By Robin Owens 16 days ago, Computer Mouse
Top trackball mice for smooth work - wired and wireless.
Would like to switch to a trackball mouse? Your regular input device uses the motion of your hand on a surface to move the cursor. That means you need to have space to move plus it needs to have particular qualities for the optics to work.
Happen to have a glass table? Working in the plane or even your bed? Users of trackball mice don’t know this issue since any place where you can put a hand will serve just fine.
People consider these devices suspicious but in reality, their advantages are great, especially for users who are concerned about the condition of their wrist or already suffer from pain.
The ability of a wireless trackball mouse to work literally anywhere is a sure benefit. So, if you’re interested, this guide below will list several options and walk you through all their pros and cons, giving you general suggestions to help make an informed and well-balanced decision.
DPI: 2400 | Interface: Wired | Buttons: 2 | Ergonomic: Ambidextrous
⊕ Smooth operation, especially scrolling
⊕ Extended cable
⊕ Pretty sparkling ball in blue
⊖ Takes time to become more responsive
The best trackball mouse for people spending endless hours at the computer and caring for their health. It has a unique scroll ring, the special design of this company that saves much time if you constantly scroll through stuff.
Considering the condition of your wrist, you can use it with or without the detachable stand. The trackball mouse is capable of insuring you against the repetitive-stress injuries.
The material of the main ball is important and this model has a hard smooth 40mm ball that ensures ease of movement and precision.
You can optimize your ball mouse for any personal needs by downloading the free software and assigning different functions to the buttons that would be more important to you in any program or simply set a comfortable sensitivity and speed.
DPI: 1200 | Interface: Wireless | Buttons: 2 | Ergonomic: Right-handed
⊕ Ergonomic design
⊕ Pin-point cursor control
⊕ Indifferent to surface
⊕ Durable battery
⊖ Feels counter-intuitive when used first
⊖ Browser buttons nearly out of reach
This model feels both habitual and weird because the shape mostly replicates that of a normal mouse pointer but there is a bulging trackball you don’t expect to find under the thumb.
You have the traditional two buttons and a wheel for scrolling plus two more buttons for flipping back and forth the browser pages or folders. The latter are very convenient but located somewhat too far for motionless use, especially for miniature hands.
If you have several Logitech devices, up to six of them can be working simultaneously through it. The trackball is powered by an AA battery and provided you use a high-quality one you can count on about 18 months of stable work.
A load will be taken off your mind by the indicator that will prepare you for the need of changing the battery.
DPI: 1600 | Interface: USB | Buttons: 3 | Ergonomic: Ambidextrous
⊕ Interesting ergonomic design
⊕ USB cable
⊕ Good value for money
⊖ Not the most natural shape
⊖ The miniature ball complicates the use
This ergonomic handheld device could become the best trackball mouse for gaming but it is equally comfortable for casual use. It is definitely a great instrument for people who already have wrist issues.
Its strongest difference from the standard design is that the left mouse button migrated under the hole where you grip with your index finger. To ease browsing, click the top left button designed to lock the webpage and then you can just use the roll for moving the content up and down.
When you put your forefinger on the trigger-like left-click button and use the thumb for navigating, this trackball mouse allows you to do any task without additional motion and requires no space for use whatsoever.
Plus, the design is equally convenient for both hands with the two right-click buttons. It requires no installation, no drivers, no software; just plug it in and start using, regardless of your OS or type of computer.
DPI: 1600 | Interface: Bluetooth | Buttons: 4 | Ergonomic: Ambidextrous
⊕ Praiseworthy ergonomics
⊕ Supported by Windows and macOS
⊕ Sturdy design
⊖ Not the easiest design to get used to
⊖ Slow responsiveness only allows basic use
⊖ Not portable
This trackball mouse design is not the most common but is comfortable for certain kinds of uses. It is ergonomic, solidly built with large buttons that can receive special functions and inspires trust in its ability to serve well for extended hours.
You will have to entirely change your method of work because no standard grip is applicable to this model but getting used to it isn’t hard at all.
The model is most suitable for office work and common use at home. Both Windows and macOS can recognize the device and you have a choice of connecting through USB with a small receiver or Bluetooth.
DPI: 1500 | Interface: Bluetooth | Buttons: 10 | Ergonomic: Ambidextrous
⊕ Wireless connection
⊕ Symmetric shape for any hand
⊕ 10 programmable buttons
⊕ Too miniature for a large hand
This is the most convenient way of using your laptop or tablet while relaxing on the sofa. It will feel equally comfortable at any hand and the buttons are placed in such a way that you can reach them all easily without moving your wrist.
The hardware features a precise optical sensor aided with a reflective lens that reads the movements of the super-smooth trackball.
The support balls are made in artificial ruby and have an increased 2.5mm diameter. This small touch is very thoughtful since it reduces the need for cleaning and maintenance by making it less vulnerable to dust particles and grease that can come from your hands.
If you love watching videos, you will appreciate the media control buttons placed right in your hand. This trackball mouse allows you to control the volume, pause and resume, skip, and more since the buttons are programmable.
DPI: 2400| Interface: USB | Buttons: 2 | Ergonomic: Ambidextrous
⊕ Comes with a large 3-inch trackball
⊕ BIGtrack 2.0 works with laptops, PCs, tablets
⊕ The yellow ball is designed for precise cursor control
⊖ Large
BIGtrack 2.0 is the best trackball mouse that offers USB connectivity and features a well-crafted 3-inch trackball. Its two buttons ensure convenient usage while offering larger efficiency and alleviating wrist pain.
As it also supports the Drag Lock mode, you will be able to drag your files across the screen easily.
