Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Mice Under $40
Five gaming mice compared, from the Acer dual-mode to the Pulsefire Haste 2, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
From $20 to $40 gaming mice add wireless connections and higher sensor ratings. Every mouse cost 20 to 40 when we checked and lists its sensor and connection.
Our comparison rests on published figures for weight, programmable buttons and max DPI; where a maker leaves out weight, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Razer Basilisk V3 Wired Gaming Mouse
A thumb rest built into the shell.
Best for: Buyers who want thumb rest built into the shell.
Our take Check price for Razer Basilisk V3 Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Lightest Mouse
Attack Shark X3 Wireless Gaming Mouse
The lightest weight here (49g).
Best for: Fast flick aiming.
Our take Check price for Attack Shark X3 Wireless Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse
Four pieces of included grip tape at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Acer dual-mode costs less.
Our take Check price for HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Acer Dual-Mode Wireless Gaming Mouse
The lowest price among these gaming mice at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the M913.
Our take Check price for Acer Dual-Mode Wireless Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Most Buttons
Redragon M913 Impact Elite Wireless MMO Mouse
The most button count here (16).
Best for: Macros and editing shortcuts.
Our take Check price for Redragon M913 Impact Elite Wireless MMO Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
Razer Basilisk V3 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Razer's wired Basilisk V3 has a thumb rest built into the shell and a HyperScroll tilt wheel.
Best for
- Buyers who want thumb rest built into the shell.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Acer dual-mode was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It has 11 buttons. Its 11 programmable buttons and thumb rest suit games with many binds. The HyperScroll wheel free-spins through long pages or switches to tactile steps for weapon swaps.
Razer Chroma lighting has 11 zones for effects that follow the scroll wheel and sides. A sculpted thumb rest supports the hand, and 11 programmable buttons take macros such as push-to-talk. When we checked, only the M913 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Attack Shark X3 cost more. If you want a confirmed weight, look to the Attack Shark X3 instead: it weighs 49g, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Programmable buttons: 11
- Max DPI: 26,000
- Connection: Wired
- Shape: Right-handed ergonomic with thumb rest
Pros
- 11 programmable buttons
- No battery to charge
- Thumb rest built into the shell
- HyperScroll tilt wheel
Cons
- Costs more than the Acer dual-mode at the time of writing
Lightest Mouse2 of 5
Attack Shark X3 Wireless Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Attack Shark's X3 is a 49g tri-mode mouse with a PAW3395 sensor.
Best for
- Fast flick aiming.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Acer dual-mode cost less when we checked.
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.
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. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Basilisk V3 and the pricier Pulsefire Haste 2, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its button count; if that figure matters, the M913 offers 16.
Key dimensions & 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 Acer dual-mode at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 5
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
HyperX's wired Pulsefire Haste 2 weighs 53g and reaches 8000Hz polling.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Acer dual-mode costs less.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Acer dual-mode, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Grip tape is included. It weighs 53g with a solid shell rather than holes, and the HyperX 26K sensor tracks up to 26,000 DPI. The wired cable keeps it simple.
Its paracord-style HyperFlex 2 cable reduces drag, and it polls at up to 8,000Hz, reporting every 0.125ms. Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom. You also get this: light 53g body.
Only the Attack Shark X3 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published button count figure, whereas the M913 offers 16.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 53g
- Max DPI: 26,000
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Light 53g body
- 8,000Hz polling
- No battery to charge
- Four pieces of included grip tape
Cons
- Costs more than the Acer dual-mode at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
Acer Dual-Mode Wireless Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Acer's dual-mode mouse is a rechargeable 2.4GHz and Bluetooth mouse at a budget price.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the M913.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: shorter 40-hour battery.
Why we like it
It has a 24,000 DPI sensor. Its 24,000 DPI sensor runs at 1,000Hz, and eight buttons take full macros. It switches between a USB receiver and Bluetooth.
Its 24,000 DPI sensor tracks at up to 35G acceleration with 1000Hz polling. Eight buttons can be programmed with macros, and it switches between wired USB and 2.4GHz wireless. Keep the Acer dual-mode on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop.
It undercut the M913 and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its weight; if that figure matters, the Attack Shark X3 weighs 49g.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max DPI: 24,000
- Battery life: 40 hours
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Pros
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- Rechargeable battery
- Dual wireless modes
- Budget price
Cons
- Shorter 40-hour battery
- Battery life of 40 hours, behind the Attack Shark X3 (200 hours)
Most Buttons5 of 5
Redragon M913 Impact Elite Wireless MMO Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's M913 is a 16-button wireless MMO mouse with 12 side buttons and a rechargeable battery.
Best for
- Macros and editing shortcuts.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Acer dual-mode cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is a low-cost wireless MMO option. It switches between 2.4GHz wireless and a USB-C cable, and its 12 side buttons suit MMO hotbars. The PixArt 3335 sensor handles the tracking.
Five onboard DPI steps run from 1,000 to 16,000, and all 16 buttons can be remapped. A low-power chip stretches battery life. A PixArt 3335 sensor handles tracking, and an eco mode stretches battery life.
