Gaming mice in the test: Now movement comes into play!

the Logitech G Pro Wireless is well made and feels comfortable in the hand. With a weight of 80 grams, it is neither too light nor too heavy, and the control buttons offer a crisp pressure point. If required, scanning is carried out with up to 16,000 dpi, the mouse sends changes in movement and key inputs to the PC up to 1,000 times per second (polling rate: 1,000 Hertz). Great: The Logitech G Pro Wireless can be operated wirelessly via radio or USB cable on the computer.

Handling gaming mice is crucial. If the product designers screw up the case and the mouse feels bad in your hand, then it is not suitable for gaming. In order to clarify that, three editors sit at the PC and do what they do best: gamble. This gives experienced gamers a good impression of the mouse. At this point, COMPUTER BILD also checks whether the mouse is suitable for right- and left-handers. Of course, the quality of the material used also plays a role: Nobody likes loose keys and cheap plastic.

Additional functions and extra buttons

Gamers don’t just use the left and right mouse buttons, they roll the mouse wheel and use the extra buttons to switch weapons or select specific units, for example. Therefore, these keys are also included in the rating. Since each player uses them differently, they must be programmable and saveable in their own profiles.

The eye plays along

Gamers love lighting. That’s why there are currently a lot of gaming mice with bright colors. How well the mouse can be externally adjusted is also a test point. Just like the cable length or the radio interface.

Buying a new super mouse in the 80 euro segment does not automatically increase your gaming performance. Of course, the better the tool, the easier the job. But what else is important? The ideal mouse setting and meticulous maintenance of the same is fundamental. The hand and arm of the mouse get used to the movement sequences over time (keyword: “muscle memory”), use that! Movements that have been rehearsed and internalized by the brain happen faster – and even fractions of a second can be decisive in tricky situations. For example, when making a quick 90-degree turn, make sure that you make the same physical mouse movement – in every game! In this way, the brain gets used to it and the mouse control becomes automatic. Especially with shooters, this may give you the decisive advantage.

At the same time, gamers expect the small input devices to be subjected to almost unbelievable hardships: If you play three or four times a week, you press the control buttons on a mouse up to ten million times within three to four years. And although gamers often move the mouse just a few centimeters to the left, right, forwards and backwards, the Teflon feet attached to the underside slide 250 to 300 kilometers across the table during this period – from Oberhausen to Darmstadt, so to speak. Or from Berlin to Hamburg.

Speaking of scanning depth: Manufacturers like to advertise with high dpi rates – dpi stands for “dots per inch” (dots per inch). The higher the dpi value of a mouse, the more precisely its optical sensor scans the surface. Example: At 2,000 dpi, the mouse registers the movements of a movement of 2.54 centimeters (1 inch = 2.54 centimeters) 2,000 times and implements them in the game. So the more dpi the better? No, because in practice a high rate does not automatically mean more precision! On the contrary: Set the sampling depth of the Razer Lancehead or Razer Naga Trinity to the maximum value of 16,000 dpi, shaking your hand is enough to unintentionally change the viewing direction by 180 degrees. This is counterproductive for precise aiming. Depending on taste, a scanning depth of 2,000 to 4,000 dpi is sufficient for gaming – everything else is nonsense.

Much more important for the accuracy of a mouse is the polling rate. It influences how quickly commands such as mouse movements and keystrokes actually arrive at the computer. At a rate of 125 Hertz, as tested Sharkoon Shark Force offers, the mouse data is queried every eight milliseconds. For gamers, however, it should be at least 500 Hertz, and 1,000 Hertz is ideal, as is the case with the rest of the test field. The transmission to the PC takes place once per millisecond – i.e. 1,000 times per second.

In recent years, gamers have mostly preferred wired mice to wireless versions. And there were good reasons for that: many players complained about unstable radio connections and exorbitantly low polling rates with wireless models. Entries often only landed on the PC after a long delay. That’s different now. This comparison includes three wireless mice, all of which transfer even the smallest changes in position into the game precisely and quickly. If you want more comfort, you can use a wireless mouse without hesitation. And what if the battery is empty? No problem either: With the exception of the Logitech G703 the tested wireless mice do not have to take a break in the charging station. Players plug in a USB cable to charge – and keep gambling.

The best gaming mice

Gaming mouse test: Current models in comparison

the Logitech G Pro wireless gaming mouse is a well-made gaming mouse without a lot of frills, which transferred movements and clicks into the game quickly and precisely in the test. Practical: It can be operated with a cable or wirelessly. If you don’t have 120 euros left for the Logitech, you can go with the price-performance winner Roccat Cain 200 Aimo Nothing wrong: The feel is slightly worse and weights are missing, but it works almost as fast and precisely when playing – and only costs half. Also worth mentioning are the models of razer and Steelseries.