Touchpads are “good enough” when you’re using your laptop on the go (although just barely), but let’s be honest: They’re not pleasant to use for an extended length of time. Let’s not even talk about Lenovo’s little red dot “trackpoint” thing. When you’re spending hours on a laptop, you’re going to wish you had a proper mouse for the job — even better if it’s wireless, as you can just toss it into your bag and take it with you when you’re out and about. The good news is that you don’t have to spend much to upgrade your work setup with one of these handy little peripherals, and we’ve got all of this month’s best wireless mouse deals right here.
Need some more gear for your work setup? Check out these home office deals, wireless keyboard deals, headphone deals, and laptop deals for even more savings.
Today’s best wireless mouse deals
Logitech M325 wireless optical ambidextrous mouse — $15, was $20
Simple, affordable, and reliable describes this Logitech mouse that supports ambidextrous use. The laser offers fast and precise tracking on just about any surface, unlike the old-school trackball mice of yore. A contoured design fits nicely in your hand, and it features programmable controls, side-to-side scrolling, back and forward buttons, and a smart sleep mode — with up to 2 years of battery life.
Logitech MX Anywhere 2S wireless laser mouse — $40, was $60
Made for travel, and seamless interconnectivity with up to three devices, this Windows and Mac-enabled wireless mouse has a seven-button layout. It’s a laser mouse, so it has fast and accurate tracking. It also uses 2.4GHz wireless with a nano receiver that connects via USB.
Razer Viper Ultimate wireless optical gaming mouse with charging dock — $55, was $150
Offering up to 70 hours of continuous use on a single charge, this gaming mouse and dock combo is ready for action. It’s lightweight, has eight programmable buttons, Razer Chrome RGB with 16.8 million colors, and a Focus+ 20K DPI optical sensor for optimal precision. The HyperSpeed wireless connection offers faster response times than comparable wired mice with low latency.
Razer Basilisk Ultimate wireless optical gaming mouse with charging dock — $68, was $170
With this mouse, you get eleven programmable buttons, a customizable scroll wheel resistance, Razer Chroma RGB, 110 hours of battery life on a single charge, Razer Focus+ 20K optical sensor technology, and HyperSpeed wireless. It’s perfect for gaming, media editing, graphic arts, and a whole lot more.
Logitech MX Master 2S wireless business mouse — $70, was $100
Built specifically for professionals, including analysts, coders, and creatives, this mouse espouses precision and performance. Logitech’s Darkfield Tracking means it can be used on virtually any surface, even glass. It has seven buttons total, with up to 4,000 DPI max. It will also charge up for a full day of use in just three minutes. It syncs via Bluetooth Low Energy or the included Logi Bolt USB receiver.
A beginner’s guide to wireless mice
The best wireless mice have evolved in a lot of ways and have caught up with wired counterparts. This means going cordless these days no longer entails compromising precision or restriction in reliability and responsiveness. And while all mice are simple, not all of them are created equal. That’s why it’s important to choose a mouse that will deliver the most comfort and flexibility depending on your needs, especially since it’s one of the most hands-on aspects of a computer.
Every mouse has a certain type of sensor inside. Optical types use LED lights and are ideal for fabric mouse pads and other non-glossy materials. Laser options, on the other hand, are more sensitive and cause more variation in tracking, but they work on just about any type of surface. Most mouse models utilize their own tech to ensure easy tracking on various surfaces such as metal, glass, and cloth.
Physical features like size, ergonomics, and grip are key factors as well in picking the right wireless mouse. A portable mouse is smaller and is perfect for travel, while a mouse meant for desktop usage is typically larger. Those who will be using a mouse for long periods of time and want to reduce hand and wrist strain will want to stick to an ergonomic mouse. This type conforms to the hand and enables users to hold their fingers, hands, and wrists at angles that are more comfortable. Grip comes in three types and choosing the best for you all boils down on whether you want to designate mouse movement on your palm, fingers, or your entire hand.
For most users, a standard mouse — consisting of left and right buttons plus a scroll wheel — will do the trick. Most operating systems assign primary functions to the left button, such as clicking on-screen items and selecting objects, while secondary actions including opening menus are all designated to the right button. The scroll wheel usually sits in between the buttons, allowing users to easily navigate through websites and documents by scrolling up and down.
Mice made for more complex or specific functions, such as gaming, have additional buttons built into them. These extra top and side buttons are designed for quick access to various special actions. In most cases, a multi-button mouse has a software that allows the customization and remapping of the buttons. This brings in a wide range of individualized functionality that promotes maximizing productivity and ease of usage.
LED lights are another extra feature and are mostly present in gaming mice. They offer a nice touch of flair, especially on in-game effects. A mouse with LED lights also normally comes with software for customizing the lighting. Other things to look out for when shopping for a wireless mouse include extra conveniences and productivity-focused features such as noise-free clicks, micro-precise and hyper-fast scrolling, the ability to connect to up to several devices at once, and the capacity to be converted into a remote (perfect for presentations).
Do wireless mice need to be charged?
Some wireless mice use rechargeable batteries and need to be plugged in via a cable to juice up. There are also some models that use traditional replaceable batteries. Regardless of whether you prefer a mouse with rechargeable or replaceable batteries, the battery life depends on the model and the usage.
Are wireless mice waterproof?
Some are, some aren’t — most consumer-grade wireless mice are not waterproof. There are models with sealed housings that can effectively block moisture and liquids from penetrating to protect the internal components from getting damaged. Mice specially designed for medical, marine, and factory applications are also usually waterproof and chemical-resistant for easier cleaning and disinfection.
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