Are you looking for a mouse with a long tail? The mice were evaluated according to their programmability, precision, scroll wheel, button actuation, and how they tracked on various work surfaces where modern mice may be found. We are here to help you find the right mouse for your needs, whether you are looking for an ultra-precise mouse, a versatile tethered mouse, or a tethered mouse that can follow you from one desk to the next. We recommend the Logitech M500s to most people. It works well on a variety of surfaces and provides excellent tracking. The TeckNet USB Wired offers great tracking and precision at a reasonable price if you don't care about programmability.
With MightyPC, we cover the entire spectrum of computer mice. Check out our best mouse, wireless mouse, and mouse pad reviews for a tether-free scrolling experience. In addition to improving functionality and tracking capability, mouse pads can be found in a variety of styles.
Top 5 Wired Mouse on the Market
Overall Best: Logitech M500s Advanced Corded Mouse
The Good
- Excellent surface tracking
- Good price/performance ratio
- High precision
The Bad
- Loud scroll wheel
- Fewer programmable buttons than some
Specifications
- Buttons: 7
- Sensor CPI: 4,000
Logitech M500s Advanced Corded Mouse: Short review
We recommend the Logitech M500s for most users due to its respectable performance and feature set, along with its reasonable price. In our in-depth tracking and precision tests, the
M500 advanced corded mouse performance was excellent, thanks to its high-precision sensor with up to 4000 counts per inch (CPI). Additionally, it has a low-resistance 4D scroll wheel with a selectable infinite scroll mode. The M500s is one of the easiest mice to please when it comes to acceptable surfaces, tracking smoothly and accurately across almost everything we put it on.
Especially if you aren't a fan of sticking to your desk all day, this is a good option if you like a mouse over a laptop's trackpad. Its robust and intuitive Logitech Options software is used to assign buttons, and one member of our testing team mentions, “I really like being able to customize the buttons according to the application I am using.” However, the Logitech G502 X provides even more customization.
We noticed a loud scroll wheel on the M500s, which some may find irritating, especially at its price point. Although seven programmable buttons are more than enough for most people, some of the M500s's competition offers more. Obviously, if you expect to need more programmability, the Logitech G502 X would be the logical upgrade. Despite minor gripes, we are impressed with the M500s' ability to handle almost anything an average user might throw at it.
Best Runner Up: SteelSeries Rival 3 Gaming Mouse
The Good
- Works on many surface types
- Excellent tracking
- Good programmability
The Bad
- Triggered malware alert when plugged in
- Doesn't work well on uneven terrain
Specifications
- Buttons: 6
- Sensor CPI: 8,500
SteelSeries Rival 3 Gaming Mouse: Short review
Its high precision & accuracy, as well as its generous button programmability, impressed us. With the Rival 3's TrueMove Core Sensor, we conducted scientific tests to measure CPI precision and accuracy using a linear slide machine and CPI analyzer software. In addition to the scroll wheel, the Rival 3 features five programmable buttons, with included software that enables you to bind mouse buttons to launch applications, configurations, OS shortcuts, record macros, and anything else you can think of. The product offers three customizable lighting zones with different effects and presets configurable for each.
While SteelSeries Rival 3 has a few downsides, we encountered a disconcerting and likely false positive malware detection alert when installing its software, and we have read other reports of people receiving similar notifications when installing SteelSeries software. Second, this mouse performs poorly on uneven surfaces. Although the Rival 3 performed well on the range of surfaces we tested it on, it was less consistent on uneven surfaces and gaps, with one of our testers stating, “I had a lot of trouble with this mouse.” If you frequently work from makeshift desks or couches, you may find this mouse frustrating. Check out our Razer Basilisk V3 review, if you're looking for something that excels over even more terrain.
Best Budget: TECKNET USB Wired Mouse
The Good
- Ergonomic design
- Precise
- Works on many surfaces
The Bad
- Stiff cord
- Loud scroll wheel
Specifications
- Buttons: 5
- Sensor CPI: 3600
TECKNET USB Wired Mouse: Short review
The TeckNet USB Wired has impressive tracking precision for a peripheral under twenty dollars and is compatible with a variety of surface types. Through our tracking and precision testing, it tracked exceptionally well, impressing our reviewer, who says, “This mouse surprised me by beating out rival mice that cost a lot more.” The ergonomic design made it easy to move through the web with its dedicated forward and back browser buttons, and the switch on top lets you change the sensitivity on the fly. You might find that useful if some parts of your daily routine require higher sensitivity than others. On nearly all of the surfaces we tested, the TeckNet worked reasonably well.
