There are many ergonomic ways to make mousing more comfortable, including vertical mice, trackballs, and pen mice that look like laser pointers. The unifying goal is to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries from using a mouse and keyboard for long periods of time each day. Repetitive strain injuries, or RSIs for short, are a group of musculoskeletal conditions brought on by keeping an unnatural position for an extended period of time or repeatedly doing the same action. After years of using a computer every day, typing on a keyboard and using a mouse have both been known to result in RSIs, which first present as discomfort, weakness, or numbness in your fingers and wrists.
Back and shoulder pain might also result from a bad office layout. (Note: Please seek medical attention if any of these symptoms sound familiar.) The movements that have been recognized to result in these injuries or exacerbate them in persons who already have RSIs are reduced or eliminated by ergonomic mouse. They are more comfortable for persons who already feel discomfort while using a regular mouse, but there is no concrete evidence that they can actually prevent RSIs.
However, choosing an ergonomic mouse can be a little challenging. Contrary to ergonomic keyboards, which have two major varieties (curved and split layouts) that form a sliding scale of balancing familiarity and ergonomic benefit, ergonomic mice have a wider range of design options and can offer a variety of benefits. This handbook fills that need. First, we’ll discuss the benefits and drawbacks of our best ergonomic mouse, then we’ll walk you through the entire selection process in a thorough guide.
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THE DETAILS OF OUR PICKS The best ergonomic mouse with a vertical design is the EVOLUENT VERTICALMOUSE C RIGHT WIRED. IN SHORT: The Evoluent VerticalMouse C Right Wired is a fashionable upgrade to an ergonomic mouse that is both cozy and incredibly adaptable. You might even start using a vertical mouse as a result.
PROS ergonomic, comfortable grip. sleek design in chrome. Five interchangeable buttons. instantaneous dpi switching. user-friendly software. CONS Wired. Some people won’t like the shape. only for righties.
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MX MASTER 3S WIRELESS MOUSE BY LOGITECH The best mouse for office work is ergonomic. SHORT VERDICT: The top-of-the-line MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse from Logitech is only a few clicks away from perfection thanks to its quiet buttons and 8,000 dpi sensor.
PROS amazing comfort and battery life electric scroll wheel that is extremely accurate. extremely flexible for many apps compatible with a variety of operating systems and hardware CONS Lefties need not apply. There is nowhere to put the USB dongle. The older model can be preferred by tactile clicking fans (Opens in a new window)
MICROSOFT ERGONOMIC WIRELESS BLUETOOTH MOUSE Most affordable ergonomic mouse SHORT VERDICT: The Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse establishes a high standard for work mouse with long battery life, multi-device connection, and a stylish appearance.
PROS a relaxed grasp an iron scroll wheel Pairing multiple devices enough battery life Cost-effective CONS No DPI defaults needs four (4) used AAA batteries.
Best affordable vertical mouse: LENOVO GO WIRELESS The Lenovo Go Wireless Vertical Mouse is about as elegant as it is comfortable, but some elements are missing that would make it a true ergonomic mouse.
PROS The corkboard’s surface feels cozy. fashionable, small-scale modern style Long hours of use are pleasant with the vertical grip. Button DPI Dongle storage built-in CONS Given the build quality, expensive rechargeable battery absent To pair with any device, you need a dongle (Opens in a new window)
The Best Ergonomic Thumb-Style Trackball is the LOGITECH ERGO M575. SHORT VERDICT: Only a design that won’t exactly fit everyone’s hands or workflows prevents the Logitech Ergo M575 from being a well-made, more ergonomic alternative to a regular mouse.
PROS A comfortable layout dependable construction Supports Logitech’s USB Unifying receiver and Bluetooth. Not everyone prefers thumb-ball style. There is no wired connection support (Opens in a new window)
BASILISK RAZER ULTIMATE (WITH DOCK) gaming mouse with the best hand support The Razer Basilisk Ultimate is a fantastic, multi-use wireless gaming mouse for dedicated PC gamers who aren’t afraid to go all out.
PROS Excellent hand comfort and support for the thumb. Cool charging station. Wheel tilt inputs. robust new sensor operating wirelessly without detectable input lag. CONS Pricey. Your hand might not be able to fully grasp the DPI paddle.
ERGONOMIC CONTOUR UNIMOUSE MOUSE Best Ergonomic Mouse for Adjusting Wrist Angle CONCLUSION: The Contour Unimouse offers a ton of customization possibilities for both its dedicated thumb rest and clicking surface, but its attractiveness is constrained by frustrating software and flimsy-feeling finishes.
PROS programmable major buttons in threes. Thumb rest and mouse orientation angle are highly configurable. CONS Pricey. At various angles, the mouse is unstable due to its flimsy construction. heavy-duty software tool. Currently only the right-handed variant is offered.
SEMI-VERTICAL WIRELESS MOUSE BY GOLDTOUCH Best Left-Handed Mouse for Ergonomics VERDICT Goldtouch’s left-handed-friendly Semi-Vertical Wireless Mouse prioritizes ergonomics, with a chassis that is less slanted than most of its sort.
PROS commodious ergonomic form A removable hand rest long-lasting battery Available in a left-handed version CONS Vertical mice are challenging to use precisely. Minimum DPI (Opens in a new window)
The Best Ergonomic Mouse with Long Battery Life is the LOGITECH LIFT SHORT VERDICT: The forward-looking The Logitech Lift is a reasonably priced, adaptable vertical mouse with an ergonomic design, although people with larger hands may not like it because of its small size.
