wireless mouse

Best Cheap Wireless Mouse for Your Tangled Workstation

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One of the easiest ways to improve your productivity while working on a laptop or desktop computer is by adding a good wireless mouse. Usually much more efficient than a touchpad, a mouse allows pinpoint accuracy and more actions per minute for work or gaming. Eliminating the need for a cord gives you more freedom. The good news is that a quality wireless mouse does not have to be expensive. We searched far and wide for the best online deals on wireless computer mice. Keep reading to learn what we found.

Factors to Consider in Cheap Wireless Mice

Perfect for work, home, or on the go, a wireless mouse makes operating a computer easy. However, with so many different features and options to choose from, picking the right one for you can be intimidating. Here are the factors you should consider when making a decision about which wireless mouse you should buy.

Compatability

Thankfully, the days of needing to buy a specific mouse for different kinds of computers are over. Every mouse on our list is compatible with any modern Mac or PC. Some are even compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled smartphones and tablets.

Connection

The most common method of connecting a wireless mouse to a computer is using Bluetooth, though some use other wireless standards. Do not worry if your computer does not have a built-in Bluetooth receiver. Each of the wireless mice on our list includes a small receiver that can be plugged into any USB port. See here if you need help connecting your wireless mouse.

There is a slight delay between the time you move a wireless mouse and when the action occurs on screen. Though it usually isn’t noticeable, users looking to minimize this input lag should consider the Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse

Battery Life

The last thing you want is to be locked out of your computer because your mouse has a dead battery. We include details about how often each wireless mouse on our list can operate between recharging or replacing batteries.

Number of Buttons

Every mouse should have at least two buttons and the scroll wheel. But if you want additional functionality, you will need to consider a mouse that comes with two or more extra buttons on the side of the mouse. These buttons allow you to scroll forward and backward through web pages as well as add more commands like keyboard shortcuts.

If you play games or use applications with lots of controls and shortcut keys, you may want to consider a programmable wireless mouse.

DPI

The resolution of an optical mouse is measured in dots per inch, or DPI. The higher this number is, the better the mouse is at picking up small movements. Users who play games where high precision is required will want to consider DPI when buying a mouse. Some of the options on our list allow users to adjust the DPI depending on what they are doing.

Best Cheap Wireless Mouse Under $20

1. Best Wireless Mouse Under $20: Logitech M510 Wireless Computer Mouse

Why we like it: The Logitech M510 Wireless Computer Mouse gives you extra functionality with conveniently placed buttons. This mouse runs for up fo 2 years on a single pair of AA batteries.

Editor’s Rating:

DPI: 1,000
Battery Life: Two years

Logitech is the name to beat when it comes to wireless mice. They have a huge chunk of the market, and the Logitech M510 is a great example of why. We think it’s a perfect wireless mouse for daily use.

We start with the ergonomics. It comes in a contoured shape that will fit comfortably in your hand. This device has soft rubber grips that give your palm and fingers a good resting place, allowing you to work for hours without fatigue.

It uses a high-precision laser-grade optical sensor that tracks on varied surfaces, with over 10 meters of operating distance. The mouse offers flexibility since you don’t need to be stuck using it on a wooden desktop. It can be used on soft and rough mousepads. Because it has a laser-grade optical sensor, the mouse will not pick up any unnecessary data that can cause jittery performance—but it won’t work on glass or mirrored surfaces.

Aside from the left and right-click buttons, this mouse also includes two side buttons. The extra buttons assist in navigating the web and other functions, depending on the program you are using.

The mouse connects using a Logitech nano receiver that can connect to any laptop or desktop computer. When you need to travel with the mouse, there is a place for storing the receiver.

Verdict
The Logitech M510 is a reliable wireless mouse that is up to the most demanding jobs. If you spend countless hours before a computer, knowing that your hand will be comfortable is a good thing. It has a contoured shape, extra buttons, and a long battery life that all indicate it is a productive model.

