Understanding how to choose an esports mouse is one of the most important steps to putting together the ideal esports setup. After all, the mouse is one of the primary methods of controlling many games, and your performance can be affected significantly by the mouse’s design and all-round reliability. On top of this, some computer mice are designed for specific purposes, such as shooting games or MMO games.

But don’t forget, a mouse is just one fragment of your gaming setup. Before reading on about choosing an eports mouse, check out ViewSonic Elite to learn about some of the best gaming monitors on the market. 

If you are serious about esports and trying to create the ideal setup, you may be wondering how to choose an esports mouse. In truth, there are a number of different things you will need to weigh up here, ranging from the types of games you intend to play, your own personal preferences, the size of your hands, and even which hand you use.

In this article, we will examine some of the factors you will have to consider in more detail, with a view to helping you to select the best possible esports mouse for your specific needs.

Wired or Wireless Mouse Options

One of the biggest decisions you will need to make relates to whether you wish to use a wired or wireless mouse. It is important to state that both options have their merits and your choice is likely to depend on what you want to prioritize, the types of games you play, and what your specific gaming needs actually are.

As an article for Lifewire points out, the main benefits of wired mice are the fact that they produce faster response times and are not susceptible to problems like signal interference. As a result, they are often the choice of gamers who prioritize reliability above all else or those who could benefit from the added speed and lack of lag.

With wireless mice, the main benefit is fairly self-explanatory. The lack of a wire can result in a much neater setup and it avoids situations where you experience a tangle of wires. It also potentially offers a greater range of movement. However, wireless mice are also more expensive, so you will need to consider how much you value those benefits.

Ergonomics and Design Considerations

When creating a gaming setup, monitor ergonomics and desk ergonomics are often taken into account, but it is equally important to think about ergonomics with regards to your mouse too. This, combined with other design features and elements, will be one of the biggest factors influencing your eventual purchase.

Left or Right Handed

Generally, left-handed people make use of the same mice as other gamers and this will typically involve using your right hand to control the mouse. However, when it comes to the very top level of esports, your strongest hand is likely to produce superior control, so it may be worth taking the time to find a mouse that fits with the hand you use.

The popularity of left-handed or ambidextrous mice has grown in recent times. A left-handed mouse will be shaped to fit more comfortably in your left hand, while an ambidextrous mouse will fit equally well in either hand. Of course, if you are right-handed, your range of options will be significantly larger, as this is still regarded as the standard.

The most notable dedicated left-handed mouse on the market is the Razer Deathadder Left-Handed Edition.

Size, Shape and Color

Size and shape are other important considerations and this will largely depend on your hand size. The Razer website features a useful size guide, which states that if your hand is less than 17cm in length, measuring from the base of your hand to the tip of your middle finger, you should opt for a small mouse. If it is more than 20 cm, you should opt for a large mouse, and anything between those numbers makes you an ideal candidate for a medium-sized mouse.

Some mice are carefully designed to fit specific grip types, while others are more basic in shape. Furthermore, if you have a limited amount of space on your desk for the mouse, or if you are not going to use it as the primary control method for many of your games, you may prefer to opt for a smaller mouse, regardless of your hand size.

It is also worth thinking about color. In much the same way RGB monitors and RGB keyboards have been shown to provide some benefits in terms of providing contrast that can serve as a visual cue, colorful mice and even mice with RGB lighting can provide the same kinds of benefits.

The Intended Uses for Your Mouse

Beyond issues of personal preference and comfort, you also need to give some careful consideration to how the mouse will actually be used. Are you going to be using it solely for gaming, or will you use it for other tasks too? Are you intending to use it in the same place each time, or is portability an important feature?

If portability is important, this may lead you towards a smaller mouse, but it is important to weigh this up against the superior comfort and precision that may be offered by a larger option, with a more considered design. Meanwhile, you also need to think about the types of games you are actually going to play.

Your performance in turn-based strategy games, for example, is unlikely to be affected too much by your mouse. However, if you are playing first-person shooting games, precision is important. By contrast, massively multiplayer online (MMO) games tend to make use of communication shortcuts and some mice have purpose-built buttons included for this. A good example of this is the HyperX Pulsefire Raid, which features 11 programmable buttons on the side.

Final Thoughts

The importance of your mouse is sometimes overlooked when creating an esports station, but knowing how to choose an esports mouse and selecting the right one may make a substantial difference in some games.

Also, don’t forget to check out The Best Esports Setup: A Complete Guide and ViewSonic Elite to double check that you got everything you need for the perfect esports setup.