Programmers spend a lot of time in front of PC and develop Repetitive Strain Injuries due to long hours of mouse usage. A standard mouse will only aggravate such injuries. A mouse that puts your hand in a more neutral position is perhaps the best way to alleviate these problems – enter vertical/trackball mice. With a plethora of choice in the market, a coder could be confused to select the top mice for his/her needs. This guide should help.
Best MOUSE for Programming: Top Picks
Best MOUSE for Programming & Coding
#1: Logitech MX Master 3 – Advanced Wireless Mouse Graphite
Logitech MX Master 3 Advanced Wireless Mouse is the ultimate ultra-fast mouse that enables us to work with precision. It offers has app-specific customization that can speed up our workflow with predefined profiles.
The mouse gives you a seamless experience while working on three computers. It can be used for transfer cursor, files, and text between two operating systems, desktop and mouse. This Logitech mouse works nicely on any surface, even on glass, having a 4000 DPI sensor. Movement Detection Technology: Optical Special Feature: Wireless, Soundless Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 8.4 x 5.1 cm This wireless mouse works on multiple OS and devices. Its most impressive feature is that you can connect up to 3 devices via Bluetooth or USB receiver. The mouse is designed in such a way that it easily fits into your palm. It has gesture buttons and an advanced thumbwheel, which is made of steel. The only one minus point about this mouse is that When dust collects around the button, the click button does not respond properly.
Key Specifications
Weight: 141 Grams Color: Black DPI: 200-8000 DPI Supported Devices: Laptop, Desktop
#2: Logitech MX ERGO Trackball – High Tech Mouse for People with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Logitech MX ERGO Trackball: It takes time understanding the trackball concept unless you get a hold of one. Logitech’s ERGO lets you roll the ball with your thumb to move the mouse pointer across the screen. It takes time understanding the trackball concept unless you get a hold of one. Logitech’s ERGO mouse lets you roll the ball with your thumb to move the mouse pointer across the screen. Movement Detection Technology: Optical Special Feature: Wireless, Soundless Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 8.4 x 5.1 cm What this means is that you can move the cursor with little to no arm displacement. This is great for people suffering from wrist/joint pains as the only part of your arm that you have to move your thumb. It also means you can use the mouse on basically any surface, however, cluttered, uneven or slippery it is. Do you want to comfortably control your smart TV while sitting on the couch with the mouse on your leg? Well, now you can. The ERGO comes with a magnetic hinge, which can be adjusted to tilt the mouse from horizontal to a maximum of 20 degrees. This allows you to set the tilt of the mouse to match your taste and comfort. The 20-degree maximum means that it is not strictly vertical, but the dimensions of the mouse along with the trackball based operation should make it comfortable enough for almost anyone to use. The mouse has 8 customizable buttons and is Logitech FLOW enabled. What Logitech means by the FLOW is the ability to connect to up to 2 devices simultaneously, allowing you to switch control between the two different systems seamlessly. You connect the mouse to one device with the Unifying USB connector, and to the other by Bluetooth. There is an ‘Easy Switch’ button just below the scroll wheel that lets you switch between two computers with ease. The mouse is a bit heavier than the M570, but it is made of soft rubber that allows a nice comfortable grip. When I tried the MX ERGO, it felt solid and fit my hand well. Logitech’s MX ERGO trackball is compatible with Windows and Mac. There is a USB receiver, but the bottom does not have a compartment to store it. This should not be an issue though because the receiver is small enough to leave in your laptop. The model also connects via Bluetooth. The trackball has a high-speed mode and a high-precision mode, which you can switch between at the press of a button. The scroll wheel tilts to the sides too, letting you perform horizontal scrolling. That is something you might not realize how much you’ve missed until you’ve used it. Like other ergonomic mice, the MX ERGO has the forward and back buttons. There is also a button included next to the trackball that lets you change the DPI on the mouse. ERGO comes with rechargeable batteries that last about 4 months. You may not see the benefits of purchasing Logitech’s MX ERGO Trackball if you are not a heavy computer user. However, if you work long hours a day on your computer, this is the mouse for you. There’s little to dislike about the overall performance of the MX ERGO, but for me, the fact that it does not have a left-hander’s version is a big disappointment.
