Home PC Components and Peripherals The Best Mouse for Graphic Designers in 2022
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As a graphic designer, you want to establish a strong first impression on any possible clients and go above and beyond what is expected of you. However, the quality of your work will suffer if the technology you’re utilizing to produce those pieces of art is outdated. Both you and your client will likely be aware of it. While we are often aware of the need to upgrade obvious components like the monitor or GPU, don’t forget about the little guy most people just neglect, the mouse.
Like the headphones that come with your new smartphone, they function perfectly, but you are aware that there are better options available. Regardless many choose to use the lesser ones out of convenience. The mouse is one of the most important parts of your setup.
Why then would you utilize the standard wire and plastic that your computer ships with when there are so many other options? If you don’t know where to start, or you’re worried about picking the wrong one, we have rounded up some of the best mice for graphic designers like you. Take a look at this list.
Thanks to a plethora of useful features, such as a scroll wheel that can switch between smooth and ratcheted motion, a thumb wheel for other functions, a plethora of programmable buttons, and the ability to switch between three wireless connections, Logitech’s MX Master series has long been the gold standard for productivity mice. The Logitech MX Master 3S differs from its direct predecessor, the MX Master 3, only in that it uses a Logi Bolt dongle rather than a Logitech Unifying receiver, has quieter (but less tactile) switches, and has an 8,000 DPI sensor as opposed to a 4,000 DPI one.
However, the Logitech MX Master 3S is the best wireless mouse for productivity mainly because of what it keeps from the previous model: a great hand-friendly grip, solid construction, Logitech’s Flow software for moving your pointer between different devices, and a ton of customization options thanks to Logitech’s potent Options+ app.
This mouse is difficult to beat if you’re looking for one that helps you code, edit films, crop images, or simply get things done. Working with the Logitech MX Master 3S is a delight. It’s easy to accomplish more thanks to its comfortable grip, electromagnetic scroll wheel, thumb wheel, and excellent sensor.
On nearly any surface, even glass, the Darkfield sensor operates without issue. Navigation was equally precise when I used it on top of a glass tablet screen as it was when I used a mousepad. The sensor has a range of 200 to 8,000 DPI, which is double that of the MX Master 3’s 4,000 DPI. The mouse, however, defaults to 1,000 DPI (just like it did on the MX Master 3), so you must modify it in the Logi Options+ app before you actually see a difference.
Magnetic scroll wheel switches from smooth to ratchetHighly customizable via softwareSwitches between up to 3 devicesGreat build rubberized feel
Device switching button on the bottomPolarizing button feelThumb button was awkwardly placed
The Apple Magic Mouse’s relatively low battery life was one of the main complaints among Mac users. However, the Magic Mouse 2, now included as standard equipment with all new iMacs from Apple, features rechargeable batteries and fool-proof pairing procedures. It’s unquestionably an improvement over the previous version, even though it costs more.
The Magic Mouse 2 has the same white, polycarbonate, arched profile as the Apple Magic Mouse when compared side by side. It is 0.85 inches tall, which is 0.1 inches shorter than the previous model and barely noticeable. It also weighs 3.52 ounces more than the previous model. It tracks as smoothly as the previous Magic Mouse, thanks to the pair of low-friction strips it rests on.
The Mac’s System Preferences allow you to change the sensitivity and tracking of the optical sensor at the bottom, which responds swiftly to motions. Swiping left and right between browser pages, up and down between full-screen apps, and bringing up Mission Control with a double-tap of two fingers are all simple multitouch commands.
On the touch-sensitive surface of the mouse, regular scrolling and right-clicking are both available, and you can enable or disable each of these functions, making it great for graphic designers. The Apple Magic Mouse 2 has rechargeable batteries but has the same appearance and feel as its predecessor. However, its simplistic style might not be appealing to everyone, and the Lightning port isn’t in an ideal location, being on the belly of the mouse, so you can’t use it while it charges.
Rechargeable battery.Multitouch surface.Good for both left- and right-handed use.Automatically pairs with Macs via Bluetooth.Ships with Lightning-to-USB cable
Requires OS X El Capitan or later.Cannot use the mouse while it is charging.Shallow design doesn't fill the curve of your hand.
One of the most underestimated mice on the market is the SteelSeries Sensei, and it’s unclear why people give it such a poor rating. It has a sophisticated design, top-notch software, and complete ambidextrous support, which is more than most recent mice can claim.
With two sets of thumb buttons, RGB backlighting, and a more ergonomic grip than ever, the SteelSeries Sensei 310 puts a fresh spin on an established standard of our best gaming mouse page. SteelSeries has even reduced the cost of the accessory by about $30 compared to the previous model. The Sensei 310 may not be the pinnacle of ambidextrous gaming mice, but it certainly comes close.
