Best gaming mice 2019: The best wired, wireless and RGB gaming mice to buy today

Gaming mice are the high-end devices of the mouse world. They are designed to be more accurate, offer a more comfortable experience and are built to last - as gamers are likely to spend more time with their mouse than anyone else.

Top-of-the-range gaming mice also have multiple buttons, highly adjustable dots per inch (DPI) accuracy and a mass of settings that include everything from custom lighting to macros for specific games. 

However, finding the right mouse for you can be tricky. People hold their mouse in different ways and have different sized hands that make purchasing a tricky business. A wide mouse with thumb rests and grips might be perfect for someone with large hands, but others might find a small and sleek mouse preferable, both in terms of fit and agility. 

We run through a variety of gaming mice to see which are the best around, taking into account all the things gamers love most - RGB, responsiveness, number of buttons and, of course, value for money. 

Index

• Best overall gaming mouse

• Best weight adjustable gaming mouse

• Best RGB gaming mouse

• Best high-dpi multi-button mouse

• Most stylish gaming mouse

• Best large gaming mouse

• Others to consider

Best overall gaming mouse

Corsair Dark Core RGB SE and MM1000

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Wireless mice are great – they're lightweight and have the added advantage of not being tied down by a cable that you have to keep tugging or fighting with to get a perfect shot in game. Especially in frantic gaming sessions where the mouse is always moving about on the desk.

The downfall of wireless mice comes about when issues with input lag arise or you start running low on charge and either need to stop playing or plug your mouse in for some charge. The flexibility and freedoms of a wireless mouse soon disappear if you have to plug it in and you're left wondering why you bothered buying one in the first place.

The combination of the Corsair Dark Core and MM1000 Qi wireless charging mat might be the perfect solution. This is a powerful and flexible wireless gaming mouse that offers a variety of connection options, an ergonomic design and plenty of customisation options too. 

Design and comfort

• 2.4GHz wireless, low-latency Bluetooth 4.0 or wired USB connection
• Qi wireless charging with up to 24 hours of battery life
• Swappable side grips and ergonomically textured design
• Three individually customisable RGB lighting zones
• 1.8 metre braided USB cable 

The Corsair Dark Core is a true work of art and gaming precision. This is an ergonomically designed mouse that fits nicely in the hand. It comes with a swappable side grip which keeps your fingers and thumbs off the gaming surface and allows for accurate mouse movements. The top and thumb rest also feature "Performance Grip Material Pattern" which ensures the mouse stays in your hand when you're gaming even during frantic sessions.

It's wireless by design - capable of connecting either via wireless or low-latency Bluetooth. A USB wireless transceiver included in the box ensures an instant and responsive connection to your gaming machine via ultra-fast 1ms 2.4GHz wireless. But you can take the Dark Core with you and quickly connect to any other machine that supports Bluetooth in a flash. 

The built-in Lithium-Polymer battery allows up to 24-hours of gaming on a single charge (less if you're using RGB lighting) but there's also a braided USB cable included if you want or need to swap to wired mode. 

Paired with the MM1000 Qi wireless charging mat you can keep the mouse going and going by popping it on the charging zone when not in use. We love this pairing too, as the MM1000 is a brilliantly large and comfortable gaming mat. It's also capable of Qi charging any other device you have. There's a small zone on the right which is Qi capable and a number of adapters allow you to even wirelessly charge other devices that don't support Qi. 

The Corsair Dark Core is Qi capable - so not only can it be charged on the mat, but also with any other Qi charging pad you happen to possess. 

Switching between wireless and wired is seamless and instant. Plugging and unplugging the cable and the wireless dongle is easy and works well every time. You can also use the USB passthrough for the wire or the dongle on the MM1000, making it even easier to use if you have fewer USB ports on your PC.

Software and setup

• Corsair Utility Engine (iCUE) compatible

The software included with the Corsair Dark Core is simple to use and chock full of features and settings. Using Corsair's iCUE software you can do everything from changing the lighting to programming buttons and more. 

The Dark Core has three main lighting zones - the mouse wheel, the thumb button and the logo zone/rear. These lighting zones are programmable in the software with a number of different effects that including static, rainbow, colour pulse and colour shift. You can also use instant lighting to set the same colour across multiple Corsair devices with a single click. You can also change the colour of the DPI indicator too.

The Corsair iCUE software includes surface calibration that allows you to customise the way the mouse reacts to the surface it's used on. This allows you to set the mouse up perfectly whatever you're gaming on. Performance settings also allow you to activate angle snapping and adjust pointer speed, but not much more beyond that. 

Buttons are fully programmable, right down to recording macros, remapping buttons, setting up specific actions like launching applications and more. 

