Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Mice Under $120
We weighed five gaming mice on button count and battery life; the Sabre v2 PRO has the longest battery life, and the Darkstar costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
From $80 to $120 you find lightweight wireless esports mice and MMO mice with high polling rates. Every mouse cost 80 to 120 when we checked and lists its sensor and connection.
We ranked these gaming mice on programmable buttons, max DPI and battery life using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these gaming mice ourselves, and where a maker leaves out programmable buttons, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Longest Battery Life
Corsair Sabre v2 PRO Wireless Mouse
The longest battery life here (120 hours).
Best for: Buyers who put battery life first.
Our take Check price for Corsair Sabre v2 PRO Wireless Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Razer Viper V3 Pro Wireless
A Focus Pro 35K sensor at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Darkstar costs less.
Our take Check price for Razer Viper V3 Pro Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Glorious Model O 2 Pro Wireless
35 hours at 4,000Hz polling.
Best for: Buyers who want 35 hours at 4,000Hz polling.
Our take Check price for Glorious Model O 2 Pro Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Corsair Darkstar Wireless MMO Mouse
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting six-button thumb cluster for the least money.
Our take Check price for Corsair Darkstar Wireless MMO Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Most Buttons
Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE
The most button count here (16).
Best for: MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Our take Check price for Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Longest Battery Life1 of 5
Corsair Sabre v2 PRO Wireless Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Sabre v2 PRO is built around polling rate: 8,000Hz, a 33,000 DPI sensor and dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes.
Best for
- Buyers who put battery life first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Darkstar cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its magnesium alloy shell keeps weight down, and 8,000Hz polling works both wired and over SLIPSTREAM wireless. The sensor tracks at up to 750 IPS with 50G acceleration, well beyond most players' swipes. It uses Corsair's MARKSMAN S sensor, and the 120-hour battery figure applies with 2.4GHz at 1kHz polling.
Reaching 8,000Hz depends on your CPU. Its 120 hours battery life is the longest here; the Viper V3 Pro comes next at 95 hours. Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom.
Its price falls between the Scimitar Elite SE and the Model O 2 Pro, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed button count should compare it with the Scimitar Elite SE, which offers 16.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max DPI: 33,000
- Battery life: 120 hours
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
- Connection: Slipstream 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Pros
- Up to 120 hours per charge
- 8,000Hz polling
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- The longest battery life here (120 hours)
Cons
- Costs more than the Darkstar at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
Razer Viper V3 Pro Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Razer's Viper V3 Pro is a 54g symmetrical esports mouse with a Focus Pro 35K sensor and 8000Hz wireless polling.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Darkstar costs less.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Darkstar cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It has 95 hours of battery life. On battery life it sits mid-pack at 95 hours: the Sabre v2 PRO runs for 120 hours, and the Darkstar comes in at 80 hours. On polling rate it ties with the Sabre v2 PRO at 8,000Hz.
It is the only pick here with a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz connection; the Model O 2 Pro has a 2.4GHz wireless connection instead. The Viper V3 Pro's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom.
It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Model O 2 Pro and the rest. The maker doesn't give its button count; if that figure matters, the Scimitar Elite SE offers 16.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 54g
- Max DPI: 35,000
- Battery life: 95 hours
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
- Connection: HyperSpeed 2.4GHz
- Shape: Symmetrical
Pros
- Light 54g body
- 8,000Hz polling
- Focus Pro 35K sensor
- 8000Hz wireless polling
Cons
- Costs more than the Darkstar at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
Glorious Model O 2 Pro Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Model O 2 Pro is built around 35 hours at 4,000Hz polling, with a 26K sensor on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 35 hours at 4,000Hz polling.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: shorter 80-hour battery.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 26,000 max DPI and runs for up to 80 hours. On battery life it ties with the Darkstar at 80 hours. On polling rate it sits mid-pack at 4,000Hz: the Sabre v2 PRO offers 8,000Hz, and the Scimitar Elite SE comes in at 1,000Hz.
