Buying Guide
The Best Wireless Mouse
Five mice compared, from the TECKNET rechargeable to the Magic Mouse, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A wireless mouse frees the desk of a cable; the practical differences are battery life, connection type and shape. These are ordered by listed battery life.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: battery life, grip and connection come from each maker's published specs; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Also Consider
Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device MouseSwitching between 3 computers at the touch of a button.
Best for: Buyers who want switching between 3 computers at the touch of a button.
Check price for Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Logitech Signature M650Customizable side buttons.
Best for: Buyers who want customizable side buttons.
Check price for Logitech Signature M650 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Logitech M196 Bluetooth MouseA lightweight travel size.
Best for: Buyers who want lightweight travel size.
Check price for Logitech M196 Bluetooth Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode MouseThe lowest price among these mice at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $50.
Check price for TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Apple Magic Mouse (USB-C)The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a Multi-Touch surface for gestures.
Best for: Buyers who want a Multi-Touch surface for gestures and can spend more than the Signature M650 costs.
Check price for Apple Magic Mouse (USB-C) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Mouse
Logitech's M720 Triathlon switches between three computers with a button and supports Logitech Flow.
Best for
- Buyers who want switching between 3 computers at the touch of a button.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the TECKNET rechargeable, which cost less when we checked.
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. It matches the Signature M650 on battery life (up to 24 months). When we checked, only the M196 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Signature M650 cost more.
Key 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
- Battery life of up to 24 months, ahead of the M196
Cons
- Costs more than the TECKNET rechargeable at the time of writing
Strong Alternative2 of 5
Logitech Signature M650
Logitech's Signature M650 is a quiet-click mouse sized for small to medium hands.
Best for
- Buyers who want customizable side buttons.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the TECKNET rechargeable was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iPadOS and Android. Its SmartWheel switches between line-by-line and fast scrolling, and rubber grips suit small to medium hands. Plastics include up to 64% recycled material.
It matches the M720 on battery life (up to 24 months). A bluetooth or Logi Bolt connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Magic Mouse uses a bluetooth connection. It also offers customizable side buttons and silent clicks.
It is shaped for right hands only. It connects over Bluetooth or a Logi Bolt receiver; Bolt does not pair with older Unifying receivers. When we checked, only the M720 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Magic Mouse cost more.
Key specs
- Battery life
- up to 24 months
- Grip
- Right-handed, small to medium hands
- Connection
- Bluetooth or Logi Bolt
Pros
- Customizable side buttons
- Silent clicks
- Support for Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iPadOS and Android
- Battery life of up to 24 months, ahead of the M196
Cons
- Costs more than the TECKNET rechargeable at the time of writing
Worth a Look3 of 5
Logitech M196 Bluetooth Mouse
Logitech's M196 is a small Bluetooth travel mouse with an AA battery in the box.
Best for
- Buyers who want lightweight travel size.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the TECKNET rechargeable 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.
On battery life it sits mid-pack at up to 12 months: the M720 runs for up to 24 months, and the Magic Mouse comes in at up to 1 months. Like the Magic Mouse, it has a bluetooth connection, while the Signature M650 uses a bluetooth or Logi Bolt connection. It also offers a lightweight travel size and pair-and-play Bluetooth setup. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper TECKNET rechargeable and the pricier M720, at the time of writing.
Key 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
- Battery life of up to 12 months, ahead of the TECKNET rechargeable
Cons
- Costs more than the TECKNET rechargeable at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse
TECKNET's rechargeable mouse charges fully in 1.5 to 2 hours and switches between two devices.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $50.
Skip if
- Pass on it if battery life of up to 3 months, behind the M720 (up to 24 months) rules it out for your setup.
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. On battery life it sits mid-pack at up to 3 months: the M720 runs for up to 24 months, and the Magic Mouse comes in at up to 1 months.
It also offers a built-in rechargeable battery and a 1.5 to 2 hour full charge. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the M196 was the next step up.
Key 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
- Battery life of up to 3 months, ahead of the Magic Mouse
Cons
- Battery life of up to 3 months, behind the M720 (up to 24 months)
The catch
The main gap: battery life of up to 3 months, behind the M720 (up to 24 months). If that matters, the M720 runs for up to 24 months.
Premium Pick5 of 5
Apple Magic Mouse (USB-C)
Apple's Magic Mouse has a Multi-Touch surface for macOS gestures and a rechargeable battery.
Best for
- Buyers who want a Multi-Touch surface for gestures and can spend more than the Signature M650 costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if battery life matters most to you; the M720 offers up to 24 months.
Why we like it
Apple says a charge lasts about a month. Its Multi-Touch top handles swipes and scrolling without a wheel, which suits macOS gestures. The rechargeable battery lasts about a month between charges over USB-C.
It pairs automatically when plugged into a Mac with the included woven USB-C cable. Its up to 1 months battery life is the shortest in this group; the M720 leads at up to 24 months. It shares a bluetooth connection with the M196; the Signature M650 goes with a bluetooth or Logi Bolt connection.
