Best budget gaming mice 2024: Best overall, best for esports, best RGB, and more

When your K/D tally is at stake it’s pretty tempting to buy a premium gaming mouse with all the latest bells and whistles. But that can be a costly move that can see you paying upwards of $150 USD — that’s coin that could go towards a brand-new processor instead.

The truth is you won’t lose much performance going for a cheaper option. In fact, you can get a top-performing mouse that — barring the sensor, which is usually more modest than in premium devices — is virtually identical in build quality and styling and with equally quick buttons.

That’s not to say all budget gaming mice are alike. Admittedly, at the lower end of the market there tends to be more variation in the build quality, weight, and button configuration than at the top end, so you’ll still want to do your homework before you buy.

Or, you could just peruse our list of best budget gaming mice (below). We’ve already done the research on your behalf by extensively testing a cohort of mice, sorting the wheat from the chaff, so that what’s left is the best of the best. We’ll keep updating our chart as we review more mice and find even better products.

Why you should trust us: PCWorld’s gaming peripheral experts are hardcore gamers on a never-ending quest to find the best peripherals to improve their own gaming performance, so they know what works and what doesn’t. As such, our reviews are raw evaluations, written in the voice of gamers. We want our readers to know the truth about products so that they can make informed decisions about which products to buy and which ones to skip.

For the criteria we use to review budget gaming mice you can read our article on “How we test gaming mice at PCWorld.” For even more options, see our complete roundup of the best gaming mice, featuring both wired and wireless picks at various prices points.

Updated May 2, 2024: See our recent review of the SteelSeries Aerox 3. Its perforated top won’t be to everyone’s liking, but it’s still highly competitive performance-wise with our top budget picks and worth considering.






Logitech G502X – Best wired budget gaming mouse / Best overall





















Pros


The 25K Hero sensor is very proficient event at high DPI settings

The button are extremely well placed for accessibility

The rubber thumb rest provides plenty of grip



Cons


Not including swappable trigger buttons seems like a missed opportunity

There's no RGB lighting except a small DPI indicator light

The mouse wheel is quite noisy

















Best Prices Today:



$69.99 at Logitech G





Why I like the G502X

The G502X sports a number of nice upgrades over its predecessor the G502 — which was itself popular with gamers — including a super-quick and accurate 25,600 DPI sensor. But what really sets this mouse apart is its button configuration — which is near perfect. It features 13 programmable button options in all, including highly sought-after DPI up/down buttons and a four-button mouse wheel. But the gem in its crown is a trigger button near your thumb, which makes letting off that must-hit command or macro just that much quicker in fast-paced games.

On top of that, the G502X sports a refreshed design that makes it eminently more comfortable and easier to move. I especially like a new, improved rubber thumb grip that replaces the plastic one from the G502, and the mouse’s longer dimensions that make it a much better fit for large hands.

Who should buy the Logitech G502X

Gamers with large hands that want an all-round great performer and don’t mind that it only has wired functionality. It’s also a great option for serious gamers that want to release a macro or extra command at break-neck speed.

Read our full

Logitech G502X review






Roccat Kone Pro – Best wired budget gaming mouse runner-up





















Pros


The 19,000 DPI sensor is very precise, and the buttons are quick and clicky

An ingenious design elevates your index finger ready to fire

A lightweight body adds to its speed and precision and prevents fatigue



Cons


No dedicated DPI button means you can't as easily switch DPI settings

Wired connectivity only, so you'll need to plug it in to play

The mouse wheel lacks lateral left / right clicks

















Best Prices Today:



$39.99 at ROCCAT





Why I like the Roccat Kone Pro

The wired Roccat Kone Pro is designed for precise targeting thanks to its lightweight design and formidable 19,000 Owl-Eye DPI sensor, which in our playtesting proved an excellent performer in fast-paced FPS games. Clicks are also extremely quick thanks to Titan optical switches in the buttons and a slight left-to-right slant on top that perfectly poises your index finger on the left main button ready to fire.

A thin plastic outer layer keeps the Kone Pro’s weight down to just 2.3 ounces (66 grams), so that it glides across your mouse mat smoothly and with minimal effort. While the Kone Pro doesn’t have a dedicated DPI button, you can still change DPI on the fly in games by assigning this function to one of its other buttons in the supporting Roccat Swarm software app.

Who should buy the Roccat Kone Pro

Anyone who wants a quick, lightweight mouse for FPS gaming that won’t break the bank. It’ll also appeal to fans of RGB who will get a kick out of its futuristic aesthetic.

For another great budget wired option, be sure to check out the SteelSeries Aerox 3, which has become a favorite for many gamers because of its light weight and excellent maneuverability.

