Best Ergonomic Mouse for Wrist Pain

Once upon a time a lot of jobs involved spending time outdoors, but now it is much more common for people to find themselves sitting by a computer and scrolling a mouse throughout the working day. 

There is no denying that the traditional style of computer mouse is great, but overtime this device has been linked with wrist pain and other joint problems reaching all the way up to the shoulder.

With this in mind, designers sat down and came up with a handy new design known as the ergonomic mouse which is guaranteed to reduce wrist pain. 

These devices are designed to reduce the strain put upon your wrist while you work and in turn, ensure that you experience no pain.

There are lots of different styles of ergonomic mice on the market, but there’s no need to worry because we’ve put together this handy guide to help you. 

It’s packed with absolutely everything you need to know about ergonomic mice and recommendations of some of the best options available. So if you want to buy an ergonomic mouse, you are in the right place. 

In a hurry?

If you are struggling with wrist pain from regularly using a mouse, and need an ergonomic mouse in a hurry we would recommend the J-Tech Digital Ergonomic Mouse.

We think this ergonomic mouse is the best option available on the market as it is excellent value for money and packed with brilliant features, including:

• The USB connection allows you to use this device quickly with very little set-up time. 
• It has a wired connection, so you never have to worry about charging the battery or the mouse going dead. 
• Includes thumb buttons so that you can click with your hand in a natural position. 
• Choose between three different DPI levels: 800, 1200, 1600.

Best Ergonomic Mouse For Wrist Pain Buying Guide

For people who are struggling with wrist pain, an ergonomic mouse can be an absolute lifesaver.

Regular mouses have been linked with a huge variety of different painful conditions but replacing your regular mouse with an ergonomic mouse can make a huge difference. 

They alleviate pain by shifting the way that you hold the mouse so that your wrist and arm are not as strained as normal. 

Luckily, there are lots of different types of ergonomic mouses available on the market, but unluckily, this huge range can make it difficult to find the one that is right for you.

The options that we have looked at above are some of the best options available on the market, but if you are still unsure we’ve put together this buyer’s guide to help you.

In this guide, we’ve put together absolutely everything that you need to know about ergonomic mice to ensure you buy the one that is perfect for you. So let’s take a look at what you need to know. 

Wired vs Wireless 

The first thing that you need to consider when you are purchasing an ergonomic mouse is whether you want to buy a wired or a wireless mouse.

Both types of mice have their benefits and their drawbacks, so let’s take a look at some of the key points you need to consider before making a purchase. 

In recent years, a lot of people have begun to choose a wireless mouse over a wired mouse.

The wired option is somewhat dated now, and a lot of people tend to stay away from this type of mouse as it can make your desk appear cluttered, and a cluttered desk is no good for productivity. 

Additionally, wired mice also have a habit of getting tangled which can make it hard work, especially if you live in a household that has cats.

However, just because wireless mice don’t have cables this doesn’t mean that they are without their drawbacks.

Wireless mice often require charging which can be time-consuming and if they don’t require charging they are usually run on batteries which are also prone to dying quite quickly.

So before you choose between a wireless or a wired mouse you need to consider your situation, and which would be the most appropriate. 

Size and Weight 

Another thing that you need to consider is the size and weight of the mouse that you are considering buying.

Most regular mice are incredibly lightweight, but ergonomic mice are quite a bit chunkier so you need to consider the weight and size of these styles of mice before deciding if it is the right choice for you. 

Size, in particular, is incredibly important as you need to choose a mouse that can comfortably fit into your hand. If the mouse is too large then you will be unable to get a sturdy grip on the mouse.

Alternatively, if the mouse is too small you will end up putting more strain on your hands and wrist as you will need to grip the mouse incredibly tightly to be able to control it.

There is no right size for an ergonomic mouse, instead, you must find one that fits the size of your hand perfectly.

You also need to consider the weight of the mouse as you will have to move the mouse around to be able to control it. In terms of weight, you need to try and find a happy medium. 

If the mouse is too light it will fly about on the desk, completely out of control. Likewise, if the mouse is too heavy it will cause the onscreen cursor to lag and could put more strain on your hand.

So you want to try and find a mouse that is the perfect size for your hand with a medium weight to ensure that no further strain is placed on your hands and wrist. 

Left or Right Hand 

Before you purchase an ergonomic mouse, you also need to consider whether you should buy one that is designed for a left hand or a right-handed person.  

In your head, the answer to this question might seem obvious, however, it might not be that straightforward. 

Unlike regular mice, ergonomic mice are designed to fit your hand, and because of this, they are designed for either a left hand or a right-handed person.

As is often the case, the majority of ergonomic mice on the market are designed for right-handed people which isn’t a surprise as it is estimated that 88-90% of the world’s population is right-handed.

But just because right-handed mice make up the majority of the market, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t options available for left-handed people.

You will have to buy a mouse that fits your dominant hand, however, you might also want to consider who uses your computer before purchasing a mouse.

If other people have access to your computer you might want to consider whether they are also left/right-handed, and possibly purchase both left and right-handed mice depending on the answer to that question. 

Cost

Finally, before you purchase an ergonomic mouse you should consider the cost. As you can see from a simple online search, there are tons of different ergonomic mice available, and all of these mice come with various different price points. 

Some people think that the more you pay, the better quality the mouse will be, however more often than not, this is not the case.

Instead of choosing the most expensive mouse because “it must be good” or the cheapest mouse because you don’t want to part with the money, you should go for a mouse that is around the average price point. 

If you choose an excessively expensive mouse you might find that the quality does not match the price point, likewise, if you choose an extremely cheap mouse you will probably find that the quality does match the price point, and that quality is not great.

So if you are looking for an ergonomic mouse that will last, we would recommend choosing a mouse that is of a central price point to ensure you get one that is worth the money you are paying. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do trackballs help with carpal tunnel syndrome?

No tool will completely prevent you from developing carpal tunnel syndrome, but some equipment can help reduce the chances of you developing this condition.

These devices can also be helpful if you are already struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome. In particular, the trackball is an excellent replacement for your regular mouse as it reduces the movement required by your hand and wrist.

So if you are struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome a trackball will help improve your symptoms and the condition. 

Should you use a wrist rest with a vertical mouse?

Wrist rests are supposed to be an excellent way to support your wrist while you use the mouse that controls your computer, however, they are not always helpful.

The best way to move your mouse is with whole arm movements that originate in your shoulder and reduce the strain that is put on your wrist by repetitive movements.

While a wrist rest will be helpful if you are using a normal mouse to control your computer, it can actually be counterproductive if you are using a wrist rest with a vertical mouse.

In fact, it is very common for a wrist rest to get in the way if you are trying to ease the strain on your wrist by completing whole arm movements. So no, you shouldn’t use a wrist rest with a vertical mouse. 

Can you get tendonitis from using a mouse?

It is a little known fact that using a mouse to control your computer can cause tendonitis. In fact, regular use of a mouse can cause tendonitis to develop in your elbow, a condition similar to tennis elbow.

When this is caused by regular use of a mouse it is often known as mouse or computer elbow. This causes similar symptoms to tendonitis including pain in your tendons, muscle pain, or both simultaneously.

It is caused by the repeated strain of gripping the mouse as you control the computer, and from the clicking required to select things on the screen.

To avoid conditions such as tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome it is recommended that regular users of a computer use a vertical or ergonomic mouse instead of the standard style.