Buying Guide
The Best Lightweight Gaming Mice Under $90
Five gaming mice compared, from the TUF M3 Gen II to the Strix Impact III Wireless, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A light mouse that is also affordable is an easy upgrade. Every pick weighs 60g or less and cost $90 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
We sorted these picks by weight, max DPI and polling rate, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips max DPI, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASUS TUF Gaming M3 Gen II Wired Mouse
Undercutting the M725 on price when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming M3 Gen II Wired Mouse (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)
Also Consider
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse
Four pieces of included grip tape.
Best for: Buyers who want four pieces of included grip tape.
Our take Check price for HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse
The DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players.
Best for: Buyers who want DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players.
Our take Check price for Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS ROG Strix Impact III Wireless
The top of this price range, adding a 36K ROG AimPoint sensor.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix Impact III Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming M3 Gen II Wired Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASUS's TUF M3 Gen II is a 59g wired mouse with IP56 water and dust resistance.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: weight of 59g, behind the M725 (49g).
Why we like it
The shell carries an antibacterial coating. It weighs 59g, and its IP56 rating resists dust and water. An 8,000 DPI sensor and ASUS's antibacterial coating round it out.
On weight it ties with the DeathAdder V3 at 59g. Like the DeathAdder V3, it has a right-handed ergonomic shape, while the M725 uses a symmetrical shape. You also get a DPI button with four sensitivity levels.
Worth noting too: light 59g body. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the M725 the next step up. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the Pulsefire Haste 2 offers 8,000Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 59g
- Max DPI: 8,000
- Connection: Wired
- Shape: Right-handed ergonomic
Pros
- Light 59g body
- No battery to charge
- IP56 water and dust resistance
- Antibacterial coating on the shell and buttons
Cons
- Weight of 59g, behind the M725 (49g)
Lightest Mouse2 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 TUF M3 Gen II was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It stores five configuration modes onboard. Nothing else here matches its 49g weight; the Pulsefire Haste 2 comes closest at 53g. You get a symmetrical shape here, which sets it apart from the Strix Impact III Wireless and its an ambidextrous shape.
You also get 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 TUF M3 Gen II and the Pulsefire Haste 2, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed polling rate should compare it with the Pulsefire Haste 2, which offers 8,000Hz.
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 TUF M3 Gen II at the time of writing
Also Consider3 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
- Buyers who want four pieces of included grip tape.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the TUF M3 Gen II was cheaper at our last price check.
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. On weight it sits mid-pack at 53g: the M725 weighs 49g, and the DeathAdder V3 comes in at 59g. Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom.
Worth noting too: light 53g body. It was priced above the M725 and below the DeathAdder V3 at the time of writing.
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
- Costs more than the TUF M3 Gen II at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Razer's wired DeathAdder V3 is a 59g right-handed mouse with a Focus Pro 30K sensor and 8000Hz polling.
Best for
- Buyers who want DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players.
Skip if
- Skip it if weight matters most to you; the M725 offers 49g.
Why we like it
The shape was refined with esports players, per Razer. Gen-3 optical switches are rated for 90 million clicks. Its Speedflex cable reduces drag compared with a standard rubber cable.
It matches the TUF M3 Gen II on weight (59g). It shares a right-handed ergonomic shape with the TUF M3 Gen II; the Strix Impact III Wireless goes with an ambidextrous shape. Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom.
On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Pulsefire Haste 2 and the pricier Strix Impact III Wireless, at the time of writing. The trade-off is weight; for more, the M725 weighs 49g.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 59g
- Polling rate: 8,000Hz
- Connection: Wired
- Shape: Right-handed ergonomic
Pros
- Light 59g body
- 8,000Hz polling
- No battery to charge
- The DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players
Cons
- Weight trails the M725 (49g)
- Costs more than the TUF M3 Gen II at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 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
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the TUF M3 Gen II was cheaper at our last price check.
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 DeathAdder V3 comes in at 59g.
