Buying Guide
The Best Mouse for Computer
Five mice ranked on battery life and sensor resolution, where the TECKNET silent has the highest sensor resolution, and it also costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
For everyday computer use, a comfortable shape, a reliable connection and quiet clicks matter more than a high DPI figure. These are ordered from the lowest listed price up.
The order reflects battery life, sensor and grip from maker specifications; a missing battery life is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Highest-Resolution Sensor
TECKNET Silent Dual-Mode Wireless MouseThe highest sensor resolution here (4,800 DPI).
Best for: Large or multiple high-resolution monitors.
Check price for TECKNET Silent Dual-Mode Wireless Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Ergonomic Grip
Lenovo WL310 Bluetooth Silent MouseAn ergonomic grip.
Best for: Buyers who want an ergonomic grip.
Check price for Lenovo WL310 Bluetooth Silent Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode MouseA built-in rechargeable battery.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in rechargeable battery.
Check price for TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Longest Battery Life
Logitech M196 Bluetooth MouseThe longest battery life here (up to 12 months).
Best for: Desks where you want to forget about batteries.
Check price for Logitech M196 Bluetooth Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Uineer Rechargeable Wireless MouseA visual battery level display.
Best for: Buyers who want visual battery level display.
Check price for Uineer Rechargeable Wireless Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Highest-Resolution Sensor1 of 5
TECKNET Silent Dual-Mode Wireless Mouse
The TECKNET silent stands out for silent left and right clicks, and it adds a slide switch between two devices.
Best for
- Large or multiple high-resolution monitors.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It also offers a 4,800 DPI sensor resolution and offers a 6 button count. It pairs with two devices at once over Bluetooth and a USB receiver, so you can switch between a laptop and a desktop. Six DPI steps from 800 to 4,800 cover both office work and larger screens.
It runs on 2 AAA batteries, which are not included, and goes to sleep automatically. It works with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS and Linux, though the side buttons do not work on macOS, and a 36-month warranty applies once registered. Nothing else here matches its 4,800 DPI sensor resolution; the Uineer rechargeable comes closest at 2,400 DPI. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Lenovo WL310 the next step up.
Key specs
- Sensor
- 4,800 DPI
- Programmable buttons
- 6
- Grip
- Compact, small to medium hands
- Connection
- Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, 2 devices
Pros
- Silent left and right clicks
- Slide switch between two devices
- Six DPI steps
- Highest sensor resolution of the picks (4,800 DPI)
The catch
There is no published battery life figure, whereas the M196 runs for up to 12 months.
Ergonomic Grip2 of 5
Lenovo WL310 Bluetooth Silent Mouse
Lenovo's WL310 is a silent Bluetooth mouse with 1000, 1200 and 1600 DPI steps.
Best for
- Buyers who want an ergonomic grip.
Skip if
- Skip it if sensor resolution matters most to you; the TECKNET silent offers 4,800 DPI.
Why we like it
It needs no receiver. Its clicks are near silent, which suits shared rooms and late sessions. DPI switches between 1,000, 1,200 and 1,600.
On sensor resolution it trails the group at 1,600 DPI, while the TECKNET silent offers 4,800 DPI. No other pick in this guide offers an ergonomic grip; compare the TECKNET rechargeable, which has a compact grip. No other pick in this guide offers a bluetooth 5.0 connection; compare the M196, which has a bluetooth connection.
Its price falls between the TECKNET silent and the TECKNET rechargeable, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the M196, which runs for up to 12 months.
Key specs
- Sensor
- 1,600 DPI
- Grip
- Ergonomic
- Connection
- Bluetooth 5.0
Pros
- Silent clicks
- 1000, 1200 and 1600 DPI steps
- No USB receiver needed
- Ergonomic grip, the only one here
Cons
- Sensor resolution trails the TECKNET silent (4,800 DPI)
- Costs more than the TECKNET silent at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse
TECKNET's rechargeable mouse charges fully in 1.5 to 2 hours and switches between two devices.
