What is the best mouse for your Mac? If you’ve just bought a Mac mini or you’re looking for a mouse to use with a MacBook Pro or Air, there is no shortage to choose from. The chances are that, unless you’re particularly fond of cables or need to use the mouse for gaming, you’ll want a Bluetooth mouse. Using Bluetooth frees you from a cable but also allows you, depending on the model you choose, to pair it with several devices at a time and switch between them at the press of a button.
How to choose a Bluetooth mouse
The first thing you’ll need to do is find out what versions of Bluetooth your Mac supports. Some Bluetooth mice only work with devices that support Bluetooth 4.0 or Bluetooth Smart, as it’s also known. If you try to connect a Bluetooth Smart mouse that isn’t compatible with your Mac, it won’t work. Fortunately, there is an easy way to check.
- Click on the Apple menu and choose About This Mac.
- Choose System report.
- Select Bluetooth
- Near the top of the window, you should see Bluetooth Low Energy Supported. If the word “yes” is opposite that, your Mac supports Bluetooth 4.0
If you can’t see this information in your System Report, check the model of your Mac. Basically, almost all Macs presented after 2011 and MacBooks released after 2012 support this Bluetooth version.
Some Bluetooth mice will also require you to be running a recent version of macOS to use their configuration software, so it’s worth checking that, too.
The next thing to think about is what kind of mouse you want. Do you want an ergonomic model to mitigate RSI or other wrist conditions? Do you want it to have proper buttons, and if yes, how many? What about gesture support?
The answers to all these questions will help you make the decision. You should also consider battery type and battery life. For example, Apple’s Magic Mouse has a rechargeable battery charged via a USB cable. Other mice use AA or AAA batteries. One of the advantages of Bluetooth 4 is that it uses very little power, so a pair of regular batteries will last up to two years.
The best Mac mouse
Apple Magic Mouse 2
Apple’s mice have always provoked mixed reactions. First, there was its refusal to put a second button on a mouse, then there was the iMac “hockey puck,” and then the tiny rollerball. Now, it has a mouse with no visible buttons at all and an entirely smooth surface.
The Magic Mouse 2 has a rechargeable battery that charges using the included lightning to USB cable, so the whole thing is one piece. Its top surface has support for two buttons, but, more importantly, it allows you to use the same gestures as you would on a trackpad. It’s available in silver and space gray.
Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Wireless Mouse
This one was rated as the best Bluetooth mouse by Wirecutter in 2019, and having used one for a year, I understand why. It’s a Bluetooth Smart mouse, so your Mac will need to be running macOS 10.10 (though if it’s not, you can use the M720 with the included wireless receiver). It uses a single AA battery that Logitech says will last a year.
Most importantly of all, it feels great in hand. It’s very comfortable to use. There are two buttons, a scroll wheel, and seven programmable buttons. You can pair it with up to three devices and switch between them at the press of a button.
Logitech MX Master 3
For a mouse that’s even more comfortable than the Triathlon and more precise, look no further than the MX Master 3. It’s longer and wider than the Triathlon and sits even more comfortably in your hand. It has six programmable buttons, but there’s also a second scroll wheel conveniently placed exactly where your thumb is. The buttons are pre-programmed for tools like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro, as well as other apps like Word, Safari, and Chrome.
The MX Master 3 has a rechargeable battery that’s charged using the included USB cable and which should last a couple of months between charges.
Logitech MX Vertical
For the ultimate ergonomic comfort, you need a vertical mouse. These mice allow your hand and wrist to sit at a more natural angle, easing the pressure on them and reducing the chances of long-term pain.
The Logitech MX Vertical holds your hand at 57˚ while still placing two buttons and a scroll wheel at your fingertips. There are four programmable buttons in total. You can connect using Bluetooth, the included wireless dongle, or the included USB-C cable, which doubles as a charging cable. And you can pair it with up to three devices at a time, switching between them with the press of a button.
Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless
The Harpoon is an excellent choice for a Bluetooth mouse that can handle the speeds needed for gaming. It has six programmable buttons, and you can also customize its sensitivity.
A rechargeable battery that is charged via the included USB cable is definitely a good thing about the Harpoon model. You can use the mouse while it’s charging. The mouse also has a wireless USB receiver that you can use instead of Bluetooth. It’s smaller than some mice here, so it may not be comfortable for some people. But the upside is it’s also lightweight — so handy for carrying around in a laptop bag.
Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed
This is another Bluetooth mouse perfect for gamers. It has an adjustable sensitivity range and low latency. It’s powered by a single AA battery, so there’s no USB socket or cable. It’s well constructed and a little heavier than most, though if you don’t use it for traveling, that won’t be an issue. It’s also very comfortable in hand, so it may be a better bet than the Corsair Harpoon for some users. There’s no RGB lighting, but there are six buttons and a total of eight programmable inputs.
Logitech G604 Lightspeed
If eight programmable controls aren’t enough for you, this gaming mouse from Logitech might be the answer. It has 15 programmable controls in total, including six buttons that sit next to your thumb. It’s highly responsive and features a low latency, even over Bluetooth — though there is also a USB receiver, which will speed things up even more. The metal ratchet scroll wheel adds to the feeling of a solid, well-built mouse. It runs on a single AA battery, and Logitech says you should get between five and six months’ use from each battery.
Logitech M590 Multi-Device Silent
The biggest selling point of the M590 is in its name — it’s very, very quiet. Its buttons provide physical feedback without an audible click. The rubber scroll wheel also glides silently. Logitech claims the scroll wheel packs in more grooves per millimeter, making scrolling quicker and smoother.
The other key feature is that, like the MX Master (above), it incorporates Logitech’s Flow technology. This allows you to connect the mouse to two devices and work on both simultaneously, even copy and paste text between the two. This also works if one is a Windows PC and the other is a Mac. The M590 includes a USB receiver, as well as connects via Bluetooth, and uses one AA battery, which should last two years. It’s a great wireless mouse for MacBook Pro.
Microsoft Mobile Surface Mouse
Microsoft makes several Bluetooth mice, from its basic Bluetooth Mobile Mouse to the much more expensive Arc and Precision devices. This one can be bought online for only a little more money than the basic Bluetooth mouse. Like the rest of the Surface range, it’s pretty stylish and is a good bet if you like the low-profile look of Apple’s Magic Mouse 2 but want a scroll wheel — though, of course, you won’t get gesture support. It’s Bluetooth only, so there’s no USB receiver, and it has two AAA batteries. Microsoft says you should get a year of use from each set.
Logitech MX Ergo
Yes, there are lots of Logitech devices on this list. That’s because it makes lots of different Bluetooth mice, and most of them are better than those offered by competitors. The MX Ergo is a case in point. It combines a mouse with a trackball, which sits under your thumb. It has a magnetic stand that allows for a 20˚ tilt to enable your hand to rest at a more comfortable angle. It uses a rechargeable battery, which Logitech says will last a couple of months between charges. Though it also has a fast-charge mode that should give you a day’s use from a minute of charging.
TeckNet Bluetooth Mouse
If you’re on a budget and still want a Bluetooth mouse, this TeckNet model could be a good choice. It’s very basic — you get two additional buttons, and they’re not programmable, and it has no ergonomic features, but it does the job. Those two extra buttons allow you to switch from one app to another or move forward and backward in a web browser. There’s also a button behind the scroll wheel that allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the optical sensor. It takes two AAA batteries that the company says should give you two years of use.
Logitech Pebble M350
Need a mouse that’s small and flat enough to slip into a pocket? The Logitech Pebble M350 is the one to go for. It may be the best mouse for a MacBook Pro. Its low-profile design means it fits in your pocket, and you won’t have any trouble fitting it in a laptop bag. It comes in a choice of four colors and has a silent scroll wheel and two silent buttons. It can connect using Bluetooth or via the included USB receiver and runs off a single AA battery, which should last 18 months.
Need to optimize your Mac’s performance?
Choosing the best Bluetooth mouse will help you get the most from your Mac, and if you use it to play games, the right mouse can make all the difference. But to improve performance even more, including for games, as well as to keep your Mac free from junk files and malware, check out CleanMyMac X. CleanMyMac X has several modules that optimize the performance of your Mac and keep its boot drive free from the junk. It’s a great way to keep your Mac in good shape and running smoothly.
- Get CleanMyMac X and install it on your Mac (free trial is available).
- Launch the app and press Scan.
- CleanMyMac X will start scanning your Mac for old, unneeded junk files and performing optimization tasks.
- Press Run, and you’re done!
There are many, many great options to choose from when it comes to picking a Bluetooth mouse. That’s why you need to decide what you’re looking for, as we described at the beginning of this article, before you start narrowing down your options. If you know you need to use your new mouse for gaming, you’ll want a fast one that has lots of programmable buttons.
If ergonomics are more important, you’ll need one that feels comfortable and holds your hand at the right angle. Some of the mice listed here come with their own configuration software, which is great. But driver software can sometimes cause conflicts or other problems on your Mac. To minimize those and keep your Mac running smoothly, check out CleanMyMac X.
