Not all the best gaming mice will empty your wallet. There are plenty of perfectly capable options that you can find for an absolute steal, like our favorite budget gaming mouse, the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless, with its reliable performance and durable build for under $50. But whether you’re after a lightweight build, insane speeds for FPS, or extra buttons for MMOs, we’ve found an affordable gaming mouse for your needs.
TL;DR – These are the Best Budget Gaming Mice:
The best budget gaming mice will nail the basics, delivering accurate tracking, a comfortable grip, dependable controls, and a reliable connection so you excel in the best PC games. You may miss out on features like saving profiles on mouse, RGB lighting, or rechargeable batteries, but those are hardly a sacrifice considering the savings. Instead, you can spend that extra dough on other peripherals like a gaming keyboard and gaming headset or save for a great gaming PC deal
Best Budget Gaming Mice
1. SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless
Best Budget Gaming Mouse
SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless
75
Six programmable buttons, 18,000 CPI max sensitivity, and 40G accelerations make this affordable, low-latency wireless gaming mouse a boon.
Sensor: TrueMove Air Optical | Sensitivity: 18,000 CPI | Shape: Right-Handed | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wireless | Weight: 95-106 grams
Pros:
Impressive 400-hour battery lifeReliable and responsive
Cons:
No option for a wired connection
The SteelSeries Rival 3 is already a top-notch budget gaming mouse, but now it’s leveled up with the Rival 3 Wireless. It takes the familiar shape of the Rival series and provides it with speedy wireless connectivity thanks to a low-latency wireless dongle to slot into your gaming PC or gaming laptop. You also get Bluetooth for ample flexibility, letting you pair it with a tablet or smartphone. Since this mouse is wireless, solid battery life is essential, and it can run for over 400 hours on a pair of AAA batteries, but you can also opt to run on a single AAA battery if you prefer a lighter weight.
If you’re concerned about performance, the Rival 3 Wireless doesn’t disappoint. With an 18,000 CPI max sensitivity from its TrueMove Air optical sensor and tracking at up to 400 inches-per-second and 40G accelerations, this is undoubtedly a high-performance mouse. You also get six programmable buttons and other mouse customizations that SteelSeries makes easy to tinker with using their software. There’s even a tiny bit of RGB lighting on the scroll wheel for helpful battery alerts and in-game notifications. And somehow, the mouse does all this while maintaining a low price, coming in under $50.
Long-lasting, single AA battery on the Logitech G305
2. Logitech G305 Lightspeed
Best Budget Wireless Gaming Mouse
Logitech G305 Lightspeed
30
A 2.4GHz dongle ensures an ultrafast response time of 1ms on this wireless mouse that’s ready to track your speedy movements accurately.
Sensor: HERO optical | Sensitivity: 12,000 DPI | Shape: Right-handed | Buttons: 6 | Connection: 2.4GHz wireless dongle | Battery life: 250 hours | Weight: 99g
Pros:
Excellent trackingDurable, lightweight build
Cons:
If you’re on the hunt for a reliable wireless gaming mouse that won’t break the bank, the Logitech G305 Lightspeed is the one for you. It just can’t be beaten when it comes to performance versus price. For around $40, it’ll connect to your gaming PC or gaming laptop using a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, though you don’t get Bluetooth to use it with more devices. In gaming, we know speed is often everything, so even though it’s wireless, the Lightspeed tech ensures you still get an ultrafast response time of 1ms. And battery life shouldn’t be a big concern either, as it totes 250 hours of continuous play before you need to change the single AA battery.
The Logitech G305 Lightspeed comes packing a HERO optical sensor with an impressive 12,000 DPI sensitivity, 400 IPS precision, and up to 40G of acceleration. That means this mouse can track even your speediest movements with incredible accuracy, giving you a leg up in FPS games. You’ll be maneuvering the mouse with ease, too, because even though it’s wireless, it manages to remain lightweight, and the PTFE feet glide well on the majority of surfaces. The six programmable buttons also mean you can customize the mouse to games or activities you’re performing. It’s also super durable and compact, so you can toss it in a bag when traveling.
The Best Gaming PC Deals
3. Razer DeathAdder V3
Best Budget Ergonomic Gaming Mouse
Razer DeathAdder V3
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Hold on to this ergonomic, lightweight mouse with competitive tracking.
