Buying Guide
The Best Ergonomic Vertical Mice
We weighed three mice on sensor resolution and sensor, and the Anker wired vertical costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A vertical grip turns the forearm to a handshake position instead of palm-down. Every mouse here has a vertical grip and has a vertical grip, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects sensor, grip and connection from maker specifications; we did not test these mice ourselves, and a missing sensor is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Anker Wired Vertical Ergonomic Mouse
The cheapest way into this group, below the EM11 NL.
Best for: Getting 5.3oz body for the least money.
Our take Check price for Anker Wired Vertical Ergonomic Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Highest-Resolution Sensor
ProtoArc EM11 NL Wireless Ergonomic Vertical Mouse
The highest sensor resolution here (2,400 DPI).
Best for: Large or multiple high-resolution monitors.
Our take Check price for ProtoArc EM11 NL Wireless Ergonomic Vertical Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Logitech Lift Vertical
The top of this price range, adding whisper-quiet clicks.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Logitech Lift Vertical (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the EM11 NL. | Getting 5.3oz body for the least money. | Check price for Anker Wired Vertical Ergonomic Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest sensor resolution here (2,400 DPI). | Large or multiple high-resolution monitors. | Check price for ProtoArc EM11 NL Wireless Ergonomic Vertical Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding whisper-quiet clicks. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Logitech Lift Vertical (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Anker Wired Vertical Ergonomic Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Anker's wired vertical mouse is the simplest way to try the handshake grip: a 5.3oz body on a 1.5m USB cable with nothing to charge.
Best for
- Getting 5.3oz body for the least money.
Skip if
- Pass on it if sensor resolution of 1,600 DPI, behind the EM11 NL (2,400 DPI rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It has next and previous page buttons and an 18-month warranty. Its handshake position eases wrist strain, and at 5.3 oz it is light. DPI switches between 1,000 and 1,600.
Its vertical shape holds the hand in a handshake position. DPI switches between 1000 and 1600, and next and previous buttons handle web browsing. Vertical mice put your hand in a handshake position; allow a week to adjust, and check the hand size.
It is shaped for right hands only. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the EM11 NL was the next step up. The main gap: sensor resolution of 1,600 DPI, behind the EM11 NL (2,400 DPI). If that matters, the EM11 NL offers 2,400 DPI.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sensor: 1,600 DPI
- Grip: Vertical, right-handed
- Connection: Wired USB, 1.5m cable
Pros
- 5.3oz body
- 18-month warranty
- Next and previous page buttons
- The cheapest way into this group, below the EM11 NL
Cons
- Sensor resolution of 1,600 DPI, behind the EM11 NL (2,400 DPI)
Highest-Resolution Sensor2 of 3
ProtoArc EM11 NL Wireless Ergonomic Vertical Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ProtoArc's EM11 NL is a 58-degree vertical mouse for hands under 7.5 inches, with silent left and right buttons.
Best for
- Large or multiple high-resolution monitors.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Anker wired vertical, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It recharges over USB-C and pairs with three devices across two Bluetooth channels and a 2.4GHz receiver. It also comes with a USB-C rechargeable 500mAh battery rated for up to 100 hours and a stated hand-length limit of 7.5 inches. Vertical mice put your hand in a handshake position; allow a week to adjust, and check the hand size.
Another plus is highest sensor resolution of the picks (2,400 DPI). It was priced above the Anker wired vertical and below the Lift at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sensor: 2,400 DPI
- Grip: Vertical, right-handed, hands under 7.5 in (58°)
- Connection: Bluetooth (2 channels) and 2.4GHz, 3 devices
Pros
- Silent left and right buttons (the wheel and side buttons are not silent)
- USB-C rechargeable 500mAh battery rated for up to 100 hours
- Stated hand-length limit of 7.5 inches
- Highest sensor resolution of the picks (2,400 DPI)
Cons
- Costs more than the Anker wired vertical at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Logitech Lift Vertical on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lift is Logitech's vertical mouse for small to medium right hands, holding the wrist at 57 degrees to reduce forearm twist.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- The maker gives no sensor resolution, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
It adds whisper-quiet clicks and a SmartWheel, and connects over Bluetooth or Logi Bolt. Logitech sizes it for small to medium right hands, with a 57-degree angle and a padded thumb rest. The soft-textured grip suits all-day office use.
