Top 5 best mouses under 1000 dollars in 2024

Finding the best budget or cheap gaming mouse can be a challenge. With the growing popularity of PC gaming, making an informed choice about which products to add to your arsenal without breaking the bank is tough. Don’t lose hope; finding high-quality gaming products at affordable prices is possible. You might not get certain features or a wireless design when looking for the best gaming mouse on a budget, but there are plenty of great choices for a thrifty gamer.

We’ve tested over 320 mice, and these are our recommendations for the best budget and cheap mice for gaming. If you want to compare higher-priced options, check out our best gaming mice and best wireless gaming mice articles. Or, if you’re interested in a standard mouse for everyday use, look at our list of best mice overall.

QUICK LIST

Last update on 2024-06-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

1.Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED

Last update on 2024-06-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED is the best inexpensive gaming mouse that we have tested. This mouse is an uncommon exception to the rule that most wireless gaming products are more expensive than comparable cable equivalents. Its almost egg-shaped body feels quite strong and is comfortable to handle for almost all hand sizes. A single AA battery may last up to 250 hours, according to Logitech, and an LED indicator located behind the scroll wheel alerts you when the battery is about to run low. With the help of its associated software, which offers extensive customization options, you may re-program buttons, create custom profiles, and fine-tune sensor settings.

Its click latency is exceptionally low in terms of performance, much less than that of certain wired alternatives in the same price range. This sensor provides good all-around performance for gaming in any genre and is an older model of Logitech’s flagship sensor. Regretfully, it lacks RGB lighting; nonetheless, it is available in other hues to better fit your setup. All things considered, this mouse is the greatest low-cost gaming choice available, providing the flexibility of a wireless connection without compromising gaming performance.

A good mouse for first-person shooter games is the Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED. Its ergonomic design fits well with most hand sizes and grip types, and its click latency is excellent. Its six programmable buttons have outstanding sensor performance. Larger hands might find it too tiny to be a good fit. It is also heavier than many gaming mice available on the market, and there are no options for weight optimization other than custom modifications.

With an egg-shaped chassis that fits both left- and right-handed users, and a very consistent, high-performing sensor, the Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED is a good gaming and office mouse. Windows and macOS users can also utilize its customizing applications. This mouse is also a popular option for hobbyists who enjoy customizing their accessories.

2.Logitech G502 HERO

Last update on 2024-06-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

In our testing, the Logitech G502 HERO has proven to be the best affordable gaming alternative for a variety of game genres, particularly those requiring a greater number of buttons, such as MOBA or MMO titles. Compared to our top choice on this list, the Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED, it boasts a more ergonomic, right-handed form that makes it a more comfortable choice for extended play sessions. It is also more than capable of providing steady, responsive performance, especially in competitive games, thanks to its exceptional click latency. You may remap any of its 12 buttons, customize the illumination, and change the sensor with its associated software. In addition to tilt inputs and a free-scrolling mode, its scroll wheel offers useful features for swiftly navigating web sites outside of games.

Overall, this mouse is a wonderful choice if you play a variety of different games. However, because it is rather hefty and difficult to flick around rapidly, it isn’t the best choice if you just play fast-paced or first-person shooter games. For those looking for a comparable wireless mouse that can be connected over Bluetooth or a USB receiver, we suggest taking a look at the Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed. It usually costs about the same and provides comparable gaming performance. But it lacks RGB illumination, tilt inputs, a free-scrolling mode, and a scroll wheel with only six customizable buttons.

The wired gaming mouse, Logitech G502 HERO, feels incredibly well-made. With a thumb rest and an ergonomic design tailored to the right hand, it boasts an abundance of configurable buttons, including a sniper button. Its wide CPI range and exceptionally low click latency are further features. Despite being heavier than a dedicated FPS mouse, you may adjust the weight to your liking by redistributing the five detachable weights that are included. It boasts two uncommon features for a gaming mouse: an unlockable scroll wheel for unrestricted scrolling and L/R tilts for horizontal scrolling. Unfortunately, because of its size, it may be difficult for those with little hands to reach all the buttons or to get a comfortable grip.

A great mouse for first-person shooter games is the Logitech G502 HERO. Its gripping body and right-handed form with a thumb rest that incorporates a sniper button make it feel extremely well-built and easy to operate. It boasts a broad, adjustable CPI range and exceptionally low click latency. Unfortunately, for those with little hands, it might not be the greatest choice.

3.Cooler Master MM720

Last update on 2024-06-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

We suggest the Cooler Master MM720 if you’re on a tight budget and still want the lightest mouse around. This mouse’s price fluctuates a lot, but it often goes on sale, and when it drops to $25 or less, it’s the greatest deal. With a weight of just 52 g, this connected model is the lightest option on our list. Despite not looking like most other mouse, this one is surprisingly comfortable for most hand sizes and has a distinctive right-handed design with a support for your ring finger. This mouse performs admirably in terms of sensor performance and click latency, with exceptionally low latency. Its mouse and cable foot are of exceptional quality, comparable to those generally only found on premium options.

Sadly, there are other aspects of its build quality that are lacking. The side buttons seem squishy, and the body creaks and gives the impression that it might break under enough pressure. While these flaws won’t interfere with your games, they may pose a longer-term issue or become more problematic if you use your mice more roughly than usual.

