Lined with customizable buttons, equipped with adjustable weights, with or without wires on the leg, specialized gaming mice are the essential companion of any self-respecting gamer!
No one today would imagine using a computer without having a mouse handy. However, this peripheral invented in 1963 and inspired by the planimeter did not go without saying for decades:
it was only with the generalization of graphic interfaces that it went from an elitist accessory to an absolutely indispensable product. So essential, moreover, that the mouse has become a critical companion for all PC gamers:
specifically gaming mice then appeared on the market. Some pride themselves on unparalleled sensitivity, others integrate as many buttons as possible while some try to distinguish themselves with original functions.
Some manufacturers have also felt the wind change and they have made a specialty of these mice for video game enthusiasts.Thus, alongside manufacturers like Logitech – accustomed to all types of mice – we find names such as Asus, Cooler Master, Corsair, HyperX, Razer, Roccat, and SteelSeries to name a few.
The first models are negotiated for around 20 euros when the most expensive even exceeds the psychological threshold of 200 euros.Heavy or light mouse?
With a sniper button or thumb joystick? Should we be convinced by the models with small weights or those with ceramic pads?The questions are numerous and if we do not pretend to answer each one, we offer you a selection of mice cut for gaming.
Our selection of the best gaming mice
For this gaming mouse comparison, we have selected products that fit into all price ranges. The 7 models selected are:
SteelSeries Rival 3: a very good first price
Corsair Katar Pro Wireless: a wireless mouse with good battery life
Glorious Model O: lightness above all
SteelSeries Sensei Ten: the versatility of an ambidextrous model
Logitech G502 Lightspeed: the luxury of a designable wheel
Roccat Kone Pro Air: for precision and responsiveness
Asus ROG Chakram: mini-stick and versatility of a high-end mouse
SteelSeries Rival 3
Far from being the most recent model in our comparison, the Rival 3 was launched by SteelSeries more than a year and a half ago with a very clear objective: to offer a mouse that is simple, light, and inexpensive.
Nothing to say about this triple ambition of the manufacturer, it is a success all along the line and the Rival 3 is immediately placed as a product of choice for the less fortunate users.
The sober design makes it a model reserved for right-handers due to the presence of two buttons at the thumb. They are well-placed and very responsive.
The same goes for the main buttons and the wheel. The latter is perhaps the most disappointing point and without it being possible to cry foul, we regret a little that it is not the most flexible on the market.
On the other hand, SteelSeries adopts a well-known sensor, the Pixart PMW3327 in order to offer a sensitivity of 6,200 dots per inch.
A value that will seem light for many demanding players, but which provides the essentials. Combined with the weight of just 77 grams, this clearly places this mouse in the "lighter" models on the market, in every sense of the word .
WE LOVE
Small price for a big brand model
Excellent grip, good gliding quality
Only 77 grams
Small memory to store 5 profiles
WE DON'T LIKE
Exclusively for right-handers
6200 DPI sensor is not for demanding gamers
Slight fore/aft imbalance in weight
Glorious Model O
In the space of a few years, the Glorious brand has become one of the darlings of demanding gamers.
It must be said that its Model O is among the first to have popularized the honeycomb structure which considerably reduces the weight of the mouse.
On the one hand, there are those who will not find this "holey" back very pleasant and who will give up after only a few minutes.
On the other hand, there are those who will not be embarrassed and will find that this Model O is extremely pleasant because it does not cause any fatigue at the level of the wrist: it remains under 60 grams.
The Pixart PWM-3360 sensor is certainly not the most modern, but its 12,000 points per inch are ultimately quite sufficient and its responsiveness suffers no criticism.
On the other hand, we appreciate the excellent glide allowed by these large PTFE pads and the absolutely perfect position of the two thumb buttons.
They are only on the left side, so the mouse cannot be called ambidextrous despite having a symmetrical design.In addition, we regret a little the absence of a sniper button to complete the whole thing. A mouse that relies above all on its lightness to get noticed... and it works.
WE LOVE
How light, less than 60 grams
Very decent Pixart PMW-3360 sensor
Remarkable glide, very wide PTFE pads
Pleasant grip
WE DON'T LIKE
Not quite ambidextrous
The honeycomb structure is not always comfortable
No dedicated 'sniper' button
SteelSeries Sensei Ten
For more than ten years now, the Sensei range has been an opportunity for SteelSeries to meet a persistent demand from approximately 15% of the population: left-handed people.
Even more on gaming models than office products, mice that benefit from a version specifically for left-handers are extremely rare. In fact, ambidextrous mice are a fallback solution and the Sensei range is undoubtedly one of the most successful.
The Ten is the latest iteration of the range. It obviously retains this oblong design, ensuring an excellent grip whether right-handed or left-handed.
It also has two thumb buttons on each side of the mouse and, better, you can deactivate those that will not be used, at the level of the ring fingers / little fingers.
Not to spoil anything, it is equipped with the latest technologies such as a remarkable precision sensor – the TrueMove Pro – with a sensitivity of 18,000 points per inch.
WE LOVE
Ambidextrous and comfortable design
Accurate sensor with excellent sensitivity
Very complete software, easily usable profiles
Lightweight and has a nice finish
WE DON'T LIKE
Relatively high price
No braided cable
Opposite buttons can get in the way