Best budget gaming mice 2024: Top performers, best for esports, more

Why I like the G502X

The G502X sports a number of nice upgrades over its predecessor the G502 — which was itself popular with gamers — including a super-quick and accurate 25,600 DPI sensor. But what really sets this mouse apart is its button configuration — which is near perfect. It features 13 programmable button options in all, including highly sought-after DPI up/down buttons and a four-button mouse wheel. But the gem in its crown is a trigger button near your thumb, which makes letting off that must-hit command or macro just that much quicker in fast-paced games.

On top of that, the G502X sports a refreshed design that makes it eminently more comfortable and easier to move. I especially like a new, improved rubber thumb grip that replaces the plastic one from the G502, and the mouse’s longer dimensions that make it a much better fit for large hands.

Who should buy the Logitech G502X

Gamers with large hands that want an all-round great performer and don’t mind that it only has wired functionality. It’s also a great option for serious gamers that want to release a macro or extra command at break-neck speed.

Why I like the Roccat Kone Pro

The wired Roccat Kone Pro is designed for precise targeting thanks to its lightweight design and formidable 19,000 Owl-Eye DPI sensor, which in our playtesting proved an excellent performer in fast-paced FPS games. Clicks are also extremely quick thanks to Titan optical switches in the buttons and a slight left-to-right slant on top that perfectly poises your index finger on the left main button ready to fire.

A thin plastic outer layer keeps the Kone Pro’s weight down to just 2.3 ounces (66 grams), so that it glides across your mouse mat smoothly and with minimal effort. While the Kone Pro doesn’t have a dedicated DPI button, you can still change DPI on the fly in games by assigning this function to one of its other buttons in the supporting Roccat Swarm software app.

Who should buy the Roccat Kone Pro

Anyone who wants a quick, lightweight mouse for FPS gaming that won’t break the bank. It’ll also appeal to fans of RGB who will get a kick out of its futuristic aesthetic.

For another great budget wired option, be sure to check out the SteelSeries Aerox 3, which has become a favorite for many gamers because of its light weight and excellent maneuverability.

Why I like the Keychron M3 mini 4K Metal Editon

This mouse is lightweight, weighing just 2.25 ounces (64 grams). That’s despite having one of the strongest chassis of any mouse I’ve ever used. The chassis is made of a lightweight magnesium that shimmers like a starry night sky in the light — an effect that I never get tired of seeing.

The Keychron M3 mini 4K Metal Edition also performs superbly in games. It comes equipped with a Pixart PAW 3395 sensor with a maximum DPI resolution of 26,000. The sensor supports Motion Sync which syncs the mouse’s movements to polling rate events better than some rivals, so you get smoother, more accurate movement.

A 4K wireless receiver provides a lighting-fast maximum polling rate of 4,000Hz, which means this mouse tracks opponents like a speed demon.

Who should buy the Keychron M3 mini 4K Metal Edition?

This mouse is great for gamers who want an excellent all-rounder gaming mouse that’s quick enough to go toe-to-toe with some of the best esports mice on the market, and that’s super tough and has excellent connectivity (it has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth).

Better still, at its current price of $99, gamers will save approximately $50 on the purchase compared to some rival FPS gaming mice.

Why I like the Keychron M6

The Keychron M6 doesn’t have the most robust build quality you’ll find in a gaming mouse, but it does offer a lot of functionality that you just can’t get elsewhere for the bargain basement price tag it wears. I’m talking about its large and comfortable thumb rest, two scroll wheels (one with four clicks), useful side buttons, and its accurate 26K optical sensor. You get all that for a mere $49. Considering the closest match I can think of feature-wise is the $99 Logitech MX Master 3S, the Keychron M6 seems like exceptional value!

This mouse also supports all three connectivity types — 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a wired connection — making it a highly versatile option that you can hook up to just about any PC or laptop you own. Because of its cheaper build quality, though, it’s definitely one to keep safely housed out of harm’s way.

