From vertical mice to trackballs, you can find a slew of ergonomic approaches to mousing comfort. The common aim: minimizing the threat of repetitive strain injuries you may incur from using a mouse and keyboard for many hours each day. With so many shapes, sizes, and features out there, though, picking an ergonomic mouse can be tricky. That’s where our expertise comes in. PCMag has been testing and reviewing peripherals since the early days of the PC, and we assess PC mice on the basis of design, features, connectivity, comfort, and (of course!) value. Our analysts have experience with a broad range of models. The five-star-rated Logitech MX Master 3S is our top ergonomic mouse pick for most people, but we stand behind all the other selections here, too. After discussing the pros and cons of each one, we’ll explain everything you need to know to choose the best ergonomic mouse for you.
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best Conventional Ergonomic Mouse
Logitech MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse
Pros & Cons
Remarkable comfort and battery life
Perfectly precise electromagnetic scroll wheel
Ultra-customizable for different apps
Works with multiple devices and operating systems
Lefties need not apply
No place to store the USB dongle
Fans of tactile clicks may prefer the older version
Specs & Configurations
Number of Buttons
8
Interface
RF Wireless, Bluetooth
Hand Orientation
Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model
Logitech Darkfield
Sensor Maximum Resolution
8000 dpi
Power Source
Internal Battery
Weight
5 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor)
1 year
Bottom Line
Silent buttons and an 8,000dpi sensor bring Logitech’s flagship MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse just one or two clicks from perfection.
Learn More
Logitech MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse Review
Best Budget Ergonomic Mouse
Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Wireless Mouse
Pros & Cons
Comfortable grip
Metal scroll wheel
Multi-device pairing
Good battery life
Reasonably priced
No DPI presets
Requires disposable AAA batteries
Specs & Configurations
Number of Buttons
5
Interface
Bluetooth
Hand Orientation
Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model
Pixart PAW 3228
Sensor Maximum Resolution
2400 dpi
Power Source
Two AAA Batteries
Weight
3.95 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor)
1 year
Bottom Line
With strong battery life, multi-device pairing, and an attractive design, the Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse sets a strong baseline for productivity mice.
Learn More
Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Wireless Mouse Review
Best Vertical Ergonomic Mouse
Lenovo Go Wireless Vertical Mouse
Pros & Cons
Corkboard material is comfortable
Stylish, compact modern design
Vertical grip is comfortable for long periods of use
DPI button
Built-in dongle storage
Expensive given build quality
Lacks rechargeable battery
Needs dongle to pair to any device
Specs & Configurations
Number of Buttons
5
Interface
RF Wireless
Hand Orientation
Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model
Unspecified Logitech Optical Sensor
Sensor Maximum Resolution
2400 dpi
Power Source
One AA Battery
Weight
0.21 pounds
Warranty (Parts and Labor)
1 year
Bottom Line
The Lenovo Go Wireless Vertical Mouse is about as stylish as it is comfortable, but some missing features keep it from being the ergonomic mouse it should be.
Learn More
Lenovo Go Wireless Vertical Mouse Review
Best Ergonomic Thumb-Style Trackball
Kensington Pro Fit Ergo TB550 Trackball
Pros & Cons
Comfortable to use
Excellent build quality
Plenty of functionality
128-bit AES encryption
Takes some getting used to
No left-handed option
Specs & Configurations
Number of Buttons
5
Interface
Bluetooth, USB Wired, 2.4GHz Wireless
Hand Orientation
Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model
Unspecified Optical Sensor
Sensor Maximum Resolution
1600 dpi
Power Source
Internal Battery
Weight
4.9 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor)
3 years
Bottom Line
The Kensington Pro Fit Ergo TB550 Trackball is an excellent, affordable choice for improving office-computing ergonomics, and well worth its potentially steep learning curve.
Learn More
Kensington Pro Fit Ergo TB550 Trackball Review
Best Ergonomic Mouse for Accessibility
Microsoft Adaptive Mouse
Pros & Cons
Inclusive design philosophy
Highly compact
Ambidextrous body design
Can be augmented by many 3D-printed accessories
Needs accessories to work as intended
3D printed accessories are pricey
Microsoft Accessory Center is Windows-exclusive
Specs & Configurations
Number of Buttons
3
Interface
Bluetooth, USB Wired
Hand Orientation
Ambidextrous
Sensor Maximum Resolution
6000 dpi
Power Source
Internal Battery, Wired USB
Weight
1.6 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor)
1 year
Bottom Line
For those who may need it, the Microsoft Adaptive Mouse is a highly noteworthy achievement in accessibility and productivity for computer mice, particularly when paired with Microsoft’s Adaptive Hub and its accessories.
