Buying Guide
The Best Good Budget Gaming Mice
Five mice under $60, three of them wireless.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A good budget mouse should have a shape you like and switches that last. These five stay under $60 at the time of writing.
We compared weight, switches and battery from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Wireless Battery
SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2Up to 450 hours on Bluetooth.
Best for: Rare battery swaps.
Check price for SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lightest Mouse
Razer Cobra Wired Gaming MouseThe lightest weight here (58g).
Best for: Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity.
Check price for Razer Cobra Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Switch Rating
SteelSeries Prime Wired Esports MouseSwitches rated for 100 million clicks.
Best for: Heavy use.
Check price for SteelSeries Prime Wired Esports Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best AAA Wireless
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core WirelessOne AAA battery with Bluetooth.
Best for: Swap-and-go.
Check price for HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Buttons
Logitech G203 Wired Gaming MouseThe most button count here (6).
Best for: MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Check price for Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 450 hours on Bluetooth. | Rare battery swaps. | Check price for SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lightest weight here (58g). | Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity. | Check price for Razer Cobra Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Switches rated for 100 million clicks. | Heavy use. | Check price for SteelSeries Prime Wired Esports Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| One AAA battery with Bluetooth. | Swap-and-go. | Check price for HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The most button count here (6). | MMO hotbars on the thumb. | Check price for Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Wireless Battery1 of 5
SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2
SteelSeries's Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 runs on one AAA battery, with up to 450 hours on Bluetooth.
Best for
- Rare battery swaps.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its weight before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It adds 2.4GHz for games. Its TrueMove Air sensor reaches 18,000 DPI, and click latency is rated at 1.9ms wireless. Switches are rated for 60 million clicks.
Its 1.9ms click latency over wireless is quick for a budget mouse. You also get this: up to 200 hours per charge. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Haste 2 Core Wireless the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed weight, look to the Cobra instead: it weighs 58g, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Max DPI
- 18,000
- Battery life
- 200 hours
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Pros
- Up to 200 hours per charge
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- Up to 450 hours on Bluetooth
- Runs on a single AAA battery
Cons
- No published weight
- Costs more than the G203 at the time of writing
Lightest Mouse2 of 5
Razer Cobra Wired Gaming Mouse
Razer's Cobra is a compact 58g wired mouse with Gen-3 optical switches.
Best for
- Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the G203 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Sensitivity adjusts in 50 DPI steps. It weighs 58g and uses Razer's Gen-3 optical switches, rated for 90 million clicks without double-clicking. The compact shape fits most grip styles.
DPI adjusts in 50-step increments, and the Speedflex cable reduces drag. Chroma lighting includes an underglow. Its 58g weight is the lightest here; the SteelSeries Prime comes next at 69g.
You also get this: no battery to charge. Its price falls between the SteelSeries Prime and the Haste 2 Core Wireless, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed button count should compare it with the G203, which offers 6.
Key specs
- Weight
- 58g
- Max DPI
- 8,500
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- Light 58g body
- No battery to charge
- Gen-3 optical switches rated for 90 million clicks
- Sensitivity adjustable in 50 DPI steps
Cons
- Costs more than the G203 at the time of writing
Best Switch Rating3 of 5
SteelSeries Prime Wired Esports Mouse
SteelSeries's Prime is a 69g wired esports mouse with optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks.
Best for
- Heavy use.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the G203 cost less when we checked.
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.
The shape was made for right-handed players and works with finger, palm and claw grips, and the sensor lists 450 IPS and 50G. Its 69g weight ranks second of 3 here, behind the Cobra (58g) and ahead of the Haste 2 Core Wireless (70g). Its price falls between the G203 and the Cobra, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2, which runs for 200 hours.
Key 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
- Costs more than the G203 at the time of writing
Best AAA Wireless4 of 5
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless
HyperX's Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless is a 70g AAA-powered version of the Haste 2 shape.
Best for
- Swap-and-go.
Skip if
- Skip it if weight matters most to you; the Cobra offers 58g.
Why we like it
It connects over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth. It weighs 70g, and the HyperX Custom Core sensor runs up to 12,000 DPI at 1,000Hz polling. Its 70g weight is the heaviest in this group; the Cobra leads at 58g.
You also get dual wireless modes. Keep the Haste 2 Core Wireless on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. Worth noting: up to 100 hours per charge.
On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Cobra and the pricier Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2, at the time of writing. The trade-off is weight; for more, the Cobra weighs 58g.
Key specs
- Weight
- 70g
- Max DPI
- 12,000
- Battery life
- 100 hours
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Pros
- Up to 100 hours per charge
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- Runs on one AAA battery
- Dual wireless modes
Cons
- Weight trails the Cobra (58g)
- Costs more than the G203 at the time of writing
Most Buttons5 of 5
Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse
Logitech's G203 is a six-button wired mouse with metal-spring-tensioned primary buttons.
