11. Which Mouse is Best For You?
We tested 9 gaming mice. Turns out they're all decent, but manufacturers target different types of gamers.
We tested nine mice to find out which one is the best for each type of gamer. Each mouse has been scored, but we come away with the opinion that each mouse was well-built, well-thought-out, and well-designed. The Razer Orochi, Razer Naga, and SteelSeries Kinzu Optical are not your ordinary gaming mice, but are instead intended for extremely specific consumers.
The Razer Orochi, Razer Naga, and SteelSeries Kinzu Optical all scored relatively low because of the concessions made by each. Each, however, is geared for a specific application: the Orochi for traveling gamers, the Naga for playing MMOs, and the Kinzu as an affordable gaming mouse. The Kinzu in particular scored well despite this, and we highly recommend it for gamers who can’t afford a more expensive mouse or are just looking for a plain, simple device.
The rest will all serve typical, everyday gamers and PC users. Among these, the overall scores were remarkably close, although once again the score isn’t what matters the most–personal preference does. If you’re looking for a new gaming mouse, you should determine your style of holding the device and how you play best.
If price is no concern, Alienware’s Tact X is a great choice. Logitech’s G9x is also a good option for those looking for the best technology on offer and don’t mind the high price, although we recommend it for people who like the look and feel of the fat design. Razer’s Imperator offers little in the way of features, although the craftsmanship is excellent. Compared to the other mice, we can’t say the glossy and plastic coating they use is as efficient as the surfaces on the other mice.
Of the larger mice, three stand out: SteelSeries’ Xai Laser, Microsoft’s SideWinder X6, and Logitech’s G500. The Xai is like a utility tool that does just about everything. Every setting can be tweaked to your liking, on or off the mouse, with precision. No other mouse we tested can do that, which makes it not only great for your average gamer, but even better for more involved, veteran players who are looking to improve their skills.
Microsoft surprised the gaming world, especially after the X5 failed to live up to standard. The X8 is exquisitely built and is fine-tuned for gamers so well that it’s easily a favorite. The fact that it is well-priced, excellently built, and perfectly in sync with gaming desktops makes it a no-brainer. Add in wireless functionality, 30-hour battery life, and a new thumb layout and the X8 is one of the best gaming mice we’ve ever tested. Plus, it works on almost any surface and has the easiest recharging system available.
And Logitech’s G500, with its classic build, is an absolute keeper. It’s significantly less expensive than the G9x is, uses the same laser, and it works almost flawlessly. Except for the third thumb button, the G500 is an easy pick for anyone interested in a new mouse, especially considering Logitech’s standing with gaming mice.
Whatever you’re after in a new mouse, gaming or otherwise, it’s here. Now, go out there and get your game on.
Blah... no deathadder?
I really enjoy my classic death adder.
DeathAdder's a great mouse guys, but it's older, and we've already looked at it before. It went into our holiday guide as well, as one of our favorite mice.
Too much useless buttons on the razer,i don't even use all the G's on my G15 kb+ too fat
Mice are so yesterday - Trackballs FTW!
i wish razer would make a new version of the diamonback with better quality construction. I havent found a more comfortable mouse for my hands, but the left mouse button started to go bad on mine, and the cable started to short out where it connects to the front of the mouse. My G9 has buttons that feel like they will last much longer, the side buttons are nicer and easier to use, and the braided-material-covered cord feels like it will hold up better... but the things just too short and doesnt feel as good with my usual claw-ish grip...
i think Logitech G5 and Logitech G9 and Logitech G9x is better than any mic ,i'll chose one of them (difference in price )
i wish razer would make a new version of the diamonback with better quality construction. I havent found a more comfortable mouse for my hands, but the left mouse button started to go bad on mine, and the cable started to short out where it connects to the front of the mouse. My G9 has buttons that feel like they will last much longer, the side buttons are nicer and easier to use, and the braided-material-covered cord feels like it will hold up better... but the things just too short and doesnt feel as good with my usual claw-ish grip...
My wired diamondback has worked great for 3, going on 4 years now. I also carry it around a lot so it is abused a bit.
What about the Razer Mamba?
