TL;DR – If you hate cables or cable drag for that matter, grab a high end wireless mouse, you won’t notice the input lag with a mouse like the Logitech G903 Lightspeed.
As a gamer, you don’t want you NEED the best gaming mouse to give you the edge when scoring trick shot, 360, no scoped combos while running though Dust in your undies listening to Britney Spears. You want the accuracy, you want to the performance, and most of all you need it to win…
BUT… are wireless any good for gaming in 2024? … Let’s find out.
Overwatch Gaming Mouse
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Wired Mice
One of the main reasons you may want to choose wired over a wireless is probably due to INPUT LAG, after all you’ve shelled out for the best , you are not about to chuck away all the gains on a wireless mouse… Right?
Input Lag
Wireless mice are a bit slower since they must transmit your input using wireless transmission, which causes a bit of extra lag. An the increased lag in signal transmission, makes the mouse less desirable for gaming. Wired mice present fewer delays than their cordless counterparts do, making them the better choice for most gamers who value every detail regarding performance.
No Interference
Another advantage that wired mice have over their cordless counterparts is interference from nearby interfaces (USB 3.0 etc). Interference may make the movements appear choppy, which is the last thing that any gamer needs when hunting down the enemy… However, interference should not be a big deal if you ensure that no devices are in the way or close to where you’re gaming.
Related: On the hunt for the right color mouse to match your setup? Check out our white gaming mouse review.
Are they Cheaper?
From a price point, wired mice are considerably cheaper, even with the price of wireless mice decreasing. You also don’t have to worry about batteries or recharging with wired mice, though it comes at the cost of having to deal with cable clutter, and cable lag. So you’ll want to factor in buying a mouse bungee (I was a skeptic and, yes it does make a massive difference!).
PROS & CONS
Typically less input lag
No stress of dealing with batteries and charging, unlike their cordless counterparts
You don’t have to worry about interruptions in the transmission between the device and the PC
More affordable than wireless solutions
More sensitive than wireless mice
The wire causes clutter if you don’t have a cable management strategy in place
Limited movement due to the cable
Takes up an extra USB port
Wireless Mice
Wireless is by far more convenient than a wired mouse. You can go for a small portable mouse and not have to worry about getting cables tangled up in your drawer or bag. Also, the absence of wires means no dragging of other items as you move the mouse around your desk. These features make wireless mice ideal for travelling. Like with any other cordless device, such as a pair of headphones or gaming pads, wireless mice give you the luxury of working at a considerable distance away from your computer. You can sit across the room and still enjoy your games. With a wired mouse, you must stick close to your PC, and you can only work within a limited distance.
You may want to use your TV as a monitor at some point. In this case, you can use a wireless mouse to control the television set from the comfort of your couch. You can also use it on devices that don’t have USB ports like tablets.
Besides performance, another concern of using wireless mice is the high chances of losing the receiver when you are on the move. This issue is common with wireless mice that rely on receivers. To counter this issue, some of these devices come with placeholders, to keep the receivers attached to your computer at all times.
PROS & CONS
Some wireless solutions allow you to connect multiple peripherals, including keyboards, to one receiver, saving you on USB ports needed.
Coupled with cordless keyboards, wireless mice will give you a minimalistic desk, with not untidy-looking cables all over the place.
Wireless mice allow you to play or work from any corner of the room.
They eliminate cable clutter issues.
Built for enhanced portability
Allow maximum movement since you aren’t tethered at any point.
Noticeable input lags if you are using lower end wireless mice.
You have to spend some extra cash on batteries if your wireless mouse isn’t rechargeable.
They are pricier than their wired counterparts.
So… Which Type of Mouse Should You Choose?
Making a selection between wireless and wired mice boils down to the purpose or personal preference. However, you should remain wired if you are a professional gamer and want the best possible performance as you navigate through your games. You will have to wait until cordless technology develops the same level of efficiency that wired mice deliver if you have a soft spot for wireless solutions. Wireless mice are for non-professional gamers who can’t notice any performance difference between the two types of mice. In this case, you would be more comfortable working with a wireless mouse and enjoy all the benefits that come with the absence of cables on your desk.
Conclusion
For gaming purposes, you must go for wired mice since they are less susceptible to lag and more stable than their wireless counterparts. Even though wired mice offer better performance, wireless technology is advancing, and cordless solutions are gradually catching up – but they still have a long way to go. As it stands, wireless mice perform better than wired options in aesthetic features only such as eliminating cable clutter and adding a minimalist feel to your desk. For any gamer, all that matters is functionality and performance, features that wired mice excel in over their wireless counterparts.
If you’ve splashed the cash on a high-end gaming mouse you’ll want to check out our gaming mouse setup guide here.
