If you’re looking to pick up a gaming mouse but you don’t know that advantages of using one, then you’re in the right place. To the naked eye, it might seem like a gaming mouse and a regular mouse are pretty much the same. But, there are some subtle differences between them that might make a difference for you if you’re trying to decide which would be a better option for you.
And, if you’re going to be taking your gaming seriously, then you’ll want the optimum gaming mouse for your needs. So, let’s take a look at some of the ways that a gaming mouse is better than a normal mouse for its purpose.
Gaming Mouse vs Normal Mouse
Gaming mice are some of the most expensive peripherals on the market, are they worth it? Research shows that gaming mice are generally faster at executing some tasks than a standard mouse. However, are these extra button and higher DPI (dots per inch) settings truly desired by gamers?
A lot of people are saying “no”. Most gamers don’t use all the buttons available on their mouse and prefer to have fewer options in favor of not breaking up the flow of gameplay with unnecessary actions. Also, high DPI is good for guns or other weapons which require precise aiming, but otherwise it’s just more useless numbers cluttering your screen. Your aim doesn’t improve by changing the DPI . But, there’s more to consider about getting a gaming mouse.
The difference between a gaming mouse and a normal mouse is that a gaming mouse will be more sensitive, more responsive and generally have more buttons than a normal mouse. It will also be more ergonomically friendly, and it is likely to last longer as well.
Now, if you’re currently using a regular mouse and you’re wondering what improvements you’ll get from switching to a gaming mouse, then there are a few key criteria where you’ll see a difference. I’ll run through the main improvements that you’re going to see when switching over from a normal mouse to a gaming mouse.
DPI/Sensitivity
The main difference you’re going to see between a regular mouse and a gaming mouse is the sensitivity. To put it simply, the higher the DPI (dots per inch) of the mouse, the greater the sensitivity will be. Gaming mice tend to have a much higher sensitivity if you compare them to a regular mouse, which makes them much better for gaming.
So for example, if you take the cheapest Amazon basics computer mouse, you’ll see that it has a DPI of 1000. Whereas if you compare this to even the lower range of the gaming mice, the cheapest have a DPI of 3200. So, you can tell there is a massive difference in how sensitive the mouse is going to be when you’re using it.
Responsiveness (Polling Rate)
Another thing you need to take into account when considering your gaming mouse is how responsive it is, which is referred to as it’s polling rate. The polling rate is measure by Hertz, and it’s not often displayed on cheaper models of gaming mice (it’s usually implied with a gaming mouse that it will have a decent polling rate, anyway). Whilst a high polling rate is good, this can increase how hard your computer has to work too.
More buttons (Macro Keys)
Depending on which gaming mouse you opt for, there’s a good chance that a gaming mouse will have more buttons that a regular mouse. The best example of this is probably the Logitech G600, which has a ton of different buttons on the side of the mouse.
As you can see, there’s a ton of different buttons on the G600. This can have a steep learning curve if you haven’t used a gaming mouse before, so prepare to struggle with it for a while until you get used to it. However, the amount of buttons on your gaming mouse will vary, and this isn’t the only thing that will differentiate a gaming mouse from a normal one.
Ergonomics
Probably the main advantage that you get out of a gaming mouse as opposed to a regular mouse is the way that they’re designed. With a regular mouse, they’re not really designed with your comfort and ease of use in mind. However, with a gaming mouse they are definitely designed for comfort and it’s much easier on your wrist – even if you’re not going to be using your mouse for gaming, then it might be worth considering getting a gaming mouse just for the better comfort.
Durability
When considering a gaming mouse, they’re usually made from similar materials to a regular mouse. However, gaming mice are designed to last for a long amount of time, especially when you consider the money that you have to invest in them. So, if you’re looking for something that’s going to last you a long time, then a gaming mouse might prove to be the better option.
Customization
Another thing to consider with a gaming mouse is that usually you get the ability to customize the mouse buttons. This means that you can change the buttons around to suit your own gaming technique, which is a massive advantage of using a gaming mouse.
Negatives of Using a Gaming Mouse
Of course, as well as being good things about using a gaming mouse, there are also some bad things about using a gaming mouse. The main drawback of using a gaming mouse is going to be the high cost. They can be pretty expensive to pick up, but they don’t have to be – you can still find a cheap gaming mouse online. Generally, a good gaming mouse will range from $70-100, but if you want premium they might cost in excess of $100, which is pretty expensive.
However, whilst you can’t use a regular mouse for gaming, you can use a gaming mouse for everyday activities. So, you’re definitely going to get some good use out of a gaming mouse.
Conclusion
Overall, a gaming mouse is a wise investment if you’re looking to get something that’s going to perform much better than a standard mouse. Whilst they aren’t an essential for everyday use, they can actually still be a good investment if you’re looking for a high quality mouse – you can still use a gaming mouse for every day stuff.
Nowadays, gaming mice don’t cost a fortune, so it’s likely worth picking one up if you’re looking to improve your scrolling sensitivity and comfort easily.
