A gaming mouse is a must-have for various games, especially high-speed games. These mice are more ergonomic, durable, programmable, and have adjustable sensitivity.
If you’re in the market for a gaming mouse, you can get a wired one or a wireless one. But is a wireless mouse better than a wired one for gaming?
The short answer is: it depends on your needs. If you value convenience and working from a distance, wireless is best. However, if you value speed, affordability, and need to stay connected, the wired is best.
I have been a gamer for almost ten years, and when I am not gaming, I use the computer for other intense tasks. Choosing a gaming mouse is crucial. Therefore, I understand why many new gamers find it difficult to choose between wireless and wired mice.
In this article, I will discuss the differences between wireless and wired mice for gaming and their pros and cons. In the end, you should be able to decide which is better for your needs.
Keep reading to learn more!
Contents
Key Differences Between Wired and Wireless Gaming Mice
Here are some of the key differences between wired and wireless mice for gaming.
Functionality
A wireless mouse doesn’t need a cord to connect to your device. Rather than cords, wireless mice connect using Bluetooth or other wireless technology like RF.
You need to plug a USB receiver into your device for the mouse to work in most cases. Since they’re wireless, these mice usually come with rechargeable batteries.
On the other hand, a wired mouse is connected to your computer or other devices by a cable, usually a USB cable. However, older devices may use PS/2.
Since they’re wired, these mice don’t need batteries to work. They are powered by the device in which they’re plugged.
Convenience
As a gamer, being very comfortable when playing can make you perform better.
With a wired mouse, you have to be very close to your device to play your game because of the cord.
On the other hand, you can play your game from different angles and positions with a wireless mouse if you don’t exit the wireless range. In this case, you’ll find a wireless mouse more convenient since it gives you freedom of movement.
However, it’ll be inconvenient if your wireless mouse runs out of battery in the middle of a game. This is where wired mice have an advantage; they don’t go off so long as they’re plugged in.
You can, however, reduce the battery risk with wireless mice by going for options with a long-lasting battery. Most wireless batteries last for days before needing a charge.
Another problem with wireless mice is the receivers, as they are tiny. A wireless mouse becomes useless if you misplace your receiver. With a wired mouse, you don’t have to worry about this.
Latency
Latency has to do with speed. While wired mice are plug-and-play, wireless mice need to connect with your device and send and receive signals.
The time it takes to do this can affect the game response time. According to some gamers, the difference in response time is almost unnoticeable, but you need all the speed you can get when playing FPS games.
Also, there’s the problem of interference. Nothing can come between your wired mouse and your gaming device so long as it’s plugged; you don’t have to worry about interruptions.
On the other hand, external factors can affect your wireless mouse signals. While this is relatively rare, it’s still a risk. If you use other Bluetooth devices, you must have experienced a few occasional breaks in connection.
Nevertheless, wireless mice still match the speed of wired mice, if not better. It all depends on the product.
Price
In general, wired mouses are less expensive than wireless ones.
When it comes to gaming mice, it’s no different except that it depends on the product brand. Even though wired are less expensive, some brands can have different pricing.
Generally, wired mice use a simpler technology than wireless mice hence the more affordable price.
The price difference between wired and wireless mice was wide as the wireless technology was new. Nowadays, some wired gaming mouse brands’ prices are just as high as wireless brands.
Nevertheless, if the price is a major deciding factor for your purchase, you’ll want to consider a wired mouse.
Versatility & Compatibility
In terms of versatility, the better option is wireless mice.
A Bluetooth gaming wireless mouse, for example, will work with any gaming device that supports Bluetooth technology. On the other hand, a wired gaming mouse is limited to devices that feature a USB port.
For instance, some wireless gaming mice – Logitech – feature a unifying technology that allows the receiver to connect with different mice and keyboards.
You can connect up to 6 compatible devices in most cases. Such versatility isn’t obtainable with a wired mouse, as you can only use one device at a time.
Portability
Mice are small devices, so wired and wireless gaming mice are portable. However, wireless mice are more portable because you don’t have to deal with cords.
You’ll agree that folding and untangling cables can be a trouble sometimes.
Also, wireless mice have a portability issue. Since these devices have built-in batteries, they can be heavier than wired mice.
Wired Mouse vs. Wireless Mouse: Pros & Cons
| Wired Mouse | Wireless Mouse | |
| Pros | More speed and accuracy, Simple to use (plug & play), Doesn’t need batteries, Less expensive, not affected by external factors | More convenient to use, Long-range, More versatile |
| Cons | Not very versatile, Less convenient, The cable can be a portability issue | Can run out of battery very quickly, Possible interference by external factors, Expensive, Can be heavy |
Is Wired or Wireless Mouse Better for FPS Games?
When playing first-person shooter games, a wired mouse is the best. A wireless mouse will have very little input latency that can make a difference when you need to shoot fast. This lag exists because wireless mice use radio transmissions.
On the other hand, wired mice are plug and play; the only thing they transmit is electricity. The speed of electricity is faster than radio transmission in electronics.
Do Pro Gamers Use Wired or Wireless Mice?
Most pro gamers opt for wired mice instead of wireless ones. They argue that wireless mice have latency and can occasionally have signal interference.
This rarely happens, especially with top wireless mice models, but pro gamers don’t want to take any chances.
Also, pro gamers spend long hours gaming and charging the mouse battery can be an annoyance. Pro gamers want to play without worrying about their mouse battery running out. Casual gamers can put up with all of these, but it’s a no for pro gamers.
Is Buying a Gaming Mouse Worth It?
A gaming mouse has many advantages over a regular mouse, making it a worthwhile investment.
If you’re looking for a more comfortable, more robust, more functional, and tailored for gaming performance, a gaming mouse is an excellent choice.
A gaming mouse offers more buttons, better grip, and a faster response time. It’s a must-have for serious gamers. Products from Corsair and Logitech last for years. Regular mice usually come with limited warranty terms and generally outlive them.
Since they’re built exclusively for gaming, gaming mice are usually super durable. Most gaming mice last for over ten years, and they still work fine, despite being outdated.
Final Verdict – Which Is Better?
Many gamers agree that a wired mouse is better than a wireless mouse for gaming for one reason, speed.
If you prioritize convenience and freedom to work from further distances, you should go for a wireless mouse. However, a wired mouse is an obvious choice if you want to perform quicker moves without connection issues.
A wired mouse will respond faster and more accurately than a wireless mouse as external factors can’t affect it.
Also, with wired mice, you don’t have to worry about charging batteries as they’re plug-and-play devices. You’ll also spend more money getting a wireless than a wired one.
Finally, while wireless mice have advantages like more convenience and versatility, they are less reliable in gaming than wired mice.