Read our full

ROCCAT Kone Pro review






Keychron M6 Wireless – Best wireless gaming mouse





















Pros


Precise and accurate 26K sensor

The sloping design elevates your trigger finger

Two scroll wheels enhance your play



Cons


The build quality could be better

The mouse feet aren't 100 percent PTFE

There's no RGB lighting


















Why I like the Keychron M6

The Keychron M6 doesn’t have the most robust build quality you’ll find in a gaming mouse, but it does offer a lot of functionality that you just can’t get elsewhere for the bargain basement price tag it wears. I’m talking about its large and comfortable thumb rest, two scroll wheels (one with four clicks), useful side buttons, and its accurate 26K optical sensor. You get all that for a mere $49. Considering the closest match I can think of feature-wise is the $99 Logitech MX Master 3S, the Keychron M6 seems like exceptional value!

This mouse also supports all three connectivity types — 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a wired connection — making it a highly versatile option that you can hook up to just about any PC or laptop you own. Because of its cheaper build quality, though, it’s definitely one to keep safely housed out of harm’s way.

Who should buy the Keychron M6

Gamers who like the features and functionality of the Logitech MX Master 3S but can’t or don’t want to scrape together $99 for the privilege of owning one. The Keychron M6 Wireless can do just about everything this more expensive mouse can and costs half the price.

Read our full

Keychron M6 Wireless review






Keychron M3 – Best wireless gaming mouse runner-up





















Pros


Very fast and precise 26,000 DPI sensor

Well-proportioned and very comfortable

The quickest buttons I've ever used



Cons


It would have been more convenient for the DPI button to be placed where the RGB button currently sits

Mac users will have to wait on the software app

The M3 is currently only sold through Keychron's online retailer

















Best Prices Today:



$49 at Keychron





Why I like the Keychron M3

With a flawless 26,000 DPI sensor, a timeless and comfortable design, responsive buttons, and swish RGB lighting, the Keychron M3 is the complete package, worth every bit of its $49 price tag and possibly even a dime more. For a mouse with all three connectivity types — wired connectivity via a USB cable, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth — it’s also exceptionally light, weighing in at just 2.78 ounces (79 grams).

All this value would have come to nada without some decent performance, which is just what the M3 Keychron delivered in our playtesting. From spinning around to catch foes from behind, to zipping up our cursor to flush out snipers dug into camping spots, the Keychron M3 handled every movement smoothly and without a hint of lag. It also came bundled with a few extras in the box, including not one, but two separate dongles (one for USB-A and another for USB-C) so that we could connect to just about all our devices.

Who should buy the Keychron M3

With all the connectivity types, a powerful sensor, DPI switcher, and even swish RGB lighting, the Keychron M3 will suit budget-conscious players of FPS games to a tee.

Read our full

Keychron M3 review






Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed – Best for esports





















Pros


Quick and accurate sensor

High sensor positioning

Very long battery life

Hyperpolling support



Cons


No RGB lighting

2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity only

Weighs less than 3 ounces


















Why I like the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed

Razer’s Viper V3 Hyperspeed gives you a taste of pro gaming functionality at half the price of some other pro-grade gaming mice. So, what’s the catch? Very little actually — a modest RGB-free design and no Bluetooth functionality, is all. In my playtesting I found its 30K Razer Focus Pro sensor to be incredibly accurate and quick and the Razer Gen 2 Mechanical Switches in the buttons felt soft and responsive — just ideal for FPS.

This mouse’s handling is also as good as it gets thanks to a full-bodied grip with lots of length in the fingers. Connectivity is via a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi dongle only. The mouse is powered by a single AA battery which provides a whopping 280-hour battery life. While the Viper V3 Hyperspeed comes with a standard 1,000Hz polling rate out of the box, it also supports 4,000Hz HyperPolling via a Razer HyperPolling dongle (sold separately).

Who should buy the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed

The saying is mostly true that you get what you pay for when it comes to gaming mice, but in the case of the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed you get a lot more than you paid for. If you’re an esports player or aspiring to be one, this catch will save you some hard-earned cash.

Read our full

Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed review






HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless – Best for esports runner-up





















Pros


The solid top back is comfortable and stylish

Its 26,000 DPI sensor can target at lightning speeds

Bluetooth functionality makes it one of the most versatile esports mice you can get



Cons


The compact buttons can feel a bit cramped at times

There's just the one RGB zone to play with

It's more expensive than its predecessor

















Best Prices Today:



$89.99 at HyperX





Why I like the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless

The six-button HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2’s symmetrical design and 26,000 DPI sensor give it laser-like pinpoint precision in games, a fact which in itself doesn’t make it anything special. What sets it apart is that it weighs just 2.15 ounces (61 grams) — that’s lighter than more expensive pro-grade esports mice like the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro and Logitech G X Pro Superlight. Suffice to say it’s super quick off the mark.