Pros
  • It has two extra buttons
  • Offers 10 meters of operating distance
  • Comes with a tiny nano receiver
  • It uses a laser-grade optical sensor
Cons
  • It cannot track on glass and mirror surfaces
 

2. VicTsing MM057 Optical Wireless Mouse

Why we like it: The VicTsing MM057 Optical Wireless Mouse was designed with gaming in mind and provides a long working distance of up to 15 meters.

Editor’s Rating:

DPI: 800-2,400
Battery Life: 15 months

The VicTsing MM057 is an incredible device if you love gaming. The mouse plugs in and starts to work right away. It uses a 2.4GHz nano receiver that has a range of 15 meters. You can play on your favorite couch without experiencing any lag that can affect gameplay.

This mouse is more appropriate for a palm grip because it has a thumb indent and a high arch. It allows you to relax your hand and still reach all the buttons without fuss. For accurate tracking, the optical sensor throws in superior sensitivity that performs great in high-speed games.

With five levels of DPI, you can go from the lowest at 800 DPI all the way up to 2,400. When you need high precision in First Person Shooter (FPS) games, a lower DPI is recommended, and you get it with this mouse with either 800 or 1200 DPI. This way, you can’t miss a shot and blame it on the mouse.

Nevertheless, it provides you with other intuitive features like the means of knowing your DPI. By pressing the CPI button, you can tell the level by the number of times the red light flashes. Once means it’s operating on the lowest DPI, while five means it’s on the highest level at 2,400.

Verdict
The VicTsing MM057 represents a simple but practical wireless gaming mouse. It has the right connectivity, DPI, and programmable buttons that make it possible to play effortlessly. It may not make you a better player, but you will like how comfortable it is to use.

Pros
  • It has a compact receiver
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux
  • It has an energy saving mode after 8 hours of inactivity
  • High-arch and rubber indents for comfortable handling
  • Quick to change the different CPI levels
  • Two programmable side buttons
Cons
  • It does not come with the battery

3. TechNet Pro 2.4G Ergonomic Wireless Mouse

Why we like it: TheTechNet Pro 2.4G Ergonomic Wireless Mouse is available in a wide selection of bright colors, and using it is a breeze.

Editor’s Rating:

DPI: 800-2,600
Battery Life: 12-18 months

The TechNet Pro is an exceptionally comfortable ergonomic mouse. This is mainly because it has a slight bump action on the scroll wheel which needs a light touch during use. It also has two side buttons that can be used to add a little more functionality to the mouse.

With the help of TechNet’s TruWave technology, this mouse can track smoothly, responsively, and more. It suffers no lag or dropouts thanks to its advanced optical sensor. It will also connect automatically with the nano receiver up to a range of 15 meters if the connection is lost during use.

You get five DPI settings with the TechNet Pro, making the mouse handle various surfaces and applications with accuracy. The rubber grip is ergonomic and comfortable, and you will be happy with the indented dots on the other side for the thumb grip.

The nano receiver pairs right away after connecting it to the computer. If you are not using it but fear you could lose it, there’s a compartment at the base of the mouse where it can be stored easily. This allows you to travel stress-free since you will not be looking for the dongle in your luggage when you get down to using your laptop in a hotel room.

Verdict
TechNet presents a durable mouse that is simple. It provides a stable connection using advanced technology that ensures you will never re-pair the device when a connection is lost at any time. The contoured rubber grip also indicates it is good to go for extended usage.

Pros
  • It is a plug-and-play mouse
  • It has a range of 15 meters
  • Five levels of DPI and five buttons
  • Soft rubber grips ]
Cons
  • Batteries are not included
 

4. Anker 2.4G Wireless Vertical Mouse

Why we like it: The ergonomic design of the Anker 2.4G Wireless Vertical Mouse saves your hand from fatigue and pain that can be caused by continuous use of a regular mouse.

