Buying Guide
The Best Wireless Mice Under $15
We weighed three mice on battery life and grip, and the TECKNET silent costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Under $15 a wireless mouse is a basic 2.4GHz or Bluetooth model for everyday work. Every mouse cost 15 or less when we checked and connects without a cable.
The order reflects battery life, grip and connection from maker specifications; we did not test these mice ourselves, and a missing battery life is flagged, not filled in.
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, with the TECKNET rechargeable the next step up.
Our take Check price for TECKNET Silent Dual-Mode Wireless Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Compact Grip
TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse
A compact grip.
Best for: Buyers who want a compact grip.
Our take Check price for TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Longest Battery Life
Logitech M196 Bluetooth Mouse
The longest battery life here (up to 12 months).
Best for: Desks where you want to forget about batteries.
Our take Check price for Logitech M196 Bluetooth Mouse (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, with the TECKNET rechargeable the next step up. | Check price for TECKNET Silent Dual-Mode Wireless Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
| A compact grip. | Buyers who want a compact grip. | Check price for TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
| The longest battery life here (up to 12 months). | Desks where you want to forget about batteries. | Check price for Logitech M196 Bluetooth Mouse (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, with the TECKNET rechargeable the next step up.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its battery life before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the TECKNET rechargeable was closest. 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 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
- No published battery life
Compact Grip2 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 a compact grip.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the TECKNET silent, which cost less when we checked.
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. You also get a built-in rechargeable battery and a 1.5 to 2 hour full charge.
It makes the most sense for buyers who want a compact grip, since it offers a compact grip. When we checked, only the TECKNET silent cost less, and the M196 cost more.
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
- Compact grip, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the TECKNET silent at the time of writing
Longest Battery Life3 of 3
Logitech M196 Bluetooth Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Price-first buyers should look at the TECKNET silent, which cost less when we checked.
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.
It also comes with a lightweight travel size and pair-and-play Bluetooth setup. You also get this: Bluetooth connection, the only one here. It makes the most sense for desks where you want to forget about batteries, since it offers the longest battery life here (up to 12 months). Only the TECKNET rechargeable came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the TECKNET silent at the time of writing
How We Chose These Wireless Mice Under $15
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up three mice on battery life, grip and connection as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 3 picks leave out battery life.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the TECKNET silent to the M196, state grip and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The TECKNET silent gives no battery life.
- Price range
- From the TECKNET silent to the M196, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Wireless Mouse Under $15
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Battery life
Here battery life runs from up to 3 months on the TECKNET rechargeable to up to 12 months on the M196, a 300% spread. Start with the M196 if battery life decides it. The TECKNET silent gives no battery life figure, so 2 of 3 picks are compared here.
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 M196: an AA battery in the box.
How much to spend
All 3 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the TECKNET silent at the low end to the M196 at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible, with the TECKNET rechargeable the next step up: the TECKNET silent. Buyers who want a compact grip: the TECKNET rechargeable. Desks where you want to forget about batteries: the M196.
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 Wireless Mouse Under $15
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the TECKNET rechargeable the next step up | TECKNET silent | The lowest price among these mice at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want a compact grip | TECKNET rechargeable | A compact grip |
| Desks where you want to forget about batteries | M196 | The longest battery life here (up to 12 months) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The M196 leads on battery life at up to 12 months, ahead of the TECKNET rechargeable at up to 3 months. "Not listed" marks battery life where the TECKNET silent leaves the figure out.
| Mice | Battery life | Grip | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| TECKNET silent | Not listed | Compact, small to medium hands | Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, 2 devices |
| TECKNET rechargeable | up to 3 months | Compact | Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, 2 devices |
| M196 | up to 12 months | Compact, ambidextrous | Bluetooth |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the longest battery life: the M196 or the TECKNET rechargeable?
Between the top two, it is up to 12 months on the M196 against up to 3 months on the TECKNET rechargeable, a 300% difference. The TECKNET silent is left out of this ranking because its battery life isn't stated; 2 of 3 picks are ranked.
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 suits desks where you want to forget about batteries.
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 M196: a lightweight travel size.
Who should choose the TECKNET rechargeable?
The TECKNET rechargeable carries our Compact Grip label for a compact grip. It ranks second of 3 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who wants a compact grip.
Should I pick the TECKNET silent or the M196?
The TECKNET silent suits spending as little as possible, with the TECKNET rechargeable the next step up; the M196 suits desks where you want to forget about batteries.
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 compact grip if those matter more to you.
Check whether the mouse uses a USB receiver, Bluetooth or both.