Top picks and reviews of the best wireless gaming mice in 2023

Wireless gaming mice are as fast and feature-packed than their wired counterparts. Going wireless can give you more freedom as a gamer. But before you cut loose and buy one, it’s worth noting they’re not all alike. You’ll still need to consider factors like weight, dots per inch (DPI), and battery life which can be telling factors in how your gaming mouse performs and ultimately how you will perform in games.

These mice have been put through their paces by expert reviewers who tested them over extended periods of times and in various scenarios. Here are the results. While these are the current best wireless gaming mice available, for a no holds barred list, including both wired and wireless models, be sure to check out PCWorld’s all-inclusive selection of the best gaming mice.

1. G502 Lightspeed – Best overall

Pros

• Very comfortable design
• Weighs less that the wired version
• Compatible with Powerplay wireless charging mousepad

Cons

• Scroll wheel feels less substantial
• Powerplay makes it impossible to modify your weight.
• Expensive

The G502 Hero was a huge hit with PCWorld reviewers before it went wired. This was due to its simple design, well-thought button layout, and dual-mode scroll. Thankfully all these features return in the update, but the G502 now has Powerplay compatibility—a feature we can’t speak highly enough of.

The Powerplay system trickle-charges the mouse as you play, freeing you from having to charge it manually, and ensuring you’re never without power (Read more about Logitech’s Powerplay Wireless Charging System.) The wireless G502 is now a more modern version of the wired model, with a rubber coated wheel in place of the old metal one. This change reduces the weight to just 114g, making it one of the lightest versions.

This mouse’s 11-button selection places it in-between mice like the 18-button SteelSeries Aerox 9 and the smaller 6-button HyperX Pulsefire Haste, which makes it ideal as a do-it-all mouse that doesn’t shirk on functionality but won’t overwhelm you with having to remember too many commands.

Check out our complete article
Review G502 Lightspeed

2. SteelSeries Aerox 9 – Best for tinkerers

Pros

• 18 buttons that can be easily programmed
• Weighs only 89g
• Dual Bluetooth 5.0/2.4GHz wireless

Cons

• Some buttons on the side grid can be difficult to reach

SteelSeries Aerox 9 wireless gaming mice are rare finds. It packs 18 programmable buttons, but only 89g. That makes it an excellent option if you like to tinker with commands and macros in MOBA and MMO games but don’t want to compromise on speed. The Aerox 9’s 18,000 CPI sensor, dual Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity, and speedy switching between laptops was also a big plus.

With an open top honey-comb design and internal RGB lighting, the Aerox 9 sports a slick, futuristic look that won’t go unnoticed in any group gaming session. It’s also extremely comfortable, providing cool air circulation and cooling you down on hot days.

Although punctuated by a multitude of holes, this mouse is also very sturdy: The top mesh didn’t show any give during our most frantic gameplay. According to SteelSeries, the mouse’s internal hardware is protected against dust and spillage by an IP54-rated Aquabarrier, which is reassuring for gamers like me who like to keep hot beverages close at hand.

Check out our complete article
Review SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless

3. Logitech G903 – Best ambidextrous grip

Pros

• Excellent wireless performance
• Lightweight construction, glides smoothly
• Ideal for ambidextrous gamers

Cons

• The ambidextrous form is not very ergonomic.
• Powerplay is not required to use the G900. There are no significant improvements over the G900.
• Expensive

Like the G502 Hero, the G903 makes use of Logitech’s Powerplay system that conveniently charges the mouse wirelessly as you play. However, the G903’s biggest point of difference is its ambidextrous design that lends itself equally to left- and right-handed gaming.

There are 10 buttons all together. You can also set the outer edges buttons to match your dominant hand. You can swap out magnetic filler pieces to either make the left- or right-side edge buttons disappear or appear. In games, this mouse’s premium PWM3366 sensor is very precise. The left and right buttons fire with the slightest pressure on a hair trigger. This mouse is ideal for those who need to be able to quickly send commands.

We found that the G903 had a slightly curved back that allowed it to fit comfortably against our palms. With most of the support being located towards the mouse’s rear. We found that the G903 was most suitable for gamers who prefer to use a claw grip.