Editor’s Rating:

DPI: 800-1,600
Battery Life: 6 months

If you use a computer at work, chances are you spend over 8 hours on your computer. Since the mouse is the most used computer accessory, there are possibilities of suffering from Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). To avoid this risk, a vertical mouse can be very helpful.

The Anker 2.4G Wireless Vertical Mouse encourages your hand to take on a handshake position. This is a comfortable and strain-free grip that allows you to use the mouse without suffering the consequences of reptitive usage.

This mouse has three DPI levels on its optical sensor. This feature improves sensitivity such that you can use it on different surfaces with no trouble. It is easy to change the DPI levels as well as scroll web pages using the two buttons on the side.

The small nano receiver is stored in the mouse for simple storage. To preserve the battery life, Anker also includes an automatic power-off feature after 8 minutes of not using the mouse.

Verdict
It’s rare to find a good, cheap, ergonomic mouse to begin with. When you consider that the Anker 2.4G is also wireless, it’s a steal. It has a comfortable design that eliminates stress to the palm and wrist. It is not the lightest, but because of its strain-free construction, it is easy to navigate and lift.

Pros
  • Vertical design prevents RSI
  • Three levels of DPI
  • Five buttons including web browsing buttons
  • 8-minute auto-off
  • Six months of battery life
Cons
  • It is too big for small hands

5. AmazonBasics Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver

Why we like it: This basic mouse is ultra light and small. It comes with an equally tiny nano receiver that can be stored in a laptop or the base of the mouse during travel.

Editor’s Rating:

DPI: 1,000
Battery Life: 3 months

AmazonBasics Wireless Mouse is pretty basic from the shape to the functionality. If you are looking for a computer mouse that you don’t need to use every day, you may be interested in this design. It follows the signature form of most mice with only three buttons.

The lack of side buttons makes it ambidextrous, so even lefties can have a go with it. It is light making it easy to navigate and lift at quick speeds. The surface is all rubberized so your hand will not be sliding when making right and left clicks. It also has four Teflon feet at the base that facilitate gliding.

This mouse uses a 2.4GHz dongle to establish a stable connection with your laptop, netbook, or desktop computer. It is compatible with Mac OS and Windows from 2000 to Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, and 10. After plugging in the receiver, the mouse is ready to work with a distance range of up to 7 meters.

We find the optical sensor accurate for most activities but not gaming or drawing with Adobe software. It will also track well on a single color desktop or a plain mouse pad. If you have a glass or mirror surface, you can always get a mouse pad and use this mouse at your convenience.

Overall
The AmazonBasics design is as plain as they get when you want a dirt-cheap wireless mouse. It can maintain a decent connection over a fair distance, and it is ultra-small. Without the extra features, it is ideal for basic home office or occasional use during travel.

Pros
  • It maintains responsive tracking on ideal surfaces
  • Rubberized surface prevents fingers from sliding
  • Compatible with Mac and Windows computers
  • Ultralight for simple navigation
  • Ambidextrous design
Cons
  • It has no additional functionality over lack of extra buttons
  • Low battery life

Best Cheap Wireless Mouse Under $50

 

1. Best Wireless Mouse Under $50: Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse

Why we like it: Thanks to the Ultra-Fast Razer HyperSpeed wireless technology, the Basilisk X Wireless Gaming Mouse has less input latency than many wired gaming mice.

Editor’s Rating:

DPI: 100-20,000
Battery Life: 285 to 450 hours

Speed kills. Especially in shooters like Fortnite and Call of Duty, every millisecond counts. That’s why the ultra-low-latency performance of the Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse is such an important feature. Latency is the amount of time it takes for your input to register in the game. The Razer HyperSpeed technology does an excellent job keeping latency to a bare minimum, with 25% less lag than other gaming mice. The durable mechanical switches behind each button are satisfying when clicked and are built to last. Razer backs this gaming mouse with a 2-year warranty.

The Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse has an exceptionally long b battery life, lasting up to 450 hours when used in Bluetooth mode. When using the HyperSpeed mode, battery life is shortened to around 285 hours between charges, which is still very impressive.

