Investing in the best mouse for photo and video editing can speed up your workflow by a surprising amount. When it comes to editing, precision and control are crucial, and every click, drag, and scroll really adds up. So given that time is money, it's well worth buying the best mouse that you can afford.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top options available today, focusing on key features such as performance, comfort and customization. Note that these days, even entry-level mice are often wireless and offer very reliable pointer tracking. You also needn't worry about replacing batteries every five minutes, as most wireless mice can last many months on one or two AA batteries.
Meanwhile if you looking to updgrade your photo and video editing kit in general, then also read our guides to the best student laptops and the best desktop computer for photo editing.
The Quick List
Best overall
The MX Master 3S from Logitech takes the stress out of photo and video editing because it's fully customizable. For example, its handy thumb scroll can be used for brush sizes in Photoshop or scrubbing through a massive timeline in Premiere Pro.
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Best for MacBooks
Apple's own Magic Mouse 2 acts like a second trackpad for your MacBook, as it's able to recognize multi-touch gestures for horizontal or vertical scrolling and other Mac OS gesture shortcuts.
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Best wired mouse
The Microsoft Ergonomic Mouse has a generous thumb rest, above which is cited two thumb buttons for convenient shortcut accessibility. A metal scroll wheel adds a further touch of class.
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Best mouse for photo and video editing
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Best overall
If you're a keen photo or video editor you will know that having a great mouse for video editing will help you tremendously, and the MX Master 3S from Logitech has been designed to take the stress out of photo and video editing by designing a mouse that is fully customizable to help you edit your way to success with your next project.
The appeal of the Logitech MX Master 3S, besides it being a wonderful wireless mouse, is the fact that Logitech has worked with Adobe Creative Cloud to give you a mouse whose buttons can act as a shortcut for multiple tools.
For example, its handy thumb scroll can be used for brush sizes in Photoshop or scrubbing through a massive timeline in Premiere Pro. In fact, there are several layouts to choose from in the Logitech Options+ software that allows you to make this mouse not just a cursor, but become a vital tool in all kinds of photo editing software, Zoom calls, and even Microsoft Word.
Read our full Logitech MX Master 3S review for more details.
Best for MacBooks
Having stressed how good ergonomics should be for photo and video editing mouse, here's an exception to the rule: Apple's Magic Mouse 2. Its sleek shape makes zero attempt to be comfortable in the hand, but on the plus side, it will slide into a laptop bag much more easily than a chunkier alternative, and it's suitable for right or left-handed users. What's more, most travel-friendly laptop mice are usually so small that they're far from comfortable.
Where the Magic Mouse 2 scores highly is its features. Its smooth top surface acts like a second trackpad for your MacBook, as it's able to recognize multi-touch gestures for horizontal or vertical scrolling and other Mac OS gesture shortcuts. Factor the wireless Bluetooth connectivity and built in Li-ion rechargeable battery and the Magic Mouse 2 is a good choice for MacBook users on the go.
Read more: Apple Magic Mouse 2 review
Best wired mouse
Photo and video editing are time-consuming activities that rely heavily on mouse usage, so it makes a great deal of sense to ensure your new mouse is as ergonomic as possible to help prevent aches and pains. Thankfully, you don't need to spend big money to get such a basic requirement as comfort, as the Microsoft Ergonomic Mouse is exactly that: ergonomic.
Sure, the design isn't quite as radical as you get with some other premium mice, but then this is way less expensive. And there's a generous thumb rest, above which is cited two thumb buttons for convenient shortcut accessibility.
A metal scroll wheel adds a further touch of class, while the 1000dpi tracking sensor is plenty precise enough for all but hardcore gaming. Drawbacks? This is a wired mouse, so it's best paired with a desktop computer where you're less likely to miss wireless freedom.
Best vertical mouse
Few people realize that resting your hand palm-down on a conventional mouse isn't all that ergonomic. It's actually preferable to have you hand rotated round to a handshake position, as it would be if you let it rest by your side. It's exactly this position that the strange looking Anker AK-UBA Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse encourages.
Apart from this ultra-ergonomic stance, the mouse is pretty straight-forward, with a typical complement of thumb-operated shortcut buttons and a decent (though not spectacular) 1600dpi max tracking resolution. A 2.4GHz wireless link keeps things cable-free, and the mouse is powered by two AAA batteries. But best of all, you can have all this for a fraction of the cost of what a similar vertical mouse like Logitech's MX Vertical would set you back.
Best cheap mouse
Image editing using a basic laptop trackpad isn't much fun, but if you're on a tight budget and just want a simple mouse to give you greater control, the M185 is unbeatable. It's also very travel-friendly at just 99 x 60 x 39mm and is neutrally sculpted to fit in either hand.
The M185 uses a 2.4GHz wireless link with a 10m range. The system is so power-efficient that a single AA battery is enough to run the mouse for around 12 months, and the USB wireless receiver is so small you barely notice it. The main downside to this mouse is its lack of thumb-operated buttons, limiting your options for defining custom mouse shortcuts in photo editing software.
