Top 10 Best Gaming Mouses Canada

Most Important Features of the Best Gaming Mouses

Compatibility – Gaming mice are typically made for PC users. Some can be compatible with consoles, so it’s worth checking product listings if you want to do this, but consoles and some Macs won’t be able to run the software needed to enable all of the mouse’s features.

Construction – Many gaming mice are plastic, but keep an eye out for more advanced options. Some use aluminium, to give the mouse a little weight (but not too much) and much better durability. A sturdy frame ties in with ergonomic design – the best gaming mouse for you will match your hand size and have moulded sections for resting fingers and thumb. This is key to avoiding strain.

Mechanical Mouse Switch – Mechanical switches are an advanced feature, which replace the standard rubber switch. These buttons have a spring-loaded mechanism inside, which gives a far more satisfying tactile feedback when pressed. These keys can improve the response time and reliability of button presses. Certain gaming mouses also have additional mechanical buttons which can be custom programmed.

Connection Type – Most modern mice use a USB cable. While it may be tempting to go wireless for the extra freedom, the best gaming mouse for long sessions is probably a wired one. Wireless mice can run out of battery at a bad time, the batteries add weight and can have a signal delay.

Sensor Type – Gaming mice use optical sensors; the laser that bounces off your gaming mat and feeds back information to the mouse. There are advanced, custom sensors by the larger manufacturers, such as Logitech’s Delta Zero sensor, which can give players an edge.

DPI / CPI / Mickeys Per Second Settings – This is directly related to the quality of a sensor and resulting tracking speed. DPI is dots per inch, relating to how much detail the mouse can detect from a laser movement. Mice with a DPI switch allow the player to change sensitivity on the fly, useful in some gaming situations.

Tracking Speed – The higher the tracking speed, the faster the cursor moves in relation to the mouse. A high speed can result in the cursor moving too fast, with just a nudge of the mouse. Sensitivity is more important, leading to more accuracy. Speed can be adjusted by software, but top speed is limited by the hardware, so a mixture of both is ideal.

Polling Rate – This refers to how often the mouse updates the PC with new position data. The higher this number, the more accurate you are as lag between the real world and the game is eliminated. A 200hz polling rate means that the mouse updates the PC 200 times a second.

Programmable Buttons – These allow the user to map keyboard presses and other commands to buttons on the mouse. This means that the thumb can be doing something instead of just resting, which is great when the other hand is busy on the keys. These are also useful for downtime- playing media, opening a browser, etc.

Onboard Profiles – Some of the best gaming mouses have a built-in memory that can remember a number of gaming profiles. Essentially, you can save your own custom mouse settings for individual games without having to adjust it each time.

Adjustable Weights – These allow the user to remove weight from a mouse, or add weight on. Gaming mice will often feel too heavy or light, as the hand size of the user can vary considerably. Those who want perfect customisation will appreciate this feature.

Adjustable Wheel Scroll Sensitivity – This can make scrolling very fast, or just register once per full rotation. Some mice can be a pain if the slightest touch of the wheel causes your character to change weapon. Other times, speed is vital for whizzing through in-game menus.

Customizable Lighting – An aesthetic feature but very impressive, this puts a light show on your mouse. Users may want to match this to their computer lights. It can also be useful for highlighting a certain button, for quick presses.

Cable Type – Gaming mice will typically have a plastic or a braided cable. The latter is increasingly common as it’s more durable, tends to look nicer and can be more flexible. However, they can create friction and get frayed over time. It’s more important to ensure that the length is suitable for your desk setup.

Left or Right Handed Use – It’s vital to get a mouse that matches your hand bias. Ergonomic mice are shaped specifically for the way your hand rests, so the wrong mouse will be unwieldy and cause strain.

Dimensions – Consider the overall size and width of any mouse before buying. A large mouse in a small hand can be hard to move, while a small mouse in a large hand is harder to click.