Wireless mice are becoming the new trend. Many players swear that there is no difference in latency, but is it really true? Can you play competitively with a wireless mouse?
A few years ago, there was no debate. Wired mouse were just better. The added latency on wireless mice made it a really simple decision. Wired mice are the way to go. But technology advances, and today, I will cover the topic: Are wireless mice worth it in 2022? And I will even give the pro players opinion on the topic.
Latency
This is the key factor. This is the big question that we have to ask ourselves before we think about switching to a wireless mouse. Do wireless mice have a bigger input lag?
First of all, what is input lag? Input lag is the time it takes for your mouse to send its movement to the PC. The larger the number, the worse the experience will be. You don’t want to quickly snap to a target’s head and find out that it took too much time for the PC to register the mouse movement, right?
Well, the latency gap today is not a concern anymore. Mice companies have managed to make good, consistent wireless mice that can perform just as fast as a wired mouse. (Linus Tech Tips test, Optimum Tech test)
These are huge news. That means that click latency and response time, are even between wireless mice and wired mice. That actually opens the door for wireless mice to compete in this comparison. Now that we know that latency is no longer an issue, let’s talk about other factors like price, convience, and more.
Wired Mouse
The classic. The wired mouse is a mouse that can never disappoint. But let’s see if it still holds its own versus its big brother, the wireless mice.
Pros
- Lightweight – Wired mice are usually lighter, and this is to be expected. Wireless mice have batteries, and wireless counterparts which increase the mouse weight. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t find lightweight wireless mice.
- Plug And Play – No need to worry about the battery level, just plug and play. Simple as that. Very reliable.
- Many Options – There are so many options for a good wired mouse. There are so many brands, and so many different type of mice to choose from. But the wireless “meta” is still new, there is not a lot to choose from if you really want a high quality wireless mouse. There are very good wireless mice, though, which I will cover soon.
Cons
- Cable Drag – This is real. The cable is annoying and this is especially true while playing on a low sensitivity. You move the mouse a lot, you lift it up sometimes, and it just gets in your way. Even if you think that wires don’t get in your way, you have to try a wireless mouse to feel the difference. There is a solution for this though, and it is called bungee, which is a cable management solution.
Wireless Mouse
The little brother, really tries to outshine its older brother, the wired gaming mouse. Let’s see if he’s worth something.
Pros
- Wireless – Literally wireless. There is no cable interference. You can use your whole mousepad without the cable messing things up. You can flick, move around, lift your mouse and not worry about a thing.
- Portable – Going to a friends house for a LAN party? Need to grab a mouse to university? You want to use a mouse with your TV? Grabbing a wireless mouse is super easy and quick.
Cons
- Battery – Your friends are calling, you hop in for a match. When suddenly you get next message: Your Logitech G Pro Wireless battery level is critical. Yep, won’t happen with a wired mouse. Another concern, is battery life. Batteries are known to degrade overtime. Take a look at your phone. You used to charge it once per 2 days, but now, it doesn’t even last till lunch. There is a concern this is the same with the mouse.
- Less Flashy And Unique – This might be a pro for people who like simplicity, but we all know that RGB increases your aim accuracy by 69%. Because RGB is heavy on the batteries, wireless mice typically are very simple by design and do not have RGB at all. (I disabled my RGB for battery life’s sake)
Price - Wired Mice Savior
The section we’ve all been waiting for. The price. Well, a wireless mouse can cost about twice as much as a gaming wired mouse. This is to be expected, as wireless mice have some wireless technology inside which is more complex than a regular cable connection. Wired mouse biggest pro is the wireless mouse biggest con.
With time, the price gap will close a bit, but for now, wireless is just premium. You gotta pay extra to enjoy the benefits. And oh boy, there are benefits.
So you if you are on a budget, then a wired mouse is probably your best option. They deliver the goods, and they are way cheaper.
But, if you have the money, and you want the best of the best, I would say wireless mice are 100% worth it. The lack of wires is so comfortable and once you go wireless, you never go back. The freedom to use your mouse as you want, is just life changing for me. Especially if you are playing on a low sensitivity, which you should be. (BEST Sensitivity For FPS Games).
To summarize, a wired mouse is cheaper. Wireless mouse is better.
Pro Players Opinion
What do pro players have to say about the matter? How many of them actually use wireless mice in 2022?
Hold tight: according to prosettings.net a little over 45% of analyzed pros use a wireless mouse. That’s a huge win for wireless mice. That means that wireless mice are actually starting to dominate the esports scene, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see 95%+ of players using a wireless mouse in the following years. Anyone who says they still do not hold up, is just plain wrong. Every second pro uses a wireless mouse, and you still doubt if it can stand its own ground?
My Gaming Mouse Recommendations
Wireless Mouse
Logitech G Pro (Affiliate), is one of the best gaming mice on the market. It is comfortable, it has the HERO sensor, which is one of the best sensors on the market. Its shape is very safe and it is suited for every grip type. I, myself use this bad boy. And I’ve never been happier. This is hands down the best mouse I have ever had, and I 100% recommend this gaming mouse to anyone who is looking for a new gaming mouse.
If you are looking for a lightweight mouse, then check Logitech G Pro twin brother, Logitech G Pro X Superlight (Affiliate), it is basically the same mouse, 20grams lighter. Pro players dig this mouse. (Light Vs Heavy Gaming Mice)
Wired Mouse
Razer Deathadder V2 (Affiliate). The old school of gaming comes with a new version. One of the best sensors on the market, the weight is perfect (82 grams), very comfortable, and just one of the best gaming mice all around. I’ve had the Chroma version for years and it still lies in my closet, being one of my favorite mice of all time.
Conclusion
To summarize, wireless mice are the new standard. latency issues or higher input lag when using a wireless gaming mouse are a thing of the past. As a result, wireless mice have become the better pick as gaming without a cable is smoother and allows more freedom. But, a wireless mouse costs about twice as much.
It all comes down to your budget. If you are willing to invest in a good high quality mouse like I mentioned above, it will be worth it. But don’t feel bad for choosing a wired gaming mouse. It will treat you just fine!
Photo by Antonio Manaligod on Unsplash
