Buying Guide
The Best Good Inexpensive Gaming Mice
Five inexpensive mice, from a $20 wired Lenovo to long-battery wireless models.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Inexpensive mice vary most in battery life and shape. These five stay under $60 at the time of writing.
We compared battery, weight and shape from each listing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Longest Battery
ASUS ROG Strix Impact III Wireless
618 hours at 57g.
Best for: Rare charging.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix Impact III Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Best Right-Handed
Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed Wireless
An ergonomic shape on one AA battery.
Best for: Palm grips.
Our take Check price for Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Lightest Mouse
Redragon M725 Wireless Gaming Mouse
The lightest weight here (49g).
Best for: Fast flick aiming.
Our take Check price for Redragon M725 Wireless Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Best Wired Ergonomic
Razer DeathAdder Essential Wired Gaming Mouse
The DeathAdder shape near $21.
Best for: Wired setups.
Our take Check price for Razer DeathAdder Essential Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price
Lenovo M210 RGB Wired Gaming Mouse
A 75g wired mouse near $20.
Best for: Tight budgets.
Our take Check price for Lenovo M210 RGB Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 618 hours at 57g. | Rare charging. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix Impact III Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
| An ergonomic shape on one AA battery. | Palm grips. | Check price for Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
| The lightest weight here (49g). | Fast flick aiming. | Check price for Redragon M725 Wireless Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
| The DeathAdder shape near $21. | Wired setups. | Check price for Razer DeathAdder Essential Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
| A 75g wired mouse near $20. | Tight budgets. | Check price for Lenovo M210 RGB Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Longest Battery1 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix Impact III Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASUS's ROG Strix Impact III Wireless is a 57g ambidextrous mouse with replaceable switches.
Best for
- Rare charging.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Lenovo M210 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It has 618 hours of battery life. It weighs 57g without the battery, and the ROG Omni Receiver connects several devices through one dongle. On weight it sits mid-pack at 57g: the M725 weighs 49g, and the Viper V3 HyperSpeed comes in at 82g.
No other pick in this guide offers an ambidextrous shape; compare the DeathAdder Essential, which has a right-handed ergonomic shape. You also get a 36K ROG AimPoint sensor. Keep the Strix Impact III Wireless on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the Viper V3 HyperSpeed the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed button count, look to the M725 instead: it offers 5, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 57g
- Max DPI: 36,000
- Battery life: 618 hours
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
- Shape: Ambidextrous
Pros
- Light 57g body
- Up to 618 hours per charge
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- Ambidextrous shape
Cons
- Costs more than the Lenovo M210 at the time of writing
Best Right-Handed2 of 5
Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Razer's Viper V3 HyperSpeed runs on one AA battery for up to 280 hours with a Focus Pro 30K sensor.
Best for
- Palm grips.
Skip if
- Skip it if weight matters most to you; the M725 offers 49g.
Why we like it
It weighs 82g and costs less than the Viper V3 Pro. On weight it trails the group at 82g, while the M725 weighs 49g. You get a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz connection here, which sets it apart from the Lenovo M210 and its a wired connection.
Like the DeathAdder Essential, it has a right-handed ergonomic shape, while the Strix Impact III Wireless uses an ambidextrous shape. The Viper V3 HyperSpeed's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. It was priced above the M725 and below the Strix Impact III Wireless at the time of writing. It gives ground on weight, where the M725 weighs 49g.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 82g
- Max DPI: 30,000
- Battery life: 280 hours
- Connection: HyperSpeed 2.4GHz
- Shape: Right-handed ergonomic
Pros
- Up to 280 hours per charge
- Focus Pro 30K sensor
- Runs on a single AA battery
- Lower price than the Viper V3 Pro
Cons
- Weight trails the M725 (49g)
- Costs more than the Lenovo M210 at the time of writing
Lightest Mouse3 of 5
Redragon M725 Wireless Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's M725 is a 49g symmetrical tri-mode mouse with a honeycomb shell.
Best for
- Fast flick aiming.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Lenovo M210 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It stores five configuration modes onboard. On weight it leads this guide at 49g, ahead of the Strix Impact III Wireless (57g). You get a symmetrical shape here, which sets it apart from the Viper V3 HyperSpeed and its a right-handed ergonomic shape.
It also comes with tri-mode connection at a budget price. Keep the M725 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. Its price falls between the DeathAdder Essential and the Viper V3 HyperSpeed, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the Strix Impact III Wireless, which runs for 618 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 49g
- Programmable buttons: 5
- Max DPI: 8,000
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Shape: Symmetrical
Pros
- Light 49g body
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- Honeycomb shell
- 5 onboard configuration modes
Cons
- Costs more than the Lenovo M210 at the time of writing
Best Wired Ergonomic4 of 5
Razer DeathAdder Essential Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Razer's DeathAdder Essential keeps the long right-handed DeathAdder shape in a five-button wired mouse.
Best for
- Wired setups.