The Sensei 310 is powered by the SteelSeries Engine 3 software, which is still among the best available for managing gaming peripherals. You may change the DPI, manage the RGB lighting, program buttons, make customized game profiles, and more using the Engine. Although it’s not legally required to use the software, it does what it’s designed to do and doesn’t require a lot of resources.
Both the scroll wheel and the SteelSeries logo on the palm rest have complete RGB lighting options. The ability to connect it with other SteelSeries peripheral lighting is a nice touch; however, it’s hardly a game-changing feature. For some reason, the standard red-blue-green pattern isn’t available as a preset, so if you want it back, you’ll either have to create it yourself or entirely reset a profile.
Excellent designGreat performanceReasonable priceFully ambidextrous
Only two DPI settingsSome lighting oddities
Graphic designers spend a lot of time working on their projects, so you will need a mouse that will not strain your wrist. This is where the Anker 2.4G comes into the picture. This vertical mouse has a unique design that might be really helpful to your wrist. It can lessen hand strain and pressure without affecting the mouse’s functionality.
The Anker 2.4G Wireless Mouse takes some getting used to, but once you do, you can benefit from all that the Anker design has to offer. You can choose between three DPI levels to start: 800, 1200, and 1600. Additionally, there are three levels of sensitivity, giving you a wide range of adjustments to choose from.
The Anker 2.4G Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse falters a little bit in terms of design. While it’s strong overall, there are some problems if you break it down into its component elements. It’s not truly Bluetooth like the Apple Magic Mouse, but rather it uses a USB dongle to connect to the computer. It requires 2 AAA batteries, which are not even included with the mouse, and last but not least, it can only be used by right-handed people; left-handed people cannot use it.
Here’s the best part: the design. Have you ever seen vertical mice? Although it has an odd appearance, that was done on purpose. Its ergonomic layout is intended to lessen cramping and ease the pressure. That is a blessing if you have carpal tunnel syndrome! The scroll wheel is intuitive to use as well, and there are two more buttons situated in the curve next to your thumb.
Ergonomic design alleviates pressure on jointsSensitivity optionsExcellent pricing
Uses a USB receiver to connect wirelesslyLimited to right handed individuals
The Logitech MX Vertical Advanced Ergonomic mouse blends ergonomic design with distinctive customizability. If you want a vertical format and Logitech’s renowned productivity capabilities, this is a good option.
The Logitech MX Vertical’s most appealing feature is its ergonomic shape. The mouse’s 57-degree tilt keeps your wrist in a more natural position, which theoretically reduces muscle movement by 10%. Both the thumb nook and the palm rest have non-slip surfaces.
There are three buttons—a left, a right, and a scroll wheel—on the top. Above the thumb nook, there are two more, configurable buttons, and there is a third customizable button on top. The ergonomic design of Logitech’s MX Vertical is its key selling point. As a result, it’s important to assess whether this will actually make your wrists feel less tense or more comfortable. How you use the mouse and how you hold your wrist will determine if the vertical angle reduces pain.
The MX Vertical might be a slightly more comfortable posture even if it is unlikely to alleviate any chronic discomfort. On the other hand, the vertical design prevents you from resting your wrist on your desk when using a mouse. In fact, you could find this arrangement less cozy. In the end, it comes down to personal preference and may require some trial and error. The ability to customize buttons based on which application you’re using is a helpful feature, which can increase workflow and productivity. This feature is best suited for specialized users, such as people who work with software and graphic design.
Ergonomic vertical designPrecision and speedCustomizable features
ExpensiveSome software issuesEasy-to-lose USB dongle
The DeathAdder serves as the foundation of Razer’s peripheral range. It is a straightforward right-handed, wired gaming mouse with a distinctive top shell. With the exception of a scaled-down Essential model released in 2018 and the company’s announcement that it had sold 10 million units overall, the franchise mouse hasn’t had a significant update since the DeathAdder Elite in 2016.
The updated DeathAdder V2 incorporates some of the latest technology Razer has recently released, such as the incredibly strong Focus+ optical sensor, infrared optical switches, and a dedicated profile-switching button on the mouse’s bottom. Although they don’t include any new, game-changing features that make the V2 stand out, these changes make a device that can compete with any other mainstream mouse.
It is a wired mouse, which can be a bit of an inconvenience for some, but it’s still a really good mouse. It features 20,000 DPI and a 650 IPS tracking speed. It also comes with 8 buttons that you can program to your liking in the Razor Synapse 3 software.
Comfortable shape.Very powerful sensor.Expensive for a basic wired mouse.
Large for a competitive mouse.Expensive for a basic wired mouse.
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