Wireless Mouse: Cheap models for the home office
Using the notebook trackpad for a moment is okay But all day? A mouse is the better choice even better a wireless one. Which wireless mouse is recommended? The test!
How to choose best Wireless Mouse
The most important computer accessories? For most people this is clearly the mouse. Especially now that many have to work from home because of the coronavirus.
The digital rodent is now over 50 years old, but still relevant: on December 9, 1968, the American computer pioneer Douglas Engelbart presented the first model of a computer mouse to the world publicthat he developed at the renowned Stanford Research Institute.
Even alternative input devices such as touchpads and touchscreens have not stopped the triumphant advance of the mouse in the past five decades, because: Whether surfing the net, calculating in tables or writing texts, a mouse is the most convenient way to navigate through programs on a computer and notebook to click.
And a very cheap one: The cheapest mouse in the test costs only 6 euros. But you don’t have to overdraw the account even for the most expensive candidates and all the mice tested are available for less than 30 euros.
Must fit in the hand!
Even the best mouse causes frustration in the home office if it does not fit in the user’s hand, so it is best to test it extensively before the mouse is used continuously. And what is not in the hand, just send it back.
The test candidates show how much mice differ in size and shape: the dwarf in comparison, the Pearl wireless mouse SD-572, is just 3.5 centimeters high and 5.8 centimeters wide, large hands quickly become uncomfortable Attitude.
The mice from Logitech, Rapoo and Speedlink are also rather small. For big hands are models like the Cherry MW2310 and Verbatim 8-Button Deluxe Mousemakes sense: They are a little higher and, at around 7.5 centimeters, significantly wider.
The mice from Asus and Trust have similar dimensions; In between, for example, are the input devices from Microsoft and ISY. In addition to the size, the location of the buttons is important: the left and right mouse buttons and the mouse wheel are usually easy to reach, but additional buttons for the thumb are not always optimally placed. It’s best to try it out here, too, if possible.
1. MW 2310
The Cherry MW 2310 shows that a really good mouse doesn’t have to be expensive. It lies comfortably in the hand and guides the mouse pointer exactly over the screen.
The housing of the MW 2310 is almost completely symmetrical, so it is also suitable for left-handers with one restriction: the additional buttons on the left are difficult to reach with the little left finger. Great: The batteries last almost forever. The user only has to exchange them after more than 450 hours of use.
+Pleasant handling
+Very long battery life
-Additional buttons are not suitable for left-handers
Less choice for left-handers
There are hardly any special mice for left-handers. Manufacturers rely on left-handers to use their right-hand mouse which the vast majority of left-handers do. Rackar Biatch nevertheless checks in the test whether the mouse pointer can be moved easily with the left hand.
This works best with a symmetrically shaped model like the Logitech M220. Strongly asymmetrical mice like the Asus WT-465 and the Trust Maxtrack are uncomfortable for left-handers and here the bead above the thumb rest presses into the palm of the hand. The additional keys for the right thumb are usually difficult to reach with the left little finger, even with symmetrical mice.
Connect the mouse to the USB connector
A wireless mouse costs only a few euros more than one with a cable, the extra convenience of being able to move around with the mouse is definitely worth it. The majority of the mice in the test come with a USB plug for wireless connection to a PC or notebook.
The plugs are so small that they hardly stick out of the device, so they can almost always remain connected, even if the notebook has to be taken with you on the move.
The only real disadvantage, the plug blocks a USB socket and sometimes needs an adapter to USB-C for new notebooks. If you still want to connect devices via USB in the home office, you can also plug the radio receiver into a USB hub, for example to a current model with a USB-C socket.
If the plug should come out of its USB socket, most models have a corresponding holder to stow it. The start-up of the mice is very simple: insert the batteries, insert the USB plug and off you go!
Connect the mouse via bluetooth
Two models (Microsoft Sculpt Comfort and Speedlink Jixster) do not need a USB radio plug, as they work via Bluetooth instead. You couple these two mice with the PC the first time you use them, after which the devices automatically establish a radio connection.
Principle-related disadvantage of Bluetooth mice: They do not have their own receiver and therefore only work with computers that have Bluetooth on board or a Bluetooth adapter. Bluetooth is often part of the standard equipment of notebooks, even in many inexpensive models. Some all-in-one computers also have this wireless technology. With classic desktop PCs, however, Bluetooth is quite rare.
