Wired vs wireless gaming mouse: which pointer should you choose?

wired and wireless gaming mice
(Image credit: Future)

So your old pointer's looking a little ragged and it's time to upgrade, but do you go for a wired or a wireless gaming mouse? It's important to say first up that one design is certainly no better than the other - our roundup of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models features plenty on both sides of the fence. However, the decisi🐈on of a wired vs wireless gaming mouse does come down to how you plan on using your pointer. 

Back when these accessories were in their infancy, there were far more features distinguishing the two designs - a wired mouse was quicker and far more reliable than that early wireless connecti༺on, for example. However, today's 2.4GHz wireless connections have very little bearing on the speed of your response, unless you're looking at particularly small numbers that may only make the slightest of differences in the world's most competitive leagues. 

Still, everyday players won't notice any difference in response times or latency, whether they opt for the cheapest or the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming mouse on the market. So, to help you work out what does separate a wireless and a wired gaming mouse today, 🥀we're rounding up all their key differences, as well as who should buy which right here. 

TL;DR: Wired vs wireless gaming mice compared

Wired gaming mouse

  • Often cheaper
  • Can be ever so slightly faster
  • No extra weight from batteries
  • No need to charge

Wireless gaming mouse

  • No cable dragging
  • Tidier aesthetic 
  • More portable 
  • More freedom of movement

Wired vs wireless gaming mice: what's the difference?

The wired vs wireless gaming mouse debate today stands as a point of preference. Now that concerns around reliability and response times have largely been left in the past for everyday players, there's really ♒very little sep🦹arating these two connection options from a performance standpoint. 

Of course, cutting the cord means you're getting a clutter-free setup which is sometimes t꧃he main draw when choosing the right device for you and certainly can't be understated. However, there are some differences in the way wired and wireless gaming mice perform as well. 

Dropping the cable on your pointer means you'll be moving just a little more freely with a wireless mouse. There's no drag, no chance of snagging your cable, and no resistance during larger sweeping motions when there's nothing tying you down. Many wired mice these days offer up drag-free cables to keep your movements as smooth as possible (the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair M65 RGB Ultra offers up a particularly smooth cable), and you can also pick up a mouse bungee to kee💙p your wires off the desktop as well. These are additi🌠onal extras that you don't need to think about with a wireless model, though. 

Corsair M65 RGB Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

There are some sacrifices to be made when going fully wireless - and many come from the battery sitting under your hand. Not only will that battery need to be charged, something you won't need to think about with a wired version, but it will also add extra weight to your mouse as well. While your sweep might be a little freer, then, it's going to be a little heavier as well. If you're playing super-fast fps titles and rely on twitch reflexes and minute movements, this may become a problem. It should be noted that there are plenty of ultralight wireless options out there, like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper Ultimate - but they do carry a premium.

A wired mouse, on the flip side, has r🐓oom to be featherlight - with some, like the Cooler Master MM710, coming in at just 52g - and won't stutter in its performance when running out of juice.

Who should buy a wired gaming mouse?

Razer Basilisk V3 gaming mouse

(Image credit: Razer)

A wired gaming mouse wins this debate if you're not fussed about keeping a minimalist setup and want the best bang for buck value possible. While you're sacrificing a little flexibility, you're making up for it with a lower price t꧃ag and a lighter form factor overall.&n♓bsp;

W🌜e'd recommend choosing a 🎃wired gaming mouse over a wireless one if you: 

  • Aren't concerned about a cable-free desktop 
  • Don't want to spend more than you need to 
  • Play faster FPS or action titles regularly 
  • Play competitively 
  • Don't want to worry about charging