No other pick in this guide offers an ambidextrous shape; compare the TUF M3 Gen II, which has a right-handed ergonomic shape. It also comes with 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 DeathAdder V3 the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed polling rate, look to the Pulsefire Haste 2 instead: it offers 8,000Hz, 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 TUF M3 Gen II at the time of writing
How We Chose These Lightweight Gaming Mice Under $90
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five mice on weight, max DPI, polling rate and connection, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the TUF M3 Gen II to the Strix Impact III Wireless, state weight and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The DeathAdder V3 gives no max DPI; the TUF M3 Gen II, the M725 and the Strix Impact III Wireless give no polling rate.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the TUF M3 Gen II (under $50) to the Strix Impact III Wireless ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Lightweight Gaming Mouse Under $90
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much weight you need
Here weight runs from 59g on the DeathAdder V3 to 49g on the M725. The M725 is the pick for weight.
What to check at home
Keep the M725 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop.
Features beyond the spec table
The Pulsefire Haste 2: a 26K sensor. The DeathAdder V3: 8000Hz HyperPolling. The Strix Impact III Wireless: replaceable switches.
Budget
Under $50 buys the TUF M3 Gen II, the M725 and the Pulsefire Haste 2; $50 to $100 buys the DeathAdder V3 and the Strix Impact III Wireless at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible: the TUF M3 Gen II. Fast flick aiming: the M725. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the Strix Impact III Wireless.
How to Choose a Lightweight Gaming Mouse Under $90
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | TUF M3 Gen II | Undercutting the M725 on price when we checked |
| Fast flick aiming | M725 | The lightest weight here (49g) |
| Buyers who want four pieces of included grip tape | Pulsefire Haste 2 | Four pieces of included grip tape |
| Buyers who want DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players | DeathAdder V3 | The DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Strix Impact III Wireless | The top of this price range, adding a 36K ROG AimPoint sensor |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The M725 leads on weight at 49g, ahead of the Pulsefire Haste 2 at 53g. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Mice | Weight | Max DPI | Polling rate | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUF M3 Gen II | 59g | 8,000 | Not listed | Wired |
| M725 | 49g | 8,000 | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired |
| Pulsefire Haste 2 | 53g | 26,000 | 8,000Hz | Wired |
| DeathAdder V3 | 59g | Not listed | 8,000Hz | Wired |
| Strix Impact III Wireless | 57g | 36,000 | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The TUF M3 Gen II was the lowest-priced pick and the Strix Impact III Wireless the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Mice |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | TUF M3 Gen II, M725, Pulsefire Haste 2 |
| About $50 to $100 | DeathAdder V3, Strix Impact III Wireless |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Pulsefire Haste 2 compare with the M725 on weight?
The M725 comes out best at 49g, with the Pulsefire Haste 2 at 53g. The DeathAdder V3 is at the other end of this group with 59g.
Is the Strix Impact III Wireless worth paying more than the TUF M3 Gen II?
On paper it adds weight (57g against 59g). The TUF M3 Gen II was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the M725 the Lightest Mouse?
It earns the label for the lightest weight here (49g). It suits fast flick aiming.
Do the TUF M3 Gen II and the M725 differ on shape?
The TUF M3 Gen II and the DeathAdder V3 use Right-handed ergonomic; the M725 uses symmetrical; the Strix Impact III Wireless uses Ambidextrous. The maker of the Pulsefire Haste 2 doesn't say.
What should I check before buying the Strix Impact III Wireless?
Keep the Strix Impact III Wireless on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Premium Pick pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the TUF M3 Gen II and the M725 apart?
The TUF M3 Gen II: IP56 water and dust resistance. The M725: a honeycomb shell. The Pulsefire Haste 2: four pieces of included grip tape.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the TUF M3 Gen II, chosen for undercutting the M725 on price when we checked. Look at the Pulsefire Haste 2 for four pieces of included grip tape, the DeathAdder V3 for the DeathAdder ergonomic shape refined with esports players and the Strix Impact III Wireless for the top of this price range, adding a 36K ROG AimPoint sensor if those matter more to you.
Switch the feet to PTFE for a smoother glide.