If you’re serious about gaming, you know your gear matters. A great gaming mouse with side buttons isn’t just a luxury; it’s a total game-changer. It puts critical commands right under your thumb, letting you react faster without fumbling for your keyboard. That split-second advantage can be the difference between a glorious victory and a frustrating respawn screen.
But with so many models out there, finding the right one for your grip and game library is tricky. We’ve tested a bunch to cut through the noise and find which ones truly delivers on their promise. Let’s dive into what makes these mice special and which one might be your perfect click.
Product Comparison Table: 10 Best Gaming Mouse With Side Buttons
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse, Hero Sensor, 12,000…
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9.6 |
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Logitech G502 Hero High Performance Wired Gaming Mouse, Hero…
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9.4 |
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Redragon M612 Predator RGB Gaming Mouse, 8000 DPI Wired…
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9.2 |
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Redragon M908 Impact RGB LED MMO Gaming Mouse with…
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9.0 |
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Razer Basilisk V3 Customizable Ergonomic Gaming Mouse: Fastest Gaming…
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8.8 |
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Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse: 19…
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8.6 |
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Razer DeathAdder Essential Gaming Mouse: 6400 DPI Optical Sensor…
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8.4 |
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Redragon M810 Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse, 10000 DPI Wired/Wireless…
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8.2 |
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Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed Customizable Wireless Gaming Mouse:…
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8.0 |
Read Review |
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acer Wired Gaming Mouse, 12,800 DPI RGB Ergonomic Computer…
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7.8 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 10 Gaming Mouse With Side Buttons
Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse, Hero Sensor, 12,000 DPI, Lightweight, 6 Programmable Buttons, 250h Battery, On-Board Memory, Compatible with PC, Mac – Black
The Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse is built for performance without the wires. It’s core mission is to give you reliable, high-speed control in a package that’s easy to take anywhere, and it achieves this through a few key technologies. At its heart is the next-generation HERO optical sensor. This is what tracks your movement, and it’s incredibly precise and efficient.
It offers sensitivity up to 12,000 DPI for those who want it, with 400 IPS tracking to keep up with your fastest swipes. More importantly, this sensor is up to 10x more power efficient than Logitech’s previous ones, which is a huge deal for battery life. Speaking of which, the G305 uses a single AA battery. You can get around 250 hours of continuous gameplay from it.
If your not gaming every day, switching to Endurance mode via the Logitech G HUB software can stretch that battery life to an astonishing 9 months of regular use. The wireless connection is handled by Logitech’s LIGHTSPEED technology. It’s designed to be as fast and reliable as a wired connection, with a 1 ms report rate. This means no perceptible lag, which is crucial for competitive gaming where every millisecond counts. You get the freedom of wireless without sacrificing responsiveness.
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 – Black
The Logitech G502 HERO High Performance Wired Gaming Mouse is built for gamers who demand precision and personalization. At its core is the HERO 25K sensor, a next-generation piece of tech that tracks your movements with incredible accuracy. It can detect sub-micron level movements, which is less than one millionth of a meter, ensuring that every flick and adjustment you make on-screen is exactly what you intended.
With a sensitivity range up to 25,600 DPI and no smoothing or acceleration, you get pure, 1-to-1 tracking. This means the sensor won’t guess or adjust your input; it just faithfully follows your hand. You have alot of control over how this mouse feels in your hand. Inside the compartment, you’ll find five removable 3.6-gram weights.
You can arrange these weights to create a balance and overall heft that matches your prefered playstyle, whether you like a lighter, faster glide or a more substantial, stable feel. The buttons are also a highlight. A mechanical switch button tensioning system uses metal springs and pivot hinges for the main clicks. This gives each click a crisp, clean feel and rapid feedback, which is crucial during intense gaming sessions where every millisecond counts.
Redragon M612 Predator RGB Gaming Mouse, 8000 DPI Wired Optical Mouse with 11 Programmable Buttons & 5 Backlit Modes, Software Supports DIY Keybinds Rapid Fire Button
The Redragon M612 Predator RGB Gaming Mouse is built to be a versatile tool for both intense gaming sessions and productive work. At its core, its an optical mouse with a high-precision 8000 DPI sensor, giving you the speed and accuracy needed for everything from precise sniping to fast-paced strategy games. A key feature is its five preset DPI levels, defaulting from 500 to 4000 DPI, which you can cycle through on the fly with a dedicated button.
