A selection of ergonomic mice for work and games

I spend most of my day at the computer. Eating at my desk and dust eventually wear out my mouse. So I buy a new one about every four years. This time I focused on ergonomic mice to reduce wrist fatigue. The models presented in this selection seem the most interesting to me.

Although all ergonomic mice have one name, they are still different from each other. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. To be sure of your choice, you can borrow a mouse from friends or acquaintances for a while.

I have sorted the list by price increase to make it easier to navigate the presented models. I took the information for the article from open sources. It represents my personal opinion and is not an advertisement. All prices are current at the time of the article's publication.

Characteristics of ergonomic mice

What to look for when choosing an ergonomic mouse:

  • Form. There are different shapes of ergonomic input devices: most of them are either horizontal, similar to regular mice, or vertical. There are also others on the market that are different from the usual ones. The Lychee company produces a mouse in the shape of pensand EIGIIS is in the form of a laser presentation pointers.

  • Replacement elements. They are designed to increase the level of comfort during long-term work, for example, the device may have a compartment for a set of weights that increase or decrease the weight of the mouse. The Mad Catz RAT DWS can be equipped with a support platform for the little finger or change the back panel on which the hand rests. And Microsoft suggests buying or independently print 3D printed replacement parts for Adaptive Mouse.

  • Changing shape and size. So, with the Contour Unimouse Left you can change the angle of inclination, and with the Mad Catz RAT DWS you can change the length of the device.

  • Connection method. Among ergonomic mice, there are many wireless ones, the cable does not get tangled under your hands and the device is easier to move around the table. Connection is via Bluetooth, which is available on laptops and tablets, or via a 2.4 GHz radio channel. In the second case, the manufacturer puts a USB dongle in the box for synchronization with the computer. The adapter is often placed inside the mouse, next to the battery.

  • Nutrition. The mouse can be powered by a built-in battery or a regular AA battery. Some mice allow you to charge the device and use them at the same time, for example, Keychron M6.

  • Trackball. If your hand hurts and you have difficulty moving the mouse around the table, then a trackball may be for you. It needs to be controlled with your thumb, which is somewhat similar to the way sticks work in gamepads or portable consoles.

  • Adaptive wheel. Modern mice offer two ways of using the wheel: the usual way, when it moves forward or backward a little, and the so-called “infinite scrolling”, which allows you to quickly move through multi-page documents.

  • Horizontal wheel. Some models are equipped with a second wheel. It is responsible for horizontal scrolling, which is useful when working with Excel or when editing videos.

  • Programmable buttons. You can assign frequently used functions or macros to them, making your work easier and faster. However, this requires official software from the mouse manufacturer, which often only works on Windows and macOS.

Article navigation:

  1. Logitech Ergo M575 — mouse with trackball;

  2. Logitech Lift – vertical mouse;

  3. Razer Basilisk V3 – Gaming Mouse with Adjustable RGB Backlighting;

  4. Keychron M6 – a mouse with two wheels;

  5. Mad Catz RAT DWS – Mouse with Replaceable Panels;

  6. Contour Unimouse Left – Tilt Adjustable Mouse;

  7. Contour Design RollerMouse Red — a mouse as an extension of the keyboard.

Logitech Ergo M575 — mouse with trackball

Logitech Ergo M575

Logitech Ergo M575

Ergo M575 does not need to be moved, so the device is perfect for working in tight spaces: on a small table littered with things and documents, on a sofa, on a train or plane. The cursor is moved using a blue shiny trackball. The user controls it with his thumb. This control method will appeal to gamers who are used to moving around in games using a stick on a gamepad.

Logitech claims that the lack of hand and forearm movements will reduce fatigue and pain. The ball moves freely inside and may dangle a little when moving abruptly or when carried. From time to time, you will have to take it out and clean out the accumulated dirt inside, otherwise the trackball will slow down. According to PCMag, getting used to the trackball takes up a little time, but the mouse is still inferior to conventional devices in accuracy. It is suitable for work and only for some games.

The Ergo M575 connects via Bluetooth or USB receiver. The adapter operates at a distance of up to ten meters and supports up to six wireless devices from Logitech. The manufacturer claims that one AA battery will last for 24 months via a USB receiver or 20 months via Bluetooth. The ERGO M575 cannot be charged via a cable, so always have spare batteries or rechargeable batteries of the same size on hand.

Logi Options+ software supports Windows 10, macOS 12 and above, and lets you program three buttons (forward, back, and middle) to perform the actions you want. The mouse works in Linux, ChromeOS, and iPadOS 14 or later.