Achieving such a lightweight design is quite an extraordinary feat by HyperX for two reasons: The Pulsefire Haste 2 has a hard top back rather than the perforated one we saw in its predecessor the Haste 1, which also means it’s better suited to claw grippers. It also sports Bluetooth as well as 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity, when extra Bluetooth functionality is still a rarity among pro-grade esports mice. All these factors make it one of the best value esports mice you can buy right now.

Also be sure to check out the Haste 2 Wireless’s forebear, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless, which is still an excellent all-round performer for fast action games.

Who should buy the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless

Anyone who wants to put a rocket up their movement and mouse button actuation in competitive games. It’s not an exaggeration to say the Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless can spar with more premium priced esports mice like the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, yet by choosing the former you can save yourself a whopping $80.

Read our full

HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless review






Logitech G203 LightSync – Best ultra-budget gaming mouse





















Pros


A comfortable design that resembles more expensive esports mice

Sturdy and well-built

The RGB lighting really pops



Cons


Some sensor lag was experienced with large, fast movements

The sensor's lift-off distance is higher than some mice

The RGB logo on the top isn't customizable


















Why I like the Logitech G203 LightSync

The G203 proves gaming on a budget needn’t be glum, combining style, performance, and comfort for a shoestring price. This wired mouse sports a small ambidextrous body and familiar six-button configuration that resembles premium esports mice, except it has a more rounded back end that gives palm grippers a high level of precision.

In terms of hardware performance, the G203’s buttons feel quick and clicky. Its 8,000 DPI proprietary gaming sensor may not be as quick as some rival sensors, but it’s still highly accurate and performs decently in just about every casual gaming scenario.

In our review, we heaped praise on the G203 for its dazzling RGB lighting band and Logitech logo that light up your mouse pad with pops of color, the band of which also splits into three lighting zones customizable in the Logitech G Hub app.

Who should buy the Logitech G203 LightSync

Minimalist gamers, who don’t need the quickest gaming mouse on the planet but want something that will outperform any office mouse. The G203 best suits gamers with smaller hands, so children and young adult gamers may find it easier to use.

Read our full

Logitech G203 LightSync review






Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed – Best dual-purpose budget mouse for gaming and productivity





















Pros


Comfortable, ergonomic design

Dual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity

Long battery life



Cons


No RGB lighting

Slightly slower than top-shelf gaming mice

















Why I like the Razer V2 X Hyperspeed

A stealthy profile is this wireless mouse’s biggest advantage — it sports an entirely matte-black body with no RGB lighting, meaning your work colleagues will be none the wiser about the gaming power that rests beneath your palm.

The V2 X Hyperspeed packs a very capable 14,000 DPI sensor that performs a treat in AAA games like Metro Exodus. Its seven buttons sport Razer second-generation mechanical switches, which Razer says makes them last up to 60 million clicks.

The V2 X Hyperspeed offers the convenience of dual wireless connectivity, allowing you to switch between 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with the flick of a button. It’s also highly portable thanks to a long battery life, which provides approximately 235 hours in Wi-Fi mode and up to 615 hours in Bluetooth mode on a single AA battery.

Who should buy the Razer V2 X Hyperspeed

Anyone who needs a kickass gaming mouse that can just as easily pass off as a work or student mouse. The dual wireless functionality and its use of AA batteries means it’s also a great option for travelers.

Read our full

DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed review






Roccat Kone XP – Best for MMO, RPG, and RTS gaming





















Pros


Stunning RGB lighting that lights up the whole top section

The Owl-Eye sensor is highly accurate and powerful

The 15 buttons can be customized with up to 29 functions



Cons


The button layout can be confusing before you get the hang of it

Some gamers may not like the bold RGB

The supporting Swarm software could do with an update


















Why I like the Roccat Kone XP

The Kone XP is the flashiest mouse we’ve had the pleasure of testing, featuring no less than eight customizable RGB “pipelines” illuminated by 22 LED lights, yet it’s also a solid performer. With an impressive contingent of 15 buttons — customizable to 29 functions — the Kone XP is especially suited for MMO, RPG, and RTS games that require players to quickly deploy a high number of commands or macros.

Under the hood, the Kone XP sports a 19,000 DPI Owl-Eye sensor based on the flawless PixArt PMW3370, which has proven its worth among competitive gamers.

In our PCWorld review we found it to be precise and accurate in games like Cyberpunk 2077. We also liked the Kone XP’s four-directional scroll wheel, which felt sturdy and responsive.

Who should buy the Roccat Kone XP

Gamers who really like to jazz up their gaming getup with bold RGB lighting. The Kone XP will also suit RTS, RPG, and MMO gamers that like assigning a second command to their mouse buttons and think the more commands they can get, the better.

Read our full

ROCCAT Kone XP review