The Best Mice for Macs in 2024


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Everybody needs a mouse. Even the simplest computing—web browsing, word processing, dragging files—is made better with a precise, comfortable way to control your cursor. On a Mac, you have a couple of very special options in Apple’s Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad, but there’s also a wider world of Mac-compatible mice that offer features and benefits you won’t find on Apple’s peripherals.

Whether you’re looking for a little bit of that classic Apple “magic” or something new, here are our top recommendations for Mac-friendly mice, followed by what you need to know about picking a mouse for your Mac.

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Logitech MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse

Best Overall Mouse for Mac

Bottom Line:

Silent buttons and an 8,000dpi sensor bring Logitech’s flagship MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse just one or two clicks from perfection.

PROS

  • Remarkable comfort and battery life
  • Perfectly precise electromagnetic scroll wheel
  • Ultra-customizable for different apps
  • Works with multiple devices and operating systems

CONS

  • Lefties need not apply
  • No place to store the USB dongle
  • Fans of tactile clicks may prefer the older version

SPECS

Number of Buttons 8
Interface RF Wireless, Bluetooth
Hand Orientation Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model Logitech Darkfield
Sensor Maximum Resolution 8000 dpi
Power Source Internal Battery
Weight 5 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor) 1 year

Kensington Expert Mouse Wireless Trackball

Best Classic Trackball for Mac

Bottom Line:

Wrist need a rest? The Kensington Expert Mouse Wireless Trackball has everything you need to make the fingers-only trackball experience your own.

PROS

  • Comfortable design, including game-changing scrolling ring
  • Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless
  • Detachable wrist rest
  • Lots of customization available via config software

CONS

  • Relies on disposable batteries (may be a pro to some)
  • Noisy click panels

SPECS

Number of Buttons 4
Interface Bluetooth, RF Wireless
Hand Orientation Ambidextrous
Sensor Maker and Model Unspecified Optical Sensor
Sensor Maximum Resolution 400 dpi
Power Source Two AA Batteries
Weight 15.98 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor) 3 years

Logitech Ergo M575

Best Thumb-Style Trackball for Mac

Bottom Line:

The Logitech Ergo M575 is a well-built, more ergonomic alternative to a traditional mouse that’s held back only by a design that won’t quite fit everyone’s hands or workflows.

PROS

  • Ergonomic design
  • Solid construction
  • Supports both Bluetooth and Logitech’s USB Unifying receiver

CONS

  • Thumb-ball design isn’t for everyone
  • No support for wired connections

SPECS

Number of Buttons 5
Interface RF Wireless, Bluetooth
Hand Orientation Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model Logitech Advanced Optical Tracking
Sensor Maximum Resolution 2000 dpi
Power Source One AA Battery
Weight 5.11 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor) 1 year

Logitech Lift

Best Ergonomic Mouse for Macs

Bottom Line:

The design-forward Logitech Lift is an affordable, versatile vertical mouse with an ergonomic bent, but its compact size won’t please users with larger hands.

PROS

  • Handsome, compact vertical design
  • Available in version for lefties
  • Rated 24-month battery life on one AA cell
  • Can seamlessly swap connections among up to three devices
  • Compatible with macOS

CONS

  • Not comfortable for larger hands
  • Shallow switches offer little feedback

SPECS

Number of Buttons 5
Interface RF Wireless, Bluetooth
Hand Orientation Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model Logitech Advanced Optical Tracking
Sensor Maximum Resolution 4000 dpi
Power Source Internal Battery
Weight 0.27 pounds
Warranty (Parts and Labor) 1 year

Logitech MX Anywhere 3S

Best Mobile Mouse for Mac

Bottom Line:

Logitech’s MX Anywhere 3S doesn’t reinvent the wheel (or any other part), but it improves upon the Anywhere 3 in ways that are sure to impress those in the market for a travel-ready wireless mouse.

PROS

  • Sleek, comfortable design
  • Powerful customization software
  • Quiet clicks
  • Improved sensor
  • Long battery life

CONS

  • May be small for larger hands
  • Too few changes to warrant an upgrade

SPECS

Number of Buttons 6
Interface Bluetooth, USB Wired
Hand Orientation Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model Logitech Darkfield
Sensor Maximum Resolution 8000 dpi
Power Source Internal Battery
Weight 3.3 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor) 1 year

HyperX Pulsefire Haste Gaming Mouse

Best Budget Gaming Mouse for Mac

Bottom Line:

Lightweight, comfortable, and reasonably priced, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste is the best esports mouse to come along in some time.

PROS

  • Extremely light
  • Terrific sensor for the price
  • Onboard memory
  • Stylish honeycomb chassis

CONS

  • Chassis shape could use a bit more support
  • Little RGB lighting

SPECS

Number of Buttons 6
Interface USB Wired
Hand Orientation Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model PixArt PAW3335
Sensor Maximum Resolution 16000 dpi
Power Source Wired USB
Weight 2.01 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor) 2 years

Corsair Darkstar Wireless RGB MMO Gaming Mouse

Best Wireless Gaming Mouse for Mac

Bottom Line:

Corsair’s Darkstar Wireless RGB mouse offers an excellent sensor, a unique design, and tons of customization options that will thrill players of MOBAs, MMOs, and fast-paced first-person shooters.