It also offers certification by leading ergonomists. Vertical mice put your hand in a handshake position; allow a week to adjust, and check the hand size. It connects over Bluetooth or a Logi Bolt receiver; Bolt does not pair with older Unifying receivers.
It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the EM11 NL. Buyers who need a confirmed sensor resolution should compare it with the EM11 NL, which offers 2,400 DPI.
Key dimensions & specs
- Grip: 57-degree vertical, right-handed, small to medium hands
- Connection: Bluetooth or Logi Bolt
Pros
- Whisper-quiet clicks
- Certification by leading ergonomists
- Bluetooth or Logi Bolt connection, the only one here
- The top of this price range, adding whisper-quiet clicks
Cons
- No published sensor resolution
- Costs more than the Anker wired vertical at the time of writing
How We Chose These Ergonomic Vertical Mice
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up three mice on sensor resolution, grip and connection as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Anker wired vertical to the Lift, state grip and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Lift gives no sensor resolution.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Anker wired vertical (under $50) to the Lift ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in an Ergonomic Vertical Mouse
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much sensor resolution you need
Here sensor resolution runs from 1,600 DPI on the Anker wired vertical to 2,400 DPI on the EM11 NL. Start with the EM11 NL if sensor resolution decides it. No figure for the Lift.
Extras that separate them
The Anker wired vertical: an 18-month warranty. The EM11 NL: a USB-C rechargeable 500mAh battery rated for up to 100 hours. The Lift: certification by leading ergonomists.
Budget
Under $50 buys the Anker wired vertical and the EM11 NL; $50 to $100 buys the Lift at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Getting 5.3oz body for the least money: the Anker wired vertical. Large or multiple high-resolution monitors: the EM11 NL. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the Lift.
Fast scrolling helps with long files
Free-spinning or magnetic scroll wheels move through long files and logs quickly, then switch to line-by-line for precision.
If you read long code or spreadsheets, prioritise the scroll wheel.
How to Choose an Ergonomic Vertical Mouse
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 5.3oz body for the least money | Anker wired vertical | The cheapest way into this group, below the EM11 NL |
| Large or multiple high-resolution monitors | EM11 NL | The highest sensor resolution here (2,400 DPI) |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Lift | The top of this price range, adding whisper-quiet clicks |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The EM11 NL leads on sensor resolution at 2,400 DPI, ahead of the Anker wired vertical at 1,600 DPI. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Mice | Sensor | Grip | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anker wired vertical | 1,600 DPI | Vertical, right-handed | Wired USB, 1.5m cable |
| EM11 NL | 2,400 DPI | Vertical, right-handed, hands under 7.5 in (58°) | Bluetooth (2 channels) and 2.4GHz, 3 devices |
| Lift | Not listed | 57-degree vertical, right-handed, small to medium hands | Bluetooth or Logi Bolt |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Anker wired vertical was the lowest-priced pick and the Lift the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Mice |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Anker wired vertical, EM11 NL |
| About $50 to $100 | Lift |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EM11 NL ahead of the Anker wired vertical on sensor resolution?
The EM11 NL leads at 2,400 DPI, with the Anker wired vertical at 1,600 DPI. The Lift doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
Why is the EM11 NL our Highest-Resolution Sensor pick?
It earns the label for the highest sensor resolution here (2,400 DPI). It suits large or multiple high-resolution monitors.
What extras do the Anker wired vertical and the EM11 NL include?
The Anker wired vertical: a 5.3oz body. The EM11 NL: silent left and right buttons (the wheel and side buttons are not silent). The Lift: whisper-quiet clicks.
Who should choose the Anker wired vertical?
The Anker wired vertical carries our Lowest Price Here label for the cheapest way into this group, below the EM11 NL. It ranks first of 3 here.
Should I pick the Anker wired vertical or the Lift?
The Anker wired vertical suits getting 5.3oz body for the least money; the Lift suits spending more for the fullest feature set.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Anker wired vertical, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the EM11 NL. Look at the Lift for the top of this price range, adding whisper-quiet clicks if those matter more to you.
Lower pointer speed at first while your hand adjusts to the angle.