What to consider when selecting a gaming mouse.
Picking a gaming mouse is like picking a car. You want to pick something that’s easy to drive, comfortable, and complimentary to your abilities.
Wordsmith at SteelSeries. Enthusiastic about Dota 2 and fighting games. A cat dad.
Selecting the perfect gaming mouse that compliments your gaming skills can be overwhelming. There are so many different components and features to consider. Lucky for you, we’ve got you covered. In this guide we talk about everything you need to know before picking your trusty mouse for battle. In this article we cover things like DPI settings, sensor types, ergonomics, customization, build quality, and connectivity. Let’s dive in!
DPI or Dots Per Inch speaks to the overall performance ability of the mouse. This can often be referred to as both DPI or CPI. This measures how far the cursor moves on the screen in relation to the movement of your mouse. Simply put, a higher DPI means the cursor will move further with less movement of the mouse. There’s no magic setting or range that you want to be in but having the ability to adjust these settings is a feature valuable to a lot of gamers in the world of FPS and other games. The ability to change your DPI settings can greatly improve your performance if you’re playing a game that warrants a different setting for peak performance.
High DPI: High DPI settings range from 1600 to 20,000 DPI or more, and are ideal for quick, large movements. This is particularly useful in fast-paced games where rapid cursor movement can give you a competitive edge.
Low DPI: Low DPI settings, typically below 800 DPI, provide slower cursor movement, which can enhance precision and control. This is beneficial for tasks requiring fine adjustments, such as aiming with a sniper rifle in a first-person shooter or managing intricate movements in strategy games.
Comfort for gaming mice is influenced by your mouse grip style. Having a gaming mouse that compliments your grip style can alleviate prolonged carpal tunnel issues and help with performance. Before picking a gaming mouse, you should first understand which grip style you favor and what mouse types are best suited for your style.
Palm Grip: Involves resting your entire hand on the mouse, with your fingers and palm making full contact. Mice designed for palm grip are often larger and more contoured to support the hand’s natural shape.
Claw Grip: Involves gripping the mouse with your fingertips and arching your fingers, with the palm making minimal contact. Mice suited for claw grip tend to be smaller and more lightweight, allowing for quicker, more precise movements.
Fingertip Grip: Involves using only your fingertips to control the mouse, with the palm not touching the mouse at all. Mice designed for fingertip grip are usually lightweight and compact, allowing for fast, flick-like movements.
Do you like using extra buttons on your mouse? Is that a deal breaker for you? Maybe it’s something you’ve never considered before. Either way, having programmable buttons can allow you to customize and streamline your gameplay.
Programmable buttons can be assigned in-game commands like weapon swaps or ability activations that can reduce your reliance on keyboard shortcuts for faster, more efficient actions. Beyond simple in-game commands, you can create and program macros, a series of keystrokes or actions needed in the game, allowing you to do advanced combinations with minimal effort.
If you want a ton of programmable buttons, Aerox 9 Wireless is our MMO/MOBA speciality mouse that’s ideal for those who want a lot of buttons. With a total of 18 programmable buttons, there are 12 on the side, giving you a ton of options. If you don’t need quite as many, Aerox 5 has a convenient up/down flickswitch and two more buttons for easy browsing and playing.
You might prefer a mouse that has on-the-fly DPI switching ability. If you play games that require different sensitivity strengths, you will improve your efficiency and performance by not having to use or access software that interrupts your game.
If you like to have a visually appealing gaming setup, you might want to buy a gaming mouse with RGB lighting abilities. This can add a little extra flavor to your gaming experience, especially if you have other accessories with matching lights. Beyond lights, some mice will change colors depending on DPI or profile changes allowing you to see what settings you’re using outside of any software.
Gaming mice are the silent warriors of your gaming setup. The amount of movements a mouse sees on a daily basis for even the average gamer is unmatched by any other gaming accessory. A reliable mouse is built with premium materials that outlast and outperform basic products that give you an edge in battle.
When you are talking about materials, you’ll usually be met with two options; durable plastics and metal components. The plastics can provide great durability without adding a bunch of weight. The best finishes are matte or textured since they do a better job at resisting wear and tear over glossy surfaces.
High-end mice will have some metal components. They are often incorporated into the scroll wheels or to reinforce the button. You can usually feel the difference between mice that have higher-end metal components, they feel more stable and are less prone to breaking.
The debate between wired and wireless gaming mice continues and with the advancement of wireless technology choosing between the two becomes more about preference than functionality. Wired and wireless mice have their own advantages and disadvantages, so understanding how these gaming mice affect gameplay is essential. One of the biggest concerns gamers have with wireless mice is latency—the delay between hand movement and the cursor’s response on the screen.
Wired Mouse: Traditional wired mice have zero latency. Provides the most responsive and reliable connection This is especially important in competitive matches. Where every millisecond matters. Wired mice are often considered the safest option for gamers who need ultra-fast response times.
Wireless Mouse: Recent advances in wireless technology have significantly reduced latency in gaming mice. High-end wireless mouse with 2.4GHz connectivity delivers lag-free performance comparable to wired alternatives. Many wireless mice are designed specifically for gaming and provide excellent responsiveness. The Aerox line features Quantum 2.0 tech which has the ultra-fast, lag-free 2.4GHz connection; ideal for gaming.
Battery life is an important consideration for a wireless mouse. Although untethered connectivity allows for greater freedom of movement, wireless mice require rechargeable batteries or systems. Many wireless gaming mice have a battery life of between 20 and 80 hours on a single charge. Depending on usage and features like RGB lighting, some high-end models can provide hundreds of hours of energy savings.
The lack of cables on wireless mice makes them feel lighter and more balanced when in use. However, wireless mice have batteries which add extra weight. Wired mouses are lighter because they do not have a built-in battery. This should make them easier to control during gameplay. Especially for gamers who prefer less heavy settings.
Some wireless models are designed with careful weight distribution to compensate for the weight of the battery. This makes the mouse as balanced as wired options. But what if weight is important for fast shooting or precise control? Wired mice may have the advantage of being lighter overall.
Choosing the right gaming mouse is important for increasing your gaming performance and comfort. Everything from DPI sensitivity and sensor type to ergonomics and customization play a key role in how a mouse fits your gaming style. Whether you prefer the precision of a light sensor or the versatility of a laser sensor, the right mouse will help you.
For gamers who value fast response times and zero latency. A wired mouse might be the most suitable option. Meanwhile those who want more freedom of movement and a clutter-free setup will find that this wireless mouse strikes a good balance between functionality and convenience. Plus, programmable buttons, adjustable DPI settings, and RGB lighting can customize your gaming experience to your liking. Whatever you prefer, you can find a premium gaming mouse that fits your needs.