Gaming specifications

• 16,000 max DPI
• On-the-fly DPI switching via buttons and sniper mode
• Nine programmable buttons
• 1000Hz report rate

The Corsair Dark Core is a masterful gaming device rammed full of powerful features and customisation options. It packs a total of nine programmable buttons on its ergonomically designed frame. All of which can be customised within the Corsair Utility Engine software. 

This mouse supports up to 16,000 max DPI switchable on-the-fly with the buttons on the top. You can change between three main DPI modes which can be customised in the CUE software. The middle thumb button activates "sniper mode" which, by default, sets the mouse to super-low DPI for tiny and accurate movements. This needs to be pressed and held, but means you can quickly get back to your standard DPI much more easily too. 

There's a three LED DPI indicator on the side. These lights go up and down in steps when you change between the DPI levels, so you only need to glance to see where you are. You don't need to go into the software to see which mode you're on. Switching to sniper mode changes these lights from red to blue by default, but the lighting here, like elsewhere, can be fully customised in the software. 

High-performance Omron switches provide lightening-fast response and continue the theme of precision and accuracy. Easily accessible thumb buttons mean you can masterfully activate any setting or macro you want with a small movement of your hand too. 

Verdict

Whether alone or paired with the awesome MM1000 Qi charging mat, the Corsair Dark Core RGB SE wireless gaming mouse is one of our favourites. In fact, it's the best gaming mouse we've used.

It's superbly comfortable, accurate and customisable too. This mouse just keeps going and going and can be quickly and easily switched between machines if you need to take it with you too. It might be expensive, but it's worth every penny.

Best weight adjustable gaming mouse

Logitech G502 Lightspeed

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Gaming mice are often nifty, swift and packed full of customisable features to ensure you get the most accurate gaming experience possible. These mice are also generally lightweight and top out with insanely high DPI levels which allow you to move your cursor (or crosshair) across the entire screen with just a small flick of your wrist. 

What they sometimes lack though, is customisation options. Not so with the Logitech G502 Lightspeed. This is a mouse that's not only crammed full of all the usual options, but also has a customisable weighting setup that allows you to adjust its heft to your personal preference. 

Design and comfort

• Ergonomically textured thumb rest
• Two individually customisable lighting zones
• 114 gram standard weight
• Powerplay compatible
• Lightspeed wireless technology
• 11 programmable buttons with hyper-fast scroll wheel

There's no denying, Logitech's G502 Lightspeed is a looker, but it's much more than that. This is a comfortable (if a tad small) gaming mouse with a brilliantly thought out design. It's very much a right-handed mouse, with a mass of easy-access buttons on the left side and very little catering to lefties but shouldn't be overlooked.

The highlights of this design are almost certainly the focus on speed and accuracy. This mouse sports a familiar Logitech design, but one that's shed a fair bit of weight. A whole 7 grams in fact.

It's incredibly light and nimble in the hand. It is also customisable though. This mouse comes with 16 grams of extra weights that can be installed within the mouse via hidden flaps in the underside. 

Lift the flap with the little G on it and you get access to a hidey hole which is perfect for storing the USB wireless dongle when you need to travel with the mouse. The underneath of that flap also has room for some of the weights. You can install the two 4 gram weights here and the rest go under the other flap which surrounds the sensor. 

We really like this flexibility as not everyone wants a mouse so light you might accidentally throw it across the room if you're a clumsy handed buffoon. It also means you can customise it to your own personal preference - adding as many or as few extra weights as you want. 

Weighting aside, the Logitech G502 continues to impress. This is a wireless gaming mouse which connects to your PC via a tiny little dongle. It uses Logitech's Lightspeed wireless technology to ensure it maintains a low-latency and reliable connection constantly and never lets you down. 

When it needs charging there's an accompanying braided power cable that connects to any spare USB port on your machine and gives you a nice boost of charge. This is nifty too as you can get around 2 and a half hours of battery life from a five-minute charge this way. The G502 Lightspeed is also compatible with the Powerplay wireless charging system if you want a really easy wireless gaming experience. 

One of our favourite features of this mouse is the mouse wheel. This is a hyper-fast scroll wheel similar to the one we saw on the Logitech G903. Click a button and you either have a tactile mouse wheel that gives a clicky feedback each time your scroll or an ultra-smooth, ultra-fast wheel that just spins and spins. This setup has a variety of potential uses, but is brilliant for just smashing through long webpages and documents in the blink of an eye. It's also incredibly satisfying to use. 

Software and setup

• Logitech G Hub compatible
• Lighting controls, macros and various customisation options

The Logitech G502 Lightspeed is controlled by Logitech G-Hub - a free download for Windows and Mac that allows you to tweak the various settings on the mouse and customise to your liking. 

