Technologies

Get More Done With the Best Wireless Mouse

A bad mouse means less productivity. Don’t use a bad mouse.

Getting the best wireless mouse for your needs can make a huge difference in your productivity. Whether you’re looking for more or fewer buttons, longer battery life, a more ergonomic design, better wireless over Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz adapter or a mouse for your desk or for travel, we’ve tested and reviewed the best of them. These are our choices for best wireless mouse for 2023.

Since all mice are not equal, our wireless mouse testing takes into consideration: features, size and weight, comfort, battery type and battery life and software. If you aren’t quite sure what might work best for you, jump past our recommendations to our wireless mouse FAQ at the bottom of this story.

What’s the best wireless mouse?

We’ve tested a lot of wireless mice, and the best wireless mouse is the Logitech MX Master 3S. It’s expensive at $100, but if you’re looking for a flexible office mouse to boost your productivity with a Mac or Windows PC, this do-it-all wireless mouse has you covered. It’s durable, too, so it will last for years to come. If you need a more travel-friendly option, we recommend its linemate, the Logitech MX Anywhere 3.

Of course, if those mice don’t meet your needs or budget, we have other wireless mouse options in the list below starting at less than $10.

Best wireless mice for 2023

Logitech MX Master 3S

A one-hand command center

$100 at Amazon

$100 at Logitech

$86 at Walmart

The MX Master 3S combines the customization of a gaming mouse with an ergonomic design made for getting work done. Logitech’s software makes it easy to set the five programmable buttons (that’s a lot of buttons, but there’s a button on the bottom and more on the thumb rest) and thumb scroll wheel of the MX Master to handle a variety of tasks, from taking screenshots to controlling media.

Compared to the older MX Master 3, the updated model features quieter operation and an upgraded 8,000 DPI optical sensor (up from 4,000 DPI) that tracks on most surfaces, including glass, and offers faster workflow with high-resolution monitors. It can be used with a cord or wireless via Bluetooth or the included Unifying USB adapter, and it supports connections to up to three computers; the button on the bottom lets you quickly switch between connections. The mouse also supports the Logitech Flow feature, letting you move your cursor between computers on the same network. This mouse provides superb battery life for long work sessions.

David Carnoy/CNET

Logitech MX Anywhere 3

Travel mouse with full-size personality

$80 at Amazon

$80 at Best Buy

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Despite its smaller size, the MX Anywhere 3 mouse is essentially a smaller version of the MX Master 3 also on this list. These Logitech mice share many features, including dual-wireless connectivity (they can be used wired, too), hyperfast scroll capabilities, programmable buttons and Logitech Flow for moving your cursor between two computers on the same network. The battery will last for up to 70 days on a full charge, and a quick three-minute charge of the battery can get you through a workday. It’s also comfortable to use the buttons despite its small size and, perhaps most importantly, it can be used on just about any surface, including glass — so don’t worry about a mouse pad.

The MX Anywhere 3 comes in a couple of versions. There’s the standard «universal» version that works with Windows, MacOS, iPadOS (13.4 or higher), ChromeOS and Linux computers via Bluetooth or Logitech’s Unifying USB dongle, which is included. MX Anywhere 3 for Mac works only via Bluetooth and is optimized for Macs and iPads. Shipping soon, both mice are available in pale gray and the MX Anywhere 3 (with the USB port dongle) is also offered in rose and graphite.

Josh Goldman/CNET

Contour Unimouse Ergonomic Wireless Mouse

Best ergonomic wireless mouse

$79 at Amazon

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Like a lot of ergonomic office products, companies that make ergonomic mice aim for the largest group of potential vertical mouse users. But by doing that, they’re inevitably leaving out a number of people whose hands are too small or too large for the mouse, they’re only made for right-handed users or both. The Unimouse is the rare option that’ll really work for just about anyone.

The wireless mouse is available for left and right hands (it’s available in a wired version, too) and has a crazy amount of adjustability to create a custom fit for your hand. The top part of the body starts at a 35-degree angle, but its friction hinge lets you lift it up to a 75-degree angle — or anywhere in between — that puts it into more of a handshake position. Its ball-mounted thumb support cradles your thumb and can be rotated and tilted to whatever position is most comfortable for you. Also, it’s on a telescoping post so you can use a wider or narrower grip. The post can also be moved forward and backward.

