We at GravaStar know that every gamer has a different budget. While some can splurge on the latest and best gear, others want affordable options that still get the job done and ensure you can keep up with the competition, no matter which game you play. To help those gamers, we've decided to create a guide that goes over some of the best gaming mice under $50.
Choosing the right budget gaming mouse helps you save money without sacrificing quality and features, so you can continue to play your best. Unfortunately, going with the wrong option could leave you with a subpar experience or a mouse that hardly lasts a couple of weeks.
To find the best options, we looked at both detailed reviews and first-hand comments from gamers. After all of this research, and using our years of experience in the gaming industry, our choice for the best budget gaming is the HyperX Pulsefire Haste.
How We Picked
While the cost is an important consideration when choosing a budget gaming mouse, there are several other important things to consider. Here are a few of them.
DPI/Sensor
A higher DPI (dots per inch) sensor is more sensitive and enables greater in-game cursor movement with less real-life mouse movement, which helps you succeed in fast-paced games where quick reactions are essential.
It'll boost your reaction speed and ensure you can move from target to target with ease. An adjustable DPI sensor is also a good idea to look for, to ensure the mouse works well for all types of games, whether they're fast or slower and strategic.
Comfort
Ergonomically designed gaming mice are tailored to fit comfortably in the hand, effectively reducing strain on the wrist and fingers. Look for a mouse that fits your hand well, and keeps everything from your wrist to your arm in a natural position.
It should also be light enough to move around for hours without straining your hand, and have a smooth glide. An uncomfortable mouse can not only lead to pain, but will certainly impact your ability to play your best, as well.
Build quality
Affordable doesn't need to mean poor quality. Look for a mouse that is well-built and uses strong materials. The better a mouse is built, the longer it will last before showing signs of wear and suffering in terms of performance.
Consider not only the quality of the outer shell, but also the quality of the switches, the scroll wheel, the sensor, the buttons, and even the feet.
Extra features
Gaming mice often come with a host of extra features to boost in-game performance, improve aesthetics, or add more convenience. This includes side buttons, RGB lighting, different scroll wheel modes, customizable weight, and more.
Think of which of these features are most important to you and make sure to look for them in any mouse you consider.
Best Overall: HyperX Pulsefire Haste
- Weight: 59 grams (2.1 oz)
- Sensor: Pixart 3335 16K DPI sensor
- Connectivity: Wired
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste is the best budget gaming mouse under $50 in our opinion. It is very light at only 59 grams (2.1 oz) and has a quality 16K DPI sensor to ensure your in-game reactions are always on point.
The unique honeycomb design and strong shell help the mouse stand the test of time, without being too heavy or bulky. It has a few programmable buttons, low-friction feet, and durable switches that are rated for 60 million clicks.
We like how the mouse also comes with some included grip tape that you can add if you feel like you want additional control and comfort. While it's not wireless, the HyperFlex is light and flexible, so it won't tense up and restrict you during the heat of battle.
YouTuber Consumer Tech Review (High-Speed) tested this mouse in his review and complimented its design. Specifically, he mentioned the mouse buttons, honeycomb shell, and texture.
A downside of this mouse is that it'll be a little bit too big for people with small hands to use comfortably for long periods of time.
Next Pick: Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED
- Weight: 99 grams (3.5 oz)
- Sensor: Hero 12K DPI sensor
- Connectivity: Wireless
Another solid choice for gamers on a budget is the Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED. It provides a wireless connection, a sleek and ergonomic design, and a strong 250-hour battery life.
The mouse has an adequate DPI for most gamers in our opinion, and a solid connection ensures you have no input lag. It comes in a few colors and has built-in storage for the USB receiver so you can easily take the mouse with you if you want to game away from home.
We like how you can use the Logitech G Hub software to customize the buttons, as well. In his review and unboxing of the mouse, YouTuber ECPU highlighted the buttons in particular, saying that they offer “nice, fast, and reliable performance”.
While it's lighter than many traditional office mice, it comes in quite a bit heavier than many other gaming mice. This isn't a drawback for everyone, but could lead to greater hand and arm fatigue if you play for long periods of time.
