By Robin Owens 15 days ago, Computer Mouse
Good mice under $30 for gaming and working.
The price of a mouse is one of the key factors that many people consider when choosing a suitable gaming model. Of course, mice costing from $100 are a great choice for any purpose but if you need a gaming mouse, you can find decent options under $50 or even below $25.
Do you doubt whether an inexpensive model can give you good capabilities for the game? Can it do the job as well as expensive mice? Below you will find a description of several worthy options and perhaps you will find the best mouse under 30 USD for you.
If you play computer games at a serious level and you are not on a tight budget, then you should opt for a more expensive model. Of course, your gaming skills are a more important factor influencing the result but in order to surpass your opponents, you need to have good equipment.
If we consider gaming mice under 30 dollars, then it should be noted that it is quite difficult to find a really good thing. We tested over 50 products and put the best options in this review.
DPI: 12000 | Interface: Wired | Buttons: 6 | Ergonomic: Right-handed
⊕ Amazing moderate switches
⊕ Not heavy, with a strong construction
⊕ Customizable buttons
⊖ Сable is slightly twisted
⊖ You can't adjust LED brightness
If we talk about ergonomics, this is the best mouse under $30 for anyone who loves a classic design. It resembles an ordinary computer mouse, so if you do not want to hold something special in your hand, this option is for you.
This $30 gaming mouse has some pretty nice specs. First of all, its DPI is 6000. This is rather good for gaming models.
Besides, its polling rate is 1000Hz. This parameter shows that the mouse is very responsive. Models with a higher polling rate will provide you with excellent performance with virtually no lags. In general, this traditional inexpensive model can be used as a gaming mouse.
DPI: 7200 | Interface: Wired | Buttons: 6 | Ergonomic: Right-handed / Left-handed / Ambidextrous
⊕ Low CPI error
⊕ For different hand sizes
⊕ TrueMove Core optical sensor
⊕ Three-part RGB rim
⊖ Side buttons seem difficult to press
⊖ Low profile scroll wheel doesn’t suit everyone
This 30 dollar gaming mouse is great for entry-level players. There are six standard buttons on a matte-black plastic case. They are two click panels, a DPI preset control button located on the top, forward and back buttons (you can find them on the thumb side), and a scroll wheel.
Considering the dimensions (1.3x4.6x2.6 inches), this number of buttons seems insufficient for a universal device. However, this is quite consistent with the design of this mouse.
The mouse is not heavy. It weighs just 2.7 ounces without cable. This model is lighter than many mice that appeared last year including the famous Sensei Ten that is considered one of the best options for eSports purposes.
DPI: 6200 | Interface: Wired | Buttons: 7 | Ergonomic: Right-handed / Left-handed / Ambidextrous
⊕ Decent build quality
⊕ Good RGB lighting
⊕ Stunning sensor performance
⊖ Disappointing software
If you are looking for the best computer mouse under 30 bucks, then Pulsefire Core is worth your attention. Despite the fact that this model is inferior to its opponents in efficiency, it has enough advantages to be among the best in this price segment.
The mouse has a built-in PixArt PAW 3327 optical sensor. This sensor may be a bit outdated but it boasts impressive reliability and decent performance for the money. Its light but durable body weighs only 87 grams and does not emit audible wobble.
This ambidextrous model is a good option for those, who consider the shape as a key factor when buying a gaming mouse.
DPI: 8000 | Interface: Wired | Buttons: 6 | Ergonomic: Right-handed / Left-handed / Ambidextrous
⊕ Great accuracy
⊕ Solid sensor
⊕ Small weight
⊖ There is no braided cable
⊖ An outdated sensor
As for me, the G203 is the best $30 gaming mouse in terms of design convenience. Brands such as Razer and Logitech pay particular attention to design and ease of use.
Perhaps this mouse has a rather modest DPI of 8,000 compared to competitors, but for many users, this number is sufficient. Another advantage of this mouse is the ability to adjust the DPI value.
If you think that 8,000 are too sensitive for you, you can change it in increments of 50. This option in our list has an ambidextrous shape with the slope going towards. It provides a good place for fingers and comfortable use.
DPI: 6200 | Interface: Wired | Buttons: 6 | Ergonomic: Right-handed / Left-handed / Ambidextrous
⊕ Nice build quality
⊕ Suitable for long work
⊕ Includes RGB lighting effects
⊕ Strong OMRON switches are easy to replace
⊕ Excellent value for money
⊖ Not for large hands or long fingers
⊖ The outdated RoG Armoury software
TUF (The Ultimate Force) is the latest line of gaming manipulators from this manufacturer. Currently, they have presented only one gaming mouse named the TUF Gaming M5. This model is pretty small and has an ambidextrous design.
Its stunning technical specifications make it the best cheap computer mouse for gaming purposes. Unlike many manufacturers, who do not pay much attention to the specs of inexpensive gaming models, Asus made a truly worthwhile product.
The M5 includes the basic button switches that can make 50 million clicks. Moreover, the mouse has ASUS Aura Sync RGB lighting and a PixArt PAW3327 optical sensor with 6,200 CPI.
DPI: 4800 | Interface: Wired | Buttons: 7 | Ergonomic: Right-handed / Left-handed / Ambidextrous
⊕ Bright RGB backlight
⊕ Offers 6 DPI levels
⊕ 7 customizable buttons
⊕ Great operation
⊖ It isn’t the best option for wide palms
This 30 dollar gaming mouse has special buttons for customizing 7 RGB color effect. Thanks to this, you can immerse yourself in a colorful gaming environment. This mouse is a great option for PC game fans.
Another advantage of this gaming mouse under 30 dollars is a high-precision game engine that provides stable transmission and accurate positioning. Rugged housing holds 7 buttons rated for 3mln clicks.