Sensor: Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor | Sensitivity: 30,000 DPI | Shape: Right-handed | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 59g
Pros:
Ergonomic shape Impressive performance
Cons:
Not the best option for smaller hands
When gaming, your mouse must be comfortable in hand so you can focus on the action. The Razer DeathAdder V3 ensures that’s the case thanks to its right-handed, ergonomic design and tall dome shape, which provides extra support for resting your palm. However, the bulkier build might not be the best for smaller hands. At least the matte finish and special finger ledge make this mouse suitable for various grip styles. Plus, all the buttons are easy to reach, while the low 59g weight and PTFE skates allow it to move at high speeds.
Sure, the Razer DeathAdder V3 is comfortable, but it also has the performance chops you want. The Focus Pro 30K Sensor is capable of some accurate, fast tracking and can handle accelerations up to 70G and speeds up to 750 inches per second; it’s probably overkill for most. An 8,000Hz polling rate means a quick response time and the optical switches are super dependable. Razer also lets you store up to five profiles on mouse, so you can adjust the six programmable buttons to the perfect settings for all your favorite games.
See our guide to the best ergonomic mice for more options like this.
4. Corsair Katar Pro XT
Best Budget Ambidextrous Gaming Mouse
Corsair Katar Pro XT
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An ambidextrous wired option offering six buttons, 18,000 DPI, and a budget-friendly price tag.
Sensor: Optical PixArt PMW3391 | Sensitivity: 18,000 DPI | Shape: Ambidextrous | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 73g
Pros:
Ambidextrous designQuickstrike buttons allow for faster inputs
Cons:
Thumb buttons only on one side of mouse
Need a cheap gaming mouse you can hold just as comfortably in your left hand as your right? The Corsair Katar Pro XT is it. This affordable option has a familiar, symmetrical design with textured grips on the sides that you’ll be content to hold for hours. Though, it’s worth noting that there are only thumb buttons on one side. It’s also lightweight making it easy to swing around in even the most frantic gaming moments, while the durable plastic body and 6-foot braided cable can hold up against whatever you throw at it. There’s even some RGB lighting in the scroll wheel that can sync up with other Corsair peripherals. Not bad for a mouse around $50.
Beyond that, the Corsair Katar Pro XT brings plenty of performance potential to its price point. It features an optical sensor that can track up to 18,000 DPI, and you can tune the tracking exactly to your liking in 1 DPI increments. Corsair has also implemented Quickstrike buttons to reduce the depth the mouse buttons travel before actuating, helping you get your inputs registered much faster. You don’t get loads of extra buttons, but the six on-mouse should be plenty and can be programmed to your liking.
See our guide to the best left-handed gaming mice for more options like this.
5. Razer Basilisk V3
Best Budget FPS Gaming Mouse
Razer Basilisk V3
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With a wicked-fast sensor, a handy sniper button, and other customizable buttons, you’ll have a leg up on the competition in FPS.
Sensor: Optical | Sensitivity: 26,000 DPI | Shape: Right-handed | Buttons: 11 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 101g
Pros:
Speedy 26K DPI optical sensorWealth of customizable buttons
Cons:
The Razer Basilisk line of mice has featured some of our favorite options for FPS gaming thanks to their ergonomic design and stellar sensor. The tradition continues with the Razer Basilisk V3. This wired mouse features a comfortable form factor designed for right-handers with easy access to buttons and an included thumb rest. You’ll get a 26K DPI optical sensor—plenty fast for any PC gamer—and sensitivity can drop instantly, thanks to a sniper button. This feature gives you a better aim to take down opponents.
This wired mouse comes packing tons of other customizable buttons with tactile mechanical switches sure to give you a leg up on the competition. There is a solid, non-removable thumb paddle. It has a DPI clutch—basically paddle shifts down the side of the mouse—that’ll also work perfectly for sniping. Though you can customize those shifters and the ten other buttons on this mouse to do whatever you please with Razer Synapse. Plus, a HyperScroll Tilt Wheel features different modes for speedy scrolling or precision, depending on what you’re using it for. There are even 11 zones of customizable RGB lighting loaded in.
6. Roccat Burst Pro
Best Budget RGB Gaming Mouse
Roccat Burst Pro
18
RGB lighting shines thanks to a honeycomb translucent layer with three lighting zones, while the lightweight, budget mouse still offers plenty of gaming chops.
