Buying Guide

The Best Mice for Beginners

We weighed five gaming mice on button count and programmable buttons, and the M612 costs the least.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read5 products evaluated

A desk setup with a keyboard, mouse and headset beside a monitor
Illustrative image

A first gaming mouse should be affordable, comfortable and simple. Every pick cost $40 or less, ordered from the lowest price.

We ranked these gaming mice on programmable buttons, max DPI and connection using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these gaming mice ourselves, and where a maker leaves out programmable buttons, we say so.

Quick Picks

Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Lowest Price Here

    Redragon M612 Wired RGB Gaming Mouse

    The cheapest way into this group, below the E-YOOSO X-31.

    Best for: Getting remappable buttons through Redragon software for the least money.

    Check price for Redragon M612 Wired RGB Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  2. Also Consider

    E-YOOSO X-31 Large Wireless Mouse

    A large body with forward and back buttons.

    Best for: Buyers who want large body with forward and back buttons.

    Check price for E-YOOSO X-31 Large Wireless Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  3. Worth a Look

    Redragon Large Wireless Gaming Mouse

    Finger rests on both sides.

    Best for: Buyers who want finger rests on both sides.

    Check price for Redragon Large Wireless Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  4. Premium Pick

    Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse

    Mechanical primary buttons tensioned with metal springs at the highest price in the group.

    Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the M612 costs less.

    Check price for Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Lowest Price Here1 of 5

Redragon M612 Wired RGB Gaming Mouse

Redragon's M612 is a right-handed wired mouse with remappable buttons and RGB lighting.

Best for

Getting remappable buttons through Redragon software for the least money.

Skip if

Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Redragon M612 Wired RGB Gaming Mouse

Why we like it

It is among the cheapest mice here. All 11 buttons can be reassigned, including a rapid-fire key, and five DPI levels run up to 4,000. The frosted coating helps grip.

Its frosted coating resists sweat, and the streamlined shape suits a claw grip. Five RGB modes can be turned off. The default DPI levels are 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000, and software sets anything from 500 to 8,000.

A rubber texture on the left side adds friction. You also get RGB backlighting. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the E-YOOSO X-31 the next step up. There is no published button count figure, whereas the E-YOOSO X-31 offers 6.

Key specs

Max DPI
8,000
Connection
Wired
Shape
Right-handed ergonomic

Pros

  • No battery to charge
  • Remappable buttons through Redragon software
  • RGB backlighting
  • Low price even among budget wired mice

Also Consider2 of 5

E-YOOSO X-31 Large Wireless Mouse

E-YOOSO's X-31 is a large 2.4GHz mouse with forward and back buttons.

Best for

Buyers who want large body with forward and back buttons.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the M612, which cost less when we checked.
E-YOOSO X-31 Large Wireless Mouse

Why we like it

It is shaped for large hands, with an anti-sweat, non-slip finish. Five DPI steps run up to 4,800, and the receiver stores inside the mouse. It works with Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS, though the side buttons do not work on Mac.

The receiver reaches about 33 feet. The large contoured shell uses an anti-slip, anti-sweat material suited to big hands. It also offers a selectable 125Hz or 250Hz polling rate and the lowest price among the large mice here. When we checked, only the M612 cost less, and the Lenovo M210 cost more.

Key specs

Programmable buttons
6
Max DPI
4,800
Connection
2.4GHz
Shape
Right-handed, large

Pros

  • Large body with forward and back buttons
  • Selectable 125Hz or 250Hz polling rate
  • The lowest price among the large mice here

Cons

  • Costs more than the M612 at the time of writing

Strong Alternative3 of 5

Lenovo M210 RGB Wired Gaming Mouse

Lenovo's M210 is a 75g wired mouse with RGB and a DPI button.

Best for

Buyers who want RGB lighting.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the M612, which cost less when we checked.
Lenovo M210 RGB Wired Gaming Mouse

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.

You also get RGB lighting and a DPI button for quick sensitivity changes. Another plus: no battery to charge. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the M612 at the time of writing.

When we checked, only the E-YOOSO X-31 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Redragon large cost more. If you want a confirmed button count, look to the E-YOOSO X-31 instead: it offers 6, while this one gives no figure.

Key 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

  • Costs more than the M612 at the time of writing

Worth a Look4 of 5

Redragon Large Wireless Gaming Mouse

Redragon's large wireless mouse has finger rests on both sides and a 1000mAh battery.

