best wireless mouse for macbook pro 2016

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The best mice for Macs are comfortable and accurate, but different people look for different things in their ideal mouse. When searching for the best mouse for your MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or iMac, it's best to think about how you use your device and cater your mouse toward your specific needs. If you do a lot of video editing on your Mac, you might want an ultra-precise mouse that lets you customize your controls for different editing applications. A computer programmer might look for a mouse that prioritizes comfort, speed, and accuracy. If you spend a lot of time playing games, you might want a mouse specifically designed for gaming.

We've reviewed a number of mice, and our pick for the best mouse for Macs is the Logitech M720 Triathlon (view on Amazon). The M720 is affordable, yet it provides useful features and customization options. We've also selected our picks for the best mice for Macs in specific categories like the best mice for coders and computer programmers, the best mice for gamers, and the best mice for video editors. Read on to see all of our picks for the best mice for Macs.

The Rundown

The M720 Triathlon comes at an affordable price, boasts a long-lasting battery, and works with multiple devices.

A full charge takes as little as two hours, while a quick two minutes of charging is enough to give you 9 hours of use before the mouse needs a refill.

To reduce hand strain this trackball mouse can help avoid excess wrist movement.

The Logitech G604 is a quality wireless gaming mouse that's comfortable and adaptable.

This Razer gaming mouse takes the cake in precision and accuracy.

With the mechanical switch gone, Apple uses a haptic engine to simulate the feel and sound of clicking. The haptic engine is adjustable, so you can set up your Magic Touchpad 2 to feel like the original version, configure it for a light touch, or anything in between.

Switching between machines was instantaneous and this device-to-device ease can be extended even further with the Logi Flow technology that allows you to move from one computer to the next as if it were one machine.

The SteelSeries Rival 650 is the ultimate mouse for gamers, but it's also an excellent mouse for video editing and graphic design.

Logitech M720 Triathalon

What We Like

Affordable
Long battery life
Pairs with up to three devices

What We Don't Like

Average sensor

You'll hear varying opinions on what makes a good mouse, but we think Logitech's M720 is the best mouse for Mac users because of its simple, accessible design, long battery life, and overall user-friendliness. The M720 appeals to a wide group of users and applications, with auto-discovery for simple configuration and hyperfast or click-by-click scrolling. The size and ergonomics are better than you'd find on most wireless mice in its price range, and it should feel comfortable in a broad range of hand sizes. The affordable M720 is quite versatile, and within Logitech's accompanying Mac-compliant software, you can fully customize it to perform a variety of tasks.

As the name "Triathlon" implies, this mouse can maintain connections to up to three different devices, either using the Bluetooth LE capabilities available on all recent Macs, or Logitech's USB Unifying Receiver. There's a slot inside to store the USB receiver, so you can easily take it with you and not risk losing the small USB dongle. Three backlight numbers on the top also let you quickly see which device you're controlling. This means you can use the Triathlon with your iMac when you're at your desk, and then just as easily toss it in your bag for use with your MacBook on the go. The battery will last up to two years, so you can use the mouse for some time before needing to swap the battery.

Apple Magic Mouse 2

What We Like

Sleek design
Multi-touch controls
Stable connection

What We Don't Like

Poorly placed charging port

Apple's Magic Mouse 2 has a glass top and aluminum bottom. It's an attractive mouse that brings a lot of features and functionality to the table. With a touch-sensitive top surface, it looks incredibly sleek, and it packs a lot of performance into its minimalist design. Not only does the Magic Mouse connect to your Mac wirelessly via Bluetooth, but you can recharge it with nothing more than (an included) iPhone lighting cable. The Magic Mouse 2 automatically pairs with your Mac, and it holds a steady connection.

The bad news is Apple placed the charging port on the bottom, meaning you won't be able to leave it plugged in while you're using it. Luckily, it doesn't need to be recharged all that often.

The multi-touch surface is incredibly intuitive. You can use simple gestures to do things like swipe through pages or scroll. In System Preferences, you can adjust your touch settings, enabling for right-clicks as well as additional gestures, including those found on an ordinary MacBook trackpad such as pinch-to-zoom. Plus, since it was made by Apple, there's no extra software to install on your Mac — everything to support the Magic Mouse is built right in.

Logitech MX ERGO Trackball Mouse

What We Like

Precise
Trackball control
Tilt for increased comfort

What We Don't Like

Takes time to get used to

Trackballs represent another favorite cursor controller, seeing how they reverse the design to let your finger or thumb move the mouse ball, while the unit itself remains stationary. Once known for its trackballs, Logitech stopped making trackball mice for a while. The MX Ergo marks a return to form, and is one of the most ergonomic pointing devices on the market. Since your hand doesn't move, you're far less at risk of repeated wrist and arm strain. What's more, an adjustable hinge makes it so you can tilt the MX Ergo between 0 and 20 degrees, whichever position is most comfortable for you. This saves you the trouble of contorting your wrist. According to Logitech, this reduces muscular strain by 20 percent over a standard mouse.