The mouse boasts an edgy design, with its yellow ball contrasting sharply with two large blue buttons right behind it. You won’t have to worry about any incidental clicks.
The Drag Lock option enhances the working efficiency. The device works fine with most laptops, PCs, and tablets, provided you have a USB Type-A connector.
DPI: 1600| Interface: Wireless | Buttons: 4| Ergonomic: Right-handed
⊕ An ergonomic design
⊕ Easy-to-use controls
⊖ Not found
You don’t need to search for drivers to use this roller ball mouse, as it works perfectly well once you have plugged it in. The trackball is especially great when you need to move the cursor as quickly as possible with little to no effort.
It’s needless to worry about muscle strain either as the sculpted design has been conceived with user comfort in mind.
As the ball mouse features an optical sensor, the cursor moves with high accuracy without any signs of lag. Laptop owners who carry their devices around, will appreciate the ability of the trackball to stay in place until you touch it with your thumb.
The four buttons and the 34-mm trackball allow navigating the cursor with great ease. The trackball is highly responsive and provides decent grasp stability.
DPI: 1500| Interface: Wireless | Buttons: 8 | Ergonomic: Right-handed
⊕ Advanced responsiveness
⊕ Easy-to-hold, ergonomically sculpted
⊕ Various DPI settings
⊕ Intuitive tilt wheel
⊖ Not found
This trackball mouse sports an optical sensor of enhanced sensitivity and precision that gives you a competitive edge when you play video games or work on advanced design tasks.
Beware, that if you have a recent version of Windows or macOS Sierra, you will probably need to install the device for it to work perfectly with your computer or a laptop.
It works fine with Windows 10, Windows RT8.1, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, or Windows X but make sure that you have a service pack, just in case. For precision use, this gaming trackball has eight buttons that can be controlled by your thumb and fingers.
Besides superb responsiveness and high accuracy of the cursor movements, you will enjoy an opportunity to choose between 500, 1000, and 1500 DPI settings controlled by a switch.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Kensington K72337US
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE→ | |
 |
Logitech M570
Stylish |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
EIGIIS
Gaming |
CHECK PRICE → |
When you start considering which trackball mouse to purchase, make sure to check if it has an ergonomic design. The mouse should be easy to grasp as it allows one to move the cursor across the screen with little to no effort.
A well-designed mouse prevents the Carpal Tunnel syndrome so it’s important to choose a model that is convenient to use. A trackball size also matters as the larger it is, the easier you can navigate the cursor.
Manufacturers offer two kinds of trackball mice, namely, thumb- and finger-operated devices. You can purchase either of them, depending on your needs.
A thumb-operated mouse can be easily controlled by pressing a trackball that is situated on its left side. There are also several buttons and the scroll wheel that help move the cursor with better efficiency.
If you take a closer look at the best gaming trackball options, you will see that finger-operated devices feature a larger ball that can be operated either by the index or by the middle finger. The trackball is conveniently positioned in the middle.
Buttons can be found near the trackball. You can click on them with your thumb or ring finger. Some of the devices offered by Kensington, for instance, Expert or Orbit, feature a scroll ring encircling the trackball or a traditional scroll wheel.
As for me, I am a strong supporter of finger-operated devices as they deliver great performance with high precision. What’s more, you can move a larger trackball using 2 with two fingers which accounts for better control. However, a thumb ball mouse has its advantages as well.
With wired models, you won’t have to worry about input lag. They can be quickly connected either to your laptop or PC thanks to the PS/2 port. Most devices also support the USB standard. A wired mouse is the best when it comes to gaming due to its high responsiveness and polling rate.
It’s worth remembering that you can keep one of your USB ports free if you opt for using PS/2. Unfortunately, it’s possible only if you work on a PC as laptops and tablets don’t support this connectivity option.
The second most common type is a wireless trackball mouse. It can be connected to your device with the help of various options. Radio connection is the most convenient one as it is perfect when you need to use a mouse in a large room and don’t sit too close to your PC. The signal can be picked up by a mouse from a distance of a few tens of meters.
Another wireless connectivity option is Bluetooth. Its radius is significantly smaller as it reaches about ten meters. However, you won’t notice any limitations unless you need to use your PC to give a presentation in a large conference hall. Before purchasing a device, check if your device supports Bluetooth. Most modern laptops come with in-built Bluetooth receivers.
If you have a Wi-Fi mouse, you won’t need to recharge it often as its battery life is quite long. To connect it to your computer, you need to use the Wi-Fi module.
The main selling point of a wireless mouse is that you can use it practically everywhere. However, best wireless trackball devices are a tad more expensive and feature a bulkier design. Additionally, you might need to purchase a special module or receiver to connect it.
Battery life is also quite limited. Having considered these shortcomings, you might opt for a device that works both in wireless and wired modes to connect it to your device in a way that you find convenient.
If you work as a designer and occasionally need to move a cursor along straight lines, it might be a bit difficult at first to get accustomed even to the best trackball mouse. However, it is just as precise as any traditional device. What’s more, it is far more convenient to use than a trackpad, which is why some creative professionals used to work with trackballs.
A trackball should perfectly fit in your palm and feature a design that supports your hands. You can control the ball with your thumb and press the buttons with your fingers.
Trackballs are perfect for those who don’t work on stationary PCs and need to use their devices during their travels. Even if you don’t have access to your desk, a trackball mouse will deliver high precision regardless of the kind of surface you want to use it on. There is no need to move the mouse itself as you can control the trackball directly.
The difference between a scroll ring and a scroll wheel is not so obvious when you use them. While the former surrounds the trackball and can be controlled with your thumb or fourth finger when you are moving the trackball, the later can be moved with a finger. If you have the best trackball mouse, you can combine moving the cursor and scrolling to save your time.