This lets you instantly switch sensitivity for different in-game tasks, like aiming versus looking around. For true customization, the software lets you fine-tune the DPI anywhere in that 500 to 8000 range to match your exact preference. You get a total of 11 programmable buttons, and every single one is reassignable. This means you can map complex commands, spells, or work shortcuts directly to the mouse.
Two side macro buttons and a rapid-fire button are particularly useful for gaining an edge, allowing for quicker actions without moving your fingers from the main controls. Comfort is a major focus. The mouse has a skin-friendly frosted coating that feels great and resists fingerprints, while the left side features a rubberized texture for extra grip and control. Its designed with a general claw-grip shape and a solid, ergonomic frame that supports your hand naturally.
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
The Redragon M908 Impact RGB LED MMO Gaming Mouse is built for gamers who demand control and customization. This wired optical mouse is centered around its 12 dedicated side buttons, perfect for MMOs, MOBAs, or any game where quick access to abilities and macros is crucial. It’s designed to be a primary tool in your setup, putting a wide array of commands right at your thumb. At its core is a high-precision Pixart PAW3327 optical sensor.
It delivers a max sensitivity of 12,400 DPI, which you can adjust through five preset levels or fine-tune freely in software. With a 1000Hz polling rate and 30G acceleration, it ensures your on-screen movements are fast, accurate, and reliable. Whether you need slow, precise aiming or swift flicks, the M908 responds consistently. You get a total of 18 programmable buttons. These can be configured with complex macros or simple shortcuts, and the mouse stores five separate hardware profiles.
Each profile can be assigned its own RGB color for quick visual identification on the fly. Speaking of RGB, the mouse offers 16.8 million color options for its backlighting, which you can of course turn off if you prefer a cleaner look. Comfort during long sessions is key, and the M908 features an aggressive, ergonomic shape designed for a solid grip.
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
The Razer Basilisk V3 Customizable Ergonomic Gaming Mouse is built around a form thats trusted by millions. Its iconic shape includes a comfortable thumb rest that supports your hand during long sessions, and all the buttons are right where you need them for quick access without having to adjust your grip.
At its core is the Focus Plus 26K DPI optical sensor. This best-in-class sensor provides flawless, pixel-precise tracking with zero smoothing for crisp response.
It pairs with second-generation Optical Mouse Switches. These actuate at an incredible 0.2 milliseconds, virtually eliminating unintended clicks and ensuring your commands are registered instantly, for up to 70 million clicks.
Customization is a major highlight here. You get 11 fully programmable buttons. You can assign complex macros, secondary functions, or essential actions like push-to-talk and ping directly to them. The standout feature is the HyperScroll Tilt Wheel.
You can switch it to a free-spin mode to fly through long web pages or in-game menus, or click it into a tactile mode for precise, satisfying scrolls that are perfect for cycling through weapons or skills. It also tilts for two additional commands.
For personalization, the mouse features 11 distinct Razer Chroma RGB lighting zones. You can customize each one individually from millions of colors and effects.
Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse: 19 Programmable Buttons – HyperScroll Technology – Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor – Mechanical Mouse Switches Gen-2 – Up to 400 Hr Battery Life
The Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse is designed for gamers who need a serious tool for complex games. It’s built around a core of 19 programmable buttons, strategically placed around the thumb rest for quick, intuitive access. This layout lets you map essential abilities, items, and macros directly to the mouse, reducing your reliance on the keyboard and keeping your focus on the action.
You can customize every button through Razer Synapse to fit your specific game and playstyle.
At its heart is the Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor, Razer’s latest and most advanced. This sensor offers exceptional tracking accuracy and consistency, even on difficult surfaces like glass. It’s paired with intelligent functions that help with fine-tuning your aim. For the primary clicks, the mouse uses Gen-2 Mechanical Switches, rated for 60 million clicks.
These switches are built with durability in mind, using gold-plated contacts to resist wear and ensure your clicks remain crisp and responsive over a very long time.
The scroll wheel features Razer’s HyperScroll Technology, which gives you two distinct modes. A tactile mode provides precise, notched scrolling perfect for weapon switching or menu navigation. With a quick button press, you can switch to a free-spin mode that lets the wheel spin rapidly for long web pages or in-game menus.