This is a fairly simple interface and that's no bad thing. From within it, you can control the lighting of the two main RGB capable zones - the logo and the DPI indicator. Adjust DPI levels, report rates and customise the setup of the buttons. 

Button assignment may well be our second favourite thing about this mouse. It has 11 different buttons, two of which are sideways presses on the mouse wheel, and they can all be tweaked in here. You can set specific commands (like Windows shortcuts), individual keypresses, macros or actions within this software. It's possible to do things like assign a button press to start/stop OBS recordings for example. This system is incredibly flexible. 

If that's not exciting enough, how about the G-Shift mode? This lets you add an additional action, button customisation or macro to any button on the mouse. This is then accessible when you activate G-Shift mode (via your Logitech keyboard). Essentially you then have 22 buttons instead of 11. Though you will have to remember which is programmed with what. 

Gaming specifications

• 16,000 max DPI
• On-the-fly DPI switching via buttons with four custom settings and DPI shift mode
• 11 programmable buttons customisable with macros, actions and G-shift settings
• 1000 Hz/1ms report rate
• Up to 60 hours battery life
• Fast charge capable

The Logitech G502 Lightspeed is clearly a gaming mouse with plenty of appeal. It continues to get better though. The mouse features an accurate report rate, fast response time and no noticeable wireless lag during gaming sessions.

The DPI levels are customisable from 100 to 16,000 and you can set four different speeds within the G-Hub software that can be switched to on-the-fly with the up and down buttons next to the left mouse button. There's also an additional DPI shift button on the side that can be held to temporarily engage a low DPI mode for accurate sniping. This can also be customised in the software, so there are plenty of options when it comes to speed settings. 

The G502 Lightspeed has another gem of a feature though - battery life. With RGB lighting turned off this mouse is capable of up to 60 hours of continuous use before it needs recharging. Even with lighting on it can manage around two solid days of use before it runs low. As we've already said, charging is easy too and it only takes a matter of minutes to get extra juice in it. 

Verdict

The G502 Lightspeed is one of our favourite gaming mice when it comes to customisation options. We love many of the little design features of this mouse that make a big difference. The ultra-smooth scroll wheel, the mass of programmable buttons, the reliable wireless connection and the utterly incredible battery life. 

This mouse does come with a hefty price tag and it is a tad smaller in the hand than other mice we've tested, but its almost certainly worth adding to your shortlist if you're shopping for a new gaming mouse. It's bound not to disappoint. 

Best RGB gaming mouse

Corsair Nightsword RGB

We've seen a fair few gaming mice with RGB lighting, some are in-your-face, some are more subtle and understated.

The Corsair Nightsword verges on the latter, but with multiple lighting zones and numerous other features that make it appealing. 

Design and comfort

• Customisable weight system
• Four RGB lighting zones controllable in the iCue software         
• Six pre-set illumination effects
• Patterned rubber grips, ergonomic design and thumb rest 

The Corsair Nightsword is a brilliantly designed feature-packed mouse that has plenty going for it. We've suggested that it's the best RGB mouse, but it's much more than that. This is an affordable gaming mouse with all the bells and whistles.

First off it's designed with a contoured shape and a rubberised textured finish across the top and sides which means it not only sits nicely in the hand, it also stays there. It's designed for palm grip and specifically for right-handed FPS and MOBA players, but we've found it perfectly comfortable for everyday use. 

The second highlight is the tunable weight system. The mouse comes with six weights with three 4.5g and three 2.8g weights that can be placed in different layouts in the underside compartment. This system allows you to get the mouse weight set up the way you want it and to see/tweak that customisation in the software too. 

Add to that a design that includes 10 programmable buttons, with DPI switching buttons and multiple easy-access thumb buttons too.

For RGB lighting lovers, there are four lighting zones on this mouse - the logo, the rear, front and mouse wheel. There's also a DPI indicator that can be tweaked in terms of colour too. 

As you'd expect, you can switch between several different lighting setups including rainbow, colour shift, pulse, static colour and more. For Corsair fans, Lighting Link capabilities mean you can also sync that lighting with other Corsair devices and peripherals. 

Software and setup

• Customised button mapping
• Surface calibration settings
• Macro settings
• Lighting and sync options

Like other Corsair mice, the Nightsword is customisable within the iCue software. You can tweak the button mapping and setup with macros and actions, adjust performance and lighting and even calibrate it to the surface you're using - whether that's a dedicated mousemat or just a plain old desk surface. 

Beyond a mass of programmable buttons, the highlight to the Nightsword is the ability to switch DPI on the fly. In the iCue software you can set three different DPI levels to switch between, as well as custom level for "sniper" mode that can be engaged by pressing and holding one of the thumb buttons to drop into an uber low DPI level for precise movement. 