Who should buy the Keychron M6

Gamers who like the features and functionality of the Logitech MX Master 3S but can’t or don’t want to scrape together $99 for the privilege of owning one. The Keychron M6 Wireless can do just about everything this more expensive mouse can and costs half the price.

Also be sure to check out the Keychron M3, which features a 26,000 DPI polling rate, dual wireless connectivity, and a lightweight chassis that weighs just 2.78 ounces (79 grams). It costs just $69.

Why I like the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed

Razer’s Viper V3 Hyperspeed gives you a taste of pro gaming functionality at half the price of some other pro-grade gaming mice. So, what’s the catch? Very little actually — a modest RGB-free design and no Bluetooth functionality, is all. In my playtesting I found its 30K Razer Focus Pro sensor to be incredibly accurate and quick and the Razer Gen 2 Mechanical Switches in the buttons felt soft and responsive — just ideal for FPS.

This mouse’s handling is also as good as it gets thanks to a full-bodied grip with lots of length in the fingers. Connectivity is via a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi dongle only. The mouse is powered by a single AA battery which provides a whopping 280-hour battery life. While the Viper V3 Hyperspeed comes with a standard 1,000Hz polling rate out of the box, it also supports 4,000Hz HyperPolling via a Razer HyperPolling dongle (sold separately).

Who should buy the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed

The saying is mostly true that you get what you pay for when it comes to gaming mice, but in the case of the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed you get a lot more than you paid for. If you’re an esports player or aspiring to be one, this catch will save you some hard-earned cash.

Why I like the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless

The six-button HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2’s symmetrical design and 26,000 DPI sensor give it laser-like pinpoint precision in games, a fact which in itself doesn’t make it anything special. What sets it apart is that it weighs just 2.15 ounces (61 grams) — that’s lighter than more expensive pro-grade esports mice like the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro and Logitech G X Pro Superlight. Suffice to say it’s super quick off the mark.

Achieving such a lightweight design is quite an extraordinary feat by HyperX for two reasons: The Pulsefire Haste 2 has a hard top back rather than the perforated one we saw in its predecessor the Haste 1, which also means it’s better suited to claw grippers. It also sports Bluetooth as well as 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity, when extra Bluetooth functionality is still a rarity among pro-grade esports mice. All these factors make it one of the best value esports mice you can buy right now.

Also be sure to check out the Haste 2 Wireless’s forebear, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless, which is still an excellent all-round performer for fast action games.

Who should buy the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless

Anyone who wants to put a rocket up their movement and mouse button actuation in competitive games. It’s not an exaggeration to say the Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless can spar with more premium priced esports mice like the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, yet by choosing the former you can save yourself a whopping $80.

Why I like the Logitech G203 LightSync

The G203 proves gaming on a budget needn’t be glum, combining style, performance, and comfort for a shoestring price. This wired mouse sports a small ambidextrous body and familiar six-button configuration that resembles premium esports mice, except it has a more rounded back end that gives palm grippers a high level of precision.

In terms of hardware performance, the G203’s buttons feel quick and clicky. Its 8,000 DPI proprietary gaming sensor may not be as quick as some rival sensors, but it’s still highly accurate and performs decently in just about every casual gaming scenario.

In our review, we heaped praise on the G203 for its dazzling RGB lighting band and Logitech logo that light up your mouse pad with pops of color, the band of which also splits into three lighting zones customizable in the Logitech G Hub app.

Who should buy the Logitech G203 LightSync

Minimalist gamers, who don’t need the quickest gaming mouse on the planet but want something that will outperform any office mouse. The G203 best suits gamers with smaller hands, so children and young adult gamers may find it easier to use.

Why I like the Razer V2 X Hyperspeed

A stealthy profile is this wireless mouse’s biggest advantage — it sports an entirely matte-black body with no RGB lighting, meaning your work colleagues will be none the wiser about the gaming power that rests beneath your palm.