Razer DeathAdder Essential Gaming Mouse: 6400 DPI Optical Sensor – 5 Programmable Buttons – Mechanical Switches – Rubber Side Grips – Classic Black
The Razer DeathAdder Essential Gaming Mouse is a foundational tool built for reliability and performance. It takes the classic, proven shape that’s become a favorite for millions and equips it with the core features you need for both gaming and demanding creative tasks. This mouse focuses on delivering a precise, responsive, and comfortable experience without unnecessary complexity.
At its heart is a high-precision 6,400 DPI optical sensor.
This sensor provides excellent tracking accuracy on a wide variety of surfaces, ensuring your cursor movement feels fluid and true to your hand. Dedicated DPI buttons on the top of the mouse let you cycle through up to five sensitivity stages on the fly. Whether you need slow, pixel-perfect control for photo editing or a swift flick for a gaming headshot, you can adjust instantly.
These buttons are also reprogrammable if you want to assign a different function to them.
Durability is a key focus here. The mouse uses mechanical switches rated for up to 10 million clicks. This gives you a satisfying, tactile feedback with every press and is backed by a 2-year warranty for peace of mind. For added control, the scroll wheel features a ridged, rubberized texture.
Redragon M810 Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse, 10000 DPI Wired/Wireless Gamer Mouse w/Rapid Fire Key, 8 Macro Buttons, 45-Hour Reliable Power Capacity and RGB Backlit for PC/Mac/Laptop
The Redragon M810 Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse is designed for gamers who need performance without compromise, whether your battlestation is a PC, Mac, or laptop. It gives you a serious choice: go wireless for complete freedom or plug in the USB cable for a traditional wired connection. The 2.4Ghz wireless connection is stable and responsive, eliminating cable drag so your in-game reactions are purely your own. No more getting tangled or pulled back at a crucial moment.
Precision is key, and the M810 Pro delivers with an adjustable DPI up to 10000. You have five on-board DPI levels to cycle through, from 500 for broad strokes to 10000 for pixel-perfect targeting. You can customize each level using the software, letting you switch sensitivity swiftly between a sniper scope and a close-quarters spray.
The PAW3325 optical sensor ensures every movement is tracked accurately, supported by a 1000Hz polling rate in both wireless and wired modes for reliable reporting to your system. Customization is where this mouse really shines. All eight of its buttons are programmable. That includes two side macro buttons and a dedicated rapid-fire key. You can set up complex command sequences or simple shortcuts for your favorite game or even for productivity work, saving you time and keypresses.
Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed Customizable Wireless Gaming Mouse: Mechanical Switches Gen-2-5G Advanced 18K Optical Sensor – Chroma RGB – 9 Programmable Controls – 285 Hr Battery – Classic Black
The Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed is a customizable wireless gaming mouse built for performance and comfort. Its iconic shape is favored by millions for a reason—it provides excellent support for various grip styles, whether you palm, claw, or fingertip. This ergonomic design means you can game for extended sessions without discomfort. You also get nine programmable controls at your fingertips.
These buttons allow you to assign complex macros and commands, streamlining your gameplay and giving you a tangible edge by putting essential functions right where you need them.
Connectivity is a major highlight here. The mouse features both Razer HyperSpeed Wireless for ultra-low latency that’s faster than standard wireless, and Bluetooth for versatility.
You can switch to Bluetooth for incredible battery efficiency, or use HyperSpeed when every millisecond counts in a competitive match. It also supports multi-device pairing, letting you switch between your gaming rig and another device without fuss. Speaking of battery, this mouse is built to last. You can get up to 285 hours on HyperSpeed mode and a staggering 535 hours on Bluetooth, so you spend more time playing and less time worrying about the next charge.
acer Wired Gaming Mouse, 12,800 DPI RGB Ergonomic Computer Mouse with Optical Sensor, 8 Programmable Buttons, 12 Backlit Modes, Software for DIY Keybinds, Rapid Fire, USB Gaming Mice for Laptop, PC
The Acer Wired Gaming Mouse is designed to be a reliable, high-performance tool that fits naturally into your hand. Its larger ergonomic shape supports a comfortable mid-hand grip, letting your palm rest in a neutral position to avoid strain during long sessions. The mouse has a balanced weight that feels solid and stable without being heavy, which helps with control.