PROS

  • Unique, lightweight design
  • Impressive sensor enables gyro controls
  • RGB lighting used sparingly and effectively
  • Wide range of customization options

CONS

  • Expensive
  • Battery life could be better
  • Button layout takes some getting used to

SPECS

Number of Buttons 15
Interface USB Wired, RF Wireless, Bluetooth
Hand Orientation Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model Corsair Marksmen Optical Sensor
Sensor Maximum Resolution 26000 dpi
Power Source Internal Battery
Weight 3.3 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor) 2 years

Corsair M75 Air Ultra-Lightweight Wireless Gaming Mouse

Best Wireless Esports Mouse for Mac

Bottom Line:

The Corsair M75 Air is a simple wireless gaming mouse with no real frills to distract from its ultralight weight. It’s expensive, but an excellent choice for esports fans.

PROS

  • Lightweight
  • Long battery life
  • High DPI settings

CONS

  • Costly
  • No DPI switch
  • Right-handed only

SPECS

Number of Buttons 5
Interface 2.4GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB Wired
Hand Orientation Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model Corsair Marksman
Sensor Maximum Resolution 26000 dpi
Power Source Internal Battery
Weight 2.11 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor) 2 years

Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE

Best Wireless Gaming Mouse With Wireless Charging

Bottom Line:

With an upgraded sensor and remodeled side buttons, Corsair’s Dark Core RGB Pro SE updates a great mouse to keep it in the front rank.

PROS

  • Remodeled side macro buttons
  • Very good price
  • Qi wireless charging
  • Highly customizable lighting
  • Built-in dongle storage

CONS

  • Textured grip is a bit slippery
  • Fewer buttons than the first Dark Core
  • No really big changes

SPECS

Number of Buttons 8
Interface RF Wireless, Bluetooth, USB Wired
Hand Orientation Right-Handed
Sensor Maker and Model PixArt PAW3392
Sensor Maximum Resolution 18000 dpi
Power Source Internal Battery, Qi Wireless, Wired USB
Weight 4.9 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor) 2 years

Apple Magic Mouse 2

The Apple Classic Mouse

Bottom Line:

The Apple Magic Mouse 2 looks and feels the same as its predecessor, and now comes with rechargeable batteries. Its minimalist design may not be comfortable for everyone, however, and the Lightning port isn’t in the best location.

PROS

  • Rechargeable battery.
  • Multitouch surface.
  • Good for both left- and right-handed use.
  • Automatically pairs with Macs via Bluetooth.
  • Ships with Lightning-to-USB cable.

CONS

  • Requires OS X El Capitan or later.
  • Cannot use the mouse while it is charging.
  • Shallow design doesn’t fill the curve of your hand.

SPECS

Number of Buttons 2
Interface Bluetooth
Hand Orientation Ambidextrous
Sensor Maker and Model Unspecified Optical Sensor
Sensor Maximum Resolution 1300 dpi
Power Source Internal Battery
Weight 3.52 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor) 1 year

Apple Magic Trackpad 2

The Apple Classic Touchpad

Bottom Line:

The Magic Trackpad 2 is larger than its predecessor, and adds a rechargeable internal battery and Force Click, but it’s nearly twice the price.

PROS

  • Attractive, minimalist design.
  • Larger active surface area than the previous model.
  • Quick setup.
  • Supports Force Click and multitouch gestures.
  • Internal rechargeable battery.
  • Includes Lightning charging cable.

CONS

  • Expensive.
  • Requires El Capitan and Bluetooth 4.0 to work.

SPECS

Number of Buttons 1
Interface Bluetooth, USB Wired
Hand Orientation Ambidextrous
Sensor Maker and Model Not Applicable
Sensor Maximum Resolution
Power Source Internal Battery, Wired USB
Weight 8 ounces
Warranty (Parts and Labor) 1 year

Buying Guide: The Best Mice for Macs in 2024

The first word in any conversation about mice for Macs has to be “Magic.” Apple’s Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad have been around for many years now and serve as the de facto standard for Mac users looking for a mouse. The Magic devices have a key feature that only a few other mice even try to replicate: gesture controls. You can swipe in different directions along the top of the Magic Mouse, as you would with a laptop touch pad, to trigger shortcuts and hotkeys. 

The Magic Trackpad, being the touch pad it is, takes things a step further, allowing you to fully replicate the laptop touch-pad experience in a desktop setup. Both devices fit in quite nicely with most of Apple’s computers, completing that sleek silver-and-white signature Apple look. If you think of a MacBook laptop of some kind as your “default” computer setup, the Magic Mouse is a best-of-both-worlds scenario. You get the more accurate, comfortable scrolling that comes with using a mouse, while also having access to those familiar swipes and taps.

Not much has changed since the release of Apple’s tools, and the products we tested in our reviews linked above are still the current versions. Apple’s design remains timeless, flaws and all. But they have received smaller changes since we tested them, like the addition of a new black color option in addition to the classic white and dropping the “2” in their names. The Magic Trackpad also now works well in tandem with the Apple Vision Pro, working seamlessly together with your hands, eyes, and voice to help you navigate the new headset.


