The most common mouse design is unbeatable for precision (likely because we’ve all got used to it; more correlation, not causation) but it’s not really good for wrist health. The natural resting position of the hand when placed on a desk is usually thumb-side up, and palms facing down consistently is a recipe for carpal tunnel syndrome. That’s why vertical mice were invented.
Vertical mice mimic the most natural resting position of the hand and wrist, alleviating carpal tunnel syndrome or other wrist strains. The downside is that you’ll be moving the cursor primarily with your forearm and elbow instead of the wrist, so it takes a while before you get used to it.
Still, if you’ve been using the regular mouse to a point where you can no longer ignore any negative wrist conditions you have, you might want to take your shot at vertical mice. These vertical mice in particular.
RELATED: 5 Best Logitech Mice in 2023
Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse
PROS
- Has a wireless dongle
- Good battery life
- Plenty of buttons
- Decent DPI range
- Compatible with a lot of devices
- Comes in other colors
- SmartWheel is comfy to use
- Has a left-handed variant
CONS
- Not ideal for large hands
- Uses dry cell batteries
Specs:
- Dimensions: 71 x 70 x 108 mm
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4G dongle
- Weight: 125 g
- Buttons: 6
Of course, Logitech is the first to come to mind here as a brand that puts value in ergonomics. They have some of the best mice in the business in several categories, and it seems the vertical mice market belongs to them.
It’s a reasonably heavy mouse that with a decent DPI range and an included AA battery that lasts for two years (on Bluetooth). The mouse is only ideal for small to medium-sized hands, but large hands are less prone to carpal tunnel syndrome anyway due to their proportionally larger carpal tunnels.
Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse
Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse
PROS
- Rechargeable battery
- Decent DPI range
- Has a wireless dongle (via Logitech USB receiver)
- Lots of programmable buttons
- Compatible with a lot of devices
CONS
- No SmartWheel
- Pricey
- Not ideal for small hands
Specs:
- Dimensions: 78.5 mm H x 79 mm W x 120 mm L
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4G dongle
- Weight: 135 g
- Buttons: 6
If your hand is on the larger side or you just need something more sturdy, then the Logitech MX Vertical Mouse is the more premium option. It comes with a rechargeable lithium battery so no need to worry about running out of dry cells.
It’s also taller than the Logitech Lift so not really ideal for small hands. Apart from that, it also has a decent DPI range and some nifty side buttons. Oddly enough, it doesn’t seem to feature the lift’s SmartWheel and that might be a dealbreaker for some since it doesn’t have free-spin scrolling.
Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse
PryRose Wireless Vertical Mouse
PROS
- Matte finish at this price point
- Lots of buttons
- Cheap price
- Has a wireless dongle
- Rechargeable battery
- Silent buttons
CONS
- Small, not good for large hands
- Low DPI range
Specs:
- Dimensions: Unspecified
- Connectivity: 2.4G dongle
- Weight: Unspecified
- Buttons: 6
You might be on the fence about spending too much on a product that you might not like or get used to; in that case, it’s understandable to shy away from pricey Logitech products. You can do a test run with something like the PryRose Wireless Vertical Mouse.
This inexpensive ergonomic peripheral is just under the $20 price point and also comes in other styles and colors. The DPI range is sadly a bit low so you’ll need to move that elbow and forearm a bit more. For the price, however, you get to enjoy a matte texture that doesn’t attract too much gunk.
PryRose Wireless Vertical Mouse
TRELC Gaming Mouse
PROS
- Thumb stick
- Lots of programmable buttons
- Good DPI range for gaming
- RGB
- Cheap price
- Matte finish
CONS
- Terrible side button placement
- Wired
- RGB
- Heavy
Specs:
- Dimensions: Unspecified
- Connectivity: Wired
- Weight: 165 g
- Buttons: 7 (one thumb stick)
For gamers who are in the process of transitioning to something that won’t give them a 90-year-old’s wrist in their mid-20s, then the TRELC gaming mouse might just be a godsend. It comes with RGB so you know it’s serious.
Jokes aside, this mouse also comes with a handy analog thumb stick that functions as five buttons. There are downsides, of course. The mouse is wired and the two side buttons are in an odd spot for the thumb to press, but the mouse makes up for those with a good DPI range for gamers.
TRELC Gaming Mouse
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can a vertical mouse cure my carpal tunnel syndrome?
It can help reduce the pain or annoyance, but for the cure, you're going to want to ask a doctor about that. -
Are vertical mice easier to use?
If you're used to the regular mouse orientation, it might take a while to get used to aiming or moving the cursor with a vertical mouse.