For a PC gamer, the importance of a mouse cannot be denied. It’s as much a part of their arsenal as a good, reliable keyboard.
And let’s be honest, when it comes to PC gaming, normal mice just can’t cut it.
Their response time is slower, they lack the necessary buttons, and they aren’t made to be continuously used for hours, at least not the way gamers use them. Office use is another story for another time.
So, if you want to keep your finger cramps, wrist cramps, and the lousy frustration caused by their laggy responses in check, you should get yourself a professional gaming mouse.
The following info may seem like it’s for noobs but I’ll share it anyway.
A gaming mouse is designed to provide higher sensitivity, has multiple keys that can be assigned to control in-game functionality which improves the overall flow of your gameplay. Aesthetics are also a big plus for gaming mice, as their designs keep the strain off of your hands even with hours and hours of continuous gaming.
What you need to take into consideration though, is that these gaming mice don’t come cheap. Meaning, you can’t be buying one every few months and hunt for the one that actually fits your gaming needs.
So, like always, I am here to share with you the list of some of the best gaming mice out there that check most of the boxes off your requirements list. Let’s get on with the list:
Top 7 Best Gaming Mice Under 30 Dollars with Cool Look, Ergonomic Design & High Precision
We have spent over 50 hours testing these different mice for your benefit, running them through trials with the help of a team of 20 professional video game players, using their suggestions and guidance to structure this list that we are about to give you.
Getting their personal ratings for speed, comfort, and flow with different mice at different budgets as well, and after hours and hours of rigorous testing and shortlisting, we have compiled these specific mice that may be perfect for you.
#1. Wired Gaming Mouse by PICTEK
Pictek is a generally newer name to enter the gaming hardware industry, especially when compared to long-runners such as Logitech and Razer but their quality is definitely not lacking despite this fact. The mouse itself is customized with 7 shortcut buttons to improve the flow of the game for you, plus the shape is customized beautifully for both maximum grip comfort and sophistication.
With its ergonomic design players can keep going for hours and hours without experiencing any sort of wrist or finger cramp, even withstanding the test of time with a lifespan of up to 30 million clicks. The backlight illumination that has been added to the mouse allows for whole new levels of customization so it won’t stick out like a sore thumb from the rest of your gaming setup.
Another very pleasing feature of the mouse is it’s a wide range of compatibility with Windows, allowing you to set it up within almost any Windows operating system including Vista, 7 and XP. Of Course, the mouse’s sensitivity and the reaction are easily adjustable as well, allowing you to explore many different variations of playstyle until you find yours, add to that a row of massively customizable, and easy to access, buttons, and you will experience flow in gameplay like never before!
- A 7200 DPI sensor and polling rate of 4
- Multiple programmable mouse buttons
- Highly customizable, aesthetic, black-lights
- A grip-friendly, comfortable, design
- A lifespan of up to 30 million clicks
- Affordable
- Ergonomic
- Highly customizable to your tastes
- Not very compatible with the Mac
#2. Deathadder Elite Gaming Mouse by Razer
Razer is a very well known and reliable gaming hardware supplier, they have been in the market for a long time and have generally assembled a large, loyal following. They have even been hired to provide hardware such as headphones, keyboards, mice and even whole computers to pro-gaming events such as different types of Esports tournaments.
The benefits of buying this mouse do start high, with claims that it is, according to multiple sources, one of the best selling mice in the US. With its simplistic, sleek black and green design and it’s on-the-fly customizability, this mouse appeals to many users and pro-gamers. It too, is absolutely durable with a 50 million click lifespan and a 2 year warranty, so you will be hanging on to this one for quite a while.
With its own set of 7 programmable buttons, on-the-go sensitivity adjustment and a ridged scroll wheel (for better accuracy in games), the Razer Deathadder has a lot to offer to you. Not to mention, due to the long-standing, amazing, track record of the company you won’t have to worry if the quality of your device will lack or if you’re really getting what you paid for, and it is always nice to have that sense of security when investing in a piece of hardware such as this one.
