Buying Guide
The Best Small Gaming Mice
Five small mice between 49g and about 100g.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A small mouse clears desk space and suits claw grips. These five use compact or mini shells.
We compared weight, shape and connection from each listing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.

Best Mini Shape
Glorious Model O 2 Mini Wired Gaming Mouse
A symmetrical mini shell for any grip.
Best for: Claw grips.
Our take Check price for Glorious Model O 2 Mini Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)

Best Light Wireless
Attack Shark X3 Wireless Gaming Mouse
49g tri-mode.
Best for: Fast aiming.
Our take Check price for Attack Shark X3 Wireless Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)

Best Battery
Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse
250 hours of listed battery life.
Best for: Rare battery swaps.
Our take Check price for Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse (opens in a new tab)

Best Budget Wireless
Redragon M725 Wireless Gaming Mouse
49g with onboard modes.
Best for: Tight budgets.
Our take Check price for Redragon M725 Wireless Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)

Most Buttons
Glorious Model O- (Minus) Wired Gaming Mouse
The most button count here (6).
Best for: MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Our take Check price for Glorious Model O- (Minus) Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() | A symmetrical mini shell for any grip. | Claw grips. | Check price for Glorious Model O 2 Mini Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | 49g tri-mode. | Fast aiming. | Check price for Attack Shark X3 Wireless Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | 250 hours of listed battery life. | Rare battery swaps. | Check price for Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | 49g with onboard modes. | Tight budgets. | Check price for Redragon M725 Wireless Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
![]() | The most button count here (6). | MMO hotbars on the thumb. | Check price for Glorious Model O- (Minus) Wired Gaming Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Mini Shape1 of 5
Glorious Model O 2 Mini Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Glorious's Model O 2 Mini is a 49g symmetrical wired mouse with a 26K sensor.
Best for
- Claw grips.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the M725, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Glorious lists it for palm, claw and fingertip grips. It weighs 49g in a compact symmetrical shape for palm, claw or fingertip grips. The wired design avoids charging.
It matches the Attack Shark X3 and the M725 on weight (49g). Like the Model O-, it has a wired connection, while the G305 uses a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection. It also comes with motion sync support.
It also brings light 49g body. Its price falls between the Attack Shark X3 and the Model O-, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed button count should compare it with the Model O-, which offers 6.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 49g
- Max DPI: 26,000
- Connection: Wired
- Shape: Symmetrical, compact
Pros
- Light 49g body
- No battery to charge
- Symmetrical shape Glorious lists for palm, claw and fingertip grips
- 26K optical sensor
Cons
- Costs more than the M725 at the time of writing
Best Light Wireless2 of 5
Attack Shark X3 Wireless Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Attack Shark's X3 is a 49g tri-mode mouse with a PAW3395 sensor.
Best for
- Fast aiming.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the M725 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Lift-off distance and polling are set in software. It weighs 49g and connects over Bluetooth 5.2, 2.4GHz or a cable, and the PAW3395 sensor reaches 26,000 DPI. It suits fast aim games on a budget.
On weight it ties with the Model O 2 Mini and the M725 at 49g. It also offers Kailh GM 8.0 switches rated for 80 million clicks. Keep the Attack Shark X3 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop.
It was priced above the G305 and below the Model O 2 Mini at the time of writing. There is no published button count figure, whereas the Model O- offers 6.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 49g
- Max DPI: 26,000
- Battery life: 200 hours
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Pros
- Light 49g body
- Up to 200 hours per charge
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- PixArt PAW3395 sensor
Cons
- Costs more than the M725 at the time of writing
Best Battery3 of 5
Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The G305 is the cheapest Lightspeed mouse and still one of the best values in wireless gaming mice, with a 250 hours on one AA.
Best for
- Rare battery swaps.
Skip if
- Pass if a published weight matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
The HERO sensor is up to 10 times more power efficient than earlier sensors, which stretches battery life, and the receiver stores inside the mouse. LIGHTSPEED wireless reports at 1ms. You get a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection here, which sets it apart from the Model O- and its a wired connection.
You also get runs on a single AA battery. The G305's dongle works best on a front USB port or an extender near the mouse. It was priced above the M725 and below the Attack Shark X3 at the time of writing. There is no published weight figure, whereas the Model O 2 Mini weighs 49g.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max DPI: 12,000
