Computer Mice: Reviews

Updated January 2012

The computer mouse bundled with your desktop computer is a simple product, but if you're a gamer or graphic designer, you need a more sophisticated mouse. And if you're using a computer all day, you might want to invest in an ergonomic mouse. ConsumerSearch examined reviews from expert tech sources as well as ergonomics experts to find the best performing computer mice, whether you're at your computer for hours playing "World of Warcraft" or an avid web surfer.

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Best wireless mouse

Logitech Performance Mouse MX

*Est. $75 Compare Prices

The Logitech Performance Mouse MX receives high praise in several reviews for its general-use functionality. Experts say the Performance Mouse MX offers precise cursor control no matter what you're doing online. A… expandDarkfield optical sensor lets you move the mouse across almost any solid surface, including clear glass (sometimes a challenge for mice). Hyperspeed scrolling and customizable buttons provide added flexibility, but some reviewers note that the Logitech Performance Mouse MX has an awkward button layout. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: Impressed with the Performance Mouse MX's Darkfield sensor and Unifying technology, CNET reviewer Rich Brown awards this mouse an Editors' Choice and 4.5 out of 5 stars, saying this high-end device has enough features "to make it a justifiable indulgence for anyone who takes their cursor control seriously." Readers also add their opinions in a related forum.

Macworld: Calling it his mouse of choice for everyday use, reviewer Roman Loyola praises the Performance Mouse MX for its sturdiness and comfort, though he doesn't like the thumb-button location or the fact that the battery drains quickly.

Gizmodo.com: Gizmodo.com succinctly evaluates both the Performance Mouse MX and the Logitech Anywhere Mouse MX. While Jason Chen is wowed by the Performance Mouse MX's ability to track on a sliding glass door, he questions design changes that were preferable in earlier models.

PCMag.com: While reviews of the Performance Mouse MX are mostly positive, Matthew Murray tempers his praise with sharp criticism of the mouse's design, specifically its less-than-ideal button placement.

Amazon.com: Citing its tracking versatility and Unifying technology, most of the more than 700 reviewers at Amazon.com give the Performance Mouse MX high marks.

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Buy from Amazon for $75.39
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Best gaming mouse

Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse G700

*Est. $70 Compare Prices

Although it's heavier than most gaming mice, the Logitech G700 takes top honors for its precise laser, quick response and comfortable matte grip. Gamers in the heat of battle can alter sensitivity up to 5,700 dots per… expandinch (dpi). Onboard memory lets gamers store up to five player profiles, and 13 programmable buttons access keystroke and macro commands with a single click. But as with most gaming mice, battery life in the G700 is relatively short. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

TechRadar.com: TechRadar.com awards 4.5 out of 5 stars to the Logitech G700 Wireless Gaming Mouse in this brief write-up, praising the mouse's responsiveness and functionality, calling it "a rough and ready wireless gaming mouse trapped in a meek and mild man's body." The review concludes that the mouse is a "fantastic deal" for gamers.

EverythingUSB.com: Anthony Garland breaks down his review of the highly recommended G700 into two parts.

CrunchGear.com: Matt Burns isn't as detailed in his G700 review as Anthony Garland at EverythingUSB.com, but Burns does a succinct job of outlining what he likes, including the device's precision, wireless connectivity and design.

TechSpot.com: Had the Logitech G700 been released in time for his 12-mouse roundup, Shawn Knight says it would have taken top honors for best gaming mouse.

Bit-tech.net: Editors at Britain's Bit-Tech.net are far less enamored with the G700 than other reviewers, issuing a scathing critique of its "dreadful" wireless mode and lamenting that the mouse performs well only when connected to a USB cable.

Amazon.com: More than 200 users mostly praise the G700, giving it an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5 for its natural feel and gaming accuracy.

NewEgg.com: More than 250 users review the G700 at Newegg.com, awarding it an overall score of 4 out of 5 eggs.

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Amazon

for $81.86

Budget gaming mouse

Cooler Master Spawn Gaming Mouse

*Est. $40 Compare Prices

Although it lacks some of the features of the Logitech G700 and has a lower maximum sensitivity, the Cooler Master Spawn Gaming Mouse is a solid lower-priced wired option for gamers, reviewers say. It has seven… expandprogrammable buttons, and reviewers praise its responsiveness and sensitivity, as well as its thoughtful button placement. Sensitivity can be adjusted to several preset values on the fly. However, reviewers warn that it works best for gamers who use a "claw grip" style, resting the palm (rather than the base of the hand) on the mouse. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

OCIA.net: In a detailed review, the OverClock Intelligence Agency gaming site evaluates the Cooler Master Spawn Gaming Mouse, awarding it a Gold Seal of Approval.

