Wired vs Wireless Gaming Mouse – Which Is Best For Gaming?

Gamers are always concerned about finding the right options for themselves. Most of the time, when it comes to mice, they are found debating about the best mouse for gaming. Concerns include whether it should be a wireless or wired mouse for a better gaming experience.

It feels like it was just a few years ago that mouse with trackball was the only choice. However, mice did not lag as the rest of the computer world progressed and improved. The mice also showed much advancement and revolutionized the field of gaming.

Before discussing wired or wireless mice in detail, it is wise to consider the critical aspects while finding the right gaming mouse. Generally, a mouse can connect to a computer in three ways:

USB and PS/2

USB is perhaps the most widely used technology, whereas PS/2 is nearly completely outdated. Few advanced motherboards may include a PS/2 connection, and adapters are the only option to keep PS/2 technology alive today.

amazonbasics usb mouse

You’re undoubtedly already familiar with USB connections. After all, it’s used by virtually every peripheral nowadays. Any mouse is easy to plug into any USB port because it is backward compatible.

Likewise, there is no need to connect a mouse to a USB 3.0 port because USB 2.0 speeds are sufficient to manage it all.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a mostly adopted short-range wireless technology that is prevalent in a wide range of modern products, including computers and smartphones. It is similar to USB as entirely backward compatible. This means there is no need to worry about whether the Bluetooth version used by the mouse is consistent with the Bluetooth version used by your computer in this situation.

logitech wireless mouse

However, whether or not your computer has built-in Bluetooth capability is essential to consider. Almost every laptop has one, although only the most expensive motherboards include built-in Bluetooth receivers. If your motherboard doesn’t have this functionality, you may use any USB Bluetooth dongle to replace it.

Origin of Wireless Mouse and Comparison to a wired mouse

It’s about a decade ago when wired mice were known everywhere, and it was considered a better and viable option for gaming. Due to connectivity problems as well as high latency, the wireless mice were not preferable by gamers. Earlier wireless technologies could not compete with wired mice’s direct data transfer. Several advancements in wireless technology by Gaming companies have revolutionized the gaming world by introducing the latest technology in the mice. Logitech has made a significant contribution in the field, and most wireless mice can now withstand their wired counterparts in terms of speed and overall performance.

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With Logitech’s G900 Chaos Spectrum in 2016, the difference in performance between wired and wireless mice began to diminish. The G900 was among the first wireless gaming mice to fully match with wired gaming mice by its speed and efficiency. Since then, technology has progressed to the point that several popular mice like Razer Viper without compromising their specs.

Although many esports professionals utilize a wireless mouse, they argue that it is not a substitute for a corded mouse. As wireless mouse become increasingly common in competitive gaming environments, this misunderstanding will alter with further revolutions.

Although wired and wireless mice function almost identically, the issue persists as to which the ideal for better gaming. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of both technologies to help you determine the best mouse according to your preferences.

Wired Mouse

In general, a wired mouse is more reliable and snappy than a wireless mouse. It is a less expensive and more practical alternative for the average computer user on a budget. However, it provides limited flexibility to the users due to cord management issues.

Advantages

Convenience to use

With the wired mice, the significant benefit that users report is their convenience. They are just plug-and-play, so they are much easier to use as you plug it in. The mouse begins its operation as soon as you put the cord into a USB port. Wired mice are a wonderful alternative for people who want to get into the game like Valorant quickly without worrying about battery charging or losing the wireless transmitter.

Affordable Price

When it comes to pricing, there is no considerable difference. Wired mice are always cheap and affordable as compared to their wireless counterparts. The future of wireless mice, on the other hand, is bright, and the price gap is likely to be reduced with some more advancement in technology. For example, here are a few Gaming Mouse Under $50.

Robust speed

The finest wired and wireless mice track with almost equal speed, and the variations in them depend on the mouse you pick. The Logitech G Pro uses the same sensor technology in both wired and wireless versions. Its reaction time is one millisecond, and the sensor is 25,600 DPI.

SteelSeries’ Aerox and Rival 3 models are available in both wired and wireless variants. The reaction time of these mice is one millisecond. The sensors on these mice are what sets them apart. The wireless versions of each mouse only go up to 8,500 CPI, whereas the cable ones feature a greater 18,000 CPI sensor.