Best for
- Buyers who want built-in rechargeable battery.
Skip if
- Pass if a published sensor resolution matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It is a compact budget option. It recharges in about two hours and runs for around three months on a charge, by TECKNET's figure. It connects to two devices at once over Bluetooth and a USB receiver.
It works with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS and Linux, and its clicks are quiet. Six DPI levels run from 800 to 4,800. It shares a compact grip with the Uineer rechargeable; the Lenovo WL310 goes with an ergonomic grip.
It also offers a built-in rechargeable battery and a 1.5 to 2 hour full charge. It was priced above the Lenovo WL310 and below the M196 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Battery life
- up to 3 months
- Grip
- Compact
- Connection
- Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, 2 devices
Pros
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- 1.5 to 2 hour full charge
- Slide switch between two devices
Cons
- No published sensor resolution
- Costs more than the TECKNET silent at the time of writing
The catch
There is no published sensor resolution figure, whereas the TECKNET silent offers 4,800 DPI.
Longest Battery Life4 of 5
Logitech M196 Bluetooth Mouse
Logitech's M196 is a small Bluetooth travel mouse with an AA battery in the box.
Best for
- Desks where you want to forget about batteries.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its sensor resolution before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It has 12 months of battery life. Its ambidextrous shape works in either hand, and it tracks on most surfaces with line-by-line scrolling. Bluetooth pairing means no dongle to lose.
A bluetooth connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Uineer rechargeable uses a 2.4GHz USB receiver connection. You also get a lightweight travel size and pair-and-play Bluetooth setup. When we checked, only the TECKNET rechargeable and cheaper picks cost less, and the Uineer rechargeable cost more. If you want a confirmed sensor resolution, look to the TECKNET silent instead: it offers 4,800 DPI, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Battery life
- up to 12 months
- Grip
- Compact, ambidextrous
- Connection
- Bluetooth
Pros
- Lightweight travel size
- AA battery in the box
- Pair-and-play Bluetooth setup
- Longest battery life of the picks (up to 12 months)
Cons
- No published sensor resolution
- Costs more than the TECKNET silent at the time of writing
Strong Alternative5 of 5
Uineer Rechargeable Wireless Mouse
Uineer's rechargeable mouse shows its battery level on the shell.
Best for
- Buyers who want visual battery level display.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the TECKNET silent, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It has four DPI steps and a USB receiver. It recharges and steps through 800 to 2,400 DPI, and it works with Windows, Mac and Linux. Its 2,400 DPI sensor resolution ranks second of 3 here, behind the TECKNET silent (4,800 DPI) and ahead of the Lenovo WL310 (1,600 DPI).
It shares a compact grip with the TECKNET rechargeable; the Lenovo WL310 goes with an ergonomic grip. A 2.4GHz USB receiver connection is unique to it among these picks, while the M196 uses a bluetooth connection. If you want a confirmed battery life, look to the M196 instead: it runs for up to 12 months, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Sensor
- 2,400 DPI
- Grip
- Compact
- Connection
- 2.4GHz USB receiver
Pros
- Visual battery level display
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- Four DPI steps
- Sensor resolution of 2,400 DPI, ahead of the Lenovo WL310
Cons
- Costs more than the TECKNET silent at the time of writing
How We Chose
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five mice on battery life, sensor resolution, grip and connection, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and battery life and sensor resolution are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the TECKNET silent to the Uineer rechargeable, state grip and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The TECKNET silent, the Lenovo WL310 and the Uineer rechargeable give no battery life; the TECKNET rechargeable and the M196 give no sensor resolution.