The mouse is pleasant to use and it has additional protection against slipping caused by the hand sweat. You don’t need to install any software to use this device since it has a plug and play support.
The mouse is compatible with Linux, Mac OS, and various versions of Windows starting with Win 2000.
DPI: 6400 | Interface: Wired | Buttons: 5 | Ergonomic: Right-handed / Left-handed / Ambidextrous
⊕ Solid plastic design
⊕ Sharp green backlighting
⊕ Excellent PixArt PAW3328 sensor
⊖ Limited performance due to lack of programming options
⊖ Lags behind competitors with higher DPI sensors
Thanks to the hard plastic construction, Razer DeathAdder has an ideal weight that seems comfortable for everyone. Although it is a 30 dollar gaming mouse, it really provides a great experience.
If you are a hardcore gamer, you have probably heard about the “Razer DeathAdder” before. This series is one of the most popular ones in the world of gaming. DeathAdder won numerous online and offline competitions and showed great performance in different games.
Millions of tools have been sold all over the world. The newest and cheapest model is Essential. Although it can’t boast such advanced features as Elite can, it is still a qualitative device for basic gaming needs.
DPI: 2500 | Interface: Wired | Buttons: 9 | Ergonomic: Right-handed / Left-handed / Ambidextrous
⊕ Five DPI levels
⊕ Nine programmable buttons
⊕ 3 onboard profiles
⊕ For right- and left-handed users
⊖ Pinched design is not for everyone
Nowadays, Logitech is a leading manufacturer of gaming mice in the world. Their products are rather expensive, except for some old models, like Logitech G300s.
The DPI settings allow making fast changes. Moreover, the device features nine programmable buttons and three onboard profiles that allow allocating most keyboard functions to the mouse.
The thing that I don’t like about this tool is that it doesn’t come with software. However, you may find it online, download and install.
The pinched design of the device enables the middle and index fingers to move freely ‒ you will not feel any strain. It has a pleasant surface to touch; moreover, the tool is suitable both, for right- and left-handed people.
DPI: 7200 | Interface: Wired | Buttons: 6 | Ergonomic: Right-handed / Left-handed / Ambidextrous
⊕ Six programmable buttons
⊕ Prism RGB lighting
⊕ TrueMove1 precise optical sensor
⊕ Lightweight
⊖ Little scroll wheel may be scrolled accidentally
SteelSeries Rival 100 is the best mouse under 30 USD suitable for all grip styles. The switches guarantee reliable tactile feedback.
Thanks to the low latency and responsive tracking, the TrueMove Sensor provides the most convenient handling. With this feature, you may easily use this device on various surfaces and the cursor will not jump.
It is suitable for RGP and MMO games that require maximum accuracy and balanced speeds. What is more, the tool is equipped with six buttons that you may program as you wish.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Corsair Harpoon PRO
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
SteelSeries Rival 3
RGB Lighting |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
HyperX Pulsefire Core
Ambidextrous |
CHECK PRICE → |
A serious drawback of many gaming mice under 30 bucks is the quality of buttons. They are not the best, to say the least. However, even expensive models may suffer from such a problem. So, it is very important to find the best quality mouse you can afford. Poorly-defined buttons may wobble, have bad actuation and make a strange noise.
Speaking about the mice in our list, we may assure that all of them offer enough programmable buttons of a decent quality.
Since we describe the best gaming mice under 30 dollars, don’t expect to find here premium variants of PixArt 3360 sensor or better. We have reviewed the mice with the sensors of an older generation.
Our list comprises only the options with enough DPI since you don’t need more than 4000 DPI. If you are a beginner here and don’t know what DPI is, it means “dots per inch”. In other words, it is the distance the mouse covers when you move it. It may be also referred to as sensitivity.
Three options that head the list offer decent sensors; therefore, they cost more.
If you often play games, you know that a mouse, like any other gaming accessory, plays an important role. Therefore, a mouse for gaming purposes should be durable and rigid; it should offer a decent switch lifespan.
Aesthetics
Hardcore gamers claim that aesthetics is not particularly important. However, it is still pleasant to use a cool-looking device. Of course, RGB lighting won’t improve your gaming, but it will add a bit of flair to your desk. Some of these gaming mice under 30 USD offer this desired feature.
The higher the value, the better the sensitivity. If you have a small desk but want accuracy and precision, choose the tools with a high DPI rate that may easily be switched to a lower one in case you buy a bigger desk.
Perfect control speed (or it is also called malfunction rate) is the speed at which the mouse can be moved while still tracking accurately. Most gaming tools show extreme accuracy when moved at slow speeds. However, CPI gamers frequently move their mice large distances across the mousepads at very high speeds. Mind that not all mice will retail their tracking accuracy at high CPIs. The point at which the sensors stop tracking accurately will differ between CPI levels.
If you are looking for the basic tool with standard features for every-day use, choose from the list below: Corsair Harpoon PRO SteelSeries Rival 3 HyperX Pulsefire Core Logitech G203
Wired mice as well as wireless ones have some drawbacks. In general, a wired device is faster and more responsive. It is a budget variant for an average computer user. However, a wireless mouse is flashier and gives you more freedom to move it as you like.
Although premium mice offer the highest DPI levels (over 6000), users claim that the best DPI for gaming is 400, 800 or 1600. They use such settings more often. The majority of gamers use lower DPIs between 400 and 800.
The DPI rate defines how far the cursor moves on the screen when you move the mouse. If your mouse has a higher DPI, it detects and reacts to slighter movements. However, it doesn’t mean that the highest DPI is the best one. For example, if you play the game without a zoomed-in sniper rifle, high DPI may be too sensitive.