Blah... no deathadder?
DeathAdder is crap. Razer is crap. Mouse wheel and grips deteriorate after about a year.
worse piece of crap I ever bought
Too much useless buttons on the razer,i don't even use all the G's on my G15 kb+ too fat
If you play MMOs like World of Warcraft you do end up using all your buttons. Having extra instant cast attacks really helps in PVP combat.
go to 7th page. 3rd paragraph. change LDC to LCD.
dingumf, chill out. Just because your specific product might not have lasted doesn't justify that the whole Company is crap. Mass produced products doesn't guarantee that what you're getting is going to be perfectly produced (and this shouldn't even come to mind when buying anything considering the chances of actually getting a poorly built product)
I've had my Deathadder for a couple of years now, and I've had 0 issues with it. None of the parts have worn down, and it plays just like new. There's no reason to shoot your mouth off like a child because you might have had an unsatisfactory experience with Razer.
I'm going to say that I've never had a piece of Logitech equipment that has lasted me more than a couple of months. I've bought a few headsets, and mice from them, and none of them have lasted longer than 3 months, and the product wasn't all that good for me to begin with. It's just a preference, and I would have eventually gotten used to the mice, but I wasted a bit of cash investing in Logitech. After I got a Razer I've stuck to them, and even bought a Razer keyboard, and both have been performing fantastically.
Guys, the Deathadder is an AMAZING MOUSE. For me, Razer has been a solid company, especially in comparison to Logitech. At least give them a shot.
Man, I'd love to see this article expanded every now and then...specially with some older stuff and then newer stuff as it comes out. I will say though, that I felt the graph was tough to read, if you added the scores, then represented it as a stacked bar graph, it would be much easier to compare mice.
I know il get thumbs down for this but here goes...
Wtf no wireless Logitech G7/sidewinder X8/Razer Mamba gaming mouse???
I know what your gona say, batteries suck, but tell that to the sidewinder X8, or the Razer Mamba, you attach a cord to recharge...if you can't attach a cord to a mouse during the last 2 hours of the battery's life in which it flashes the entire time to warn you of your battery's condition, then you don't deserve a gaming mouse.... I own a G7 and X8 and all I do is game, the tracking is superb on the G7, and you can make 5 dpi settings, the X8 has a very open grip, doesn't leave your hand feeling squeezed, and id try the razer mamba but thats one pricy mouse.
I wish someone made a hybrid of a sidewinder x8 and logitech g7, the hand comfort and functionality of the x8 with the strong build quality and excellent laser tracking of the g7...maybe it's the mamba, but im not desperate enough to spend 115 bucks on a mouse yet
Scratch the X8 part in my post... -.-
really like my G5. I've had it for several years now. It's the only mouse that seems to fit my hand comfortably. It has enough buttons and custom button mapping makes it very versatile. Haven't tried the G500 but it has the same shape so that's what I'll be buying when my G5 craps out. BTW.. I own several rather expensive peripherals and the G5 mouse is one of the best purchases I've ever made.
DeathAdder is crap. Razer is crap. Mouse wheel and grips deteriorate after about a year. worse piece of crap I ever bought
deathadder is an amazing mouse. its the only gaming mouse that has lasted me. i have had it for 2 years, the mouse feet are perfect and the wheel is perfect and everything works great.
Guys, as I said, the Deathadder is an older mouse so it didn't make the cut for this roundup. We did mention it as part of possible Razer mice you might be interested in.
The Associate and GTQ: the Logitech G7 is also very old, so we didn't include it. The Mamba...we wanted to include it, but Razer was unable to get it in to us in time for this roundup. Though my research of the mouse, at least compared to the SideWinder X8, says that the X8 is a better mouse overall. I have not tested or used the G7 at all, though perhaps at CES Logitech will announce a new wireless gaming mouse. That would be quite exciting.
I think you could've done better on the mouse selection.
There are a lot more mice that you could've tested.
For example
Cooler Master Storm Sentinel
OZone Gaming Smog Gaming Mouse
Steel Series Ikari
OCZ Behemoth
OCZ Eclipse
HP's Gaming Mouse with VooDooDNA