With the endless number of wired and wireless gaming mice on the market today, there is a mouse available to cater to every gamer's preferences. The way gamers hold onto their mice may feel so natural to them that they don't even think using about a different mouse grip type. Even so, when it comes time to purchase a new mouse, understanding the various ways a gamer can grip the device can eliminate less-than-ideal candidates.
Mouse grips can directly impact how well a gamer performs in an FPS or MOBA title. FPS games demand fast mouse movements, while tracking accuracy is the key to success in other genres. Understanding the best way to control a mouse can lead an aspiring esports competitor to glory, but only accompanied by the right peripheral. The following are the most popular ways to grip a mouse, and what type of gaming mice are the best options for each method of guiding them around mousepads.
Three Mouse Grips To Rule Them All
Generally speaking, there are three main styles of holding a gaming mouse: Palm grip, Claw grip, and Fingertip grip. Each of these mouse grips have their own benefits and association with genres; however, the choice will most likely come down to someone's natural inclination and physical requirements. The most important question is "which gaming mouse grip is the most comfortable?," and the answer will vary from person to person. Let's go through each grip style and why one might be preferred over the other.
In the name of consistency, the same mouse was used to demonstrate each grip.
Palm Grip
The palm mouse grip can be regarded as the default method to hold a mouse since it is the most comfortable for long sessions; consequently, this style is the most common. The user sets nearly their entire hand on the mouse, placing their palm on the peripheral's body rather than hovering above as is the case with the Claw and Tip grips. The person's fingers should rest naturally on the buttons; while the index and middle fingers sit on the left and right clickers respectively, the thumb will have easy access to the side buttons.
As they are intended to maximize support, palm grip mice are typically quite large, and slightly heavier than some other alternatives. This method is perfect for casual gaming or first-person shooters that prioritize sniping over speed (not twitch shooters) since a palm grip is ideal for tracking. The player must move their full hand across the mouse pad, so a decent amount of desk room is recommended.
Good Gaming Mice For Palm Grip
The Razer DeathAdder series of mice remains a popular choice for gamers who prefer a traditional palm grip. With much of a hand pressed against the body of the mouse, the ergonomic shape and clever button layout of the wired DeathAdder v2 Gaming Mouse shine. The side buttons are in easy reach with palm grips, though the mouse is rather large and not ideal for smaller hands.
Another great option for a palm mouse grip type is the Logitech G Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse. This Logitech mouse has a distinct curvature on the top of its shell, making it feel secure when gamers cradle it in their palms. The two side buttons on the right side of the mouse are positioned in easy reach of thumbs, unlike other mice in which they are located closer to the front.
Gamers who prefer a palm mouse grip put more pressure on the top and sides of mice than with other grip styles. As a result, an especially durable mouse like the SteelSeries Rival 650 Quantum Wireless is most likely to stand the test of time. Also, the soft plastic palm grips of the mouse easily conform to the undersides of the hands holding it tightly.
Claw Grip
Reasonably popular with eSport players, the claw grip strikes the middle ground between palm and tip, offering speed and precision. While the palm touches the rear of the mouse, providing some degree of support, only the fingers' tips connect with the buttons. This change means that players will be using their wrists rather than arms to move the mouse, which makes it far easier and quicker to flick the cursor from one side of the screen to the other.
The claw grip matches well with a gaming mouse that has a mid-to-high DPI, and it is a good pick for games that require rapid clicks as well. For all of its positives, this grip puts quite a strain on the wrist and can get exhausting after a few hours.
Good Gaming Mice For Claw Grip
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Cooler Master MM720 Gaming mouse
The 49 gram Cooler Master MM720 is one of the lightest gaming mice on the market and yet for a budget price, offers an optical PixArt sensor with 32000 DPI. Cooler Master employs a honeycomb shell on the MM720 which reduces the weight of the mouse while at the same time makes its construction rock solid. Meanwhile, optical switches ensure that the MM720 will keep clicking effectively after years of use.
The lightweight Cooler Master MM720 wired mouse has some unique design elements that make a claw mouse grip with it advantageous. The mouse is short and wide, the perfect dimensions for resting only part of the palm and fingertips on the device. There is even a raised section on the right side of the device where a gamer can rest their last 2 fingers.
The Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed is a gaming mouse that supports multiple wireless connections and is suitable for palm and claw grips. The mouse has an exceptionally wide base that's ideal for partial palm grips, but fingertips can still reach the two right-side buttons. Weighing in at 83 grams, the Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed is best suited for medium and large hands and is a better choice for MOBA games than FPS titles.
Few manufacturers openly recommend claw or fingertip grips over standard palm grips for a mouse, but SteelSeries takes a different approach with the ambidextrous Sensei 310 Wired Gaming Mouse. The Sensei 310 is another larger mouse, at over 92 grams, but its sloped arch invites palm grips. The scroll wheel, which is positioned toward the front of the mouse, is normally difficult to access for palm grips but is in just the right orientation for clawed fingers.
Fingertip Grip
The final and most uncommon style, the fingertip grip minimizes contact with the mouse. With the palm completely detached from the accessory, players use their fingertips to drive the mouse, providing as little resistance as possible. This method maximizes speed and, partnered with a very high DPI, permits users to cover a wide range of screen real estate with little more than a push or flick.
Although lacking in accuracy compared to the palm and claw grips, the fingertip method's freedom of movement translates to heightened precision. Players with large hands or lightweight mice might experience success using this grip.
Good Gaming Mice For Tip Grip
The Razer Orochi V2 is small enough to qualify as a mobile mouse, but it's still a great option for any gamer who favors a fingertip mouse grip for maximum movement speed. The Orochi V2 has a narrow front with just the right dimensions for fingertip control. Without an AAA battery, the mouse weighs just 58 grams, so gamers can flick it around mousepads with ease.
Next, the Glorious O Gaming Mouse looks distinctive with its honeycomb shell, but a relatively flat body also allows fingertips to grip the top and side buttons without interference. Also weighing 58 grams, the PTFE feet contribute to the maneuverability of the Glorious O, making it a popular choice to rapidly lock in on targets in FPS titles.
Finally, the G-Wolves Hati ACE Edition does not receive the most publicity in North America, but is a high-end mouse built for esports professionals who dominate popular shooters like CS:GO and Apex Legends. Relying on a PixArt PAW3370 sensor for extreme accuracy, the Hati ACE Edition is capable of skating along on mousepads with a blistering 400-inch-per-second (IPS) rating.
FAQ
Q: What is the best mouse grip style?
Mouse grips are a personal preference, but at the same time, they can impact how well a gamer performs in an FPS or MOBA title. However, no mouse should dictate which grip you use, as there are mice sold suitable for any style.
Q: What's better for FPS gaming, wired or wireless mice?
When it comes to FPS gaming, it's best to have a mouse with as little lag as possible. While many insist on using wired mice for their lack of lag in comparison to wireless devices, good wireless mice have no lag issues. Do your research before purchasing your mouse and you can find one, wired or wireless, that suits your needs.
Q: Why is DPI of a mouse important for FPS games?
DPI, or the rate at which a mouse detects movement, is a critical factor. High DPI means more sensitivity, giving you more accuracy when you turn, aim, and shoot.