A 2.4GHz USB adapter is used for its wireless connection, there is no Bluetooth and it can be used wired while you charge it with the included micro-USB cable. There are six programmable buttons: left, middle, right, scroll click, forward and back. I appreciated having the additional button on top (once my muscle memory adjusted to it), but the forward and back button placement was just a little too far back on the body for me to use comfortably. The included app is basic but gets the job done letting you reprogram buttons and adjust cursor scroll speeds. DPI can be set from 800 to 2800 in increments of 200 with the software or a button on the mouse. You can also set up application-specific profiles with the app.

If you’re ready to give an ergonomic mouse a try, the Unimouse’s customizable design is tough to beat.

David Carnoy/CNET

Logitech Ergo M575 Wireless Trackball Mouse

Best trackball mouse

$39 at Amazon

$50 at Best Buy

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Trackballs seem to get overlooked but, going by the comments on this story, that’s a big mistake. Logitech options like the Logitech MX Ergo and the Kensington Orbit offer more comfort but the same control you’d get with a regular mouse. Plus, since it stays stationary, you don’t need extra desk space for movement and it can be used on any surface.

Logitech’s latest Ergo Trackball won us over with its new sculpted shape that fits a wider variety of hand sizes and a lower price than the MX Ergo. That said, the MX Ergo has a sturdier, more solid feel and can be paired to two devices simultaneously. The M575 does give you a choice of Bluetooth or the company’s USB-A wireless receiver.

Josh Goldman/CNET

Lunar Artefacts Pointer Instrument

Best repairable wireless mouse

$215 at Lunar Artefacts

Lunar Artefacts designed this wireless mouse to essentially be the last mouse you’ll ever need. The body of the mouse is made from hand-polished brass or aluminum (I tested the latter), offering you two weight options. The removable cover is cut from full-grain calf leather finished with equestrian-inspired stitching. Both are designed to wear and patina over time and get more attractive as opposed to the average plastic mouse which eventually just gets gross.

The sculpted ambidextrous base is not your typical mouse shape so it might take a few days or more to adjust and get comfortable. But, if you don’t want to wait, the company makes special grips to give it more of a traditional shape. The smooth metal scroll wheel was the only issue I had with the design because it didn’t have the grip of a knurled wheel. It’s a quibble given how excellent the rest of the mouse is.

The mouse’s Pixart PAW 3805 optical sensor works on almost any surface including glass or mirrors and a button on the bottom lets you choose the pointer sensitivity setting: 800, 1,200, 2,000 or 3,000 DPI. It can connect wirelessly over Bluetooth 5.0 or 2.4GHz wireless with the USB-A adapter that is stored in the base when not in use. It can also be used wired with the braided USB-C-to-USB-A cable included, which also charges the mouse. The mouse has Qi wireless charging, too, so it’s easy enough to keep the battery topped off.

This mouse is high-quality through and through, but will it all last forever? Lunar Artefacts made the mouse completely user repairable. Pop the cover off and remove a handful of screws and it can be completely disassembled right down to the plug-and-play Omron switches. So yes, it is possible this mouse, sorry, pointer instrument will be with you for a long, long time.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse

For the Windows power user

$46 at Walmart

$62 at Amazon

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Mice that live up to the quality of Microsoft’s other Surface hardware are worth their price, especially if you work on multiple Windows PCs at the same time. Using Microsoft’s Mouse and Keyboard Center software, you can not only program its customizable buttons, but connect the device to three different computers and seamlessly move your cursor between them, similar to Logitech’s Flow feature. It’s a great synthesis between keyboard and mouse. The Surface Precision Mouse can be used wired as well with its USB charging cable, and is quite honestly one of the most comfortable mice we’ve ever used, too.

Josh Goldman/CNET

Wisfox 2.4GHz Wireless Mouse

Best wireless mouse under $15

$12 at Amazon

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Once you dip below $15 you usually lose features like forward and back buttons or, um, comfort. Wisfox’s mouse has a comfortable curve to it for a more ergonomic fit and rubberized sides to give you some extra grip. A button on top lets you switch between three DPI settings to help you get around your monitor with less wrist movement.

The battery compartment (the mouse uses one AA battery, not included) houses the wireless nano USB receiver when not in use, so you’re less likely to lose it. It also comes in 14 colors. It doesn’t have Bluetooth, but Wisfox does make one with both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth, as well as one with a USB-C adapter for newer laptops.

