AliceAs you know if you’re reading this article, programming is a demanding task that requires precision and accuracy – and the best mouse. The best mouse for programming can make a big difference in your productivity of working or studying on platforms like Thoughtsoncloud and comfort as a code nerd. Several specs are important here: a mouse that’s comfortable, not too heavy or too light; programmable buttons (at least two) can help you save time and be more productive, and a high-DPI sensor will provide you with accurate cursor movement and tracking for clicking small targets on the screen. Ultimately, the best mouse for programming is the one that meets your individual needs and preferences as a programmer, but there’s a whole world of mice out there. We’ve made a list to help you figure out which mouse is the mouse for you!
Product Comparison Table: Best Mouse for Programming
| Title | Price | Rating (Amazon) | Best in class | Buy | |
 | Logitech MX Master 3S | $$$ | 4 stars | Best Ergo | Amazon |
 | Razer Basilisk V3 Pro | $$$ | 4.5 stars | Best Gaming Compatible | Amazon |
 | Kensington Slimblade Trackball | $$ | 4.5 stars | Best Trackball | Amazon |
 | SteelSeries Rival 5 Gaming Mouse with PrismSync | $ | 4.5 stars | Best Budget | Amazon |
 | Logitech MX Master Wireless Mouse | $$ | 4.5 stars | Best Durability | Amazon |
Logitech MX Master 3S
Often, programming and hand fatigue go… well… hand-in-hand. If you struggle with pain or strain in your hand and wrist from hours hunched over code, then the Logitech MX Master 3S is the best mouse for programming you can buy. As far as ergo mouses go, the MX Master 3S was the most comfortable we tried, thanks to a soft and rubberized contoured shape that fits the natural shape of your hand.
On top of all that cushy comfort, the MX Master 3S boasts 10 programmable buttons that can be customized to perform your favorite shortcuts and commands, alongside high-precision accurate cursor movement and tracking that easily selects even the smallest of targets.
Pros
- Reduces hand or wrist pain
- 10 programmable buttons
- Accurate tracking
Cons
- Not guaranteed to fix all strain issues
Verdict
Hours spent clicking through programming tasks can leave a programmer’s hands with pain, numbness, and tingling, and in some cases, can even lead to more serious conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Any ergo mouse that can help prevent this is definitely the best mouse for programming – and that’s how the Logitech MX Master 3S made it on our list.
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Razer Basilisk V3 Pro
The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro is our best mouse for programmers who also play games. The best of both, right? This beast’s a wireless gaming mouse that features an iconic ergonomic form with 10+1 programmable buttons, 13-zone Chroma lighting with full underglow, a Razer Focus Pro 30K optical sensor, Razer Gen-3 Optical Mouse Switches, and the famous Razer HyperScroll Tilt Wheel with a tactile mode for greater precision.
Razer are known for designing quality gaming mouse models, and this is no exception: the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro’s HyperSpeed Wireless connection is a measurable 25% faster than any other wireless mouse available on the market, designed for noisy wireless environments like competitive Esports arenas. Your desk is much quieter than that!
Pros
- Faster than fast
- Reliable and trustworthy
- Wireless (with included optional USB Speedflex cable)
Cons
- Accessories sold separately
Verdict
Winner of GamesRadar’s Best Gaming Mouse 2022, the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro earns the title of best mouse for programming (and also gaming) thanks to exceptional performance in terms of speed and accuracy. If you like to 360-no-scope as efficiently as you breeze through algorithmic strategies, this is the mouse for you. Just imagine those inter-thread coordination errors as potential headshots.
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Kensington Slimblade Trackball
We can’t overstate how common hand and wrist issues are in programmers. If regular ergo mice tend to sacrifice precise pointing for you, a thumb trackball mouse like the Kensington Slimblade Trackball is the best mouse for programming that helps reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) while maintaining – and even enhancing – precision.
Not only does the Kensington Slimblade Trackball’s low-profile shape offer unparalleled comfort, but the customizable buttons with KensingtonWorks software also ensure your favorite shortcuts are accessible all at once, while the huge multifunction ball with adjustable speed allows you to make even the smallest adjustment in the cursor position. Diamond-Eye optical tracking and the patented Kensington scroll ring are other bonuses.
Pros
- Slimline design
- Unparallelled comfort
- Precise and accurate
Cons
- Not a traditional mouse
- Not wireless
Verdict
You can’t put a price on healthy hands – after all, they’re the tools of your trade as a programmer! For this reason, trackball mice like the Kensington Slimblade Trackball are worth a try. Not only does the Slimblade Trackball protect your most valuable assets, it’s also precise; and it looks like HAL-900, which is extremely cool.
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SteelSeries Rival 5 Gaming Mouse with PrismSync
If you’ve got shallow pockets, the SteelSeries Rival 5 is your best mouse for programming for a number of reasons. Firstly, it delivers on a high-precision 18,000 CPI TrueMove Air Optical Sensor that provides accurate cursor movement and 1-to-1 tracking. Secondly, it’s got a massive 9 programmable buttons.
Thirdly, next-gen Golden Micro IP54 Switches keep things crisp and durable. Fourth, redesigned lighting provides 3 zones of 16.8 million beautifully crisp colors. Fifth… well, it’s only $30. A price this competitive for a mouse this good is probably just as persuasive as the other four, isn’t it?
Pros
- Crisp and accurate
- RGB lighting
- Competitive price
Cons
- Not wireless
Verdict
A lower net worth shouldn’t have to mean a lower quality mouse, and that’s why the SteelSeries Rival 5 Gaming Mouse with PrismSync made it on our list as the best mouse for programming on a budget. It may not be as showstopping as more expensive models, but features like PrismSync responsive RGB lighting give you more than enough bang for your (smaller) buck.
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Logitech MX Master Wireless Mouse
monitors. Using multiple monitors can increase productivity through displaying more information at the same time, organize a smoother and more efficient workflow, and increase focus on one task at a time by allowing you to keep distractions off of your primary monitor.
The MX Master excels in all the standard criteria of the best mouse for programming: customisable buttons, unbeatable Darkfield tracking, adaptive scroll wheel… However, what sets the Logitech MX Master apart as the best mouse for programming across multiple sources is the ability to switch between three paired devices at the click of a specially-designed button; the Logitech Unifying receiver and Bluetooth low energy technology allow you to make a choice on not only which device you’d like to engage, but which foolproof connection you’d like to use to engage it!
Pros
- Screen-switching
- Customisable buttons and wheels
- Precision and accuracy
Cons
- Relatively expensive
Verdict
As the best mouse for programming across multiple screens, Logitech calls the MX Master ‘The Possibilities Machine’ – a title it deserves! If you hate feeling constrained by one monitor, or even just by your mouse’s lack of power, this is the ideal model for you. The possibilities are endless.