Gaming specifications

• 18,000 DPI max
• 10 programmable buttons
• Surface calibration options
• 1000Hz/500Hz/250Hz/125Hz report rates

As a gaming mouse, the Corsair Nightsword is no slouch. It boasts one of the highest DPI sensors we've seen and you can set three different levels to switch between on-the-fly in 1 DPI increments. 18,000 max is extremely fast, even on a 4K ultra-high-definition screen. In fact, it's so fast, it's probably too fast for many. But you can easily adjust to your personal preference. 

For gaming, the Nightsword is comfortable, accurate and pleasantly customisable. You can tweak it until your heart is content. As it's wired, there's no worry about lag or battery life versus a wireless mouse and it's comfortable to use whatever you're doing. 

Verdict

We really enjoyed our time with the Corsair Nightsword. It's a fantastic little mouse that's packed full of features but without excessive cost which is refreshing. 

It's comfortable to use all day, whether working or gaming or both. Customisable lighting, buttons and weight systems round off a brilliant package that anyone will love. Unless, of course, you're a lefty. 

Best high-dpi multi-button mouse

Corsair Ironclaw RGB wireless

Comfortable mice are obviously a very personal thing. Comfort varies, not only depending on the size of your hand, but also the way you hold your mouse while you play. This mouse is designed to suit those with larger hands and people who play with a palm style grip.

The Corsair Ironclaw RGB wireless offers much more than that as well. It's not only comfortable, it's also customisable and feature rich. Combined with Corsair's MM350 champion series mousemat, its sure to not let you down.

Design and comfort

• 2.4GHz 1ms wireless, low-latency Bluetooth 4.0 or wired USB connection
• Contoured and ergonomically textured grips
• Three individually customisable RGB lighting zones
• 1.8 metre braided USB cable 

The Corsair Ironclaw RGB wireless is, at first glance, an angry looking device with a mass of buttons and a contoured design. It is, however, incredibly comfortable.

This is a wireless gaming mouse with a focus on comfort and usability. It's designed to work in a variety of modes too. Whether via 2.4GHz using the accompanying dongle, over a Bluetooth connection with a laptop or just plugged straight into your machine. 

Easy access DPI switching buttons, a wonderfully contoured and textured thumb rest and brilliantly ergonomic design make this mouse incredibly comfortable and pleasant to use. 

The Corsair Ironclaw RGB wireless also boasts Corsair's Slipstream Wireless technology, making it more reliable and responsive than other gaming mice. In practice, this means it has a 1ms response time and tracks your movements and clicks quickly, accurately and effortlessly. Add to that a 33-foot wireless range and you've got a flexible and capable mouse that works whatever you're doing. 

Another highlight of this gaming mouse is battery life. Using Bluetooth low energy mode it's capable of up to 50 hours of use before it needs recharging. Even in the wireless mode you can get nearly 16 hours out of it with the lighting turned on before it needs plugging in and that transition is seamless too, so there's no hidden drama.

Software and setup

• Corsair Utility Engine (iCUE) compatible

Like Corsair's other mice, the Ironclaw RGB wireless is compatible with Corsair's iCUE software. Downloading and installing this software allows you to do everything from changing the lighting to programming buttons and more. 

There are three main RGB lighting zones on this mouse and they're programmable in iCUE in all the usual and glorious ways. Whether that's setting instant lighting to sync the same colour over multiple devices or selecting from a range of different effects. The choice is yours. 

Highlights for this mouse include the ability reprogram the 10 different buttons whichever way you see fit. Whether that's setting macros, remapping buttons, setting up specific actions like launching applications or just minor tweaks, the options endless. 

Gaming specifications

• 18,000 max DPI adjustable in 1 DPI steps
• Up to 50 g max acceleration and 400 IPS
• On-the-fly DPI switching via buttons and sniper mode
• Ten programmable buttons
• 1000Hz/500Hz/250Hz/125Hz report rate

Like our the Corsair Dark Core (which is a solid favourite of ours) the Ironclaw RGB wireless is a real powerhouse. The comfortable frame not only houses 10 programmable buttons, but also hides some fantastic gaming tech. 

The Ironclaw boasts an insane max DPI too - topping out at 18,000 - which is adjustable in single increments and can be set to three different levels in the software. This means you can customise the way the mouse reacts until your heart is content. You can set a low DPI for Windows and a high one for gaming or just choose from a selection to switch between when you need to. 

A DPI level indicator on the side is there to tell you what level you're on and there's also a sniper mode which you can engage with the press of a button to drop into an ultra-low DPI for uber headshots. 

We enjoyed this mouse, particularly for its thumb buttons though. Easy to use, easy to access and super easy to customise to your preference too.