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Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse

Wireless good enough for gaming

$35 at Amazon

$36 at Best Buy

$38 at Target

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Yes, it’s another Logitech mouse, but good wireless mice that are easy on the wallet and comfortable for work and high-performance wireless gaming aren’t easy to find. The G305 device’s lightweight, ambidextrous design hits the mark as a gaming mouse, though, and its single AA battery will last for up to 250 hours of continuous PC gaming — that’s a lot of battery life. It does not have Bluetooth, but instead uses Logitech’s wireless Lightspeed USB adapter. The tiny adapter is stored under the mouse’s palm rest for travel when removed from the USB port. And it has aHero optical sensor for optimal gaming performance.

Read our Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse preview.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bluetooth better than 2.4GHz wireless?

For many people, the biggest difference between a Bluetooth mouse and a 2.4GHz wireless mouse is the latter connects wirelessly to a small USB adapter you plug into your computer while Bluetooth connects wirelessly directly to your device or computer. This is really Bluetooth’s biggest advantage, too, since it means you don’t have to plug anything into your computer and there’s no adapter to lose.

If you have an open USB port on your computer, though, going with a 2.4GHz wireless has a lot of advantages. The connection is seamless with no pairing needed out of the box — just plug in the adapter and turn on the mouse and you’re working. The connection is less prone to interference and is generally lag-free, which can’t be said for Bluetooth and is why gaming mice don’t use Bluetooth.

Also, to save on battery life, Bluetooth mice typically go to sleep and need to wake and reconnect which takes a second or two whereas a wireless mouse stays connected. Wireless mice generally have longer battery life, too, but newer mice using Bluetooth LE last much longer, so that mainly comes down to the individual mouse now.

If you’re really not sure which to get, look for a wireless mouse that gives you the option to use either Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz wireless adapter. These dual-wireless mice are great for multidevice users, too, since they can connect to one or two devices via Bluetooth and a third with their wireless adapter. A button on the mouse lets you jump from device to device.

What’s better, a wireless mouse with a built-in rechargeable battery or a regular replaceable battery?

What type of battery you should have in your mouse is largely a matter of preference but each has its pros and cons. Mice with built-in rechargeable batteries tend to have longer battery life and are lighter weight than those that use standard AA- or AAA-size batteries. Since the battery is rechargeable, you don’t have to keep extra batteries around, which is especially nice for travel. This also means you’re regularly creating less waste assuming you only use disposable batteries. Rechargeable mice can usually be used wired while you’re charging them, too.

With wireless mice that use replaceable batteries, you have the option to use either regular alkaline or lithium batteries or rechargeable batteries. That means you never have to wait to recharge and you can cut down on waste but it is also an extra ongoing expense (not a huge one, but still). Another advantage is that battery life will degrade over time with a rechargeable mouse and eventually, you’ll have to replace the entire mouse. With replaceable batteries, it’s only the mouse mechanics that you have to worry about wearing out.

Should I get a wired mouse instead of a wireless mouse?

A wireless mouse gives you greater freedom of movement, less cable clutter on your desk and one less thing to plug into your computer (and with fewer ports on computers today, this is no small thing). When it comes to travel, there is nothing more convenient than a wireless mouse you can just drop in your bag. Plus, if you use a 2.4GHz wireless mouse, today’s adapters are so small you can leave them plugged into your laptop while you’re on the go. And if you have a Bluetooth mouse, you don’t even have to worry about the adapter.

A wired mouse, on the other hand, is generally lighter weight than a wireless mouse. It’s plug-and-play, so once it’s connected you’re ready to work. The wired connection also means you don’t have to deal with wireless interference, pairing or losing your connection. (All good reasons to go with a wired mouse for gaming, by the way.) You also never have to think about charging or replacing a battery.

Still not sure which is best for you? Consider getting a rechargeable wireless mouse that can be used with a wired connection to your computer. That way it stays charged for when you need to use it wirelessly but without sacrificing the performance of a wired connection.

Technologies

Pope Francis’ Funeral: How to Stream Live or Watch the Replay

Here’s how to stream the pope’s funeral very early Saturday, and what you can expect to see during the service.

After a week of global mourning for Pope Francis, who died on Monday at age 88, the pope’s funeral will be celebrated on Saturday . Francis’ funeral will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. local time at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City (which is very, very early if you’re tuning in from the US or Canada), and he will be laid to rest at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

The Vatican will be livestreaming the papal funeral and procession, though not the burial, on its YouTube channel as it happens. The funeral will also be televised live on CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox, as well as on streaming services like Disney Plus, Hulu, Peacock and Paramount Plus. Due to the time difference, it seems likely that many interested North American viewers will catch it when it’s replayed later on Saturday. Numerous networks will rebroadcast the service later that day.