HardwareHeaven.com: This solid review of the Cooler Master Spawn Gaming Mouse includes unique pictures that show how the mouse's shorter, wider shape fits into the hand.

BenchmarkReviews.com: "The CM Storm Spawn is an attempt to bring things back to the basics, cutting out much of the fat of traditional gaming peripherals and leaving you with a gaming mouse with all of the essentials," writes Austin Downing in the BenchmarkReviews.com rating of the Cooler Master Spawn Gaming Mouse.

XtremeTechJunkies.com: Christopher Allegra likes the feel of the Cooler Master Spawn Gaming Mouse, but says his large hands never did adapt to the claw grip required to control the smaller mouse.

HardwareCanucks.com: In this detailed, hands-on review, HardwareCanucks.com says the Cooler Master Spawn Gaming Mouse is "easily one of the best claw-grip gaming mice we have ever used… absolutely excellent design… world class." They warn that it is definitely for those gamers who like the claw grip, versus fingertips or a full-hand-filling mouse.

Examiner.com: The Cooler Master Spawn Gaming Mouse gets a positive review from this gaming enthusiast, who awards it 4 out of 5 stars.

Tweaknews.net: In this undated review for TweakNews.net, Jackie Mueller awards the Cooler Master Spawn Gaming Mouse a TN Top Rank Award.

Xtreme CPU: Kristopher Wandall praises the Cooler Master Spawn Gaming Mouse's price, claw-grip design and performance in this review for Xtreme CPU, but questions its optical laser positioning, which he feels should be in the center of the mouse for this type of grip, the inability to fully adjust between DPI settings (it has preset positions within its range), and the relatively short liftoff distance.

KitGuru.com: The U.K.'s KitGuru.com puts the Cooler Master Spawn Gaming Mouse through its paces, awarding it 9 out of 10 stars and a Must Have designation.

Amazon.com: The Cooler Master Spawn Gaming Mouse is relatively new, so there aren't a lot of reviews on Amazon.com.

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Buy from Amazon for $37.03
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Best laptop mouse

Microsoft Arc Touch

*Est. $35 Compare Prices

If you want a mouse that can easily slip into a laptop bag, you need a travel mouse. In this category, we found the best reviews for the lightweight Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse, which folds up for transport yet is… expandcomfortable to use. Instead of a center scroll wheel, it has a touch-sensitive strip that responds to a variety of gestures. This wireless mouse comes with a tiny USB receiver for your laptop, and the receiver attaches to the bottom of the mouse magnetically for storage. Two AA batteries should last about six months; there's no available charging cradle. Reviewers also praise the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse's sharp styling, ability to track on multiple types of surfaces, and touch abilities. Reviews are split on whether the arch is comfortable for long-term use, and some writers find the mouse's buttons hard to press. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: CNET's Rich Brown gives the Microsoft Arc Touch 3.5 out of 5 stars.

TechCrunch.com: TechCrunch.com does a nice overview of the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse, praising the responsiveness of both the touch feature and the mouse's BlueTrack technology, which provides accurate movement on a number of surfaces.

PCMag.com: PCMag.com gives the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse 3.5 out of 5 stars, praising its ambidextrous design and vibrating feedback, the way it stores its receiver magnetically on the bottom of the mouse, and the way it tracks well on different surfaces.

ZDNet.com: Reviewer Rachel King puts the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse through its paces, concluding that the touch feature works well, the design is comfortable for longer periods, and the tracking feature works nicely on glossy surfaces.

Techtree.com: India's TechTree.com gives the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse 3 out of 5 stars, calling it "a fancy concept but not very practical for everyday use." They like the travel-friendly design, build quality, BlueTrack and ambidextrous design, but complain the buttons are too difficult to click.

EverythingUSB.com: Anthony Garland likes the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse's touch sensitive features, compact storage, comfort, BlueTrack and haptic feedback as you use the touch area.

About.com: In this undated review, Lisa Johnston of About.com gives the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse 3.5 out of 5 stars, calling it "very cool to look at, not very practical for long-term use." She likes its sleek design, the way it folds flat, and its tracking.

Amazon.com: More than 400 users give the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse an average of 4 stars out of 5, with about half giving it a perfect score.

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