Many people who work on a computer daily find that their hands and arms start to ache, and they often develop repetitive strain injuries (RSI). A lot of ergonomic mice have been developed to help prevent this.
Ergonomic mice are designed to help reduce the strain on your body that can be caused by repetitive motions. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of using an ergonomic mouse.
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7 Reasons to Use an Ergonomic Mouse
When it comes to ergonomic mice, there are a few features that are worth considering.
Comfortable Grip
It’s not surprising that ergonomic mice are more comfortable than regular mice. They fit your hand better and put your hand in a more natural position.
An ergo mouse has a curved shape, so your palm and fingers rest on a flat surface while your wrist is in a natural position.
You can adjust the grip to match your hand size. You can quickly actuate all buttons on the mouse using your fingers and thumb.
An ergonomic mouse has an anti-fatigue design with only the necessary buttons. Some models also have DPI switchers on the side that you can reach easily with your thumb.
In short, ergonomic mice have a better grip and more comfortable buttons than traditional mice can offer, giving you an advantage when gaming as it’s easier to be quicker and more accurate in your movements.
Better Sensor Positioning
The optical sensor on a mouse can be placed in a range of locations on the bottom.
However, with ergonomic mice the optical sensor is normally placed in the very center. This positioning has a unique advantage in that it limits the amount of rotation your hand and wrist will need to do in order to move the cursor to specific locations on the screen.
A mouse that has the sensor in the upper right corner, for example, would require not just the sliding of the hand in order to move the mouse, but also the potential rotation of the wrist to keep the cursor on the right path.
Over time, this excess rotation can lead to repetitive injuries and fatigue.
Since the entire point of an ergonomic mouse is to limit the fatigue and repetitive stress your hand endures, having the sensor in the center is a much better arrangement.
Warranty
When purchasing an ergonomic mouse, be sure to look for one with a good warranty.
This way, if you experience any problems with your mouse, you can get it replaced or repaired without having to spend any extra money.
Bluetooth Connectivity
If you love unlimited convenience, consider looking for an ergonomic mouse that has Bluetooth connectivity.
Unlike a wireless connection, you won’t need a spare USB outlet. Instead, a Bluetooth mouse will be able to sync with the Bluetooth receiver already in your computer.
While a Bluetooth ergonomic mouse will require a small amount of extra setup steps over a plug-n-play wireless mouse, the Bluetooth mouse can instantly be moved between multiple computers for the ultimate level of versatility.
Dots Per Inch (DPI)
DPI is the measurement of movement a mouse can make.
With a higher DPI, your cursor will move across the screen further than it would if you were using a lower DPI.
If you often find yourself moving your mouse off the mousepad or all over your desk when trying to move the cursor across the screen, a higher DPI setting will help reduce the need for large hand movements.
For traditional mice, the DPI will be around 800 to 1200, though for higher end ergonomic and gaming mice you can find a DPI of 18,000 or more.
If you find yourself moving the mouse a great deal and potentially even running out of room on the desk, a higher DPI is much more important as it will give you much larger and more accurate cursor movements with very little physical hand movement.
Button Selection
Some ergonomic mice have minimal button selections, requiring manual switching of profiles on some models.
Setting unique profiles can make a mouse with only 5 buttons feel like it has a larger amount of options. With the use of different profiles, you can record and save macros, DPI adjustments, and more to make changes between casual browsing, work, and gaming sessions easier.
If you regularly use more than one profile, make sure your mouse has enough buttons for each profile.
For example, you might want a profile with all options (left-click, right-click, and scroll) on the thumb side for gaming, or with a work profile you may want to be able to use your index finger for most of the clicking instead of using your thumb.
Weight
Weight affects many things, including the reaction time you have when using a mouse. If you like a light mouse for rapid and quick movement across the mousepad, get one that weighs less than 100g (3.5 oz), such as the Razer DeathAdder (83g).
If you prefer a heavier feel in your hand and won’t be needing to make quick “flicking” movements, look for something around 150g (5 oz), such as the SteelSeries Kana.
Are Ergonomic Mice Actually Good for you?
Yes. Ergonomic mice are not just for people who experience pain or fatigue when using a traditional mouse. They can be helpful for anyone who spends a lot of time at the computer.
For example, they can be useful for students who need to do a lot of homework or office workers who spend their days typing on their computers.
Often, ergonomic mice are made from high-quality, durable materials that will last for years.
Additionally, many ergonomic mice come with extra features that can be beneficial, such as adjustable DPI settings and programmable buttons.
Finally, the quality of the ergonomic mouse. Often, these mice are made with higher-quality components than standard mice, which can provide a better overall experience.
3 Best Ergonomic Mice
When you’re looking for an ergonomic mouse, it’s important to find the right one for your needs. Here are three of the best ergonomic mice on the market today.
1. The Evoluent VerticalMouse 4
The Evoluent VerticalMouse 4 is a great ergonomic mouse for people who like to use a mouse with their hand in a more vertical position.
It’s designed to fit the natural shape of your hand, and it has a built-in thumb rest to help keep your hand comfortable.
2. The Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse
The Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse is perfect for people who use a mouse with their non-dominant hand.
It’s designed to keep your hand in a relaxed position, and it has a built-in scroll wheel and thumb buttons.
3. The Logitech Wireless Marathon Mouse M705
is a great choice for people who use a mouse with both hands.
It has a wide base that keeps your hand in a comfortable position, and has a built-in scroll wheel and thumb buttons.
FAQs
Are Ergonomic Mice Better for Gaming?
There is no definitive answer to this question as everyone’s hands and preferences are different.
However, many people believe that ergonomic mice are better for gaming, as they allow you to keep your hands in a more natural position. This can help to reduce fatigue and improve your accuracy.
Final Thoughts
Switching to an ergonomic mouse is a good choice for people who suffer from hand fatigue while working at the computer.
In the end, it’s up to you whether or not you think ergonomic mice are worth it. They can definitely provide benefits, but they may not be necessary for everyone.
If you do decide to get one, make sure to take the time to find the right one for your needs – there are a lot of different options out there.
And, as always, be sure to consult with your doctor if you have any specific health concerns. Thanks for reading.
My name is Vance, and I am the owner of To Ergonomics. Our mission is to improve your workflow by helping you create a supportive and welcoming environment. We hope that you’ll find what you’re looking for while you’re here.