MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann has tested almost 50 different mice in recent years. According to him, there are three things that really matter when buying a mouse.
For the dozens of tests, both privately and professionally, I have invested several hundred euros in various models. Some devices came from manufacturers for testing or were directly tried out in the store.
After almost 50 mice, three important things count in the end when you want to buy a gaming mouse. Even things like polling rate, the choice between wired or wireless, or technical details like the sensor are not as important in my opinion as three things you should consider with every mouse.
Shape and Ergonomics
In my opinion, ergonomics are more important than the sensor, battery life, and build quality. Because you have to hold the mouse in your hand for many hours. If the mouse is uncomfortable, you’ll notice it immediately, and the mouse rewards
you with a sore hand. With my years of experience, I can immediately tell if a mouse fits well in my hand or not.
This includes whether I can comfortably reach every mouse button, and that doesn’t always have to be the case. A mouse that I find very comfortable can be a disaster for my wife because she can’t reach every button or because she simply grips the model differently. And that’s an important point: Depending on grip type, a different mouse may be more comfortable for you.
My recommendation: Test mice and their ergonomics beforehand if possible. MediaMarkt and Saturn often have mice on display that can be tested in the store. This can prevent some bad purchases. If you are still unsure, you can take advantage of the return policy at Amazon and other providers. While this may not be the best solution from an environmental standpoint, it’s better than having to play with an uncomfortable mouse for months that only causes problems and ultimately harms your hand.
Many manufacturers have been developing their own ergonomics and mouse sizes for years: Mice from Razer or Logitech feel different than a Turtle Beach or Lamzu. It’s not just about the coating (the surface of the mouse) or the pure feel, but also how the hand rests on the mouse.
My secret tip for working from home is still a vertical mouse; currently, it’s a model from Logitech:
Weight
Weight is also an important point in my opinion and should not be underestimated alongside ergonomics. If you hardly move your mouse on the mousepad, you can play with a mouse that weighs as much as a brick. However, if you play with low DPI, move the mouse around a lot, or rely on quick flick shots, every gram of weight will annoy you in your everyday life.
Flick shots with a mouse that weighs 130 grams? Yes, that is possible, but your wrist will really hurt after just a few hours.
My experience and recommendation: In strategy games, heavy mice are generally better and provide stability for a resting hand. For shooters and action games, light gaming mice are the optimal choice, especially if you want to play with low DPI. I usually play with a setting of 300 to 400 DPI; my current sweet spot is 60 to 70 grams, but I have colleagues for whom even that is too much.
Button Layout
Think about which genres you prefer to play from the beginning and determine how many buttons you need based on that. Those who primarily play shooters will usually need a maximum of two additional side buttons and one DPI button. If, on the other hand, you prefer MMORPGs, you need significantly more buttons to be able to play all your abilities without constantly relying on the keyboard.
If you only play shooters, every extra button on your mouse will annoy you because you won’t be able to grip the mouse well anymore.
My recommendation: Fewer buttons are often better, and even MMORPGs can still be managed well with a shooter mouse. A heavy MMO mouse with many buttons can quickly become a bad compromise for a shooter. If you play many games interchangeably, I would also recommend a mouse with fewer buttons rather than more.
If you enjoy playing shooters, you need a fast and precise mouse. Preferably lightweight mice with few extra buttons. MeinMMO presents you with the best mice for shooters and explains which player they are best suited for: The best gaming mice for shooters that you can currently buy
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