Wired vs Wireless Mouse: Which Is better for you?

When gaming, wired mice used to be the clear winner. High latency and other connection issues plagued wireless mice. The direct data transfer of a corded mouse proved to be too much for older wireless technologies. Let’s examine the pros and cons of Wired vs Wireless Mouse

Gaming peripheral manufacturers’ advancements in wireless technology have leveled the playing field between wireless and wired gaming mice. Because according to companies like Logitech, most wireless mice can match their cabled counterparts in terms of speed and performance. This essay will examine the pros and cons of wired versus wireless mouse mice.

In 2016, with the introduction of Logitech’s G900 Chaos Spectrum, the performance gap between wired and wireless mice began to close. The G900 was one of the first wireless gaming mice that could effectively compete with wired gaming mice in speed and performance.

Since then, technology has progressed, and some popular mice, such as the Logitech G Pro, Corsair Harpoon, and Razer Viper, are available in wired and wireless configurations without sacrificing performance.

Many esports professionals utilize wireless mice, although some say they cannot compete with wired mice. This misperception will soon alter as wireless mice become the norm in competitive gaming environments.

Wired Mouse

In most gaming circles, wired mice are still more popular than wireless mice since they are more reliable and practical. Despite their age, some wired mice offer functions that wireless mice do not have. Although wireless mice are the future, wired mice get access to the most recent improvements well before their cable-free counterparts.

The positive side of Wired Mouse

• Convenience, No Battery required: Wireless mice are straightforward to use because they are plug-and-play. Insert the cord into a USB port, and your mouse will function. Wired mice are an excellent solution for individuals who want to get into the game quickly without worrying about batteries or losing the wireless transmitter.
• Price: When it comes to price, there is no comparison. Because they require less gear to function, wired mice are always less expensive than wireless mice. However, the future of wireless mice appears bright, and the price disparity will likely reduce as the technology becomes more widely available.
• Fast speeds: The best wired and wireless mice have similar speeds, the only variation being the mouse you choose. The wired G Pro and G Pro Wireless from Logitech have a one-millisecond reaction time and use the same 25,600 DPI sensor.

SteelSeries makes wired and wireless versions of its Aerox and Rival 3 models. All of these mice have a one-millisecond response time. Where these mice differ in their sensors. The wired models of each mouse have a higher 18,000 CPI sensor, but the wireless versions only go up to 8,500 CPI. In both cases, the wireless models are much more expensive than the wired version.

Razer introduced the wired Viper 8KHz in early 2021. It’s the world’s first mouse with an 8,000Hz polling rate. The high polling rate means the mouse communicates 8,000 times a second with the PC, translating to a 0.125 millisecond response time. Its wireless counterpart, the Viper Ultimate, has a one-millisecond, more extended range, and a 1,000Hz polling rate. Although the Viper Ultimate is technically slower than the 8KHz, it’s still on par with most top-of-the-range gaming mice.

These examples prove that wired and wireless mice are mostly neck and neck regarding response time. If more companies adopt an 8,000Hz polling rate, wired mice may hold onto their crown longer.

The negative side of Wired Mouse

• Not Much Comfortable: The cable is the most significant disadvantage of connected mice. Cable drag can make using the mouse uncomfortable, and undesired friction can impair your game response time. Mouse bungees are available from companies like BenQ ZOWIE and Glorious to prevent cable drag. However, they raise the overall cost of wired gaming mice.
• Durability is lower than wireless: The cable is the weakest link in a wired mouse and can easily break. If you travel regularly, wired mice are not a suitable alternative because the cord is prone to snags and tangled in transportation. A mouse with a detachable cord, on the other hand, eliminates this problem. Detachable cables are usually simple to replace if they get damaged or misplaced.
• Range restrictions: The length of the cable on a wired mouse dictates how far you may sit from your PC. A wired mouse is a poor choice if you sit far away from your computer or have it connected to a TV. Of course, the limited range isn’t an issue for competitive gamers who like to sit closer to their monitors.

Wireless Mouse

Wireless mice are used less frequently than wired mice in professional play, but the gap is progressively closing. Older gaming mice frequently use a Bluetooth connection, which causes considerable lag and connection problems. Modern wireless gaming mice operate at 2.4GHz, allowing a substantially greater 1,000Hz polling rate than some Bluetooth mice. Although wired mice continue to rule the roost, the tide is progressively turning as technology develops.

The positive side of Wireless Mouse

• Much more comfortable than wired ones: Wireless gaming mice provide improved comfort that wired mice do not. When manipulating the mouse, there is no cable drag or resistance, giving your hand considerably more mobility. The freedom of movement translates into smoother tracking and faster flicks while playing.
• More excellent range: Modern wireless mice have a more extended range, making them ideal if you sit far away from your screen or have your PC connected to a TV. An extender cable might help you improve your wireless connection if you sit far away from your PC. One end of the extension cable connects to the PC, and the other connects to your USB receiver. Most wireless mice come with an extender cord, which we can also purchase separately.
• Better Speed: The speed differential between wired and wireless mice is no longer a factor. The best wireless mouse can keep up with their wired counterparts. Signal interference is less of an issue, but it depends on the mouse.

Top gaming mouse manufacturers use technology such as Hyperspeed and Lightspeed to reduce interference. Razer employs its own Hyperspeed technology, which allows the mouse to move between wireless frequencies to avoid interference.

Logitech’s Lightspeed technology keeps response times under one millisecond and the connection reliable. Both systems guarantee that the mice in their respective lineups have the quickest response speeds with no latency.

The negative side of Wireless Mouse

Battery Power: All wireless mice need new batteries. Some wireless mice utilize rechargeable batteries; others use replaceable batteries. Whatever your choice, the batteries may run out while playing.

Many wireless mice have a USB cord to charge while playing. The USB cable prevents battery death but adds cable drag. Overall, battery life can be a problem. Some wireless mice use cheap, easy-to-replace AA batteries, like Logitech’s G305. High-end mice like the G502 Lightspeed use pricey lithium-polymer batteries that are non-replaceable.

Expensive: Wireless gaming mice are always more expensive than their wired counterparts. Given the improved technology, the higher cost is unavoidable. Wireless mice are also expensive because of transmitters and extension wires. Some manufacturers sell charging ports separately, raising the price of wireless mice even higher.

Weight: Weight Batteries make wireless gaming mice heavier. If you prefer heavier mice, this isn’t an issue, but if you want the lightest mouse possible, you’ll have to choose a wired option. Again, this is dependent on the mouse you select.

The wired Razer Viper weighs 69 grams, whereas the Viper Ultimate weighs 74 grams. Logitech’s G Pro wireless weighs 80 grams less than the G Pro wired, which weighs 85 grams.

Receiver: Wireless mice often connect through USB. If the receiver is lost, We must replace the whole set. Mice handle this problem by separating the receiver.

You protect the receiver for other mice. Logitech’s receivers allow many peripherals to work on a single receiver. The G Pro Wireless C-U0008 receiver may support up to six devices at once and is sold separately.

Signal interference: Many surrounding devices can interfere with wireless mice’s signals. Wireless mice from Razer and Logitech aren’t affected. These mice scan many channels to avoid interference.

Final Word of Wired vs Wireless Mouse

The speeds and features are similar if you compare the best-wired vs wireless mouse for gaming. There’s no clear-cut answer to which one is best, and the final decision depends on your preferences and budget.