Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Mice With Macro Buttons
Five gaming mice compared, from the Redragon wired MMO to the Redragon wireless MMO, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Ten or more buttons give room for macros in MMOs and MOBAs. Every pick has ten or more buttons, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: programmable buttons, max DPI and connection come from each maker's published specs; a missing max DPI is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Most Buttons
Redragon Wired MMO Gaming Mouse
The most button count here (19).
Best for: Macros and editing shortcuts.
Our take Check price for Redragon Wired MMO Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Redragon M913 Impact Elite Wireless MMO Mouse
12 side buttons.
Best for: Buyers who want 12 side buttons.
Our take Check price for Redragon M913 Impact Elite Wireless MMO Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
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)
Worth a Look
Logitech G502 Hero Wired Mouse
A Hero sensor.
Best for: Buyers who want Hero sensor.
Our take Check price for Logitech G502 Hero Wired Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Redragon Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 macro-programmable buttons.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Redragon Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The most button count here (19). | Macros and editing shortcuts. | Check price for Redragon Wired MMO Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
| 12 side buttons. | Buyers who want 12 side buttons. | Check price for Redragon M913 Impact Elite Wireless MMO Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
| A thumb rest built into the shell. | Buyers who want thumb rest built into the shell. | Check price for Razer Basilisk V3 Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
| A Hero sensor. | Buyers who want Hero sensor. | Check price for Logitech G502 Hero Wired Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 macro-programmable buttons. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for Redragon Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Most Buttons1 of 5
Redragon Wired MMO Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's wired MMO mouse has 19 programmable buttons and a 12400 DPI sensor.
Best for
- Macros and editing shortcuts.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It never needs charging. Its 19 buttons can be remapped with macros and saved to five memory profiles. DPI adjusts from 100 to 12,400 and polling from 125Hz to 1,000Hz, and weights let you tune the balance.
Its 19 button count is the most here; the M913 comes next at 16. It also comes with no battery to charge. Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows. It undercut the M913 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Programmable buttons: 19
- Max DPI: 12,400
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- 19 programmable buttons
- No battery to charge
- 12400 DPI sensor
- The most button count here (19)
Also Consider2 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
- Buyers who want 12 side buttons.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Redragon wired MMO, which 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.
Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows. It was priced above the Redragon wired MMO and below the Basilisk V3 at the time of writing.
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 Redragon wired MMO at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 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
- Price-first buyers should look at the Redragon wired MMO, which cost less when we checked.
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. It matches the G502 Hero on button count (11).
Another plus is no battery to charge. Worth noting too: chroma RGB underglow. It was priced above the M913 and below the G502 Hero at the time of writing.
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 Redragon wired MMO at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Logitech G502 Hero Wired Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The G502 Hero is the wired classic, with 11 buttons and removable weights to tune the feel.
Best for
- Buyers who want Hero sensor.
Skip if
- Skip it if button count matters most to you; the Redragon wired MMO offers 19.
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.
It matches the Basilisk V3 on button count (11). Another plus is no battery to charge. Worth noting too: adjustable weights.
It was priced above the Basilisk V3 and below the Redragon wireless MMO at the time of writing. It gives ground on button count, where the Redragon wired MMO offers 19.
Key dimensions & specs
- Programmable buttons: 11
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- 11 programmable buttons
- No battery to charge
- Hero sensor
- Adjustable weights
Cons
- Button count trails the Redragon wired MMO (19)
- Costs more than the Redragon wired MMO at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 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 the most complete package.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: shorter 70-hour battery.
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. On button count it ties with the M913 at 16.
Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows. 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 G502 Hero and the rest.
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
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 macro-programmable buttons
Cons
- Shorter 70-hour battery
- Costs more than the Redragon wired MMO at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Mice With Macro Buttons
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five mice on button count, max DPI and connection as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Redragon wired MMO to the Redragon wireless MMO, state button count and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The G502 Hero gives no max DPI.
- Price range
- From the Redragon wired MMO to the Redragon wireless MMO, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gaming Mouse With Macro Buttons
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 19 on the Redragon wired MMO. The Redragon wired MMO is the pick for button count.
Setup checks
Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows.
Features beyond the spec table
The Basilisk V3: a HyperScroll tilt wheel. The G502 Hero: adjustable weights. The Redragon wireless MMO: up to 70 hours per charge.
Budget
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the Redragon wired MMO at the low end to the Redragon wireless MMO at the top, so decide on features first.
Match the pick to your priority
Macros and editing shortcuts: the Redragon wired MMO. Buyers who want the most complete package: the Redragon wireless MMO.
DPI figures past 20,000 do not matter much
Most players use 400 to 3,200 DPI. Very high maximums are marketing; sensor consistency matters more.
How to Choose a Gaming Mouse With Macro Buttons
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Macros and editing shortcuts | Redragon wired MMO | The most button count here (19) |
| Buyers who want 12 side buttons | M913 | 12 side buttons |
| Buyers who want thumb rest built into the shell | Basilisk V3 | A thumb rest built into the shell |
| Buyers who want Hero sensor | G502 Hero | A Hero sensor |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Redragon wireless MMO | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 16 macro-programmable buttons |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Redragon wired MMO leads on button count at 19, ahead of the M913 at 16. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Mice | Programmable buttons | Max DPI | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redragon wired MMO | 19 | 12,400 | Wired |
| M913 | 16 | 16,000 | 2.4GHz, wired |
| Basilisk V3 | 11 | 26,000 | Wired |
| G502 Hero | 11 | Not listed | Wired |
| Redragon wireless MMO | 16 | 16,000 | 2.4GHz, wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the most button count: the Redragon wired MMO or the M913?
The Redragon wired MMO leads at 19, with the M913 at 16. The G502 Hero is at the other end of this group with 11.
Is the Redragon wireless MMO worth paying more than the Redragon wired MMO?
On the figures both makers state, it adds little. It does not win everywhere: the Redragon wired MMO still leads on button count (19). The Redragon wired MMO was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if a feature outside the spec sheet matters to you.
What makes the Redragon wired MMO the Most Buttons?
It earns the label for the most button count here (19). It suits macros and editing shortcuts.
What should I check before buying the Redragon wired MMO?
Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Most Buttons pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Redragon wired MMO and the M913 apart?
The Redragon wired MMO: 19 macro-programmable buttons. The M913: 12 side buttons. The Basilisk V3: a thumb rest built into the shell.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Redragon wired MMO. Look at the M913 for 12 side buttons, the Basilisk V3 for a thumb rest built into the shell and the G502 Hero for a Hero sensor if those matter more to you.
Group macros by function so you can find them by feel.