Buying Guide
The Best Portable Mice
Three mice ranked on sensor resolution and sensor; the TECKNET silent is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A compact wireless mouse slips into a laptop bag. Every pick is a compact design, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh sensor, grip and connection as the makers state them; if a maker skips sensor, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
TECKNET Silent Dual-Mode Wireless Mouse
The lowest price among these mice at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for TECKNET Silent Dual-Mode Wireless Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse
A built-in rechargeable battery.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in rechargeable battery.
Our take Check price for TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Highest-Resolution Sensor
Logitech MX Anywhere 3S
The highest sensor resolution here (8,000 DPI).
Best for: Large or multiple high-resolution monitors.
Our take Check price for Logitech MX Anywhere 3S (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these mice at the time of writing. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for TECKNET Silent Dual-Mode Wireless Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
| A built-in rechargeable battery. | Buyers who want built-in rechargeable battery. | Check price for TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest sensor resolution here (8,000 DPI). | Large or multiple high-resolution monitors. | Check price for Logitech MX Anywhere 3S (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
TECKNET Silent Dual-Mode Wireless Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TECKNET silent stands out for silent left and right clicks, and it adds a slide switch between two devices.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: sensor resolution of 4,800 DPI, behind the MX Anywhere 3S (8,000 DPI).
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 makes the most sense for spending as little as possible, since it offers the lowest price among these mice at the time of writing. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the TECKNET rechargeable the next step up. What it gives up: sensor resolution of 4,800 DPI, behind the MX Anywhere 3S (8,000 DPI); by contrast, the MX Anywhere 3S offers 8,000 DPI.
Key dimensions & 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
- The lowest price among these mice at the time of writing
Cons
- Sensor resolution of 4,800 DPI, behind the MX Anywhere 3S (8,000 DPI)
Also Consider2 of 3
TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 also comes with a built-in rechargeable battery and a 1.5 to 2 hour full charge.
It was priced above the TECKNET silent and below the MX Anywhere 3S at the time of writing. There is no published sensor resolution figure, whereas the MX Anywhere 3S offers 8,000 DPI.
Key dimensions & 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
Highest-Resolution Sensor3 of 3
Logitech MX Anywhere 3S on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's MX Anywhere 3S is a compact rechargeable mouse that tracks on glass.
Best for
- Large or multiple high-resolution monitors.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the TECKNET silent was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its MagSpeed wheel scrolls quickly through long pages. It tracks on glass with an 8,000 DPI sensor and has quieter clicks than the MX Anywhere 3. It ships without a USB receiver, so it relies on Bluetooth.
It pairs with up to three devices across Windows, macOS, ChromeOS and Linux, and the MagSpeed wheel scrolls up to 1,000 lines per second. It is certified for Intel Evo laptops, which verifies its Bluetooth performance, and its plastics include up to 78% recycled material. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the TECKNET rechargeable.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sensor: 8,000 DPI
- Grip: Compact
- Connection: Bluetooth, 3 devices
Pros
- Tracking on glass
- Rechargeable USB-C battery
- MagSpeed scroll wheel
- Highest sensor resolution of the picks (8,000 DPI)
Cons
- Costs more than the TECKNET silent at the time of writing
How We Chose These Portable Mice
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side three mice on sensor resolution, grip and connection from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the TECKNET silent to the MX Anywhere 3S, state grip and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The TECKNET rechargeable gives no sensor resolution.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the TECKNET silent (under $50) to the MX Anywhere 3S ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Portable Mouse
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Sensor resolution across these picks
Here sensor resolution runs from 4,800 DPI on the TECKNET silent to 8,000 DPI on the MX Anywhere 3S. Start with the MX Anywhere 3S if sensor resolution decides it. No figure for the TECKNET rechargeable.
Extras that separate them
The TECKNET silent: a slide switch between two devices. The TECKNET rechargeable: a 1.5 to 2 hour full charge. The MX Anywhere 3S: a rechargeable USB-C battery.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the TECKNET silent and the TECKNET rechargeable; $50 to $100 buys the MX Anywhere 3S at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible: the TECKNET silent. Large or multiple high-resolution monitors: the MX Anywhere 3S.
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.
How to Choose a Portable Mouse
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | TECKNET silent | The lowest price among these mice at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want built-in rechargeable battery | TECKNET rechargeable | A built-in rechargeable battery |
| Large or multiple high-resolution monitors | MX Anywhere 3S | The highest sensor resolution here (8,000 DPI) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MX Anywhere 3S leads on sensor resolution at 8,000 DPI, ahead of the TECKNET silent at 4,800 DPI. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Mice | Sensor | Grip | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| TECKNET silent | 4,800 DPI | Compact, small to medium hands | Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, 2 devices |
| TECKNET rechargeable | Not listed | Compact | Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, 2 devices |
| MX Anywhere 3S | 8,000 DPI | Compact | Bluetooth, 3 devices |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The TECKNET silent was the lowest-priced pick and the MX Anywhere 3S the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Mice |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | TECKNET silent, TECKNET rechargeable |
| About $50 to $100 | MX Anywhere 3S |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest sensor resolution: the MX Anywhere 3S or the TECKNET silent?
The MX Anywhere 3S leads at 8,000 DPI, with the TECKNET silent at 4,800 DPI. The TECKNET rechargeable doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
What does the MX Anywhere 3S add over the TECKNET silent?
On paper it adds sensor resolution (8,000 DPI against 4,800 DPI). The TECKNET silent was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the MX Anywhere 3S our Highest-Resolution Sensor pick?
It earns the label for the highest sensor resolution here (8,000 DPI). It suits large or multiple high-resolution monitors.
What extras do the TECKNET silent and the TECKNET rechargeable include?
The TECKNET silent: silent left and right clicks. The TECKNET rechargeable: a built-in rechargeable battery. The MX Anywhere 3S: tracking on glass.
Do I need the maker's software?
Basic use works without it, but button remapping and per-app profiles need the software.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the TECKNET silent, chosen for the lowest price among these mice at the time of writing. Look at the TECKNET rechargeable for a built-in rechargeable battery if those matter more to you.
Bluetooth models save a USB port on the laptop.