Logitech Lift – vertical mouse

Logitech Lift

Logitech Lift

Externally, the Logitech Lift resembles a ship's sail. The body of the device is made of white matte plastic. The back of the mouse is embossed so that the hand does not slip. Its dimensions are 10.8 x 7 x 7.1 centimeters, and the weight is 125 grams. In addition to the classic white, the model is presented in two more colors – black and pink. Lift is suitable for right-handed people, but there is also a version for left-handed people.

The company claims that this mouse shape helps relax muscles of the hand. The angle of the Logitech Lift is 57 degrees. It was chosen based on human anatomy. Imagine shaking someone's hand or holding a bottle. This is exactly the grip implied by this ergonomic mouse. With it, there is less pressure on the wrist: the hand does not get tired as much and lies comfortably on the table.

Lift supports simultaneous operation with several gadgets. Using Logitech's Flow technology, the mouse easily switches between three connected devices, such as a desktop computer, laptop, and tablet. Moreover, files can be copied on one device and transferred to another. However, for this to happen, all computers must be connected to the same network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

There are seven buttons on the Lift, four of which can be reprogrammed using Logitech Options+ software. This allows you to reassign buttons or create actions: a sequence of specific actions. For example, when you click the wheel, the software will automatically launch the Firefox browser and open the GitHub tab.

Logitech Lift has two ways to connect: via Bluetooth and via a USB receiver. The latter is stored in a compartment next to the battery so that the user does not accidentally lose it. The device supports popular operating systems: Windows, macOS, iPadOS, ChromeOS, Linux and Android. They recognize the mouse immediately after connection. But the official software from Logitech only works with Windows and macOS.

Razer Basilisk V3 – Gaming Mouse with Adjustable RGB Backlighting

Razer Basilisk V3

Razer Basilisk V3

Razer Basilisk V3 is a device that has absorbed the ergonomic shape and features of gaming mice. Its body is made of durable black matte plastic with glossy inserts. On the left and right sides of the mouse there are rubberized panels to prevent fingers from slipping. The device is connected to the computer via a USB-A cable. It is hidden in a flexible braid similar to paracord. The length of the cord is 1.8 meters. This is enough even if the system unit is far from the table.

On the left side of the Basilisk V3 is a thumb rest. There is also a paddle button. It dramatically reduces the sensitivity of the device. This way, in games, you can slow down the aiming speed to hit enemies more accurately. The maximum sensitivity of the mouse is 26,000 DPI. The device stores five sensitivity settings, which you can switch between with a single click. The default settings can be changed in the Razer Synapse software, but it is only compatible with Windows 10 and 11.

The company equipped the mouse with a multifunctional wheel. It has three operating modes: standard scrolling, accelerated and adaptive. In the first case, the wheel moves as usual, in the second – it spins without stopping, and in the third – it automatically switches from one mode to another. Also, the wheel moves not only forward or backward, but also left and right, which is useful when working with tables.

The Basilisk V3 has built-in RGB lighting with 11 independent zones, including the mouse wheel and the Razer logo. You can change it in the settings or turn it off completely. If you enable Razer Chroma technology, the RGB lighting will dynamically react to what is happening on the screen. It is similar to the ambient lighting behind the monitor, which synchronizes with the content displayed. Razer claims that the mouse supports integration with 150 games.

Keychron M6 – a mouse with two wheels

Keychron M6

Keychron M6

Keychron M6 is a wireless mouse that is well suited for work and games. It is made of white matte plastic, the manufacturer also offers a black version. The M6 ​​differs from other ergonomic mice by its low weight: only 78 grams. The size of the device is 12.2 x 7.5 x 5 centimeters.

This mouse has two wheels at once: vertical and horizontal. The upper one has several scrolling modes: normal and “infinite” for quickly viewing multi-page documents. The vertical wheel can also move left and right, essentially duplicating the functions of the horizontal one. The mode switching button is behind it. And the horizontal wheel is under the thumb. It is convenient for quickly viewing tables in Excel, as well as for zooming in or out on the timeline of the video being edited in Adobe Premiere.

Keychron M6 supports simultaneous synchronization with three devices via Bluetooth, switching between which with just one click of a button. The mouse can also work via a 2.4 GHz radio channel. For this, the kit includes two standard adapters: USB-A and USB-C. They are useful for simultaneous work with several devices, such as a laptop and a desktop PC. The mouse can also be connected and simultaneously charged via a wire.

The maximum sensitivity of the sensor is 26,000 DPI. This is a lot, but you are unlikely to use a value higher than 4500 DPI. The higher this figure, the faster you can aim in games. This model does not have RGB backlighting, but there is an LED near the second wheel that informs about the presence of a wireless connection and the battery status. Keychron claims that one charge is enough for 80 hours of operation of the device.

Keychron software is compatible with Windows and macOS. The user will be able to reprogram nine buttons, change sensor settings or edit a user profile for different programs.

