Best budget gaming mice 2023 – Top performers, best esports mice, and more

When your K/D tally is at stake it’s pretty tempting to buy a premium gaming mouse with all the latest bells and whistles. But that can be a costly move that can see you paying upwards of $150 USD—that’s coin that could go towards a brand-new processor instead.

The truth is you won’t lose much performance going for a cheaper option. In fact, you can get a top-performing mouse that—barring the sensor, which is usually more modest than in premium devices —is virtually identical in build quality and styling and with equally quick buttons.

That’s not to say all budget gaming mice are alike. Admittedly, at the lower end of the market there tends to be more variation in the build quality, weight, and button configuration than at the top end, so you’ll still want to do your homework before you buy.

Or, you can just browse our list below of the top budget gaming mice. We’ve already done the research on your behalf by extensively testing a cohort of mice, sorting the wheat from the chaff, so that what’s left is the best of the best. We’ll keep updating our chart as we review more mice and find even better products.

Our postscript explanation below explains the criteria that we use to evaluate budget gaming mice. It also contains some useful buying tips. You can also see our complete roundup on the best gaming mice. best gaming miceAvailable at a variety of price points, including both wireless and wired picks

1. Cooler Master MM830 – Best wired budget gaming mouse / Best overall

Pros

• Amazingly comfortable and durable
• High-quality performance with a PMW3360 sensor
• Textured plastic gives you great grip for your hands

Cons

• D-pad works in the same way as other thumb buttons
• OLED screen is best avoided
• PMW3360 is turned up to 24,000 by accident

The MM830 rocks unique features that you won’t find in rival gaming mice, including a left-side D-pad (direction pad) and a tiny OLED screen that displays your computer’s system stats like RAM, CPU, and GPU usage. Nevertheless, it’s the more basic features that make it such a prize for gamers on a budget.

Those include an extremely comfortable right-hand scoop and thumb rest, impressive 24,000 DPI sensor, and an elegant and understated hexagonal RGB logo located on the mouse’s back. It’s a wired mouse so it’s not as portable as some. Regardless, it has just about everything else you’d want in a gaming mouse, and at a budget-friendly price.

Check out our complete article
Review Cooler Master MM830

2. Roccat Kone Pro – Best wired budget gaming mouse runner-up

Pros

• The 19,000 DPI sensor is extremely precise and the buttons are quick, clicky, and easy to use
• An ingenious design elevates your index finger ready to fire
• A lightweight body increases its speed and precision, and prevents fatigue.

Cons

• There is no dedicated DPI button so you can’t switch DPI settings as easily.
• Only wired connectivity. You’ll need it to play
• The mouse wheel doesn’t have lateral left/right clicks

The wired Roccat Kone Pro has a lightweight design that allows for precise targeting. We tested it in fast-paced FPS games, and it performed well in them. The buttons have Titan optical switches and a slight left-to right slant on the top. This allows for quick clicks.

A thin plastic outer layer keeps the Kone Pro’s weight down to just 66 grams, so that it glides across your mouse mat smoothly and with minimal effort. While the Kone Pro doesn’t have a dedicated DPI button, you can still change DPI on the fly in games by assigning this function to one of its other buttons in the supporting Roccat Swarm software app.

Check out our complete article
Review ROCCAT Kone Pro

3. HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless – Best wireless budget gaming mouse / Best for esports

Pros

• Weighs just 61 grams
• High-precision sensor
• Design is easy to use and enhances performance

Cons

• Bluetooth is not available
• The button configuration is dull
• Only one RGB lighting area

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless is built on the back of its wired counterpart’s esports pedigree so it’s ideal for competitive gaming, but with the bonus of being tether-free and portable. It has a six-button design that is ambidextrous and powerful, with a 16,000 DPI sensor. In our review we found the Pulsefire Haste Wireless’s sensor suitable for first-person shooters where it proved highly accurate for crosshair aiming when the DPI setting was set to low.

The Pulsefire Wireless Haste Wireless is also extremely stylish. It features internal RGB lighting that lights up the futuristic honeycomb body like an explosion. The perforated back keeps your hand cool even when you’re playing long games.

