Buying Guide

The Best Budget-Friendly Gaming Mice

Five mice under $40 at the time of writing, including four wireless models.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read5 products evaluated

A desk setup with a keyboard, mouse and headset beside a monitor
Illustrative image

Under $40, wireless mice with long battery life are easy to find. These five include four wireless models and one wired.

Prices are tiers at the time of writing.

Quick Picks

Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Lightest Mouse

    Attack Shark X3 Wireless Gaming Mouse

    The lightest weight here (49g).

    Best for: Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity.

    Check price for Attack Shark X3 Wireless Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  2. Best Wired

    SteelSeries Prime Wired Esports Mouse

    Optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks.

    Best for: Shooters.

    Check price for SteelSeries Prime Wired Esports Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Best Battery Life1 of 5

Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse

The G305 is the cheapest Lightspeed mouse and still one of the best values in wireless gaming mice, with a 250 hours on one AA.

Best for

Rare battery swaps.

Skip if

Pass if a published weight matters; this one has none.
Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse

Why we like it

The HERO sensor is up to 10 times more power efficient than earlier sensors, which stretches battery life, and the receiver stores inside the mouse. LIGHTSPEED wireless reports at 1ms. Its 250 hours battery life ranks second of 4 here, behind the Orochi V2 (425 hours) and ahead of the Haste 2 Core Wireless (100 hours).

You get a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection here, which sets it apart from the SteelSeries Prime and its a wired connection. You also get runs on a single AA battery. The G305's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. It was priced above the SteelSeries Prime and below the Orochi V2 at the time of writing.

Key specs

Max DPI
12,000
Battery life
250 hours
Connection
Lightspeed 2.4GHz

Pros

  • Up to 250 hours per charge
  • Hero sensor
  • Runs on a single AA battery
  • Lightspeed 2.4GHz connection, the only one here

Cons

  • No published weight
  • Costs more than the SteelSeries Prime at the time of writing

The catch

There is no published weight figure, whereas the Attack Shark X3 weighs 49g.

Lightest Mouse2 of 5

Attack Shark X3 Wireless Gaming Mouse

Attack Shark's X3 is a 49g tri-mode mouse with a PAW3395 sensor.

Best for

Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity.

Skip if

If budget leads, the SteelSeries Prime was cheaper at our last price check.
Attack Shark X3 Wireless Gaming Mouse

Why we like it

Lift-off distance and polling are set in software. It weighs 49g and connects over Bluetooth 5.2, 2.4GHz or a cable, and the PAW3395 sensor reaches 26,000 DPI. It suits fast aim games on a budget.

Its 49g weight is the lightest here; the SteelSeries Prime comes next at 69g. Its 200 hours battery life ranks third of 4 here, behind the Orochi V2 (425 hours) and ahead of the Haste 2 Core Wireless (100 hours). It also offers Kailh GM 8.0 switches rated for 80 million clicks.

Keep the Attack Shark X3 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. It was priced above the Orochi V2 and below the Haste 2 Core Wireless at the time of writing.

Key specs

Weight
49g
Max DPI
26,000
Battery life
200 hours
Connection
2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired

Pros

  • Light 49g body
  • Up to 200 hours per charge
  • Dongle plus Bluetooth
  • PixArt PAW3395 sensor

Cons

  • Costs more than the SteelSeries Prime at the time of writing

Best Travel Pick3 of 5

Razer Orochi V2 Wireless

Razer's Orochi V2 is a compact mobile mouse that takes one AA or AAA battery.

Best for

Laptops.

Skip if

Pass if a published weight matters; this one has none.
Razer Orochi V2 Wireless

Why we like it

It has up to 950 hours on Bluetooth. It runs up to 950 hours on one battery, weighs under 60g without it, and its mechanical switches are rated for 60 million clicks. It lists up to 950 hours of battery over Bluetooth, 425 hours over HyperSpeed, and a weight under 60g without the battery.

Its 425 hours battery life is the longest here; the G305 comes next at 250 hours. Keep the Orochi V2 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. It was priced above the G305 and below the Attack Shark X3 at the time of writing. There is no published weight figure, whereas the Attack Shark X3 weighs 49g.

Key specs

Max DPI
18,000
Battery life
425 hours
Connection
HyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth

Pros

  • Up to 425 hours per charge
  • Dongle plus Bluetooth
  • Up to 950 hours on Bluetooth
  • Hybrid slot for one AA or AAA battery

Cons

  • No published weight
  • Costs more than the SteelSeries Prime at the time of writing

Best AAA Wireless4 of 5

HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless

HyperX's Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless is a 70g AAA-powered version of the Haste 2 shape.

Best for

Swap-and-go batteries.

Skip if

Skip it if weight matters most to you; the Attack Shark X3 offers 49g.
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless

Why we like it

It connects over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth. It weighs 70g, and the HyperX Custom Core sensor runs up to 12,000 DPI at 1,000Hz polling. Its 70g weight is the heaviest in this group; the Attack Shark X3 leads at 49g.

On battery life it trails the group at 100 hours, while the Orochi V2 runs for 425 hours. It also comes with dual wireless modes. Keep the Haste 2 Core Wireless on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop.

The nearest alternative on weight is the SteelSeries Prime at 69g, against 70g here. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Attack Shark X3.

Key specs

Weight
70g
Max DPI
12,000
Battery life
100 hours
Connection
2.4GHz, Bluetooth

Pros

  • Up to 100 hours per charge
  • Dongle plus Bluetooth
  • Runs on one AAA battery
  • Dual wireless modes

Cons

  • Weight trails the Attack Shark X3 (49g)
  • Battery life trails the Orochi V2 (425 hours)
  • Costs more than the SteelSeries Prime at the time of writing

Best Wired5 of 5

SteelSeries Prime Wired Esports Mouse

SteelSeries's Prime is a 69g wired esports mouse with optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks.