- A 16000 DPI sensor with on the fly sensitivity adjustment
- 7 different programmable mouse buttons
- Aesthetically pleasing and highly customizable RGB lights
- A ridged and rubberized scroll wheel for maximum accuracy in-game
- A lifespan of up to 50 million clicks with a 2-year warranty
- Brand reliability
- Long term use and investment
- A personalized RGB look to suit your tastes exactly
- Nothing to mention
#3. G203 Prodigy by Logitech G
Logitech is yet another reliable name in computer hardware, seen as one of the biggest suppliers to offices and companies generally. Providing these work-places with mice, monitors, keyboards and much else, even providing certain Esports events with the hardware they use so they are a reliable name you can depend on for your hardware.
The G203 was a mouse developed by Logitech specifically for highspeed gaming and enhanced flow while immersed within the video game. With a response speed up to 8 times faster than that of a regular mouse as well as “tension-reducing technology” that allows players to exert less force per click, increasing their overall speed, this mouse could very well be the “Usain Bolt” of gaming mice.
The classic, beautiful design is extremely pleasing to the eye, hiding many gems underneath its plain surface, such as the improved sensors that allow for more precise control and accuracy in the game as well as a long reach in terms of compatibility with different operating systems, spanning over both the Windows and Mac systems.
Don’t judge a book by its cover has never been more appropriate since, although the mouse itself seems rather common-place, it provides as much support as many other professional gaming mice, even surpassing a few in certain elements such as its speed. G203 Prodigy offers silent clicks and produces no noise while clicking.
- A high speed 6000 DPI sensor
- An up-to-8-times faster response than most mice
- Reducing tensioning in the buttons to increase player speed
- A large range of operating system compatibility
- A classic, aesthetic design, optimized for grip comfort
- Brand reliability
- A faster, more immersive, gameplay experience
- Classic, aesthetic appeal
- A bit on the more expensive side
#4. M901 Wired Gaming Mouse by Red Dragon
Red Dragon is a very high-end gaming-hardware company, with their products highly appreciated by fans of the massive MMORPG, “World of Warcraft”. With much more complex hardware than presented previously the M901 mouse is full of different features that are sure to knock you off your feet.
The first noticeable thing about the M901 are it’s buttons, with a total of 18 programmable buttons (or shortcuts) this mouse truly seems like the “swiss army knife” of gaming mice. That is not all though, with the possibility of reaching up to 12400 DPI, partnered with high precision sensors, the mouse is extremely accurate in-game allowing for a smoother session of gameplay.
The ergonomic design of the mouse is especially delightful since it is suited to relax “gamer grip” and allow you to keep playing for hours on end without the fear of cramping or hurting yourself. Add to the growing list of positives the fact that this mouse is compatible with all Windows operating systems, including and after Windows XP, and you have a pretty convincing argument that it’s worth buying, especially if you spend a lot of time playing “MMORPGs” or “first-person shooters”.
- A max DPI of 12400 that is instantly changeable to match your playstyle
- 18 different programmable mouse buttons
- An ergonomic design to prevent wrist pain
- Compatibility with all Windows OSs including and released after Windows XP
- An extremely high durability, built to last a long while
- Amount of programmable buttons make for ease of access
- Approved by large groups of popular gaming communities
- High DPI and complex sensors allow for smoother gameplay and more immersion
- A lack of aesthetic customizability options
#5. Rival 110 Gaming Mouse by SteelSeries
This simplistic, yet hypnotically beautiful mouse, known as the Rival 110 made by SteelSeries is quite the gem in the gaming world. Although seeming possibly under-whelming at first glance for a gaming mouse, the hardware involved in making this piece of machinery is actually quite amazing.
