Buying Guide
The Best Mice for Content Creation
Five mice ranked on battery life and sensor resolution, where the M720 has the longest battery life, and it also costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Editing on large or high-resolution screens benefits from a precise sensor and programmable buttons for shortcuts. Every pick has a 4,000 DPI or higher sensor or six or more buttons, ordered by DPI.
The order reflects battery life, sensor and programmable buttons from maker specifications; a missing battery life is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest-Resolution Sensor
Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical
The highest sensor resolution here (30,000 DPI).
Best for: Large or multiple high-resolution monitors.
Our take Check price for Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Logitech MX Master 3S
Tracking on glass.
Best for: Buyers who want tracking on glass.
Our take Check price for Logitech MX Master 3S (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Lenovo Yoga Pro Mouse
A USB-C rechargeable battery.
Best for: Buyers who want USB-C rechargeable battery.
Our take Check price for Lenovo Yoga Pro Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Ergonomic Mouse
A 57-degree vertical angle with a thumb rest.
Best for: Buyers who want 57-degree vertical angle with a thumb rest.
Our take Check price for Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Ergonomic Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Longest Battery Life
Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Mouse
The longest battery life here (up to 24 months).
Best for: Desks where you want to forget about batteries.
Our take Check price for Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Highest-Resolution Sensor1 of 5
Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical pairs a vertical grip with six buttons, a 30,000 DPI sensor and connections to up to five devices.
Best for
- Large or multiple high-resolution monitors.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the M720 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its AI Prompt Master button can trigger AI tools with one click through Razer Synapse. Its up to 6 months battery life ranks second of 3 here, behind the M720 (up to 24 months) and ahead of the Yoga Pro Mouse (up to 2 months). Its 30,000 DPI sensor resolution is the highest here; the MX Master 3S comes next at 8,000 DPI.
You also get 18-zone lighting. Vertical mice put your hand in a handshake position; allow a week to adjust, and check the hand size. Only the MX Master 3S came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: up to 6 months
- Sensor: 30,000 DPI
- Programmable buttons: 6
- Grip: Vertical with base support
- Connection: 2.4GHz HyperSpeed or Bluetooth, up to 5 devices
Pros
- AI Prompt Master shortcut button
- 18-zone lighting
- Battery life of up to 6 months, ahead of the Yoga Pro Mouse
- Highest sensor resolution of the picks (30,000 DPI)
Cons
- Costs more than the M720 at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Logitech MX Master 3S on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MX Master 3S keeps the features most developers use daily, MagSpeed scrolling, app-specific button profiles and Flow control across Windows and macOS, for less than the MX Master 4.
Best for
- Buyers who want tracking on glass.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its battery life before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
Its 8,000 DPI sensor tracks even on glass. Its 8,000 DPI sensor tracks on glass, and Quiet Clicks cut click noise by about 90%. The MagSpeed wheel scrolls quickly through long files and stops on a line.
Its 8,000 DPI sensor resolution ranks second of 4 here, behind the Pro Click V2 Vertical (30,000 DPI) and ahead of the MX Vertical (4,000 DPI). It is shaped for right hands only. When we checked, only the MX Vertical and cheaper picks cost less, and the Pro Click V2 Vertical cost more. If you want a confirmed battery life, look to the M720 instead: it runs for up to 24 months, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sensor: 8,000 DPI
- Grip: Sculpted, right-handed
- Connection: Bluetooth
Pros
- Tracking on glass
- Quiet Clicks with 90% less click noise, per Logitech
- Flow control across Windows and macOS computers
- Sensor resolution of 8,000 DPI, ahead of the Yoga Pro Mouse
Cons
- No published battery life
- Costs more than the M720 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Lenovo Yoga Pro Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lenovo's Yoga Pro Mouse charges over USB-C and has silent main buttons.
Best for
- Buyers who want USB-C rechargeable battery.
Skip if
- Skip it if battery life matters most to you; the M720 offers up to 24 months.
Why we like it
Side and top buttons are programmable. Its symmetrical full-size shape has soft sides and a thumb rest, and a blue optical sensor tracks on most surfaces. Bluetooth dual-host pairing switches between two devices with a button underneath.
DPI steps change on the fly, and software unlocks finer settings. Bluetooth Swift Pair connects it to Windows quickly. Its up to 2 months battery life is the shortest in this group; the M720 leads at up to 24 months.
It matches the MX Vertical on sensor resolution (4,000 DPI). It also offers a USB-C rechargeable battery. It is shaped for right hands only. It was priced above the M720 and below the MX Vertical at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: up to 2 months
- Sensor: 4,000 DPI
- Grip: Ergonomic, right-handed
- Connection: Bluetooth 5.1, 2 devices
Pros
- USB-C rechargeable battery
- Silent left and right buttons
- Programmable side and top buttons
Cons
- Battery life trails the M720 (up to 24 months)
- Costs more than the M720 at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Ergonomic Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's MX Vertical sets the hand at 57 degrees with a thumb rest and a textured rubber surface.
Best for
- Buyers who want 57-degree vertical angle with a thumb rest.
Skip if
- The maker gives no battery life, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
A cursor speed switch changes sensitivity with one press, and Logitech says the shape fits a variety of hand sizes. Its 57-degree angle puts your hand in a handshake position, which Logitech says reduces muscle activity by 10%. The design was tested against criteria from ergonomists.