Check out our complete article
Review Logitech G903

4. Roccat Burst Pro Air – Best RGB lighting

Pros

• Owl-Eye sensors are very precise and fast
• You won’t find a mouse that has more stunning RGB lighting.
• Both dual wireless and wired connectivity are available

Cons

• If you are used to a lighter mouse, an 81-gram weight may feel heavy.
• Mouse wheel does not have left and right clicks
• It is more expensive than some of its rivals

Unlike some gaming mice, which only have RGB lighting around their buttons and peripherals, the ROCCAT Burst Pro features four dedicated programmable RGB lighting areas that light up the entire mouse like a firecracker. Suffice to say, with 16.8 million color options in Roccat’s Swarm software app to play with, you can get some dazzling lighting effects on this mouse.

But while the Pro Air is genuinely stunning to look at, it’s equally as proficient in games, thanks to its comfortable eight-button configuration, powerful 19,000 DPI Owl-Eye optical sensor, and low-latency switches, which have a 100-million click durability rating.

The Pro Air is also a versatile mouse thanks to its many connectivity options. These include Bluetooth 5.2, low-latency Wi-Fi and a USB A to USB-C cable for wired communication.

Check out our complete article
Review ROCCAT Burst Pro Air

5. SteelSeries Rival 650 – Fastest recharging

Pros

• In 15 minutes, get 10 hours of free charge
• Attractive and comfortable design
• The removable weight system offers many options

Cons

• Some might prefer it more than others
• Expensive
• The third thumb button is small and awkwardly located

On the surface, the SteelSeries Rival 650 could be any other wireless gaming mouse, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find it has two big advantages over rivals—its dual sensor hardware configuration and its fast charging capability.

The Rival 650 pairs a primary sensor (the PWM3360 TrueMove 3), with a dedicated depth sensor. This sensor is responsible for stopping input when your mouse moves from your mousepad. If you mainly keep your mouse flat on your mouse pad or table top, chances are you won’t notice much difference in your gaming accuracy. But, if your mouse is primarily placed on a table top or pad, you might notice a difference in your gaming accuracy.DoLift your mouse a lot to make aiming a little easier.

SteelSeries claims that the Rival 650 can run for 10 hours straight on fast charging in 15 minutes. This claim was tested and we found it to be mostly accurate. The Rival 650 could run for more than a day without charging in 15 minutes, sometimes only a few minutes longer.

Check out our complete article
Review SteelSeries Rival 650

6. Logitech G603 – Best replaceable-battery option

Pros

• It is easy to pack because of its slim design
• Double AA batteries offer 500 hours of battery lifetime
• Hero sensor performs as well the PWM3366

Cons

• The battery makes weight distribution a little awkward.
• A bit too small and too flat to be comfortable

If you travel a lot with your wireless gaming mouse, you’ll want to make sure it has two things: a long battery life so you can skip the constant charging, and a superb sensor that performs as well as what you’d find in a decent wired gaming mouse. Logitech G603 has both these features. It boasts a respectable 500-hour battery life with two AA batteries, and a capable Logitech Hero sensor that can measure 12,000 DPI.

The Hero sensor is the key to this mouse’s travel worthiness, it being many more times as power efficient as the famed PWM3366 sensor that Logitech uses in wireless gaming mice like the G703 and G903, but with the same kind of high-end performance that eliminates smoothing, acceleration, or interference in your gameplay.

Please read our full article Logitech G603 review

How to test wireless gaming mice

The PCWolrd team tests wireless gaming mice to ensure they are the best. We look at everything from how well they’ve been designed and perform in games, to the suite of software that helps you personalize them. Here’s a list of the main categories our tests fall under:

• Design and ergonomics Here we factor in the mouse’s physical characteristics, including its shape, styling, buttons, and RGB lighting (if any). We also consider how comfy it is, how big it fits, and, crucially, what grip type it will be able to use (palm, fingertip or claw). We also consider how tough it will be, and how likely it will survive the demands of gaming life.
• Wireless performanceThis is the fun part. We get to test our mouse in a variety games while evaluating factors such as its tracking accuracy and sensitivity. We’re testing the mouse’s sensor in a big way here, but also our mouse’s wireless, and or Bluetooth connectivity.
• Software supportSometimes what your wireless mouse’s software can do is limit the possibilities. When testing our mouse’s software app we consider how easy it is to navigate, change settings, program buttons, set up profiles for games, and make changes to RGB lighting (if any).

How to choose a wireless gaming mouse

Connectivity: Bluetooth or wireless?