- Price range
- From the TECKNET silent to the Uineer rechargeable, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Mouse for Computer
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Sensor resolution across these picks
Here sensor resolution runs from 1,600 DPI on the Lenovo WL310 to 4,800 DPI on the TECKNET silent, a 200% spread. The TECKNET silent is the pick for sensor resolution. The TECKNET rechargeable and the M196 give no sensor resolution figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
How much battery life you need
Across these 2 picks battery life spans up to 3 months (the TECKNET rechargeable) to up to 12 months (the M196). Start with the M196 if battery life decides it. The TECKNET silent, the Lenovo WL310 and the Uineer rechargeable give no battery life figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
A hand next to a black wireless mouse on a blue mousepad Extras that separate them
The TECKNET rechargeable: a 1.5 to 2 hour full charge. The M196: an AA battery in the box. The Uineer rechargeable: a built-in rechargeable battery.
How much to spend
All 5 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the TECKNET silent at the low end to the Uineer rechargeable at the top, so decide on features first.
A hand holding a light-blue mouse on a red mousepad Start from what matters most
Large or multiple high-resolution monitors: the TECKNET silent. Buyers who want an ergonomic grip: the Lenovo WL310. Desks where you want to forget about batteries: the M196.
How to Choose a Mouse for Computer
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Large or multiple high-resolution monitors | TECKNET silent | The highest sensor resolution here (4,800 DPI) |
| Buyers who want an ergonomic grip | Lenovo WL310 | An ergonomic grip |
| Buyers who want built-in rechargeable battery | TECKNET rechargeable | A built-in rechargeable battery |
| Desks where you want to forget about batteries | M196 | The longest battery life here (up to 12 months) |
| Buyers who want visual battery level display | Uineer rechargeable | A visual battery level display |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The TECKNET silent leads on sensor resolution at 4,800 DPI, ahead of the Uineer rechargeable at 2,400 DPI. "Not listed" marks battery life where the TECKNET silent, the Lenovo WL310 and the Uineer rechargeable leave the figure out.
| Mice | Battery life | Sensor | Grip | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TECKNET silent | Not listed | 4,800 DPI | Compact, small to medium hands | Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, 2 devices |
| Lenovo WL310 | Not listed | 1,600 DPI | Ergonomic | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| TECKNET rechargeable | up to 3 months | Not listed | Compact | Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, 2 devices |
| M196 | up to 12 months | Not listed | Compact, ambidextrous | Bluetooth |
| Uineer rechargeable | Not listed | 2,400 DPI | Compact | 2.4GHz USB receiver |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest sensor resolution: the TECKNET silent or the Uineer rechargeable?
Between the top two, it is 4,800 DPI on the TECKNET silent against 2,400 DPI on the Uineer rechargeable, a 100% difference. The spread runs down to the Lenovo WL310 at 1,600 DPI. The TECKNET rechargeable and the M196 are left out of this ranking because their sensor resolution isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the M196 ahead of the TECKNET rechargeable on battery life?
The M196 tops battery life at up to 12 months; the TECKNET rechargeable follows at up to 3 months, 300% apart. No battery life figure is published for the TECKNET silent, the Lenovo WL310 and the Uineer rechargeable, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
What does the Uineer rechargeable add over the TECKNET silent?
The Uineer rechargeable matches or trails the TECKNET silent on sensor resolution. The TECKNET silent leads on sensor resolution (4,800 DPI). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
Why is the M196 our Longest Battery Life pick?
It carries the badge for the longest battery life here (up to 12 months). On battery life it leads the TECKNET rechargeable, up to 12 months against up to 3 months, a 300% margin. It makes sense for desks where you want to forget about batteries.
What extras do the TECKNET silent and the Lenovo WL310 include?
The TECKNET silent: silent left and right clicks. The Lenovo WL310: silent clicks. The TECKNET rechargeable: a built-in rechargeable battery.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the TECKNET silent. Look at the Lenovo WL310 for an ergonomic grip, the TECKNET rechargeable for a built-in rechargeable battery and the Uineer rechargeable for a visual battery level display if those matter more to you.
Match the connection to your computer: a USB receiver for desktops, Bluetooth to save a port on laptops.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Mice for Work
- Related guideThe Best Bluetooth Wireless Mice
- Related guideThe Best Vertical Ergonomic Mice
- Lower budgetThe Best Mice Under $150
- Similar guideThe Best Ergonomic Computer 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 RGB 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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