Thanks to the ergonomic design, this mouse is a great choice for long gaming sessions. There are also six programmable buttons that are easy to configure for whatever game or application you are using. The Basilisk X also has built-in storage for the HyperSpeed Dongle, preventing it from becoming lost while traveling or switching between computers.

Verdict
For gamers who are looking for maximum performance from their gaming mouse, the Razer Basilisk X is a great bargain. With a plain black design, it does lack some of the styles of other wireless gaming mouses. Thankfully, you probably won’t care about that once you start racking up the headshots.

Pros
  • Least lag of any wireless gaming mice we reviewed
  • Comfortable ergonomic grip
  • Six programmable buttons
Cons
  • Basic styling

2. Best Programmable Wireless Mouse Under $50: UtechSmart Venus Pro Wireless Mouse

Why we like it: The UtechSmart Venus Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse is a great choice for gamers who play MMOs like World of Warcraft.

Editor’s Rating:

DPI: 100-16,000
Battery Life: 70 hours

This mouse features 16 programmable buttons that can be configured for any function for the game you are playing or app you are using. In games with lots of different controls and hotkeys to remember while playing, having your most-used skills and spells right at your fingertips is useful and provides a competitive edge in battles. While this mouse can be used for playing any kind of game, it’s especially useful for playing MMO’s, MOBA’s, and other games with lots of keys to remember. The UtechSmart Venus Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse also features an ultra-sensitive optical sensor with a maximum of 16,000 DPI.

In addition to gaming, this mouse can also be very useful for using applications with lots of functions and shortcut keys like photoshop or video editing software. We also like the ergonomic design of this mouse.

Verdict
While the sheer number of buttons on this may overwhelm some users, the UtechSmart Venus Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse provides more than enough flexibility for gamers to create their perfect control scheme for complex games. Graphic designers and video editors will love it as well.

Pros
  • 16 customizable buttons
  • Stylish LED lights
  • Rechargeable with 70 hours of playtime between charges
  • Ergonomic design
  • Widely adjustible DPI
Cons
  • Too many buttons may confuse some users
 

3. Best Wireless Trackball Under $50: Logitech Wireless Trackball M570

Why we like it: The trackball allows the cursor to move without moving the mouse. It can track on virtually any surface from the desk to the bed, and the receiver pairs with six devices.

Editor’s Rating:

DPI: 1,000
Battery Life: 18 months

Design features
Comfort is key with any mouse. And when you have little space to move the mouse, a trackball gives you the convenience of using your mouse like you would with a regular mouse that needs lots of tracking space.

The Logitech M570 wireless trackball mouse offers an ergonomic design. Your hand rests comfortably on the mouse, and your thumb moves the trackball effortlessly. It is not a big mouse so your hand can wrap around the device. This way, your fingers can quickly reach the navigation side buttons as well as the click buttons and the scroll wheel with no trouble.

You can use the included dongle with up to six compatible devices without switching out receivers. Say you have wireless keyboards; it is easy to pair with them so you won’t plug in multiple dongles in your laptop eating up USB space. One downside to a trackball is that it requires regular cleaning in order to keep working smoothly.

The advantage of having a trackball is that you not only get to use in on tight space desktops, but it can track on any surface. It can work on your lap as well as couches and rough benches at the park.

Verdict
You stand to benefit a lot with a wireless trackball mouse, and the Logitech M570 brings its A-game to the table. It provides a thoughtful way of using a mouse since your hand will not be moving. The mouse can be used for long periods allowing you to complete tasks fast.

Pros
  • All surface use owing to the tracking ball
  • Ideal for tight-space desktops
  • Ergonomic design ensures the hand is in a comfortable position
  • 18 months of battery life with only one AA battery
  • Up to 30ft wireless range
Cons
  • The trackball needs constant maintenance to work smoothly

4. Logitech M705 Wireless Marathon Mouse

Why we like it: It can pair with different Logitech peripherals while allowing hours of use thanks to the sculpted structure.

