How to Choose a Gaming Mouse – Tips and Recommendations
Yuriy SheremetIf you do not want to go into technical characteristics of gaming gadgets but you need specifically a professional gaming device, read this article till the end. For starters, you need to nail down the preferable gaming genre which is necessary to make a choice.
The most popular genre in the modern gaming industry is shooter, so we will use is as an example for our analysis. All other genres are not so dependable on device control except for strategies. Instant battles happen in shooters so even fractions of seconds that are spent on an extra movement really matter and they can deprive you of a victory. Due to this reason, a mouse should not cause discomfort and obstruct cursor control. A wrongly picked mouse often causes numb hands which turns several hours of gaming into a real torture.
While picking such gadgets, pay attention to their shape, slot type, and keypad. Sensibility and response also have a significant role in comfortable work with a mouse. Office mice are absolutely not suitable for games as their important characteristics are a couple of times worse than the ones for specially developed gaming devices.
If you buy a ready-made PC, do not hope you will get a professional gaming mouse provided. The best option will be to get an additional manipulator.
Yes, such devices cost a lot, but if you buy a powerful PC, why should you sacrifice comfort while gaming? No matter how professional the gamer is, low-quality equipment may wipe away all their efforts. Remember at least one esportsman who played at a big event with a standard office mouse? You are unlikely to recall even one name and this is why: at major competitions your stakes are always high, and nobody wants to lose due to a stuck key or a poor sensor.
Resolution
The first important parameter of the gaming device is its sensor. Frequency and accuracy are those characteristics which define work of a device in games.
If we talk about numbers, we should pay attention to the ratio of dots per inch– DPI. Nowadays, this value may reach 6000 in modern lazers.
This is surplus value for an ordinary user who can get satisfied with 2000-2500. But, if you are serious about taking up professional esports, or your budget is limitless, you may afford any value.
Maximum Acceleration
Maximum acceleration of a mouse marked by G is an important parameter. In modern gaming devices this value ranges from 10 to 50. While choosing the device, this parameter is taken into consideration more rarely than DPI as it defines speed that is necessary for the cursor to dart off. We should not focus on this characteristic as almost any gaming device with the price ranging from $30 will have good acceleration.
Optics or laser?
As for the choice between optical or laser devices, it seems to be a good idea to opt for optical devices. Professional esportsmen prefer mice with optical controllers as they show themselves better on a mat while lasers are better on uneven surfaces.
Selectivity of Surfaces
This parameter should not be ignored while looking for a perfect gaming mouse. It is necessary to understand which surfaces will provide accuracy of mouse work. There are models that work perfectly on a plain desk, but others cannot function well without a special mat. That’s why if you don’t want to spend extra money on buying a surface for a mouse, choose an item with low selectivity.
Connection Type
Another important parameter while choosing a manipulator is its connection type. Wireless devices with built-in accumulators are especially popular among regular PC users. They are a great choice for those who work with laptops as they will not face problems with tangling or breaking wires. But then they have only minuses. Low speed of signal in comparison with USB mice makes up a defining factor for gamers. Low battery in the middle of an online match also can spoil gaming process. It will definitely leave you without some nerve cells. Wired mice will not let it happen.
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The optimal choice will be a wired mouse with USB connection. This solution will provide you with high speed of data transfer and absence of errors while processing requests. You should not buy a device with a very short wire, the most comfortable length is approximately 1,5 m.
To avoid problems like abrupt break of the wire, pay attention to its flexibility and durability.
Recently the market has been ended by devices with built-in accumulators and detachable wires. Therefore, you can connect them with USB and Bluetooth. We will not recommend you this option due to its freshness and doubtful reliability.
Sample Rate
This parameter defines smoothness of cursor movement. High-quality controllers have frequency value 1000 Hz. These models are packed with drivers that help customers to set this parameter for the most comfortable work. Nevertheless, if you make a choice between several options, it is better to buy one with the highest max sample rate – extra will never be surplus.
Response Time
Response time defines speed of transfer of commands to the PC user. Professional gaming devices can boast values of 1-2 msec. The lower the values are, the faster your commands will be completed.
Internal Storage
If your goal is games, you will need a mouse with in-built internal storage. It will give you a chance to keep different variations of settings while working in different modes. This gadget will keep all data if you work with several computers and will relieve you from the necessity to set a separate driver for each computer.
Ergonomics
While choosing a mouse, try it in your hand, estimate how handy it is to use. Here the most defining factors are the size of your hand, grasp and whether you are right-handed or left-handed. There are two forms of mice: symmetric and ergonomic. Symmetric mouse will be handy for both left-handed and right-handed gamers, besides, they represent the biggest part of the market. As for ergonomic devices, the great majority of them are developed for right-handed users even though left-handed gamers can find some options too. These models are more comfortable as they are developed in view of anatomic human features, and your hand will not get tired.
Body Material
Material of the surface makes a huge difference in the gaming process. The most spread solution at the market is glossy plastic. This material is slippery, so if you get sweaty, such mice become impossible to play. On the flip side, there are pimply or rough surfaces that prevent gadgets from slipping out of your hands. Many manufacturers provide detachable cover-ups that can really come in handy. But these coverings have a disadvantage: they collect dirt from the gamer's hands. But if the material of the device does not matter to you, choose the mouse only with your tactual sensation.
Keypad
Each gamer has their preferences about a keypad. Someone needs difficult systems with wide functionality that spoil ergonomics of the device, others cannot imagine a mouse without a couple of side buttons, and other people are satisfied with a standard set of two buttons and a wheel. Here you need to stick to your individual preferences but do not forget to check smoothness of work and durability of the keys.
Changing of Weight and Shape
Mice with weight over 100g may seem too heavy, and after an active game your hand will get tired pretty fast. Meanwhile, a light mouse will not let you set the goal in shooters due to its high inertia. So, you should choose a device that weighs around 90g.
Professional models are equipped with a set of load weight that help gamers regulate the weight of the mouse. Yes, this solution will be very convenient for professional gamers. But if you are a beginner, we do not recommend you to buy such devices. Experiments with the weight of the mouse will distract you and you will have difficulties with finding the best option. Besides, such mice are much more expensive than regular devices.
Price
There is a wide range of prices of gaming controllers. Everything depends on your budget and personal preferences. But be careful: not always the most expensive device will have the best quality. If the budget is not limited, choose an option which you will like best.
Yuriy Sheremet – Expert in mobile gaming and esports among shooters and MOBA games.
At EGamersWorld, Yuriy, as in 2020 when he joined the portal, works with content, albeit with adjustments to his area of responsibility.