Wireless vs Wired Mouse: Which is best for gaming?

Wireless or wired mouse? It’s a question people have been asking ever since the humble gaming mouse first went under the knife.

It’s a fair question, too, as wireless connectivity, while ever-advancing, still has a bad rep when it comes to reliability and speed. However, wired mice can seem a bit old fashioned these days, can’t they?

So, we’re going to take a moment to discuss the key differences, the benefits, and the drawbacks of wired and wireless gaming mice. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a better idea of which type of mouse suits you best. Let’s take a closer look.

Most of these differences are applicable regardless of the intended use of the mouse, whether it be gaming, general computing, or throwing off your desk in frustration. If the intended use is for gaming, however, then some of these differences can be dealbreakers.

Wireless mouse pros:

• More portable. A better fit for laptops and tablets
• No cable drag. If you’ve ever noticed that the actual cable of a mouse is impeding your mouse movement, you’ve experienced cable drag. Wireless mice eliminate this issue altogether.
• The wireless aesthetic looks cool and makes for a way tidier desk setup.

Wireless mouse cons:

• More expensive than the wired counterpart
• Sooner or later, the battery will run out, so you’ll have to plug the cable in. This happening mid-game can spell disaster and lead to angry teammates.
• There is always some risk of connectivity issues.
• Wireless mice require an internal battery, which adds weight.

Wired Mouse Pros:

• Simplicity. Plug and play.
• Usually cheaper than the wireless equivalent.
• No battery life concerns.
• No connectivity issues. Absolutely no noticeable latency if the Polling rate is high enough.

Wired Mouse Cons:

• Cable drag can affect gaming performance, only fixable with a mouse bungee.
• Less convenient to use while travelling. Additionally, modern laptops have very few full-size USB ports, sometimes none. This makes wired mice even less convenient for this.
• Some consider the cable to be unsightly.

Yes, connectivity issues are rare these days, as both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections, like CORSAIR SLIPSTREAM, have developed to the point where the latency and reliability is very close to a cabled connection. However, there is still a small chance of connection loss with any wireless mouse, especially if the mouse is a great distance from the device in question.

This really depends on individual needs, application, and of course, budget. This means there is no “correct” answer. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t make some specific recommendations here.

Hardcore competitive gamers, the types who actively compete, should only settle for the best and most reliable gaming mice. This means choosing a wired mouse, or something CORSAIR SLIPSTREAM compatible.

Using FPS games like Counter Strike 2, Apex Legends, and Valorant as examples, a great choice would be the SABRE RGB PRO WIRELESS CHAMPION SERIES. The wireless variant uses our SLIPSTREAM technology that can have latencies as low as sub-1ms, ensuring that there are no delays between the movement of the mouse, and the in-game action.

For those who refuse to take any chances, and want to entirely eliminate the risk of latency or the mouse dying mid-game, there’s a wired variant of the SABRE RGB PRO CHAMPION SERIES. It performs every bit as well as the wireless version and costs half the price.

Those of you who are already committed to the wireless lifestyle should know that the SLIPSTREAM technology allows you to connect up to 3 supported CORSAIR peripherals to a single receiver, meaning that you’ll only be using a single USB port. Products like the CORSAIR VOYAGER a1600 Gaming Laptop feature an internal SLIPSTREAM receiver, meaning that you won’t even need to use a USB port for your peripherals.

It’s worth noting here that if you connect 3 devices to a single receiver, the polling rates will be marginally higher, but there shouldn’t be any noticeable additional latency.

General computing doesn’t require ultra-low latency, or any of the other performance-critical differences that appear when comparing wired vs wireless mice. This makes it a question of convenience and price.

Those unconcerned with saving a buck might as well go wireless, as it results in a tidier desk setup, and the battery dying won’t get you shouted at like it will during an intense online battle. The DARK CORE RGB PRO SE Wireless is a good option here, as the flanges on either side provide a very ergonomic user experience, which is vital for working from home.

People who’ve made their peace with cable clutter will find the NIGHTSWORD RGB a solid wired, ergonomic, and lower-cost solution. It boasts similar comfort to the DARK CORE, and, as a bonus, two sets of weights and six mounting locations offer 120 different weight and balance configurations. This means you can fine-tune the weight to your preference, no matter how specific.

By now you’ll have a good idea of the benefits and drawbacks of wired and wireless mice, be it for gaming or other uses. As mentioned earlier, there is no clear winner here, as there are strengths and weaknesses to both options. This leaves it up to you to choose, and we currently have a type of mouse for every occasion over at the Corsair Store.