The MX Ergo has everything you'd expect from a Logitech pointing device, with a whole suite of buttons you can customize in Logitech's Options software. The ability to pair with two different devices over Bluetooth (or the included Logitech USB Unifying receiver) comes in handy. Plus, at the quick tap of a button located above the trackball, you can switch the MX Ergo into "precision mode," which dramatically slows down the cursor to better navigate a smaller area of the screen. Combine all of this with a fast-charging rechargeable battery that lasts for up to four months before needing a charge, and you've got an exceptional ergonomic mouse. For those trackball fans who have never quite adjusted to life with mice and trackpads, Logitech's MX Ergo could be the pointing device for you.

What We Like

Precise
Extremely customizable
Lag-free

What We Don't Like

Doesn't work as well on some surfaces

Logitech has a reputation for putting out durable and reliable products. While a number of other companies are making gaming mice, Logitech's G604 gets our nod for the top pick in this category due to the fact that it's designed to take the kind of beating hardcore action gamers are likely to deliver.

With 15 completely programmable controls (including six thumb buttons), you can customize individual profiles for specific games using Logitech's G Hub software. Despite its less-than-inspired design, it's understated enough to pass as a traditional working mouse, perfect for gaming at the office (on your lunch break, of course). One included AA battery will give you 240 hours of gaming, and you can connect to your Mac using the USB receiver or via Bluetooth. In Bluetooth mode, you can get up to 5.5 months of battery life with standard use.

In terms of performance, the G604 features Logitech's Hero 16k Sensor. It boasts up to 16,000 CPI, though you can dial it down to as low as 100. Logitech clearly put a lot of thought into button placement, as all buttons are easily accessible. Its 1,000Hz polling rate means tracking information refreshes on your Mac up to 1,000 times per second (or every millisecond). As a result, there's virtually no noticeable lag. This is one of the more efficient and accurate gaming mice in its price range.

Logitech G604 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse Review

What We Like

Precise
Up to 19 programmable buttons
Customizable keys for editing applications

What We Don't Like

Expensive for a wired mouse

Precision and accuracy are among the most important features in a mouse for graphic design and filmmaking. A mouse for video editing should also have quick and easy access to frequently used controls for applying cuts, edits, filters, and effects. Since these priorities are shared by hardcore gamers, it's no surprise to find that a Razer gaming mouse — the Naga Trinity, specifically — also makes one of the best picks for graphic design and video editing projects.

Although this mouse is targeted primarily at Windows users, Razer's Synapse app (for configuring the Trinity Naga) is available for macOS. It works well on Mac, providing the ability to fully customize the huge array of buttons found on the side of the mouse. This allows you to trigger key sequences from apps like Adobe Premiere, Illustrator, or Photoshop that you would otherwise have to punch in on your keyboard, dramatically speeding up your workflow if your job (or hobby) keeps you in apps like these all day.

The Synapse app also lets you have multiple profiles linked to the various apps you use on an everyday basis, so you can tailor the buttons to perform different actions in Premiere or Illustrator, and you can flip between profiles when working in different modes. For example, you might want to use one set of key assignments when assembling and editing in Premiere, but have them mapped differently when you're laying down effects. This mouse can handle all of these tasks and more.

Apple Magic Trackpad 2

What We Like

Rechargeable battery
Force touch (pressure detection)
Gesture controls

What We Don't Like

A bit large

While not technically a mouse, we'd be remiss if we didn't also include Apple's Magic Trackpad on this list, since it's an especially great choice for those who are used to working with MacBooks. If you're regularly moving between a MacBook Pro on the go and an iMac on your desk, you'll really appreciate the consistency of the user experience. You can use the same gestures and control styles in both scenarios.

In fact, the trackpad 2 even includes Apple's Force Touch, meaning it can detect the amount of pressure you apply and trigger different actions. With that, you can do things like automatically look up words, preview links, add items to your calendar, and perform even more advanced functions in apps like iMovie and GarageBand, where you can press down harder to rapidly scrub through a track.

Like the Magic Mouse, the Magic Trackpad houses a rechargeable battery and can be recharged from your Mac's USB port with a standard USB to Lightning cable.

Magic Trackpad 2 Brings Force Touch to Any Mac

Logitech MX Master 3

What We Like

Superfast scrolling
USB-C quick charge connection
Use on almost any surface

What We Don't Like

Takes time to get used to

With a MagSpeed Electromagnetic scrolling wheel, the MX Master 3 can scroll through up to 1,000 lines in one second with pinpoint accuracy. Logitech indicates the scroll wheel is 87% more accurate and 90% faster (when compared to predecessors and regular Logitech mice without an electromagnetic scroll wheel). The mouse is quiet too, scrolling through thousands of lines of code without making a peep.

You can control up to three different devices with the MX Master 3, and you can go back and forth between a Windows PC and a Mac by connecting the USB receiver or connecting via Bluetooth. The customizable mouse lets you configure each button for each application you use. You can also take advantage of predefined customizations that are already optimized for a number of applications, including Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Word, Excel, and more. The MX Master 3 has a thumb wheel and even a gesture button you can hold down as you move the mouse to use gesture commands.