With found the Ironclaw to be fantastic for FPS sessions, but also great for everyday use, surfing, browsing and working too. It's really accurate and the wireless connection never let us down. Meaning we could never blame our tools when we failed to claim a Battle Royale victory or outshoot an opponent. 

Verdict

If you're looking for something with a mass of buttons, plenty of programmability options and a stylish design, then look no further. 

The Corsair Ironclaw RGB wireless is easily one of the most comfortable and flexible wireless gaming mice we've tried. We love the mass of buttons, the textured grip and the contoured lines. 

Even when this battery gets a bit low, it's easy enough to plug in and keep on gaming and with such accurate wireless and Bluetooth tech, it's a joy to use whatever you're doing. The price is also more than reasonable for a device of this calibre, making it well worth a look on that point alone. 

Most stylish gaming mouse

 

Razer Lancehead Tournament Edition Mercury White

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If style and charm is something you need from your gaming mouse and you're just a tad bored of boring black mice, then this device from Razer might be the answer. The Razer Lancehead Tournament Edition is available in the striking Mercury White, which is bright and bold, but also much more than just good looking. 

Design and comfort

• White design including the 2.1 metre braided USB cord
• Chroma lighting via Razer Central software
• Two buttons on either side
• DPI switching buttons on top
• Reactive lighting
• Ambidextrous design

Razer is a well-known name in the gaming world and with good reason. The company offers a range of different mice designed and built "for gamers, by gamers" and the Razer Lancehead Tournament Edition offers one of the company's most striking designs. It's instantly appealing in Mercury White as it stands out from the crowd of other gaming mice out there that are traditionally black and drab. There's much more to this mouse than looks though. 

The Razer Lancehead Tournament Edition boasts an ambidextrous design which is comfortable for both right and left-handed gamers. There are two buttons on either side, so you can use it whichever way you prefer. The form factor also makes it comfortable and a joy to use in either hand. 

This mouse has three lighting zones - down both sides and on the mouse wheel. The Razer Chroma lighting settings are fully customisable and flexible with up to 16.8 million colour settings available. Various modes are programmable here too, including inter-device synchronization to match up with other Razer products. Our favourite though was the "reactive" lighting mode which lights up when you click the mouse buttons then slowly fades out. 

This is a lightweight gaming mouse that's designed to be swift, accurate and comfortable to use. The Razer Lancehead Tournament Edition weighs around 104 grams and includes a high-quality braided cable that won't drag on your desk. We did think the cable could verge on being a bit short (it's just 2.1 metres) so that's worth bearing in mind if you have a large desk or keep your computer out of sight on the floor. We didn't find it a hindrance during testing though. 

Software and setup

• Five customisable sensitivity settings
• Adjustable acceleration and polling rates
• Profile settings
• Advanced lighting effects
• Surface calibration

The Razer Lancehead Tournament Edition gaming mouse is powered by the Razer Central software and compatible with Razer Synapse 3. We found the software was easy to use and included all the features you'd expect from your gaming mouse.

You can set the DPI levels here, then switch between them using the up and down buttons on top of the mouse. Surface calibration and settings for programming the nine usable buttons is also here. It's also quick and easy to switch between right and left-handed modes. 

Basic lighting settings within the software allow you to adjust brightness and quickly switch between effects. We also liked that you can set the mouse to automatically switch off its lighting after being idle for a certain period of time or when your display is turned off, to save wasting power and lighting the room unnecessarily.

Advanced lighting effects are available in the Chroma studio which are far more intricate. Though we found the quick effects to be more than sufficient. 

Gaming specifications

• 16000 DPI max
• 1000 Hz Ultrapoling
• Customisable per-key macros
• 450 IPS tracking
• 50 million clicks
• Nine independently programmable mouse buttons

The Razer Lancehead Tournament Edition boasts the highest max DPI settings out of all the gaming mice we've tested. Quite frankly, 16,000 DPI is more than any gamer is going to need. We thought 12,000 was too much on the other mice we've tested, but it's always better to have and not want than to not have at all. 

This mouse also boasts a high polling rate, 50G acceleration and 450 inches per second tracking that make it insanely accurate and a joy to use. With the accompanying software, you can set the mouse up to your own personal preference and then easily switch between DPI levels on the fly. 

Verdict

Although the Razer Lancehead Tournament Edition isn't necessarily the most feature-packed mouse on our list, it is probably the most beautiful. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we love the Mercury White colour scheme and the RGB lighting with it.

Beauty is more than skin deep too and that shows with this gaming mouse. Backed by a variety of features that include the highest DPI settings we've seen, plus an ambidextrous design and some funky lighting, this mouse is something pretty special. 

