The Best Uses for a Vertical Mouse

Picture shaking someone’s hand, and you’ll understand how it feels to hold a vertical mouse. This mouse design has been around since 1994, when Jack Lo introduced it as an alternative to the classic mouse everyone knows.

Created to improve hand ergonomics, the vertical mouse is becoming increasingly popular with casual users. But is this design truly superior to a conventional mouse, or does it fill only a specific niche? Keep reading to find out.

Managing Arthritis Pains

People suffering from arthritis tend to have a difficult time using a traditional mouse in long work sessions. Joint inflammations make twisting, stretching, and general strain on the wrist even more unbearable.

But since many have to use a mouse when working on a computer, users need a way around this.

This is where a vertical mouse comes into play. Its ergonomic vertical design gives users an optimal grip angle. It prevents wrist pronation, allows the fingers to rest while using the device, and the larger buttons are much easier to click.

Therefore, many of the movements that would be difficult to perform when suffering from arthritis won’t be necessary to operate a vertical mouse.

Long-Term Injury Prevention

Using a mouse might not seem like a big issue for most people. But users rarely think about the repetitive motions involved and their role in their well-being.

When using a mouse, you have to rotate your elbow and shoulder. At the same time, you twist the forearm and stretch your fingers to grip the device, use its buttons, and scroll the wheel.

While this may not seem like a big deal, operating a traditional mouse puts constant tension on your wrist and joints. The problem with this is the repetition.

Similar to how keyboard use has been linked to causing carpal tunnel syndrome, the movements required to work a traditional mouse may also lead to this syndrome or something called a repetitive strain injury.

Both conditions may eventually lead to chronic pain in your wrists, hands, elbows, forearms, and even shoulders. Furthermore, working in a mentally-demanding field or profession could also lead to experiencing increased muscular activity.

Although you probably won’t notice this between one day and the next, your joints and tendons will deteriorate over time. At one point, using a traditional mouse or performing other day-to-day tasks will feel uncomfortable. By then, it’s usually too late to stop the damage.

Of course, you could switch to a vertical mouse to minimize the pain. But one of the best uses for a vertical mouse is actually preventing carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injury from setting in.

Working on Basic Tasks

There’s an argument to be made about the superiority of a vertical mouse in any field, whether you’re browsing, gaming, or doing graphic design.

One of the best uses for a vertical mouse, however, is in regular, casual activities. While that might not sound intuitive, there’s a good reason for it.

Most people have years of experience using a traditional mouse. If you’re an accomplished programmer, gamer, or graphic artist, switching over to a vertical mouse can be challenging and time-consuming. This can negatively impact your work during the transition.

The learning curve gets steeper depending on the complexity of the tasks and movements you perform. But if all you need to do is work on documents, select folders, write emails, and browse websites, it’s worth switching to a vertical mouse.

Even these tasks can unnecessarily strain your joints, muscles, and tendons over time.

Luckily, the mild learning curve for managing day-to-day tasks will help you transition to the new device faster.

Minimizing Desk Clutter and Increasing Productivity

There are plenty of traditional wireless mice to choose from on the market. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t many people who still use wired mice and keyboard setups at work or at their home offices.

The reason is quite simple. Wired alternatives are guaranteed not to lag and are cheaper to buy.

However, managing wires and multiple wired devices can eventually add to the clutter. If you want to keep your desk looking clean, going full wireless is the way to do it.

By default, vertical mice don’t have wires because they’re designed for ergonomic purposes. So, going this route will leave you no option but to commit to a wireless setup.

Furthermore, the less clutter you see, the easier it will be to focus on your tasks. This will boost your productivity and make you a more efficient worker.

Besides, you’ll also work with a device that prevents common injuries, which will lead to less downtime. If you don’t have to take as many breaks or days off, you’ll finish your work on time, regardless of the project.

A vertical mouse is a solid choice for the office and at home, if you need a boost in productivity and more usable desk space.

Add Some Style to Your Setup

A vertical mouse looks significantly different than a traditional mouse. This means that not all uses are performance or health-related. Sometimes a vertical mouse can simply be a stylistic choice for your office setup.

Its futuristic aesthetics can make a big difference in terms of office design and help you display a more professional, modern vibe.

This can impact your well-being and make a better impression on clients, coworkers, employees, or employers. If you want to go a different route with your office design, a vertical mouse can be one of the most impactful and noticeable upgrades.

Designed for Ultimate Convenience

Gripping a vertical mouse for the first time will feel strange. Even performing casual tasks can seem difficult to the point where you might find the device unnecessary.

But the benefits will reveal themselves after you take the time to adapt to the new hand positioning and movements. There are many reasons why most ergonomic mice feature vertical mice designs. They’re the most convenient and safest to minimize strain, prevent injuries, and boost your productivity.

What do you think about the vertical mouse? Is this design too niche, or should it become mainstream and benefit all users? Share your thoughts with us and any vertical mouse experiences in the comments section below.