- Battery life: 250 hours
- Connection: Lightspeed 2.4GHz
Pros
- Up to 250 hours per charge
- Hero sensor
- Runs on a single AA battery
- Lightspeed 2.4GHz connection, the only one here
Cons
- No published weight
- Costs more than the M725 at the time of writing
Best Budget Wireless4 of 5
Redragon M725 Wireless Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's M725 is a 49g symmetrical tri-mode mouse with a honeycomb shell.
Best for
- Tight budgets.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: button count of 5, behind the Model O- (6).
Why we like it
It stores five configuration modes onboard. On weight it ties with the Model O 2 Mini and the Attack Shark X3 at 49g. It also comes with tri-mode connection at a budget price.
Keep the M725 on its dongle for games; Bluetooth is for a laptop. Another plus is light 49g body. It also brings symmetrical shape, the only one here.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the G305 was closest. If you want a confirmed battery life, look to the G305 instead: it runs for 250 hours, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 49g
- Programmable buttons: 5
- Max DPI: 8,000
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Shape: Symmetrical
Pros
- Light 49g body
- Dongle plus Bluetooth
- Honeycomb shell
- 5 onboard configuration modes
Cons
- Button count of 5, behind the Model O- (6)
Most Buttons5 of 5
Glorious Model O- (Minus) Wired Gaming Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Model O- shrinks Glorious's ambidextrous shape to a size listed for medium and small hands.
Best for
- MMO hotbars on the thumb.
Skip if
- Skip it if weight matters most to you; the Model O 2 Mini offers 49g.
Why we like it
It weighs 58g. Its PTFE skates glide smoothly, and lift-off distance is under 0.7mm. Omron switches are rated for 20 million clicks.
Its 58g weight is the heaviest in this group; the Model O 2 Mini leads at 49g. Like the Model O 2 Mini, it has a wired connection, while the G305 uses a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection. It also comes with a honeycomb shell and a flexible braided cable. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Model O 2 Mini and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight: 58g
- Programmable buttons: 6
- Connection: Wired
- Shape: Ambidextrous, compact
Pros
- Light 58g body
- No battery to charge
- Ambidextrous shape
- Size Glorious lists for medium and small hands
Cons
- Weight trails the Model O 2 Mini (49g)
- Costs more than the M725 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Small Gaming Mice
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Weight and shape
- We recorded listed weights and whether the shape is right-handed or ambidextrous.
- Connection and battery
- We checked dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes and the rated battery life.
- Buttons
- We counted programmable buttons where the listing states them.
- Sensor figures
- We noted maximum DPI and polling rate, while treating them as secondary.
What to Look for in a Small Gaming Mouse
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Weight changes how aim feels
Mice around 60g are easy to flick and lift. Heavier mice feel steadier for tracking. A difference of 10g is noticeable over a long session.
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.
Wireless is no longer a handicap
A 2.4GHz dongle matches a cable for games. Check battery life with lighting on and whether the mouse charges while in use.
Count the buttons you will use
MMO mice put 12 or more buttons under the thumb for hotbars. Shooters rarely need more than two side buttons.
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.
DPI figures past 20,000 do not matter much
Most players use 400 to 3,200 DPI. Very high maximums are marketing; sensor consistency matters more.
How to Choose a Small Gaming Mouse
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Claw grips | Model O 2 Mini | A symmetrical mini shell for any grip |
| Fast aiming | Attack Shark X3 | 49g tri-mode |
| Rare battery swaps | G305 | 250 hours of listed battery life |
| Tight budgets | M725 | 49g with onboard modes |
| MMO hotbars on the thumb | Model O- | The most button count here (6) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Mice | Weight | Programmable buttons | Max DPI | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model O 2 Mini | 49g | Not listed | 26,000 | Not listed |
| Attack Shark X3 | 49g | Not listed | 26,000 | 200 hours |
| G305 | Not listed | Not listed | 12,000 | 250 hours |
| M725 | 49g | 5 | 8,000 | Not listed |
| Model O- | 58g | 6 | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an MMO mouse work for shooters?
It can, but the extra side buttons add weight and make it easy to press the wrong key.
Is a lighter mouse always better?
For flick aiming it helps; for slow tracking some players prefer more weight. Grip and shape matter more.
Is a wireless mouse slower?
Not over a 2.4GHz dongle. Bluetooth adds latency and suits office work.
Do I need 8,000Hz polling?
No. It is a small gain on top of 1,000Hz, and it costs battery life and CPU time.
What DPI should I use?
Start at 800 or 1,600 DPI and set in-game sensitivity from there. Higher DPI does not improve aim by itself.
Do gaming mice need software?
They work without it, but button mapping, DPI steps and lighting usually need the maker's app.
Bottom Line
Glorious's Model O 2 Mini is the pick for a 49g compact shell. Attack Shark's X3 is the wireless 49g option, and Logitech's G305 leads on battery.