Key Specifications
Weight: 140 Gram Color: Black DPI: 512 – 2048 DPI Supported Devices: Personal Computer
#3: Tobo Vertical Mouse – Best Vertical Mouse
The Tobo Vertical Mouse is your go-to model if you are looking for a vertical mouse for casual use. It fits nicely into your hands and is perfect for an average-sized adult. The mouse also feels natural and prevents the hand from slipping thanks to its rubberized finish. The buttons are not as intuitive as expected but for an entry-level model, this mouse delivers. The buttons are rigid; you’ll need some time before you get comfortable with them. Tobo’s auto-sleep feature that puts the mouse in sleep after 8 minutes of inactivity. You’ll have to press the left or right button to wake it up when you leave it idle for more than eight minutes. It is worth mentioning that the Tobo Vertical Mouse comes with a convenient slot underneath to store the USB dongle. The mouse is close to 100gms in weight and is easy to maneuver. Movement Detection Technology: Optical Special Feature: Rechargeable, Wireless Product Dimensions: 11.68 x 6.86 x 9.91 cm Even though this mouse packs some great features that let me surf the internet comfortably, there are still a few things that could be improved. For one, I was not impressed with its scroll wheel. Yes, it works fine, but it feels a bit flimsy and difficult to control. I should also point out that the back and forward buttons are uncomfortable to use at times. After comparing it to other models within this price range, the Tobo Vertical Mouse is a solid option if you want the best ergonomic mouse that won’t dent your wallet.
Key Specifications
Weight: 150 g Color: Black DPI: (800 / 1200 / 1600DPI) Supported Devices: Laptop, Personal Computer
#4: TECKNET – Best 2.4G Wireless Mouse Portable
TECKNET is a lightweight wireless mouse that comes with easy to connect USB receive. The most remarkable feature of this type of mouse is that it has 5 adjustable DPI levels and 6 buttons for PC, notebook, and more. It has a comfortable ergonomic design and comes with varieties of vibrant colors. The battery of this mouse retains up to 15 months, so you do not need to worry about changing it often. It can be used without any need of a driver, just a plug, and we are ready to work. This enables to change the cursor sensitivity based on your activity. Movement Detection Technology: Optical Special Feature: Wireless Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.15 x 10.5 cm TECKNET offers wide compatibility options with Linux and the latest versions of Windows. It perfectly fits for laptop, desktop, MacBook, PC, and other devices. The mouse turned to a power-saving mode if it is not used for more than 8 minutes. This mouse is the right choice for the people who want to work for long hours.
Key Specifications
Weight: 75 Grams Color: Black, Blue,Coffee, Grey DPI: 2000/1500/1000DPI Supported Devices: Laptop, Personal Computer, Smartphone
#5: Logitech M510 – Best to avoid Wrist Pain
What this means is that you can move the cursor with little to no arm displacement. This is great for developers who work long hours on the PC. It also means you can use the mouse on basically any surface, however, cluttered, uneven or slippery it is. Do you want to comfortably control your smart TV while sitting on the couch with the mouse on your leg? Well, now you can. I was impressed with the design of the M510. My hand curved around the body comfortably and it felt so natural. Just like the traditional gaming mouse, the M510 has two mouse customizable buttons and a rubbery scroll wheel in between. The wireless trackball also has forward and back buttons on the right for easy internet navigation. The quick navigation programmble buttons seem to be too far from my fingers. I had to move my hand to reach them. This may not be an issue if you have large hands. Movement Detection Technology: Laser Special Feature: Wireless Product Dimensions: 16.41 x 9.19 x 22.4 cm At the bottom, there is an on/off button and a removable cover that lets you access the battery compartment and a section for holding the USB wireless adapter. This receiver is quite small that you can always leave it on your laptop without worrying about breaking it. The M510 is powered by a single AA battery, which is included in the box (yay!!). The battery is expected to last you around 18 months, and a warning light will inform you when it is about to run out. The best part is there is a SetPoint Software that lets you customize the mouse settings depending on your preference. The Logitech Wireless M510 provides reliable performance and has a set of features that makes it ideal for people with wrist pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. People of all hand sizes should find the M510 reasonably comfortable, as the dimensional aesthetics of the mouse ensures its versatility in the matter. At 140 grams, the optical mouse feels solid and provides the user with a quiet confidence of quality.
