The Best Vertical Mice in 2023

In today’s article will help you navigate the murky waters of choosing the best vertical mouse. Why vertical mice, you asked?

Well, we’re not really sure, but since these things exist, someone has to buy them, right? Kidding aside, choosing the best vertical mouse out there has the potential to change one’s life for the better; the thing is, despite their weird appearance, vertical mice are increasingly common both at home and in the workplace, as they’re designed to keep your wrist and forearm more relaxed, i.e. in a natural position.

Also considered an ergonomic mouse, this type of gadget is a must-have item for people who spend a long time arguing on Reddit and 4Chan; the point being, if you’re an obsessive-compulsive mouse user, you may suffer from carpal tunnel injuries, and the best way to reduce strain/pressure on the fragile muscles of the wrist, fingers and forearm is to go ergonomic. Or vertical. Or both. Or even go for a strange looking trackball mouse. The possibilities are endless.

Top Picks

Last update on 2023-10-09 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

How to Choose the Best Vertical Mouse

The first rule of fight club is: if you’re spending countless hours on your computer every day and wrist pain has become the new normal (think along the lines of repetitive strain injuries), you must go buy a vertical mouse ASAP.

Here’s what to look after in a high-quality vertical mouse: first, there’s the ergonomic index thing. Basically, you can simply look for the highest one available and ignore literally everything else. However, this may not work, because we don’t have (yet) an objective standard with regard to ergonomicness (yes, I’ve just made up that word); as in, different things work for different people, and that’s the rule of the land since like forever.

Vertical mice are designed to reduce wrist movement, as bending your wrist also bends the channels through which your nerves run. That’s why people with carpal tunnel syndrome wear braces by the way, and vertical mice are designed to be literal braces for your wrist, i.e. they help with keeping it straight.

Consider whatever vertical mouse of your liking, and if it’s shaped correctly and large enough for your hands, it should fit the bill. Ideally speaking, a “test drive” would be great before going on a buying spree. Obviously, that would require a visit to your local brick-and-mortar store that sells computer peripherals (Walmart, Staples or whatever); if you’re too lazy for that, don’t worry, you can buy it online and return it if you’re not happy with your “blind date”.

When it comes to mice, there’s always the wired vs wireless mouse conundrum, and after all’s said and done, it’s up to you to decide what you want, as the differences in overall performance are minimal between the two varieties. Since vertical mice are not the best option for gaming, precision/latency and things of that nature are not a real issue.

The same goes for optical vs laser sensors, as most people are incapable of noticing any difference between the two.

Now, if you’re working in a “high precision environment”, i.e. if you’re a designer or a graphic artist, check out the DPI thing just in case and remember that laser mice work great anywhere, while optical sensors prefer non-glossy surfaces.

Finally, look at the number of programmable buttons, provided you require such a thing and let’s move on to the meat of the story and take a look at the best vertical mice as per today.

Best Vertical Mice

Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse

The Best Vertical Mouse for Gaming

As usual, we’ll begin with a product brought to us by the father of computer peripherals, the Logitech MX Vertical wireless mouse respectively. As far as we know, Logitech’s take on the vertical mouse is one of the best on the market, and yes, we’re talking about the MX vertical here. On top of that, you get wireless connectivity, which means this baby is as good as it gets.

The point being, if you like the vertical format in a mouse and you can live with the price tag, this Logitech MX beast is hard to beat: it’s large enough to accommodate the biggest programmer hand out there, you get an “on the fly” sensitivity adjuster button on the top edge, while overall, the MX delivers a smooth and comfortable experience once you get the hang of it. The most important thing about this mouse is that it really feels natural to hold, even if it doesn’t look very comfy.

The build quality is solid, as usual from Logitech, even if the overall feeling is kind of plasticky. The scroll wheel is rubberized and the DPI button allows you to customize sensitivity between 400 and 4000 DPI. Be advised: the mouse requires BT 4.0 to work in Bluetooth mode, otherwise you’re “stuck” with USB/dongle connectivity.