We fully expect that it'll get dirty fairly quickly under regular and intense use, but the surface also seems to be reasonably easy to wipe clean. In short, it's another fantastic mouse from the Razer camp and well worth adding to your short-list.

Best large gaming mouse

Roccat Kone AIMO

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If your hands are slightly on the large side, then choosing the right gaming mouse can be tricky.  Comfort is a problem and you might find that your thumb can get in the way, at least we do anyway. The Roccat Kone AIMO might be the solution to these issues. It's a larger gaming mouse, that strikes a brilliant balance between comfort and functionality. It's not too big, it's just perfect. For right-handed gamers, this mouse is a great choice.

Roccat isn't necessarily the first brand you'd consider when shopping for gaming peripherals, but you shouldn't overlook this one. It's a great price for a funky design, that's comfortable, well lit and intelligent.

Design and comfort

• Left/right clickable mouse wheel 
• Three thumb buttons including Easy-Shift[+] button
• Intelligent lighting
• 12 customisable buttons
• Up and down DPI settings buttons with audio feedback

The first thing you'll notice about the Roccat Kone AIMO is the striking design. The model we tested was white, but it's also available in grey and black. In each format, this mouse is big and bold - with a large Roccat logo emblazoned on top and not-so-subtle lighting zones down either side.

There are four lighting zones here, the two strips left and right and on either side of the mouse wheel that are controlled by the Roccat Swarm software. You can even set different colours for the inner and outer parts of these lighting areas or use a gradient, making it flexible and colourful too. 

It's larger than your average mouse and feels more comfortable in the hand. The design includes three side buttons on the left side of the mouse and a slight recess that works nicely as a thumb rest. We found this to be particularly comfortable and it prevented any issues we have with our thumb getting in the way during gaming sessions. The button on the bottom of this recess also works as the Easy-Shift button. This is an interesting design in itself. 

The Easy-Shift button works by allowing you to change any of the 12 programmable buttons to a secondary setting. When you press and hold that button the Easy-Shift mode is activated. So, for example, in an FPS game you could set the left mouse button to fire by default, then reload your gun while in Easy-Shift. This feature allows for quick actions in the midst of gameplay.

That's a basic setting too, there's also the option for recording macros, assigning hotkeys, multimedia keys, even setting a timer. Pressing the Easy-Shift button also changes the colour of the lighting, so you know when it's engaged too. It's amazing what a difference a simple feature can make to your gaming style. 

Another feature of the design that stands out is what happens when you press the DPI switching buttons. Like other gaming mice, the Roccat Kone AIMO has the ability to set up to five different DPI levels. With default levels set, pressing the DPI up and down button not only switches the levels, but also activates an audio cue to tell you it's happened "12,000 DPI",  "9,000 DPI" and so on. If you choose custom DPI settings, then you'll just get "DPI up" or "DPI down" depending on which way you're switching. This is a nifty little feature that's useful when you need to know what settings you're using in a hurry.  

The Roccat Kone AIMO features a braided USB cable and several smooth feet that allow it to glide easily across the desk, mouse mat or gaming surface. In terms of design, this is a brilliant gaming mouse that's as great to use as it is to look at. 

Software and setup

• Onboard memory for profile settings storage
• Standard button assignments and Easy-Shift settings
• DPI, double-click, scroll and pointer speed settings
• Lighting settings including AIMO intelligent lighting, snake, colour wave, fully lit, heartbeat and breathing

The Roccat Kone AIMO is supported by Roccat's Swarm software that opens up a mass of options and settings. There are five programmable profiles here, each with five DPI switching modes, vertical/horizontal scroll speeds, double-click speeds, lighting settings and more. 

As we mentioned already, the highlights for us included the Easy-Switch mode, the sheer number of programmable buttons and the audio cues for DPI switching. Everything is customisable though and if you don't want to be told when you've changed DPI, you can turn that off too. 

The Swarm software even allows you to programme different colours for each section of the lighting on the mouse, making it fully customisable to your liking.

Other highlights of this design are the different lighting modes. Although there aren't as many as you might see on other gaming devices, there are plenty and some of them are especially cool. Snake, for example, sees the light moving around on your mouse in a similar manner to the game that was made popular on Nokia mobile phones in the 1990's. 

Gaming specifications

• 12,000 DPI max
• Audio feedback for changing between DPI levels
• 1000 Hz polling rate
• Angle snapping

The Roccat Kone AIMO is a gaming powerhouse. We've already covered how flexible it is, but it's powerful too. With up to 12,000 DPI available, across a range of customisable levels and profiles, you can easily find the right pointer speed for you. You can adjust other click, scroll and pointer speeds to your preference as well. The result is a fully programmable mouse that will up your gaming prowess. 

