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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Mouse
Switching between 3 computers at the touch of a button.
Best for: Buyers who want switching between 3 computers at the touch of a button.
Our take Check price for Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Logitech Signature M650
Customizable side buttons.
Best for: Buyers who want customizable side buttons.
Our take Check price for Logitech Signature M650 (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Logitech M196 Bluetooth Mouse
A lightweight travel size.
Best for: Buyers who want lightweight travel size.
Our take Check price for Logitech M196 Bluetooth Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse
The lowest price among these mice at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for TECKNET Rechargeable Dual-Mode Mouse (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 the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Apple Magic Mouse (USB-C) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 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
- 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 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
- 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 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
- Keeping the budget tight.
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 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
- 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)
Premium Pick5 of 5
Apple Magic Mouse (USB-C) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Apple's Magic Mouse has a Multi-Touch surface for macOS gestures and a rechargeable battery.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
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 dimensions & 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
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Productivity features
- We compared scroll wheels, programmable buttons and multi-computer control as described by each maker.
- Connection and battery
- We recorded connection options and rated battery life.
- Shape and grip
- We grouped each mouse by grip style and noted listed hand sizes.
- Sensor
- We noted listed sensor resolution and surface support.
What to Look for in a Wireless Mouse
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Pick a shape for your wrist
Standard sculpted mice suit most hands; vertical mice reduce forearm twist; trackballs keep the arm still. Each takes different adjustment time.
If you have wrist or forearm discomfort, try vertical or trackball first.
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.
Quiet clicks for shared rooms
Silent or quiet-click switches reduce noise on calls and in shared offices. The feel is slightly softer.
Multi-computer control
Some mice switch between computers with a button, and a few can move the cursor and clipboard across machines.
This helps if you work on a laptop and a desktop at once.
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.
Match the hand size
Makers often state a hand size range, especially for vertical mice. A mouse that is too small forces a claw grip.
Measure from wrist crease to middle fingertip before buying.
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 budget tight | TECKNET rechargeable | The lowest price among these mice at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | 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
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Mice |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | TECKNET rechargeable, M196, M720, Signature M650 |
| About $50 to $100 | Magic Mouse |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these mice compare on battery life?
The M720 leads at up to 24 months, ahead of the Signature M650 at up to 24 months; the Magic Mouse sits at the other end with up to 1 months.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
At our last price check the TECKNET rechargeable was the cheapest pick and the Magic Mouse the most expensive; the M196 was the next step up from the TECKNET rechargeable.
Will it work on a glass desk?
Only mice whose listings mention glass tracking are designed for it. Others may need a mouse pad.
Does DPI matter for work?
Higher DPI helps on large or high-resolution displays. Most work needs far less than the maximum.
Is a vertical mouse better for programmers?
It can reduce forearm twisting for people who feel strain. It takes about a week to get used to.
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.