Key Specifications
Weight: 168 Grams Color: Graphite DPI: 1000 DPI Supported Devices: Personal Computer
Because the index finger rests on top, you can use it to work the scroll wheel. It surprisingly allows smooth operation when running different programs. It works seamlessly across all operating platforms so whether you have a Windows or an iOS device, this is a mouse you’d want to settle with. Setting the mouse with any device is a walk in the park. The procedure is as simple as plugging in the dongle in the USB port or use Bluetooth. Movement Detection Technology: Optical Special Feature: Wireless Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.2 x 3.5 cm The mouse does have gesture-based controls that can be used for easy executions of functions such as scrolling or swiping. This mouse is quite comfortable and fits the hand well. You can move the mouse with your fingers only. Of course, there are times when you’ll have to move your wrist when making major adjustments, but overall, this might be the best ergonomic mouse to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
Key Specifications
Weight: 68 Grams Color: Black DPI: 1600 DPI Supported Devices: Laptop, Desktop
#7: Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse – Best Mouse for Windows Users
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on the best ergonomic mouse. At least this is true for the Microsoft Sculpt mouse which is a solid entry-level model. Even at first glance, you’ll fall in love with this mouse; it looks sleek and has a vertical design that allows a natural, comfortable posture. The mouse is large, round and taller so your hands and fingers will be in a different position from the traditional mouse. There is also a thumb scoop where you can comfortably rest your thumb when using the mouse. When it comes to comfort, the Sculpt truly delivers. If you are a windows user, you might want to check out the features of this mouse. Movement Detection Technology: Optical Special Feature: Wireless Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.2 x 3.5 cm The big blue Windows Logo button caught my attention at first sight. This button gives you instant access to the start menu. While the mouse works with Mac devices, this button is specially designed for Windows and may be irritating for Mac users because it cannot be disabled or remapped. The Sculpt proves to be a well-designed and solid mouse for those who want a basic ergonomic mouse that is wireless. There is a small button beneath the Windows button that serves as a ‘back’ button. It’s unfortunate that there is no forward button considering there is a lot of space in this section. The size of the USB dongle is also a bit disappointing. The USB plug sticks out a few inches on the side of my laptop. This is a minor issue but something to keep in mind, so you don’t accidentally break it. There is, however, a storage compartment underneath to keep it when it is not in use.
Key Specifications
Weight: 339 Grams Color: Black DPI: 1000 DPI Supported Devices: Laptop
FAQs
Place your palm at the base of the mouse but ensure it does not touch the surface of the desk.Your fingers should lay over the mouse and touch the buttons without strain.Move your whole forearm as you mouse rather than the wrist or the hand. This allows larger and stronger muscles to move the mouse.Bend your elbow at a 90-degree angle. This is a natural and neutral position that is super comfortable.Hold your mouse loosely and when clicking, do so gently. Over-pressing strains the tendons no wonder I stressed on purchasing an easy-to-use mouse.Take breaks between work or game to relax your muscles.
The neutral (handshake) position is the best way to use your mouse. This is where an ergonomic comes in. Instead of twisting your arm to adjust to the mouse, ergonomic mice are designed to adjust to your arm. The neutral position requires less strength, which in turn helps release tension from the tendons. Using a vertical ergonomic mouse transfers energy from the wrist to stronger muscles in the upper arm.
