Both professional and recreational gamers will have an opinion on which mouse is best to use when gaming. While there are many gaming mice out there (with and without weights), it mostly comes down to preference. However, why do some gaming mice come with weights, and what’s their purpose?
Gaming mice come with weights to allow gamers to personalize how the mouse feels in the hand. While some gamers claim a heavier mouse improves accuracy, others say it’s all about preference and hand size. In general, gamers with larger hands prefer heavier mice.
The rest of this article will discuss why the weight of your gaming mouse matters. I’ll also discuss the average weight of a gaming mouse, and show you the best lightweight and heavyweight gaming mice.
How Does a Gaming Mice Weight Impact Gaming?
The gaming mice you use are essential to how well you perform in a game, depending on the type of games you play. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a gaming mouse that is best for you. However, how exactly does a mouse’s weight impact how you play?
A gaming mouse’s weight impacts gaming because of reaction time and accuracy. A heavier mouse may provide more accuracy, and a lighter mouse typically gives a gamer a fast reaction time. Although the choice is subjective, most people prefer lightweight gaming mice.
Below, I’ll go over the various aspects that influence which mouse weight is best for you and how it impacts your gaming performance.
How To Buy the Right Gaming Mice Based on Genre
There are several video game genres that, depending on the type, will determine which weight of a mouse is best for you. As some games require a faster response time than others or a more steady accuracy, the mouse’s weight is vital.
I’ll go over a few video game genres and discuss whether a lightweight or heavyweight mouse is recommended and why that is.
First-Person Shooter (FPS) Games
FPS games are one of the most common and popular genres. FPS games are in a first-person point-of-view, typically have an extensive range of weaponry to choose from, and include combat in a three-dimensional space.
Some examples of popular FPS games include:
- Half-Life
- Halo
- Call of Duty
- Left 4 Dead
FPS games require both accuracy and speed, which is why the recommended weight of the mouse is controversial. While many gamers will claim a heavier mouse is essential for more accurate shooting, others will say that reaction time is more important.
Therefore, with FPS games, the weight of the mouse is typically left up to personal preference. A lightweight mouse might be best if you’re a professional FPS gamer, as most professional gamers have their aiming skills down pat.
However, recreational gamers might prefer heavier mice for better accuracy.
Multiplayer Online Battle Area (MOBA) Games
MOBA games rely heavily on teamwork, with each person on a team having a specific set of skills or proficiencies. Teams of players battle against each other to reach victory. These types of games usually include decision-making and strategy.
Some examples of popular MOBA games include:
- League of Legends
- Smite
- Dota 2
- Arena of Valor
Therefore, a weighted mouse isn’t entirely necessary for these games. Both lightweight and heavyweight mice will feel great in MOBAs, but a lightweight one may give you a slight edge in terms of reaction time.
Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG)
MMORPG typically involves some fantasy aspects. In this genre, the player usually assumes the role of a character and battles against monsters (computer-controlled) to gain experience points and level up.
Some examples of popular MMORPG games include:
- Wizard 101
- World of Warcraft
- Runescape
- New World
As this type of gaming is similar to MOBA gaming, the mouse’s weight isn’t entirely necessary. The game itself will determine whether you’d want a heavier or lighter mouse; however, it mostly comes down to preference, which I’ll discuss next.
Many MMO gamers prefer gaming mice with several extra buttons. One of the best gaming mice for MMOs is the Razer Naga Trinity (Amazon.com). This is a gaming mouse explicitly created for MMO gamers. It contains 19 programmable buttons to make your MMO gaming experience not only better but more leisurely.
Preference
Personal preference is a huge factor when choosing a new gaming mouse. Some gaming mice will come with weights because players prefer them heavier, whether due to their hand size or physical strength.
People with large hands can move the mouse more easily, so they prefer a heavy mouse. Gamers with small hands or those who use a claw grip love lightweight mice. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. Testing various weights with gaming mice is the best way to ensure you know what you prefer.
What Is the Average Weight of a Gaming Mise?
The average weight of a gaming mouse is around 5.16 ounces (146 grams). However, the weight of gaming mice can range from about 2 ounces (67 grams) to 6.4 ounces (183 grams).
There are various gaming mice of all sizes; however, some are better than others depending on their added features and general quality.
The Best Lightweight and Heavyweight Gaming Mice
Let’s go over a couple of excellent options for both a lightweight and heavyweight gaming mouse:
The Best Lightweight: SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless (Amazon.com)
This gaming mouse is one of the most lightweight options you’ll find. At 2.3 ounces (68 grams), this gaming mouse is ultra-lightweight while still being wireless. The battery life gives you 200 hours of continuous use and guarantees smooth swipes for enhanced mouse control.
Therefore, if lightweight is a must for you, this mouse will give you just that.
The Best Heavyweight: ASUS RGB Laser Gaming Mise (Amazon.com)
This gaming mouse weighs 6.2 ounces (175 grams). Therefore, it’s one of the heaviest gaming mice on the market. While this gaming mouse is heavy, it also contains six programmable side buttons, making your gaming experience way better. With this mouse, you also get the choice of wired or wireless, so you can use it no matter what situation you’re in.
So, if you’re looking for a quality, heavyweight gaming mouse, this is an excellent option to go with.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, gaming mice come with weights because many gamers prefer the heavyweight feel while playing. Gaming mice come in various sizes, ranging from lightweight (<2 ounces/56g) to heavyweight (>6 ounces/170g). Therefore, there is a gaming mouse for everyone.
People with large hands prefer heavy mice, and vice versa. However, this isn’t always the case. So, to find the gaming mouse for you, it’s best to experiment with the different weights.
