Best Bluetooth and RF Wireless Mice

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Finding the right Bluetooth mouse can make all the difference in everything from word processing to gaming. Wireless mice provide the convenience of not having cords to snag, although keep in mind that you’ll have to keep them charged. Some nice extra features include built-in lighting and different shapes for comfort.

Best Wireless Mouse

What to Consider With a Wireless Mouse

For many people, finding the right mouse is about comfort. Some mice also offer extra sensitivity when you need to do things like play games or pick out small objects inside graphics programs.

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Connection

Check out the kind of connection a mouse uses to communicate with a device. Bluetooth mice are compatible with almost any device made within the last few years. You can also buy a Bluetooth dongle to provide the wireless capability if your computer doesn’t have it already. Some mice use radio frequency (RF) adapters instead which some manufacturers claim can result in better response time for applications such as gaming. You will need to plug a USB RF adaptor into your computer when using these mice.

Power

A key consideration is whether you want a mouse that’s rechargeable or one that runs on disposable batteries. Wireless mice that use AA or AAA batteries tend to last longer than their rechargeable counterparts but the cost of disposables adds up. You can also use rechargeable AA or AAA batteries.

Latency

If you're using the mouse for gaming, look for a model that’s designed specifically for this activity. The metric to note here is latency, which is the lag between the time you move the mouse and when the action is translated to the screen. The better wireless gaming mice offer low latency, which can give you an edge in a competitive gaming situation. Gaming mice also have far more buttons—which can be custom-programmed for certain functions—than conventional mice.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity with a wireless mouse is critical for gaming. Mice with a higher dots-per-inch (DPI) measurement are more sensitive than those with a lower count. A high-DPI mouse, such as one that offers 6,400 or more, can help you move objects across the screen with less hand movement. There are also gaming mice available with lower DPI, such as 1,200, if you prefer to make large gestures while maneuvering in a game.

How We Selected

I support several dozen corporate PC users and have supplied wireless mice to workers ranging from construction estimators to bookkeepers recovering from shoulder surgery. I also have more than a half-dozen PCs at home, so at any given time I’ve got more mice around than Cinderella. My current daily driver is an HP Omen Vector Wireless Gaming Mouse, which I like because it’s comfortable to hold, has customizable buttons, charges quickly, and looks cool thanks to lighting effects. My recommendations here are based on personal experience, product features and specifications, as well as online reviews and ratings.

Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless Mouse

Key Specs

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, RF

• Battery Type: Rechargeable

I’ve used Logitech’s Master 3 and can recommend it for most users. It has an ergonomic shape that’s comfortable in hand and fast scrolling speed. One nifty feature is that it can be connected to three different computers at once, so you can easily switch between them. The Master 3 offers USB-C for faster charging.

More: The Best Ergonomic Mice of 2023

Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse

Key Specs

• Connectivity: Bluetooth

• Battery Type: Disposable (1 AAA)
  

The Modern Mobile Mouse is a great go-to rodent for all-around use. It’s light and comfortable to use and works equally well on both Mac and Windows computers. The design is also beautiful and looks good on almost any desk.

Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

Key Specs

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB

• Battery Type: 1 AA

Think of the Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse as an elevated mouse tilted on its side for better, well... ergonomics. You can get it in three colors—graphite, white, and rose, and for southpaws, it's available in a left-handed version. The Lift Vertical connects to devices via Bluetooth or the included USB receiver, and Logitech promises two years of life from a single AA battery.

Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse

Key Specs

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired, USB

• Battery Type: Rechargeable

I own the Precision Mouse and enjoy its elegant design, accurate tracking, and comfortable feel in the hand. It allows you to switch between three different devices via Bluetooth at the click of the buttons on the side. It’s a hefty 4.76 ounces, so it may not slip into a backpack as easily as some competitors.

Logitech Pebble M350

Key Specs

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB

• Battery Type: 1 AA

The Logitech Pebble M350 is a mouse that doesn't take up a lot of real estate on a desk or too much room in your bag (it’s slim enough to fit in your pocket). It works via Bluetooth or USB, runs for up to 18 months on an AA battery, and comes in four colors. It’s a decidedly minimalist design that has no programmable buttons. Just resist the temptation to skip it across a pond.

Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse

Key Specs

• Connectivity: RF, USB

• Battery Type: Disposable (1 AA)

The G305 is relatively inexpensive with specs high enough for gaming. The mouse has 12,000 DPI for high-precision tracking, and six fully programmable buttons. Logitech claims this mouse will get 250 hours of use on a single disposable AA battery. It connects via an included USB receiver that you can plug into your device.

Razer DeathAdder v2 Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse

Key Specs

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB, wired

• Battery type: Rechargeable

The V2 Pro is an excellent wireless mouse for gaming, due to its comfortable shape and impressive specifications. It has a 20,000 DPI sensor, up to 120 hours of battery life, and can be used in wireless or wired mode. In true gamer style, it has RGB lighting that’s fun to look at but can cut down on the time between charges.

Logitech G604 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse

Key Specs

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB

• Battery Type: 1 AA

If you like customizable mouse buttons (and hey, who doesn’t?) you'll love the Logitech G604 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse because almost every button on this thing is customizable. There are 15 customizable controls, of which eight are dedicated buttons—i.e. not including the two standard mouse buttons or scroll wheel. Speaking of that wheel, it scrolls both vertically and horizontally; handy when you need to quickly switch to that wide spreadsheet in the middle of a gaming session.

Lenovo Yoga Mouse with Laser Presenter

Key Specs

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB

• Battery Type: Rechargeable

If you do a lot of presentations, why carry around a separate pointer when the Lenovo Yoga Mouse with Laser Presenter can do the job of two devices? You flatten the V-shaped mouse to put it into presenter mode, and then use the touch-activated scroll/slider bar to control laser brightness. Lenovo says the rechargeable battery is good for up to two months, and charges from empty to full in 90 minutes.

Logitech POP Mouse

Key Specs

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, (USB with receiver purchased separately)

• Battery Type: 1 AA

I’m not big on using emoji; I do, but only sparingly. Considering how often I receive them in texts and e-mails, I sometimes feel like an outlier. If you tend to pepper your communication with emoji, then the Logitech Pop Mouse is for you. In three stylish hues (here in Heartbreaker), it more importantly has a dedicated button to call up an emoji menu. (The emoji function only works with Windows and Mac, though the mouse itself is compatible with iOS or ChromeOS.) The POP mouse connects via Bluetooth but can also work with a Logitech USB receiver, the Logi Bolt ($14.99) but you’ll have to buy that separately.

So Many Options For Your Mouse. Expert Joseph Moran Gives This Guidance Before You Buy.

PM: How important are customizable mouse buttons if you’re not a gamer?

JM: While customizable mouse buttons are very handy for gaming—reducing the need to use the keyboard for in-game functions—they’re equally handy even if you use your PC for other tasks. For example, I use mouse buttons to increase, decrease, and mute volume, as well as pause and rewind YouTube videos.

PM: If I get a wireless mouse with a rechargeable battery, how likely is it to suffer from significantly reduced charge capacity over time?

JM: Not very likely. Anything is possible, but you’re more likely to wear out the buttons or simply outgrow the mouse before the rechargeable battery calls it quits. I’ve been using a rechargeable wireless mouse for several years with no degradation, and recently retired a rechargeable wireless keyboard after 10 years—only because I’d worn out some of the key labels.

PM: Wired or wireless?

JM: The main reason to go with a wired mouse over wireless is if you wanted the mouse movements and button presses relayed to the computer with the least possible delay, or to forestall the possibility—however slight—of a wireless mouse receiving interference from another device using the same frequency. In other words, if you’re a professional gamer or take gaming really, really, REALLY seriously, you’d be likely better served with a wired mouse. For almost everyone else, the convenience of not having to drag (or snag) a cord makes a wireless mouse a better choice.

PM: What is the right number DPI for basic everyday use?

JM: There isn’t really a right DPI number for workaday use. It’s a matter of preference, though many general-purpose mice provide an adjustable DPI setting in the 800-1600 range.

PM: Are there really such things as travel mice?

JM: A travel mouse is ostensibly any mouse that’s light and compact enough to be easily stowed in your bag (several of our choices would meet that definition). Ultimately any mouse you’re willing to schlep around with you—lest you be forced to use the dreaded laptop touchpad-- can be considered a travel mouse.

*Editor's Note: Technology writer Sascha Brodsky contributed to this article.

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