Pros:

• feels incredibly natural
• well designed
• intelligent wireless features
• robust software bundle
• textured thumb rest
• great “vertical-mouse” concept
• solid build quality
• built-in battery with 4 months autonomy on a single charge
• adjustable on-the-fly DPI button
• plenty connection options including Bluetooth and USB Type C
• bulky shape (it’s love it/hate it thing, we love it)
• cross computer control capability via Logitech Flow software

Cons:

• kind of pricey
• no slot for USB dongle (wireless receiver)

Check Prices
 

Anker 2.4G Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse

The Best Budget Wireless Vertical Mouse

Anker is another big name in the vertical/ergonomic mice industry, but, unlike Logitech, they’re playing on the “easy on the pocket” side of the force. The point being, this wireless/ergo/vertical mouse from Anker is very, but very affordable, all things considered. However, despite its low price tag, Anker 2.4G Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse has a lot to offer.

First, you’ll get a cool design that looks like a spaceship from the old-school Star Wars series (an imperial interceptor that is). Then, there’s the “adjustable on the fly” DPI setting, which allows you to modify the sensitivity hassle-free, 800/1200/1600 DPI respectively, and that’s more than enough for virtually any non-gaming type of job. Finally, you have 5 solid buttons to play with. However, comfort is the name of the game here, and this mouse is specifically designed to relieve the stress (pressure and/or strain) on your wrists. Needless to say, Anker did a good job in this department, even if you may find this mouse rather difficult to use in the beginning. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it in no time.

Pros:

• ergonomic design
• 5 button design plus scroll wheel
• slides nicely on virtually any surface
• customizable DPI settings
• good value for money
• compatible with all major operating systems, including Linux and Mac OS X
• intuitive to use right out of the box
• good autonomy

Cons:

• feels flimsy, especially the buttons
• can’t compete with Logitech in terms of accuracy/tracking precision
• batteries not included
• stay away if you have small hands

Check Prices
 

Evoluent VM4R VerticalMouse

The Best Vertical Mouse for Carpal Tunnel

Next in line, we have another rather expensive piece of gear, the Evoluent VM4R VerticalMouse respectively. This wired vertical mouse has already achieved some sort of legendary status among enthusiasts, due to its excellent ergonomic design and top-notch build quality. On top of that, Evoluent developed an interesting software bundle called Evoluent Mouse Manager which basically allows you to customize/program the mouse to meet your specific needs, a feature that is kind of cool if you’re into tinkering with your gear.

But what’s most important is that Evoluent’s vertical form factor will deliver a very comfortable “web browsing” experience all day long, and that’s what it really counts in vertical mice, and we’re talking about the excellently implemented handshake posture, that mimics one’s neutral hand posture, thus relieving stress on your sensitive muscles/nerves.

Pros:

• excellent ergonomic design
• cross-platform compatibility: Windows XP, 7, 8 and 10, Mac and Linux Systems
• Evoluent Mouse Manager really helps a lot with customization
• 6 buttons
• plug and play capability
• great for Mac users
• allows on the fly DPI settings

Cons:

• prone to smudging
• some complaints about long-term reliability
• doesn’t look or feel premium despite the steep price tag

Check Prices
 

J-Tech V628

Vertical Joy

The J-Tech V628 makes for another budget option, as it retails for under thirty bucks and yet it checks all the important boxes we’ve told you about in the preamble of today’s article. First things first, you’ll get a well-designed (in terms of ergonomics obviously) vertical mouse with on-the-fly adjustable sensitivity (600/1000/1600 DPI respectively), and, on top of that, a removable palm rest and even thumb buttons.

The overall design of the J-Tech V628 promotes the glorified neutral “handshake” wrist and arm positions, while the Optical Tracking Technology delivers a smooth tracking experience, making sure the mouse works well on various surfaces.

Pros:

• well implemented (and rather unique) vertical ‘handshake’ design
• built to be an endurance mouse (tough as nails)
• functional and comfortable all day long
• really works in regard to reducing torsion in the wrist
• rubber pad included (cushions the wrist)
• thumb controlled buttons
• on the fly adjustable DPI (3 levels)
• great choice for people suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome and/or tennis elbow

Cons:

• right-handed version only
• not the best choice for gaming

Check Prices
 

MOJO Silent Bluetooth Vertical Mouse

Dead Silent

If you’re looking for a dead-silent vertical mouse, and we mean that almost literally, you’ll get back your mojo with the Mojo silent Bluetooth gizmo. To make a long story short, this baby has it all: a cool vertical handshake design, wireless connectivity via Bluetooth (like, doh) and, on top of that, it’s as silent as a…well, mouse. Due to its Bluetooth feature, the mouse doesn’t require a nasty USB dongle, i.e. you won’t have to waste a USB port on your laptop to get the show on the road.

