With so many of us still working from home because of the coronavirus, you could probably use something to make your day run a little smoother. And anyone who spends a large portion of their day working in front of a computer can tell you how the right mouse makes a big difference in their productivity.
If you need a mouse for working from home, we recommend looking for ones with sensors that work on almost all surfaces, including glass, such as the Logitech MX mice. These models also let you connect to up to three devices by Bluetooth or their included USB adapters so you can quickly switch control between computers. They can be pricey, however, and, if you don’t need to work on a glass table, most newer mice will work on anything other than glass or reflective surfaces.
There are plenty of inexpensive options that are comfortable with good tracking and Bluetooth, a wireless receiver or both. All the mice here use wireless technology, though several can be used as wired mice with a USB cable if you’re worried about battery life.
Read more: Working from home? Here’s how to make sure your Wi-Fi is up to speed
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As basic as a wireless mouse gets. But I especially liked the soft-touch finish, and that it has a slot in the battery compartment to house the nano receiver when not in use, so you’re at least slightly less likely to lose it. It doesn’t have Bluetooth, though, so you have to have an available USB port for the receiver.
Microsoft
Bluetooth mice are pricier than ones that use 2.4GHz wireless adapter like the AmazonBasics mouse. Windows users who are able to spend a bit more might be better served by Microsoft’s Sculpt Comfort Mouse, a slightly more comfortable Bluetooth mouse with a Start menu quick-launch button that can be remapped for other functions.
Jelly Comb
Not everyone has an available USB port on their computer, especially if you have a newer laptop that only has a USB-C port. This simple mouse from Jelly Comb has both a USB receiver and Bluetooth so you can connect using either. You can even quickly switch between the two, letting you control your computer with one and another device like a tablet with the other.
Its low-profile design lets it slip easily into your bag but isn’t the most comfortable if you prefer a more ergonomic design. Despite appearances, the ball on top is just a scroll wheel, not a trackball. Also, there are no forward and back buttons on the side if that’s a must-have for you. However, a button in the middle of the body on top quickly switches the DPI to give you greater cursor control on the fly.
Logitech
Trackballs seem to get overlooked but, going by the comments on this story, that’s a big mistake. Options like the MX Ergo and the $33 Kensington Orbit offer more comfort but the same control you’d get with a regular mouse. Plus, since it stays stationary, you don’t need extra desk space for movement and it can be used on any surface.
The MX Ergo takes wrist comfort up a notch with a unique adjustable hinge that lets you tilt the body up at an angle to get your hand into more of a handshake position.
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The MX Master 3 combines the customization of a gaming mouse in a comfortable, wireless design made for getting work done. Logitech’s software makes it easy to set the five programmable buttons (that’s a lot of buttons, but there’s a button on the bottom and more on the thumb rest) and thumb scroll wheel of the MX Master to handle a variety of tasks, from taking screenshots to controlling media.
Compared to the older MX Master 2S, the new model is more comfortable with better button placement. It has smoother, faster and more precise scrolling — great for long spreadsheets — as well as faster USB-C charging. The MX Master 3 can be used with a cord or wireless via Bluetooth or the included Unifying USB adapter, and it supports connections to up to three computers; the button on the bottom lets you quickly switch between connections. The mouse also supports Logitech’s Flow feature letting you move your cursor between computers on the same network.
At $100, it’s expensive but worth it. The MX Master 2S is almost as good and still available for $80.
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If you’ve searched for new mice on Amazon, you’ve seen the brand VicTsing. One of its wireless mice currently sits atop the retail giant’s bestseller list along with several others scattered throughout that list, including this updated version of its $15 vertical ergonomic mouse with a nanoreceiver. The comfortable, ergonomic mouse is powered by two AAA batteries, and it connects with a small 2.4GHz wireless USB adapter that’s stowed in the battery compartment (it won’t affect battery life).
The ergonomic design of this wireless mobile mouse is lightweight and comfortable, and takes almost no time to adjust and find the buttons coming from traditional mice. Plus, one of the buttons is below the scroll wheel and it lets you switch DPI settings on the fly if you want to speed up or slow down cursor movement. (DPI stands for dots per inch, so if a mouse has 800 DPI, that’s 800 dots per inch, or 1,600 DPI is 1,600 dots per inch. Some go up to 12,000 DPI.) That’s it for customization, though. Still, it’s a good cordless mouse overall and if you’re not sure you’ll be happy with one of these mice or their ergonomic design, it’s an inexpensive way to try. And VicTsing includes a 45-day free return period and 18-month warranty.
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Mice that live up to the quality of Microsoft’s other Surface hardware are worth their price, especially if you work on multiple Windows 10 PCs at the same time. Using Microsoft’s Mouse and Keyboard Center software, you can not only program its customizable buttons, but connect the device to three different computers and seamlessly move your cursor between them, similar to Logitech’s Flow feature. It’s a great synthesis between keyboard and mouse. The Surface Precision Mouse can be used wired as well with its USB charging cable, and is quite honestly one of the most comfortable mice we’ve ever used, too.
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The MX Anywhere 2S device is essentially a smaller version of the MX Master 2S device. These mice share many features, including dual-wireless connectivity (the mice can be used wired, too), hyperfast scroll capabilities, programmable buttons and Flow support for moving your cursor between two computers on the same network. The battery will last for up to 70 days on a full charge, and a quick three-minute charge of the battery can get you through a workday. It’s also comfortable to use the buttons despite its small size and, perhaps most importantly, it can be used on just about any surface, including glass — so don’t worry about a mouse pad.
VicTsing
The $22 dual-wireless Pioneer travel mouse and $36 Pioneer full-size mouse are good alternatives to the Logitech Anywhere and MX Master mice on this list. They don’t have the customization options of those mice, but are responsive, feel comfortable in your hand because of their ergonomic design and can be used via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless and wired with its USB charging cable. These, like the Logitech models, can switch between three devices with a press of a button, too.
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Yes, it’s another Logitech mouse, but good wireless mice that are comfortable for work and high-performance wireless gaming for less than $50 aren’t easy to find. The G305 device’s lightweight, ambidextrous design hits the mark, though, and its single AA battery will last for up to 250 hours of continuous PC gaming — that’s a lot of battery life. It does not have Bluetooth, but instead uses Logitech’s wireless Lightspeed USB adapter. And if that great battery life isn’t enough, plug it into your computer and you’ll have an instant connection that’s nearly lag-free for gaming. The tiny adapter is stored under the mouse’s palm rest for travel. And it has a Hero optical sensor for optimal gaming performance. All that with a single battery!