Best for
- MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Skip if
- The maker gives no weight, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
Five DPI presets cycle from the middle button. Metal springs tension its main buttons for crisp clicks, and G HUB lets you remap all six buttons. The cable runs 2.1 metres.
Its RGB syncs with other LIGHTSYNC gear and can react to the screen. It also comes with G HUB software for sensitivity profiles. You also get this: no battery to charge.
Another plus: most button count of the picks (6). 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 Cobra, which weighs 58g.
Key specs
- Programmable buttons
- 6
- Max DPI
- 8,000
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- No battery to charge
- Mechanical primary buttons tensioned with metal springs
- Up to 5 DPI presets cycled from the middle button
- G HUB software for sensitivity profiles
Cons
- No published weight
How We Chose These Good Budget Gaming Mice
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.
- What we compared
- We lined up five mice on weight, button count, max DPI and battery life as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out weight.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 to the G203, state max DPI and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 and the G203 give no weight; the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2, the Cobra and the Haste 2 Core Wireless give no button count.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the G203 (under $50) to the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Good Budget Gaming Mouse
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much weight you need
The Cobra tops weight at 58g and the Haste 2 Core Wireless sits lowest at 70g. The SteelSeries Prime comes second at 69g, in the same price tier as the Cobra. The Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 and the G203 give no weight figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Button count
Here button count runs from 5 on the SteelSeries Prime to 6 on the G203, a 20% spread. Start with the G203 if button count decides it. The Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2, the Cobra and the Haste 2 Core Wireless give no button count figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
A hand holding a light-blue mouse on a red mousepad Battery life
Across these 2 picks battery life spans 100 hours (the Haste 2 Core Wireless) to 200 hours (the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2). Start with the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 if battery life decides it. The Cobra, the SteelSeries Prime and the G203 give no battery life figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Setup checks
Keep the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop.
A hand on a white gaming mouse, and the same mouse shown from below Extras that separate them
The SteelSeries Prime: a TrueMove Pro sensor with 18K CPI. The Haste 2 Core Wireless: dual wireless modes. The G203: up to 5 DPI presets cycled from the middle button.
How to Choose a Good Budget Gaming Mouse
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rare battery swaps | Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 | Up to 450 hours on Bluetooth |
| Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity | Cobra | The lightest weight here (58g) |
| Heavy use | SteelSeries Prime | Switches rated for 100 million clicks |
| Swap-and-go | Haste 2 Core Wireless | One AAA battery with Bluetooth |
| MMO hotbars on the thumb | G203 | The most button count here (6) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Cobra leads on weight at 58g, ahead of the SteelSeries Prime at 69g. "Not listed" marks weight where the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 and the G203 leave the figure out.
| Mice | Weight | Programmable buttons | Max DPI | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 | Not listed | Not listed | 18,000 | 200 hours |
| Cobra | 58g | Not listed | 8,500 | Not listed |
| SteelSeries Prime | 69g | 5 | 18,000 | Not listed |
| Haste 2 Core Wireless | 70g | Not listed | 12,000 | 100 hours |
| G203 | Not listed | 6 | 8,000 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The G203 was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 the highest ($50 to $100) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Mice |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | G203, SteelSeries Prime, Cobra, Haste 2 Core Wireless |
| About $50 to $100 | Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the lightest weight: the Cobra or the SteelSeries Prime?
Between the top two, it is 58g on the Cobra against 69g on the SteelSeries Prime, a 16% difference. The Haste 2 Core Wireless closes the ranking at 70g. The Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 and the G203 don't state a weight figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the G203 ahead of the SteelSeries Prime on button count?
The G203 tops button count at 6; the SteelSeries Prime follows at 5, 20% apart. The Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2, the Cobra and the Haste 2 Core Wireless are left out of this ranking because their button count isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the Haste 2 Core Wireless compare with the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 on battery life?
The Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 leads at 200 hours, with the Haste 2 Core Wireless at 100 hours. No battery life figure is published for the Cobra, the SteelSeries Prime and the G203, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
Why is the G203 our Most Buttons pick?
The label rests on the most button count here (6). On button count it leads the SteelSeries Prime, 6 against 5, a 20% margin. It makes sense for MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Will the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 work with my setup?
Keep the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Best Wireless Battery pick, and first of 2 on battery life (200 hours).
What extras do the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 and the Cobra include?
The Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2: up to 450 hours on Bluetooth. The Cobra: Gen-3 optical switches rated for 90 million clicks. The SteelSeries Prime: optical magnetic switches rated for 100 million clicks.
Bottom Line
SteelSeries's Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 is the pick for battery life. Razer's Cobra is the light wired choice, and the SteelSeries Prime has the highest switch rating.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Mice Under $50
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Mice Under $75
- Related guideThe Best Logitech Gaming Mice
- Without a budget limitThe Best Gaming Mice Right Now
- Similar guideThe Best Budget Gaming Mice
- 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 Budget Wired Gaming Mice
- 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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