Name a good gaming-grade wireless mouse and keyboard for Windows 11.

[JonMyrlennBailey]

I have a 2013 vintage wireless Microsoft keyboard and mouse that came as a set. I noticed the mouse pointer is getting slow even with a brand new battery. The mouse pointer has latency, doesn't consistently move smoothly with mouse across the pad. Acts like a cardboard box that sticks on track ties while being dragged over them. My old-keyboard also lacks an Fn key and backlighting.

I would like to get an illuminated wireless keyboard and high quality wireless mouse as well with no missing functions and fully compatible with Windows 11 and excellent for a gaming PC. I need zero latency for the mouse pointer while I game at the living room TV set.

Any suggestions?

 

[ricomon35]

@JonMyrlennBailey -

I use a Logitech ERGO M575 general use trackball mouse. Very nice programmable button set. Ergonomically very comfy, and one doesn't need to make room on one's desk for the mouse to slide around on.
Has a left side rollerball that's overall very smooth. I can even use it in graphics apps for fine movement work. Your hands will leave oily residue on the ball, which then builds up on those resting points, making the ball stick (mildly), so you do need to pop out the trackball to clean the ball resting points with a q-tip and a little rubbing alcohol.

ERGO M575 Wireless Trackball

I use the mouse for Mouse + Keyboard games, does a great job there too.

You can also wash the ball with soap, then rub it on your forehead to relubricate the surface. The sebaceous oils in your skin are super-fine in quality, serving well as a clean lubricant.

There is also the newer version, the MX ERGO S. It has a side-tilt feature, side scrolling button, and somewhat quieter button cliks. It costs twice what the M575 does.

If you're left handed, the only good choice is a Kensington ORBIT trackball, or an ELECOM E-XG Pro

Kensington ORBIT

ELECOM EX-G Pro

There many higher quality units out there, but they are very spendy, in the 150-200+ USD range.

 

[JonMyrlennBailey]

@JonMyrlennBailey -

I use a Logitech ERGO M575 general use trackball mouse. Very nice programmable button set. Ergonomically very comfy, and one doesn't need to make room on one's desk for the mouse to slide around on.
Has a left side rollerball that's overall very smooth. I can even use it in graphics apps for fine movement work. You do need to pop out the trackball to clean the ball resting points with a q-tip and little rubbing alcohol.
You hands will leave oily residue on the ball, which then builds up on those resting points, making the ball stick (mildly).

ERGO M575 Wireless Trackball

I use the mouse for game mouse + Keyboard games as well, does a great job there too.

You can also wash the ball with soap, then rub it on your forehead to relubricate the surface. The sebaceous oils in your skin are super-fine in quality, serving well as a clean lubricant.

There is also the newer version, the MX ERGO S. It has a side-tilt feature, side scrolling button, and somewhat quieter button cliks. It costs twice what the M575 does.

If you're left handed, the only good choice is a Kensington ORBIT trackball, or an ELECOM E-XG Pro

Kensington ORBIT

ELECOM EX-G Pro

There many higher quality units out there, but they are very spendy, in the 150-200+ USD range.

Do trackball mice actually move the pointer more smoothly than optical mice? I don't think I have seen a trackball mouse in over 17 years. I have pretty much had optical mice (both corded and USB wireless) for about as long as I have had Windows computers, my first one ever (a used 1997 Toshiba Techra laptop with Windows 98 and dial up) starting back in 2005. It was in 2006 that I first discovered Trainz ever and it was then under Auran. I first started by downloading and playing with a free demo of TS 2004. I think my first paid version of Trainz came with 2012 in 2013 and I did not even start using Surveyor to actually edit and build things until 2015.

 

[ricomon35]

@JonMyrlennBailey - Yes. Mostly due to the base not moving, and the high DPI laser reading the ball movement. The ball sits on 3 little bumps (the resting points from my previous post.
The speed of the mouse cursor moving across a 21:9 is also very smooth and fast, with the speed/acceleration adjustable via the Logitech software.
Since I work in Sketchup/Blender/Photoshop everyday, this feature is very important to me.

It does not do painting, free hand drawing or similar well. Need a dedicated graphics tablet for that.

This is the inside of the ball hole.

 

[JonMyrlennBailey]

The onn corded optical mouse (from Walmart) I have at my home office moves the pointer nice and smoothly across my mouse pad, fast or slow. And with precision. No cardboard box dragging over a rough surface jitter effect. USB wireless mice might be more prone to drag lag. The issue might be with the wireless signal. Hopefully, my new Logitech wireless USB optical mouse will run smoothly as my corded one does. Since a cordless mouse lacks a long tail it should be called a hamster. I don't want a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard as they might not work before Windows is booted up. My USB wireless keyboard and mouse even work in the BIOS mode. My MSI motherboard has Click BIOS 5 interface. Yes, mousing even in the BIOS!

 

[johnwhelan]

I quite like a wired coolmaster MM720 much lighter than one with a battery in it.

Cheerio John

 

[ricomon35]

I quite like a wired coolmaster MM720 much lighter than one with a battery in it.

Cheerio John

@Forester1 - Huh, I didn't know they made meece, LOL.

 

[JonMyrlennBailey]

I quite like a wired coolmaster MM720 much lighter than one with a battery in it.

Cheerio John

A wired mouse (and keyboard) is not convenient for my living room TV gaming station setup.

 

[pdkoester]

Combo

 

[dangavel]

When they phased out the balls in mice it was a boon, as a computer arts teacher, we were constantly getting them stolen and used in slingshots where they could be lethal, also other less vigilant staff (slack bathstewards in other words ) would steal the mouseballs from my room in order to replenish their own stock, so I had to resort to collecting all the mice every night to ensure they could be used by the next class the following day, you've brought back a whole lot of hideous memories best forgotten