Ergonomic mice are usually made for work, not gaming. But there are some ergonomic mice that are specifically made for gaming, and they offer a more comfortable playing experience than their non-ergonomic counterparts. Read on to find out more.
Most ergonomic mice are for work
If you’re using a mouse a lot, no matter whether you’re gaming or working, you’re at risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI), or in the worst-case, carpal tunnel syndrome. Most people with those conditions (or those who want to prevent them) will opt for an ergonomic mouse. But what about gamers?
The problem is that most ergonomic mice are made for work purposes. Compared to gaming mice, they’re big and chunky or they have an awkward design. Hardware-wise, these mice are designed for comfort, not speed or performance. They usually have low polling rates of just 125Hz or less, which can be noticeably laggy on high refresh rate monitors.
If you’re a casual gamer or just like to play simple non-action games, you can probably get away with an ergonomic office mouse. Your gaming performance is not going to be dependent on having a gaming mouse with extreme hardware specs if you’re just playing lightweight games like Stardew Valley. In that case, an office mouse like the Logitech Lift will do the job.
But for action game lovers, an ergonomic office mouse is not going to cut it. Instead, you’d be better off tracking down one of the more ergonomic gaming mice on the market, of which there are a few.
A better option: ergonomic gaming mice
Gaming mice are designed for their speed and accuracy. They usually have lightweight sculpted designs that allow players to make the fastest movements with their hands. That design should, in theory, provide gamers with a comfortable, stress-free grip, but gaming can be very hectic and that can put a lot of pressure on player hands and wrists.
That’s why ergonomic mice are gaining popularity in gaming circles. There are some excellent ergonomic mice made especially for gamers. Two very popular options are the Razer Deathadder V2 Hyperspeed and the Razer Basilisk V3.
The Razer Deathadder V2 Hyperspeed.
Dominic Bayley / Foundry
Both are lightweight and feature designs that mold to the curve of your hand. The Basilisk V3 also features an ergonomic thumb rest for you to rest your thumb on, providing more control while preventing strain on your thumb.
Some other highly sought-after ergonomic options include the ROCCAT Kone Pro Air for its comfortable design and the Alienware Pro Wireless for its lightweight form.
What about trackpads and trackballs?
The other option many people go for is a trackpad instead of a mouse. These can reduce wrist strain by giving your fingertips more precise control.
You generally don’t want to use a trackpad for gaming, though. They’ll pass the test in simple point and click games, but if you want to play fast-action games and MMOs, they’re not fast enough.
Pexels: Matheus Bertelli
On the other hand, trackball mice can be an excellent choice for games (with a little practice). Gameball makes trackball mice specifically for gamers. It features six ergonomic buttons, an ambidextrous design, and a precision optical sensor. It also has a rotary scroll wheel and a 1,000Hz polling rate, which means it’s as fast as other competitive gaming mice.
So, in summary, while ergonomic office mice can be used for gaming, they’re not the best for speed and performance. Gamers are better off choosing one of the more ergonomic gaming mice on the market for a comfortable experience that doesn’t compromise performance.
Further reading:
- I switched to a trackball mouse and I’m never going back
- Best gaming mice 2025: Find your perfect match
- Do I need a gaming mouse with a 4K polling rate?
