post them here*
What *don't * you recommend?
Anything made by razer will fall apart in under a year. I wish I was exaggerating but I am being literal. Between me and 3 other friends, we've bought 3 mice, 1 keyboard, 2 headsets, and 3 gamepads. All lasted about 6 months before catastrophic failure. All the mice failed to be recognized by windows, both headsets had issues outputting sound, the gamepads no longer were recognized, and the keyboard made a *FZZZT* sound one night and that was all she wrote. Besides the keyboard, we deduced that all of the others were let down at their connectors (If you jiggled them around they would be recognized momentarily). This was odd because the headsets didn't see much travel and neither did one of the mice and one of the gamepads, they just make the worst quality connectors at razer. I know others have different experiences, but I can not with good conscience give a recommendation to any razer product.
I also want to say - stay away from any mouse costing less than 20$ new unless it is a sale price. This product - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16826501009 isn't a gaming mouse. It is a normal mouse, glossed up a bit. This mouse, made by the SAME company - http://www.newegg.co...VirtualParent=1 comes a lot closer to being a gaming mouse. Note the wider body for better grip as well as 1600DPI vs 1000 DPI. 1600 still isn't that impressive but it's better than your standard mouse.
So what do you recommend for buying a gaming mouse?
If it's your first mouse, take my advice - BUY USED OR REFURBISHED. I know of very few people who only bought one gaming mouse for a very long period of time. Your tastes might change, your grip might change, your hand size might change (if you're younger).......Buying a refurbished mouse or a used mouse gets you into the club for a very low entry fee. That logitech G9x I showed earlier? I paid 40$ for it through an ebay ad because it was a floor demo and was missing the manuals and box. It has worked perfect for 2 years and counting. My old sidewinder X8 wireless mouse retailed for 80$ + but I got it for 30$ through a refurbished/floor model site. I even got the extra weights and feet. Actually if you can find it for cheap, the X8 is the best mouse I've owned from a balance standpoint. It is wireless with the battery lasting around 15-20 hours on a charge. It can be recharged via a very small cable and a quick magnetic connection. No interruption of game needed. It has two very well placed thumb buttons and a high maximum DPI with a quick way to cycle through your DPI settings. The weight and size were great for my hand.
Once you own a mouse or two, I recommend buying an additional mouse that's different than yours on the occasional sale or ebay auction, just to try a different style. The Zalman "Gun" FG1000 is a prime example - http://www.newegg.co...82E16826501004. I paid 20$ for it and used it occasionally in call of duty. I tried it in MWO and a few other games but it only found use in CoD. I don;t regret it though because it is fun for me and it has a use.
So to close up this post, I will post two recommended lists that I will update based on responses. A list of simple, cheap yet effective mice for beginners, and a list of higher end, top quality mice for those willing to spend a bit more. Remember, there is nothing wrong with buying used or refurbished so long as it works.
Beginner mice (Prices <50$ NEW)
- Logitech G100, G300, G400 (all are gaming mice under 50$)
- Cooler master Storm Xornet (25$, 2000 DPI, 4 egg rating on newegg)
- Cooler master Storm Sentinel Advance II (49$, 8200 DPI, laser sensor)
Best Mice
- Cyborg R.A.T. line - 3,5,7,9 (7 and 9 are the same except for 9 being wireless)
- Logitech G9x / G700 / G500 / G600 (G600 = MMO mouse, G700 = wireless, G9x and G500 = all around mice)
- Tt eSports level 10 (Haven't used personally but reviews seem good)
- Genius GX-gaming Gila - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16826570016 (bit of an unknown brand but it reviews well for larger hands and has a lot of features for less than 100$)
- Corsair M90 (almost forgot about this one, missed initial edit but is added due to seeing multiple reviews + good reviews from personal friends. Recommended buy if it fits your hand)
**If you want to recommend a razer mouse you better be prepared to back it up with external long term reviews. I absolutely loved all my products out of the box only to find the build quality lacking severely next to ALL of their major competition. The only mouse that has died on me or my friends has been razer branded. **
Edited by themanwithsauce, 31 March 2013 - 01:01 AM.