Introduction.

If you’ve chosen a career path that involves working at a Computer, then you may be at risk of suffering from a repetitive strain injury (RSI) in the future. One way of avoiding RSI and other similar injuries is to get into good working habits. For example – you can mix up your office tasks and avoid holding your wrists in an unnatural position. Another way is to combine these good habits with an ergonomic peripherals, namely a keyboard and mouse.

In this article we focus on seven of the best Ergonomic mouse options that are currently available on the market.

Did you know?

The Term “Ergonomics” originated From the Greek Language.

In 1949, the British Scientist K.F.H Murrell merged the Greek works “ergon” (meaning “work”) and “nomos” (meaning “law”) to introduce the term “ergonomics”.   He also created the very first British ergonomics department and wrote the first British textbook on ergonomics. If you’re interested in finding out more about K.F.H. Murrell, then check out his Wikipedia page.

Different types of Ergonomic mouse.

Horizontal mouse – The most common form factor. A classic horizontal design that that allows your hand to lay flat across the top of the mouse. Typically, this design will have 2 x front mice buttons and sometimes a shoulder button/s aswell.

Vertical mouse – A vertical mouse can be used in a “handshake position” because the mouse is angled vertically, with the main left and right buttons and scroll wheel located to the right hand side of the mouse.

Trackball Mouse – A less commonly used form factor. In effect, the trackball mouse turns the functionality of a mouse on its head so that scrolling is controlled by a track ball at the top of a mouse. This means that the mouse stays stationary, putting less strain on your hands and wrists. This mouse also requires less desk space because motion is controlled by a trackball.

Using a Trackball mouse takes some getting used to because scrolling is controlled by your fingers and not hand and wrist movement. However, you are less likely to suffer from a Repetitive Strain Injury as a result.

Other designs.

Other less commonly used ergonomic mouse designs include a pen mouse (which looks and feels like a large pen with buttons on the side) and a joystick mouse, which in most instances looks like a joystick you’d find used with a 1980’s PC or Computer. Both designs are quite specialist and are typically used by people that need to avoid any sort of excessive finger movement.

7 of the best ergonomic mice on the market.

Below are 7 highly recommended Ergonomic mice that we’ve used, together with mice that have been repeatedly recommended by other reputable review sites online.  We’ve included the Amazon customer ratings for each mouse and we strongly suggesting heading over to Amazon to check out the often-detailed customer feedback.

1. Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse.

Amazon customer review rating. 4 out of 5 (160 ratings).

Official product page – Click here.

Overview.

My own personal mouse of choice. The Microsoft Sculpt is a right-handed horizontal form factor Wireless mouse that incorporates traditional left and right mouse buttons and a scroll wheel, in addition to a back button within the thumb scoop and a soft touch Windows home button (which you cannot miss) on top of the mouse, although I have to be honest, I have never this button in 18 months of owning the mouse!

Design and aesthetics.

As you’d expect from a Microsoft product, the construction of this mouse is solid with premium materials used throughout the design. The soft touch thumb scoop adds to the overall comfort – this is a mouse that feels VERY comfortable for everyday use. One thing I will point out is that the Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse is one of the heaver mice that you’ll find on this list. It’s down to personal preference, but I actually prefer using a weightier mouse.

Unique Features.

Lastly, the Sculpt uses Microsoft’s patented BlueTrack technology, which is a combination of laser and optical technology that allows you to use the mouse on most surfaces.  It is clever technology that is quite effective.

The battery life provided by 2 x AA batteries is excellent and you get expect up to 12 months battery life when using a decent brand of battery.

2. Logitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball mouse.

Amazon customer review rating. 4.4 out of 5 (202 ratings).

Official product page – click here

Overview.

A trackball mouse isn’t for everyone, so I would strongly suggest taking one for a test drive before purchasing if you haven’t done so before.

Design and Aesthetics.

As with most Logitech products, this is a smart looking product that is quite subtlety designed. The Trackball is located directly below your right thumb, making it very comfortable for day-to-day use, although it takes a little bit of getting used to.   There is a traditional scroll wheel that also has left and right functionality, in addition to a middle click. The mouse also has forward and back buttons that are operated by your index finger.

The party trick.

The MX Ergo has a clever hinge that allows you to adjust the angle of the mouse between zero and 20 degrees, allowing you to find your own sweet spot for comfort.

The MX Ergo comes with a built-in long-lasting rechargeable battery that will hold its charge for up to 4 months depending on the frequency of use.  According to the Logitech website, the battery will last a full day after one minute of charge. That’s quite impressive!

Other unique features.

This Wireless Trackball mouse has a two-channel easy switch button that lets you switch between two different computers on-the-fly.  This is great for professionals that use a desktop and laptop device from the same desk or use a Mac and PC.

In addition, the MX Ergo also comes with a precision mode that allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the track ball. This is particularly helpful when first starting out and getting used to the device.

3. Kensington Orbit Trackball with scroll ring. 

Amazon customer review rating. 4.4 out of 5 (1413 ratings).

Official product page – click here

Overview.

The Kensington Orbit Mouse is another trackball mouse that differs from the Logitech MX Ergo by placing the Trackball in the centre of the form factor.  The advantage of this is that the mouse can be used by both left and right-handed users, or, if you are (or can attempt to be) ambidextrous, then you can reduce the strain placed on your wrists and arms by switching hands throughout the day.

Design and Aesthetics.