With a lifelong durability of up to 30 million clicks, this powerful mouse is quite the investment for multiple reasons, the first of these being the weight of the mouse itself. The Rival 110 is very lightweight, only weighing 87.5g. This lack of weight allows you, as the player, to move the mouse faster and more accurately which works quite well with the mouse’s high-end sensors that make tracking the movement of the mouse to the screen, their topmost priority.
The mouse itself also uses an ergonomic design to lessen strain on your, and other players’, wrists as they get immersed into the game and keep going for hours on end. So far so good right? Another interesting feature is that the RGB prism lighting used to give the mouse its aesthetic glow can even be easily changed into any of another 16.8 million colors, so you can customize it to your liking and make at as “you” as you want to.
- A smooth DPI of 7200,
- An ergonomic shape to promote hours of gameplay,
- Prism RGB lights with over 16 million variations in color
- Extremely lightweight, only 87.5g
- A lifespan of up to 30 million clicks
- Lower wear on your wrist due to the lightweight
- A long term investment due to it extremely durable hardware
- Millions of possible, palate-pleasing, color combinations at your fingertips
- A bit lower DPI than the other gaming mice
#6. Harpoon- RGB Gaming mouse by Corsair
Another bang for the buck, the Harpoon from Corsair is one of my favorites in the wired gaming mice category.
While it may seem like an ordinary mouse to onlookers, it is anything but that. Designed to provide an ergonomic feel, the Harpoon doesn’t also lack any functionality. It houses six buttons including the standard left and right clickers. The mouse is designed for people with small hands.
All buttons are placed in a comfortable reach and can be pressed easily, without needing to train your fingers to form any awkward angles. The buttons can also be programmed to perform any in-game action.
Apart from the comfortable form factor and multiple button layout, the Harpoon also offers great sensitivity thanks to its 6000 DPI sensor.
The high DPI sensitivity also makes this mouse a perfect choice for almost all genres of games. And there’s on-board storage as well which stores your DPI settings on the mouse, so you don’t have to set it up before every session.
One last thing, and the reason that makes this Corsair mouse my favorite; it works with Xbox One, seamlessly. The mouse is plug and play on all devices and has a fire icon placed where the palm rests. The icon has an RGB light underneath which helps the Harpoon blend with any gaming PC setup effortlessly.
- A speedy 6000 DPI tracking sensor
- 6 different programmable mouse buttons
- Rubber side grips for better grip and movement
- Contoured design provides a natural fit in your hand
- Incredibly lightweight at just 85g
- Light weight and ergonomic design with easy maneuverability
- Plug and play connectivity provides convenience of connectivity
- Six completely customizable input buttons for enhanced gameplay experience
- RGB lighting provides easy visual blending with all gaming hardware.
- Great sensitivity and response time thanks to 6000 DPI
- Not ideal for people with large hands
- The scroll-wheel feels glitchy at times and misses a roll here and there
#7. Pulsefire Core by HyperX
And last on the list is the HyperX Pulsefire gaming mouse. Probably the cheapest one on the list, there’s still no compromise on the quality from HyperX. The overall built is of course of plastic but the feel to touch doesn’t give off any cheap vibes. The HyperX logo sits on the back and glows a customizable RGB light.
The Pulsefire one ups Corsair’s Harpoon gaming mouse and has seven functional buttons. The textured sides keeps the mouse always in your grip while the Pixart sensor ensures the tracking accuracy. The HyperX also provides great DPI settings with DPI rates going as high as 6200.
The HyperX’s own NGenuity software ships with the mouse and is required to program the buttons, choose the RGB light, and set the DPI to your preference.
- A DPI sensor that can reach up to 6200
- 7 different programmable mouse buttons
- A professional and minimalistic design that is not distracting even with RGB
- A respectable lifespan of up to 20 million clicks
- Ergonomically designed with rubber side grips
- Highly affordable price tag
- USB wired connectivity
- Lightweight plastic build quality
- Seven reprogrammable buttons
- Pixart optical sensor for movement accuracy
- The Pulsefire cannot be customized without the NGenuity software
What mouse do most pro gamers use?