Best for

Buyers who want finger rests on both sides.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the M612 cost less when we checked.
Redragon Large Wireless Gaming Mouse

Why we like it

It pairs with three Bluetooth devices. It is sized for medium to large hands and connects over Bluetooth, a USB receiver or a USB-C cable. Programmable buttons can be remapped in the software.

Its 1,000mAh battery and low-power chip give long runtimes at a 1,000Hz polling rate, and DPI runs up to 12,800. RGB lighting can be adjusted. Keep the Redragon large on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop.

On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Lenovo M210 and the pricier G203, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its button count; if that figure matters, the E-YOOSO X-31 offers 6.

Key specs

Max DPI
12,800
Connection
2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Shape
Right-handed, for big hands

Pros

  • Dongle plus Bluetooth
  • Finger rests on both sides
  • Bluetooth pairing with 3 devices
  • 1000mAh battery

Cons

  • Costs more than the M612 at the time of writing

Premium Pick5 of 5

Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse

Logitech's G203 is a six-button wired mouse with metal-spring-tensioned primary buttons.

Best for

Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the M612 costs less.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the M612, which cost less when we checked.
Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse

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. You also get G HUB software for sensitivity profiles. Another plus: no battery to charge.

It makes the most sense for buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the M612 costs less, since it offers mechanical primary buttons tensioned with metal springs at the highest price in the group. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Redragon large.

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

  • Costs more than the M612 at the time of writing

How We Chose These Mice for Beginners

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.

A hand next to a black wireless mouse on a blue mousepad
A hand next to a black wireless mouse on a blue mousepad
The figures behind the order
We set side by side five mice on button count, max DPI, connection and shape, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and button count and shape are missing for at least one pick.
What every pick has in common
All 5, from the M612 to the G203, state max DPI and connection.
Where the specs have gaps
The M612, the Lenovo M210 and the Redragon large give no button count; the Lenovo M210 and the G203 give no shape.
Price range
From the M612 to the G203, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.

What to Look for in a Mouse for Beginners

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Extras that separate them

    The Lenovo M210: support for Windows and ChromeOS. The Redragon large: Bluetooth pairing with 3 devices. The G203: up to 5 DPI presets cycled from the middle button.

  2. Budget

    All 5 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the M612 at the low end to the G203 at the top, so decide on features first.

    A hand holding a light-blue mouse on a red mousepad
    A hand holding a light-blue mouse on a red mousepad
  3. Start from what matters most

    Getting remappable buttons through Redragon software for the least money: the M612. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the M612 costs less: the G203.

  4. 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.

    A hand on a white gaming mouse, and the same mouse shown from below
    A hand on a white gaming mouse, and the same mouse shown from below
  5. 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 Mouse for Beginners

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Getting remappable buttons through Redragon software for the least moneyM612The cheapest way into this group, below the E-YOOSO X-31
Buyers who want large body with forward and back buttonsE-YOOSO X-31A large body with forward and back buttons
Buyers who want RGB lightingLenovo M210RGB lighting
Buyers who want finger rests on both sidesRedragon largeFinger rests on both sides
Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the M612 costs lessG203Mechanical primary buttons tensioned with metal springs at the highest price in the group

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Key specs side by side

The M612, the E-YOOSO X-31 and the rest, as their makers list them.

MiceProgrammable buttonsMax DPIConnectionShape
M612Not listed8,000WiredRight-handed ergonomic
E-YOOSO X-3164,8002.4GHzRight-handed, large
Lenovo M210Not listed8,000WiredNot listed
Redragon largeNot listed12,8002.4GHz, Bluetooth, wiredRight-handed, for big hands
G20368,000WiredNot listed

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the M612 our Lowest Price Here pick?

The label rests on the cheapest way into this group, below the E-YOOSO X-31. It makes sense for getting remappable buttons through Redragon software for the least money.

Will the Redragon large work with my setup?

Keep the Redragon large on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5.

What extras do the M612 and the E-YOOSO X-31 include?

The M612: remappable buttons through Redragon software. The E-YOOSO X-31: a large body with forward and back buttons. The Lenovo M210: RGB lighting.

Should I pick the M612 or the G203?

The M612 suits getting remappable buttons through Redragon software for the least money; the G203 suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the M612 costs less.

What else do the Redragon large and the G203 offer?

The Redragon large: a 1000mAh battery. The G203: G HUB software for sensitivity profiles.

Bottom Line

Our first pick is the M612, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the E-YOOSO X-31. Look at the E-YOOSO X-31 for a large body with forward and back buttons, the Lenovo M210 for RGB lighting and the Redragon large for finger rests on both sides if those matter more to you.

Start at 800 DPI and adjust in-game sensitivity.

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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