Also Great: Razer DeathAdder Essential
- Weight: 96 grams (3.4 oz)
- Sensor: High-precision 6.4K DPI sensor
- Connectivity: Wired
The Razer DeathAdder Essential is another option if you want to save money but still get a solid gaming mouse. It has rubber side grips for increased control, 5 buttons you can remap as you see fit, and durable mechanical switches that provide a responsive gaming experience.
We like how it also has a rigid and grippy scroll wheel for improved accuracy, as well as an ergonomic design to keep your hands comfortable, no matter how long you decide to play for.
YouTuber MS Tech reviewed the mouse and said that the ergonomics of this mouse was his favorite part and that he really enjoyed the shape and how natural it felt for his hand.
While it'll work for many games, a downside of this mouse in our opinion is that it only features a 6.4K DPI sensor, which is much less than many other budget gaming mice provide.
Best for MMOs: Redragon M908 Impact
- Weight: Adjustable
- Sensor: Pixart PAW3327 12.4K DPI sensor
- Connectivity: Wired
If you play MMO games or just want access to a ton of customizable buttons, the Redragon M908 is a great choice in our opinion. It has a whopping 20 buttons you can program, including 12 on the side to ensure you can always right the right button without a problem.
The mouse has a strong sensor, and an adjustable weight so you can choose what feels right for you. We like how it glides smoothly, has a braided cable, and offers several RGB color modes to personalize how it looks to ensure it fits your aesthetic.
YouTuber We Do Tech reviewed this mouse and highlighted the comfort, saying that it's “extremely good” thanks to the shape, design, and support of the mouse.
A downside of this mouse is that it's a little bulky and wide. While that's to be expected with so many programmable buttons, it could certainly turn some people off who want to use this mouse to play multiple different kinds of games.
The Competition
Here are a few other budget-friendly gaming mice to consider.
Redragon M612 Predator: This mouse has 11 programmable buttons, RGB, and a decent DPI (with adjustability) for the price. It also has an ergonomic design and comfort grip on the side. Unfortunately, it's relatively heavy compared to other gaming mice.
Logitech G203: The Logitech G203 features a classic and simple design with 6 programmable buttons, customizable RGB lighting, and multiple sensitivity settings. A downside, however, is that it's a little small and those with larger hands may struggle to use it comfortably.
Corsair Katar Pro XT: This mouse has a fantastic DPI, fast clicks, multiple customizable buttons, and a lightweight design. Unfortunately, the scroll wheel is a little loud and squeaky, which can be annoying during gaming sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let's go over a couple of common questions about budget gaming mice, as well as our answers.
How much should you spend on a gaming mouse?
It depends on what you're comfortable with and can afford. If you have a healthy budget, spending more could get you a slightly higher-quality mouse with a more responsive sensor or extra features, but there are still plenty of solid options for those who want to spend less.
Will a cheaper gaming mouse hold back your performance?
Not necessarily. While there are some cheap mice with poor sensors and lackluster ergonomics that could stop you from playing your best, many budget-friendly mice can offer a similar in-game performance to more expensive options as long as the specs are comparable.
Does brand matter when choosing a gaming mouse?
In some cases, but not as much as you think. Choosing a mouse from a trusted brand may offer peace of mind and quality assurance, but plenty of cheaper mice from less-known brands can offer a similar experience in-game.
The good news is that you don't need to choose between a quality brand and an affordable mouse, as many trusted brands offer lower-priced models for gamers on a budget.
Final Thoughts
When using a budget gaming mouse, or any gaming mouse for that matter, make sure to keep it clean. Debris like dirt and dust can easily find themselves in and on your mouse, which could impact performance.
Cleaning your mouse is easy and can be done with a damp cloth and a very small amount of mild soap, or even a cotton swab with some water. Simply wipe down the exterior of the mouse gently, making sure not to miss places like the sensor and the wheel.
Also, do your best to treat the mouse with respect. The more you drop, hit, or slam the mouse, the greater the chances that it begins to malfunction or breaks completely.