Nov 11, 2025 9:00 AM
The Best Ergonomic Mouse to Keep Wrist Strain at Bay
The best ergonomic mouse can not only improve your workflow but also enhance your entire computing experience. Next to a keyboard, the mouse is one of the most important parts of your home office setup: a direct interface with your system that you use every time you boot up your computer. Sure, you can get a cheap $30 mouse, or buy a fancy gaming mouse optimized for speed, but an ergonomic mouse can help you with wrist strain.
Finding the perfect ergonomic mouse can be a challenge, especially when much of today’s focus is on gaming mice and their impressive specs. That’s why I’ve spent hours testing not only the performance of each product, but also how it feels to use. My top pick is the Logitech MX Master 4, a new update on a long-standing classic, but there are several other options to consider.
To fill the rest of your home office or workspace, read our other guides, including the Best Gaming Mouse, Best Mechanical Keyboards, Best Hall Effect Keyboards, Best Office Chairs, Best Standing Desks, and Best Webcams.
Updated November 2025: We’ve added the Logitech MX Master 4, MX Ergo S, Elecom Deft Pro, Contour Rollermouse Red Wireless, Elecom Huge Trackball, Elecom Rollermaster IST, and ProtoArc EM11 NL.
What Is an Ergonomic Mouse?
If you picture a computer mouse in your mind, what likely appears is something fairly simple and robust: an oval with two buttons on the front, and a wheel between them. The entire design is symmetrical, and it’s not shaped like your hand at all. How can that be ideal for you to use? It’s not. Many mice aren’t designed with the shape of hands in mind. Because of this, constant use can cause anything from mild discomfort to potentially serious injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or other repetitive strain injuries.
Ergonomic mice are designed to fit your hand better. Studies show that angled and vertical mice can reduce discomfort without significantly impacting the accuracy of your movements. This is because the position required to use a vertical mouse is more similar to the natural resting position of your wrist, which means less pressure on the required muscles.
A vertical mouse is not the only type that can help your comfort when working. Sculpted horizontal mice can also improve comfort by giving you a more ideal shape to rest your hand on. These types of mice typically have non-symmetrical designs, curvature that mirrors the shape of your hand, and buttons placed with accessibility and ease-of-use in mind.
Ergonomic vs. Gaming Mice
This guide looks at any mouse oriented toward comfort during long-term use. This includes vertical mice and horizontal mice—a device that’s specifically designed with the shape of the human hand in mind.
Most gaming mice today have very little focus on ergonomics or comfort, especially with the influx of ultralight mice that shave off as much unnecessary mass as possible to create the lightest peripheral imaginable. While many comfort-focused or ergonomic mice today can certainly be used for casual gaming, their specs typically lag behind the cutting edge of gaming-focused hardware, which will leave you lacking in fast-paced games where every frame (and every gram of weight) counts.
With this in mind, there are typically two options. You can find one mouse that works great for work and gaming (I have a recommendation below), or—and this is what I do—you can have two mice, with one focused on ergonomics and the other on gaming. If you decide on this route, read our Best Gaming Mice guide for more picks.
How to Use Your Ergonomic Mouse
Whether you pick a vertical or horizontal mouse, there are a few adjustments you can make to your setup to ensure you’re working as comfortably as possible. We’ve compiled several tips on how to set up your desk properly here, but here are some mouse-related specifics.
Adjust your chair’s height and armrests. You want your elbows to rest directly on your armrests, with your wrists in line with your elbows, to reduce strain on your wrists and tendons during prolonged use. Ideally, your arm should be in an L shape.
Position your mouse directly in front of your elbow. This ensures the resting position of your mouse doesn’t put unnecessary strain on your wrist or arm, and that you can maintain a full range of motion during use.
