For years, many PC gamers steered clear of wireless gaming mice, concerned that wireless connections would introduce input lag, which could take a toll on your game. Today, we can safely put those worries behind us. We can’t say exactly when manufacturers turned the corner, but you’ll now find dozens of wireless gaming mice that display the same speed and accuracy as wired ones.
Wireless mice are relatively pricey, and top-notch models tend to be expensive, though plenty of budget-friendly options are out there, too. If you’re looking to indulge in a wireless mouse for gaming, read on. Let’s first go over the pros and cons of the models we’ve tested and recommend, followed by a discussion of what makes a good wireless mouse and which type is best for your needs.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Razer Basilisk Ultimate
Best Overall Wireless Gaming Mouse
Bottom Line:
The Razer Basilisk Ultimate is a killer, all-purpose wireless gaming mouse for serious PC gamers driven to pull out all the stops.
PROS
- Great hand fit and feel, with solid thumb support.
- Nifty charging dock.
- Wheel-tilt inputs.
- Strong new sensor.
- Wireless operation without noticeable input lag.
CONS
- Pricey.
- DPI paddle could be a little short for your hand.
HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless Gaming Mouse
Best Budget Wireless Gaming Mouse
Bottom Line:
With a unique honeycomb design and a lightweight chassis, the wireless HyperX Pulsefire Haste gaming mouse shares most of the strengths of its top-rated wired cousin.
PROS
- Compact, stylish design
- Satisfying switches
- IP55 rated
- Includes replacement grip tape and PTFE feet
CONS
- Only one settings profile available
- No Bluetooth connection
- Hardly any RGB lighting
Read Our HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless Gaming Mouse Review
Roccat Burst Pro Air
A Solid Alternative to the HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless Gaming Mouse
Bottom Line:
It’s not revolutionary, but the Roccat Burst Pro Air is one of the most comfortable wireless gaming mice on the market, and a good match for enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.
PROS
- Comfortable ergonomics
- Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections
- Sturdy Titan optical switches
- Good-looking RGB lighting
CONS
- Sensor hasn’t improved much
- Swarm software still looks dated
Razer Viper Ultimate
Best Wireless Gaming Mouse for Esports
Bottom Line:
Razer’s Viper Ultimate untethers and upgrades one of the best gaming mice a competitive esports player could ask for. It’s a winner, but get the version with the charging dock.
PROS
- Comfortable ambidextrous design.
- No-compromise RF wireless connection.
- Wireless charging is convenient and looks sharp.
CONS
- A bit expensive for the full package.
Logitech G502 Lightspeed
Best Wireless Gaming Mouse for Mac Users
Bottom Line:
Logitech’s G502 Lightspeed is pricey, even for a wireless mouse, but you get all the benefits of a cordless controller without the trade-offs.
PROS
- Wireless with almost no latency.
- Great battery life.
- Wireless charging with PowerPlay mousepad.
CONS
- Expensive.
- Lighting isn’t visible when in use.
Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro
Best High DPI Wireless Gaming Mouse
Bottom Line:
The Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro delivers a bevy of improvements to Razer’s long running gaming-mouse line that, while not essential, help solidify its spot at the top of the food chain.
PROS
- Enhanced ergonomic design
- Tons of improvements
- True 4,000Hz polling rate (with Hyperpolling dongle)
- Lightweight
CONS
- Expensive
- Improvements aren’t really game-changers
- Hyperpolling wireless dongle sold separately
Razer Naga V2 Pro
Best Wireless Gaming Mouse for MMOs
Bottom Line:
Razer takes its classic Naga MMO mouse and polishes it to a sheen, with a host of additions that elevate it to the top of its class.
PROS
- True 4,000Hz polling rate (with optional Hyperpolling dongle)
- Includes three swappable side button panels
- Tons of customization options
- Supports wireless charging
- 30K DPI sensor
CONS
- Heavier than expected
- Premium price
- Hyperpolling dongle not included
Corsair Katar Elite Wireless
Best Wireless Gaming Mouse for Claw-Grip Gamers
Bottom Line:
It has only niche appeal, but Corsair’s Katar Elite Wireless gaming mouse perfects the design for claw and fingertip players.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Powerful sensor
- Lots of premium upgrades over the previous model
- Shaped specifically for claw- and fingertip-style grips
CONS
- Small, tapered shape isn’t comfortable for standard palm grip
- Only stores one onboard profile
Razer Viper V2 Pro
Best Extremely Light Wireless Gaming Mouse
Bottom Line:
Tons of small changes morph the Razer Viper V2 Pro gaming mouse into a perfect match for esports players looking for the lightest and fastest controller.