Wireless versions are significantly more costly than cable counterparts in both situations. At the beginning of 2021, Razer released a wired Viper 8KHz. It’s the first mouse in the world to poll at an 8,000Hz speed. Shortly, wired and wireless mice show almost equal performance. Wired mice may be able to keep their reign if more firms use an 8,000Hz, polling rate.

Drawbacks

Discomfort of cable

The wire is the major disadvantage of a connected mouse. Associated problems include unwanted friction, and dragging cable is sometimes annoying and causes discomfort. Ultimately, the response time decreases significantly during game playing. Mouse bungees are available from BenQ ZOWIE and Glorious companies to minimize the mentioned issues, but they make the mouse expensive. 

Non-durable Cord

The biggest weakness of a wired mouse’ is its cord, which is likely to crack easily. If you have to travel on a regular basis, wired mice are not a smart choice because the cord is sensitive to snagging and tangling during commuting. A mouse with a detachable cord, on the other hand, eliminates this problem. Detachable cords are usually simple to fix if they get damaged or misplaced.

Limited range

The length of the cord on a wired mouse controls how much farther you may sit away from your computer. If you sit distant from your computer or have it connected to a television, a wired mouse is a terrible choice. However, professional gamers sit closer to their monitors, so the restricted range is never an issue.

Wireless mice

For professional gaming, wireless mice are the least preferable as compared to wired mice. But the trend is steadily changing. Older gaming mice frequently use a Bluetooth connection, which causes a lot of latency and connectivity problems. The 2.4GHz frequency used by modern wireless gaming mice allows for a 1,000Hz polling rate, which is substantially greater than the 133Hz polling rate used by certain Bluetooth mice. Although wired mice currently rule above all as technology develops, the tide is steadily changing.

Advantages

Comfortable Tracking

Wireless gaming mice provide a supreme level of comfort that wired mice cannot offer. The user does not need to worry about cable drag or resistance as it provides the hand a lot more freedom to move comfortably. While playing, the free mobility leads to better and smooth tracking as well as quicker flicks.

High Speed

The variation in speed between wired and wireless mouse isn’t as significant as it previously was. The best wireless mouse can compete with their wired counterparts in terms of speed. Signal interference is also not an issue. However, this is dependent on the mice that you use. Top gaming mouse manufacturers utilize proprietary technologies such as Hyperspeed and Lightspeed to give out better results to avoid interference.

Greater range

The greater range of modern wireless mouse makes them ideal if you choose to sit far away from your computer or have it linked to television. An extension cord is a method to boost the wireless connection for the users who like to sit at a distance from their desks. The extension cable has one end that connects to the PC and the other end that connects to your USB receiver. The majority of wireless mice possess extension cords, but one can also buy them separately.

Better Durability

Wireless mice are a better alternative if you’re frequently busy traveling because they don’t have cords that can become tangled or caught. However, some wireless mice charge through cables or docking stations, which might be expensive to repair once they get broken.

Drawbacks

Limited Battery life 

Wireless mice operate with batteries that are susceptible to run out at times. Rechargeable batteries are used in a certain wireless mouse, whereas replaceable batteries are common in others. It’s possible that the charging of your battery gets drained while you’re playing, regardless of whatever choice you choose.

Many wireless mice come with a USB cord that is helpful to charge the battery while playing. Although the USB cord keeps the battery from dying, it causes cable drag, so the issue persists. The battery’s overall lifetime might potentially be an issue. Some wireless mouse, such as Logitech’s G305, uses changeable AA batteries that are inexpensive and simple to replace

High cost

Wireless gaming mice are every time-costly as compared to their cable counterparts. Given the innovative technology, a greater price is unavoidable. The cost of a wireless mouse can go uphill further by the addition of transmitters and extension cords. Some manufacturers offer charging ports separately, which raises the price of the wireless mouse even more.

Heavier Weight

Wireless gaming mice are heavier due to the batteries. If you prefer heavier mice, this isn’t a problem, but you’ll have to go with a wired alternative if you want the lightest mouse possible.

It is also dependent on the mouse you select. The wired Razer Viper weighs slightly lighter than the Viper Ultimate. Logitech’s G Pro wireless also possesses lightweight compared to the G Pro wired with a difference of 5 grams.

