How to choose a gaming mouse in 2026

The sensor matters more than the DPI number

Manufacturers love to advertise ever-higher DPI numbers ("dots per inch", the sensor's sensitivity) — 16,000, 26,000, sometimes more. In practice, the vast majority of players use a sensitivity between 400 and 1,600 DPI, including at the highest competitive level. What really makes the difference is the quality of the optical sensor: its accuracy, the absence of unwanted "acceleration" (the cursor travelling a different distance depending on how fast you move your hand), and its polling rate. A good sensor running at 800 DPI will always feel better than a mediocre one advertised at 20,000 DPI.

Weight and shape: a question of grip style

There are three main grip styles: palm grip (the whole hand rests on the mouse), claw grip (fingers are arched, only the palm touches the back) and fingertip grip (only the fingertips and the heel of the hand make contact). An ergonomic, heavier mouse (90-110 g) generally suits a palm grip better, while a light, symmetrical mouse (45-70 g) is better suited to a claw or fingertip grip — especially in shooters, where fast movements matter. Before buying, it's worth identifying your own grip style rather than relying solely on online reviews, which reflect the reviewer's hand shape.

Wired or wireless?

Gaming wireless mice have come a long way: the best models now offer latency that is virtually indistinguishable from a wired connection, thanks to dedicated 2.4 GHz dongles (favour these over Bluetooth for gaming, which is more prone to micro-stutters). The advantage of wireless is the absence of a cable slowing down movement; the downside remains the weight of the battery and the need to recharge regularly. Wired mice remain a safe, affordable choice, especially models with soft, lightweight "paracord"-style cables that greatly reduce drag.

Connectivity, polling rate and software

The polling rate determines how often the mouse reports its position to the computer, measured in Hz (125, 500, 1,000, sometimes 4,000 or 8,000 Hz on recent models). A higher rate can reduce perceived input lag, but the difference becomes marginal beyond 1,000 Hz for most uses. The configuration software provided by the manufacturer is also worth checking: being able to save profiles directly to the mouse's onboard memory means you won't have to reinstall a program every time you switch computers.

Our selection method

At Nexus Gaming, we rank mice by combining real user feedback, reviews from the specialised press, and objective criteria such as weight, sensor type and connectivity. We don't promote a product because it's new or expensive, but because it offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and price. Check out our up-to-date selection on the Gaming Mice page.

Real models we recommend