It is the only pick here with a 2.4GHz wireless connection; the Viper V3 Pro has a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz connection instead. The Model O 2 Pro's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom. The maker doesn't give its button count; if that figure matters, the Scimitar Elite SE offers 16.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max DPI: 26,000
- Battery life: 80 hours
- Polling rate: 4,000Hz
- Connection: 2.4GHz wireless
Pros
- 4,000Hz polling
- 35 hours at 4,000Hz polling
- 26K sensor
- 2.4GHz wireless connection, the only one here
Cons
- Shorter 80-hour battery
- Costs more than the Darkstar at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
Corsair Darkstar Wireless MMO Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Darkstar is Corsair's wireless MMO mouse, with a six-button thumb cluster, 2,000Hz polling and Bluetooth.
Best for
- Getting six-button thumb cluster for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: shorter 80-hour battery.
Why we like it
Its 80-hour battery is the shortest here. Its 15 programmable buttons include scroll-wheel tilt, and the MARKSMAN sensor reaches 26,000 DPI. iCUE saves up to five onboard profiles. It matches the Model O 2 Pro on battery life (80 hours).
Its 2,000Hz polling rate ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Sabre v2 PRO (8,000Hz) and ahead of the Scimitar Elite SE (1,000Hz). Keep the Darkstar on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows.
It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Scimitar Elite SE the next step up. It gives ground on battery life, where the Sabre v2 PRO runs for 120 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Programmable buttons: 15
- Max DPI: 26,000
- Battery life: 80 hours
- Polling rate: 2,000Hz
- Connection: Slipstream 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Pros
- 15 programmable buttons
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- Six-button thumb cluster
- Polling rate of 2,000Hz, ahead of the Scimitar Elite SE
Cons
- Shorter 80-hour battery
- Battery life trails the Sabre v2 PRO (120 hours)
Most Buttons5 of 5
Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Scimitar Elite SE stands out for Stream Deck integration, and it adds a 16-button MMO layout.
Best for
- MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Skip if
- The maker gives no battery life, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16 button count and offers a 1,000Hz polling rate. On polling rate it trails the group at 1,000Hz, while the Sabre v2 PRO offers 8,000Hz. No other pick in this guide offers a wireless connection; compare the Viper V3 Pro, which has a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz connection.
The Scimitar Elite SE's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows. Its price falls between the Darkstar and the Sabre v2 PRO, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the Sabre v2 PRO, which runs for 120 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Programmable buttons: 16
- Polling rate: 1,000Hz
- Connection: Wireless
Pros
- 16 programmable buttons
- Stream Deck integration
- 16-button MMO layout
- Wireless connection, the only one here
Cons
- No published battery life
- Polling rate trails the Sabre v2 PRO (8,000Hz)
- Costs more than the Darkstar at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Mice Under $120
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five mice on button count, max DPI, battery life and polling rate from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while button count and max DPI have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Sabre v2 PRO to the Scimitar Elite SE, state polling rate and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Sabre v2 PRO, the Viper V3 Pro and the Model O 2 Pro give no button count; the Scimitar Elite SE gives no max DPI.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Darkstar ($50 to $100) to the Viper V3 Pro ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Gaming Mouse Under $120
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Polling rate
Here polling rate runs from 1,000Hz on the Scimitar Elite SE to 8,000Hz on the Sabre v2 PRO, a 700% spread. If polling rate is your first filter, the Sabre v2 PRO sets the ceiling at 8,000Hz.
Battery life across these picks
Across these 4 picks battery life spans 80 hours (the Darkstar) to 120 hours (the Sabre v2 PRO). The Sabre v2 PRO is the pick for battery life. The Scimitar Elite SE gives no battery life figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
How much button count you need
Across these 2 picks button count spans 15 (the Darkstar) to 16 (the Scimitar Elite SE). Start with the Scimitar Elite SE if button count decides it. The Sabre v2 PRO, the Viper V3 Pro and the Model O 2 Pro give no button count figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Setup checks
Keep the Sabre v2 PRO on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. The Viper V3 Pro's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse.
