Best Mouse 2020: The Top Mice For All Your Pointing and Clicking Needs

Unless you’re a hot-key wizard, odds are you’re going to need a mouse or trackpad to get a lot of things done on your computer. Even if you have a keyboard shortcut for almost everything, there’s still going to be plenty of times that a mouse would serve you better. And, let’s not conflate a trackpad for a mouse, as in most cases it simply serves as a next best option. So, when it comes time to get some work done, browser the web, or hunker down for some gaming, you should make sure you’ve got a good mouse in your hand.In most cases, the best gaming mice could do the job, as they tend to be loaded with features that can be handy in any situation, and they have amazingly accurate sensors. But, sometimes a simpler, work-oriented mouse can be the better option, such as where space is limited or for travel and a long battery life. Some mice even take into account the long hours you might be using them, and opt for ergonomic designs that will help avoid strain in your arm.

We’ve selected top contenders in a variety of categories, from gaming and non-gaming mice to trackball and ambidextrous mice. One thing all these mice have in common, though, is one of the greatest modern conveniences: wireless connectivity. Whether they offer a USB receiver, a Bluetooth connection, or both, all of these mice can connect to devices without the need for wires, though some will still have the option to wire up when you need it.

TL;DR – These are the best mice:

1. Logitech MX Master 3

Best All-Around Mouse

If Sauron had made one mouse to rule them all, it’d be the Logitech MX Master 3. This mouse is a true champion with impressive capabilities that extend well beyond your typical office mouse. At the heart of the experience is Logitech’s impressive Darkfield Tracking technology, which lets the mouse sensor track on just about any surface you’re likely to try using as a mouse pad. Glass tabletop? Metal counter? Sure. Your own thigh? Sure.

The MX Master 3 is also built to work with just about any device you’re likely to want to use it with thanks to its combination of a USB wireless receiver and support for Bluetooth LE. So, whether you want to connect it to a $10,000 desktop PC or a budget smartphone, it has a connection option. Logitech’s Flow technology also makes it easy to use the mouse on multiple devices at once, letting you slide your pointer off the edge of one device’s screen to see it land on the screen of another. All that functionality and more is packed into an ergonomic mouse with a whopping 70-hour battery life.

2. Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse

Best Budget Mouse

If you don’t need a mouse all the time, it might not be as appealing to buy a serious pointer that’s crammed full of features. The Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse offers a simple and affordable option that should be more than enough mouse for most. It has a simple, ambidextrous design, and runs on a single AA battery.

As the name suggests, this mouse connects over Bluetooth and uses the Low Energy mode which helps it offer up to 12 months of battery life, so it should have a bit of charge ready whenever you might need it. One nice thing to see on a budget mouse is the inclusion of a clickable scroll wheel, making web browsing that little bit quicker.

3. Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed

Best Multipurpose Mouse

If you’re familiar with Razer, you might be a bit worried that its mice don’t have a home outside of gaming, but the Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed is wonderfully understated and can slip under that radar thanks to its omission of RGB lighting.

What you get from the Basilisk X HyperSpeed is a highly accurate mouse that can run for ages on a single AA battery. It offers superb tracking with a USB receiver, but it also supports Bluetooth connectivity. That makes it a handy 2-in-1 that you can use for gaming at home with the dongle and take to work using its Bluetooth connection. It’s all the more impressive that this mouse comes in at under $60.

4. Logitech G604 Lightspeed

Best Mouse for Macros

The Logitech G604 is another one of those mice that shouldn’t be mistaken as only being at home in a gaming environment. The G604 has a comfortable design and a scroll wheel that mimics that of the MX Master 3 by having both a free-spinning and a ratchet mode. You also get the dual connectivity from a USB receiver and Bluetooth.

The Logitech G604 can run on a single AA battery for up to 5.5 months using Bluetooth or for 240 hours using the faster wireless connection. What helps the Logitech G604 shine outside of gaming is also what helps it shine in games: all the buttons. The G604 features 15 buttons in total, with six next to the thumb and an extra two near the left button. Paired with Logitech’s software, you can set up a whole host of macros to convince coworkers that you’re a spreadsheet wizard.

5. Logitech MX Vertical

Best Ergonomic Mouse

If you’ve got your hand basically glued to your mouse all day, you may have run into a bit of pain in your arm. That can come from having your arm rotated inward for so long, and it can lead to RSI after some time. That’s something an ergonomic mouse aims to alleviate, and the Logitech MX Vertical is a compelling example of this.