Eco mode raises battery life from 45 hours with the backlight on to 80 hours, and the PixArt 3335 sensor registers clicks within 1ms. Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows. When we checked, only the Acer dual-mode cost less, and the Basilisk V3 cost more. If you want a confirmed weight, look to the Attack Shark X3 instead: it weighs 49g, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Programmable buttons: 16
- Max DPI: 16,000
- Connection: 2.4GHz, wired
Pros
- 16 programmable buttons
- 12 side buttons
- Rechargeable battery
- Budget price for a wireless MMO mouse
Cons
- Costs more than the Acer dual-mode at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Mice Under $40
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared five mice on weight, button count, max DPI and battery life, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out weight.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Basilisk V3 to the M913, state max DPI and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Basilisk V3, the Acer dual-mode and the M913 give no weight; the Attack Shark X3, the Pulsefire Haste 2 and the Acer dual-mode give no button count.
- Price range
- From the Acer dual-mode to the Pulsefire Haste 2, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gaming Mouse Under $40
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Weight across these picks
Across these 2 picks weight spans 53g (the Pulsefire Haste 2) to 49g (the Attack Shark X3). If weight is your first filter, the Attack Shark X3 sets the ceiling at 49g. The Basilisk V3, the Acer dual-mode and the M913 give no weight figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Button count
Here button count runs from 11 on the Basilisk V3 to 16 on the M913, a 45% spread. Start with the M913 if button count decides it. The Attack Shark X3, the Pulsefire Haste 2 and the Acer dual-mode give no button count figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Battery life
The Attack Shark X3 tops battery life at 200 hours and the Acer dual-mode sits lowest at 40 hours. Start with the Attack Shark X3 if battery life decides it. The Basilisk V3, the Pulsefire Haste 2 and the M913 give no battery life figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Fit and compatibility
Keep the Attack Shark X3 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop.
Features beyond the spec table
The Pulsefire Haste 2: a 26K sensor. The Acer dual-mode: dual wireless modes. The M913: a rechargeable battery.
How to Choose a Gaming Mouse Under $40
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want thumb rest built into the shell | Basilisk V3 | A thumb rest built into the shell |
| Fast flick aiming | Attack Shark X3 | The lightest weight here (49g) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Acer dual-mode costs less | Pulsefire Haste 2 | Four pieces of included grip tape at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the M913 | Acer dual-mode | The lowest price among these gaming mice at the time of writing |
| Macros and editing shortcuts | M913 | The most button count here (16) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Attack Shark X3 leads on weight at 49g, ahead of the Pulsefire Haste 2 at 53g. "Not listed" marks weight where the Basilisk V3, the Acer dual-mode and the M913 leave the figure out.
| Mice | Weight | Programmable buttons | Max DPI | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basilisk V3 | Not listed | 11 | 26,000 | Not listed |
| Attack Shark X3 | 49g | Not listed | 26,000 | 200 hours |
| Pulsefire Haste 2 | 53g | Not listed | 26,000 | Not listed |
| Acer dual-mode | Not listed | Not listed | 24,000 | 40 hours |
| M913 | Not listed | 16 | 16,000 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Attack Shark X3 ahead of the Pulsefire Haste 2 on weight?
The Attack Shark X3 is lowest on weight at 49g; the Pulsefire Haste 2 follows at 53g, 8% apart. No weight figure is published for the Basilisk V3, the Acer dual-mode and the M913, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
Which has the most button count: the M913 or the Basilisk V3?
Between the top two, it is 16 on the M913 against 11 on the Basilisk V3, a 45% difference. The Attack Shark X3, the Pulsefire Haste 2 and the Acer dual-mode are left out of this ranking because their button count isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the Acer dual-mode compare with the Attack Shark X3 on battery life?
The Attack Shark X3 leads at 200 hours, with the Acer dual-mode at 40 hours. The Basilisk V3, the Pulsefire Haste 2 and the M913 don't state a battery life figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What makes the Attack Shark X3 the Lightest Mouse?
The label rests on the lightest weight here (49g). The Pulsefire Haste 2 is next on weight at 53g, so this pick's 49g is 8% further out. It suits fast flick aiming.
What should I check before buying the Acer dual-mode?
Keep the Acer dual-mode on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick, and second of 2 on battery life (40 hours).
Beyond the specs, what sets the Basilisk V3 and the Attack Shark X3 apart?
The Basilisk V3: a thumb rest built into the shell. The Attack Shark X3: a PixArt PAW3395 sensor. The Pulsefire Haste 2: four pieces of included grip tape.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Basilisk V3, chosen for a thumb rest built into the shell. Look at the Pulsefire Haste 2 for four pieces of included grip tape at the highest price in the group and the Acer dual-mode for the lowest price among these gaming mice at the time of writing if those matter more to you.
A high DPI figure matters less than a stable sensor; keep your sensitivity moderate.