USB Receiver

Many wireless mice use a USB receiver to connect to the computer. If the receiver is lost, the entire set may need a replacement. Some mice resolve the problem by seeking a specialized receiver storage chamber. Other mice depend on you to protect the receiver.

Separate receivers with a unifying function, such as those sold by Logitech, allow numerous servers to go for a single receiver. The G Pro Wireless uses the C-U0008 receiver, which can handle up to six devices simultaneously and is available for purchase separately if you misplace your original receiver.

Signal interference

If there are many other devices in close vicinity, signal interference can cause the certain wireless mouse to lose connection. As technology advances, this problem will become obsolete. This is not an issue with modern wireless mice from the latest technologies.

Why Choose a Wired Connection?

A wired gaming mouse is a great alternative if you consider yourself a function-over-form player. They’re less expensive to construct, and USB provides a far more reliable and responsive connection with low input latency for optimal gaming performance.

The only disadvantage of a wired gaming mouse is the cables. Excessive cable congestion can distract from the visual appeal, and we’ve all experienced the frustration of having all those peripheral connections jumbled up. Still, this isn’t a problem that can’t be solved with some smart cable management ideas.

Why choose a Wireless connection?

The benefits of a wireless gaming mouse are almost the same benefits that wireless technology provides in general: mobility and ease of usage. You won’t have to worry about tangled or stucked cords in a wireless mouse, and you’ll be able to move away from your workstation if you want to.

On the other hand, a wireless mouse has the same drawbacks as other wireless peripherals: input latency and dependency on batteries for power. Most gamers won’t notice the input latency unless they travel extremely far away from their computer, and only seasoned players would notice the problem caused due to wire.

Keeping track of battery life is more of a mild discomfort than a real disadvantage. Even so, we’ve all neglected to charge our mouse, keyboard, or controller, only to have it die on us in the middle of a game. 

How to choose right gaming mouse?

Keeping in mind the above-mentioned details, it is always preferable to choose based on your requirements. In the end, only the gamers’ preferences determine which is best.

You should purchase a wireless gaming mouse if you’re looking for greater comfort, a cleaner workstation, or some couch gaming. Unless you’re a competitive gamer who needs every advantage, the small input latency is not a significant issue.

Read More about How to pick the best gaming mouse

On the other hand, a wired gaming mouse is typically a preferable option for people on a limited budget or who would rather receive a quality mouse for their money than spend more on wireless features.

Wired mice are always superior for gaming because the connection is more reliable and sensitive. Input latency and an unreliable signal are only difficulties with wireless mice in the most severe circumstances, as we’ve already noted.

Wired Vs Wireless: Which Is Preferable For Better Gaming?

In the end, whether you choose a wired or wireless gaming mouse depends on your demands – and how important raw gaming performance is to you. At the end of the day, the wired gaming mouse will almost always ensure a better gaming experience – if only somewhat. They have less input latency, are generally lighter in construction, and will almost certainly save you money at the checkout.

However, if workspace tidiness, adaptability, and user experience are more important to you, a wireless gaming mouse is the way to go. Comparing the best wired and best wireless gaming mice does not reveal many differences between the two types of mice. The price gap between the two is currently the only deciding factor, with wireless being significantly more costly.

There is no better time to buy a wireless gaming mouse if you value desk tidiness and versatility while also seeking a fantastic gaming experience. Just be prepared to pay for it.

Summing Up

So now you have it: our in-depth comparison of the wired and wireless gaming mouse. We believe that our guide has made deciding on your next mouse much simpler. The speeds and features of the wired mouse for gaming and the wireless gaming mouse are comparable. There is no direct answer to which is ideal, and the ultimate selection depends on your own choices and financial constraints.

In today’s market, the decision between a wired and wireless gaming mouse boils down to one factor: pricing. The distinctions are few and far between at the high end of the pricing range, with the wireless mouse now giving a decent account of them. If gaming performance is your first concern and you don’t have the funds to spend on a high-end model, you might want to try wired.

It’s that straightforward: when choosing the best gaming mice under $100, a wired mouse surpasses a wireless mouse every time. Please leave a comment in the box below if you have any queries about the gaming mouse.

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Muhammad Kashif

M. Kashif is a published author at Gaming Expert.net. He is a tech enthusiast, a passionate gamer and loves to try new gadgets and writing about games and technology events.