Extras that separate them
The Model O 2 Pro: a 26K sensor. The Darkstar: a six-button thumb cluster. The Scimitar Elite SE: a 16-button MMO layout.
How to Choose a Gaming Mouse Under $120
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put battery life first | Sabre v2 PRO | The longest battery life here (120 hours) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Darkstar costs less | Viper V3 Pro | A Focus Pro 35K sensor at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who want 35 hours at 4,000Hz polling | Model O 2 Pro | 35 hours at 4,000Hz polling |
| Getting six-button thumb cluster for the least money | Darkstar | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| MMO hotbars on the thumb | Scimitar Elite SE | The most button count here (16) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Sabre v2 PRO leads on polling rate at 8,000Hz, ahead of the Viper V3 Pro at 8,000Hz. "Not listed" marks button count where the Sabre v2 PRO, the Viper V3 Pro and the Model O 2 Pro leave the figure out.
| Mice | Programmable buttons | Max DPI | Battery life | Polling rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabre v2 PRO | Not listed | 33,000 | 120 hours | 8,000Hz |
| Viper V3 Pro | Not listed | 35,000 | 95 hours | 8,000Hz |
| Model O 2 Pro | Not listed | 26,000 | 80 hours | 4,000Hz |
| Darkstar | 15 | 26,000 | 80 hours | 2,000Hz |
| Scimitar Elite SE | 16 | Not listed | Not listed | 1,000Hz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Darkstar was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the Viper V3 Pro the highest ($100 to $150) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Mice |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Darkstar, Scimitar Elite SE, Sabre v2 PRO, Model O 2 Pro |
| About $100 to $150 | Viper V3 Pro |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sabre v2 PRO ahead of the Viper V3 Pro on battery life?
The Sabre v2 PRO leads at 120 hours, with the Viper V3 Pro at 95 hours. The spread runs down to the Darkstar at 80 hours. No battery life figure is published for the Scimitar Elite SE, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
How does the Darkstar compare with the Scimitar Elite SE on button count?
Between the top two, it is 16 on the Scimitar Elite SE against 15 on the Darkstar, a 7% difference. The Sabre v2 PRO, the Viper V3 Pro and the Model O 2 Pro don't state a button count figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the Viper V3 Pro add over the Darkstar?
On paper it adds polling rate (8,000Hz against 2,000Hz) and battery life (95 hours against 80 hours). On our last price check the Darkstar was in the $50 to $100 tier and the Viper V3 Pro in the $100 to $150 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if polling rate and battery life decide your purchase.
Why is the Scimitar Elite SE our Most Buttons pick?
It earns the label for the most button count here (16). On button count it leads the Darkstar, 16 against 15, a 7% margin. The price of that: the Darkstar, the cheapest pick, still beats it on polling rate (2,000Hz against 1,000Hz). It suits MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Will the Scimitar Elite SE work with my setup?
The Scimitar Elite SE's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Most Buttons pick, and fifth of 5 on polling rate (1,000Hz).
What extras do the Viper V3 Pro and the Model O 2 Pro include?
The Viper V3 Pro: a Focus Pro 35K sensor. The Model O 2 Pro: 35 hours at 4,000Hz polling. The Darkstar: a six-button thumb cluster.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Sabre v2 PRO, chosen for the longest battery life here (120 hours). Look at the Viper V3 Pro for a Focus Pro 35K sensor at the highest price in the group, the Model O 2 Pro for 35 hours at 4,000Hz polling and the Darkstar for the lowest price of the group at our last check if those matter more to you.
A high polling rate uses more CPU and battery, so check whether it fits your system.