Best gaming mouse 2020: the best gaming mice available

You're after the best gaming mouse of 2020, and we can certainly help: this definitive T3 guide has been carefully curated to help you find the ideal gaming mouse for you. We've got all the price points (premium to budget), styles, and usage scenarios covered so you can find the gaming mouse that suits you and your play style.

Whether you're after a top multi-purpose gaming mouse, or one that specialises in a specific genre of game (like FPS or MOBA), these are the absolute best gaming mice of 2020, so you can be sure that whatever you pick from our list it's going to be top, top quality.

With one of these mice in your hand then playing the best PC games going will simply be easier and more pleasurable, and especially if your rig contains one of the very best graphics cards on the market today. After all, PC gaming gives you potentially far more control with the best gaming mouse and keyboard combo than, say, a DualShock 4 on the PS4, or an Xbox One Controller on the Xbox.

We've covered all the bases here with our selection of the best gaming mice, with recommendations for the best wireless gaming mouse, the best gaming mouse on the cheap, the best gaming mouse for FPS, and even the best gaming mouse and keyboard combo all included in this guide.

What is the best gaming mouse?

Competition among gaming mice is fierce in 2020, but there can be only winner. Right now the best gaming mouse is the Roccat Kain 120 AIMO. From its stunningly understated and mature aesthetics, to its fantastic, sure grip in the hand (thanks to an evolutionary performance coating), and on to its excellent accuracy and futuristic Titan Click  button mechanics, the Kain 120 AIMO delivers a stunning package at an excellent mid-tier price point.

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How to choose the best gaming mouse for you

There are many factors to consider when picking the best gaming mouse for you. In terms of specs, the big one is the resolution in DPI (dots per inch), and you should be looking for something in the 8,000-16,000 DPI range. Acceleration and tracking are also important, as is whether the mouse has mechanically switched buttons. 

Obviously, button quantity is very much worth considering too, plus the design and grip type. Remember, there are different ways to grip a mouse – claw, palm, fingertip etc – and you should determine what your grip is before coughing up any cash, because specific mice are primarily designed for specific grips.

Also factor in whether the mouse is ambidextrous in design or not, as some are designed for right or left hand users only, as well as if the mouse allows weight alteration. Check if the mouse has any programmable buttons, and which genres it's best for, as certain gaming mice are geared toward first person shooter use and others real-time strategy titles.

Lastly, price should be a major factor in picking the best gaming mouse for 2020. Here at T3 we feel you should be able to get a top tier gaming mouse for less than £80, so don't pay more unless you're stretching to added wireless capabilities.

What is really important to remember here is that there are plenty of brilliant budget gaming mice that, truth be told, deliver great all-round performance. You simply don't have to spend big bucks to get a robust, feature-packed rodent, so be sure to browse round and really way up if you need advanced features before you invest in them. Sure, they are nice to have on tap, but it is the core mouse functionality that any gamer should prize most highly.

The best gaming mice available today: get the best gaming mouse for you

The Roccat Kain 120 AIMO is advertised as being "one click ahead", and after testing one out here in the T3 office for a few weeks, we are for once inclined to agree with the official hype.

Its quality starts in terms of its aesthetic design and feel in the hand. Structurally the Kain is low, sleek, and leaning towards palm grip usage. However its quite rectangular and uniform flow from back to front means claw grips are well catered for too.

The entire chassis is coated in a super fine rubberised finish, which Roccat describes as an "evolutionary performance coating" that specialises in resisting the build up of dirt and moisture, while also delivering high levels of anti-wear. This chassis, along with the classy black and white colourways, and simply lush brushed metal button divider, makes the Kain incredibly pleasing to the eye – and that's even with zero AIMO illumination.

In the hand the Kain 120 AIMO is incredibly shiftable at speed, almost certainly down to its very light weight of just 89 grams. There's no weighting system here to slow the mouse down and, simply put, fans of medium and light weight mice are going to be heaven – and especially so if they have a penchant for fast gaming genres like FPS.