Editor’s Rating:

DPI: 3,200
Battery Life: 1 year

The Logitech M705 Marathon Mouse comes in a sophisticated design that looks appealing for general use. For those who sit all day in front of a computer, it offers comfort to prevent injuries and conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. It is aimed at right-handers and helps the wrist achieve a neutral position such that it will not be a pivot point.

You will like that it has a broad surface that accommodates different hand sizes. This means it is shareable among family members. It explores a 3,200 DPI laser sensor that provides high sensitivity. It is coupled with a superfast scroll wheel that provides quick speeds when scrolling up and down long pages. It is the kind you pick if you read reports and need to keep referring back to pages.

The Logitech nano receiver is a distinct aspect of this mouse since you never have to remove it from your laptop. It uses 2.4 GHz wireless frequency, and it can pair with up to six Logitech devices like other mice and keyboards. It has a decent working range of up to 10 square meters.

A unique thing with this mouse is that you can use it with one battery which recalibrates its weight. This means if you find 6.4 ounces to be too much to handle, you can install one of the batteries in the slot near the front or near the back. It is such a relief knowing you don’t have to contend with the weight if you want a comfortable mouse and the features offered by this model—though its still not a super light mouse.

Verdict
The Logitech M705 Marathon Mouse is a great choice in so many ways. From the 3-year battery life to the Unifying nano receiver and the unique ability to reduce the weight of the mouse, it stands out from the rest of the wireless mice in its class.

Pros
  • Superfast scrolling wheel
  • Sculpted for comfortable for right-handed use
  • The receiver can be left in the laptop during transport or stored in the battery compartment
Cons
  • Fairly heavy
 

5. Logitech G602 Lag-Free Wireless Gaming Mouse

Why we like it: The Logitech G602 Lag-Free Wireless Gaming Mouse is a solid gaming mouse that experiences minimal lag. It can track on different surfaces thanks to Delta-Zero Sensor Technology.

Editor’s Rating:

DPI: 250-2,500
Battery Life: 250-1,440 hours

The Logitech G602 is built to last up to 20 million clicks thanks to the durable microswitches. The Delta-Zero sensor is one of its kind as it represents excellent control, accuracy, and improved battery performance. It can track on most surfaces like polished desktops and multicolor counters.

This mouse is designed for right-handed users. It even has a thumb rest to help the hand relax naturally. For hardcore gamers, this is an excellent feature since you can play for as long as you would like and not end up with wrist pain.

You get six programmable buttons on one side that are all accessible by the thumb. This means you can create macros and assign key functions that you will want to employ on games. These buttons are all sculpted for easy recognition. They keep you concentrated on the game instead of looking down each time you need to enter a command.

The other five buttons on this mouse are all programmable to give you more gaming possibilities. It offers on the switch DPI changes from the lowest at 250 DPI to the highest at 2,500 DPI. It provides accurate and speedy maneuvers to accomplish different roles like kill shots and finding hiding enemies.

Logitech G602 uses two AA batteries that offer up to 250 hours of endless gaming. If you are not using this mouse for gaming, you can switch from the performance to the endurance mode to get up to 1,440 hours of running time. It is also possible to remove one of the batteries to make it lighter if it feels heavy.

What’s more, this mouse employs a flashing LED when the battery is low so that you are never caught with a dead battery.

Verdict
Logitech M602 is not just any other cheap gaming mouse. It scores well for general daily use, and gaming. With programmable buttons, it opens up possibilities for more functionalities. The thumb buttons are all easily reachable while you get uninterrupted performance owing to its Delta Zero Sensor.

Pros
  • 250 hours of gaming
  • Lag-free Delta-Zero sensor operates on the 2.4GHz wireless frequency
  • 20-million clicks using micro switches
  • Power saving mode and a long life endurance mode for general use
Cons
  • It can feel heavy with two batteries, but it is manageable by removing one battery