Also, the Mojo mouse comes with cross-platform compatibility out-of-the-box (as in no drivers required): Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chrome. There are 6 buttons to take care of each and every task, plus a scroll wheel. Design-wise, the mouse works well with regard to reducing all stress on one’s wrists/elbows/shoulders/forearms and can prevent painful conditions/injuries caused by overuse of the arm and hand from installing in the first place, or it can mitigate their effects.

Pros:

• well designed
• Bluetooth connectivity
• delivers a natural handshake grip
• ergonomic design prevents carpal tunnel issues
• very precise and responsive
• batteries included in the retail package
• comfy to hold and grippy due to its matte texture
• features low-battery indicator
• adjustable DPI sensitivity on the fly (800 to 1600 DPI)
• excellent choice for “low profile users” (read very silent)
• 6 buttons and scroll wheel
• amazing value for money

Cons:

• not suited for big-handed folk

Check Prices
 

Jelly Comb MV045

A Cheap, yet Responsive and Versatile Vertical Mouse

Jelly Comb MV045 is an optical, ergonomic mouse that provides good efficiency and reduces wrist and hand strain at the same time. It is very silent, and it delivers great compatibility that will let you use it with Windows, Android, and Mac devices.

This device has a solid build and few interesting additions, such as adjustable DPI levels that can be set at 1000, 1600, or 2400 value, as well as good connectivity options that include both Bluetooth4.0 and 2.4GHz wireless connection. Thanks to the latter option, you can simultaneously connect it to up to two different devices.

Jelly Comb MV045 vertical mouse comes with a one-year warranty and can operate at the range of up to 10 meters. It is very silent, responsive, and easy to use. In other words, it represents the full package. For that reason, if you are after the best vertical mouse in a more budget-friendly area, this device should be your choice.

Pros:

• Silent
• Great compatibility
• Ergonomic
• Good connectivity
• Responsive
• Dual-connection mode
• Nice-looking
• Easy to use

Cons:

• None

Check Prices
 

Jelly Comb Wireless Mouse 2.4G

Jack of All Trades

The improbably named Jelly Comb Wireless Mouse 2.4G is next on our list, due to its very peculiar design which is said to reduce tension in your wrist/forearm by promoting the now-famous neutral “handshake” position. And yes, this mouse gets the job done in the ergonomics department, which is kind of important considering today’s topic.

One of the main advantages of this “closet-brand” is definitely the price-point, as Jelly Comb retails for under $20, yet it comes with advanced functionality on top of its cool looking vertical design. For example, you’ll get on-the-fly DPI adjustment, 800/1200/1600 DPI respectively, plus optical tracking technology which delivers quite good in the sensitivity department. Don’t get us wrong, this is not a gamer’s mouse, but when it comes to office tasks and the like, it won’t let you down.

Pros:

• affordable vertical-design mouse
• wireless connectivity via dongle
• great value for money
• lifetime warranty
• above-average performance
• easy to use
• smooth tracking
• quite buttons and nice tactile feel for such a cheap product
• works out-of-the-box on Windows 2000 / ME / XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 / Mac /Linux

Cons:

• none really considering the price tag

Check Prices
 

Perixx PERIMICE-713L Left Handed

Great Entry Level Vertical Mouse

Last but not least, we have a vertical mouse designed for lefties, and by that we mean left-handed people, which is kind of rare in this niche. Perixx may be an underdog when it comes to mice, but their PERIMICE-713L Left Handed vertical mouse is an excellent choice if you’re looking to buy your first vertical mouse without breaking the piggy bank.

For something way under $20, you’ll get an ergonomically shaped beast which looks futuristic; but don’t let the looks fool you, as the Perixx is scientifically proven to help with repetitive strain injuries issues. Despite its affordability, the mouse comes with all the necessary bells and whistles required for everyday tasks, including 6 buttons and on-the-fly DPI adjustment. Finally, this is a plug-and-play/forget about it job, as the mouse works just fine without requiring special drivers, which is as good as it gets for “noobs”.

Pros:

• designed for left-handed users which is kind of rare
• good ergonomic design
• wireless
• 6 buttons
• 3-level DPI switch on the fly
• gets the job done hassle-free
• amazing value for money
• excellent choice for beginners
• works on Windows XP/7/8/10, Linux and Mac OS.

Cons:

• none really

Check Prices