Buying Guide
The Best Budget Wireless Gaming Mice
We weighed five gaming mice on battery life and max DPI; the Orochi V2 has the longest battery life, and the M810 PRO costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A cheap wireless gaming mouse is useful only if the battery lasts. Every pick is wireless and cost $50 or less, ordered by battery life.
The order reflects max DPI, battery life and connection from maker specifications; we did not test these gaming mice ourselves, and gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Longest Battery Life
Razer Orochi V2 Wireless
The longest battery life here (425 hours).
Best for: Buyers who put battery life first.
Our take Check price for Razer Orochi V2 Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse
A Hero sensor.
Best for: Buyers who want Hero sensor.
Our take Check price for Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Corsair Katar Elite Wireless Gaming Mouse
The top of this price range, adding up to 60 hours over Bluetooth.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Corsair Katar Elite Wireless Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Redragon Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse
16 macro-programmable buttons.
Best for: Buyers who want 16 macro-programmable buttons.
Our take Check price for Redragon Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Redragon M810 PRO Wireless Gaming Mouse
A lower price than the G305 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Redragon M810 PRO Wireless Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Longest Battery Life1 of 5
Razer Orochi V2 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Razer's Orochi V2 is a compact mobile mouse that takes one AA or AAA battery.
Best for
- Buyers who put battery life first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the M810 PRO, which cost less when we checked.
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. When we checked, only the G305 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Redragon wireless MMO cost more.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the M810 PRO at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Buyers who want Hero sensor.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the M810 PRO was cheaper at our last price check.
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 5 here, behind the Orochi V2 (425 hours) and ahead of the M810 PRO (45 hours).
It also comes with runs on a single AA battery. The G305's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. Another plus is Lightspeed 2.4GHz connection, the only one here. When we checked, only the M810 PRO cost less, and the Orochi V2 cost more.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the M810 PRO at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 5
Corsair Katar Elite Wireless Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Katar Elite Wireless is small and light at 69g, and it covers dongle, Bluetooth and wired use with a 110 hours on 2.4GHz.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the M810 PRO, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It weighs 69g and connects over sub-1ms SLIPSTREAM wireless or Bluetooth, with up to 110 hours per charge. The small shape suits claw and fingertip grips. Its small, light shell makes quick flicks easy over long sessions.
Battery life is 110 hours over Bluetooth and 60 hours over SLIPSTREAM wireless, and a USB wired mode is also available. Its 110 hours battery life ranks third of 5 here, behind the Orochi V2 (425 hours) and ahead of the M810 PRO (45 hours). At our last price check it topped the group, with the Redragon wireless MMO the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 69g
- Max DPI: 26,000
- Battery life: 110 hours
- Connection: Slipstream 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Pros
- Up to 110 hours per charge
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- Up to 60 hours over Bluetooth
- The top of this price range, adding up to 60 hours over Bluetooth
Cons
- Costs more than the M810 PRO at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Redragon Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's wireless MMO mouse has 16 programmable buttons and offers up to 70 hours per charge.
Best for
- Buyers who want 16 macro-programmable buttons.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when shorter 70-hour batter is a problem.
Why we like it
The shape is right-handed. DPI adjusts from 100 to 16,000 and polling from 125Hz to 1,000Hz, and its 12 side buttons take macros. Four lighting modes can be switched on the fly.
Sixteen buttons can be remapped with macros, and five memory profiles store setups. A 1000mAh battery lasts over 70 hours with RGB off, and DPI adjusts from 100 to 16,000. Its 70 hours battery life ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Orochi V2 (425 hours) and ahead of the M810 PRO (45 hours).
Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows. It was priced above the Orochi V2 and below the Katar Elite Wireless at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Programmable buttons: 16
- Max DPI: 16,000
- Battery life: 70 hours
- Connection: 2.4GHz, wired
Pros
- 16 programmable buttons
- Up to 70 hours per charge
- Ergonomic right-handed shape
- Battery life of 70 hours, ahead of the M810 PRO
Cons
- Shorter 70-hour battery
- Costs more than the M810 PRO at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Redragon M810 PRO Wireless Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's M810 PRO is a rechargeable 2.4GHz mouse with remappable buttons and RGB.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: shorter 45-hour battery.
