Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Mice Under $50
Five gaming mice under $50 at the time of writing, including three wireless models, compared on weight, sensor and buttons.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
Under $50 at the time of writing, gaming mice cover the basics well: a good sensor, a light shell or wireless. Where they differ is weight, shape and button count.
We compared weight, sensor, buttons and connection from each listing and prices at the time of writing; we did not test these mice.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Wireless Value
Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless MouseLightspeed wireless with a 250 hours of battery.
Best for: A first wireless gaming mouse.
Check price for Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Ambidextrous
Corsair M75 Wireless Gaming MouseAn ambidextrous shape at 89g.
Best for: Left-handed players.
Check price for Corsair M75 Wireless Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Wired
Logitech G502 Hero Wired Mouse11 buttons on a wired mouse.
Best for: Wired setups with extra binds.
Check price for Logitech G502 Hero Wired Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Buttons
Redragon M908 Impact RGB MMO MouseThe most button count here (18).
Best for: MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Check price for Redragon M908 Impact RGB MMO Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightspeed wireless with a 250 hours of battery. | A first wireless gaming mouse. | Check price for Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An ambidextrous shape at 89g. | Left-handed players. | Check price for Corsair M75 Wireless Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 11 buttons on a wired mouse. | Wired setups with extra binds. | Check price for Logitech G502 Hero Wired Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The most button count here (18). | MMO hotbars on the thumb. | Check price for Redragon M908 Impact RGB MMO Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Wireless Value1 of 4
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
- A first wireless gaming mouse.
Skip if
- Pass if a published button count matters; this one has none.
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. You get a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection here, which sets it apart from the G502 Hero and its a wired connection.
It also offers runs on a single AA battery. The G305's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the M908 the next step up. There is no published button count figure, whereas the M908 offers 18.
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 button count
Best Ambidextrous2 of 4
Corsair M75 Wireless Gaming Mouse
The M75 Wireless is the ambidextrous choice, at the cost of a heavier 89g body.
Best for
- Left-handed players.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: heavier 89g body.
Why we like it
Optical switches remove debounce delay and are rated for 100 million clicks, and it weighs 89g. The MARKSMAN sensor tracks at 650 IPS. Its ambidextrous shape comes with swappable side buttons for left or right hands.
You get a wireless connection here, which sets it apart from the G305 and its a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection. The M75 Wireless's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. Only the G502 Hero came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks. There is no published button count figure, whereas the M908 offers 18.
Key specs
- Weight
- 89g
- Max DPI
- 26,000
- Connection
- Wireless
- Shape
- Ambidextrous
Pros
- Ambidextrous shape
- Optical switches
- Wireless connection, the only one here
- An ambidextrous shape at 89g
Cons
- Heavier 89g body
- No published button count
- Costs more than the G305 at the time of writing
Best Wired3 of 4
Logitech G502 Hero Wired Mouse
The G502 Hero is the wired classic, with 11 buttons and removable weights to tune the feel.
Best for
- Wired setups with extra binds.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the G305 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its HERO sensor tracks up to 25,600 DPI, and five 3.6g weights tune the balance. Metal springs tension the main buttons. Five 3.6g weights let you tune the balance, and the scroll wheel switches into a hyper-fast mode.
The HERO sensor works with no smoothing, filtering or acceleration, and the left and right buttons use metal pivot hinges. LIGHTSYNC RGB is included and needs Logitech's software. Like the M908, it has a wired connection, while the G305 uses a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection.
Another plus: no battery to charge. Its price falls between the M908 and the M75 Wireless, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Programmable buttons
- 11
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- 11 programmable buttons
- No battery to charge
- Hero sensor
- Adjustable weights
Cons
- Costs more than the G305 at the time of writing
Most Buttons4 of 4
Redragon M908 Impact RGB MMO Mouse
The M908 is the budget way into MMO mice: 18 buttons and a wired connection for around $30.
