Buying Guide
The Best Budget Wired Gaming Mice
We weighed five gaming mice on weight and button count; the Basilisk V3 has the most button count, and the EVGA X10 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A wired budget mouse avoids paying for wireless and still gets a solid sensor. Every pick is wired and cost $45 or less, ordered by DPI.
We ranked these gaming mice on weight, programmable buttons and max DPI using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these gaming mice ourselves, and where a maker leaves out weight, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Most Buttons
Razer Basilisk V3 Wired Gaming Mouse
The most button count here (11).
Best for: MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Our take Check price for Razer Basilisk V3 Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Lightest Mouse
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse
The lightest weight here (53g).
Best for: Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity.
Our take Check price for HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
SteelSeries Prime Wired Esports Mouse
Optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks.
Best for: Buyers who want optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries Prime Wired Esports Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 Gaming Mouse
A TrueMove Core optical sensor.
Best for: Buyers who want TrueMove Core optical sensor.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
EVGA X10 Wired Gaming Mouse
A lower price than the SteelSeries Prime and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for EVGA X10 Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Most Buttons1 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
- MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the EVGA X10, 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. Its 11 button count is the most here; the EVGA X10 comes next at 9.
Its price falls between the Rival 3 Gen 2 and the Pulsefire Haste 2, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed weight should compare it with the Pulsefire Haste 2, which weighs 53g.
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 EVGA X10 at the time of writing
Lightest Mouse2 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
- Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity.
Skip if
- Its button count is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
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. 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 Basilisk V3 and the rest. The maker doesn't give its button count; if that figure matters, the Basilisk V3 offers 11.
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
- No published button count
- Costs more than the EVGA X10 at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
SteelSeries Prime Wired Esports Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SteelSeries's Prime is a 69g wired esports mouse with optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks.
Best for
- Buyers who want optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks.
Skip if
- Skip it if button count matters most to you; the Basilisk V3 offers 11.
Why we like it
Its shape is built for FPS play. Its TrueMove Pro sensor tracks at 18K CPI and 450 IPS, and the shape was developed with over 100 pros. The TrueMove Pro sensor offers 18K CPI with true 1-to-1 lift and tilt tracking.
On button count it trails the group at 5, while the Basilisk V3 offers 11. Another plus is no battery to charge. The nearest alternative on weight is the Pulsefire Haste 2 at 53g, against 69g here. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper EVGA X10 and the pricier Rival 3 Gen 2, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 69g
- Programmable buttons: 5
- Max DPI: 18,000
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- No battery to charge
- Optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks
- TrueMove Pro sensor with 18K CPI
- Streamlined shape built for FPS play
Cons
- Button count trails the Basilisk V3 (11)
- Costs more than the EVGA X10 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SteelSeries's Rival 3 Gen 2 pairs a TrueMove Core sensor with switches rated for 60 million clicks.
Best for
- Buyers who want TrueMove Core optical sensor.
Skip if
- Pass if a published button count matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
Settings run in SteelSeries GG. Its TrueMove Core sensor tracks 1-to-1 up to 8,500 DPI, and a paracord-style cable reduces drag. Three-zone RGB lighting is included.
Its TrueMove Core sensor tracks 1-to-1 without acceleration, which keeps aim consistent at any swipe speed. Worth noting too: no battery to charge. Before buying, weigh one limit: no published button count.
It was priced above the SteelSeries Prime and below the Basilisk V3 at the time of writing. There is no published weight figure, whereas the Pulsefire Haste 2 weighs 53g.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max DPI: 8,500
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- No battery to charge
- TrueMove Core optical sensor
- Switches rated for 60 million clicks
- SteelSeries GG software for DPI and lighting
Cons
- No published button count
- Costs more than the EVGA X10 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
EVGA X10 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
EVGA's X10 is an ambidextrous wired mouse with a laser sensor and adjustable weights.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: button count of 9, behind the Basilisk V3 (11).
Why we like it
It has nine buttons. Its height and weight systems adjust to your grip, Omron switches handle the clicks, and the software sets macros, profiles and on-screen display. The ambidextrous shape works for either hand, and on-the-fly DPI adjustment reaches 8,200.
Omron switches and a silver-coated cable round out the build. On button count it sits mid-pack at 9: the Basilisk V3 offers 11, and the SteelSeries Prime comes in at 5. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the SteelSeries Prime was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed weight should compare it with the Pulsefire Haste 2, which weighs 53g.
