Do Gaming Mice Really Make A Difference?

With games that don’t have the need for rapid cursor movements or programmable buttons, you may not notice a difference in gameplay or your abilities by adopting a gaming mouse into your setup. However when playing fast paced games such as CS:GO or League of Legends, you’ll definitely benefit from the ability to customise mouse sensitivity and multi-functional buttons.

Below we explore what gaming mice bring to the table and whether they are a must for any serious gamer. 

Gaming mice vs regular mice (where do the differences lie?)

There are a few significant differences between gaming mice and ordinary mice, and it isn’t just flashy aesthetics! 

Gaming mice have extra buttons

You have probably already noticed that gaming mice have more buttons than ordinary mice, and this is to add greater functionality to the device. 

These extra buttons can be bound to certain key combinations, giving you control over a variety of functions that would normally require you to be pressing away at the keyboard. 

This can be great for non-gaming purposes too.

If you use a computer a lot, efficiency becomes key, and these extra buttons make it easy to do more with reduced gestures and time. 

Because these buttons are programmable, you can always reset them as your computing or gaming habits change.

Gaming mice are more robust

Along with the increase in the functional buttons, most gaming mice are more durable than ordinary mice.

That probably doesn’t mean much to you if you aren’t a gamer, because you’ll rarely wear a mouse out, but if you do a lot of computing or you are into long gaming sessions you’ll know your mouse will face a great deal of wear and tear over the years.

By purchasing improved hardware from the off, you save yourself costs down the line; a gaming mouse can withstand a lot more clicks (and a lot more frantic clicking) than a standard mouse. 

Ergonomics are fine tuned on gaming mice

Again, this could be an advantage even if you aren’t a gamer. Gaming mice tend to be designed with comfort in mind for the long sessions that you are likely to spend in front of your battlestation, and will help to support your wrist much more comfortably than standard computer mice.

Of course, not all gaming mice are created equal. You may find some have sacrificed ergonomic form to be made to look swish, with minimal thought given to how comfortable they will be to hold and use. It is a good idea to test a gaming mouse in-store before you buy it, or at least read online reviews thoroughly.

However, on the whole, gaming mice are made with long gaming sessions in mind, and that means they are designed for comfort as well as aesthetics. If you spend hours at the computer, you may find that a gaming mouse reduces your risk of wrist strain.

Greater dots per inch (DPI) range

DPI, or dots per inch, is one of the biggest differentiators in determining how sensitive a mouse is. With a high DPI setting it means you’ll be able to move the cursor across large on-screen distances with only a micro movement of your wrist.

If you’re playing competitively, having the ability to customise mouse sensitivity and cursor speed becomes crucial.

A basic entry level mouse usually has a maximum DPI of around 800 whereas a basic gaming mouse will usually have the flexibility to be set to up to 3200 DPI.

Lower ranges are good for certain games such as First Player Shooters, where decreasing the sensitivity will allow you to apply more accuracy when aiming and tracking. 

If you can use it to compliment your gaming strengths it’s likely to give you an edge above those playing without a gaming mouse. 

Do you absolutely need a gaming mouse to compete?

If you are a casual gamer, you might be wondering at what point you need to invest in a gaming mouse.

The answer is that it depends a lot on the games you play and how serious you are. If you are just playing for fun and you aren’t too worried about score, a trackpad or basic mouse should serve your needs well enough.

However, if you want to play competitively, you may find that a gaming mouse gives you that extra 1% needed to provide a significant edge and thus is worth whatever you value you place upon winning.

What features should you look for in a gaming mouse?

With any mouse, comfort is the most important factor – if it isn’t comfortable, it’s not going to allow you to focus on what you need to do to win.

Test the mouse thoroughly after buying it and make sure it feels good to you. If it puts your wrist at an awkward angle, don’t be afraid to return it and try another.

Don’t be swayed just by aesthetics – a cool looking mouse isn’t going to win your next tournament.

The second most important factor is the buttons. 

Think about the key combinations you use and which you would like to bind into a single macro. 

How many extra buttons would be useful to bring to your game of choice (some gaming mice have a huge amount, whereas others only add a few).

It often takes a while to get used to using extra buttons, but it’s worth having the convenience of them, even when you aren’t gaming.

You can’t really rank gaming mice by durability, but keep an eye out for this in the reviews. If a lot of people complain about a short lifespan and poor quality, look elsewhere.

Round up

With an improved range of sensitivity, extra buttons and better ergonomics, gaming mice have a lot to offer over traditional computing mice.

It’s well worth considering one if you’re a keen gamer, or even if you simply put stock into your frequently used computer accessories.

While the price tag is high, they can definitely make a big difference to your gaming experience and results.