Check out our complete article
Review HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless

4. Logitech G203 LightSync – Best ultra-budget gaming mouse

Pros

• It is a comfortable design that looks like more expensive esports mouse
• Well-built and sturdy
• The RGB lighting really pops

Cons

• With large, rapid movements, there was some sensor lag
• The sensor’s liftoff distance is longer than that of mice
• The RGB logo on top is not customizable

The G203 proves gaming on a budget needn’t be glum, combining style, performance, and comfort for a shoestring price. This wired mouse has a small, ambidextrous body with familiar six-button layout that is similar to premium esports mouse. However, it has a more rounded rear end that gives palm graspers a high level precision.

In terms of hardware performance, the G203’s buttons feel quick and clicky. Its 8,000 DPI proprietary gaming sensor may not be as quick as some rival sensors, but it’s still highly accurate and performs decently in just about every casual gaming scenario.

We were impressed by the G203’s RGB lighting bands and Logitech logo. They light up your mouse pad with vibrant colors. The band also splits into three zones that can be controlled in the Logitech G Hub application.

Check out our complete article
Review Logitech G203 LightSync

5. Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed – Best dual-purpose budget mouse for gaming and productivity

Pros

• Comfortable, ergonomic design
• Dual Bluetooth and Wi Fi connectivity
• Battery life is long

Cons

• No RGB lighting
• A little slower than the top-of-the-line gaming mice

A stealthy profile is this wireless mouse’s biggest advantage—it sports an entirely matte-black body with no RGB lighting, meaning your work colleagues will be none the wiser about the gaming power that rests beneath your palm.

The V2 X Hyperspeed is equipped with a powerful 14,000 DPI sensor, which performs admirably in AAA games like Metro Exodus. Razer claims the buttons’ second-generation mechanical switches are durable and can last up to 60,000,000 clicks.

Dual wireless connectivity is possible with the V2 X Hyperspeed. With just a touch, you can switch between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz Wi Fi. It’s also highly portable thanks to a long battery life, which provides approximately 235 hours in Wi-Fi mode and up to 615 hours in Bluetooth mode on a single AA battery.

Check out our complete article
Review DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed

6. Roccat Kone XP – Best for MMO, RPG, and RTS gaming

Pros

• Amazing RGB lighting that lights up the entire top section
• The Owl-Eye sensor has a high level of accuracy and is powerful
• You can customize the 15 buttons with up to 29 functions

Cons

• It can be confusing to understand the button layout.
• Some gamers may not like the bold RGB colors
• Swarm software support could use an update

The Kone XP is the flashiest mouse we’ve had the pleasure of testing, featuring no less than eight customizable RGB “pipelines” illuminated by 22 LED lights, yet it’s also a solid performer. With an impressive contingent of 15 buttons—customizable to 29 functions—the Kone XP is especially suited for MMO, RPG, and RTS games that require players to quickly deploy a high number of commands or macros.

Under the hood, you’ll find a Kone XP with a 19,000 DPI Owl Eye Sensor based on the PixArt PMW3370. It has proven its worth to competitive gamers.

We found it to be accurate and precise in games like “PCWorld” during our PCWorld review Cyberpunk 2077. We also liked the Kone XP’s four-directional scroll wheel, which felt sturdy and responsive.

Check out our complete article
Review ROCCAT Kone XP

7. Razer Basilisk V3 – Most ergonomic and comfortable

Pros

• Razer Focus + sensor provides flawless performance
• Scrolling is easy with the HyperScroll tilt wheel
• The RGB lighting looks amazing

Cons

• It’s heavy and bulky.
• Only wired connectivity is available

This mouse is very comfortable and easy to use, even for extended gaming periods. Among the features that make it so comfy are an ergonomic thumb rest that elevates your thumb off the surface you’re playing on, two highly tactile injection-molded grips on either side, and 11 well-placed, easy-to-reach buttons.

The Razer Basilisk V3’s hardware also performs handsomely. We were impressed with the 24,000 DPI sensor’s performance in our review. Also, the buttons, which have second-generation Razer Optical Switches responded quickly. The Basilisk V3 also has one of the best scroll wheels of any budget mouse we’ve come across, allowing you to switch between additional scroll modes, including a Free-Spin Mode and Tactile mode with the touch of a button.

Check out our complete article
Review Razer Basilisk V3

What to look for when buying a budget gaming mouse

How much should you spend?

When it comes to what you should pay, there’s really no one price that fits every gamer. Although, as a general guide, you shouldn’t pay more than $90 for a budget gaming mouse—that being the absolute maximum cost of the most feature-stacked budget gaming mice you can get.