The real star of the show here, though, is the Kain 120 AIMO's Titan Click button mechanics. These custom-designed Omron mechanical switches have been installed higher up in the Kain's chassis for greater immediacy of actuation which, along with an intelligent algorithm in the Kain's firmware that improves signal processing speed, allows mouse clicks to be registered 16ms faster. In our testing, button clicks felt very crisp, sharp and accurate.

Then factor in the Kain's AIMO illumination engine, which can sync with other AIMO-compatible devices, its advanced Owl-Eye optical sensor that lets you ramp things up to 16,000 DPI, its adjustable lift-off distance, and its really well positioned price point (£62.99 in the UK), and its easy to see why this mouse impressed us so much during review.

Yes, if you like a heavy mouse, or need wireless functionality then the Kain 120 AIMO obviously isn't for you, but for just about everyone else this is fantastic gaming mouse that simply must be checked out before pulling the trigger on an upgrade.

Logitech's G502 gaming mouse has serious pedigree in the gaming mouse market and, here, in a new G502 Lightspeed incarnation, it delivers everything the series has become known for and much more, too, with a raft of improvements elevating it right to the upper echelons of T3's best gaming mouse guide.

For example, on top of typical G502 high comfort levels and responsiveness, the G502 Lightspeed is now not just a wireless gaming mouse, but a wireless gaming mouse that can also supports Logitech's Powerplay continuous charging tech. This means the mouse can be used in wired mode, charge-use-recharge wireless mode, or in a continuous charging mode on compatible mouse mat.

And, talking of charging, the new G502 needs to be charged less in-between wireless uses off a Powerplay mat thanks to dramatically improved battery life. For example, where the Logitech G703 delivers a battery life of 24 hours with lighting enabled, the G502 Lightspeed can deliver double that number, clocking up 48 hours between charges.

The Lightspeed is also remarkably light (only 114 grams), although you can add in up to four two gram weights if you want to plant it a little more, and also comes packing Logitech's next-gen HERO 16K gaming sensor, which ensures excellent accuracy.

An all-round top-tier gaming mouse that, if you can afford it and like the idea of wireless or continuous charging wireless functionality, is undoubtedly one of the top choices in 2020.

Ringing in well below the average gaming mouse price, the Corsair Sabre RGB delivers super budget friendly performance.

The Sabre's optical sensor 10,000 dpi, which is firmly mid-range, but its chassis has a super comfortable and light weight design (only 100 grams), and features a 1,000 Hz refresh rate and 8 programmable buttons, too.

Corsair doesn't skimp on the lighting options either, with its Corsair Utility Engine (CUE) allowing you define the hue and brightness level of multiple lighting zones around the mouse. 

Overall, a quality gaming mouse for a very attractive price, and worth a place on your best gaming mouse 2020 shortlist.

At £130 the ROG Spatha mouse has a serious price tag, but then it's a serious bit of hardware from Asus’s elite Republic of Gamers range, and a worthy choice for our best gaming mouse 2020 list.

Made from magnesium alloy and boosting an 8,200 dpi sensor with 2000 Hz polling in wired mode (1000 Hz in wireless), 16 million possibly lighting colours and 12 programmable buttons, it's designed specifically for MMORPG players.

It's big and it's heavy, clocking in at a whopping 179g, but it's comfortable in the hand provided you use a palm grip rather than a claw grip. The side buttons are oddly shaped compared to other mice – laid out in the shape of the ROG logo – and they take a bit of getting used to, but the odd shape does mean they're easy to identify by touch. Meanwhile the main left and right buttons are independent of the chassis for soft-touch clicks, and you can swap them for heavier switches if you prefer.

We're talking a lot of money here, but it's a lot of mouse. If you're serious about MMORPGs it's definitely one for your shortlist along with the Logitech G502.