At first glance, it might not even look like a mouse. It has the profile of a sailboat because of its high peak, but that gives you a grip that will keep your arm from twisting far inward. Beyond that comfortable grip, the mouse supports multiple connection modes over its USB receiver, Bluetooth, or a wired connection. It also supports Flow for use between multiple devices at once. If you forget to keep the four-month battery charged, you can get an extra three hours of power in just a minute of charging.

6. SteelSeries Rival 650

Best Gaming Mouse

The best gaming mouse is actually the SteelSeries Rival 600 (read our review), but the Rival 650 (read our review) is its wireless twin, as it’s virtually identical in every other respect. You’ll get SteelSeries’ incredibly accurate TrueMove3+ sensor that combines a precise optical sensor with a depth sensor to fine-tune when the mouse detects lift off from a surface.

The Rival 650 offers both a wired and wireless connection, letting you continue to use it when the 24-hour battery is drained. You can customize the lighting as you like, and program the three thumb buttons for extra functionality.

7. Microsoft Arc Mouse

Best Portable Mouse

If portability is one of your major concerns, a big, lumpy mouse might not be the best option for you. Microsoft has the answer with its Arc Mouse. The design follows from the earlier Arc Touch mouse, with a bendable body that forms a curve when in use and lies flat when powered down. In fact, it’s bending it flat that turns the mouse off.

The Microsoft Arc Mouse runs for up to 6 months on two AAA batteries and connects exclusively using Bluetooth. You won’t have to worry about losing or forgetting any USB receiver dongle. You won’t find any true buttons on the top of this mouse, as it instead registers touches for both left and rick click as well as vertical and horizontal scrolling. While that may take some time to get used to, that lack of moving parts is less to worry about if you throw this mouse into your backpack. Of course, because it folds flat, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a pocket to slide the Arc Mouse safely inside.

8. Logitech MX Ergo

Best Trackball Mouse

When desk space is tight, a trackball mouse can be a winning ally, and the Logitech MX Ergo has what it takes. This mouse features a large trackball paired with a button for enabling precision mode, so you can move your cursor right where you need it. It offers a total of eight buttons, including a tiltable scroll wheel.

If you’re wondering where the Ergo in the name comes from, it has to do with a feature in the stand. This mouse has an adjustable tilt, which can let you change the angle you hold it at. The MX Ergo offers up to four months of battery life and can get a full day of power in one minute of charging. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity and can sync across multiple devices using Flow.

9. Logitech M330 Silent Plus

Best Silent Mouse

As good as many of these mice are, they tend to be larger and more expensive than many of us want to tolerate from a device that may spend most of its time in our backpacks. And, with all their buttons, some mice can be a lot louder than we might want for our workplaces. The Logitech M330 Silent Plus solves all of these issues. This compact mouse is one of the most affordable options on this list, still supports wireless, and has a special trick up its sleeve.

As the name would suggest, Logitech has designed the M330 Silent Plus to be incredibly quiet. That’s achieved with buttons that click at a much lower volume level, smooth sliding feet, and a rubber scroll wheel. You can plan on getting some serious mileage out of this mouse, too, as the battery life is rated at up to two years from a single AA battery.

10. Logitech MX Anywhere 3

Best Mac Mouse

Mac users who are on the go can have a trusted ally in the MX Anywhere 3 from Logitech. This mouse is delightfully compact, but still offers premium capabilities that won’t let you down when you’ve got serious work to get done. At the heart of the MX Anywhere 3 is Logitech’s Darkfield Sensor, which helps this mouse earns its name as a device that can track on almost any surface. So, whether you’re working at your desk, set up at a glass table, or trying to mouse around on the armrest of a recliner, the MX Anywhere 3 will work to keep your mouse movements accurate.

Connectivity is another strong point of the MX Anywhere 3. For easier use on Macs, the MX Anywhere 3 offers Bluetooth connectivity, and it can pair with multiple devices and switch between them quickly with a button on the underside of the mouse. The mouse also supports a high-quality wireless connection using a USB receiver. And, if you’re running out of battery, you can plug in the MX Anywhere 3 for a wired connection over USB-C. That’ll also give you enough charge in one minute to use the mouse wirelessly for another three hours.

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Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark