Does A Wired Gaming Mouse Have Lower Latency?

15 minutes read

Wired gaming mice generally have lower latency compared to their wireless counterparts. This is because the physical connection via a cable allows for instantaneous communication between the mouse and the computer, eliminating the potential delays that can occur with wireless transmission. Wired mice do not have to deal with potential wireless signal interference or the slight delay caused by wireless signal processing. Consequently, for gamers who prioritize the fastest possible response times, a wired gaming mouse can offer an edge in terms of performance and precision. However, it's important to note that advancements in wireless technology have significantly reduced the latency gap, and high-quality wireless gaming mice are now available that offer performance closely matching wired ones.

Best Wired Gaming Mouse of March 2025

1
CORSAIR NIGHTSWORD RGB Gaming Mouse For FPS, MOBA - 18,000 DPI - 10 Programmable Buttons - Weight System - iCUE Compatible - Black

Rating is 5 out of 5

CORSAIR NIGHTSWORD RGB Gaming Mouse For FPS, MOBA - 18,000 DPI - 10 Programmable Buttons - Weight System - iCUE Compatible - Black

  • Smart Tunable Weight System: CORSAIR-exclusive software automatically detects the mouse’s center of gravity in real time, allowing you to adjust weight between 119g and 141g and fine-tune balance to perfectly fit your grip.
  • CORSAIR’S Most Advanced Optical Sensor Yet: A custom Pixart PMW3391 native 18,000 DPI optical sensor, adjustable in 1 DPI resolution steps, gives you total sensitivity customization and ultra-accurate tracking.
  • Professional Comfort: Built with a contoured shape that naturally fits your hand, with high-performance rubber grips inspired by pro sports equipment.
  • Ten Fully Programmable Buttons: Customize your gaming with the in-game advantage of powerful macros and key remaps.
2
Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse: 59g Ultra Lightweight - Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor - Fast Optical Switches Gen-3-8K Hz HyperPolling-6 Programmable Buttons -Ergonomic -Speedflex Cable- Black

Rating is 4.9 out of 5

Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse: 59g Ultra Lightweight - Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor - Fast Optical Switches Gen-3-8K Hz HyperPolling-6 Programmable Buttons -Ergonomic -Speedflex Cable- Black

  • 59G ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN — Enjoy a level of speed and control favored by the world’s top players with one of the lightest ergonomic esports mice ever created
  • FOCUS PRO 30K OPTICAL SENSOR — Flawless tracking performance on a wider variety of surfaces including glass—supported by intelligent functions for enhanced aim and control
  • OPTICAL MOUSE SWITCHES GEN-3 — From an improved 90-million click lifecycle with zero double-clicking issues, to a blistering 0.2ms actuation with no debounce delay, the mouse has the reliability and speed built for esports
  • 8K HZ HYPERPOLLING TECHNOLOGY — The mouse can communicate its position and clicks to your PC at up to 8000 times a second for near-zero input latency
3
Logitech G502 HERO High Performance Wired Gaming Mouse, HERO 25K Sensor, 25,600 DPI, RGB, Adjustable Weights, 11 Programmable Buttons, On-Board Memory, PC / Mac

Rating is 4.8 out of 5

Logitech G502 HERO High Performance Wired Gaming Mouse, HERO 25K Sensor, 25,600 DPI, RGB, Adjustable Weights, 11 Programmable Buttons, On-Board Memory, PC / Mac

  • Hero 25K sensor through a software update from G HUB, this upgrade is free to all players: Our most advanced, with 1:1 tracking, 400-plus ips, and 100 - 25,600 max dpi sensitivity plus zero smoothing, filtering, or acceleration
  • 11 customizable buttons and onboard memory: Assign custom commands to the buttons and save up to five ready to play profiles directly to the mouse
  • Adjustable weight system: Arrange up to five removable 3.6 grams weights inside the mouse for personalized weight and balance tuning
  • Programmable RGB Lighting and Lightsync technology: Customize lighting from nearly 16.8 million colors to match your team's colors, sport your own or sync colors with other Logitech G gear
4
Razer Basilisk V3 Customizable Ergonomic Gaming Mouse: Fastest Gaming Mouse Switch - Chroma RGB Lighting - 26K DPI Optical Sensor - 11 Programmable Buttons - HyperScroll Tilt Wheel - Classic Black

Rating is 4.7 out of 5

Razer Basilisk V3 Customizable Ergonomic Gaming Mouse: Fastest Gaming Mouse Switch - Chroma RGB Lighting - 26K DPI Optical Sensor - 11 Programmable Buttons - HyperScroll Tilt Wheel - Classic Black

  • ICONIC ERGONOMIC DESIGN WITH THUMB REST — PC gaming mouse favored by millions worldwide with a form factor that perfectly supports the hand while its buttons are optimally positioned for quick and easy access
  • 11 PROGRAMMABLE BUTTONS — Assign macros and secondary functions across 11 programmable buttons to execute essential actions like push-to-talk, ping, and more
  • HYPERSCROLL TILT WHEEL — Speed through content with a scroll wheel that free-spins until its stopped or switch to tactile mode for more precision and satisfying feedback that’s ideal for cycling through weapons or skills
  • 11 RAZER CHROMA RGB LIGHTING ZONES — Customize each zone from over 16.8 million colors and countless lighting effects, all while it reacts dynamically with over 150 Chroma integrated games
  • OPTICAL MOUSE SWITCHES GEN 2 — With zero unintended misclicks these switches provide crisp, responsive execution at a blistering 0.2ms actuation speed for up to 70 million clicks
5
Redragon M908 Impact RGB LED MMO Gaming Mouse with 12 Side Buttons, Optical Wired Ergonomic Mouse with Max 12,400DPI, High Precision, 18 Programmable Macro Shortcuts, Comfort Grip

Rating is 4.6 out of 5

Redragon M908 Impact RGB LED MMO Gaming Mouse with 12 Side Buttons, Optical Wired Ergonomic Mouse with Max 12,400DPI, High Precision, 18 Programmable Macro Shortcuts, Comfort Grip

  • RGB Backlight & Programmable Buttons - 16.8 million RGB LED color options (LED Backlight can be disabled). 18 programmable buttons, 5 memory profiles each with a dedicated light color for quick identification. Comes with 8-piece weight tuning set (2.4g x8), easy to change the weight to suit your games.
  • Comfort & Precision At Your Hands - Redragon M908 gaming mouse is an essential computer accessory for die-hard with its aggressive design for hands! You will be amazed by the unmatched comfort, lethal accuracy and killer precision of our durable, desktop and laptop pro gaming mouse!
  • High-end Design - Redragon M908 Mouse features 8 buttons and 12 MMO programmable side buttons. Durable smooth TEFLON feet pads for ultimate gaming control. 6ft braided-fiber cable with gold-plated USB connector ensures greater durability.
6
Razer DeathAdder Essential Gaming Mouse: 6400 DPI Optical Sensor - 5 Programmable Buttons - Mechanical Switches - Rubber Side Grips - Classic Black

Rating is 4.5 out of 5

Razer DeathAdder Essential Gaming Mouse: 6400 DPI Optical Sensor - 5 Programmable Buttons - Mechanical Switches - Rubber Side Grips - Classic Black

  • HIGH-PRECISION 6,400 DPI OPTICAL SENSOR — Offers on-the-fly sensitivity adjustment through dedicated DPI buttons (reprogrammable) for gaming and creative work
  • DURABLE MECHANICAL SWITCHES — Supports up to 10 million clicks, backed by a 2 year warranty
  • RIDGED, RUBBERIZED SCROLL WHEEL FOR MAXIMUM ACCURACY — Small, tactile bumps increases grip and allows for more controlled scrolling in high-stakes gaming situations
  • 5 PROGRAMMABLE BUTTONS — Allows for button remapping and assignment of complex macro functions through Razer Synapse


What is jitter, and how does it relate to mouse performance?

Jitter refers to the variability or instability in the latency of a signal being transmitted, which can result in unpredictable or fluctuating timings. In the context of mouse performance, jitter can manifest as erratic movement or irregular responses when the mouse is used. This can be particularly noticeable in activities that require precise control, such as gaming or graphic design.


Jitter in a mouse can be caused by several factors:

  1. Sensor Quality: Lower-quality sensors might struggle to accurately capture movement, leading to jittery cursor behavior.
  2. Surface: Using the mouse on a surface that is not optimal for its sensor can cause jitter. For example, shiny or reflective surfaces can confuse the optical sensor.
  3. Wireless Interference: For wireless mice, interference from other devices or poor signal strength can cause data transmission instability and result in jitter.
  4. Polling Rate: The rate at which the mouse sends data to the computer (polling rate) can also contribute to jitter. A lower polling rate might lead to more noticeable jitters because the cursor updates less frequently.
  5. Software Issues: Driver or software bugs can also introduce jitter by interfering with how the computer processes cursor movements.