Most people know that a wired mouse connects to your computer via USB port. A wireless mouse connects via Bluetooth or wireless dongle. Which one is better?

The truth is there’s not such a great deal of difference anymore. The lower input lag gave wired mice a competitive advantage in gaming for years. However, just about all wireless gaming mice now feature 2.4GHz connectivity which provides a reliable low-latency connection in games and performance that’s comparable to their wired counterparts. Some wireless gaming mice have dual connectivity with Bluetooth that allows you to switch between them, but not always. While it’s true that the 2.4GHz connection is faster and more stable than a Bluetooth connection, latency isn’t everything. Bluetooth is compatible with more devices, and allows for dongle-less connection on-the-go. This can be a great feature if you intend to use your device for school or work.

Is my mouse’s sensor really important?

A gaming mouse’s sensor is the the number one hardware component that determines how well a mouse performs in games. The sensor decides the mouse’s tracking speed and accuracy, two factors we scrutinize in our tests. The main spec to look for in any sensor is dpi (dots per inch), which tells you how well the mouse’s sensor reports movement per inch of physical movement. The newest wireless gaming mouse models have a dpi range of 12,000 to 24,000, with higher numbers indicating greater sensitivity.

While a lot of fuss is made about dpi in manufacturer brochures, there’s really no perfect dpi for gaming, it being largely a personal choice. While it can’t hurt to have the best, unless you’re a professional esports gamer you probably won’t need a 20,000 dpi sensor. In reality, even 12,000 dpi provides decent performance in games.

Orientation: left, right, or ambidextrous

Do you prefer to be left- or right-handed? Or ambidextrous. For practicality’s sake the answer to this question should inform your choice when buying a wireless gaming mouse. That way you’ll get a better fit to your hand shape and the buttons will be within reach of your fingers. While most of our wireless gaming mice reviews will be for right-handed mice, simply because that’s what most people use, we’ll endeavor to bring you left-handed and ambidextrous mice reviews when possible.

What grip type should you use?

How you grip your mouse is not something you’ve probably given much thought to—just like you don’t give much thought to how you hold your fork when you eat. Still, it can be important since you’ll want to get a mouse that fits your specific grip type. These are the three main grip types:

Palm grip This grip is the most used by gamers. It’s also the most comfortable for long gaming sessions since it puts more of your hand in contact with your mouse and prevents tension in your wrist. Long, flat mice are better for palm grippers.

Claw grip If you use a claw grip, you’re arching your palm over the mouse to make a claw shape. This grip is popular in the e-sports community, especially among FPS players, since it allows you to make quick wrist movements—useful for sweeping attacks on targets. It can however clench the wrist and create tension. A claw grip is more suitable for smaller mice.

Fingertip grip:This grip allows you to aim with the most control, but not as much. Gamers who use this grip are limited to using their fingertips for the left and right clicks. This puts a lot of strain onto their wrists. Fingertip grippers often prefer lighter mice because of the extra strain.

Do I need a heavy or light mouse?

A mouse’s weight can have a big impact on how accurately you can target and position its curser or crosshairs. Gamers these days prefer the lightest mouse available because they require less effort and are naturally faster.

Lighter mice also lend themselves to longer gaming sessions, since gamer hands (and arms) aren’t as easily fatigued by them. Wireless gaming mice can be among the lightest, as they are not weighed down by wires.

One thing to note about a mouse’s weight is that whether it’s considered light is relative to how many buttons it has. For example, the 18-button SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless might seem like a heavyweight at 89 grams compared to the six-button / 61-gram HyperX Pulsefire Haste, yet for an 18-button mouse it’s considered exceptionally lightweight.

How many buttons do you need?

How many buttons you use will depend on the game you are playing. If you’re mainly into FPS (first-person shooters) a wireless gaming mouse with six buttons—which tends to be the minimum number we see in wireless gaming mice these days—should be more than enough.

On the other hand, if you play games where you need to quickly deploy lots of commands—like MOBA and MMO games—a mouse with between 6 and 18 buttons will provide you with more versatility.

Why is software so important?

If your mouse is your weapon in games, then the mouse’s support software is its armory. The best software apps for wireless gaming mice allow you to change and customize settings like your mouse’s sensitivity and acceleration and deceleration. You can also set macros and commands, and save your preferences in profiles so you can quickly switch between games.