Keep your mouse sensitivity high. All of the mice on this list have adjustable sensitivity, and both macOS and Windows let you adjust cursor speed within the operating system as well. A high mouse sensitivity can limit the amount of movement you need to navigate your computer and reduce both long-term strain and the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
Put your mouse and keyboard close together. The same as your mouse, your keyboard should be placed directly in front of you, so that your arms can be as close to straight forward as possible. Keeping your mouse in front of one arm, and your keyboard in front of the other, can help to both improve ergonomics and limit movement when swapping between your mouse and keyboard.
How We Test
I test each mouse for at least a week of consistent use, and often longer. During this time, I try to do a bit of everything, from writing and gaming to photo and video editing, and even basic tasks like web browsing. During all of this, I keep track of what I like, dislike, and discover with each mouse. Once I’m done with a mouse, I compare it to some of my other picks to see where it succeeds and where it falls short.
When curating this guide, I looked at countless different metrics. I specifically prioritized build quality, customizability, and the associated software’s ease of use. As far as ergonomics go, I have relatively large hands, but I also had friends with smaller hands test these mice to get input and feedback from multiple hand sizes. I try to provide my best insights on ergonomics and comfort, but it is ultimately subjective, so what’s best for me might not be best for you.
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Best Ergonomic Mouse
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Photograph: Henri Robbins
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Photograph: Henri Robbins
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Photograph: Henri Robbins
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Photograph: Henri Robbins
Logitech’s MX Master 4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the follow-up to our previous top pick, the MX Master 3S, replacing it as the most comfortable and practical standard-grip mouse available today. With an updated shape that’s natural to hold, a rigid and hefty construction, and multiple easy-access thumb controls, this mouse hugs your hand and feels intuitive from the moment you start using it.
The thumb buttons, horizontal scroll wheel, and gesture buttons can all be easily remapped to any feature you want. They can be assigned software-specific functions, all of which I found easy to customize with the Logi Options+ app. The vertical scroll wheel can be swapped between traditional ratcheted scrolling and smooth scrolling, and the silent mouse buttons still have a satisfying “click” sensation when you press them, even if you (and your neighbors) don’t hear them. The Master 4 also introduces a new “Actions Ring,” activated by a side button, that allows you to program multiple commands to a menu that appears on your screen. This ring, and the gesture controls, all make use of the mouse’s fantastic new haptic feedback system, which subtly rumbles to indicate inputs.
The mainstay features from Logitech’s MX line are here, like multidevice connectivity and an included dongle (which has now been updated to USB-C from USB-A). The mouse also has USB-C charging and a super-accurate high-dots-per-inch sensor that I found to work on nearly any solid surface, including glass. However, if you prefer lightweight mice, this may not be for you: The MX Master 4 weighs 150 grams, which is more than double the weight of an ultralight gaming mouse, around 40 grams more than your average mouse. I find the heavier weight preferable for non-gaming applications as it feels more rigid and allows for precise control.
Much like previous generations, the largest downside of this mouse is its polling rate. Measuring at only 125 Hz, it will fall short in situations that require high-speed accuracy, such as competitive gaming, but this is not an issue for office work or slower-paced games. Logitech claims the newest model’s improved wireless connectivity makes the Master 4 more responsive despite maintaining the same polling rate as previous generations.
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Best Vertical Mouse
The Hansker Productivity (9/10, WIRED Recommends) vertical mouse was designed with style and substance in mind, with clinical research informing its shape and ergonomics, and founder Alex Muñoz’s own need for a vertical mouse that performed well and looked good on a desk. The Hansker Productivity feels great, looks fantastic, and has a powerful Pixart 3325 sensor that makes it shockingly competent for gaming. My hand can easily and comfortably rest on the mouse, and with a prominent angled lip at the bottom, it’s the only vertical mouse I’ve tested that I was easily able to lift and move without it slipping out of my hand (something not even the Logitech Lift was capable of, ironically enough).
I tested the Productivity model, which retails for $115. This model comes in beige, has a lesser sensor, and has some added weight to make the mouse feel more substantial. The Hansker Performance is nearly identical but retails for $140, comes in black, weighs less, and uses a more precise 3395 sensor. It’s spendy, but the Hansker mouse feels smooth, refined, and thoughtfully made in a way that none of the other mice I’ve tested are.