A superbly lightweight gaming mouse is the Cooler Master MM720. With its honeycomb form, it feels reasonably well-built and is incredibly light. With the exception of people with exceptionally large hands, the right-handed design is quite comfortable and functions best for those who use a claw grip. The paracord-like cable and virgin-grade PFTE feet contribute to the mousepad or desk’s smooth glide experience. Its maximum polling rate is high, its click latency is incredibly low, and you can reprogramme the majority of its buttons. Additionally, you can alter its large CPI range in steps of 100.

The Cooler Master MM720 comes in matte or glossy finishes in black or white; we tried the glossy white version. The label for our unit is available here.

4.Logitech G203 LIGHTSYNC

Last update on 2024-06-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

We advise considering the Logitech G203 LIGHTSYNC if you’re searching for the greatest affordable choice. Choose from a variety of eye-catching colors for this wired model to match your decor. Additionally, you may fully customize the RGB lights using the associated program. This mouse is suitable for both left- and right-handed users and almost all hand sizes because it shares the same egg-like form as our top choice, the Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED.

It might not have the same level of sensor accuracy as some of the more costly products on this list. Its click latency is, nevertheless, sufficiently low to provide a top-notch experience across all genres, even faster-paced and more competitive games. Weight is its main drawback; although it’s far lighter than our multi-genre choice, it isn’t as quick and easy to maneuver as our lightweight pick, the Cooler Master MM720. That said, this mouse offers nearly unrivaled performance for gaming in any genre, considering its consistently low price point.

For wired gaming, the Logitech G203 LIGHTSYNC is an excellent mouse. It has a very minimal click latency and feels really well-built. It also has a large CPI range, with CPI adjustments made in steps of 50. When utilizing a fingertip grip, it should be comfortable for all hand sizes, but it isn’t the best for larger hands when employing a palm or claw grip. It features three separate zones in a band that wraps around the rear in addition to RGB lighting zones in the logo. The companion software is compatible with both Windows and macOS and provides a plethora of customization choices. Regretfully, this mouse lacks onboard memory; the Logitech G203 Prodigy, its predecessor, does.

5.Razer Viper 8KHz

Last update on 2024-06-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The finest inexpensive gaming choice we’ve tested for enthusiasts is the Razer Viper 8KHz, if you want to be on the cutting edge of performance without going over budget. Although it’s priced at the higher end of the budget and mid-range spectrum, it’s often on sale , which makes it an excellent deal. It’s a wonderful option whether you’re left- or right-handed because it’s a symmetrical, real ambidextrous mouse with two side buttons on the left and right. Although it’s not the lightest mouse available, its construction is excellent, and its body doesn’t rattle or creak.

This mouse is unique from the others because of its internal components, which have a maximum natural polling rate of 8000Hz. Even when compared to flagship mice, higher polling rates result in modestly better latency and somewhat smoother cursor movements. Unfortunately, certain games—including a few well-known competitive titles—still do not support these higher polling rate options in their entirety. To fully utilize this innovative feature, a computer with a powerful processor and a very high end setup is also required. Nonetheless, the majority of contemporary computers support polling rates of 2000Hz or even 4000Hz. All things considered, this mouse provides cutting-edge technology and outstanding gaming performance in a well-made, reasonably priced package.

With two buttons on either side, the Razer Viper 8KHz is a lightweight, genuine ambidextrous mouse. It shares the same physical appearance as the Razer Viper, but its feet glide more smoothly and have a little thicker cable. Its wide CPI range, short lift-off distance, and extremely low click latency are its best features. Similar to the Razer Viper, it can fit most hand sizes when held with a fingertip grip; however, small-handed individuals can find it difficult to use the scroll wheel and L/R clicks. Its 8000Hz maximum polling rate, which results in smoother cursor movements and somewhat reduced click latency, is what distinguishes it from other gaming mouse.

For first-person shooter games, the Razer Viper 8KHz is fantastic. It seems really well-made and is surprisingly light for a mouse without a honeycomb design. Although its low profile makes it ideal for a fingertip grasp, some buttons may be difficult for little hands to reach due to its ambidextrous body. It boasts a low lift-off distance, an extremely low click latency, and a wide and configurable CPI range. A gaming mouse with a regular 1000Hz polling rate will not move the cursor as smoothly or consistently as one with a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz.

HOW WE TEST THE BEST CHEAP GAMING-MICE

Tom’s Guide evaluates inexpensive gaming mice in the same manner that we evaluate any mouse that regularly appears on our lists of the best gaming mice and best wireless gaming mice. First, we connect the mouse to a computer and, if it has one, run the software package. Next, we delve into a minimum of four distinct games spanning four distinct genres. Since a decent gaming mouse should also be a productivity mouse, we also attempt to use the mouse as a regular office tool.

We attempt to discharge the battery of wireless gaming mice and determine whether the device’s battery life is consistent with the manufacturer’s claims. When a mouse has RGB characteristics, we experiment with different color configurations to see if some parts of the spectrum look better than others. The primary issue, however, is whether the mouse feels comfortable to hold, particularly during marathon gaming sessions.