Apple’s Classic Mice: Is Every Little Thing They Do, Indeed, Magic?

Our take on that question: The Magic Mouse 2 is perfectly fine, but it’s not outstanding. It has some weird quirks other devices simply don’t, the biggest one being that you need to flip it over to charge it. (Most wireless mice have charging ports on the front edge, so you can keep using them while they’re plugged in. Not the Magic Mouse 2.) And if you want to go beyond the basics for increased productivity, improved ergonomics, or hardcore gaming, mice from other manufacturers more effectively cater to those needs.

Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE Wireless Gaming Mouse angle left

(Credit: Mike Epstein)

Many elite productivity mice allow you to connect wirelessly to multiple computers and quickly switch between or among them. Also, in the gaming world, customization is very important, and it can be helpful to have extra buttons for hotkeys or custom commands. And if long-term computer use has taken its toll and you feel pain when holding a mouse, a vertical mouse or a wrist-stilling trackball can help reduce strain on your hand and wrist.

Each of these categories is a world unto itself, with its own specific qualities and eccentricities. To find out more about what makes them great (and how to pick the right one), also check out our guides to the best mice, the best gaming mice for Macs, and the best ergonomic mice.


How to Pick a Good Mouse for the Mac

Setting aside the unique features and benefits of different types of mice (including Apple’s), keep a few basic criteria in mind when picking among any set of mice. Though many macOS and Windows users assume the two operating systems are wildly different, some concepts, as related to mousing, are the same across the board.

Logitech G Pro X Superlight Wireless Gaming Mouse front

(Credit: Mike Epstein)

The most important element of a mouse is its shape. Does it feel comfortable in your hand? Are the buttons laid out in such a way that you can reach them all easily without adjusting your hand, bending your fingers into awkward positions, or overextending? A well-shaped mouse guides your hand into a specific grip that doesn’t force you to squeeze it to grip it, and it makes every input easy to use.

Internally, mouse performance all comes down to its optical sensor, which tracks your mouse’s movement relative to the surface below it. (For a deeper discussion of mouse resolution, see our buying guide to the best overall mice.) The thing is, nowadays, excellent-performing mouse sensors are very common. It’s pretty rare that you’ll find one that isn’t precise enough for most work.

Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse Right Side Angle

(Credit: Mike Epstein)

In the gaming-mouse world, some advanced specs come into play, such as how quickly you can move the mouse before it stops working correctly, but these matter only to really competitive players. Gamers care more about mouse weight. A lighter mouse can take microseconds off a reaction and be easily pushed with the fingertips. Check out our guide to picking the best esports mice for a more thorough explanation.

And yes, we know that gaming on a Mac is a rarity, even rarer if you’re competing at a higher level. But whether you’re a casual player or take your games seriously, we recommend trying out an esports mouse anyway. Why? Because esports mice are more than capable of handling the basic needs of a gaming mouse, but are also flush with options in the event that you decide to take your gaming experience to the next level.

Recommended by Our Editors

Then there’s the issue of wired versus wireless mice. For any wireless mouse, you want to look for two things. Typical wireless mice offer a 2.4GHz wireless connection via a USB dongle. The most flexible mice have both that 2.4GHz connection and support for Bluetooth. (A few, mostly mobile/compact models, support Bluetooth only.) Second, battery life can vary greatly depending on a few factors, including whether the mouse features a rechargeable battery or uses disposable AA or AAA cells. Disposable batteries can last a really long time, but needing to replace them can be a hassle. Our roundup of the best wireless mice gets into these and other details so you can compare wireless mice wisely.


Mice and Mac Compatibility: The Details

All of the above is well and good, but with Macs, there is the added layer of macOS compatibility, or rather, the degree of it. Before you run out and buy our picks for the best gaming mouse or best ergonomic mouse, check the compatibility claims made by the mouse maker.

Almost any mouse, wired or wireless, will connect to your Mac and allow you to move the cursor and click. However, the more advanced features will work only if you download the manufacturer’s configuration application, a free piece of software that lets you customize mouse settings and enable certain features. Configuration apps vary by manufacturer, and many companies do not release their software on macOS. Before you purchase a mouse, it’s always a good idea to look up whether it comes with a configuration utility (it should, unless it’s a very bare-bones device), and whether that software will run on your computer. In our experience, Corsair, HP, Kensington, Logitech, and SteelSeries configuration software generally works on macOS. But check those specs.

Logitech MX Master 3 Mouse Software

(Credit: Logitech)

Many mice, especially budget models, don’t feature a config app. Those should just work, no questions asked, if the mouse maker claims macOS compatibility.


So, Which Mouse Should I Buy for My Mac?

Knowing the lay of the land is just the first step. Now it’s time for the fun part: picking out the right mouse for you! Here’s a list of our favorite Mac-friendly mice right now, from the classic Magic Mouse to all kinds of specialty mice that may catch your eye. If you’re also looking for a keyboard to go with your new mouse, check out our list of the best keyboards for Macs.



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