Learn More
Microsoft Adaptive Mouse Review
Best Ergonomic Mouse for Wrist Angle Adjustments
Contour Unimouse
Pros & Cons
Three programmable main buttons.
Very customizable thumb rest and mouse orientation angle.
Pricey.
Flimsy build quality makes mouse unsteady at some angles.
Cumbersome software utility.
Currently available only in right-handed version.
Specs & Configurations
Number of Buttons
6
Interface
USB Wired, RF Wireless
Hand Orientation
Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model
PixArt PMW3330
Sensor Maximum Resolution
2800 dpi
Power Source
Wired USB, Internal Battery
Weight
4.5 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor)
2 years
Bottom Line
The Contour Unimouse has oodles of customization options for its clicking surface and its dedicated thumb rest, but frustrating software and flimsy-feeling finishes limit its appeal.
Learn More
Contour Unimouse Review
Best Ergonomic Mouse for Gaming
QuadraClicks RBT
Pros & Cons
Innovative, comfortable design
Fast, responsive sensor
Unique ergonomics
Can be reimbursed by some health insurance plans
Expensive
Software is Windows-only
Takes some getting used to
Specs & Configurations
Number of Buttons
6
Interface
USB Wired
Hand Orientation
Ambidextrous
Sensor Maker and Model
Pixart PWM 3336
Sensor Maximum Resolution
10700 dpi
Power Source
Wired USB
Weight
3.7 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor)
1 year
Bottom Line
The QuadraClicks RBT, a rare ergonomic mouse built for gaming, is a pricey-but-promising tool for reducing wear and tear on your most important weapon: your hands.
Learn More
QuadraClicks RBT Review
Best Ergonomic Mouse for Lefties
Goldtouch Semi-Vertical Wireless Mouse
Pros & Cons
Comfortable ergonomic shape
Detachable hand rest
Strong battery life
Left-handed model available
Vertical mice are hard to use accurately
Low max DPI
Specs & Configurations
Number of Buttons
6
Interface
RF Wireless
Hand Orientation
Left- and Right-Handed Models Available
Sensor Maker and Model
Pixart PAW3205
Sensor Maximum Resolution
1600 dpi
Power Source
Two AA Batteries
Weight
4.6 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor)
1 year
Bottom Line
Goldtouch’s lefty-friendly Semi-Vertical Wireless Mouse puts ergonomics first, with a chassis at a less drastic angle than most of its kind.
Learn More
Goldtouch Semi-Vertical Wireless Mouse Review
Best Ergonomic Mouse for Long Battery Life
Logitech Lift
Pros & Cons
Handsome, compact vertical design
Available in version for lefties
Rated 24-month battery life on one AA cell
Can seamlessly swap connections among up to three devices
Compatible with macOS
Not comfortable for larger hands
Shallow switches offer little feedback
Specs & Configurations
Number of Buttons
5
Interface
RF Wireless, Bluetooth
Hand Orientation
Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model
Logitech Advanced Optical Tracking
Sensor Maximum Resolution
4000 dpi
Power Source
Internal Battery
Weight
0.27 pounds
Warranty (Parts and Labor)
1 year
Bottom Line
The design-forward Logitech Lift is an affordable, versatile vertical mouse with an ergonomic bent, but its compact size won’t please users with larger hands.
Learn More
Logitech Lift Review
Buying Guide: The Best Ergonomic Mice for 2024
Choosing a Vertical Mouse: How to Flip Your GripThe design that comes to mind when most of us hear the words “ergonomic mouse” is vertical. The shape is basically a conventional mouse turned 90 degrees, or the base of a mouse with a second sideways one on top of it, letting you grip the device without twisting your wrist. Think of a handshake clasp instead of holding the mouse with your palm down. Naturally, a vertical mouse’s click panels and face buttons are rotated or placed on the side, where they’re accessible with the same finger motions you’d make using a standard mouse. Turning the mouse to meet your hand, rather than turning your hand to grip the mouse, removes strain on your arm and lets you use a more natural wrist motion to move laterally.The downside to a vertical mouse can be its degree of accuracy. The shape moves your hand higher up the body and further away from the mouse sensor, changing the correlation between how you move your hand and the path of the cursor. Even after a few days’ adjustment to a vertical mouse, it can take a bit more time to line up the pointer with a small icon. That may go away over time, but it’s a significant change for which you should be ready.