Being a Kensington product, the quality of the materials is good, and the build quality is solid. It’s not going to win any prizes for good looks, but it more than makes up for this in terms of comfort and functionality.  The Blue trackball will always draw people’s attention!

There are also two scroll buttons that sit astride the track ball. These can be configured using the Kensington software included with the Track Ball.

Lastly, the for factor also comes with a detachable wrist rest for optimal comfort.

Unique features.

As the name suggests, the trackball features a 360 degree scroll ring that can be used to scroll through web pages and documents. It’s very easy to use and is conveniently placed around the track ball so you can scroll with your thumb and index finger without moving your hand.  Using the scroll ring becomes second nature when you’ve used it for some time. It really is a nice alternative to a traditional scroll wheel.

4. Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse.

Amazon customer review rating. 4.4 out of 5 (88 ratings).

Official product page – click here

Overview.

As with the trackball models, we strongly suggest trying a vertical mouse before purchasing if this is possible. Vertical mice are very different to use from a traditional horizontal design and take some getting used to, but many users believe that a vertical mouse allows you to keep your hand in a more natural position.

Design and Aesthetics.

The top (or should I say side) of the mouse looks very similar to a traditional horizontal mouse, featuring left and right buttons with a scroll wheel in the middle. The mouse grip is angled at 57 degrees so that it can be held in a natural handshake position, reducing the pressure that’s being placed on your wrist. In terms of materials, the mouse has a rubber surface that is textured in a way that allows for extra grip.  There are two additional customisable buttons on the thumb side of the mouse and a cursor switch speed that allows you to change the sensitivity of your scrolling with a single click.

Unique features.

The Logitech MX Vertical mouse has the option to be paired up with up to three devices. You can switch between these devices with a touch of a button at the top of the mouse, or, if more than one device is turned on, then you can scroll directly to another screen using Logitechs “Flow” software.

5. Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse.

Amazon customer review rating. 4.3 out of 5 (2799 ratings).

Official product page – click here

Overview.

Aesthetically, Anker’s vertical ergonomic mouse shares many similarities with the above MX mouse from Logitech. It looks awkward to use, but once you get used to it, there’s a high chance that you won’t go back to a traditional horizontal design.

Design and functionality.

In comparison to many other models on this page, the Anker Vertical mouse doesn’t feel like a high-end product when you hold it in your hand. The materials lack the quality of their Logitech competitors, but it’s important to remember this is a budget ergonomic mouse that is available from just £9.34 on Amazon UK. What a bargain!

In terms of functionality, this is a 5-button mouse that includes a standard left and right button for your index and middle fingers, next and previous page buttons on the thumb grip, a standard scroll wheel and a DPI switch button that lets you switch between 800/1200 and 1600 DPI sensitivity.

Unique features.

Other than the vertical design, there are no unique features that we can speak of, only the incredibly affordable price tag.

Mac users beware.

In terms of compatibility, then be advised that the next and previous page buttons are not recognised by Mac OSX.

6. 3M Wired Ergonomic Optical Mouse.

Amazon customer review rating. 4 out of 5 (245 ratings).

Official product page – click here

Overview.

The 3M Wireless Optical mouse is a right-handed joystick style design that is an acquired taste and takes some getting used to, but it is a highly effective design for those that want to avoid any excessive wrist movement. To quote the product description, this mouse is “Clinically proven to reduce muscle strain and discomfort”.

Design and Aesthetics.

This mouse won’t win any design awards for aesthetics. In effect, you are using a joystick instead of a regular optical mouse, while keeping your right hand and wrist at a natural angle.  As with most 3M products, the materials used are high quality and the excellent build quality is reflected by 3M’s two-year warranty.

Be warned.

There are currently wired and wireless versions of this mouse available. Most people prefer the wireless option, so make sure that you order the correct model when ordering online.

Unique features.

This mouse (I still keep typing joystick and then deleting it!) is available in two different sizes to cater for different hand sizes. You’ll find further information about each model, including a PDF data sheet on the 3M website.  You’ll also find a sizing guide on the Amazon product page.

7. The J-Tech Digital V628 Ergonomic Mouse.

Amazon customer review rating. 4 out of 5 (107 ratings).

Official product page – click here

Overview.

In our humble option, the J-Tech Digital V628 Ergonomic Mouse is definitely the best-looking vertical mouse on the market. And at £25.99 on Amazon, it is also one of the most cost-effective solutions.

Design and Aesthetics.

The V628 features a blue LED trim that illuminates the top and bottom edge of the design. The mouse also features a removable anti-skid palm rest that can simply be unclicked if you prefer using the mouse without the rest.

In terms of functionality, the V628 Ergonomic Mouse comes with standard left and right buttons, a centre scroll wheel and next and last buttons that are conveniently placed either side of your thumbs resting area to further reduce your hand movement.  Lastly, there is a DPI switch button that allows you to switch between 600/1000 and 1600 DPI mouse responsiveness.

Unique features.

In addition to the one-year Manufacturer’s warranty, J-Tech Digital Products also provides FREE lifetime technical support with the V628 model. This is provided by their US-based Customer support team.

Final thoughts.

In addition to our handpicked choices above, there are many other Ergonomic mice on the market that are worthy of consideration. As previously stated, it is well worth taking the time to check out the customer reviews on Amazon because these provide valuable (and on many occasions detailed) feedback on the overall user experience.

Again, if possible, we highly recommend taking each form factor for a test drive to find the design that you are most comfortable with. Lastly, don’t be put off by the obscure looking designs. Remember that you are purchasing an ergonomic mouse for comfort, not for the aesthetics.