Out of all the peripherals necessary for a high-performance gaming PC, you might expect the mouse to be the most straightforward choice. In reality, picking a gaming mouse that will fit perfectly into a personal setup can be as complex as any other product, as there are lots of variables that can be altered to benefit a certain group of gamers.
When looking for a gaming mouse in particular, one of the biggest factors to consider is the weight. Lots of modern games require constant mouse movements, which makes a lighter mouse better for increase speed and accuracy, along with reduced fatigue. And whilst the ideal weight of a mouse is ultimately down to personal preference, the golden rule is often ‘the lighter the better’.
In this article, we’ll be recommending some of the best lightweight gaming mice that are available right now, along with suggesting whether a lightweight mouse is the best choice for your personal needs and gaming style.
Pros and Cons of a Lightweight Gaming Mouse
Before jumping into our top picks, it’s important to understand how a lightweight option could benefit your gaming experience. And in turn, it is just as crucial to consider the limitations that comes with shedding a few pounds -or grams in this case!
Starting with the positives, the reduced weight will massively benefit performance, especially within a competitive setting. Like we mentioned before, a lighter gaming mouse will increase the efficiency of movement and leads to less fatigue on the hand during long gaming sessions. Also, the lighter design allows the mouse to glide across a surface for more control when moving it around, resulting in greater movement accuracy and speed. Some more potential benefits of a lightweight design include an increase in portability and a smaller size for smaller hands.
However, the sacrifices made to achieve this reduced weight may be too great for some gamers to overlook. For example, lightweight gaming mice tend to include less programmable buttons than their heavier alternatives, which limits versatility of having quick actions mid-game. On top of this, the lighter materials used often come with the caveat of being more susceptible to damage, which makes the overall design less durable.
Recommended Weight of Mouse for Games
A good way to decide whether a lightweight mouse is the better option for your gaming needs is by considering the main games you will be using it for. Whilst it is important to still consider personal preferences, here is a rough guideline of the suggested weights for certain game genres, and whether it is an important factor for that type of game at all.
Genre | Popular Games/Franchises | Mouse Weight Importance | Recommended Weight |
---|---|---|---|
MOBA/MMO | League of Legends, Dota 2, World of Warcraft, Elder Scrolls Online | Low | >100g |
RPG/Single-Player | GTA V, The Witcher 3, Assassin’s Creed, Spider-Man | Moderate | 80g-120g |
FPS | Call of Duty, Halo, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Valorant | High | <80g |
Strategy | Age of Empires, XCOM, Civilization, Crusader Kings | High | <100g |
Our Recommendations
If you have decided that your best option is a lightweight gaming mice, the next challenge is to find the perfect addition to your gaming setup. Luckily, we’ve put together a list of the best lightweight gaming mice on the market right now, which incorporates a wide range of budgets and usability features.
1. Razer Viper Mini (Best Budget Option)
Key Specs:
Weight: 61g
Max DPI: 8,500
Programmable Buttons: 6
RGB: Yes
Connection: Wired
Starting things off with the most affordable way to enjoy competitive gaming on our list, the Razer Viper Mini. This wired gaming mouse is a perfect choice for beginners and younger gamers, as the smaller form factor and ambidextrous shape is almost guaranteed to fit the hands of any Esports enthusiast.
Although the Viper Mini lacks the impressive 30K DPI sensor found on its bigger brother, the Viper V2 Pro, it does include an extra programmable button and Chroma RGB lighting, making it a solid choice for all-rounders on a tight budget. Weighing in at 61g, the Viper Mini feels fairly lightweight compared to other options within a similar price range, whilst maintaining a solid outer shell for a more durable design.
2. Cooler Master MM720 (Lightest Design)
Key Specs:
Weight: 49g
Max DPI: 16,000
Programmable Buttons: 6
RGB: Yes
Connection: Wired
If you are strictly looking for the lightest gaming mouse that you can easily get your hands on, then Cooler Master’s MM720 is the only viable choice. Whilst there are a few contenders that are in-or-around the MM720’s incredibly light sub-50g weight category, this mouse is the most accessible option due to its reasonable price and availability.
With a compact form factor that includes a honeycomb shell, the design of the MM720 may not be to everyone’s tastes, but it’s hard to argue with the choices given the final weight. Plus, the reduced weight doesn’t come at the sacrifice of features or performance, as the MM720 boasts a 16K DPI sensor, 6 programmable buttons, and RGB lighting.
3. Logitech G Pro X Superlight (Best for Esports)
Key Specs:
Weight: 63g
Max DPI: 25,000
Programmable Buttons: 5
RGB: No
Connection: Wireless
When it comes to competitive gaming mice, it is important to find the perfect balance between a lightweight design and functionality. One of the most popular choices amongst competitive gamers is the Logitech G Pro X Superlight, as it manages to pack Logitech’s powerful HERO 25K DPI sensor into a design that is very lightweight.
This combination provides gamers with top-tier accuracy and speed that will help boost performance in the all the latest competitive titles. On top of this, the G Pro X Superlight features LIGHTSPEED wireless connectivity, which combines the convenience of wireless with performance that rivals its wired counterparts. If an overall performance upgrade is what you are looking for, then this mouse is your best bet!
4. SteelSeries Aerox 3 (Best Wireless Option)
Key Specs:
Weight: 68g
DPI: 18,000
Programmable Buttons: 6
RGB: Yes
Connection: Wireless
Wireless gaming mice are continuing to gain popularity as manufacturers release more designs that reach a weight similar to the wired alternatives. For anyone looking to gain the increased portability that comes with a wireless design, the SteelSeries Aerox 3 is a more than worthy candidate.
Despite being the heaviest option on this list, the 2022 revision of the Aerox 3 packs a lot of features into those additional grams. With wireless connectivity through either a 2.4GHz USB receiver or Bluetooth, this mouse can connect to multiple devices at once, and lasts for up to 200 hours on a single charge. It also features a 18K DPI sensor, providing plenty of performance benefits.
5. Glorious Model O (Best Design)
Key Specs:
Weight: 58g
DPI: 12,000
Programmable Buttons: 6
RGB: Yes
Connection: Wired
To round off our list, we have one of the best-looking mice on the market, the Glorious Model O-. With a sectioned honeycomb shell that has RGB strips along each side, this wired mouse truly lives up to the Glorious name. And with a choice between a glossy or matte finish, along with optional add-ons, the Model O- will fit nicely into most setups.
Performance-wise, this mouse is no slouch either thanks to a 12,000 DPI sensor and very light 58g body. Whilst these numbers struggle to compete with the lightest or best-performing gaming mice on the market, it provides a healthy middle ground that will satisfy the needs of most gamers.