In today’s digital age, a computer mouse is a necessity for most people, whether you’re a gamer, a business professional, or just someone who browses the internet. But a high price tag doesn’t necessarily guarantee the best mouse for your needs. In fact, there are numerous budget-friendly options that offer excellent performance and features.
This article aims to guide you through the important factors to consider when buying a low-cost mouse, from design to functionality.
Let’s take a look!
How to Find the Best Deal on a Mouse on Amazon?
First, we want to point out a little bit about how Amazon works. Their website is setup to crawl the internet, and automatically price-match other retailers to provide the lowest price available online after factoring in the cost of shipping. Pricing is dynamic and constantly changing.
Beyond automatically price matching products advertised online, they can also adjust pricing based on how many units are in stock. This is why you will sometimes see different colored versions of the same product listed at different price points.
The final thing to know is that companies who sell products on Amazon also control the ability to offer coupons and additional discounts.
Because Amazon pricing is highly dynamic and can change rapidly, we recommend price shopping a few different models to ensure that you are getting a good price. The models listed in this article are under $10 USD as of writing, but prices are subject to change at any point in time.
Best USB Mouse for Work from Home under $10
There are several great options for simple low-cost mouse options for business and productivity. If you have worked in an office, you may have already used one. Brands like Dell and Logitech have been producing quality products for years. While companies like Dell tend to ship peripherals bundled with their computers, you can also buy them directly from retailers like Amazon at an affordable price.
These are two of our favorite Wired USB Mouse Options Under $10
The Logitech M90 is beautifully generic. It’s a classic design that’s been around for years. If you ask someone to imagine what a computer mouse looks like more than likely this is. It has been designed with basic features, aimed at general computer users who require a no-frills, reliable mouse for daily tasks. The M90 includes standard features like left and right-click buttons, as well as a scroll wheel.
Best USB Mouse for Business under $10
The Dell MS116 and other Dell peripherals are staples of the corporate workplace. If you’ve worked at any decent sized company that uses Dell computers, it’s likely that you’ve already used one of these and didn’t even know it. These devices will seamlessly blend into the workplace are well built and won’t break the bank.
Dell mice have a moderate weight, well rounded edges and have a great feel in hand even. They’re comfortable for people with large hands and can easily switch between left- and right-handed users.
Best Wireless Mouse under $10
Tecknet Wireless Mouse with 6 Buttons and Adjustable DPI
The Tecknet Wireless mouse comes in 8 different color options, has several programmable buttons for quick actions or gaming and boasts adjustable DPI which changes the responsiveness of the mouse on different surfaces. It’s one of the few mouses available at this price point that are wireless, and once you add in all of the additional features it makes it a great deal.
Best USB-C Mouse Under $10
This Lenovo USB-C mouse is the perfect mouse to connect to Ultrabooks and thin laptops that don’t support a full sized USB port. USB-C has become ubiquitous these days and the venerable USB-A port which most people are familiar with as the large rectangular port that most peripherals have connected to for years. The mouse is full sized and comes in 5 different color options.
Best Gaming Mouse Under $10
RaceGT Wired 6 Button Mouse with 3600 DPI and RGB Lighting
At a price point below $10, we would look for a wired USB gaming mouse with adjustable DPI. Models at this price point won’t go as low as premium models from brands like Razer, but the adjustability gives you more control when switching between gaming styles like an FPS vs an RPG where different DPI settings are desired.
The wired USB connection will tend to have lower latency when the mouse transfers information to the computer compared to a low-priced wireless model.
The RaceGT mouse is ambidextrous meaning that it can be used equally well if you are left or right handed. It also includes RGB lighting which can be set to match the color of your other gaming peripherals.
Should You Buy a USB or Wireless Mouse?
Wired USB mice will give you the lowest price point, but there are some wireless and portable options that you should consider. We like USB mice for their ease of use, and ease of moving between computers if you’re frequently switching between them. They also have the benefit of not requiring any batteries. There’s nothing more annoying that a mouse that runs out of battery at the wrong time.
A Wireless mouse on the other hand can be easier to use depending on your desk setup. With no cord connected to the mouse it provides a greater range of motion. They are quick and easy to throw into a bag if you work remotely or from a coffee shop, and most models today only require a single AAA or AA battery to provide power for several months at a time with moderate use.
Wireless models come in two varieties. Bluetooth connections that work similar to Air pods and most wireless accessories these days, or with a USB nano receiver. It’s a small device that plugs into your USB port and sticks out about a quarter of an inch that provides wireless connectivity.