To alleviate mouse jitter, a user might consider upgrading to a mouse with a higher-quality sensor, ensuring that the surface is optimized for their mouse type, minimizing wireless interference, or updating mouse drivers and software.


How to ensure your PC setup minimizes mouse latency?

Minimizing mouse latency is crucial for achieving precise and responsive control, especially in tasks like gaming or graphic design. Here are several steps you can take to ensure your PC setup minimizes mouse latency:

  1. Use a Wired Mouse: Wired mice generally have lower latency compared to wireless mice. If latency is a concern, opting for a wired connection can help reduce it significantly.
  2. Select a High-Performance Mouse: Choose a mouse that is designed for low latency. Gaming mice often have sensors and technology optimized for fast response times.
  3. Optimize Mouse Settings: Set the polling rate (report rate) to its highest setting (e.g., 1000Hz) through the mouse's software. This increases the frequency at which the mouse sends data to the computer, reducing latency.
  4. Use USB 3.0 or 3.1 Ports: Connect your mouse to a USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 port to ensure faster data transfer rates, though most modern mice function well on USB 2.0 if needed.
  5. Update Drivers and Firmware: Regularly update your mouse driver and firmware from the manufacturer’s website to ensure optimal performance and latency improvements.
  6. Adjust Operating System Settings: Disable mouse acceleration in your operating system settings (e.g., "Enhance Pointer Precision" in Windows) to ensure consistent mouse movements. Consider adjusting pointer speed settings to align with a more natural movement for you.
  7. Optimize PC Performance: Close unnecessary background applications to free up system resources. Ensure that other connected devices (such as external hard drives or USB devices) are not interfering with mouse performance.
  8. Adjust In-Game Settings: Reduce the graphical settings that impact CPU performance in games, as high CPU load can contribute to input lag. Look for settings related to input lag or mouse input in the game's options menu.
  9. Choose the Right Surface: Use a high-quality mouse pad that matches your mouse sensor type (optical or laser) to ensure smooth and precise movements.
  10. Check for Wireless Interference (if using wireless): If using a wireless mouse, ensure that there are no nearby devices causing interference, like other wireless devices, routers, or Bluetooth gadgets. Keep the mouse receiver close to the mouse to improve signal strength.


By implementing these strategies, you can effectively minimize mouse latency and improve overall responsiveness and precision in your PC setup.


How to measure the latency of a gaming mouse?

Measuring the latency of a gaming mouse involves determining the time it takes for a mouse action (like moving or clicking) to be registered on your computer. Here are some steps and methods to help you measure this latency:

  1. High-Speed Camera Method: Equipment Needed: A high-speed camera that records at a high frame rate (e.g., 1000 FPS or more). Procedure: Record the screen and mouse in the same frame while performing an action like clicking or moving. Play back the footage frame by frame to count the frames between the physical action (e.g., clicking a button) and the resulting action on the display (e.g., cursor moves or a UI button is activated). Calculate latency by converting the frame count to time based on the frame rate of the camera.
  2. Software Tools: Use software specifically designed for input latency testing. Some tools can measure latency by analyzing input data and comparing it to the output on screen. Examples include MouseTester which is primarily used for polling rate evaluation, but some software might provide more advanced latency insights.
  3. LED and Photodiode Method: Equipment Needed: A photodiode and an LED. Procedure: Connect the photodiode to a microcontroller or an oscilloscope to detect the LED's light intensity changes. Place the LED on your mouse or monitor and align the photodiode opposite it. Perform a mouse action (like pressing a button) that triggers the LED. Measure the time between the initial button press and the detected change on the photodiode. This requires a bit of electrical engineering know-how.
  4. Benchmarking Tools: Use a latency benchmarking tool or service that might offer insights into overall system latency, including mouse input. These are less about direct mouse latency and more about the system as a whole.
  5. Subjective Testing: While not precise, subjective testing can give a rough sense of latency. Professional gamers often develop a feel for latency, noticing differences through gameplay.
  6. Manufacturer's Data: Refer to the manufacturer’s specifications, although note that these are theoretical values and actual performance can vary depending on your setup.


In all cases, consider that the latency is not only dependent on the mouse itself but also on the entire system, including the computer's processing time, the display's input lag, and even USB polling rates.

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