Key dimensions & specs
- Programmable buttons: 9
- Max DPI: 8,200
- Connection: Wired
- Shape: Ambidextrous
Pros
- No battery to charge
- Ambidextrous shape
- Ambidextrous shape for left or right hands
- Laser sensor
Cons
- Button count of 9, behind the Basilisk V3 (11)
How We Chose These Budget Wired Gaming Mice
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 weight, button count, max DPI and connection from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Basilisk V3 to the EVGA X10, state max DPI and connection and share Wired connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Basilisk V3, the Rival 3 Gen 2 and the EVGA X10 give no weight; the Pulsefire Haste 2 and the Rival 3 Gen 2 give no button count.
- Price range
- From the EVGA X10 to the Pulsefire Haste 2, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Budget Wired Gaming Mouse
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much button count you need
Here button count runs from 5 on the SteelSeries Prime to 11 on the Basilisk V3. The EVGA X10 comes second for less money. No figure for the Pulsefire Haste 2 and the Rival 3 Gen 2.
Weight
Here weight runs from 69g on the SteelSeries Prime to 53g on the Pulsefire Haste 2. The Pulsefire Haste 2 is the pick for weight. No figure for the Basilisk V3, the Rival 3 Gen 2 and the EVGA X10.
Extras that separate them
The SteelSeries Prime: a TrueMove Pro sensor with 18K CPI. The Rival 3 Gen 2: switches rated for 60 million clicks. The EVGA X10: a laser sensor.
Budget
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the EVGA X10 at the low end to the Pulsefire Haste 2 at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
MMO hotbars on the thumb: the Basilisk V3. Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity: the Pulsefire Haste 2. Keeping the budget tight: the EVGA X10.
Wireless is no longer a handicap
A 2.4GHz dongle matches a cable for games. Check battery life with lighting on and whether the mouse charges while in use.
How to Choose a Budget Wired Gaming Mouse
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| MMO hotbars on the thumb | Basilisk V3 | The most button count here (11) |
| Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity | Pulsefire Haste 2 | The lightest weight here (53g) |
| Buyers who want optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks | SteelSeries Prime | Optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks |
| Buyers who want TrueMove Core optical sensor | Rival 3 Gen 2 | A TrueMove Core optical sensor |
| Keeping the budget tight | EVGA X10 | A lower price than the SteelSeries Prime and the rest when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Basilisk V3 leads on button count at 11, ahead of the EVGA X10 at 9. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Mice | Weight | Programmable buttons | Max DPI | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basilisk V3 | Not listed | 11 | 26,000 | Wired |
| Pulsefire Haste 2 | 53g | Not listed | 26,000 | Wired |
| SteelSeries Prime | 69g | 5 | 18,000 | Wired |
| Rival 3 Gen 2 | Not listed | Not listed | 8,500 | Wired |
| EVGA X10 | Not listed | 9 | 8,200 | Wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the EVGA X10 compare with the Basilisk V3 on button count?
The Basilisk V3 leads at 11, with the EVGA X10 at 9. The SteelSeries Prime is at the other end of this group with 5. The Pulsefire Haste 2 and the Rival 3 Gen 2 don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Which has the lightest weight: the Pulsefire Haste 2 or the SteelSeries Prime?
The Pulsefire Haste 2 comes out best at 53g, with the SteelSeries Prime at 69g. The Basilisk V3, the Rival 3 Gen 2 and the EVGA X10 don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Why is the Pulsefire Haste 2 our Lightest Mouse pick?
It earns the label for the lightest weight here (53g). It suits players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity.
Will the Pulsefire Haste 2 work with my setup?
Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom. In this guide it ranks second of 5, as our Lightest Mouse pick.
What extras do the Basilisk V3 and the Pulsefire Haste 2 include?
The Basilisk V3: a thumb rest built into the shell. The Pulsefire Haste 2: four pieces of included grip tape. The SteelSeries Prime: optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Basilisk V3. Look at the SteelSeries Prime for optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks, the Rival 3 Gen 2 for a TrueMove Core optical sensor and the EVGA X10 for a lower price than the SteelSeries Prime and the rest when we checked if those matter more to you.
A mouse bungee reduces cable drag.