You also get native macOS support. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Signature M650 the nearest cheaper option. Battery life is its weakest area, and the M720 covers it better at up to 24 months.
Key specs
- Battery life
- up to 1 months
- Grip
- Low-profile, ambidextrous
- Connection
- Bluetooth
Pros
- Multi-Touch surface for gestures
- Rechargeable battery that Apple says lasts about a month
- Native macOS support
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a Multi-Touch surface for gestures
Cons
- Battery life trails the M720 (up to 24 months)
- Costs more than the TECKNET rechargeable at the time of writing
How We Chose
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 five mice on battery life, grip and connection, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results, and every compared field is stated for all 5 picks.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the M720 to the Magic Mouse, state battery life, grip and connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The M720 for switching between 3 computers at the touch of a button; the Signature M650 for customizable side buttons; the M196 for a lightweight travel size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the TECKNET rechargeable (under $50) to the Magic Mouse ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Wireless Mouse
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Battery life across these picks
The M720 tops battery life at up to 24 months and the Magic Mouse sits lowest at up to 1 months; 2 picks share the top figure. Start with the M720 if battery life decides it.
Features beyond the spec table
The M196: an AA battery in the box. The TECKNET rechargeable: a 1.5 to 2 hour full charge. The Magic Mouse: a rechargeable battery that Apple says lasts about a month.
A hand holding a light-blue mouse on a red mousepad Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the TECKNET rechargeable, the M196, the M720 and the Signature M650; $50 to $100 buys the Magic Mouse at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the cost under $50: the TECKNET rechargeable. Buyers who want a Multi-Touch surface for gestures and can spend more than the Signature M650 costs: the Magic Mouse.
A hand on a white gaming mouse, and the same mouse shown from below 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 Wireless Mouse
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want switching between 3 computers at the touch of a button | M720 | Switching between 3 computers at the touch of a button |
| Buyers who want customizable side buttons | Signature M650 | Customizable side buttons |
| Buyers who want lightweight travel size | M196 | A lightweight travel size |
| Keeping the cost under $50 | TECKNET rechargeable | The lowest price among these mice at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want a Multi-Touch surface for gestures and can spend more than the Signature M650 costs | Magic Mouse | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a Multi-Touch surface for gestures |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The M720 leads on battery life at up to 24 months, ahead of the Signature M650 at up to 24 months.
| Mice | Battery life | Grip | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| M720 | up to 24 months | Full-size, right-handed | Bluetooth or Unifying receiver, 3 devices |
| Signature M650 | up to 24 months | Right-handed, small to medium hands | Bluetooth or Logi Bolt |
| M196 | up to 12 months | Compact, ambidextrous | Bluetooth |
| TECKNET rechargeable | up to 3 months | Compact | Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, 2 devices |
| Magic Mouse | up to 1 months | Low-profile, ambidextrous | Bluetooth |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the TECKNET rechargeable, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Magic Mouse at $50 to $100; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Mice |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | TECKNET rechargeable, M196, M720, Signature M650 |
| About $50 to $100 | Magic Mouse |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Magic Mouse worth paying more than the TECKNET rechargeable?
The Magic Mouse matches or trails the TECKNET rechargeable on battery life, so pay more only for a feature the spec sheet doesn't cover. The TECKNET rechargeable leads on battery life (up to 3 months). The TECKNET rechargeable sat in the under $50 tier and the Magic Mouse in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them.
What makes the TECKNET rechargeable the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the lowest price among these mice at the time of writing. It suits keeping the cost under $50.
Beyond the specs, what sets the M720 and the Signature M650 apart?
The M720: switching between 3 computers at the touch of a button. The Signature M650: customizable side buttons. The M196: a lightweight travel size.
Who should choose the Magic Mouse?
The Magic Mouse carries our Premium Pick label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a Multi-Touch surface for gestures. It ranks fifth of 5 here and sat in the $50 to $100 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who wants a Multi-Touch surface for gestures and can spend more than the Signature M650 costs.
Should I pick the M720 or the Magic Mouse?
The M720 suits buyers who want switching between 3 computers at the touch of a button; the Magic Mouse suits buyers who want a Multi-Touch surface for gestures and can spend more than the Signature M650 costs.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the M720, chosen for switching between 3 computers at the touch of a button. Look at the Signature M650 for customizable side buttons, the M196 for a lightweight travel size and the TECKNET rechargeable for the lowest price among these mice at the time of writing if those matter more to you.
Rechargeable mice save on batteries; AA-powered ones last longer between swaps.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Mice for Work
- Related guideThe Best Bluetooth Wireless Mice
- Related guideThe Best Vertical Ergonomic Mice
- Lower budgetThe Best Mice Under $150
- Similar guideThe Best Razer Wireless Mice
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Gaming Mouse
- ExplainerMouse polling rate and DPI: what each number changes
- Also see: mouse pads and desk matsMouse Pad Features Explained: What Is Worth Paying For?
- Similar guideThe Best Wireless Gaming Mouse
- 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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