Buying Guide
The Best Mice with Side Buttons
Five gaming mice ranked on button count and programmable buttons; the Redragon wired MMO is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Side buttons put reload, push-to-talk or browser back within thumb reach. Every pick offers six or more buttons, ordered by button count.
Rankings weigh programmable buttons, max DPI and connection as the makers state them; if a maker skips max DPI, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Redragon Wired MMO Gaming Mouse
Undercutting the M913 on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Redragon Wired MMO Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse
Up to 400 hours on Bluetooth.
Best for: Buyers who want up to 400 hours on Bluetooth.
Our take Check price for Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Redragon M908 Impact RGB MMO Mouse
A 12-button side panel at a budget price.
Best for: Buyers who want 12-button side panel at a budget price.
Our take Check price for Redragon M908 Impact RGB MMO Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
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)
Premium Pick
Logitech G502 X Wired Gaming Mouse
Lightforce hybrid optical-mechanical switches at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Logitech G502 X Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
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.
It matches the Naga V2 HyperSpeed on button count (19). It also offers no battery to charge. Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows.
It makes the most sense for buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build, since it offers undercutting the M913 on price when we checked. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the M913 the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Programmable buttons: 19
- Max DPI: 12,400
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- 19 programmable buttons
- No battery to charge
- 12400 DPI sensor
- Undercutting the M913 on price when we checked
Also Consider2 of 5
Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Naga V2 HyperSpeed has the most buttons and the longest battery here, with dongle and Bluetooth modes, which makes it the easiest recommendation.
Best for
- Buyers who want up to 400 hours on Bluetooth.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Redragon wired MMO was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its 19 programmable buttons suit MMO hotbars, and it connects over HyperSpeed 2.4GHz or Bluetooth. The side plate layout keeps abilities under your thumb. Razer Synapse tunes the sensor, and turning off Windows pointer precision improves accuracy.
It matches the Redragon wired MMO on button count (19). It also comes with a HyperScroll wheel with free-spin and tactile modes and Gen-2 mechanical switches rated for up to 60 million clicks. Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows.
Worth noting too: up to 250 hours per charge. It was priced above the M908 and below the G502 X at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Programmable buttons: 19
- Max DPI: 30,000
- Battery life: 250 hours
- Connection: HyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Pros
- 19 programmable buttons
- Up to 250 hours per charge
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- Up to 400 hours on Bluetooth
Cons
- Costs more than the Redragon wired MMO at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Redragon M908 Impact RGB MMO Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The M908 is the budget way into MMO mice: 18 buttons and a wired connection for around $30.
Best for
- Buyers who want 12-button side panel at a budget price.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Redragon wired MMO cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 18 programmable buttons and five memory profiles suit MMO key binds, and DPI reaches 12,400. RGB lighting can be switched off. Its 12 side buttons sit alongside six standard buttons, and Teflon feet glide smoothly.
The aggressive shape suits a palm grip. On button count it sits mid-pack at 18: the Redragon wired MMO offers 19, and the G502 X comes in at 13. It also comes with a 12-button side panel at a budget price.
Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows. Its price falls between the M913 and the Naga V2 HyperSpeed, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Programmable buttons: 18
- Polling rate: 1,000Hz
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- 18 programmable buttons
- No battery to charge
- 12-button side panel at a budget price
Cons
- Costs more than the Redragon wired MMO at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 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
- Skip it if price comes first: the Redragon wired MMO 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. On button count it sits mid-pack at 16: the Redragon wired MMO offers 19, and the G502 X comes in at 13.
Side-button mapping is done in the maker's software, which runs on Windows. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Redragon wired MMO and the pricier M908, 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
Premium Pick5 of 5
Logitech G502 X Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's wired G502 X is an 89g, 13-button mouse with Lightforce hybrid switches.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: heavier 89g body.
Why we like it
Its DPI-shift button is reversible. It keeps the G502's thumb-rest shape with a lighter build, and LIGHTFORCE hybrid switches combine optical speed with a mechanical feel. The wired cable avoids battery concerns.
Its scroll wheel switches between free spin and ratcheting and tilts for two more controls. A thin-wall shell brings the weight to 89g. On button count it trails the group at 13, while the Redragon wired MMO offers 19.
It also offers a Hero 25K sensor. 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 Naga V2 HyperSpeed and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 89g
- Programmable buttons: 13
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- 13 programmable buttons
- No battery to charge
- Lightforce hybrid optical-mechanical switches
- Hero 25K sensor
Cons
- Heavier 89g body
- Button count trails the Redragon wired MMO (19)
- Costs more than the Redragon wired MMO at the time of writing
How We Chose These Mice with Side Buttons
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Buttons
- We counted programmable buttons where the listing states them.
- Connection and battery
- We checked dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes and the rated battery life.
- 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.
What to Look for in a Mouse with Side Buttons
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose a Mouse with Side Buttons
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Redragon wired MMO | Undercutting the M913 on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want up to 400 hours on Bluetooth | Naga V2 HyperSpeed | Up to 400 hours on Bluetooth |
| Buyers who want 12-button side panel at a budget price | M908 | A 12-button side panel at a budget price |
| Buyers who want 12 side buttons | M913 | 12 side buttons |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | G502 X | Lightforce hybrid optical-mechanical switches at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Mice | Programmable buttons | Max DPI | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redragon wired MMO | 19 | 12,400 | Wired |
| Naga V2 HyperSpeed | 19 | 30,000 | HyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth |
| M908 | 18 | Not listed | Wired |
| M913 | 16 | 16,000 | 2.4GHz, wired |
| G502 X | 13 | Not listed | Wired |
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 | Redragon wired MMO, M913, M908 |
| About $50 to $100 | Naga V2 HyperSpeed, G502 X |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these gaming mice compare on button count?
The Redragon wired MMO, at 19. The Naga V2 HyperSpeed follows at 19, while the G502 X has 13.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The Redragon wired MMO. It undercut the M913 when we checked, while the G502 X cost the most of the group.
Is a lighter mouse always better?
For flick aiming it helps; for slow tracking some players prefer more weight. Grip and shape matter more.
Do gaming mice need software?
They work without it, but button mapping, DPI steps and lighting usually need the maker's app.
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.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Redragon wired MMO, chosen for undercutting the M913 on price when we checked. Look at the Naga V2 HyperSpeed for up to 400 hours on Bluetooth, the M908 for a 12-button side panel at a budget price and the M913 for 12 side buttons if those matter more to you.
Remap side buttons in the maker's software; most default to back and forward.