Sensor: Owl-Eye 16K Optical (Pixart PMW3389-based) | Sensitivity: 16,000 DPI | Shape: Ambidextrous (single-sided thumb buttons) | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 68g
Pros:
Three zones of stunning RGB lighting Fast-actuating optical switches
Cons:
For an affordable gaming mouse that has heaps of flair, you want the Roccat Burst Pro. This gaming mouse borrows some cues from lightweight gaming mice—a category it actually falls into thanks to its 68g weight—with its use of a honeycomb pattern design. But, rather than opening up the frame, Roccat has covered the honeycomb in a translucent layer that lets the Burst Pro’s RGB lighting shine through brilliantly. That layer also keeps dirt and dust out of the mouse’s internals. While a total of three lighting zones, including one on the scroll wheel, can sync with other compatible AIMO products for a flashy, uniform look that changes based on the action in your games.
Of course, we wouldn’t recommend a gaming mouse if it didn’t also have the chops for gaming. The Roccat Burst Pro features the Owl-Eye 16K optical sensor, which handles high-speed mouse movements with high-resolution tracking up to 400 inches per second. There’s even a dedicated DPI button to make adjustments on the fly. It also supports an adjustable lift-off distance, so you’ll get to fine-tune your controls. Roccat has implemented optical switches in the mouse buttons for incredibly fast actuation and extended hardware longevity. In total, there are six buttons that you can customize to your liking, and you can save up to five profiles on the mouse.
The Razer Naga X’s 12 programmable thumb buttons
7. Razer Naga X
Best Budget MMO Gaming Mouse
Razer Naga X
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Thanks to an impressive array of 16 buttons, a 5G optical sensor, and an ergonomic design, it’s ready for MMOs.
Sensor: 5G Optical Sensor | Sensitivity: 18,000 DPI | Shape: Right-handed | Buttons: 16 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 85g
Pros:
12 programmable thumb buttonsSurprisingly lightweight
Cons:
Lacks rubberized grip from previous generations
If you’re playing MMOs, what you need from your mouse is really a second keyboard. And that’s more or less what the Razer Naga X is offering at a fair price point. With this mouse, you get a total of 16 buttons, a number that blows all our other options out of the water. The star of the show is the thumb buttons, as this controller features a three-by-four grid of thumb buttons. Those twelve programable controls are always within easy reach for your thumb, so you’ll be able to dial up your APM and pop-off abilities without having to reach across your keyboard to hit the right key.
Beyond the impressive array of buttons, the Razer Naga X totes Razer’s 5G optical sensor, offering sensitivities up to 18,000 DPI. The wired mouse is also surprisingly lightweight, so MMO gamers can finally join the slimmed-down gaming mice trend. It has a slightly ergonomic design and textured plastic grip on the side, with extra space for your pinky and ring fingers to not get cramped. Though, we miss the rubberized grip that came with previous iterations of the mouse.
The ultra compact Razer Viper Mini
8. Razer Viper Mini
Best Budget Gaming Mouse for Small Hands
Razer Viper Mini
22
Svelte dimensions make this mouse ideal for those with smaller hands or someone who prefers a claw grip.
Sensor: Optical | Sensitivity: 8,500 CPI | Shape: Ambi-dextrous | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 61g
Pros:
Compact dimensions for smaller hands or claw grippersReliable and long-lasting optical switches
Cons:
The Razer Viper Mini carries on the legacy of the Razer Viper, except it does so while being outright compact. This is one of the lightest gaming mice you’ll find, as it weighs in at just 61 grams. It’s still a proper gaming mouse, though. This model is slightly taller than the original, but it trims the length and width to give smaller hands an easier grip and access to the main buttons without needing to awkwardly slide forward. If you’re a claw gripper you’ll also appreciate the form factor.
Despite its small size, the Razer Viper Mini still has the perks you expect in a gaming mouse. You get an optical sensor that can track at 8,500 CPI and hold up to the fast movements. It’ll track even when accelerating at up to 35Gs and moving at 300 inches per second, so don’t worry about it holding you back during flick shots. Six buttons give you all your primary gaming controls and are also built with optical switches for fast activation and considerable longevity.
9. HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2
Best Budget Ultra Lightweight Gaming Mouse
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2
4
At only 53g, this is one of the lightest mice available, but it’s still ready to game with an 8,000Hz polling rate and a 26K sensor.
