Wireless Mouse vs. Wired: Which Is Better?

MacBook Bluetooth Mouse

So, you’re in the market for a new computer mouse. You’re not sure if you should go with a tried and true wired mouse or the more flashy and ergonomic wireless mouse. To put it bluntly, both serve the same function but differ in terms of performance and convenience. It ultimately comes down to what you use your PC or laptop for and what exactly you prefer in a desktop setup. 

To help you figure out if you should go with a wireless mouse or wired, we wrote up a guide that compares the two. We’ll look at how each one works and what their advantages and disadvantages are and we’ll also give you our recommendations for the best wired and wireless mice available in 2022.  

So, without further ado, let’s dive in and find out which is better: wired or wireless mouse!  

Noticeable Differences Between Wired and Wireless Mice

When it comes to the differences between a wired and wireless mouse, there is an obvious relationship between convenience and performance. A wired mouse tends to offer better performance overall, but doesn’t have the same benefits of convenience and portability as a wireless mouse. A wireless mouse sacrifices a little performance for a more ergonomic and practical experience.

How Does Wireless Mouse Work?

A wireless mouse gives you the freedom to move over your desk without snags or other annoyances caused by a wire. The cordless mouse is connected to your device by either a Bluetooth or 2.4GHz RF connection. For the Bluetooth option, your PC or laptop will detect a wireless mouse with its Bluetooth antenna and will connect to it automatically once you have paired them via the Bluetooth settings. For 2.4GHz wireless mice, the connection to your device is established by a USB receiver which communicates with the mouse via 2.4GHz radio frequency. The USB receiver should be plugged into the USB-A port of your desktop computer or laptop and will usually work immediately.

Wireless mice offer a ton of benefits for any PC or laptop user, but not without a few setbacks. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of wireless mice and an idea of who can benefit most from them. 

Advantages of Wireless Mice

A wireless mouse offers the convenience of easy portability, use from a distance, and the ability to move the mouse freely over the desk without the restriction caused by a cord. They have a much more modern and sleek look to them and also help reduce desk clutter. All in all, their biggest advantage is that they are much more ergonomic and work task-friendly than a wired mouse. 

Disadvantages of Wireless Mice

A wireless mouse is not as fast and precise as a wired mouse, which doesn’t make them ideal for gaming. They also require battery replacement or charging; this can be annoying if you want to use it immediately and don’t have a replacement or rechargeable batteries, or time to charge it. 

That being said, the issue of wireless mice and battery life can be pretty easily solved by getting a cordless mouse with a docking station. Just return the mouse back to its docking station after use and you won’t have to worry about it dying on you the next time you use it.

One last disadvantage of wireless mice is they need a USB receiver. If you forget to unplug the wireless mouse connector from your laptop for transportation, the USB port will be more susceptible to damage. Once I forgot to remove the wireless mouse connector from the port before putting my laptop in its bag and I lost complete use of one of my laptop's three USB ports.

How Does Wired Mouse Work?

A wired mouse is the definition of a “plug-and-play” device. Simply plug the USB cable into a USB port on your laptop or desktop computer and you’re good to go. It is powered directly by the host device via the USB connection and only allows you to move your mouse according to the length of the cable. 

Now let’s take a closer look at what the pros and cons of a wired mouse are and to whom they are best suited. 

Advantages of Wired Mice

A wired mouse offers a faster, more reliable scrolling and clicking experience, which generally makes them better for gaming. They are less expensive than their wireless counterparts and don’t require charging or batteries.

Disadvantages of Wired Mice

The most obvious disadvantage of using a wired mouse is the restriction of movement caused by the wire. This is especially troublesome if your desk is particularly busy with cables, paperwork, and other computer peripherals. Your desk space just won't look or feel as neat and tidy if you use a wired mouse.  

Desk clutter can be more easily managed with the use of mouse bungees. Mouse bungees are devices that secure the wire of the mouse to allow for more freedom of movement and less tangling and snagging.

However, mouse bungees will only do so much to provide freedom of movement; you will still be restricted by the length of the cable. In order to experience complete freedom of movement with a mouse, you got to go with a wireless mouse.

Bottom Line: Are Wired Mouses Better Than Wireless? 

In order to determine which is better for you: a wireless mouse or wired, it really comes down to if you use a laptop or desktop computer and if you primarily use it for gaming or for work. The bottom line is that wired mice are better for people who game on either their desktop PC or laptop because of their superior speed, accuracy, and response time. A wireless mouse is better for people who primarily use their laptop or desktop PC for work because it provides a more organized and ergonomic workspace and tends to give a more modern look to the office as well. Wireless mice are also better for people who tend to travel with their work because they are much more portable and won’t give you any cable management issues.

So, with that said, check out some of our best wireless and wired mice recommendations.

Best Wireless Mice Recommendations

• Logitech MX Master 3S. With an ergonomic design which facilitates comfort and work productivity as well as two different color options to match your set up, the Logitech MX Master 3S is one of the best wireless computer mice currently available. This handy little unit can be used via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz USB receiver connection and is compatible with Logitech Unifying technology, so it can be connected to the same receiver as your other Logitech wireless devices.

• OMOTON Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse. This wireless keyboard and mouse combo is the best duo for laptop and tablet users alike. Made of premium quality materials, both the keyboard and mouse are sturdy and lightweight, which makes them ideal for taking your work with you on the go. The silent mouse buttons deliver a responsive, comfortable, and quiet clicking experience - perfect for offices, coffee shops, and burning the midnight oil. 

• Razer Viper V2 Pro. Typically, it’s best for gamers to use a wired mouse as they are faster and more accurate, but this wireless mouse is the exception. The Razer Viper V2 Pro uses a Focus Pro 30k sensor which ensures speed and precision for fast-paced games - it’s been proven to be 25% faster than any other wireless mice on the market. This gaming wireless mouse is also lightweight and designed for comfortable and lengthy gaming sessions with an impressive battery life of over 80 hours.

Best Wired Mice Recommendations

• Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse. If you need a mouse for both work and gaming on your desktop computer, then this Microsoft mouse is a great option for you. It has a comfortable and ergonomic design ideal for work and yet, it also has that right amount of weightiness and grip that a gaming mouse should have.

• Dell MS819. Dell has always been a reliable manufacturer of work-oriented computer accessories. This computer mouse not only has a unique and modern design and feel, it also comes with some equally special features, such as the fingerprint reader which logs you into your computer just like your phone would.  

• Razer Basilisk V3. It’s a well-known fact that Razer produces some of the best accessories for PC gaming, and that includes mice. This particular model is the fastest mouse currently available, with a hasty 5ms that easily trounces the competition. Another thing you’ll notice right off the bat is how heavy this mouse is. That may sound like a bad thing, but don’t knock it before you try it. There’s just something about a heavier mouse for gaming that just adds more weight and intensity to every action you perform in games, whether it is filling your enemies full of lead or selecting that ending-altering dialogue option. Wrap all this up with this mouse’s fantastic feeling design and grip that promotes healthy wrist posture and you’ve got one hell of a gaming mouse!