Skip if
- Its weight is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
Its switches are rated for 10 million clicks and DPI buttons sit on top. Its 6,400 DPI sensor and mechanical switches rated for 10 million clicks suit everyday gaming. Five buttons are programmable, and the ridged wheel gives controlled scrolling.
Like the Lenovo M210, it has a wired connection, while the Viper V3 HyperSpeed uses a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz connection. It shares a right-handed ergonomic shape with the Viper V3 HyperSpeed; the M725 goes with a symmetrical shape. It also offers dedicated DPI buttons for on-the-fly changes and macro assignment through Razer Synapse.
On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Lenovo M210 and the pricier M725, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its weight; if that figure matters, the M725 weighs 49g.
Key dimensions & specs
- Programmable buttons: 5
- Max DPI: 6,400
- Connection: Wired
- Shape: Right-handed ergonomic
Pros
- No battery to charge
- Mechanical switches rated for 10 million clicks
- Dedicated DPI buttons for on-the-fly changes
- Macro assignment through Razer Synapse
Cons
- No published weight
- Costs more than the Lenovo M210 at the time of writing
Lowest Price5 of 5
Lenovo M210 RGB Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lenovo's M210 is a 75g wired mouse with RGB and a DPI button.
Best for
- Tight budgets.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when weight of 75g, behind the M725 (49g is a problem.
Why we like it
The maker specifies Windows and ChromeOS support. It polls at 1,000Hz with 300 IPS tracking, and its medium-large symmetrical shape suits a palm grip. Seven buttons are programmable.
Its 75g weight ranks third of 4 here, behind the M725 (49g) and ahead of the Viper V3 HyperSpeed (82g). Like the DeathAdder Essential, it has a wired connection, while the Viper V3 HyperSpeed uses a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz connection. You also get RGB lighting and a DPI button for quick sensitivity changes.
It undercut the DeathAdder Essential and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its button count; if that figure matters, the M725 offers 5.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 75g
- Max DPI: 8,000
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- No battery to charge
- RGB lighting
- Support for Windows and ChromeOS
- DPI button for quick sensitivity changes
Cons
- Weight of 75g, behind the M725 (49g)
How We Chose These Good Inexpensive Gaming Mice
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Buttons
- We counted programmable buttons where the listing states them.
- Weight and shape
- We recorded listed weights and whether the shape is right-handed or ambidextrous.
- Sensor figures
- We noted maximum DPI and polling rate, while treating them as secondary.
- Connection and battery
- We checked dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes and the rated battery life.
What to Look for in a Good Inexpensive Gaming Mouse
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
Weight changes how aim feels
Mice around 60g are easy to flick and lift. Heavier mice feel steadier for tracking. A difference of 10g is noticeable over a long session.
Shape and grip come first
Palm grips suit longer, higher-backed mice; claw and fingertip grips suit shorter, lighter shells. Ambidextrous shapes fit either hand but often have fewer side buttons.
Count the buttons you will use
MMO mice put 12 or more buttons under the thumb for hotbars. Shooters rarely need more than two side buttons.
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.
High polling rates cost battery
4,000Hz and 8,000Hz modes cut reporting delay slightly but drain wireless batteries faster and use more CPU time.
How to Choose a Good Inexpensive Gaming Mouse
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rare charging | Strix Impact III Wireless | 618 hours at 57g |
| Palm grips | Viper V3 HyperSpeed | An ergonomic shape on one AA battery |
| Fast flick aiming | M725 | The lightest weight here (49g) |
| Wired setups | DeathAdder Essential | The DeathAdder shape near $21 |
| Tight budgets | Lenovo M210 | A 75g wired mouse near $20 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Mice | Weight | Programmable buttons | Max DPI | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strix Impact III Wireless | 57g | Not listed | 36,000 | 618 hours |
| Viper V3 HyperSpeed | 82g | Not listed | 30,000 | 280 hours |
| M725 | 49g | 5 | 8,000 | Not listed |
| DeathAdder Essential | Not listed | 5 | 6,400 | Not listed |
| Lenovo M210 | 75g | Not listed | 8,000 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Mice |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Lenovo M210, DeathAdder Essential, M725 |
| About $50 to $100 | Viper V3 HyperSpeed, Strix Impact III Wireless |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an MMO mouse work for shooters?
It can, but the extra side buttons add weight and make it easy to press the wrong key.
Do gaming mice need software?
They work without it, but button mapping, DPI steps and lighting usually need the maker's app.
What DPI should I use?
Start at 800 or 1,600 DPI and set in-game sensitivity from there. Higher DPI does not improve aim by itself.
Is a wireless mouse slower?
Not over a 2.4GHz dongle. Bluetooth adds latency and suits office work.
Do I need 8,000Hz polling?
No. It is a small gain on top of 1,000Hz, and it costs battery life and CPU time.
Is a lighter mouse always better?
For flick aiming it helps; for slow tracking some players prefer more weight. Grip and shape matter more.
Bottom Line
ASUS's Strix Impact III Wireless is the pick for battery. Razer's Viper V3 HyperSpeed suits right-handed grips, and Lenovo's M210 is the cheapest.