Best mouse for PCs and Macs 2021: Perfect pointers for work and play

 

(Pocket-lint) - Per se, there's nothing wrong with a trackpad, but let's be honest - even though they get better each year, there's still nothing like using your computer's real mouse in terms of accuracy and power, particularly if you're working from home.

If you're finally tired of living the life of the trackpad, then you might be searching for a new mouse that doesn't necessarily presume that you're a hardcore gamer with stacks of feature keys and flashing lights as the main focus. In fact, most of us just want something lightweight that we can use on the go or something specific yet easy for a desk to use.

We've taken a close look at the industry and here's our roundup of mice to help you understand what mouse is right for you.

Our pick of the best mice around to buy today

Logitech MX Master 3

Recently, Logitech just launched the MX Master 3, but it's rapidly rocketed to the top of our list, which is an utterly fine mouse that at least two of the Pocket-lint team use. In the right way, it's weighty, but also keeping a gliding feeling of power that's tough to beat.

It is also wireless, which, as this list will illustrate, is not entirely important, but helps with the feeling that you can use it in any way you want. The ergonomic design is simple to keep, the button clicks are rewarding but easy to do it's the kit as a whole. The only hesitation is that in the world of the electronic mouse, it would not work for left-handers, an all-too normal malaise.

You can use it with or with Bluetooth with Logitech's Unifying USB receiver.

Logitech MX Anywhere 3

The Anywhere 3 could be great if you want a more portable mouse that still has a lot of the brilliant touches that make the MX Master 3 so sweet. For smaller hands or a workplace that moves around a lot, it's perfect.

As with the larger edition, you also get better ergonomics, great clicking and an uncompromisingly decent scroll-wheel. To suit your taste, it's available in a few colours, and the battery life is also stellar, rechargeable via USB-C.

Logitech G203 Lightsync

It's not going to be the last on this list, but although the G203 Lightsync may be marketed as a gaming mouse, we think it's subtle enough to believe that name, and it's functional enough.

For this unit, the fact that it is wired keeps the price very low, and it is difficult to argue with the value you get from it. It's lightweight and glides nicely, and has six buttons that you can reprogram to open your most-used apps, for example, if necessary. While it has some "gamery" LED lighting, it's very subtle and can be controlled to fit your taste, and the white version we've been using is particularly handsome.

Microsoft Intellimouse Pro

That's true, you're not fooled by your sight. Whether it's a school IT lab, an office, or a front desk, you might recall the above design from somewhere. Well, their managers have not scrimped on equipment wherever that place was because, despite its austere looks, the Intellimouse is a seriously great mouse.

There's a reason why Microsoft's mouse style hasn't changed much over the years, with a subtle but powerful ergonomic curve and no needless bells and whistles.

Logitech Pebble

You would know the importance of portability if you are working remotely, or if you have a working commute, or even if you are only taking the occasional business trip. For those who want a more diminutive, easily transported mouse, Logitech, which you might find as a bit of a repeat function on this list, has a great choice.

The Pebble is nice and small, but still very convenient to use and for fast pairing, it has Bluetooth. With such a tiny mouse, it has a fantastic clicking motion, and it's very quiet, which we have a lot of time for. Logitech has you covered here, and at a truly amazing price, if you're in need of a mouse that travels.

Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse

If you've ever worked in a big office setting, you've probably glimpsed in the far-off distance something like the photo above - there's always someone in each business who has discovered the advantage of a vertical mouse.

If you are interested in trying out a new orientation in life and having your hand relaxed, Anker has one of the best in the business, for an incredibly reasonable price. Some people notice that the difference is night and day, and that any pain they have immediately eased away, so this might be the solution if you're not getting on with a typical mouse.

Razer DeathAdder Essential

We know that with a pledge to stay clear of putting a pure gaming mouse on it, we opened this list, but the simple truth is that the DeathAdder from gaming expert Razer is a true mouse world classic. It's been around with just minor refinements for years now, and that's because it's super comfortable, and it's reliable.

If it's good enough for gamers to use it for hours on end, it may just suit your job, and you might just have an advantage if you drop into a Modern Warfare game at lunch. Essentially, it's also a low-key mouse that doesn't pack in lots of extra keys. Rather it focuses on performing well and being relaxed.