A mouse is a device that ordinary users buy at random, choosing by appearance. Gamers, on the other hand, don’t go for that approach; they want a gaming mouse with better features, greater functionality, and a stylish design. The kind that feels good in your hand and outperforms your competition in every game. In this article, we’ll analyze the characteristics of the gaming mouse and how to choose it taking into account the latest trends from manufacturers.
Sensor type – optical or laser
Mice are divided into two types according to the type of sensor – optical and laser. A laser mouse can work on almost any surface, be it a cloth mat, glossy or glass surface. The surface can be uneven, there are no strict requirements. Another advantage of a laser mouse is its low power consumption, which is why laser sensors are almost always used in wireless mice. And most importantly, the laser sensor has high resolution, which means faster pointer movement. More tests by Yurovsky
The optical sensor is less sensitive on dusty or dirty surfaces. They do not use motion correction or prediction algorithms, the hardware acceleration is disabled, due to this, the mouse with such a sensor moves more accurately. The maximum resolution of such a mouse is much less than that of a laser mouse.
How to choose a gaming mouse
Sensor Resolution
Sensor resolution (DPI/CPI) is one of the most important features of a mouse. It means the higher the resolution, the farther the cursor can travel on the screen compared to the distance the mouse can travel on the surface. Modern mice can reach up to 16000 dpi, but high resolution does not mean high accuracy. Often, even 1600 dpi is sufficient, and shooter gamers prefer much smaller units, such as 800 or 1200 dpi, because it provides a higher accuracy of aiming. High DPI is used in MOBA games. So, don’t chase after the mouse with the highest resolution. Choose the one that is suitable for you.
Maximal acceleration and mouse response time
The response time of a mouse is the time it takes for the signal to come from the mouse to the computer. The slower the response time, the better. Gaming mice have response time in the range of 1 millisecond. Maximum acceleration – acceleration of a mouse when it stops feeling the mouse pad and rolls around its axis. Optical mice hold up better in this regard, transmitting accurate readings during sharp movements.
Ergonomics and design
Most mice come in symmetrical or right-handed housings – made to the anatomical shape of the hand, taking into account curves and depressions. Some mice are available for left-handed users, and it’s not difficult to find them among gamers. Therefore, it is desirable to choose a mouse for your main hand and its size – too small mice will be uncomfortable for gamers. Pay attention to the mouse material – a completely plastic mouse will slip, choose the one with rubberized inlays or matte/rubber plastic – so your fingers won’t slip even from the wet buttons and the feeling will be more pleasant. It’s also important to have teflon feet for the mouse to glide smoothly and it’s recommended to have extra feet in the set.
Keys
When choosing a mouse, depending on your type of games – shooters do not need many buttons, they can interfere, and strategies and RPG on the contrary – additional buttons, which can be keyed in the game actions will be very helpful. For example, the Razer Naga gaming mouse has 12 side buttons. Look at the main keys – the left and right mouse buttons, they should have a good tactile feedback.
How to choose a gaming mouse
Wired or Wireless?
When choosing a gaming mouse, many people wonder if they should buy a wired or wireless model.
The pros of wired mice:
+ Cheaper than wireless;
+ Less lag time;
+ Stable connection;
Less time lag; + Lighter weight than a cordless mouse;
Pros of wireless mouse:
+ No cable gives you the freedom to move your mouse;
+ The lack of cable also improves desktop aesthetics;
Disadvantages of a corded mouse:
– The cable can get in the way on your desk, tangle with other cables and make a mess;
Disadvantages of wireless mouse:
– Longer latency than a wired mouse (but not always; many mid- to high-end wireless mice use low-latency technology, such as Logitech’s LightSpeed;
– More expensive than a corded mouse;
– More weight than a corded mouse because of the batteries;
– The need to change batteries periodically and keep them in stock at home so that you don’t end up without a mouse;
From the above it can be concluded that the wired mouse has more advantages than the wireless one. But if the price of the mouse is not a problem for you, you always have spare batteries at home, and the model you like has low latency, you should definitely consider a wireless mouse.
Features and profiles
Most gaming mice have the ability to program the buttons through the included utility. You can use this utility to override button assignments, write certain sequences of commands (macros) to them, such as button combinations from the keyboard, setting intervals between keystrokes and commands to repeat actions. Many mice also have a special button for controlling DPI profiles – by pressing the button you can change the sensor resolution on the base of preset modes. Sometimes this button is combined with mouse scroll. Mice with backlighting can often change the color and mode of the LEDs.
If the mouse has built-in memory, you can create profiles and key layouts for different situations/games. With such a mouse you can play not only at home but also at a gaming club/at a friend’s place and you won’t have to set up anything again. Profiles can be stored both in the mouse and on the computer. Recently, cloud storage from manufacturers is also popular.
Conclusion
We hope that this guide will help you choose the perfect gaming mouse for you that will serve you well for years to come. When choosing a gaming mouse, consider all the features, match the mouse to you and your gaming preferences, and read the reviews of the owners of a given model. Look out for trusted brands like Logitech, Razer, ASUS, HyperX.
