Which is Better for Gaming, a Wired or a Wireless Mouse?

A more expensive modernized wireless mouse versus a basic yet cheaper wired one. Which of the two will be able to suffice your gaming needs?

Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Wired mouse- no lagging

With wires directly connected to a power source, this option presents almost no lag and has zero latency. A lag of just a second or a millisecond can spell catastrophe for any gamer.

Your mouse losing connection for just a second may be the difference between winning or losing a battle or match.

Since there is no interference from other devices and it is directly connected to your computer or device, there is no concern of lost connection. This is perhaps the primary reason why in this day and age, there are still gamers who opt to go for the more traditional wired mouse.

Wired mice can also be more stable. And if you play any game that requires constant movements, you will need a mouse that can be very stable.

No worries if the battery runs out

And since wired mice are directly connected to a power source, there is no need to recharge them. Even the small task of recharging the batteries of your mouse can disrupt a high-intensity game, especially if you forget to charge them in the first place and die in the middle of the game.

They are cheaper

Since there is no need for upgraded technology or a more competent wireless connection, wired mice are significantly cheaper than their wireless counterparts. Even the new models have a significantly lower price.

Wired mouse- The bad bits

These are why these can be inconvenient to use.

Ugly and messy  wires

Then there are the bad bits you have to consider. It comes with wires of course so you have to find a way to keep everything organized. Especially if you already have a handful of equipment and devices connected to your computer and the power source. You have to have an eye for organizing cables.

Otherwise, it can be a pretty mess. Though some would argue that it would just be a single cable or wire that you have to deal with, then again, if you already have a handful on your plate, it can overwhelm you.

Upgraded wired mice have used non-snag wires that are meant to remove the nuisance of wires getting caught almost anywhere they pass.  But it still does not compare to the freedom you enjoy when you are using a wireless mouse.

Wireless Mouse- freedom of movement

This is the primary reason why gamers opted to shift to a wireless mouse. Without the cables and wires hanging, you will have more freedom of movement. You don’t have to worry about them getting caught in anything or snagging the papers. It also will not add up the tons of cables and wires that you already have to organize on your desk and under it.

A wired mouse can only go as far from its computer as the wire length allows. It will not be able to move anywhere else. With a wireless mouse, the range depends on how good the connectivity of the unit is.

But you can’t really use a wireless mouse just about anywhere, recommended usable distance is around 30 feet for most mice.

Wireless mice can be a treat for gamers who may want to sit further from their systems. If you also have bigger systems, have multiple screens, and require more adjustment to a space, this freedom of pent can mean more than just being able to free yourself from wires and cables. It can dictate the entire flow or your entire process.

Wireless mice are more convenient

If you are planning to also use your gaming mouse for work, this option presents more convenience.  With wireless counterparts, you can switch from one system to another in a jiffy.

These are also easier to travel within so you don’t need to worry about space that can be occupied by chunky wires and cables.

Wireless mouse- the not-so-good bits

And here are reasons why some hesitate to do the shift.

Wireless mice can have more latency

Since there is no direct connection to your devices, wireless mice will often have more latency compared to their wired counterparts. A millisecond lag can put a gamer in jeopardy. Wired mice may seem like they have more power here. Since there’s no need for the signal to be transmitted from the mouse to the receiver, it can be more responsive.

It requires the battery to operate

Since it is not directly connected to a power source, wireless options need batteries or they need to be recharged regularly. Also, you must be able to charge it adequately before the battery runs out, otherwise, it can interrupt your game. Though there are wireless mice that can also function as wired ones, so should you forget to charge it, you can use it as it charges.

Also, since we’re speaking of wear and tear, you can see over time that the built-in battery life slowly decreases as years go by.

They are more expensive

Since these wireless mice make use of more upgraded technologies, you can expect them to have a higher price tag. Even the entry-level units can be more expensive than the more upgraded wired ones.

So Which Can be More Useful for Gaming?

Wired and wireless mice have their respective advantages and disadvantages.

Wired mouse has a strong game when it comes to zero latency. You don’t need to worry about interference. This can mean disaster for any gamer.

This sentence can be entirely true if we are speaking of wireless mice 5 or 10 years ago. Today this can be a thing of the past, well almost, especially if we are speaking of more reliable brands. You might get less interference or function the same as a wired one. Since they still rely on signals, there is still a risk of interference, though it’s not as common as it was before.

So make sure to buy only from reliable brands so that you will not experience this issue. But also, that means that you have to shell out more moolah to get the more upgraded unit that has low to zero latency.

And to be honest, comparing wired mice to the more upgraded wireless mouse, there can still be some latency. Not to mention,  you will have more freedom of movement since there are no wires to think about.

But you always have to remember when to charge the unit or when to replace the batteries. That’s why a lot of brands present gamers with an option to use a wireless mouse as a  wired one in case this happens. You can simply chuck in the wire and use the mouse as you charge it.  So signal might not be an issue if you’re buying from reliable brands.

So here is the thing.

If you are on a budget and don’t mind the dangling wires, the wired mouse can still suit your needs.

Wireless mice have gone through leaps and bounds, almost eliminating the problems of lagging. You can also get a more aesthetic mouse that can match your gaming vibe and oh the liberty of being able to move freely, or even work or play away from the desk. So it’s going to just be a more expensive route.