One of the most fundamentally important elements of a gaming PC is a mouse. The mouse is what translates your inputs into what actually happens on-screen. For all intents and purposes, it's the car tire of the PC world.
Before you boot up your next game, you should make sure you're equipped to be successful in your journeys, and that means looking down at your desk to see if your peripherals need an upgrade.
There are hundreds of mouse options available, some better than others. In 2016, there's something for everyone, and plenty of user reviews to determine what's hot and what's not. In the gallery below you'll find 10 of the hottest gaming mice in 2016, each of which are popular, dependable, and worth your money.
Top 10 Best PC Gaming Mice To Buy In 2016
Jack Of All Trades: Razer DeathAdder
Pros: Ergonomics, reputation rnCons: Build quality, customer support rnBest For: FPS, MOBA, RTS rnBuy Now: $59.99 MSRP rn rnThe Razer DeathAdder is one of the most popular mice among PC gamers. For more than five years it's been a go-to mouse for a large portion of professional eSport players due to its ergonomics, low weight, and dependable performance. It is a great choice for all styles of game with a mild-mannered, finely-balanced design. There are also multiple varieties of the mouse ranging in materials and colorways providing multiple flavors of its greatness.
Thrifty: EagleTec MG010
Pros: Wireless, price rnCons: Build quality, features rnBest For: Single-player gaming rnBuy Now: $13.99 MSRP rn rnAt around $10 the EagleTec MG010 is by far the most affordable option on this list. It has seven buttons, a wireless receiver, and adequate performance. If you happen to be on a budget, this will get you by, but you may want to spend a little more to get something dependable if you're going to be competing online in multiplayer games.
Simplicity: Zowie FK1
Pros: Simplicity, precision, low weight rnCons: Mediocre scroll wheel, stiff switches rnBest For: FPS rnBuy Now: $59.99 MSRP rn rnThe Zowie FK1 is heralded by many first-person shooter enthusiasts for its remarkable precision and lightweight making it a top choice among professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players. What it lacks in features it makes up for in ensuring that it has your back when you turn a corner and engage an enemy. It falls short of other choices when it comes to every day use, but if you're serious about winning in multiplayer games and prefer simple designs like the popular Microsoft IntelliMouse, the FK1 is a fantastic option.
Reliability: Logitech G502
Pros: Durability, customer support, customization rnCons: Unorthodox design, aggressive ergonomics, price rnBest For: MOBA, RTS rnBuy Now: $79.99 MSRP rn rnLogitech products are always a solid choice for their great build quality and support. The G502 is currently its most popular gaming mouse, one that is highly customizable and aggressive. It may not fit all hands, and is a bit pricey, but is a mouse that can easily surpass the life span of competitors. Consider it an investment in something that will get you from point A to point B in a memorable way.
Macro Ready: Logitech G600
Pros: Customer support, lots of buttons rnCons: Bulky, price rnBest For: MMORPG rnBuy Now: $79.99 MSRP rn rnThe G600 is a direct competitor to the popular Razer Naga. It is similarly a fantastic choice for gamers who play MMORPGs that have tons of abilities, such as World of Warcraft . Which is better comes down to preference, with the Naga being the original MMORPG mouse while Logitech has better customer support.
Alternative: Roccat KONE Pure
Pros: Features rnCons: Ergonomics, chunky buttons rnBest For: All genres rnBuy Now: $69.99 MSRP rn rnThe KONE Pure is a fantastic mouse for finger tip grip gamers. It has a standard design that resonates well with many buyers, especially those that enjoyed the classic Logitech G500 due to its similar shape.
MMO God: Razer Naga
Pros: The original MMORPG mouse, ergonomic despite large size rnCons: Reliability, unsuitable for FPS rnBest For: MMORPG rnBuy Now: $79.99 MSRP rn rnJust a few years after World of Warcraft released Razer debuted its Naga mouse. It took the world by storm, offering 12 buttons that could be used to quickly activate skills. It's a bit bulky, but designed specifically to give you a leg up on the competition in your MMORPGs. The mouse has been refined over the years and remains one of the most popular mice today.
Prestige: SteelSeries Rival
Pros: Ergonomics, button design, software rnCons: Side rubber durability, customer support rnBest For: FPS, MOBA, RTS rnBuy Now: $59.99 MSRP rn rnSteelSeries has become synonymous with professional grade peripherals over the years. Previously, its Sensei mouse was a top choice among professional FPS and MOBA gamers, but the debut of its Rival has persuaded many. The Rival is one of the most well-balanced mice you will ever hold in your hand resulting in it being one of the three most popular mice among professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players. It's moderate in weight, has great button design, and some of the best performance around. Its SteelSeries Engine software also has plenty of features for customizing your experience.
On The Go: SteelSeries Sensei Wireless
Pros: Wireless, features rnCons: Price, customer support rnBest For: FPS, MOBA rnBuy Now: $159.99 MSRP rn rnThe Sensei has a tried-and-true design that has made it a top-tier choice for many years. This wireless variant goes a step further by introducing improved build materials, as well as wireless support. It comes equipped with a dock to charge, and everything you need to make it your dependable gaming mouse no matter where you go.
Value: Corsair Raptor M45
Pros: Price, weight system rnCons: Reliability, loose buttons rnBest For: MOBA, RTS rnBuy Now: $49.99 MSRP rn rnThe M45 is a great option for many consumers due to its affordable price point and thoughtful design. It's ergonomic and has well-placed buttons making it a fantastic choice for both MOBA and MMORPG gamers. It also has a weight system which allows users to fine-tune how heavy the mouse is.