When thinking about upgrading your computer, it is easy to ignore the mouse. A computer mouse is one of the essential pieces of your computer’s hardware. It is good to upgrade it once in a while to have a good experience while using your computer. Replacing your computer mouse can help your play and work time and prevent damage to your fingers and wrists. Read on and find out what you should know when buying a mouse on a budget.

[rating:5333df9e-12a5-4566-88bd-5b42c49ef317]

How to Choose a Mouse

When choosing a mouse, be keen on the following features.

Shape

A mouse is more than just numbers and specifications. Its shape is equally important, which is dependent on how you use the mouse. Some laptop mice are small, making them portable, while those used on desktops are heavier and larger. The way you grip your mouse is also a factor; some use their fingers while others use the palm to operate the mouse. People who use the little or ring finger and the thumb should go for a low-profile mouse. Those who rest their entire palm on the mouse should choose a bulky mouse when looking for a budget mouse.

Quality of feel and buttons

When using a laptop or a desktop computer, you interact more with mouse buttons. Every mouse click has a distinct sound and feel. It is good to test how the mouse feels on your hand before buying one. Also, check the quality of the button to avoid running into wear and tear issues later on. A common problem with mouse buttons is erratic clicking. Gamers play better with mice that have more buttons. The response time is also crucial as it can determine if a player wins or loses a game.

How to Test a Mouse

Click all the mouse buttons and check if they light up.
Point the mouse cursor at an illustration and turn the scroll wheel up and down.
Check if arrows on the illustration light up.

If all the buttons light up, it means that your mouse is working and it has registered its clicks.

Things to Consider when Buying a Mouse on a Budget

When looking for a good cheap mouse, do not settle for a lousy mouse because you are on a budget. Cheap mice can also be of quality, just like those sold at a higher price.

Consider the following when shopping for the best budget mice.

Optical vs. Laser Mouse

The most popular types of mice are laser and optical mice. The difference between them is a variation in technology. An optical mouse reflects off the surface using LED light, while a laser mouse tracks movement using a laser. Optical mice work well on opaque and flat surfaces, and laser mice can function on many types of surfaces, including glass.

Wired vs. Wireless

A wireless mouse is more comfortable as it does not limit your range of movement; hence, travel-friendly. However, wireless mice are less responsive, which is frustrating if you need quick responses. Furthermore, wireless mice sometimes interfere with nearby wireless devices, and they operate on batteries making them unreliable when the batteries run out.

On the other hand, mice that use cables are easy to plug and use and cheaper. Therefore, when choosing a mouse, choose between convenience and comfort.

Consider your Needs

There are specialist mice that are specifically designed for specific tasks. One of them is the travel mouse. It is a wireless mouse, which is primarily affordable and replaceable if you lose one. They have two or three buttons that are shrunk for compactness. If you spend most of your time on the road, a travel mouse is ideal for you as it fits in tight spaces; hence it is easy to carry around. If you are a gamer, choose a mouse specially made for gaming with special in-built features to suit gaming needs.

buymouse