Why we like it
It sits near $24 at the time of writing. Its 2.4GHz receiver removes cable drag, and five DPI levels run up to 10,000. All eight buttons are programmable.
It has eight programmable buttons, five DPI levels up to 10,000 and a PAW3325 optical sensor. On battery life it trails the group at 45 hours, while the Orochi V2 runs for 425 hours. It also comes with RGB lighting.
It makes the most sense for spending as little as possible, since it offers a lower price than the G305 and the rest when we checked. It undercut the G305 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max DPI: 10,000
- Battery life: 45 hours
- Polling rate: 1,000Hz
- Connection: 2.4GHz, wired
Pros
- Remappable buttons through software
- RGB lighting
- Rechargeable battery
- A lower price than the G305 and the rest when we checked
Cons
- Shorter 45-hour battery
- Battery life trails the Orochi V2 (425 hours)
How We Chose These Budget Wireless Gaming Mice
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five mice on max DPI, battery life and connection as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Orochi V2 to the M810 PRO, state max DPI, battery life and connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The Orochi V2 for the longest battery life here (425 hours); the G305 for a Hero sensor; the Katar Elite Wireless for the top of this price range, adding up to 60 hours over Bluetooth.
- Price range
- From the M810 PRO to the Katar Elite Wireless, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Budget Wireless Gaming Mouse
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Battery life across these picks
Here battery life runs from 45 hours on the M810 PRO to 425 hours on the Orochi V2. The G305 comes second for less money.
What to check at home
Keep the Orochi V2 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. The G305's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse.
Extras that separate them
The Katar Elite Wireless: up to 60 hours over Bluetooth. The Redragon wireless MMO: up to 70 hours per charge. The M810 PRO: RGB lighting.
Budget
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the M810 PRO at the low end to the Katar Elite Wireless at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who put battery life first: the Orochi V2. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the Katar Elite Wireless. Spending as little as possible: the M810 PRO.
How to Choose a Budget Wireless Gaming Mouse
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put battery life first | Orochi V2 | The longest battery life here (425 hours) |
| Buyers who want Hero sensor | G305 | A Hero sensor |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Katar Elite Wireless | The top of this price range, adding up to 60 hours over Bluetooth |
| Buyers who want 16 macro-programmable buttons | Redragon wireless MMO | 16 macro-programmable buttons |
| Spending as little as possible | M810 PRO | A lower price than the G305 and the rest when we checked |
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.
| Mice | Max DPI | Battery life | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orochi V2 | 18,000 | 425 hours | HyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth |
| G305 | 12,000 | 250 hours | Lightspeed 2.4GHz |
| Katar Elite Wireless | 26,000 | 110 hours | Slipstream 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired |
| Redragon wireless MMO | 16,000 | 70 hours | 2.4GHz, wired |
| M810 PRO | 10,000 | 45 hours | 2.4GHz, wired |
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 M810 PRO is at the other end of this group with 45 hours.
What does the Katar Elite Wireless add over the M810 PRO?
On paper it adds battery life (110 hours against 45 hours). The M810 PRO was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Orochi V2 our Longest Battery Life pick?
It earns the label for the longest battery life here (425 hours). It suits anyone who put battery life first.
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 second of 5.
What extras do the Orochi V2 and the G305 include?
The Orochi V2: up to 950 hours on Bluetooth. The G305: a Hero sensor. The Katar Elite Wireless: up to 60 hours over Bluetooth.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Orochi V2, chosen for the longest battery life here (425 hours). Look at the G305 for a Hero sensor, the Katar Elite Wireless for the top of this price range, adding up to 60 hours over Bluetooth and the Redragon wireless MMO for 16 macro-programmable buttons if those matter more to you.
Use the wireless dongle and plug it into a front USB port.