Best left-handed mouse
Often a 'left-handed' mouse just means a basic symmetrical shape that fits equally well in the left or right hand, with no asymmetrical protrusions. Fine, but that just means left-handed people lose out on the more sculpted, ergonomic shaping offered by more exotic right-handed mice.
This certainly isn't the case with Contour Design's Unimouse. While it's available in the regular right-handed form, the Unimouse is also offered in a proper left-handed guise, retaining all the same ergonomic features as the right-hander, just mirrored. And this really is one seriously ergonomic offering.
The mouse can tilt sideways between 35 and 70 degrees to pivot your wrist for optimal comfort, and then there's ATS: articulating thumb support. This enables the thumb rest to be tilted up, down, forwards, backward, and even in and out relative to the rest of the mouse body. The idea is to minimize the amount of effort required to grip the mouse, and thereby reduce possible muscle strain. 6 programmable buttons ensure a decent level of settings control.
The Unimouse also nails the tech basics, with 2400 dpi max pointer precision, 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, and a built-in rechargeable battery.
Best silent mouse
The main feature with this mouse is its silent scroll wheel, or rather, the fact that it's silent while still maintaining a click feel to its motion. Useful if you want to maintain a low profile on public transport or in a library. Maintaining the silent theme are special pads on the underside of the mouse for quieter mouse movement.
The overall design is subtly sculpted for right-handers, and at 105.4 mm x 67.9 mm x 38.4 mm, this mouse is small enough for convenient travel while still being comfortable to hold. There's also no cable clutter, as the wireless connection is good for up to 10 metres range and you only need to change the single AA battery every two years. Factor the very reasonable price tag and the M330 Silent Plus is a good value option, especially if you need to work on the go.
Best trackball mouse
Trackball mice aren't for everyone, but they offer a level of pointer precision that some find unbeatable. Add the reduced muscular strain from not needing to move your wrist and lower arm, and trackballs can also be a blessing if you suffer from conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. In fact, Logitech claims the MX Ergo can reduce muscle strain by as much as 20% when compared to using a regular mouse.
Adding to the ergonomic feel is a hinged base plate that can tip the whole mouse over by any angle from 0 to 20 degrees so you can position your wrist at the perfect angle for maximum long-term comfort. The thumb-operated trackball uses a 380-dpi optical tracking sensor and is supplemented by eight additional buttons that can be configured to operate numerous shortcuts. The built-in 500mAh Li-Po rechargeable battery is good for up to four months on one charge, while the 2.4GHz wireless connection can be used as far as 10m away.
How to choose the best mouse for editing
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a computer mouse. First, if you're going to be using it for extended periods of time, you need to think about ergonomics. Look for a mouse that fits your hand naturally and has a comfortable grip. Beyond that, some mice are designed ergonomically to reduce wrist strain.
Although consider whether you want a wired or wireless mouse. Wired mice are generally more reliable and less expensive, but wireless mice offer more flexibility. You might also want to think about sensor type. Optical mice are cheaper, but if you need the highest possible precision, a laser mouse will give you more accuracy. Beyond that, some mice have additional buttons that can be programmed to perform specific tasks. This can be useful for anyone who wants to customize their workflow.
What is a computer mouse?
A computer mouse is a hand-held pointing device that allows you to interact with graphical user interfaces on a desktop or laptop computer, by controlling the movement of an on-screen cursor and selecting or activating objects or text. It typically has one or more buttons and sometimes a scroll wheel. The motion of the mouse is translated into movements of the cursor on the screen, allowing you to navigate through digital interfaces, select text, images or files, and interact with software applications.
What are the different types of computer mice?
There are two broad types of mice: wired and wireless. The former must be plugged into your computer with a cable, so they're a little more restrictive. In contrast, the latter connect wirelessly to your computer using radio frequency (RF) or Bluetooth technology.
Another way to classify computer mice is by sensor type. Optical mice use light to track movement, while laser mice use a laser beam. Laser mice tend to be more precise than optical mice, but they can be more expensive, so there's a pay-off to be made there.
What is DPI in a computer mouse?
DPI (dots per inch) measures how sensitive a mouse is. A higher DPI means that the mouse will move the cursor further across the screen with a smaller movement of your hand. Most users will be fine with a DPI of 800 to 2000, but gamers and other users who need extreme precision may prefer a mouse with a higher DPI.
How we test the best mice
When we test computer mice, we start by verifying basic operations like cursor movement, button clicks, and scroll wheel functionality across different surfaces. We also assess ergonomics, evaluating the comfort, grip, and usability offered by the mouse. Our performance tests gauge accuracy, sensitivity, and responsiveness, assessing how well the mouse tracks movement and translates it to on-screen actions. We also use each mouse in our day-to-day work over long periods of time, to get a feel for what it's like to use on a regular basis.