The Razer Deathadder Elite ticks just about all the boxes you might have lined up in your search for the best gaming mouse, and it ticks them with style – you've got a 16,000 DPI resolution here, as well as up to 450 IPS / 5G acceleration, and Razer's excellent mechanical mouse switches too.

Besides the spec, the style is very impressive as well, all textured rubber and tactile buttons that are a pleasure to use. Razer Synapse is supported, so you've got 16.8 million colours to choose from for a bit of extra illumination.

It's maybe not as eye-catching as some of the other models here, but it's sharp and accurate and powerful where it matters. You might find your gaming prowess goes up a level with the Razer Deathadder Elite to hand.

And, well, over 10 million gamers can't be wrong, right? One of the best selling mice on the planet, and a great all-round rodent.

The Roccat Kone Pure Ultra is all about the lighweight design: this mouse comes in at under 67 grams (just over a couple of ounces) and yet retains the classic look and feel of the Kone Pure range. If you want a gaming mouse without the bling and the flash and the weight, look no further.

The AIMO lighting system is still supported here though, and there's 512KB of on-board memory for storing your macros. The 16,000 dpi Owl-Eye sensor and 1,000 Hz polling rate mean ultra-fast responsiveness in any game you want to put the Kone Pure Ultra in.

In use the mouse feels as comfortable, as clicky, and as grippy as you would expect from something make by the experts at Roccat. Whether you're swiping, scrolling or selecting, it's a pleasure to use, and at the sort of prices this mouse is available for, its undoubtedly one of the best gaming mice of 2020.

HyperX continues its impressive entry into the high-end gaming peripherals market with this well-specced, RGB lit gaming mouse.

The HyperX Pulsefire Surge sports a 16,000 DPI sensor, buttons backed by 50 million click rated Omron switches, on-board memory to store user profiles, and a "Light Ring" lighting system that provides 360-degree RGB effects.

All the mouse's settings can be easily tweaked and customised through HyperX's NGenuity software, too. Definitely one of the best gaming mice of 2020.

Next up is the futuristic looking G.Skill Ripjaws MX780, which is one of the most feature-packed and customisable gaming mice in this rodent roundup. That customisability comes in the form of a height-adjustable palm rest, ambidextrous and interchangeable side grips and, naturally, adjustable weights.

In terms of internal tech, the MX780 comes packing an 8,200 DPI laser sensor that supports on-the-fly DPI switching, 8 programmable buttons, on-board memory storage for profiles, and a 1,000 Hz polling rate.

On top of all that, you can get this attractive gaming mouse for a very attractive price too. One of the best gaming mice on the market in 2020, especially if you're after a stand-out design.

A curvaceous beauty, the Asus ROG Gladius II gaming mouse is one hell of a looker. It also doesn't skimp on features or hardware, with a very competitive 12,000 DPI sensor, 50g acceleration, and removable left and right buttons in the mix.

There's no fancy swappable weight system in the Gladius II, but a clickable scroll wheel, Omron switches, and a sensitivity toggle make this mouse well-suited to a host of genres, and one of our best gaming mouse for 2020 picks.

Oh, and if you dig gaming mice that can deliver ridiculous levels of RGB lighting, then the Gladius II will certainly not disappoint, with colours and patterns also capable of being synced across other Asus peripherals, too.

While the SteelSeries Sensei 310 has its shortcomings, such as a lack of weight adjustment and slightly plasticky finish, those sacrifices are there to raise the bar everywhere else. And raise it spectacularly!

With its ambidextrous design (suiting both left and right-handed users), super-precise 12,000 DPI sensor, and lightweight build (weighing in at just 92g), it's one of the best gaming mice of 2020 for us – especially when you factor in its very affordable price point.

If you're a fan of light, no-frills but high-performing rodent accessories, this could be the best gaming mouse for you.

One of Roccat's newer gaming mice, the Roccat Kone AIMO, is an absolute beast in every sense of the word.

