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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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.
Sarah Tew/CNET
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
GameStop Designates Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii U as Retro Consoles
The retailer also announced a limited-time trade-in bonus on the consoles and other older gaming equipment.
The consoles you grew up with are now officially retro. GameStop, the world’s largest brick-and-mortar video game retailer, announced Monday that it’s labelling multiple seventh- and eighth-generation home gaming consoles as «retro consoles.»
The Xbox 360, released in 2005; the PlayStation 3, released in 2006; and the Wii U, released in 2012, are now «historical artifacts» of the games industry, according to the retailer.
It’s hard to define the «retro» label in gaming circles. There’s a fierce debate over whether the transition from 2D to 3D graphics, the rise of online gaming or the adoption of digital audiovisual outputs should qualify consoles for the designation.
What matters most is that the definition of retro gaming is fluid, and GameStop has set forth its own criteria for redesignating these three home consoles.
«The ruling was reached following careful analysis of multiple indicators, including: the presence of component cables, the lack of Fortnite and the realization that [these consoles] launched when George W. Bush was still president,» the statement reads.
While that may feel like GameStop is reclassifying consoles based on vibes — the Wii U wasn’t even released during the Bush administration — there is at least some merit to these claims. The lack of component cables in newer consoles is proof enough that hardware has significantly evolved since the release of the reclassified consoles, and it has been a long time since they’ve been able to run any modern games (even something as ubiquitous as Fortnite). The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are 20 years old. That’s about as «retro» as retro gets.
According to GameStop’s statement, it reclassified these consoles under its «Retro Classification Standard,» with the hardware joining the Sega Saturn and the Nintendo DS in the retro category.
A representative for GameStop did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
GameStop began a limited-time trade-in campaign for retro gaming equipment in accordance with the reclassification of these consoles.
Anyone who brings in an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U or any console, game or gaming accessory that is older than the redesignated consoles will receive an additional 10% in trade-in credit. This offer ends on March 21.
The company also revised its retro console trade-in policy. Starting immediately, GameStop will accept defective retro consoles even if they are «non-operable, missing accessories or aesthetically unfortunate» as long as they can be powered on. This policy also applies to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii U home consoles.
Technologies
TSA Staffing Shortages Are Causing a Mess at Airport Security Lines. How to Mitigate the Wait
Airport security professionals just missed their first paychecks due to the ongoing partial US government shutdown.
This past weekend, employees of the Transportation Security Administration missed their first full paycheck due to the partial government shutdown. Not surprisingly, many of those security officers have quit or stopped showing up for work, leading to airport staffing shortages.
The loss of TSA officers and a new batch of extreme weather in the Midwest and East Coast are creating havoc at airports across the US. Some travelers at Atlanta’s Hartfield-Jackson airport on Tuesday waited more than two hours in the security area before being allowed to travel to their gates, and Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl said that the government may need to shut down some airports completely.
Don’t be surprised when you get to the airport and see the security line trailing out into the parking lot. It’s easy to check security wait lines before you leave for the airport, so you know how long it will take you to get from check-in to your gate.
If you have spring break or other planned air travel coming soon, learn how you can check security line wait times so you can better plan your trip to the airport.
Check the official TSA app
The TSA maintains an app for mobile devices called MyTSA (iOS and Android) that lists security line wait times for airports around the US. The app is fairly basic and now includes a warning that «this website is not actively managed» due to the pause in federal funding, but it does include plenty of official TSA information about airline travel.
To check the wait times for specific US airports, tap the My Airports tab at the bottom of the app, then tap «Search Airports.» You can scroll through the alphabetical list of airports or type in an airport name or code in the search bar at the top.
Tap through to the airport of your choice, and you’ll see the current estimated security wait time at the top of the screen.
When I checked some of the major airports Tuesday afternoon — Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta (ATL), JFK in New York (JFK) and Ronald Reagan in DC (DCA) — most had estimated relatively low wait times of 0 to 15 or 15 to 30 minutes (only JFK was 30-45 minutes).
Those estimates are a far cry from the two to four hours that airports are advising travelers to allow, but the times on the MyTSA app mostly matched the times listed on airport websites (see below). The only exception was Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, which showed an estimate of 0-15 minutes on the MyTSA app, but slightly longer times on the airport website.
The MyTSA app also includes historical averages for each airport’s security line wait times by time of day.
Check your airport’s website
When I tested the TSA app, it didn’t list specific terminals at any of the airports. It only listed a time range for «All Terminals.»
If you want that sort of detailed information, your best bet is to use the official airport websites — most of the major ones now offer estimated security wait times. Some airports put those estimated times front and center on their websites; others require a little more exploration.
Most airport websites will break out the times for specific terminals. At some of the bigger airports, there’s often quite a disparity between the terminals.
Here are the web pages for estimated security wait lines for some of the most frequently traveled airports in the US:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
I wasn’t able to find security line wait times on the websites for two of the busiest airports — O’Hare in Chicago and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. For those, you’ll need to use the TSA app.
Save your spot in the security line
Numerous airports now allow travelers to reserve a specific time in the security line. At Seattle’s SeaTac Airport, you make a Spot Saver reservation and go to a specially marked entrance to the security checkpoint listed on your reservation. An employee scans the barcode you were emailed, and you’re ushered to the front. At SeaTac, you can be up to 15 minutes before or after your Spot Saver reservation, since airport timing is tough to estimate.
Here’s a list of some of those reservation sites. You can search for your airport name and «reserve security line spot» or something similar to see if your airport also has a program.
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): Spot Saver
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP): MSP Reserve
- Denver International Airport (DEN): DEN Reserve
- Orlando International Airport (MCO): MCO Reserve
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): PHX Reserve
Technologies
Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for March 18 #745
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for March 18, No. 745.
Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Today’s NYT Strands puzzle is kind of bizarre. Even after I had found some of the answers, the theme didn’t click in my brain until I was almost done with the puzzle. And some of the answers are difficult to unscramble, so if you need hints and answers, read on.
I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.
If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far
Hint for today’s Strands puzzle
Today’s Strands theme is: It follows.
If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Not death…
Clue words to unlock in-game hints
Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:
- LEFT, COLE, HOLE, LACK, BILE, LEACH, SOLE, LOSE, LIFE, SEER, STEEL, STERN, FAIL
Answers for today’s Strands puzzle
These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:
- COACH, HACK, BLOOD, CYCLE, STYLE, LESSON, PRESERVER. (All words that can follow the word «LIFE.»)
Today’s Strands spangram
Today’s Strands spangram is AFTERLIFE. To find it, start with the A that is the furthest-left letter on the top row, and wind down.
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