The best mouse of 2017: 10 top computer mice compared

When your mouse is old and decrepit, chances are it’s lacking the newest features that make computing a breeze in 2017. Whether you’re crunching numbers or crushing the enemy team in Overwatch, you need an optical mouse that tracks movement without an antiquated trackball.

Today’s computer mouse differs drastically from the one that’s been stuffed in your keyboard cabinet all these years. Technological progress has allowed for the top mice to take advantage of the 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless interfaces as well as various form factors.

So whether the best mouse for you is one that’s customizable and chock-full of buttons or one that you can take on the go and grip with either hand, you can breathe easy knowing that we’ve got your back. Now let’s help you find the best mouse for your budget, shall we?

The MX Anywhere 2 is smaller than Logitech's flagship MX Master, making it a more travel-friendly option. Capable of connecting with up to three devices using Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless technology, this mouse is known for its quick setup and lasting battery life. In a mere 4 minutes, the Logitech MX Anywhere 2 can be charged for an entire day’s use.

After finding a great mouse, get the best keyboard

Logitech MX Master

Logitech's flagship is a mighty mouse indeed. Hand-sculpted for comfort, the MX Master connects via Bluetooth or USB dongle and it can pair to up to three devices. The rechargeable battery lasts for up to 40 days and goes from flat to a day of power in four minutes. Plus, you can even use it while it's charging.

Anker Vertical Mouse

Judging by the mouthful of a name, Anker’s mouse is defined by its vertical orientation. Though it looks and feels somewhat sideways at first, the Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse is only off-putting until you start to wonder how you ever lived without it. It’s built a little more cheaply than other ergonomic mice, but it’s ultimately an inexpensive means of preventing RSI.

Apple Magic Mouse 2

It has its critics, but the Magic Mouse has plenty of fans and the second iteration is a major improvement over the first generation. It boasts a trackpad-like multi-touch surface and moves more smoothly around your desk than the first version. Best of all, it no longer requires alkaline batteries thanks to a built-in rechargeable battery.

Triathlon

Like the MX Master, the Triathlon M270 can pair with up to three devices using Bluetooth. What’s more, it uses the same free-spinning scroll wheel featured on the MX Master, letting you zip through documents or webpages. Logitech promises up to 24 months of use before the on one AA battery. The only drawback? Bluetooth makes for lower latency than a wired mouse.

Though it isn’t chock-full of buttons like most gaming mice in its price range, the Asus ROG Gladius II still shines. With only six buttons, this mouse is versatile, discreet and customizable, allowing you to change out its switches and personalize its stylish RGB lighting as you see fit. It’s lacking a few staples, such as swappable weights, but overall, it’s a solid get.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Gladius II

Logitech Marathon Mouse M705

The seventh best mouse on our list is seen but not heard. Because it’s unusually compact as well as silent, it’s the kind of mouse that’s ideally used atop an airplane tray next to a snoozing neighbor. Just slip it in your laptop bag when the flight touches down and, weighing less than a quarter of a pound, you won’t have to worry about any additional strain on your back.

Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600

Running for up to a year on a single battery and is that rare thing, a mouse that's designed for both left and right handed use. It doesn't have 32 billion buttons, a sensor capable of tracking atoms or the ability to turn into a car and save the universe, but if you want a good, comfortable, reliable mouse to take wherever you go the 3600 is a winner.

Razer DeathAdder Chroma

Offering high-end performance for a pretty reasonable price, the Razer DeathAdder Chroma's USP is its 16.8 million-colour lighting effects coupled with a 10,000 dpi optical sensor. It's blazingly fast, exceptionally accurate, offers on-the-fly sensitivity adjustment and looks fantastic, which is probably why it's so popular among e-sports athletes.

Read the full review: Razer DeathAdder Chroma

Better known for its mechanical keyboard switches, Cherry has made a no-frills mouse in the MC 4000 Precision. Featuring an ambidextrous symmetrical design, the MC 4000 lights up red or blue to indicate whether it's in 2,000 DPI mode (the former) or 1,000 (the latter), with the higher value modes being useful when using 4K and other high-resolution displays.