The boom of the gaming industry has paved the way for the emergence of light gaming mouse in recent years. In fact, its appearance has been advantageous to PC gamers. These lightweight peripherals utilize a honeycomb design that helps bring the weight to a minimum without compromising efficiency.
Light gaming mouses actually bring about a slew of advantages over their hefty counterparts. The primary benefit is that these devices allow more maneuverability. Therefore, lessens the risks of straining your hands and fingers repetitively. The ease of movement also caters to an easier aim, especially when playing games.
Following the release of Glorious light gaming mouses, many bigger brands have begun making their respective variations. Some of these designs are not holey but have internal modifications to cut mass while retaining the intact outer shell. With the numerous variants sold in the market nowadays, we have come up with our top recommendations.
The Inevitable Popularity of Light Gaming Mouses
The birth of the gaming mouse, generally, makes the playing experience much easier. However, the heftiness of the first devices made it difficult to move around. The bulkiness makes playing time more strenuous, causing hand injuries to some gamers. But all this changed ever since the release of lightweight mouses for gaming. Considerably, a light gaming mouse weighs less than 80g. Thanks to this, using one feels like an extension of the user’s hand.
These types of mouses offer gamers more agility and efficient control of movements. Ideally, all of these benefits gamers, especially when playing fast-paced titles and first-person shooters (FPS). In fact, many streamers and professional gamers rely on lightweight mouses for more exemplary performance.
Light Gaming Mouse Recommendations for New & Pro Gamers
We have rounded up a list of the top 5 gaming mouses to take a look at if you’re in search of one. Whether you are a newbie or a professional gamer, these peripherals will help improve your gameplay.
Glorious Model O
As cited previously, Glorious was one of the first companies to release a light gaming mouse on the market. The Glorious Model O is the company’s original lightweight model weighing 67g. This wired device features RGB (red, green, blue) lights, a honeycomb design, and comes in a matte or glossy finish. Furthermore, it has been named by big tech companies as the best lightweight mouse for gamers to date.
Contrary to other mouses in this category, the Glorious Model O boasts a 2m long wire. Moreover, it has a Pixart PMW 3360 sensor with 400 to 12000 DPI (display per inch), and the typical 6 buttons including the DPI switch. In recent years, Glorious has made other variations of the Model O including a wireless version and a mini one. However, it would have been better if a stealth version was available since the side buttons are prone to cracking at immense pressure.
With its superb overall build quality and coming at 128x66x37mm, the Glorious Model O deserves to be in the limelight. Most importantly, you get all premium features atypical of a light gaming mouse at a fraction of the cost.
Razer Viper
Similar to the Glorious Model O, the Razer Viper also has wireless and mini counterparts. Almost three years after its initial release, the Razer Viper is still in the game. The device boasts an ambidextrous design to match right- and left-handed gamers. In fact, the Razer Viper is still amongst the prevalent choices for Esports.
While its equipoised design makes it ideal for pro-level performance, its lightweight body caters to quick movements. Additionally, its optical sensor delivers blazing-fast operation. With the renowned Razer 5G Optical Sensor, the Razer Viper delivers as high as 99.4% tracking accuracy sans the high price tag.
SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless
Another frontrunner in the light gaming mouse category is the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless. The company, SteelSeries is a giant manufacturer of game peripherals and has already made a name in the gaming industry. The SteelSeries Aerox 3 could very well be the definition of an ideal wireless light gaming mouse for all kinds of grips. It also boasts a speedy tracking movement, steadfast connectivity, and a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 200 hours of playing.
Only weighing at 68g, the honeycomb perforations of the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless spread further than most. This innovation allows air to flow even to the top of the hands. What makes this lightweight peripheral a crowd favorite, especially among gamers is its IP54 rating. Of all honeycomb options out in the market, gamers prefer this due to the water and dust resistance feature.
ROCCAT ROC-11-730
Players looking for a lightweight but robust mouse fit for action-packed games should check the Kone Pure Ultra. Also known as ROC-11-730, this sturdy device from Roccat is the first to come with an ergonomic design. Protected by the Roccat coating, not only does this device feels great in the hand but can also be cleaned in no time.
The advanced Owl-Eye optical sensor allows up to 16,000 DPI, which adds to an accurate and precise tracking movement. So if you’re a gamer in search of a durable device with high performance, the Kone Pure Ultra is a great option to consider.
Cooler Master MM720
The Cooler Master MM720 by Cooler Master packs a punch despite being ultralight at 49g. It features a reliable cable with Ultraweave technology, making it very comfortable and easy to use. Apart from that, it’s made of durable PTFE material, allowing for a smoother and more accurate tracking movement. Furthermore, there’s a dedicated DPI switch for up to 16,000, but can also be remapped to another program depending on the user’s preference.
Instead of going with a long body, the Cooler Master MM720 boasts a stubby design. Its miniature form factor is primarily made for claw grips rather than hybrid or palm grips. The dedicated finger rest at the rightest portion is a much-appreciated gesture. Omron switches allow for up to 20 million clicks and preserve a more accurate tracking movement.
Ultimately, the Cooler Master MM720 packs an IP58 rating, by far the highest IP rating for a light gaming mouse. It means this gaming mouse is dust resistant and highly water-resistant to allow some liquid spills.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Light Gaming Mouse
Choosing the right light gaming mouse for your needs can be a daunting task when it actually should not be. Yes, there are lots of peripherals in the market from big and small companies alike. Some are cheap while others are pricey; and on rare occasions, much more expensive than most. However, they all possess similar characteristics which should be factors you must consider before buying.
DPI
Display per inch (DPI) refers to the device’s sensitivity. It measures the number of movement-detection sensors that activate every time the mouse is used. A higher DPI means more responsiveness and faster cursor movements. However, a high DPI does not exactly mean the mouse is great. In fact, high DPI equates to less precision, which isn’t advisable for games requiring high accuracy. Note that a lot of the gaming mouses today have adjustable DPI settings to suit any player’s needs.
Wired or Wireless
Another factor to consider when buying a light gaming mouse is the presence (or absence) of a cable. Basically, there are two main connectivity options – wired and wireless. The former does not need to be charged since they are directly connected to the computer to work. Additionally, movements will not be delayed but will be more dead-on than their wireless counterparts.
Wireless mouses, on the other hand, connect to the computer using USB adaptors; some also have additional Bluetooth connectivity. Accuracy has been its Achilles heel from the beginning but modern wireless mouses have come so far in the last couple of years. In terms of precision, they are now on par with their wired equivalents. The only downside of these peripherals is they need to be charged from time to time.
Extra Buttons
By default, there are 5 or 6 buttons found on computer mouses. These are the left and right buttons, the back and forward side buttons, the scroll wheel, and a dedicated DPI switch. If you are familiar with gaming peripherals, you may have noticed that some light gaming mouses have more than 5 or 6 buttons.
These additional buttons are normally found on the side while some models have them just under the left and right buttons. These extra buttons are customizable depending on a user’s needs. You can use them as hotkeys for in-game actions in some games. Moreover, it allows you to access specific menus such as character statistics, skills, inventory, etc.
The Verdict
Before buying a light gaming mouse, you must take into consideration how avid of a gamer you are. Do you love multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like Mobile Legends Bang Bang and play hours without end? Or are you more of a casual player and just play games for fun? If you think of yourself as an avid gamer, we recommend you buy a light gaming mouse.
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