PROS attractive, little vertical design available in a left-handed variant One AA cell has a 24-month battery life rating. able to fluidly switch connections between up to three devices Mac OS compatible CONS Inconvenient for larger hands Small feedback is provided via shallow switches (Opens in a new window)
SELECTING A VERTICAL MOUSE: Grip Flip Technique Most of us picture a vertical design when we hear the phrase “ergonomic mouse.” To grab it without having to twist your arm, the shape is basically a regular mouse flipped 90 degrees, or a mouse base with another mouse piled on top of it in a sideways position. Instead of holding the gadget with your palm down, picture a handshake clasp.
Naturally, the click panels and face buttons have been moved to the mouse’s side, where they are reachable using the same finger movements as a regular mouse. Instead of turning your hand to grasp the mouse, turn the mouse to meet your hand, which relieves pressure on your arm and enables you to move the mouse laterally with a more organic wrist action.
The accuracy level of a vertical mouse may be a drawback. The shape alters the relationship between how you move your hand and the course of the pointer by moving it higher up your body and farther away from the mouse sensor. Even after using a vertical mouse for weeks, lining up the cursor with a small icon may require an additional adjustment. If you choose to take this route, you should be prepared for a huge change that might eventually fade away.
However, for the majority of users, a vertical mouse will be the most ergonomic choice. It keeps the majority of the mouse-using experience while reducing the musculoskeletal problems brought on by excessive use of a normal mouse. The solution may be having two mice—a vertical model for daily use and a curved, palm-supporting conventional mouse for sporadic precision work—for gamers and creative professionals who may not be able to utilize one at all times.
MINIMIZING CERTAIN MOVEMENTS IN TRACKBALLS A long-standing alternative to the conventional mouse that has a cult following is the trackball. A trackball recognizes the directional movement of a sphere attached in a housing with buttons to mimic the inputs of a regular mouse, as opposed to moving the mouse around to move the cursor. With relatively little arm movement and no actual “grip,” using a trackball might cause or aggravate repetitive strain injuries.
(Nathaniel Mott/Flickr) Thumb-operated and finger-operated trackballs are the two most common forms. The two variants give a sliding scale of familiarity (how simple it is for new users to adapt) vs ergonomic benefit, similar to ergonomic keyboards. Because they resemble regular mice, thumb-operated trackballs like those on this list are more approachable. But it’s been established that using a thumb trackball for an extended period of time can eventually harm certain thumb muscles. Although finger-operated trackballs may take a little longer to get used to, your thumb and fingers are not put under any additional stress. The editor of this article has used a thumb-control Microsoft Trackball Optical everyday for more than 15 years with no obvious side effects, but this also depends on personal physiology. — Ed.}
Both aesthetics require some getting used to; the only way to truly know if a trackball will suit you is to use one. It usually doesn’t take long for people to decide if they prefer whirling a trackball to pushing and dragging a traditional mouse. Finding a store where you might be able to try one on before buying is advised, or at the very least, making sure you can return an item if it doesn’t fit is advised.
SKETCH YOUR WAY TO COMFORT WITH PEN MICE? The pen mouse, which we’ve evaluated, is one of the less typical styles of ergonomic mouse. (These should not be confused with the straightforward stylus pens used on tablets and touch displays.) Some mice, like the ones from Penclic (Opens in a new window) , resemble a fountain pen poking out of an inkwell: They are held like pens, yet are moved around a desk or mousepad like regular mice. Others expand on the idea by effectively replacing the mouse with a laser pointer that you can point at a surface and move to change the cursor’s position.
A pen mouse does not require you to twist your wrist to lie flat, regardless of the iteration, and because of their small size, it is simple to choose a position that requires the least amount of arm movement. The strain brought on by inconvenient button placements on a regular mouse is further lessened by having the mouse buttons and actions on a pen.
However, the pen-style grip continues to raise ergonomic questions. A certain type of repetitive strain injury seems to be a foregone conclusion if your fingers are curled around a pen mouse for long periods of time each day over many years. This may only be a worry for persons who have hurting wrists or fingers, as using a pen requires significantly less grip strength than using a mouse.
EDITORS’ RECOMMENDATION
DO REGULAR MICE WORK WELL FOR YOUR HANDS? You might not want to cope with the drawbacks of a specialist ergonomic mouse, such as decreased fine accuracy and an adjustment period that will result in some short-term productivity loss, if you do not already exhibit symptoms of repetitive stress injury. If that’s the case, you may still do yourself a favor and purchase a mouse with a cozy, sturdy shape. One of the most crucial aspects of your purchasing selection for conventional mouse is selecting one that fits comfortably in your palm. They come in a variety of sizes and forms.
(Molly Flores in photo) Buy a mouse that is customized to match your dominant hand if at all possible. Because manufacturers can design more specialized and supporting shapes, mice are sometimes “fitted” in one direction or the other. Unfortunately, not many firms produce left-handed mice, so lefties may only have access to a limited number of specialized options or must search for an ambidextrous mouse with a good shape.
Beyond that, ergo-positive characteristics differ between mice. A “thumb wing” or rest for your opposable digit is one characteristic that suggests greater support, although its presence does not guarantee comfort. Some businesses clearly cater to varied hand forms; gaming mouse manufacturer Corsair, for instance, produces a variety of well-shaped mice, some of which are designed for those with large hands. As our experts describe how each mouse fits your hand, read our reviews for more detailed information about the various mouse shapes.
WHAT ERGONOMIC MOUSE SHOULD I GET, THEN? You should now have a better notion of which ergonomic mice you wish to test after reading our description of the various types. This list provides a summary of the top products we’ve examined, along with in-depth reviews. Check out our comprehensive guide to the best computer mice to learn more about the general guidelines for choosing a fantastic mouse. Searching for the best keyboard? For that too, we have an explanation. Also, be sure to read our guide to setting up a fully ergonomic home office.