PROS
- Clean, minimalist design
- Excellent sensor
- Durable optical switches
- Lightweight
CONS
- Expensive
- No RGB lighting
- Fewer buttons
Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE Wireless Gaming Mouse
Best Gaming Mouse With Wireless Charging
Bottom Line:
With an upgraded sensor and remodeled side buttons, Corsair’s Dark Core RGB Pro SE updates a great mouse to keep it in the front rank.
PROS
- Remodeled side macro buttons
- Very good price
- Qi wireless charging
- Highly customizable lighting
- Built-in dongle storage
CONS
- Textured grip is a bit slippery
- Fewer buttons than the first Dark Core
- No really big changes
Read Our Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE Wireless Gaming Mouse Review
Buying Guide: The Best Wireless Gaming Mice for 2023
Are Wireless Mice Bad for Gaming?
We mentioned the reputation of wireless mice with gamers. The short answer: It’s all in the mouse, and what kind of games you play. And a lot of that comes down to the ancillary features of the mouse.
Aside from wireless connectivity and battery life, the key features of a wireless gaming mouse are about the same as on any other gaming mouse: the feel of it in your hand, the number and layout of the buttons, the quality of the sensor. No matter how much gee-whiz factor a wireless gaming mouse might have, don’t consider buying one that doesn’t feel good and do the things you want it to do. To get a more thorough breakdown of those factors and why they matter, check out our more general explainer on picking the best gaming mice.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
There are some small factors where the switch to wireless should alter your expectations, though. Most notably for gamers, wireless mice tend to weigh a little more than their wired counterparts due to their additional components, including the inevitable internal battery. But the gap between wired and wireless weight, when other things are comparable, tends to be pretty small. (There are even a couple of wireless mice on our best esports mice list.) Only the most discerning competitive player would really know the difference.
Is Bluetooth or Wireless RF Better for a Gaming Mouse?
We’d say RF, in most cases. The actual type of wireless connectivity can make or break a wireless gaming mouse, especially if you play high-speed, fast-reaction games.
Mice designed for everyday web browsing and office work can do pretty well with Bluetooth, but gaming’s quick and precise movements demand a higher standard. To get the level of precision one expects from gaming mice, most manufacturers use a low-latency 2.4GHz wireless radio-frequency (RF) connection that syncs directly with a USB receiver plugged into your PC.
A 2.4GHz wireless arrangement should be able to create a stable connection with no discernible input lag. These mice technically aren’t “lag-free”—there will always be some input lag—but we’re talking about fractions of a millisecond. In our experience, 2.4GHz connections also tend to be more stable than Bluetooth connections, which can get drowned out and momentarily lose sync if there are too many nearby signals.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
The low-latency connection is generally the superior option for playing games, but it comes with some drawbacks. First, it drains battery more quickly than a Bluetooth connection. Between this and RGB lighting, wireless gaming mice tend to run out of juice much faster than productivity mice. Second, since the mouse connects wirelessly via a USB dongle, that 2.4GHz connection will only work with computers. If the mouse doesn’t also have Bluetooth, you probably won’t be able to use it with a phone, tablet, or any other device without USB. If the dongle is USB-C and you have a recent phone with a USB-C port, you could make that connection work, but it’s cumbersome.
Also, you’d be surprised how easy it is to lose a USB dongle when you switch devices, carry it with you on the road, or move. Misplacing that tiny piece of plastic can make the whole mouse worthless, so if the two get separated, prepare to turn your whole setup upside down to reunite them. Ideally, a wireless gaming mouse should have a dongle storage slot or compartment in the body of the mouse, which lets you store the receiver securely when it isn’t in use. Strangely, some mice lack this essential convenience, so put it on your list of features to look for.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
The best, most versatile gaming mice offer both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. Chances are you’ll use the 2.4GHz connection most of the time, but Bluetooth will give you the option to sync it with any device no matter what, and preserve power in a pinch.