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Best Trackball
It’s hard to find a good trackball—much less one that feels robust. Nearly all the models I’ve tested have some level of lightness or squirreliness to the ball, which makes it feel inconsistent during use. However, the MX Ergo S is the opposite; the ball feels solid. It moves more slowly, confidently, and feels far more precise. Despite the added resistance, there isn’t any scratchiness or friction.
Instead of the static position of most trackballs, the Ergo S sits on top of a magnetic base, which holds it in one of two positions: Flat or angled. You can swap between the positions simply by pressing on either side of the mouse, with the entire assembly rotating on a small bump that creates a pivot point. This is easy to do, but requires enough force that you won’t accidentally rock your trackball back and forth during use.
The Ergo S has the same fantastic build quality as nearly everything in Logitech’s MX line. It’s solid and feels hefty in the hand. The plastic surfaces are comfortable, and the mouse’s base is one thick piece of metal. Both mouse buttons have tactile response without any loud clicks, and the three smaller buttons only create a mild sound when pressed. The scroll wheel is crisp and features smooth horizontal scrolling, which is activated by tilting the scroll wheel to the left or right. While this mouse doesn’t have the sheer number of buttons present on some other products in this list, all of the buttons feel much more carefully thought out, and the Logi Options+ software makes customization easy.
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Best Ergonomic Mouse for Gaming and Work
This mouse blew me away during my time with it. While the styling may be too “gamer-y” for some, it’s a great mouse underneath, and I found myself using almost every feature it came with. The high-speed sensor is crisp and responsive for both general work and gaming, and the dual-mode scroll wheel is either incredibly notchy or impressively smooth, depending on the setting. The multitude of buttons means this mouse can be packed with different functions, and they’re easy to program with Razer’s intuitive Synapse software.
The best part, though, is a feature I didn’t even know I needed: the sensitivity clutch. This is a button, located just in front of your thumb, that changes the mouse’s DPI for as long as it is held down. This is great for everything: Precise creative work, pixel-perfect adjustments, or even swapping to a higher sensitivity to speed up navigating large spreadsheets. It also has its uses for gaming when lining up the perfect shot or making other precise adjustments (like getting aim-down-sights-like accuracy when hip firing).
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Best Budget Ergonomic Mouse
While the MX Master 4 is the peak of Logitech’s ergonomic mouse line, the older Master 2S is still incredibly competitive, especially at its often $60 sale price. This mouse has most of the same standout features, such as gesture controls, a horizontal scroll wheel, and a smooth-scrolling vertical wheel, and some users even prefer the scroll wheel of the 2S, which uses a physical pin to swap between smooth and ratcheted scrolling instead of a magnet.
However, the 2S misses out on modern niceties, such as a USB-C charging port, silent switches, improved thumb button placement, and a faster 8,000-dpi sensor compared to the 4,000-dpi sensor. For a budget-minded buyer, I’d recommend the 2S, but for the best performance possible, go for the MX Master 3S or Master 4.
Other Ergonomic Mice to Consider
There are several more options on the market to consider. These didn’t cut it as our top picks for one reason or another, but we still like them enough to recommend.
Razer Pro Click V2 for $120: The biggest draw of the Pro Click V2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the shape: It’s sleek, refined, and comfortable. Instead of the sharp edges and angles of the Razer Basilisk, the Pro Click V2 has the curves of a normal mouse and is just as comfortable in an office setting as it would be in a gaming setup. And that’s what makes the Click stand out—you can use it everywhere, for everything. The shape is comfortable for regular use, the design is innocuous yet still satisfying, and the mouse has most of the usual trappings of a productivity mouse: An ergonomic shape, dual-mode mouse wheel, multidevice Bluetooth connectivity, and a slot on the underside to store the dongle. At the same time, it has the specs of a gaming mouse: 1,000-Hz polling, 2.4-GHz connectivity, full programmability, rubberized grips on either side, and bright RGB lighting on the underside. The Pro Click V2 also has horizontal scrolling through the mouse wheel, where it can be tilted to either side to scroll left and right. This isn’t quite as quick or intuitive as the MX Master’s thumb wheel, but it’s still nice to have. While it doesn’t match the Basilisk in performance, the Pro Click V2 is more affordable and a professional option that still has the sturdy build quality and responsive sensors Razer is known for.
