Gamers who are into PC gaming need the perfect gaming mouse to have a great experience. But, if you are new to PC gaming, it can be a tough decision to select the right gaming mouse from the wide variety of products that are available in the market. The perfect gaming mouse will help you with both precision and movement, even if you are playing FPS, MOBA, or MMO games. A perfect mouse also helps in other in-game actions like adjusting camera angles and switching weapons.
Gaming laptop users can also gain from getting a gaming mouse as it can provide more precision and comfort compared to touchpads. Let us look at some of the most essential factors that you should consider before buying a gaming mouse for you to pick the perfect one.
Play/Game Styles
It is very important to consider the genre of games that you like playing before selecting a gaming mouse. Games in different genres have different focus and requirements as some prioritise more on precision and accuracy while others on faster movements.
The precision of the mouse is more important than having multiple programmable side buttons for First Person Shooter (FPS) games like — Call of Duty and Doom Eternal. You should always consider a mouse that is precise, reliable and consistent if you are into such games.
On the contrary, having several programmable buttons can give you an advantage in Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games such as DOTA or Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games such as World of Warcraft.
Programmable side buttons can be used to access important features and skills quickly in games. For instance, if you play a Role Playing Game (RPG) such as The Elder Scrolls, you can configure the side buttons to impose spells and don’t need to master complicated key combinations.
Senors: Optical vs Laser
Gaming mice are usually available with either optical or laser sensors. The key difference between these types of sensors is that an optical mouse uses an infrared LED while a laser mouse uses a laser beam to light up a surface. Each type of sensor has its own pros and cons, yet most gaming mice come with optical sensors.
Optical mice are more popular compared to laser mice since they are cheaper and there are fewer chances of jitter which can affect your aim. Again, most gamers like to play at a lower DPI, making the extremely high DPI unnecessary which are usually offered by laser sensors.
The biggest advantage that laser mice have is that they can work on any surface, which includes reflective surfaces like glass. This boosts the portability feature of the mice and can be useful if you travel a lot. Whereas, optical mice can only operate on flat, opaque and non-reflective surfaces like — mouse pads and wooden desks.
Laser mice are technically more accurate than optical mice, but they can be a little inaccurate when you need slower and more precise movements that result in inconsistency and jitter. This happens as they try to analyse the surface they are placed on in detail, which makes it unpopular for gaming. Although, the difference between optical and laser gaming mice is not that critical in terms of both accuracy and price.
Grip Style
You have to consider your grip style while choosing a gaming mouse as it determines the shape, size, and weight of the mouse that will be the most comfortable for you. There are three main grip styles:
Palm Grip – The palm grip is the most natural and relaxed way of holding the mouse. It allows almost the entire palm and fingers to rest on the mouse and makes the mouse more of an extension of your arm which is perfect for gliding motions.
Claw Grip – In this grip position, the index and middle fingers are arched to form a claw-like shape which leaves only the bottom part of your palm to rest on the mouse. This allows you with more wrist control and lesser palm grip.
Fingertip Grip – The fingertip grip can be achieved by making a slight arch in the hand to keep the palm up and off the mouse with only the fingertips resting on the mouse. There’s very minimal contact between the mouse and your hand, unlike the palm grip
Wired vs Wireless
Wired gaming mice are preferred by most gamers as the cable serves two purposes: to transmit signals from the mouse to the computer and to power the mouse. You don’t have to worry about replacing or charging batteries with wired mice. They offer a stable connection as it is less susceptible to signal interference. Moreover, they cost less and offer a slightly faster response time (lag-free) than wireless mice.
However, the drawbacks of a wired mouse include — cables getting entangled with other peripheral cables at times, needing cable management. Cables also mean that you can’t use the mouse away from your PC desk.
Wireless mice pack a replaceable or rechargeable battery which makes them heavier. They are the better option if you want to be seated farther away from the screen. The lack of cables also boosts their portability. The drawbacks are that they are slower to respond, more expensive and are more susceptible to signal interference. Batteries also need to be replaced or recharged periodically.
Ergonomic design
These gaming mice are designed to fit naturally into the user’s hand that help in reducing muscle strain and discomfort. Ergonomic ones have grooves on their sides that help you to strengthen your grip and also help your thumb and fingers to rest comfortably on them. This is ideal if you are planning on gaming for long hours.
Ambidextrous design
Ambidextrous mice are symmetrical in shape which helps both right-handed and left-handed users to use them comfortably. If you are comfortable in using both your hands, an ambidextrous mouse can allow you to reduce strain on one arm and to switch hands during long gaming sessions.
Light vs Heavy
Gaming mice averagely weigh about 100 grams, but lighter ones can weigh as low as 80 grams while heavier ones weigh up to 165 grams. A light gaming mouse works well if you prefer to set your mouse at a low DPI/sensitivity, but still want to be able to make hard glides.
Build Quality
Most gaming mice are made of plastic with a matte or glossy finish. The type of finish determines whether the mouse feels soft or rough in your hand. A mouse with a glossy finish can feel sticky if your hands get sweaty and it is better to avoid a mouse with a finish material that gets peeled off easily.
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