Buying Guide
The Best PC Mice for Gaming
Five mice for a PC setup, wired and wireless.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
For a PC, choose a shape first, then wired or wireless. These five cover ergonomic, symmetrical and many-button shapes.
We compared weight, shape and connection from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lightest Mouse
Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming MouseThe lightest weight here (59g).
Best for: Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity.
Check price for Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Buttons
Logitech G502 Lightspeed WirelessThe most button count here (11).
Best for: MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Check price for Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Ambidextrous
Glorious Model O 2 Wireless68g with 210 hours on Bluetooth.
Best for: Either hand.
Check price for Glorious Model O 2 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Logitech Value
Logitech G309 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse68g with Lightspeed and Bluetooth.
Best for: Laptop and PC.
Check price for Logitech G309 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lightest weight here (59g). | Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity. | Check price for Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The most button count here (11). | MMO hotbars on the thumb. | Check price for Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 68g with 210 hours on Bluetooth. | Either hand. | Check price for Glorious Model O 2 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 68g with Lightspeed and Bluetooth. | Laptop and PC. | Check price for Logitech G309 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lightest Mouse1 of 4
Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse
Razer's wired DeathAdder V3 is a 59g right-handed mouse with a Focus Pro 30K sensor and 8000Hz polling.
Best for
- Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity.
Skip if
- Pass if a published button count matters; this one has none.
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.
On weight it leads this guide at 59g, ahead of the Model O 2 Wireless (68g). You get a wired connection here, which sets it apart from the G502 Lightspeed and its a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection. Polling above 1,000Hz shortens battery life and needs a CPU with headroom.
It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the G309 the next step up. There is no published button count figure, whereas the G502 Lightspeed offers 11.
Key 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
- No published button count
Most Buttons2 of 4
Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless
The G502 Lightspeed brings Logitech's 11-button G502 shape to wireless with adjustable weights and a fast scroll wheel.
Best for
- MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its weight before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It supports PowerPlay charging. Its HERO 25K sensor tracks up to 25,600 DPI with no smoothing, and a thin-wall design with an internal endoskeleton keeps it wireless-light. A lightspeed 2.4GHz connection is unique to it among these picks, while the DeathAdder V3 uses a wired connection.
The G502 Lightspeed's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. When we checked, only the G309 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Model O 2 Wireless cost more. If you want a confirmed weight, look to the DeathAdder V3 instead: it weighs 59g, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Programmable buttons
- 11
- Max DPI
- 25,600
- Connection
- Lightspeed 2.4GHz
Pros
- 11 programmable buttons
- Adjustable weights
- Hyper-fast scroll wheel
- PowerPlay wireless charging support
Cons
- No published weight
- Costs more than the DeathAdder V3 at the time of writing
Best Ambidextrous3 of 4
Glorious Model O 2 Wireless
Glorious's Model O 2 Wireless is a 68g ambidextrous mouse with a BAMF 2.0 26K sensor.
Best for
- Either hand.
Skip if
- Its button count is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It has up to 210 hours on Bluetooth. Its split-button design with switches rated for 80 million clicks gives a consistent click, and the BAMF 2.0 sensor reaches 26,000 DPI. It matches the G309 on weight (68g).
It also comes with smaller shell holes than the original Model O Wireless. Keep the Model O 2 Wireless on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the G502 Lightspeed and the rest. The maker doesn't give its button count; if that figure matters, the G502 Lightspeed offers 11.
Key specs
- Weight
- 68g
- Max DPI
- 26,000
- Battery life
- 110 hours
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
- Shape
- Ambidextrous
Pros
- Up to 110 hours per charge
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- Ambidextrous shape
- Up to 210 hours on Bluetooth
Cons
- No published button count
- Costs more than the DeathAdder V3 at the time of writing
Best Logitech Value4 of 4
Logitech G309 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse
The G309 runs on a single AA cell and weighs 68g with a lithium battery.
Best for
- Laptop and PC.
Skip if
- Skip it if weight matters most to you; the DeathAdder V3 offers 59g.
Why we like it
It adds Bluetooth, which the G305 lacks. LIGHTFORCE hybrid switches combine optical speed with a mechanical feel, and six buttons are programmable. It runs on one AA battery.
One AA battery lasts over 300 hours, or indefinitely on a POWERPLAY mat, and a receiver extender and grip tape are included. On weight it ties with the Model O 2 Wireless at 68g. It also offers a Hero 25K sensor.
Keep the G309 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. It was priced above the DeathAdder V3 and below the G502 Lightspeed at the time of writing. It gives ground on weight, where the DeathAdder V3 weighs 59g.
Key specs
- Weight
- 68g
- Programmable buttons
- 6
- Connection
- Lightspeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Pros
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- 68g with a lithium AA cell, 86g with an alkaline one
- Hero 25K sensor
- 68g with Lightspeed and Bluetooth
Cons
- Weight trails the DeathAdder V3 (59g)
- Costs more than the DeathAdder V3 at the time of writing
How We Chose These PC Mice for Gaming
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.
- What we compared
- We lined up four mice on weight, button count, max DPI and connection, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and weight and button count are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the DeathAdder V3 to the G309, state connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The G502 Lightspeed gives no weight; the DeathAdder V3 and the Model O 2 Wireless give no button count.
- Price range
- From the DeathAdder V3 to the Model O 2 Wireless, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a PC Mouse for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much weight you need
Here weight runs from 68g on the G309 to 59g on the DeathAdder V3, a 13% spread. If weight is your first filter, the DeathAdder V3 sets the ceiling at 59g. The G502 Lightspeed gives no weight figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
Button count
Across these 2 picks button count spans 6 (the G309) to 11 (the G502 Lightspeed). The G502 Lightspeed is the pick for button count. The DeathAdder V3 and the Model O 2 Wireless give no button count figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
A hand holding a light-blue mouse on a red mousepad What to check at home
The G502 Lightspeed's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. Keep the Model O 2 Wireless on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop.
Extras that separate them
The G502 Lightspeed: a hyper-fast scroll wheel. The Model O 2 Wireless: a BAMF 2.0 26K sensor. The G309: a Hero 25K sensor.
A hand on a white gaming mouse, and the same mouse shown from below Where your budget lands
All 4 sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, from the DeathAdder V3 at the low end to the Model O 2 Wireless at the top, so decide on features first.
How to Choose a PC Mouse for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Players who lift the mouse often at low sensitivity | DeathAdder V3 | The lightest weight here (59g) |
| MMO hotbars on the thumb | G502 Lightspeed | The most button count here (11) |
| Either hand | Model O 2 Wireless | 68g with 210 hours on Bluetooth |
| Laptop and PC | G309 | 68g with Lightspeed and Bluetooth |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The DeathAdder V3 leads on weight at 59g, ahead of the Model O 2 Wireless at 68g. "Not listed" marks weight where the G502 Lightspeed leaves the figure out.
| Mice | Weight | Programmable buttons | Max DPI | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeathAdder V3 | 59g | Not listed | Not listed | Wired |
| G502 Lightspeed | Not listed | 11 | 25,600 | Lightspeed 2.4GHz |
| Model O 2 Wireless | 68g | Not listed | 26,000 | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth |
| G309 | 68g | 6 | Not listed | Lightspeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Model O 2 Wireless compare with the DeathAdder V3 on weight?
Between the top two, it is 59g on the DeathAdder V3 against 68g on the Model O 2 Wireless, a 13% difference. The G502 Lightspeed is left out of this ranking because its weight isn't stated; 3 of 4 picks are ranked.
Which has the most button count: the G502 Lightspeed or the G309?
The G502 Lightspeed tops button count at 11; the G309 follows at 6, 83% apart. No button count figure is published for the DeathAdder V3 and the Model O 2 Wireless, which leaves 2 of 4 picks ranked here.
What does the Model O 2 Wireless add over the DeathAdder V3?
The Model O 2 Wireless matches or trails the DeathAdder V3 on weight. The DeathAdder V3 leads on weight (59g). Both sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
Why is the G502 Lightspeed our Most Buttons pick?
It carries the badge for the most button count here (11). On button count it leads the G309, 11 against 6, an 83% margin. It makes sense for MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Do the DeathAdder V3 and the Model O 2 Wireless differ on shape?
The DeathAdder V3 uses Right-handed ergonomic; the Model O 2 Wireless uses Ambidextrous. The G502 Lightspeed and the G309 have no shape listed, so 2 of 4 picks are covered here.
Will the G309 work with my setup?
Keep the G309 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. In this guide it ranks fourth of 4, as our Best Logitech Value pick, and third of 3 on weight (68g).
Bottom Line
Razer's DeathAdder V3 is the wired ergonomic pick. Logitech's G502 Lightspeed is the many-button choice, and Corsair's Katar Elite Wireless is the value option.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Mice Under $50
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Mice Under $75
- Related guideThe Best Logitech Gaming Mice
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget Gaming Mice
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming Mice Right Now
- 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 FPS 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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