How far does the mouse reach?
Regardless of whether you have your own radio plug or Bluetooth, the range is easily enough for most users. Especially when the mouse is right next to the PC or notebook on the desk in the home office.
The connection can only suffer when the receiver is a few meters away from the mouse, for example if the PC is next to the television and the mouse is to be operated from the sofa. Up to a distance of 4 or 5 meters this usually works without any problems.
Wireless mouse with blue LED and 8 buttons
The Verbatim has plenty of keys, including a zoom key and a Windows key and easily accessible but only for right-handers. They get a mouse that hugs their hand and is easy to guide.
Unfortunately there are no batteries. It’s a shame, because the Verbatim empties the power storage system very quickly: after 125 hours of operation, a new pair has to be added.
Is the dpi number important?
It used to be a crucial piece of information in the technical data, but is unimportant for modern mice: the dpi number (dots per inch) indicates how many movements the mouse detects when you move it an inch (2.54 centimeters).
In practice it hardly makes a difference whether the model works with 1,000 dpi or 2,000 dpi, because you can set the speed and accuracy of the mouse pointer very easily using the system settings of your computer.
A dpi switch on the input device can still be useful to change the sensitivity quickly: between slow, but precise, and fast, but not quite as accurate without having to go through the system settings. A high dpi figure is only really important for passionate gamers who use a special gamer mouse preferably.
How long the battery last?
In the case of inexpensive wireless mice, the manufacturers do without a built-in or enclosed battery for reasons of cost. All test candidates work with standard batteries (AA, also called Mignon, or AAA, also called Micro). Pleasing: Most manufacturers include these.
Even intensive users hardly fear frequent changes of the power source, but the differences between the individual mice are large: The batteries last between 40 and 455 hours in continuous operation (see photo series The best wireless mice).
In practice, this is usually enough for weeks of use without changing the battery and even with intensive use in the home office.
Tip: If you don’t use the mouse for a long time, simply switch it off (many mice have a switch on the bottom for this) or remove the battery.
Frequent users who prefer to put batteries in their mice should use so-called low self-discharge variants, the self-discharge of which is low. The trade often calls them ready to use because they are already charged and can be used immediately.
The largest manufacturer of such batteries is Panasonic with its Eneloop series (originally developed by Sanyo). Due to their self-discharge, other batteries need fresh juice more often, even though the mice themselves only require little power.
Sculpt Comfort mouse
Two special features of the Microsoft Sculpt Comfort mouse: There is a mini touchpad in the blue Windows key and the scroll wheel can be tilted to the side, useful for scrolling across and quickly returning to the previous website.
In everyday use, the Sculpt Comfort scores with ease of use. It is also suitable for left-handers, only the Windows key is difficult to reach.
M220 silent
The M220 Silent is quite small, practical for traveling, rather inconvenient for large hands. The symmetrical shape means that left-handers can also use the mouse well. Although a single battery is sufficient for the Logitech, it lasts a long time: 227 hours of use are in it.
What are additional keys?
A cheap mouse is of course not an equipment miracle. About half of the devices in the test offer the minimum with two buttons and a scroll wheel. That’s enough for office work, media designers or gamers but lack comfort functions.
Larger mice such as the Asus, Cherry or Trust models have two additional buttons for the thumb on the left side, which are assigned forwards and backwards by default, practical when surfing the net.
Microsoft’s Sculpt Comfortinstead has a Windows key for the thumb, which works exactly like the keyboard counterpart and also has a sensor surface.
The Microsoft mouse interprets swiping up and down as back and forth. Practical (not only) for large tables: The Sculpt’s mouse wheel can be tilted left and right to scroll. The Verbatim 8-Button Deluxe Mouse has most buttons as the name suggests, it has eight. One of them is hidden in the scroll wheel.
Wireless mouse conclusion
A good mouse doesn’t have to be expensive, as the test winner shows for less than 20 euros. The Cherry MW2310 lies comfortably in the hand and its endurance is simply phenomenal: the batteries only run out after 455 hours of continuous use.
Unfortunately, the Cherry is only available to a limited extent, the Verbatim 8-Button Deluxe Mouse is an inexpensive alternative.
If you prefer a slightly smaller mouse or if you are left-handed you need a symmetrical model, take the Logitech M220. Bargain hunters reach for the Pearl wireless mouse: It’s not a top mouse, but does its job and costs a mere 6 euros.