Compared to other mice, it was sluggish when moving across lined paper. There was only one complaint we had about the TeckNet USB Wired: its cord was stiff and could sometimes spring back, causing false inputs. Additionally, its scroll wheel rattled a bit, and clicking it made a loud noise compared to other models. You may want to take a look at the Kkuod Silent Wired, which is inexpensive and has whisper-quiet primary clicks. Although we lauded the TeckNet's precision, we found that its tracking accuracy fell just below the manufacturer's claim of CPI when tested on our linear slide rig. Despite its meager price and solid capabilities, this mouse is still an outstanding value for its price.
Best for tight budget: Amazon Basics 3-Button
The Good
- Super low price
- Ultra-smooth scroll wheel
- Quiet scrolling and button presses
The Bad
- No forward/back buttons
- Shorter cable than others
Specifications
- Buttons: 3
- Sensor CPI: 1,000
Amazon Basics 3-Button: Short review
A 3-Button mouse from Amazon is what you need if you are on a tight budget. You could enjoy the Amazon Basics mouse for years to come despite its budget price. If you prefer a wired mouse that is truly basic and no frills. The optical sensor rated at 1000 counts per inch (CPI) allows it to track well enough for most tasks, thanks to its light and ambidextrous design. Despite its low resistance and nearly silent scrolling, the scroll wheel performs way above its price point. Although the Amazon mouse had less tracking capability than some, it was still admirable, with only highly polished and translucent surfaces slowing it down. Although we appreciate this mouse for what it is, products at this price point are bound to have some compromises.
The Amazon Basics 3-Button mouse is not programmable, does not have any features, nor does it require any software to work. The mouse has three buttons, as its name suggests. In addition to the left and right click buttons, there is a depressible scroll wheel button, and those do what your OS tells them to do. If all you need is a reliable, intuitive pointer at an affordable price, the Basics mouse takes the cake. It doesn't offer extreme precision, programmability, or additional features. Logitech B100 is the name brand mouse that almost exactly matches this one if you're not sold on Amazon's branding.
Best Premium Wired Mouse: Razer Basilisk V3 Customizable Ergonomic Gaming Mouse
The Good
- Excellent tracking and response
- Spectacular scroll wheel
- Comfortable
The Bad
- A bit heavy
- Overkill for some
Specifications
- Buttons: 11
- Sensor CPI: 26,000
Razer Basilisk V3 Customizable Ergonomic Gaming Mouse: Short review
In our gaming mouse guide, we featured the Razer Basilisk V3, but its performance doesn't have to be reserved for competitive gamers. It's such a well-known product that it's on its third version, and because it's a little out of the ordinary, we couldn't leave it out of our reviews. In addition to its top-notch hardware, the device also comes with a flawless sensor that is capable of registering 26,000 dots per inch (DPI) and a speedy optical switch. As one of our testers pointed out, “it has one of the best scrolling and button actuation I've ever experienced on a mouse.”
The mouse tracks well on nearly every surface we put it on and features a number of advanced features, such as switch-activated onboard memory and Hypershift button modifier technology. The ten other physical buttons can be assigned up to 24 different functions. The RGB lighting themes it comes with make it look pretty slick as well. Its cutting-edge hardware and software features make the Basilisk V3 an extremely versatile tool for advanced productivity in much the same way it dominates competitive gaming. Selecting this powerhouse as your primary productivity pointer may present a few challenges depending on your needs and ingenuity.
In order to configure this mouse properly for advanced productivity, you'll need to be creative and motivated. Gamers will appreciate the eleven physical buttons, but they might feel overwhelming in an office setting. The Basilisk V3 weighs 101 grams as well. Additionally, while its price point is reasonable for gamers, it is conspicuously expensive for productivity mice. The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse is a premium mouse with a premium sensor without all the glitz of the Razer. The Razer Basilisk V3 is the highest-scoring mouse we tested in both the wired and gaming mouse categories, but a mouse par excellence may be as overkill for some as it is a godsend for others.
Conclusion
After rigorous testing across everything from glass desks to soft mouse pads, these wired mice deliver unmatched accuracy, responsiveness, and reliability. Our overall best pick, the Logitech M500s, strikes the perfect balance of precision, programmability, and value, while the SteelSeries Rival 3 runner-up impresses with professional-grade tracking and customizable buttons without breaking the bank. On a tighter budget, the TeckNet USB Wired and Amazon Basics 3-Button prove that strong performance doesn’t require a hefty investment. And for those who demand the absolute pinnacle of features—from ultra-high DPI to onboard memory—the Razer Basilisk V3 stands as our premium powerhouse choice. Ultimately, the right wired mouse is the one that fits your workflow, grip style, and feature needs.
Follow the links above to explore each model’s full review and snag the one that best elevates your productivity or gaming sessions. We’d love to hear which mouse you choose—drop a comment below with your pick and why it won out. And be sure to subscribe to The Mighty PC for more in-depth gear reviews, buying guides, and insider tips!
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