Rechargeable or Disposable Batteries: Which Is Better for Wireless Mouse?
The second major thing to consider is the battery. On some level, any wireless mouse’s power concerns boil down to lasting the longest on a single charge, but figuring that out can actually be more complicated than you think.
The official estimated battery life provided by the manufacturer reflects how long the mouse will last under ideal conditions—meaning that all of the RGB lighting is turned off. You should expect most wireless gaming mice to last less than half of their manufacturer-reported battery life with RGB lighting on. In our reviews, we request battery estimates for more practical conditions and do anecdotal testing to give you a real-world idea of how many days or weeks a mouse will last on one charge.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
Battery life can also vary based on what type of battery the mouse uses. Most of the wireless mice that we recommend feature rechargeable internal batteries, which can hold a charge that lasts for dozens of hours. Some gaming mice, particularly less expensive ones, eschew internal batteries for disposable AAs or AAAs, which last a very long time—often 100 to 200 hours—but need to be replaced when they run out of juice.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
As with our general guidance on finding the best wireless mice, we recommend getting one with a rechargeable battery for a few reasons. First, if a AA-powered mouse runs out of power and you don’t have replacement batteries on hand, you’ll need to drop what you’re doing to go out and get some. That may mean walking away from your PC mid-game to grab them from another room, or even having to leave the house. In contrast, most wireless gaming mice let you use their charging cables to set up a wired connection, so you can charge and play at the same time if you need to.
Second, mice with disposable batteries generate e-waste, which can be annoying to recycle or otherwise dispose of properly. (You can mitigate this by using rechargeable AA/AAA batteries, of course.) Needing to charge your mouse regularly may sound like a hassle on paper, but it rarely feels that way because it never reduces your ability to use the mouse. The only times we’ve had a dying battery affect a game were when we weren’t keeping track of mouse battery life.
(Credit: Mike Epstein)
If plugging in your mouse still seems like a reach, some wireless gaming mice also feature wireless charging. Depending on the model, that means you put your mouse on a wireless charging pad or into some kind of dock to charge up. Wireless charging standards for gaming mice tend to vary by manufacturer. Some companies, like Corsair and HyperX, rely on the Qi wireless standard, so you can charge their mice on most third-party wireless charging pads. Razer’s high-end Ultimate and Pro tier mice rely on a Razer-specific wireless charging dock. Logitech G gaming mice support a special mousepad called the PowerPlay, which charges the mouse while you’re playing.
Gaming Mouse Software: What to Look For
Configuration software, which lets you remap inputs and set your own RGB lighting, almost always includes some power-related settings for wireless gaming mice. Most will let you set an auto-shutoff that puts the mouse to sleep or turns off its lighting. Some will allow you to adjust RGB brightness, allowing you to find a happy medium between peak efficiency and your colorful custom aesthetic.
My personal favorite feature, included in some but not all apps, is a battery life indicator that sits in your Windows tray so you can glance at it without opening the app. These features vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and mouse to mouse. I wouldn’t say any one of them is likely to be a deal-breaker, but the usefulness of configuration software is something to keep in mind. Brands with a long, well-regarded track record of making gaming mice tend to have the most polished, feature-rich software.
(Credit: Asus)
Apple fans beware: Configuration software is often Windows-only. Most mice can work in a basic fashion on any platform, but the high cost of a wireless gaming mouse is only worth paying if you can get the full functionality out of it. If you have a Mac, make sure the mouse you get includes software that’s compatible with your hardware and version of macOS. Our roundup of the best gaming mice for Macs will help you pick the right one.
So, What Is the Best Wireless Gaming Mouse to Buy?
Now that we’ve walked through the major details of picking out a wireless gaming mouse, it’s time for you to get out there and find one that works for you. As always, if you need help getting started, refer to the list of our current favorites below. If you’re looking take your desk completely cordless, check out our list of the best wireless keyboards. We also have explainers to help you find any other gaming peripherals you might need, including lists of our top-rated gaming headsets, gaming chairs, and monitors for gamers, along with advice on how to choose the best gamepad for your PC.
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