On sensor resolution it ties with the Yoga Pro Mouse at 4,000 DPI. Vertical mice put your hand in a handshake position; allow a week to adjust, and check the hand size. It is shaped for right hands only.
Its price falls between the Yoga Pro Mouse and the MX Master 3S, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the M720, which runs for up to 24 months.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sensor: 4,000 DPI
- Grip: Vertical, right-handed (57°)
- Connection: Wireless, USB receiver
Pros
- 57-degree vertical angle with a thumb rest
- Cursor speed switch that changes DPI with one button
- Textured rubber surface
Cons
- No published battery life
- Sensor resolution trails the Pro Click V2 Vertical (30,000 DPI)
- Costs more than the M720 at the time of writing
Longest Battery Life5 of 5
Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's M720 Triathlon switches between three computers with a button and supports Logitech Flow.
Best for
- Desks where you want to forget about batteries.
Skip if
- Its sensor resolution is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It has 24 months of battery life. Its hyper-fast scroll wheel spins freely through long documents and switches back to click-by-click scrolling when you need precision. The rubber body and sculpted right-hand shape suit a relaxed palm grip.
Logitech Flow moves the cursor, text and files between up to three computers, and it connects over Bluetooth or the Unifying receiver. The Unifying receiver can also pair up to six compatible Logitech devices, which saves USB ports. Its up to 24 months battery life is the longest here; the Pro Click V2 Vertical comes next at up to 6 months.
It undercut the Yoga Pro Mouse and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its sensor resolution; if that figure matters, the Pro Click V2 Vertical offers 30,000 DPI.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: up to 24 months
- Programmable buttons: 6
- Grip: Full-size, right-handed
- Connection: Bluetooth or Unifying receiver, 3 devices
Pros
- Switching between 3 computers at the touch of a button
- Logitech Flow across computers
- Unifying receiver for up to 6 Logitech devices
- Longest battery life of the picks (up to 24 months)
Cons
- No published sensor resolution
How We Chose These Mice for Content Creation
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Connection and battery
- We recorded connection options and rated battery life.
- Shape and grip
- We grouped each mouse by grip style and noted listed hand sizes.
- Sensor
- We noted listed sensor resolution and surface support.
- Productivity features
- We compared scroll wheels, programmable buttons and multi-computer control as described by each maker.
What to Look for in a Mouse for Content Creation
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much battery life you need
Among these picks, battery life runs from up to 2 months on the Yoga Pro Mouse to up to 24 months on the M720. Settle how much you need before comparing prices, since paying for more rarely helps if your use never reaches it.
Fast scrolling helps with long files
Free-spinning or magnetic scroll wheels move through long files and logs quickly, then switch to line-by-line for precision.
If you read long code or spreadsheets, prioritise the scroll wheel.
Multi-computer control
Some mice switch between computers with a button, and a few can move the cursor and clipboard across machines.
This helps if you work on a laptop and a desktop at once.
Match the hand size
Makers often state a hand size range, especially for vertical mice. A mouse that is too small forces a claw grip.
Measure from wrist crease to middle fingertip before buying.
Programmable buttons save shortcuts
Extra buttons can run copy, paste, undo or IDE commands. Per-app profiles change them automatically in each program.
Check that the software runs on your operating system.
How to Choose a Mouse for Content Creation
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Large or multiple high-resolution monitors | Pro Click V2 Vertical | The highest sensor resolution here (30,000 DPI) |
| Buyers who want tracking on glass | MX Master 3S | Tracking on glass |
| Buyers who want USB-C rechargeable battery | Yoga Pro Mouse | A USB-C rechargeable battery |
| Buyers who want 57-degree vertical angle with a thumb rest | MX Vertical | A 57-degree vertical angle with a thumb rest |
| Desks where you want to forget about batteries | M720 | The longest battery life here (up to 24 months) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Mice | Battery life | Sensor | Programmable buttons | Grip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Click V2 Vertical | up to 6 months | 30,000 DPI | 6 | Vertical with base support |
| MX Master 3S | Not listed | 8,000 DPI | Not listed | Sculpted, right-handed |
| Yoga Pro Mouse | up to 2 months | 4,000 DPI | Not listed | Ergonomic, right-handed |
| MX Vertical | Not listed | 4,000 DPI | Not listed | Vertical, right-handed (57°) |
| M720 | up to 24 months | Not listed | 6 | Full-size, right-handed |
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 | M720, Yoga Pro Mouse |
| About $50 to $100 | MX Vertical, MX Master 3S, Pro Click V2 Vertical |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these mice compare on sensor resolution?
The Pro Click V2 Vertical, at 30,000 DPI. The MX Master 3S follows at 8,000 DPI, while the MX Vertical has 4,000 DPI.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The M720 cost the least when we checked, and the Pro Click V2 Vertical sat at the top of the range. Prices move often, so check the current listing before buying.
Are trackballs good for coding?
They save desk space and keep the arm still. Fine selection takes practice, but many users adapt quickly.
Are there left-handed versions?
Many ergonomic mice are right-handed only. Check the product page for a left-handed model.
Is a vertical mouse better for programmers?
It can reduce forearm twisting for people who feel strain. It takes about a week to get used to.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Pro Click V2 Vertical. Look at the MX Master 3S for tracking on glass, the Yoga Pro Mouse for a USB-C rechargeable battery and the MX Vertical for a 57-degree vertical angle with a thumb rest if those matter more to you.
Map undo, redo and zoom to the side buttons; it saves more time than a faster sensor.