If you choose to stay up, or get up early, here’s when the live broadcast of the pope’s funeral will air in your time zone in the continental US on April 26:

ET: 4 a.m.
CT: 3 a.m.
MT: 2 a.m.
PT: 1 a.m.

The papacy of Pope Francis was notable for the progressive reforms he brought to the Roman Catholic Church. He appointed more than half of the current College of Cardinals and attempted to foster more positive attitudes toward members of the LGBT community and migrants worldwide.

What to expect from the funeral

The funeral will follow many rituals, though not all traditional protocols will be followed. Most popes are buried in St. Peter’s Basilica or its grottoes, but the AP reports Francis chose the St. Mary Major Basilica to reflect his veneration of an icon of the Virgin Mary that is located there, the Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the People of Rome).

His funeral will be less elaborate than those of other popes per his own wishes. Francis simplified papal funeral rites last year, permitting his burial outside the Vatican, and emphasizing his role as a bishop rather than as pope (the pope is also the Bishop of Rome).

Previous popes were buried in three coffins: one of cypress, one of lead and one of oak. Francis requested to be buried in a single wooden, zinc-lined coffin and not to be placed in an elevated bier as other popes were.

The coffin will be taken from St Peter’s Basilica and placed on a dais in St Peter’s Square, where Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will lead the service. After the service, the coffin will return to St Peter’s Basilica before it is carried across the River Tiber and to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major for burial. The ceremony is estimated to end around 2 p.m. local time, or four hours after it begins.

Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will be the first of nine Masses held daily at St. Peter’s until May 4. This is an ancient tradition of the Catholic Church that observes nine days of consecutive mourning. According to Vatican News, a different group of mourners will participate each day, though the Eucharistic celebrations are open to everyone.

Who will attend Pope Francis’ funeral?

Hundreds of people, including world leaders and royals, are expected to attend Pope Francis’ funeral.

US president Donald Trump confirmed on his Truth Social Platform that he and first lady Melania Trump will be at the funeral. This will be Trump’s first foreign trip in his second term. He is expected to have a seat in the third row, though the Vatican has yet to release an official seating chart. It is tradition for the first row of seats to go to Catholic royalty, and the second row to non-Catholic royals.

Prince William, who is attending on behalf of King Charles, will sit in the second row, which is reserved for non-Catholic royals. Former president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, devout Catholics, will also attend the funeral.

Conclave: What happens next to choose the new pope

After Pope Francis’ funeral, the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church will vote on his successor in an assembly of cardinals known as a conclave.

There are many matters for the cardinals to settle before the conclave begins, but once it does, it can take days or even weeks to conclude. Two-thirds of the cardinals’ votes are required to elect the next pope. The conclave occurs behind closed doors and the vote tally is never made public.

Read more: Where to Watch Conclave, the Vatican Thriller About Electing a New Pope

Look for the white smoke

The ballots are burned after each round, and chemicals are added to the flames to produce black smoke if there’s no majority. When a new pope has been selected, the chemicals will be added to the flames so they produce white smoke. Crowds gather in St. Peter’s Square to watch for the results.

If you’re fascinated by the process, you can watch a dramatized version of the events in 2024 film Conclave.

In the movie, Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, who spearheads the election of the next pope while investigating rumors about potential candidates. The film is based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris and is completely fictional — though it does represent some of the events of how actual papal conclaves take place. In March, the film won the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay.

You can stream Conclave on Amazon Prime Video, or rent it for $6 on Apple TV, Fandango at Home, YouTube or Google Play Movies.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for April 26, #685

Hints and answers for Connections for April 26, #685.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections puzzle features a lot of short words, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. That purple category requires a lot of thinking — probably most people will solve it only by solving the other three and having four words left over. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Rainbow.

Green group hint: San Fernando ____.

Blue group hint: Think Robert.

Purple group hint: Mixed-up hue words.

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Tint.

Green group: Valley.

Blue group: Bobs.

Purple group: Color anagrams.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is tint. The four answers are color, hue, shade and tone.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is valley. The four answers are dale, dell, glen and hollow.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is Bobs. The four answers are Dole, Hope, Marley and Ross.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is color anagrams. The four answers are Dre (red), Gary (gray), genre (green) and lube (blue).

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 26, #215

Hints and answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 215, for Saturday, April 26.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Connections: Sports Edition is tough today. The purple category theme threw me because of one phrase I didn’t know. And let’s hope you’re familiar with college coach surnames. Read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Try to achieve.

Green group hint: Move through it.

Blue group hint: Sideline bosses.

Purple group hint: Like a carton.