The V2 X Hyperspeed packs a very capable 14,000 DPI sensor that performs a treat in AAA games like Metro Exodus. Its seven buttons sport Razer second-generation mechanical switches, which Razer says makes them last up to 60 million clicks.

The V2 X Hyperspeed offers the convenience of dual wireless connectivity, allowing you to switch between 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with the flick of a button. It’s also highly portable thanks to a long battery life, which provides approximately 235 hours in Wi-Fi mode and up to 615 hours in Bluetooth mode on a single AA battery.

Who should buy the Razer V2 X Hyperspeed

Anyone who needs a kickass gaming mouse that can just as easily pass off as a work or student mouse. The dual wireless functionality and its use of AA batteries means it’s also a great option for travelers.

Why I like the Roccat Kone XP

The Kone XP is the flashiest mouse we’ve had the pleasure of testing, featuring no less than eight customizable RGB “pipelines” illuminated by 22 LED lights, yet it’s also a solid performer. With an impressive contingent of 15 buttons — customizable to 29 functions — the Kone XP is especially suited for MMO, RPG, and RTS games that require players to quickly deploy a high number of commands or macros.

Under the hood, the Kone XP sports a 19,000 DPI Owl-Eye sensor based on the flawless PixArt PMW3370, which has proven its worth among competitive gamers.

In our PCWorld review we found it to be precise and accurate in games like Cyberpunk 2077. We also liked the Kone XP’s four-directional scroll wheel, which felt sturdy and responsive.

Who should buy the Roccat Kone XP

Gamers who really like to jazz up their gaming getup with bold RGB lighting. The Kone XP will also suit RTS, RPG, and MMO gamers that like assigning a second command to their mouse buttons and think the more commands they can get, the better.

Why I like the Roccat Kone Air

Popping just two AA batteries into the Roccat Kone Air gives you a whopping 800 hours of battery life in Wi-Fi mode. Suffice to say, the Kone Air has one of the best battery lives of any wireless mice you can buy. That said, it’s definitely a mouse for gamers who like a solid weight in their hand — it weighs 5.1 ounces (147 grams) when loaded with batteries — so it’s not going to be great for esports. Its hardware is nonetheless very respectable, and in our PCWorld review we found the 19,000 DPI Owl-Eye sensor to be very precise and quick off the mark.

The mouse’s Titan Switch Optical switches in the two main buttons are also extremely quick and they have a high durability rating of 100 million clicks. If connectivity options are going to sway you one way or the other, it’s worth noting that the Kone Air relies solely on wireless connectivity. Although, you do get both a 2.4GHz low-latency connection as well as Bluetooth, so the Kone Air will connect to almost any device.

Who should buy the Roccat Kone Air

Anyone who frequently finds themself away from an AC outlet or forgets to charge. The Roccat Kone Air’s amazing battery life means you can forget about frequent charging and just concentrate on the one thing that matters — your game.

Why I like the Razer Basilisk V3

Thanks to its extremely comfortable design, this right-handed mouse is a pleasure to use for extended gaming periods. Among the features that make it so comfy are an ergonomic thumb rest that elevates your thumb off the surface you’re playing on, two highly tactile injection-molded grips on either side, and 11 well-placed, easy-to-reach buttons.

The Razer Basilisk V3’s hardware also performs handsomely. In our review we thought its 24,000 DPI sensor tracked flawlessly, and the buttons, which feature second-generation Razer Optical Switches, responded very quickly. The Basilisk V3 also has one of the best scroll wheels of any budget mouse we’ve come across, allowing you to switch between additional scroll modes, including a Free-Spin Mode and Tactile mode with the touch of a button.

Who should buy the Razer Basilisk V3

Anyone who enjoys the feeling of a comfortable thumb rest while gaming. Also, anyone who really wants the convenience of a multifunctional scroll wheel that makes flicking through menus or long lists of items much easier than a conventional scroll wheel.