Traditional wired gaming mice with six-button configurations tend to be some of the most affordable these days, with excellent value-for-money options like the Logitech G203 LightSync, providing gamers with just about everything they’d want for casual gaming for around $40. A wireless mouse like the HyperX Pulsefire haste, which costs $60 USD, will cost you a bit more. Its tetherless design makes it more portable.

What type of mouse do I need to use?

Many budget gaming mice have the same design as premium models. This means that you may already know a design that you like and feels good. If you’re starting from scratch, first off you’ll want to find a mouse with a shape that fits your dominant gaming hand. There are three main shapes available: left-handed, right handed, and ambidextrous.

Left and right-handed mice are just what their names suggest—mice designed to accommodate left or right hands. These mice offer a variety of design features that make them more useful for left- and right-handed users. They include curves that fit the contours of their hands as well as button configurations that are easier to reach.

Ambidextrous mice can be used by either hand. These mice have a more neutral appearance, which is often quite symmetrical. Ambidextrous mice are often preferred by competitive gamers who enjoy their predictable movements.

What size mouse would be best for me?

Just like a new pair of sneakers, you’re going to be spending a lot of time with your gaming mouse, so if it’s a lousy fit you’re not going to be comfortable and that’s going to affect your performance. Mice generally fall into one of three sizes: small, medium, or big. This simple size guide can help you choose the mouse that fits your hand best.

• Gaming mouse small: Length: Less then 6.7 inches; Width: 2.9 to 3 inches
• Medium gaming mouseLength: 6.7 to 7.9 in; width: 3.9-4.3 in
• Large gaming mouseLength: 7.9 in; width: 3.9 to 4.33 inches

What mouse is best for my grip style?

You should choose one of the three main grip styles for your mouse: a claw grip, a palm grip or a fingertip grip. While you can essentially ignore your grip style altogether and play with any gaming mouse you choose, if you’re looking to maximize performance, you’ll want a mouse that gives you the most control for your grip. Here’s a guide for what to look for:

• Palm gripLong, flat mice are better for comfort and fit.
• Claw gripThis grip style is more suited for smaller mice.
• Fingertip grip:Fingertip grippers, who are able to hold the mouse’s fingers in their hands, prefer lighter mice to reduce strain.

How many buttons are I going to need?

Your mouse’s button count will limit the number of commands and macros you can apply in game, and it can also affect the mouse’s weight, which can ultimately impact gaming performance.

The type of game you play should dictate the number of buttons that you need. For example, if you play a lot of first-person shooters, then keeping your mouse’s weight to an absolute minimum with a small button count is of paramount importance. A six-button standard mouse is ideal for this purpose. It provides enough functionality for at most six commands while optimizing weight for movement, targeting, and other functions.

On the other hand, if you predominately play role-playing games (RPGs), or massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), a mouse with from 10 to 18 buttons is preferable since you’ll have more options for the myriad commands these games require. You can also customize buttons with additional functions, such as the Roccat Kone XP. This greatly increases the number and types of commands you can use.

What DPI sensor should i look for?

When it comes to performance a lot of emphasis is placed on the DPI (dots per inch) resolution of a gaming mouse’s sensor, with manufacturers touting the benefits of top-of-the-line mice with sensors between 20,000 to 30,000 DPI.

With some exceptions, budget gaming mice tend to have sensors that are much lower in DPI resolution than premium models, which by the same thinking should mean they’re a lot less capable. But that’s simply not the case. However, budget gaming mice that have sensors from 8,000 to 12,000 dots per inch can still track movement faster then the human eye can see and, with the exceptions of competitive gaming, can be just the same performers.

The takeaway is, while it doesn’t hurt to purchase a mouse with the highest DPI sensor as your budget will allow, you should also place just as much importance on other factors like the mouse’s weight and its button configuration, which can be just as important as your mouse’s sensor when it comes to performance.

How light should my mouse be

Personal preference is the key to determining your weight. Some gamers, particularly those who play FPS, prefer lightweight mice for faster movement and aiming. Others prefer the consistent feel of a heavier mouse.

Manufacturers continue to release lighter mice every year. This year we’ve seen a bucket load of new releases that weigh much less than their predecessors—some six-button mice are even breaking the previously unheard of 60-gram mark.

It may be difficult to find a budget mouse with a light weight, as the most expensive mice tend to have the highest price tags. It is a more realistic weight, anything below 100g. This is a common benchmark for the best mouse weight among serious gamers.