Not only is it one of the chunkiest mice on the market, but it also boasts an impressive set of customisable features including Easy-Shift (which gives each of its 12 buttons a second function), five individual profiles, glorious RGB lighting and plenty more besides. 

A fantastic peripheral, albeit one that's only available in right-hand form. A definite shoo-in on our best gaming mouse 2020 list.

Logitech has given its venerable G900 gaming mouse design a bit of a makeover, and while those changes are subtle, they simply serve to elevate an already impressive PC peripheral.

The Logitech G903 features a "1 ms report rate for competition-level twitch targeting" which basically means next to no latency when playing competitively. It also boasts myriad DPI levels (from 200 all the way up to 12,000) and mechanical buttons for that all-important sense of feedback.

Expensive, yes, but worth it if you want one of the best gaming mice of 2020: you can't go wrong with some Logitech hardware.

SteelSeries continues to show it's one of the leading manufacturers in gaming mice with the latest addition to its Rival range – the updated and retooled SteelSeries Rival 600.

This new model comes with two optical sensors, one for detecting normal movement, and another for clocking when you lift the mouse off the pad/desk. It features a rubberised grip for extra control and comfort, and a set of mechanical buttons of extra precision.

Oh, and it features all the RGB lighting you could wish for in your gaming mouse. Get this on your shortlist for sure.

Corsair's new gaming mouse model aims to break the stigma surrounding the wireless gaming mouse: its use of Qi charging helps fix the long-running latency and response issues that have made non-wired rodents so unpopular in gaming circles. 

The Corsair Dark Core RGB SE has 1 ms latency and a max dpi of 16,000 so you can be sure this wireless beauty won’t let you down in a competitive match.

The only caveat is you can't use it while it's charging on a normal Qi charger, so you'll need to invest in a Corsair MM1000 Qi mouse pad in order to use it while the mouse is refilling on power.

Corsair is really committing to the gaming mouse market, and one of its latest additions – the Glaive RGB – aims to set itself apart with both RGB lighting and a set of interchangeable thumb grips. That makes it one of the most ergonomic designs on the market, but thankfully it makes for a really slick gaming mouse, too. 

Its tracking system offers 16,000 DPI so you're never going to be left wanting when it comes to response times, while its Omron switches offer 50 million clicks per model. It's a tad pricey, but you get a lot for your money.

Gaming mice can sometimes be a little expensive – especially if you want to get your hands on an eSports ready model or something with all the bells and whistles of the top brands – but that doesn't mean you can't buy quality for an affordable price. The Cooler Master MasterMouse MM520 does just that, with some reliable Omron switches and some respectable specs right out of the box.

With a 12,000 DPI resolution this should do you for both long sessions in your favourite shooter or strategy title, or double as an everyday mouse for home/work use. And at less than £40, it's a relatively easy investment to make, too.

From Dell's gaming brand comes the Dell Alienware AW958 Elite, an angular and reliable gaming mouse with programmable buttons and other customisations, plus extended grip thumb support.

The mouse can adjust between 100-12,000 DPI on the fly, so you should get plenty of accuracy in your gaming, and the number of customisable buttons can be edited too – it's your choice of 9 or 13, depending on how you want to set up. There are four configurable 5g weights included as well.

It's comfortable to use, it comes from a brand you can trust, and we happen to think it looks rather stylish as well. Definitely consider putting this on your best gaming mouse shortlist.

As soon as you rest your hand on Speedlink's Tarios RGB you'll fall in love. Designed with the right-handed in mind, the ergonomic form-factor boasts a flared platform to accommodate different hand sizes and grips. 

Geared for esports, this mouse is all about giving you an advantage, from the 12 programmable buttons (including rapid-fire) and impressive 24,000 DPI, to the 1,000Hz polling rate.

Speedlink brings a little style to the substance with a rubber coating for maximum control that extends to a rubber grip on the wheel; this is a premium-feeling mouse at a fraction of the expected price. If you're looking to up your game, the Tarios RGB gives you everything you need and comes in at under £50.

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