Logitech MX Master 3S for $110: The previous-generation MX Master 3S is still worth considering if you can find it on sale for well below the MSRP or the price of the MX Master 4. You’re not missing a ton from the latest model, though the soft-touch plastic won’t look great after a few years of use (something the MX Master 4 addresses), and it doesn’t have the haptic-enabled Actions Ring. It’s still an excellent mouse and was previously the top pick in this guide.
Elecom Deft Pro for $65: Likely the best of Elecom’s offerings, the Deft Pro is a simple and robust trackball operated with your index finger (as opposed to your thumb). This allows for more precise movements, but isn’t quite as intuitive. I found it comfortable to use for extended periods, but I had a few hiccups—the scroll wheel is awkward to use with a thumb, and the right-click button (located on the far side of the ball) is thin. Still, the overall shape is comfortable once you’ve adapted to it.
Contour Design Rollermouse Red Wireless for $394: This is a very niche and expensive product, but I was impressed by the build quality and usability. It is a wrist rest with an integrated mouse pad, operated using the cylinder at the top. You move the mouse left and right by sliding it along its rail, and up and down by rolling the cylinder forward and backward. It’s incredibly well made and shockingly smooth. A set of buttons sits underneath the spacebar, with dedicated copy/paste buttons, a double-click button, and adjustable sensitivity that beeps at you when you press the button. While the ergonomics feel unnatural at first, I quickly adapted to them and was able to navigate Windows easily within an hour or two of testing. However, as you would likely expect, any form of high-intensity gaming is out of the question: Halo CE felt less like a typical gaming experience and more like a challenge run with a drumset. The largest benefit of this device is that you can fully navigate your desktop without ever needing to remove your hands from the home row. It functions wonderfully and is a far more elegant solution than the trackpoint featured on keyboards like the HHKB Studio. With a high price and unconventional user experience, this is not for everyone. I struggle to say it’s worth the price. However, it’s specialized equipment, and these often tend to be expensive due to limited demand, high development costs, and low production numbers. If you’ve wanted something like this, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Elecom Huge Trackball for $55: This trackball is … huge. It takes up a large amount of space on my desk and is intended to be used as a full-hand experience. You would expect a trackball branded as “Huge” to be intended for large hands, but the opposite seems to be true. There is a clear way this is meant to be used, and it is not compatible with larger hands. In my testing, when my hand was placed in the “correct” position (with my palm in the center and my wrist resting fully on the device), my thumb and fingers all extended past the buttons on the mouse, to the point that I could not reach the scroll wheel or back button. Moving my hand back, the functionality of the ergonomic shape was limited—it felt no more effective than using a smaller trackball. However, multiple people I asked with smaller hands report that it’s quite comfortable for them. I recommend purchasing from a site with a reasonable return policy. Build quality is solid, with the buttons feeling clicky and responsive; the ball has the slightest bit of stickiness before it gets moving. The ratcheting of the mouse wheel is subtle, but still present, and all the buttons are made from textured matte plastic that allows for some grip without being abrasive.
Elecom Rollermaster IST for $40: This is not a perfect trackball by any means, but for the price, it’s perfectly serviceable. The bearings are a bit loud, the materials don’t feel the most solid, but the functionality is all there, and the ergonomics are comfortable for a range of hand sizes. The trackball itself is easy to navigate, without any of the initial stickiness (sometimes called “stiction”) that some more premium models have—a trade-off for the louder operation of the ball. The roller bearings can also be easily removed and replaced with an included tool; however, a set of three replacement rollers is around half the price of the mouse at $18, and a set of the “upgraded” ball bearings is $25.