Mad Catz RAT DWS – Mouse with Replaceable Panels

Mad Catz RAT DWS

Mad Catz RAT DWS

Mad Catz is known for its gaming mice, and the RAT DWS is no exception. The base of the device is made of metal to make it stronger. However, this has an impact on the weight, which is 136 grams. If you have previously used lightweight mice, on average 60-80 g, then at first your hand may get tired. Unlike wired Mad Catz models, this one does not have built-in weights that can be removed to reduce weight.

The mouse can be customized in two ways: by increasing its length or installing replaceable side panels. The part of the mouse that supports the palm can be moved back to make it more comfortable for the user. This will be useful for those with large hands. On the left side of the mouse there is a platform that supports the thumb. The manufacturer included two more platforms-supports for the little finger in the box. They can be installed using the included Allen key.

There are 14 buttons on the RAT DWS that can be reprogrammed. The user can assign a key from the keyboard, a number of built-in actions, or write their own hotkey combination. Clients have access to four built-in profiles with different settings. However, the software only supports Windows 7, 8, and 10. Linux and macOS owners will not be able to reconfigure the buttons.

There is a button for gamers under the thumb. It instantly reduces the mouse resolution, helping to aim more accurately in shooters. Next to it are the forward and back buttons, which are convenient for turning pages in the browser. And also a horizontal scroll wheel for working with tables.

At the bottom is a switch between Bluetooth 5.0 and a 2.4 GHz radio channel. In the first case, the mouse will last up to 300 hours on a single charge, and in the second – up to 200 hours. Inside the case is a hidden USB dongle for connecting the device to a computer. The device is powered by a regular AA battery or an identical-sized battery. There is no USB port inside the RAT DWS, so the mouse cannot be connected or charged via a wire. Keep a spare battery ready, otherwise you risk being left with a switched-off device.

Contour Unimouse Left – Tilt Adjustable Mouse

Unimouse Left Contour

Unimouse Left Contour

The first thing you notice about the Unimouse Left is the thumb rest on the right side of the mouse. It is made of grey plastic. The inside of the support is textured: it consists of many small dots that prevent your finger from slipping. Thanks to the ball mount, the support has dynamic adjustment. The thumb rest can be moved up, down, left, right, and even rotated 180 degrees. The main part of the mouse is also adjustable. Its angle changes from 35 to 70 degrees.

Contour Design has released two types of mice: for left-handed and right-handed users. Both options are available with wired and wireless connection. The second option has a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 470 mAh. One full charge is enough for 3 months of work. When the user stops using the mouse, it enters sleep mode to save energy. If the device runs out of battery, just connect the USB 3.0 cable and continue working.

The Unimouse Left has seven buttons in total, six of which are programmable: left, right, middle, mouse wheel, forward and back. To configure them, you will need download software from the manufacturer's website. The Unimouse Left's movement speed varies from 600 to 4000 DPI. When switching resolutions, the mouse will blink green and red LEDs. However, the user will have to consult the manual to understand the color combination seen.

Contour Design RollerMouse Red — a mouse as an extension of the keyboard

Contour Design Roller Mouse Red

Contour Design Roller Mouse Red

Contour Design has released an ergonomic mouse that is completely different from the devices we are used to. The company believes that constantly moving your hand from mouse to keyboard can over time bring to wrist pain. To avoid this, you will need to change the approach to working with the device. RollerMouse Red is located directly under the keyboard. The user only needs to lower his hands a couple of centimeters down to control the cursor. It is somewhat reminiscent of a touchpad on a laptop.

The control is done with a large rubberized roller. Scrolling it forward or backward is responsible for vertical movement of the cursor, and moving it left and right is responsible for horizontal movement. Clicking on the roller acts as a left mouse click. It is also duplicated by a separate button below.

There are seven buttons and one wheel on the device. In the center is a mouse speed switch with five standard settings from 600 to 2800 DPI. Contour Design's proprietary software will help reassign six buttons to suit the user's needs. It only works on Windows and macOS.

The RollerMouse Red is made of silver metal. The device is well assembled and does not wobble. Most of its space is taken up by a leather palm rest. The charging socket is located on the left side of the case. The mouse can work both via a wire and via a USB receiver. The company assures that the battery is capable of hold out three months on one charge. The mouse comes with two removable feet. They slightly raise the device to align it with the keyboard.

For myself, I would choose the Razer Basilisk V3. Its shape is close to regular mice, so it won't take long to get used to it, there is a multifunctional wheel and a petal button for shooters. A device with a trackball is suitable for those who work in tight spaces. A vertical mouse will make long-term work at the computer comfortable. A horizontal mouse is well suited for work and games. And lovers of exotics will be pleased with unusual models that stand out both in their shape and in the way they control. If you have experience using ergonomic mice, write about it in the comments.

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