How to Choose an Ergonomic Mouse?

What exactly is an ergonomic mouse? We must look into the differences between ergonomic and non-ergonomic mice to understand. 

What is an ergonomic comouter mouse?

An ergonomic mouse is designed in a way that helps you comfortably grip the mouse so you can avoid wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, or related injuries. 

An ergonomic mouse isn’t just about making the mouse better for your hand; it’s also about making it effective performance-wise. 

Imagine how much better you can feel when working with a mouse that doesn’t hurt your wrist, and your work efficiency is also not compromised.

What is the difference between an Ergonomic and a standard mouse?

Below is a table list of some key differences between ergonomic mice and standard mouse

Ergonomic Mouse vs Regular Mouse

Limitation of Ergonomic Mouse

Ergonomic mice are optimized for right-hand or left-hand use; you can’t use them with both hands; finger trackball mice are an exception. They can be used with both hands.

Vertical or inclined ergonomic mice are not ideal for pro-level gaming.

What Makes A Mouse Ergonomic?

There are three things that an ergonomic mouse should offer ease of movement, accuracy, and pronation avoidance.

Wrist Movement/position

An ergo mouse should minimize wrist movement by keeping the hand in a natural position. That is why most ergonomic mice are tilted to one side. The less pressure you put on your wrist will be better for your hand, especially for people who have carpal tunnel syndrome due to RSI.

Precision

The design of the mouse should not compromise productivity. An ergonomic mouse should be able to grip firmly to make precise movements.

Pronation

The posture of your forearm and wrist should be relaxed. Ergonomic mice make it possible to keep your arm in a natural position. So even if you work for prolonged hours, you don’t develop any hand pain in the long run.

Types of Ergonomic Mice

Before you choose an ergonomic mouse, you must understand the different types of ergonomic mice so you can select the ergonomic mouse that best suits your requirements. The below section describe the different type of ergonomic mice choices available.

Horizontal Ergonomic Mouse

The Horizontal type of ergonomic mouse is much like a standard mouse by its looks, making it easy to transition from a simple mouse to an ergonomic mouse. You will not feel much difference because the ergonomics are incorporated in a way so that it can keep the efficiency and productivity without going through a learning curve.

All the gaming ergonomic mice use a horizontal ergonomic mouse form factor. Because these ergonomic mice types don’t slow you down, and in the game, speed and perception matter a lot.

Horizontal mice have a special contoured shape that can accommodate fingers and provide better grip, so you put the least strain on your wrist. These mice also have a special thumb and little finger support to provide as much comfort as they can.

The horizontal ergonomic mice have the same buttons and functions as regular mice. Like the scroll wheel, the main two buttons, and, in some cases, depending on the model, some additional buttons.

Horizontal ergonomic mice offer the least benefit among all the available ergonomic mice. These are the best ergonomic mice for gaming.

Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

Unlike horizontal ergonomic mice, vertical mice have a completely different approach; they have vertical position rather than flat. This ergonomic approach in the ergonomic mouse gives your hand a more neutral position. When you hold an ergonomic vertical mouse, your hand posture resembles as if you are handshaking with someone. The mouse buttons are also vertically aligned with the same traditional mouse type arrangement.

You will also find several semi-vertical mice that are titled to a certain degree. Many of them also allow you to adjust the angle of the vertical mouse, so you can find the perfect title to work comfortably.

A vertical mouse puts the least strain on your wrist and keeps your wrist and forearm in a natural position but getting used to a vertical mouse takes time. Also, these mice are not ideal for professional-level gaming.

The vertical mouse is the best ergonomic mouse to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome caused by a repetitive strain injury.

Trackball Mouse

Trackball mice are great for users with troubling wrist pain. These mice don’t require you to move your wrist. You move the cursor using your fingers or thumb. There are two types of the trackball. Finger-operated trackball and thumb-operated trackball. Both mice have buttons and a scroll wheel, as standard mice have.

A finger trackball mouse is ambidextrous and can be used with either the left or right hand. You don’t need to move the mouse to operate a trackball mouse. Instead, a trackball on the mouse is used to move the cursor on the screen.

Trackball mice may seem easy to use, but it takes time to get used to them. Trackball mice provide superior ergonomics and pointer tracking accuracy.

Trackball mice are the best choice if your work requires precision and minute movements.

Pen Mouse or Graphics Tablet

With your index finger and thumb, you can hold a pen mouse just like a pencil. It has all the functions that a regular mouse has. A pen mouse has left and right buttons and a scroller. It uses an optical sensor to track the computer screen’s cursor position.

In the same way, a graphic tablet also has a pen stick that you can hold like a pen, and when you move the stylus (the pen) on the tablet, it sends location data to the computer.

The ability to hold it like a pen makes it ergonomic, and you can work for several hours without putting an unnecessary strain on your wrist. Pen or Graphic tablets are best for professionals like digital artists and teachers who teach online.

Joystick Mouse

A Joystick mouse is best suited for people with severe problems like trigger fingers or users who can’t grip the standard mouse properly due to weak hands. You hold it just like a gaming joystick and click the buttons with your fingers bent around the middle stick, and for tracking, you move it just like an optical mouse.

Joystick mouse seems much like a vertical mouse, but the main difference is how you grip it. Joystick mouse is an accessibility mouse for specific users with critical hand problems.

Alternative Mouse Options

Trackpad

You can use a trackpad, also known as a touchpad, instead of a mouse. You use your finger to move the pointer on the screen. A trackpad is essential for laptops, but you can also buy an external trackpad for your desktop computers.

The good thing about the touchpad is that you don’t have to grip anything to move the cursor, but you still have to move your wrist, which is fine because you do it without putting stress on your wrist. A trackpad is situated in the center under the keyboard, which keeps your posture more natural.

Roller Mouse

A Rollermouse is also an amazing mouse alternative that keeps your body’s position more natural. With a Rollermouse, you don’t have to stretch your hand as you do to grip a mouse. A Rollermouse is great for your wrist, arm, and shoulder because it allows you to share the workload with both hands.

It has all the functions a perfect ergonomic mouse has; you can also configure the additional buttons to perform specific tasks when pressed.

Things to consider for buying an ergonomic mouse

Every person has different needs. A single ergonomic mouse can’t be a perfect fit for everyone. In the below section will discuss things you should look for in an ergonomic mouse.

Ergonomic Design

The first thing you should decide is what ergonomic design you want or suits you. We have discussed above in detail the different ergonomic types of the mouse; you can read and select one that suits you.

Size of the Mouse

The size of the mouse plays an important role in an ergonomic mouse. A right mouse should be easy to hold; a mouse extra small or extra big would not help regardless the mouse is ergonomic. So size up your hand. Check out our hand size chart for mouse selection for more details.

Buttons

The button’s placement is also an important factor. Make sure that the mouse you buy has buttons arranged which are easy to access, and the mouse buttons should also be of good quality.

Wired or Wireless

I suggest you go for a wireless ergonomic mouse because a wireless mouse gives you more flexibility than a wired mouse. You can move around freely; a wireless mouse is easy to manage because you don’t have to deal with wire clutter. A Wireless mouse is more portable than a wired mouse. A wireless mouse gives the same performance as a wired mouse offers.

Conclusion

It’s important to have an ergonomic mouse to keep your hand safe from problems caused by RSI. We have given all possible information in this article. I hope you will find the information helpful and assist you in finding the right ergonomic mouse.