The MX Master 3 boasts Logitech Darkfield Tracking, which lets you track on almost any surface and get up to 4,000 CPI precision. You can adjust the CPI in increments of 50 to as low as 200. Even on glass, this mouse is exceptionally precise. The rechargeable mouse stays charged for up to 70 days, and has a USB-C connection and included USB-C charging cable to recharge the device. One minute of quick charging will power the device for up to three hours of use.

Logitech MX Master 3 Review

What We Like

Quick charging
Configurable weight
Two sensors

What We Don't Like

Pricey

The SteelSeries Rival 650 is the ultimate mouse for gamers, but it's also an excellent mouse for video editing and graphic design. It boasts an ergonomic design, with soft touch material and 256 different weight configurations. It includes eight 4 gram weights, so if you like a lighter mouse, you can remove the sides and take out the weights. If a heavier mouse is more comfortable for you, just add more weights.

The SteelSeries Rival 650 has fast charging, with 15 minutes of charging providing at least 10 hours of gameplay. With at least 24 hours of constant gameplay on a full charge, you won't run out of battery in the middle of use. The mouse offers lag-free 1000Hz (1ms) gaming, with two sensors for increased precision. It has a primary TrueMove 3 Optical Gaming Sensor and a secondary Depth Sensing Linear Optical Detection sensor, which allow for true 1 to 1 tracking precision and a CPI range of between 100 and 12,000.

The Rival 650 has eight independently controlled RGB zones, so it does look like a gaming mouse. However, it's fully customizable using SteelSeries Engine Software, so you can make the lighting effects look the way you want. It even has a 32-bit ARM processor for saving CPI settings, button remappings, and lighting effects at LAN events and tournaments when the software isn't easily accessible. If you're looking for a precise, high quality mouse you can customize, this is a solid option.

About our Trusted Experts:

Erika Rawes has been writing professionally for more than a decade, and she's spent the last five years writing about consumer technology. Erika has reviewed roughly 125 gadgets, including computers, peripherals, A/V equipment, mobile devices, and smart home gadgets. Erika currently writes for Digital Trends and Lifewire.

Jesse Hollington currently works as a Senior Writer for iDropNews.com, where he writes about what's happening in the world of Apple, and previously served as the Senior Editor for iLounge.com for over 10 years, where he reviewed a wide array of iPhone and iPad accessories and apps along with providing help and assistance through technical articles, tutorials, and a reader Q&A column; he is also the author of iPod & iTunes Portable Genius.

FAQs

Should I get a wired or wireless mouse?
Both wired and wireless options have advantages. A wired mouse will never need to be charged, and doesn't require Bluetooth connectivity on your machine or an open USB slot for a dongle. Wireless mice, on the other hand, eliminate the clutter of a wire and the tangled nightmare that all the cables snaking out of your PC can become, and they've taken great steps in recent years to close the gap in terms of CPI and response time versus their wired counterparts.

What kind of mouse do I need for gaming?
For twitch-based online shooters like Call of Duty or Fortnite, a mouse with high sensitivity (CPI) is key, so you can spin around on a dime when attackers are creeping up behind you. On the other end of the spectrum, strategy and MMO gamers will find a mouse with a ton of additional buttons to be a huge boon, so you can fire off active abilities or execute macros at the touch of a button.

Are mice customizable?
A lot of modern mice let you change not just settings like sensitivity or assign buttons to different functions, but will allow you to alter the physical properties of the mouse itself. Some come with different side plates that allow you change from right-handed to left-handed grip or apply a different texture to the plastic where your thumb rests, while others allow you to add or remove modular weights to find the perfect balance for your hand/wrist.

What to Look for in a Mouse for your Mac

Comfort and grip style- Are you right handed or left handed? Do you prefer a claw grip mouse, a palm grip, or a top grip? Make sure the mouse you choose has a comfortable style, especially if you plan on using it during every eight hour work day.

Compatibility and connectivity- Most modern mice are compatible with MacOS, but it's best to make sure before you make a selection. You'll also want to check out the mouse's connectivity. Is it wired or wireless? If it's wireless, does it connect using a USB receiver, Bluetooth, or both? Can you connect the mouse to more than one device, and can you switch back and forth between a Windows and Mac device?

Sensors and CPI- A mouse's sensor works like a camera to detect light reflection and track movement. Mice with higher-level sensors are more accurate and precise than those with lower level sensors. That's why you'll often hear about gaming mice having special sensor technology, like the Hero 16K sensor in the Logitech G604 gaming mouse. CPI (counts per inch) measures a mouse's sensitivity. This determines how fast your cursor will move on the screen when you move your mouse. If your mouse has a CPI of 1,000, your mouse will move 1,000 pixels when you move it one inch. You don't necessarily want to set this on the highest settings, as you may end up with an overly sensitive mouse. However, some people want a higher CPI for slower, controlled applications where they require complete precision. CPI is sometimes labeled as DPI (by manufacturers and in general).