It’s built for responsiveness, featuring a 1000Hz polling rate, 20G acceleration, and a 7000 FPS optical sensor for smooth, precise tracking that can keep up with fast flicks in FPS titles or intense battles in MOBAs.
You get eight programmable buttons that are easy to reach without over-stretching your fingers. These can be remapped to any keyboard command or complex macro sequence using the included software, letting you tailor the mouse for your specific games or workflow.
Whether you need a rapid-fire command or a specific skill combo, you can set it up once and save it to the mouse’s onboard memory. Just remember to click the red checkmark in the software to save your custom settings after your done.
For visual flair, the mouse features fully customizable RGB lighting with 12 different backlit modes. You can pick a single static color to match your setup or choose a dynamic rainbow wave effect.
Gaming Mouse With Side Buttons Buying Guide
A gaming mouse with side buttons adds utility; consider their number, placement, and programmability for your games. It’s not just about having extra keys—it’s about making your gameplay smoother and more intuitive. Let’s look at what really matters when you’re choosing one.
Button Layout & Comfort
How many buttons do you actually need? Two to six side buttons are common. Think about your grip: do you use a palm, claw, or fingertip style? The buttons should be easy to reach without straining your thumb. A mouse with buttons that are too far forward or cluttered can be worse than having none at all. Test the shape in your hand if you can.
Software & Programmability
This is where the magic happens. Good software lets you assign complex macros or simple keystrokes to each button. Can you set different profiles for different games? Is the software easy to use or a confusing mess? Some mice even store profiles onboard the mouse, so your settings work on any computer. This flexibility is a game-changer.
Sensor Performance
Don’t get so focused on the side buttons that you forget the core function. A high-quality optical sensor is non-negotiable for precise tracking. Look for a high DPI range and a polling rate of 1000Hz for responsive, lag-free movement. After all, what good are programmed buttons if your aim is jittery and unreliable?
Build Quality & Durability
You’ll be clicking those side buttons thousands of times. They need to feel crisp and tactile, not mushy. The main mouse switches should be rated for tens of millions of clicks. A sturdy, flexible cable (or reliable wireless connection) and solid construction mean your mouse will last through countless gaming sessions. It’s an investment in your setup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gaming Mouse With Side Buttons
What are side buttons used for on a gaming mouse?
They’re extra keys you can program. You typically use them for in-game actions like reloading, switching weapons, or using special abilities. This keeps your main movements on the left mouse button and right mouse button, while your thumb handles the extras.
How many side buttons do I need?
It depends on the games you play. For most shooters or MOBAs, 2 to 4 buttons are plenty. If you play MMOs or complex strategy games, you might want 6 or even 12 for all your shortcuts. More buttons can be great, but they can also make the mouse feel crowded.
Are they hard to program or setup?
Not at all! Most gaming mice come with software. You just install it, click the button you want to change, and assign a key or command. It’s usually a very visual and straightforward process that only takes a few minutes.
Will I accidentally press them?
Good mice are designed to prevent that. The buttons have a distinct click and are placed where your thumb rests naturally, not where it brushes past. If you find yourself hitting them by mistake, the software often lets you disable specific buttons.
Do all gaming mice have side buttons on both sides?
No, most have them only on the left side for right-handed users. Some ambidextrous models have them on both sides, which can be great for lefties. There’s also a few mice with buttons on the right side specifically for extra finger grip.
What’s the difference between mechanical and optical switches for side buttons?
It’s about how the button registers your press. Mechanical switches use physical metal contacts and have a classic, tactile click. Optical switches use a beam of light and can be a bit faster and more durable. Both are excellent, so it often comes down to the feel you prefer.
Can I use a gaming mouse with side buttons for regular work?
Absolutely. You can program them for everyday tasks, like copy and paste, undo, or opening your favorite applications. Once you get used to having them, you might find you rely on them for all sorts of things beyond gaming.
Wrapping Things Up
For executing complex commands with a thumb, our concluding options put critical game controls right at your fingertips. The right choice ultimately depends on how you play. Consider how many commands you truly need quick access to, and think about teh feel of the buttons under your thumb. Comfort during long sessions is just as important as the number of features.
Whether you prioritize speed, precision, or durability, there’s a perfect fit for your setup. Investing in a well-designed gaming mouse with side buttons is a simple upgrade that can make a real difference in your performance. It streamlines your actions and lets you focus more on strategy and less on searching your keyboard for the right key. You’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.