Keychron M6 for $70: If you like the design of the MX Master line, but would prefer a more gaming-oriented mouse, the Keychron M6 is a nice alternative. While the M6 doesn’t have Logitech’s advanced gesture controls or soft-touch exterior, it maintains the dual-mode scroll wheel, horizontal wheel, and general ergonomics while adding a 4,000-Hz refresh rate and shaving off almost half the weight of the 3S at only 78 grams. However, some small issues of build quality and a loss of functionality make this a less-than-ideal choice for most users—the dual-mode scroll wheel rattles during use, and the mouse feels lightweight to a fault. The higher-performance model’s wireless receiver requires a USB-C cable to connect to a device, which is a lot less convenient for laptop users compared to the low-profile dongle included with the 1,000-Hz model (and most other mice today).
Keychron M4 for $70: While you can realistically transport any of the mice on this list in a backpack or computer bag, I was impressed by just how compact the Keychron M4 is. I could easily slip it into a laptop bag or jacket pocket without any issue, and I even used it as a travel mouse for quite a while. While the shape isn’t great, or even good, ergonomically, I found the claw grip quite comfortable even during prolonged gaming sessions. However, it isn’t good enough that I would recommend it to anyone for daily use on a desktop setup unless they want the lightest mouse possible. The only real complaint I had with this mouse was the dongle: The 4,000-Hz model comes with a receiver shaped like a tiny keyboard with a USB-C port on the back, which meant I needed a cable to connect the receiver and a flat surface to place it on. Meanwhile, the 1,000-Hz model came with a simple USB dongle that could plug into the side of a laptop.
Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex for $180: While this mouse is intended for high-intensity competitive gaming, I found its sculpted shape to be practical and comfortable for any long-term use, and its lightweight (60 grams!), no-frills design was quick and snappy for both spreadsheets and shooters. The mouse felt incredibly sturdy despite its weight, and the 8-kHz polling combined with a 44k-dpi sensor makes it the best-performing mouse on this list. While pricey, the Superlight DEX is a great single-mouse solution for someone who works from home and immediately starts queueing up after clocking out. It has a far more gaming-focused lean than the Razer Basilisk V3, which, while not bad, means you’re making a few more sacrifices to productivity in exchange for gaming performance.
Logitech MX Vertical for $120: While this mouse’s size and general shape both feel good for regular use, I found the shape to be a bit uncomfortable to fully grip and lift: A prominent ridge on the back dug into the space between my thumb and index finger, and the shape was just a bit too narrow to get a good hold on. However, the MX Vertical is still comfortable to hold with a looser grip, and it is perfectly serviceable for general office work and browsing, while putting less strain on the wrist than a standard horizontal mouse.
Logitech Lift for $80: As one of the smaller vertical mice on this list, the Lift is just a bit too small. I found it difficult to comfortably grip this mouse for prolonged use, and friends with smaller hands found the same. That said, WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu says his 5’2″ wife uses the Life and finds it perfect for her small hands, so your mileage will vary. Regardless of hand size, a larger vertical mouse is typically more comfortable for most people. It’s worth noting that the Lift is one of the only vertical mice I’ve tested with a left-handed configuration.
Mice to Avoid
ProtoArc EM11 NL for $25: ProtoArc’s EM11 NL looks straight out of a sci-fi movie but falls short of real-world expectations. The sensor is a low-quality laser sensor that’s prone to jittering, and the underside of the mouse isn’t entirely flat—the sample I received wobbled like a chair with uneven legs. The shape of the mouse, while usable for smaller hands, is practically impossible to use comfortably with medium to large hands. The overall shape is too small to hold comfortably (the bottom of my hand dragged on the desk the entire time), and the flared section at the back, presumably meant to be a wrist rest, is far too angled to properly rest a hand on. There are some positive aspects to this mouse, like multi-device connectivity, a USB-A dongle, and adjustable sensitivity, but these struggle to make up for significant issues with build quality and ergonomics; issues I would argue are deal-breakers at any price.
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