The best USB-C mouse options are probably your best bet if you're looking to add a mouse to your creative setup, especially if you have a fairly new laptop (and you'll definitely want a USB-C mouse for Macs). USB-C connections are smaller than the older USB-A and they have the benefit of plugging in either way up, so there's no fumbling to plug in first time.
Most new laptops and tablets come with USB-C (and many laptops no longer use USB-A at all). So whether you prefer to go wired or wireless, USB-C is the way to go for most people. In the guide below, we've chosen the best USB-C mouse options for different needs and budgets, including wired and wireless USB-C mice, the best USB-C mouse for Macs and the best cheap USB-mouse based on our reviews and customer feedback.
We've evaluated each USB-C mouse for pressure sensitivity (dpi), productivity-enhancing features like programmable buttons (useful for creatives looking to save time) and ergonomics, considering how comfortable they are to use over long sessions of work. We've also taken account of value and portability.
For more options, see our choices of the best mouse overall. We also have a guide to the best mouse for MacBook. And for more USB-C devices, see our selection of the best USB-C monitors. You'll also find plenty of USB-C options in our pick of the best power banks.
The best USB-C mouse options available now
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The Logitech MX Master 3's far from cheap, but we absolutely love it. You'll also find it top of our general roundup of the best mice for designers, and with good reason: it's packed with useful features, it performs brilliantly and yes, it's definitely the best USB-C mouse too. Its DPI goes up to 4,000, which frankly is a lot more than you're ever likely to need, but it means it'll track perfectly on pretty much any surface (including glass). It also has a stack of programmable buttons as well as a handy thumb wheel, and it's easy to set up profiles for all your apps so that you can instantly unleash your favourite shortcuts.
With all the precision you're likely to need, the ability to connect to up to three devices and the battery that can last 70 days on a full charge, it's well worth the outlay for power users. We recently did a full review of the new Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac.
We're big fans of the Logitech MX Master 3, as you might have guessed, but if you'd prefer something a bit cheaper and a little less chunky, there's always the Logitech MX Anywhere 3. A more compact alternative to the MX Master 3, it loses the thumbwheel but is otherwise functionally identical, and it's perfect for slinging in a bag to take out and about with you. It's also a great choice if you have smaller hands and find most mice just a bit too big for you.
The drawback, of course, is that its reduced size means it might not be a mouse you'd want to use all day. But if you need the best USB-C mouse for designing on the go, this is definitely it.
If you're more concerned about price, here's a decent option for anyone in search of the best cheap USB-C mouse. The Seenda wireless LED mouse benefits from a noise-reduction design, enabling you to click and scroll very quietly, while its ergonomic design makes it comfortable to use all day. It also has an adjustable DPI that goes all the way up to 2,400 – by no means the highest around but plenty for most people's needs, even if you intend to use it for a bit of fast-paced gaming on the side.
There are three buttons, a wheel for vertical scrolling. The mouse has a good range through three modes: BT5.0/BT3.0/2.4G wireless and it charges via USB-C. The LED backlighting makes it look like it's designed for gaming and won't be for everyone, but it can be turned off, and the mouse comes in several colour combinations including plain black and a couple of white variations, so you should be able to find one that suits.
So far we've seen some relatively expensive USB-C mice; if you'd rather go for something a little cheaper, take a look at the Aurtec Type C Wireless Mouse. It comes at a great price but still performs well, with a 2.4GHz wireless connection that'll work within a 10-metre range, as well as three DPI settings that you can cycle between by holding the left button and scrolling the wheel.
It's comfortable to use, compatible with both Windows and Mac systems, and takes two AAA batteries, which don't come included but are easy to get hold of. Just make sure you have a pair at hand when you come to use it for the first time.
If you're after the best USB-C mouse that'll play nicely with your Mac, the aptly-named Macally USB C Mouse for Mac is guaranteed to fit the bill. Its all-white looks seem to have been designed specifically to go well with any stripe of Mac, whether it's a desktop model or MacBook, and its USB-C connection plugs into any of its Thunderbolt 3 ports. And while the earlier Macally UCTURBO mouse had just 1,000 DPI on offer, this one has adjustable DPI all the way up to 2,400, which should be more than enough for most people.
While it's made with Macs in mind, it's also Windows-compatible and it'll also work with Chromebooks, Android devices and pretty much anything else with a USB-C port. It's not wireless, but with a generous 5ft cable you're unlikely to feel restricted by this; in all this is a great-value, good-looking mouse for just about any computer.
This mouse might look a little unusual, but vertical mouses orient your hand and wrist in a more natural 'handshake' position, which makes them better to avoid putting tension on your wrist or contracting RSI. The Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse takes a bit of getting used to but once you get used to the feel of it, it can offer great relief for your wrists. It has 6 functional buttons and is compatible with both Windows and Mac.
The Redragon M686 Vampire Elite is mouse that's hard to miss with a backlit design clearly designed for gaming. It boasts DPI up a massive 16000, eight customisable buttons and wireless 2.4Ghz nano for low latency. We've not tried this one ourselves, but gamers report being pleased with the ergonomics and build of the buttons and say it's easy to use. Battery life can be extended with an eco-mode.
This budget USB-C mouse is very cheap indeed. And while it's a little basic, it does the job, with an adjustable DPI up to 1,600 and a 2.4GHZ connection with a range of up to 15 metres. The battery life isn't the most impressive (the manufacturer claims 15 days, but this will obviously depend on how much you use it), but it's easy to recharge. It's dual-mode, which just means that you get both a USB-C and USB-A port, which makes it a flexible option for using with different devices.
Let us clarify from the outset that this is not the best USB-C mouse to use for regular work, nor for creative design or anything that requires a lot of precision. The mouse is very small and we found the experience to be jittery and frustrating at times, with the mouse sometimes sticking. But, that disclaimer aside, if you're looking for a mouse that's super light, takes up barely any space and could help you out in an emergency, this should do the job for occasional use while travelling.
How should I choose the best USB-C mouse for me?
The first thing to consider when choosing the best USB-C mouse for you is whether you want a wireless or wired mouse. Wireless mice are now the norm, and most of our picks for the best USB-C mouse are wireless. They have the advantage of being, well, wireless, so you don't have a cable dragging across your desk. The downside however is that they require batteries, which will need charging or replacing at some point.
A lot of the negatives that wireless mice used to suffer from have now been resolved: they're no longer so bulky as they used to be, and the batteries can now usually last for months. That said, we have also included the best wired USB-C mice because with a wireless USB-C mouse. Wired USB-C mice are still usually lighter, and they never need to be charged.
The other thing to consider when choosing the best USB-C mouse is DPI, which here refers to a mouse's sensitivity. The higher the DPI, the further your pointer travels in response to each movement. Some gaming mice offer a DPI of up to 25,000, which seems impressive but is actually unusable; for everyday use, a DPI of around 1,000 should be more than adequate. Most of the best USB-mouse options have adjustable DPI so you can modify the level of sensitivity.
What USB-C mouse is most comfortable to use?
Finally, you need to consider size and shape. Our pick as the best USB-C mouse overall is a little bulky and might not be the best option if you want something you can slip into a bag to use on the go. That's why we've also included some smaller mice. Many people find these less precise and less comfortable to use during long sessions, but they're handy if you need a mouse that you can throw in a bag to carry with you.
Even the best cheap USB-C mouse won't be the best when it comes to ergonomics. A larger mouse that's designed to fit the hand will be more comfortable. To take things further, some people swear by vertical mice, which are designed to put less pressure on the wrist.
Also read:
- The best 4K monitors
- The best keyboards for designers right now
- The best laptops for graphic design right now