The addition of Easy-Switch mode and the sheer number of programmable buttons also offers a flexibility like no other mouse we've seen at this price. Whether the average gamer will need all these settings is unlikely, but having the ability to make this level of changes makes the Roccat Kone AIMO highly appealing. 

For gaming, you have a mass of buttons at your fingertips. Simple things like having left and right click on the mouse wheel means there's more to customise and more flexibility when you need it. A great mouse like this can make all the difference when you're gaming and it's nice to see that every aspect of the design has been considered here. 

Verdict

The Roccat Kone AIMO is a large gaming mouse that's feature-packed and a joy to use. It's both comfortable and fully-functional. There's a lot to like here and if you're considering your options, this mouse should certainly be on your list. Some of the settings might seem unnecessarily over the top, but that's the norm in the gaming world and the options are there when you need them.

Others to consider

MSI Clutch GM30

• On-the-fly DPI switch between 400/800/1600/3200/6200 levels
• 1000Hz polling rate
• OMRON Switches
• MSI Mystic light compatible

The MSI Clutch GM30 is an interesting option if you're looking for a small, affordable gaming mouse that's suitable for palm or claw grip styles. It has a lower DPI rating than some of the other gaming mice on this list but some nice features considering the price. It's symmetrically designed with textured grips on either side that stop it slipping out of the hand during a gaming session. 

There are two side buttons and an easy DPI switching button on top too. One of the highlights to the design includes RGB lighting on the mouse wheel, MSI Dragon logo and a u-shaped pattern between the main buttons. You can change the brightness, speed, direction and lighting style on the fly with the press of the DPI button in combination with other buttons too or adjust within MSI Dragon Center software.    

Considering the price, this is a nifty little mouse that's surprisingly capable and worth every penny. 

Asus ROG Gladius II

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• 50 million click Omron switches (spares also included)
• Three Aura sync RGB lighting zones with six pre-set illumination effects
• Patterned rubber grips and mouse wheel
• Customised button mapping
• 12,000 DPI max, 50g max acceleration
• Three side buttons

If gaming mice aren't glowing all the colours of the rainbow, are they even doing it right? The Asus ROG Gladius II is a big, bold, beautiful gaming mouse with a really striking design. It's wired, with an ergonomic design, on-the-fly profile switching and a high DPI. The Asus ROG Gladius II is a feature-packed mouse that gamers and RGB fans will love. 

It's likely the funky under-lighting zone that covers the edge of the bottom of the mouse that makes it stand out the most, but it's far from the only interesting feature. We really liked the design of the Asus ROG Gladius II. Not only does this mouse have some of the best lighting we've seen, it's a perfect balance of simple and sublime.

We really enjoyed our time with the Asus ROG Gladius II. It's a fantastic mouse, especially at the current price point. It's not the cheapest on our list, but it's not the most expensive we've seen either. It's packed full of features, the design is comfortable and it's easy to use and stylish. Pair this up with an Asus keyboard and you'll certainly have a pretty awesome looking desk. It's not the best gaming mouse on our list per se, but it's certainly close to it. It's also not the most subtle mouse around, but we doubt you're here for that anyway. 

Asus ROG Pugio

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• 7,200 max DPI
• ROG Armoury and Aura Sync-enabled
• Multiple lighting zones
• Ambidextrous design with four side buttons

As an alternative mouse to consider, the Asus ROG Pugio makes for an interesting option. This mouse is quite similar in look and feel to the ROG Gladius II we covered earlier.

If you're looking for a mouse with impressive RGB capabilities, then this could be an alternative. The specs are slightly different, but a similar design theme exists. The textured side panels and mouse wheel remain and the three lighting areas include the logo, mouse wheel, rear and side edges. 

The Asus ROG Pugio is an ambidextrous gaming mouse, so it's great for lefties or righties, but we did find it's quite slimline. This mouse sits low to the desk and isn't very deep, so wouldn't be a good choice for large-handed gamers. It does mean that your hand is never far from the action though and having four side buttons - two on either side - makes for easy-access gaming that can be customised to your personal preference. 

This mouse also includes spare Omron switches, should the installed ones wear out (though they are guaranteed for 50 million clicks) and swappable plates for the side buttons if you need them. 

The highlight though, is the compatibility with the ROG Armoury software, which allows you to customise the lighting and even pair it with other Asus devices thanks to Aura Sync capabilities. This, makes it our second choice in terms of best RGB lighting mouse, with the Asus ROG Gladius II having a slightly better spec in terms of DPI and other features. The Asus ROG Pugio is a cheaper alternative that's certainly worth considering though. 