Best for

Shooters.

Skip if

Worth skipping when weight of 69g, behind the Attack Shark X3 (49g) is a problem.
SteelSeries Prime Wired Esports Mouse

Why we like it

Its shape is built for FPS play. Its TrueMove Pro sensor tracks at 18K CPI and 450 IPS, and the shape was developed with over 100 pros. The TrueMove Pro sensor offers 18K CPI with true 1-to-1 lift and tilt tracking.

The shape was made for right-handed players and works with finger, palm and claw grips, and the sensor lists 450 IPS and 50G. Its 69g weight ranks second of 3 here, behind the Attack Shark X3 (49g) and ahead of the Haste 2 Core Wireless (70g). It is the only pick here with a wired connection; the G305 has a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection instead. It undercut the G305 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.

Key specs

Weight
69g
Programmable buttons
5
Max DPI
18,000
Connection
Wired

Pros

  • No battery to charge
  • Optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks
  • TrueMove Pro sensor with 18K CPI
  • Streamlined shape built for FPS play

Cons

  • Weight of 69g, behind the Attack Shark X3 (49g)

The catch

The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Orochi V2 runs for 425 hours.

How We Chose These Budget-Friendly Gaming Mice

Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

A hand on a white gaming mouse, and the same mouse shown from below
A hand on a white gaming mouse, and the same mouse shown from below
What we compared
We compared five mice on weight, max DPI, battery life and connection as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out weight.
What every pick has in common
All 5, from the G305 to the SteelSeries Prime, state max DPI and connection.
Where the specs have gaps
The G305 and the Orochi V2 give no weight; the SteelSeries Prime gives no battery life.
Price range
From the SteelSeries Prime to the Haste 2 Core Wireless, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.

What to Look for in a Budget-Friendly Gaming Mouse

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Battery life

    Here battery life runs from 100 hours on the Haste 2 Core Wireless to 425 hours on the Orochi V2, a 325% spread. The G305 comes second at 250 hours, in the same price tier as the Orochi V2. The SteelSeries Prime gives no battery life figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.

  2. Weight across these picks

    Across these 3 picks weight spans 70g (the Haste 2 Core Wireless) to 49g (the Attack Shark X3). For less, the SteelSeries Prime is the runner-up at 69g. The G305 and the Orochi V2 give no weight figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.

    A hand next to a black wireless mouse on a blue mousepad
    A hand next to a black wireless mouse on a blue mousepad
  3. What to check at home

    The G305's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. Keep the Attack Shark X3 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop.

  4. Extras that separate them

    The Orochi V2: a hybrid slot for one AA or AAA battery. The Haste 2 Core Wireless: dual wireless modes. The SteelSeries Prime: a TrueMove Pro sensor with 18K CPI.

    A hand holding a light-blue mouse on a red mousepad
    A hand holding a light-blue mouse on a red mousepad
  5. Budget

    All 5 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the SteelSeries Prime at the low end to the Haste 2 Core Wireless at the top, so decide on features first.

How to Choose a Budget-Friendly Gaming Mouse

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Rare battery swapsG305250 hours of listed battery life
Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivityAttack Shark X3The lightest weight here (49g)
LaptopsOrochi V2Up to 950 hours on Bluetooth
Swap-and-go batteriesHaste 2 Core Wireless70g on one AAA battery
ShootersSteelSeries PrimeOptical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Key specs side by side

The Orochi V2 leads on battery life at 425 hours, ahead of the G305 at 250 hours. "Not listed" marks weight where the G305 and the Orochi V2 leave the figure out.

MiceWeightMax DPIBattery lifeConnection
G305Not listed12,000250 hoursLightspeed 2.4GHz
Attack Shark X349g26,000200 hours2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Orochi V2Not listed18,000425 hoursHyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Haste 2 Core Wireless70g12,000100 hours2.4GHz, Bluetooth
SteelSeries Prime69g18,000Not listedWired

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Orochi V2 ahead of the G305 on battery life?

The Orochi V2 leads at 425 hours, with the G305 at 250 hours. The spread runs down to the Haste 2 Core Wireless at 100 hours. No battery life figure is published for the SteelSeries Prime, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.

How does the SteelSeries Prime compare with the Attack Shark X3 on weight?

Between the top two, it is 49g on the Attack Shark X3 against 69g on the SteelSeries Prime, a 29% difference. The Haste 2 Core Wireless closes the ranking at 70g. The G305 and the Orochi V2 don't state a weight figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.

What does the Haste 2 Core Wireless add over the SteelSeries Prime?

The Haste 2 Core Wireless matches or trails the SteelSeries Prime on weight. The SteelSeries Prime leads on weight (69g). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.

Why is the Attack Shark X3 our Lightest Mouse pick?

It carries the badge for the lightest weight here (49g). On weight it leads the SteelSeries Prime, 49g against 69g, a 29% margin. It makes sense for anyone who lifts the mouse often at low sensitivity.

Will the G305 work with my setup?

The G305's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Best Battery Life pick, and second of 4 on battery life (250 hours).

What extras do the G305 and the Attack Shark X3 include?

The G305: a Hero sensor. The Attack Shark X3: a PixArt PAW3395 sensor. The Orochi V2: up to 950 hours on Bluetooth.

Bottom Line

Logitech's G305 is the pick for 250 hours on one battery. Attack Shark's X3 is the lightest, and SteelSeries's Prime is the wired choice.

About the author

PC Hardware Editor

Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.

Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility

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