Sensor: HyperX 26K | Sensitivity: Up to 26,000 DPI | Shape: Ambidextrous | Buttons: 6 | Connection: Wired | Weight: 53g
Pros:
Competition level precisionSuper lightweight
Cons:
Not great for bigger hands
As far as capable gaming mice go, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is about as light as they come, weighing just 53g. This wired mouse is relatively compact to keep its weight down, making it ideal for smaller hands or those with larger hands that prefer a claw grip. If you’re willing to add a bit of weight, grip tape even comes with the mouse for a solid hold. The paracord and PTFE skates also help cut down on friction, so your mouse movements are fast, smooth, and consistent.
Despite cutting mass to be one of the best lightweight gaming mice, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 is still packing an 8,000Hz polling rate and a 26K sensor. So, it’s ready to handle tracking at high speeds and 50G accelerations with competition-level precision. There are six buttons that use tactile switches and can be programmed to perform different functions using NGenuity software. However, you can’t save multiple profiles on the mouse.
What to Look for in a Budget Gaming Mouse
When grabbing a budget gaming mouse over their more expensive counterparts, you’ll probably have to sacrifice a few features, whether that’s extra programmable buttons, a lower DPI sensitivity, or wireless functionality. One thing you should never settle for is sub-par performance, and all of our picks are ready to game. But if you’re looking to branch out on your own when purchasing an affordable gaming mouse, we discuss what to seek out below to ensure the mouse is up to snuff.
To start, you want an comfortable mouse that feels great in hand. Some people grip with their fingertips, while others use a claw or palm grip, so the shape of the mouse is important. For left-handers, you’ll have a far more limited pool and often be stuck with ambidextrous options, but there are a good amount of ergonomic right-handed mice.
Next, you need to decide on wired versus wireless. These days, the differences between the two are negligible, though the price will increase to drop the wire. You’ll have to consider battery life and weight as well when going wireless. A lighter mouse allows quicker and more free movements, while a heavier option adds precision.
The DPI of a mouse is important, and you want an option that lets you switch between sensitivities. If you want to cover your bases for all games, a setting between 400 to 3600 should be good, and almost every gaming mouse—cheap or expensive—should cover that range.
Beyond that, you’ll want the typical basic controls and maybe a few more inputs that you can also assign macros to perform different functions. A dedicated DPI button comes in handy for those who want to switch from speedy movements to more precise ones, while those into MOBA and MMO games could use a few extra programmable buttons on the side of the mouse.
Other features like RGB lighting can be a cool addition but unnecessary when trying to save. Overall, you want a mouse that fits into your budget and works well with the games you play.
Best Budget Gaming Mouse FAQ
How to Choose a Budget Gaming Mouse
The first and most important thing about choosing the right mouse for you is its shape. For the most part, mice come in exactly two shapes: ambidextrous or ergonomic. While it might seem like a simple choice that all right-handed users should pick an ergonomic shape while left-handed are left with whatever is ambidextrous, the way you hold the mouse is just as important too.
To that end, there are also two primary types of mouse grip: palm and claw. For the former palm grip technique, you’ll want a mouse with a tall back that can support your hand—as well as some level of pinky and ring finger support. Claw grippers, on the other hand, should look for a mouse that’s relatively short and has a small footprint.
Is It Worth Buying a Cheap Gaming Mouse?
In this day and age, you really don’t have to sacrifice a lot when you’re trying to save a buck on a gaming mouse. Many of the cheap options out there offer a high level of DPI and polling rate to keep up with even the best premium gaming mice. That said, not all mice are built equal; some offer more buttons with others are ergonomically designed for a certain handiness (usually for right-handed users), so there are a few things to consider when buying something more affordable.
How Much Should You Spend on a Cheap Gaming Mouse?
Although some of the best gaming mice brands have a budget option these days that offer decent quality, that doesn’t mean you should buy just any cheap option. Although there are sometimes discounts that drop the price of some good wired mice down near $20, you’ll usually want to spend a little bit more to get something you won’t be disappointed in. The best budget mice tend to cost anywhere between $30 and $60.
Should You Buy a PC Controller Instead?
If you already have a good mouse and keyboard for your PC or laptop, you may want to consider taking the controller route rather than purchasing a separate gaming mouse and keyboard. Most PC games support the use of PC controllers, and it can be cheaper than buying both a mouse and keyboard that are made for games. It’s also worth noting that if you already have an Xbox or PS5 controller, you should be able to connect that to your PC via a Blutooth adapter.
Danielle is a freelance writer for IGN based in Los Angeles who spends most of her time updating buying guides. When she’s not writing, you’ll probably find her obsessively reading, watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, or scouring the web for anything related to music history.