Logitech G903 wireless 

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• Changeable side buttons with up to two buttons on each side
• Ambidextrous design for left or right-handed use
• Optional 10-gram weight included for changing mouse weighting
• 720mAh LiPol battery with up to 32 hours gaming power
• RGB lighting with up to 16.8 million colours
• 12,000 max DPI

The Logitech G903 is one of our favourites when it comes to wireless gaming mice. It's a brilliantly constructed mouse with a focus on flexibility and agility. This mouse is light, but it also comes with swappable weights to adjust it to your personal preference. 

Other highlights almost certainly include a battery power that allows up to 32 hours of gaming before it needs more juice. It's also ambidextrous with interchangeable buttons and blanking plates which allow you to customise it to your preference. 

As well as the side buttons, there are also multiple other buttons on the top of this mouse - making a total of 11 programmable buttons that can be tweaked in the software. Onboard storage allows for up to five different profiles where you can set varying buttons settings, DPI levels and more. The Logitech G903 is capable of a DPI ranging from 200 to 12,000 which can be adjusted with dedicated buttons on top. 

We also enjoyed the wheel mode shift button which changes the way the scroll wheel works, switching between a standard and smooth scroll mode easily. 

We were thoroughly impressed with the Logitech G903. This is a seriously good gaming mouse that means business. They say you can't please everyone, but Logitech has certainly tried with this one.

Razer Hyperflux (Mamba + Firefly)

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• Battery-free wireless gaming mouse
• RGB lighting on both mat and mouse
• Razer Synapse and Razer Chroma compatible
• Pairing with Philips Hue for entertainment centre lighting
• 16,000 DPI max resolution 5G optical sensor
• Up to 450 inches per second (IPS)/50 G acceleration

The Razer Hyperflux is a wireless gaming system which features a battery-free Mamba mouse combined with a Firefly charging mat. These two devices combined allow all the joyful freedom of wireless gaming but without the limitations that batteries naturally bring. 

This system uses a supercapacitor which allows for electromagnetic induction which transfers power directly from the mouse mat to the mouse itself. This means that as long as the mouse is in contact with the mat it will never lose charge. Fantastic right?

Those supercapacitors manage to maintain the charge for around 10 seconds, so even if you're lifting the mouse off the mat for large competitive FPS style movements it'll still track. The updated battery-free Mamba is as beautiful as it is useful. It's comfortable, speedy and packed full of potential. Razer's software makes it versatile too.

Within the Razer Synapse software, there is a multitude of settings that unlock even more potential with the Hyperflux system, including pairing Razer gear with Philips Hue. You can also set up multiple profiles for button layout,  record macros to specific button presses, adjust lighting changes, multimedia keys, windows shortcuts or even the ability to launch specific programs.

Within the performance settings, you can set various levels of sensitivity from 100 to 16,000 DPI. While Chroma Studio allows you to setup lighting on the mouse and across multiple Razer devices if you have other peripherals. 

Since it's shed its batteries, this mouse is also lighter than your average wireless gaming mouse. At just 96 grams it's incredibly lightweight and flies across the mat surface. This makes it pleasurable and comfortable to you. An ergonomically design fits nicely in the hand but it is a firmly right-handed mouse. 

As a complete wireless system, the Razer Hyperflux is a great addition to any gaming setup and a great alternative to the Corsair Dark Core and MM1000 combination.

Corsair Glaive RGB Pro

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• Three swappable thumb grips
• Three RGB lighting zones
• DPI indicators and DPI switching buttons
• Textured mouse wheel, two thumb buttons
• 18,000 max DPI adjustable in one DPI increments
• 50 million click capable Omron switches

The original Corsair Glaive was one of our favourite wired gaming mice. The Corsair Glaive RGB Pro is an updated and improved version of that mouse with a few design tweaks that make it even better. 

Like the original, this mouse is living proof that great gaming mice don't have to cost the Earth. 

It's built with a contoured shape that fits neatly in the palm of the hand, this allows for comfortable and enjoyable gaming sessions as well as joyful day-to-day use. Add to that three different swappable thumb grips and you've got a customisable mouse that's superbly comfortable. 

Corsair has added an additional DPI button to this mouse setup - making it easier to adjust DPI on the fly - switching between five customisable levels set to your personal preference in the Corsair iCue software. This addition also means there are now seven programmable buttons on the Glaive Pro that can be set to your liking with macros, custom keystrokes and more. The max DPI level has been increased to 18,000 so this mouse is uber-fast and agile too. 

A premium braided USB cable is another highlight to this gaming mouse. It doesn't drag or snag on your desk, ensuring your gaming sessions are accurate and comfortable.

We found the Corsair Glaive RGB Pro to be an utter joy to use during long gaming sessions. It's accurate, comfortable and performs well under pressure. The large thumb rest is brilliantly comfortable and the customisation options also make this mouse well worth a look. 

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