Mouse Features to Consider
It can be surprising that there are so many great mouse options to consider at this price point. Especially when a McDonalds combo meal in many cities around the United States are well above $10. For us, it’s great news because we can actually have options and there are a number of features that you should assess before making a final purchasing decision.
Build Quality
Why it Matters:
Build quality speaks not only to the expected duration or longevity of the mouse, but also how comfortable the mouse will feel in your hand. Models that cut corners on build quality will give users a poor experience, rough edges, or feel awkward in their hand.
Advice:
Read the critical reviews of products prior to purchasing them. Look for a significant number of reviews where people specifically call out whether they received a model that felt cheap, had sharp edges, or didn’t last a reasonable amount of time.
Ambidextrous Mouse
Why it Matters:
An ambidextrous mouse is designed to be used by both left- and right-handed individuals. These models are symmetrically shaped, allowing for a comfortable grip regardless of your dominant hand.
Advice:
If you’re left-handed or share a computer with someone who is, an ambidextrous mouse is an excellent choice. Brands like Logitech and Dell offer affordable ambidextrous options that don’t compromise on quality. Just be sure to read customer reviews to ensure comfort and durability.
DPI (Dots Per Inch)
Why it Matters:
DPI measures the mouse’s sensitivity. A higher DPI allows for greater cursor speed, while a lower DPI provides more precise control.
Advice:
Most budget-friendly mice offer adjustable DPI settings, allowing you to tailor the experience to your liking. For general computer use, a DPI range of 800 to 1600 is often sufficient. However, if you’re into gaming or graphic design, you may want a mouse with a wider DPI range.
Weight
Why it Matters:
The weight of the mouse can affect how comfortably you can use it for extended periods. Some people prefer a lighter mouse for quicker movements, while others like a bit of heft for stability.
Advice:
Make sure to check the product specifications for the weight before you buy. Some models also come with adjustable weights, providing you with more control over the feel of the mouse.
Number of Buttons
Why it Matters:
Extra buttons can be programmed for different functions, such as navigating web pages or setting macros in gaming.
Advice:
For general use, a mouse with the standard two buttons plus a scroll wheel should be sufficient. If you require more functionality, look for a model with additional programmable buttons. Unless you have a specific need for more buttons we would caution the average work from home or business user from purchasing one. It can be too easy to accidentally push one of the extra buttons and create more work for yourself.
Warranty and Customer Support
Why it Matters:
Nobody cares about warranties and customer support until something breaks. No-name and obscure brands that only sell online are hit or miss when it comes to support. Some will actively work to ensure a good experience and address bad reviews on sites like Amazon and others are unreachable.
Advice:
Purchase from a name brand with an established history whenever possible if you’re concerned with the potential need for Customer Support. If the product is at a low enough price point, you may want to roll the dice and be okay if it has poor quality it breaks outside of a return period.
Buying a Used Mouse Locally or Online
Why it Matters:
Buying a used mouse can be a great way to save money, but it’s essential to ensure the product is in good condition.
Advice:
If you prefer to buy locally, thrift stores and electronics recycling centers can be good places to find used mice. Always test the mouse before making a purchase when possible. Online, websites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are popular platforms to find used computer peripherals. However, these products quickly become more expensive when you add in additional shipping charges.
Is the Amazon Basics 3-Button USB Mouse any Good?
The Amazon Basics 3 Button USB Mouse promises brand name performance at bargain prices. It has over 76,000 reviews with an average of 4.6 stars and can often be found for around $7 making it one of the lease expensive options from a big brand name that money can buy.
We may have gotten a bad model, but the one we purchased had hard plastic edges that rubbed our fingers whenever we moved the mouse around making for a poor tactile experience. The mouse was also extremely light weight and made it difficult to accurately pick up and move around compared to other mice.
Our experience might be an outlier with all of the good reviews on Amazon, but from our single experience we would recommend looking elsewhere for a bargain priced mouse.
Conclusion
With so many great options on the market under $10 that can be delivered directly to your door, you have to question whether it’s worth paying more. Consider who will be using the mouse, and which features are most important to you prior to purchasing. All of the peripherals listed would work great in a business environment, working from home, or for casual use.
If you plan on using a mouse primarily for gaming and fast paced first person shooters, we recommend looking for higher end pre-owned models or consider higher price points.
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