It’s all about the preference of the user actually. Some like a certain form factor due to its ergonomics. Others may require functionality through extra buttons. Few like their gaming peripherals to be wireless. So, suggesting one gaming mouse over the other won’t be justified.
However, if you are seeking specific brand and/or model recommendations, the Logitech G203 Prodigy, the Razer Deathadder Elite, and the PICTEK gaming mouse are some of the best wired gaming mice under a budget you can get right now. Best part, they don’t put a dent in your pocket. If you’re looking to buy any of these, you can check out their links above.
What is the best cheap gaming mouse?
Again, there’s no definite answer for this. Whether a gaming mouse is cheap or not depends on your budget as well as your willingness to spend that budget. For example, if you have $50 set aside for a gaming mouse, any and all with a price tag of $50 or under are cheap for you. So, to recommend a cheap mouse I first need to know your budget. Regardless, knowing the fact that such a question could arise, I focused this article on only affordable and cheap gaming mice. Bear in mind though, all the models mentioned in the list are also some of the best performers in their price range. No matter which one you choose, its going to be a win-win situation on price and performance fronts for you.
Are gaming mice worth it?
As a habitual gamer who spends the best hours of his day in a virtual world, I would say yes. A good Hand-eye coordination isn’t the only thing that separates a noob from an expert, it’s also your gaming arsenal that sets you apart. For noobs, I would suggest going for cheap but functional peripherals initially. But as your gaming improves, level up your equipment, just like you would level up your in-game character and weapons. So, to emphasize on my earlier answer, YES! Investing in a gaming mouse, and a keyboard for that matter, is definitely worth it.
What DPI do most gamers use?
Most gamers rely on mice that provide up to 1600 DPI. But you don’t necessarily need as much. Depending on the type of games you play, or are playing, you can adjust the DPI. For the most part, FPS gamers are best played on a DPI setting of 400 or above, while RPGs can be enjoyed on a setting of 1000 to 1600 DPI. If you play MOBAs, the ideal setting would be between 400 to 800 DPI. So, depending on the genre of the game you’re playing, the DPI settings can vary. Despite that, you will not need a mouse over 1600 DPI to play any genre.
How to Choose the Perfect Gaming Mouse for Your Next Esport Tournament – Buyers’ Guide
When looking for the right gaming mouse for yourself the things to focus on are going to be; durability of the mouse, how extreme of a DPI sensor you may need with it, and how much does the wear on your wrist matter to you. We are focusing on these specifically as people tend to have different needs in these genres and their decisions to these questions will greatly affect the type of gaming mouse suited to their playstyle.
Durability
The durability of a mouse matters since it affects how long of an investment you are willing to make on that mouse. A gaming mouse with a lot of durabilities will last a very long time which means it will not be financially feasible to buy another one and try that one out while your last gaming mouse is working just fine. Plus people in video game tournaments and Esports wear out their mice quicker so it may be smarter for them to buy more durable mice.
DPI Sensor
The DPI sensor is the part of the mouse that basically managed mouse sensitivity, for people using a mouse in their everyday lives, using a mouse with a DPI of 6000 maxed out would be more difficult to manage. Higher DPI sensor mice are more often sought after by pro-video game players that are taking part in tournaments, thus if you are a more casual player then a mouse with a lower DPI sensor standard might be more suited to you.
Wristwear
Some people play video games for hours on end, some prefer having mice that are heavier since they may have more functionality although playing using those mice for long periods of time may result in wrist cramps. If you do not need a mouse with extremely high levels of functionality but still wish to marathon a video game for hours on end, then mice that lessen wrist strain may be the ones you should be looking at.
Conclusion
With that this list of gaming mice has come to an end, we hope you managed to find what you were looking for or if not, at least we hope you enjoyed what you read.
What is your favorite video game? Also, do you participate in many Esport tournaments yourself? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Until next time, Game Over.