Best for
- MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the G305 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 18 programmable buttons and five memory profiles suit MMO key binds, and DPI reaches 12,400. RGB lighting can be switched off. Its 12 side buttons sit alongside six standard buttons, and Teflon feet glide smoothly.
The aggressive shape suits a palm grip. Like the G502 Hero, it has a wired connection, while the G305 uses a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection. It also comes with a 12-button side panel at a budget price.
Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper G305 and the pricier G502 Hero, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Programmable buttons
- 18
- Polling rate
- 1,000Hz
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- 18 programmable buttons
- No battery to charge
- 12-button side panel at a budget price
- The most button count here (18)
Cons
- Costs more than the G305 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Mice Under $50
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side four mice on button count, max DPI and connection from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 1 of the 3 fields compared are stated for every pick, while button count and max DPI have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the G305 to the M908, state connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The G305 and the M75 Wireless give no button count; the G502 Hero and the M908 give no max DPI.
- Price range
- From the G305 to the M75 Wireless, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gaming Mouse Under $50
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Button count
Here button count runs from 11 on the G502 Hero to 18 on the M908, a 64% spread. The M908 is the pick for button count. The G305 and the M75 Wireless give no button count figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
Fit and compatibility
The G305's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse.
A hand on a white gaming mouse, and the same mouse shown from below Extras that separate them
The M75 Wireless: optical switches. The G502 Hero: adjustable weights. The M908: a 12-button side panel at a budget price.
How much to spend
All 4 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the G305 at the low end to the M75 Wireless at the top, so decide on features first.
A hand next to a black wireless mouse on a blue mousepad Start from what matters most
A first wireless gaming mouse: the G305. Left-handed players: the M75 Wireless. Wired setups with extra binds: the G502 Hero.
How to Choose a Gaming Mouse Under $50
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A first wireless gaming mouse | G305 | Lightspeed wireless with a 250 hours of battery |
| Left-handed players | M75 Wireless | An ambidextrous shape at 89g |
| Wired setups with extra binds | G502 Hero | 11 buttons on a wired mouse |
| MMO hotbars on the thumb | M908 | The most button count here (18) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The M908 leads on button count at 18, ahead of the G502 Hero at 11. "Not listed" marks button count where the G305 and the M75 Wireless leave the figure out.
| Mice | Programmable buttons | Max DPI | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| G305 | Not listed | 12,000 | Lightspeed 2.4GHz |
| M75 Wireless | Not listed | 26,000 | Wireless |
| G502 Hero | 11 | Not listed | Wired |
| M908 | 18 | Not listed | Wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the G502 Hero compare with the M908 on button count?
The M908 leads at 18, with the G502 Hero at 11. The G305 and the M75 Wireless are left out of this ranking because their button count isn't stated; 2 of 4 picks are ranked.
Why is the M75 Wireless our Best Ambidextrous pick?
It carries the badge for an ambidextrous shape at 89g. It makes sense for left-handed players.
Do the G305 and the M75 Wireless differ on connection?
The G305 uses Lightspeed 2.4GHz; the M75 Wireless uses wireless; the G502 Hero and the M908 use Wired.
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 4, as our Best Wireless Value pick.
What extras do the G305 and the M75 Wireless include?
The G305: a Hero sensor. The M75 Wireless: optical switches. The G502 Hero: a Hero sensor.
Bottom Line
Logitech's G305 is the best wireless mouse under $50, and Corsair's Katar Elite Wireless weighs 69g. The M75 Wireless suits left-handers, and the G502 Hero and Redragon M908 cover extra buttons.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Mice Under $75
- Related guideThe Best Logitech Gaming Mice
- Related guideThe Best Corsair Gaming Mice
- Lower budgetThe Best Gaming Mice Under $40
- Higher budgetThe Best Gaming Mice Under $60
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Gaming Mouse
- ExplainerMouse polling rate and DPI: what each number changes
- Also see: mouse pads and desk matsHow to Choose a Mouse Pad for Gaming and Work
- Similar guideThe Best Wireless Gaming Mice Under $50
- Topic hubAll mice guides
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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