A gaming mouse is a specialist device that’s designed to give gamers an edge in PC games. These mice are often characterized by hardware enhancements like high-precision sensors and more buttons that can be assigned to whatever inputs you want. They’re also often made to be comfortable to hold for long periods of time, with ergonomic designs that offer a natural grip and a place for your thumb to rest.
Gaming mice use optical sensors, which measure cursor movements by casting down infrared or LED light onto your mousepad and capturing thousands of digital images per second. These are then transmitted to your computer to show where your mouse is currently positioned. A great gaming mouse will have a fast polling rate that translates these images into precise mouse movements in games. This will help to eliminate jitter or smoothing, which can be problematic when it comes to gaming. You can usually find the sensor model used in a gaming mouse in its product description, and many of them have a verified list of ‘flawless’ sensors online that you can cross-reference to ensure you’re getting a flawless sensor.
Most gaming mice are designed for right-handed players, but you can find left-handed and ambidextrous models by searching thoroughly. You can also look for a design that’s optimized for the grip style you prefer: palm, claw, or fingertip. Palm grips are often thinner, shorter, and lighter than other models, while claw-grips tend to be wider and longer with a high arch that helps position your fingers and support them.