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Console gamers have it easy – they purchase a gaming console, and they are good to go. On the other hand, PC gaming has always been a bit more complicated. Yes, you can play any game with an ordinary mouse, but you can never achieve maximum gaming performance with it.
The world of gaming mice is massive, and there is a mouse for every type of gamer out there. But, before you can choose the perfect gaming mouse, you need to think about what you will be using it for. Do you play all the games? Are you a MOBA fan? Perhaps you enjoy RTS games, and maybe you love to frag in FPS games. Whatever your preference might be, there is a mouse suited for you out there!
Now that you know that there are plenty of different mice out there, the time has come to learn more about them. You should know that a mouse suited for FPS games can also be used in RTS games. Basically, the type of mouse plays an important role, but it’s more important to find a gaming mouse that does what you want it to do.
If you are a gamer that doesn’t shy away from a particular genre of video games, then this type of mouse could be the one you need.
All-purpose gaming mice are the ones that can be found anywhere on the market, and they come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. It doesn’t matter if you want to dominate in DotA and later relax by playing a single player FPS – an all-purpose mouse will do the job.
If you have ever seen a mouse with more than ten buttons, then you have probably seen an MMO mouse.
These gaming mice are well-known for being covered in a multitude of buttons, and each one of them has a purpose. MMO gaming mice are a perfect choice if you play World of Warcraft, Black Desert Online, or just about any other MMO.
These mice are a bit bulkier than the other ones, due to the sheer number of buttons. But, all of those buttons help you perform skill rotations without a hitch. If you are having troubles performing in a PVP arena, then an MMO mouse will make it easier for you to use your character’s skills. Some of the MMO mice even give you the power to create powerful macros, which is always a nice feature for an MMO game.
Every Counter-Strike pro uses an FPS gaming mouse, and the same can be said about Battlefield, Quake, and Call of Duty players. Basically, if FPS video games are your bread and butter, then an FPS gaming mouse is an obvious choice.
These mice are very similar to all-purpose mice, but they have something that other mice don’t – a button that lowers the DPI. Everyone who has played with a sniper rifle in an FPS game knows how annoying it is to miss that important shot. Luckily, FPS gaming mice work to give you an advantage when making those difficult shots.
These are the most expensive mice in the gaming world, but not without a good reason. As the name implies, the purpose of this type of gaming mouse is to give you the most freedom when it comes to customization.
Gamers can adjust the length of these mice, as well as the size of the gap between the buttons and the palm rest. Some of them allow you to change the height of the palm rest, add finger rests, scroll wheels, feet, and more. Basically, customizable gaming mice give you the freedom to make them fit perfectly in your hand, albeit at a higher price.
When buying a gaming mouse, you need to make a couple of choices. Those choices will greatly influence the way you will be playing video games, as well as your comfort. Luckily, we are here to provide you with all of the necessary information to make an educated choice. Read on, and you won’t have any doubts when purchasing your new gaming mouse.
Wireless mice used to be very unresponsive, luckily those days are far behind us. Nowadays, wired and wireless mice provide the same responsiveness.
The only choice to make is which one of the two you would like to see on your table more. Bear in mind that wireless mice are a bit more expensive than the wired ones.
DPI rating is a measurement that tells you how sensitive a mouse is. The higher the DPI, the farther the cursor on the screen will move with less movement of the mouse.
Higher DPI means more accuracy, but sometimes that’s not what you need. Mice with 1600 DPI and more will move the pointer for 1600 pixels when you move them one inch. You can easily see how a high DPI can mess up your gaming. Luckily, a majority of gaming mice out there allow you to change the DPI with a simple click of a button.
Most of the pro gamers agree that a DPI between 800 and 1000 is the sweet spot.
There are two types of a grip that gamers use – claw grip, and a palm grip.
Claw grip is easy to recognize. Gamer’s hand is shaped like a claw while holding the mouse. The mouse is held in the rear of the palm, and movement is controlled with the tips of fingers. Basically, a claw grip is used for quick and precise movements.
The downside of a claw grip is that it takes some time getting used to, but if you are naturally prone to using this type of a grip, then a mouse with a long body is perfect for you.
Palm grip is more “natural” and you will see most of the gamers using this grip. Gamers place their entire hand on top of the mouse, which allows them to achieve high levels of inches per second. This grip is more comfortable, but a bit less accurate. If you are using a palm grip, then a mouse with a lower profile is what you need.
This is one of those debates that will never end. Optical gaming mice are known for having no lag, while mice with laser sensors have had a history of being laggy. Nowadays, technology has improved, and mice with laser sensors show no signs of lag. If you are worried about lag, then try to find a mouse manufacturer that claims a lag-free experience.
Gone are the days when only PC cases were illuminated. Nowadays, most of the mice come equipped with RGB lighting options. While illumination might seem like an unimportant factor, there are some cases where it is important.
Many pro gamers have different profile settings for their mouse, and RGB lighting options help them notice various profiles. You can easily program your gaming mouse to glow green when the DPI is 800, but glow red when the DPI is 1000. Illumination doesn’t exist only for aesthetic purposes, but it serves to help you keep your profiles recognizable in the dark.
Polling rate tells you how responsive a mouse is. Basic mice come with a polling rate of 125Hz – mouse monitors for input 125 times per second. Gaming mice are more responsive, which is why they come with polling rates of 250Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz.
Basically, if you want your new gaming mouse to be very responsive, then go for the one with a high polling rate.
Mouse weight is something you will have to experience for yourself and then adjust to it. But, there are some gaming mice out there that come with adjustable weights.
If you care greatly about the weight of your mouse, then try to find one that allows you to fine-tune its weight. Bear in mind that some gaming mice can be quite heavy, so be sure to try them out if you have a chance.
Gaming mice prices vary greatly. You can find cheap mice for under $20, but they won’t do you a lot of good since they will break easily. If you are looking for a decent gaming mouse, then you will have to look for mice over $50.
Top-of-the-line gaming mice can cost up to $100, and they are, most of the time, an excellent choice. Some customizable mice sell for over $100, but if you are looking for great customization, then they are the best choice.
The problems appear when you realize that there are hundreds of different gaming mice out there. An average human simply doesn’t have enough time to try out all of them. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of best gaming mice that you should check out.
Buying a brand-new gaming mouse is certainly not an easy task. As you can see, there are many different factors that can influence your decision. Luckily, now that you have finished reading our article, you have more knowledge about mice than the average gamer.
You can safely make an educated decision without worrying that you will be left dissatisfied after your purchase. Figure out what your budget is, understand what type of a gaming mouse fits your playstyle, and you will soon notice yourself rising on the leaderboards. GL & HF!