(Credit: Zackery Cuevas)
Nevertheless, a vertical mouse will be the best ergonomic option for most users. It mitigates the musculoskeletal issues caused by overuse of a standard mouse while retaining most of the experience of using one. For gamers and creative pros who may not be able to use one all the time, the answer may be having two mice—a vertical model for everyday use and a curved, palm-supporting conventional mouse for gaming or occasional precision work.Trackballs: Minimizing Certain MovementsPerhaps the oldest alternatives to a traditional mouse, trackballs have had a cult following for decades. Instead of moving the mouse around to maneuver the cursor, a trackball detects the movement of a sphere mounted in a housing with buttons—mice used to use rolling balls instead of optical sensors—to mirror a standard mouse’s inputs.You operate a trackball with very little arm movement and no real “grip,” instead simply resting your hand on the device. This can reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), musculoskeletal disorders caused by holding an unnatural position too long or repeating a motion over and over again. Typing on a keyboard and using a mouse have both been known to cause RSIs after years of daily computer use; these ailments tend to manifest initially as pain, weakness, or numbness in your fingers and wrists.Trackballs are designed to reduce or eliminate movements that have been known to cause these injuries or aggravate them in people who already suffer from RSIs. There is no ironclad proof that they can actually prevent RSIs, but they’ve proven more comfortable for people who already experience pain when using a standard mouse.
(Credit: Nathaniel Mott)
You’ll find two main types of trackballs, thumb-operated and finger-operated. As with ergonomic keyboards, the two versions offer a sliding scale of familiarity (how easy it is for new users to convert) versus ergonomic benefit. Thumb-operated trackballs, like the ones on this list, are shaped like standard mice, which makes them more approachable. However, it’s been noted that prolonged use of a thumb trackball has the potential to damage specific muscles in your thumb over time. Finger-operated trackballs may require a longer adjustment period but do not put any additional strain on your digits. [This comes down to individual physiology, too; the editor of this story has used a thumb-control Microsoft Trackball Optical daily for more than 15 years with no apparent ill effects.—Ed.]Both styles are an acquired taste; you need to try a trackball to know whether or not it’ll work for you. People tend to figure out pretty quickly whether they prefer twirling a trackball to pushing and pulling a standard mouse. We recommend finding a shop where you might be able to try before buying, or at least making sure you can return an online purchase if it isn’t a good fit.
Recommended by Our Editors
Standard Mice: Are They Good for Your Hands?If you don’t currently suffer from RSI symptoms, you may not want to deal with the tradeoffs of a specialized ergonomic mouse, such as an adjustment period or reduced fine accuracy. In this case, you can still do yourself a solid and buy a mouse with a comfortable, supportive shape. Conventional mice come in all shapes and sizes, and whether one feels good in your hand is perhaps the most important part of your buying decision.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
If possible, buy a mouse fitted to your dominant hand. Unfortunately, left-handed mice aren’t as common as those shaped for righties, but you should still be able to pick from a modest set of specialty options or, failing that, choose a well-shaped ambidextrous mouse. Beyond that, ergo-positive traits vary from mouse to mouse. Certain features imply more support, such as a “thumb wing” or rest for your opposable digit, but having one doesn’t guarantee comfort. Some companies definitely skew toward different hand shapes; gaming mouse maker Corsair, for instance, offers many well-shaped mice including some for users with large hands. Read our reviews for specific information about different shapes, as our experts discuss how each mouse fits your hand.Ready to Buy the Right Ergonomic Mouse for You?Now that we’ve described the different kinds of ergonomic mice, you hopefully have an idea of which you want to try. This roundup offers a rundown of the best we’ve tested; if you want to know more about the universal rules for picking a great pointing device, check out our overall guide to the best computer mice. Looking for a top keyboard? We have an explainer for that, too. And don’t miss our guide to setting up a complete ergonomic home office.
