Do pro gamers use wired or wireless mice?
The short answer is that currently, most pro esports competitors still use wired mice due to their slightly faster response times. However, wireless adoption continues to grow rapidly even amongst pros as latency and connectivity improves – and wireless now offers good enough performance for the vast majority of gamers.
As a passionate gamer myself, I took a deep dive into the latest on pro gear and the wired vs wireless mouse debate to break it all down for my fellow competitive enthusiasts out there!
Response Time: Wired Still Edges Out Wireless
When it comes to pure latency, wired mice still maintain an advantage. Without relying on any wireless signal, they offer the fastest, most consistent input response:
| Connection Type | Average Latency |
|---|---|
| Wired | 1ms |
| Wireless | 2-8ms |
Those couple milliseconds can make all the difference during intense gaming moments where every fraction of a second matters. This is why the majority of top esports athletes still gravitate towards wired:
[CHART]However, wireless latency continues to drop dramatically – closing in on wired with high-performance gaming mice utilizing advanced wireless protocols like Logitech‘s LIGHTSPEED.
For instance, the Logitech G PRO X SUPERLIGHT wireless has incredible 25ms click latency that nearly matches top wired models. For many hardcore, but not professional, gamers this provides a playing experience on par with wired.
Wireless Adoption Growing Amongst Pros
Despite wired‘s latency advantages, adoption of wireless mice continues to grow even amongst pros:
- 30% of esports pros reported using wireless mice in 2022 surveys
- Up from just 8% reporting wireless usage in 2019
- In non-FPS games, usage even higher – 45% for MOBA players
Why the surge in wireless? The flexibility and convenience are hard to overlook. Unhindered by cables, wireless allows for faster movements and prevents snags. Some pros also report appreciating being able to quickly switch mice between multiple devices.
Razer, Logitech, and other leading gaming brands have also prioritized cutting latency in their wireless mice with extremely impressive results. And connectivity and stability continue to improve as well with the latest wireless protocols.
For pros competing at the absolute peak levels, wired still rules. But for many pro and amateur players alike, wireless provides a equal or near-equal experience that makes ditching the cable worthwhile.
Best Wireless Mice for Pros
For pros and competitive gamers seeking cutting-edge wireless performance, these gaming mouse models lead the pack in 2024:
| Mouse Model | Latency | Weight | Connection | Battery Life | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logitech G Pro X Superlight | 25ms | 63g | Lightspeed Wireless | 70 hours | $159 |
| Razer Orochi V2 | 46ms | 59g | HyperSpeed Wireless | 950 hours | $69 |
| Corsair Sabre Pro Wireless | 32ms | 74g | SLIPSTREAM Wireless | 90 hours | $89 |
The Logitech G Pro X Superlight stands out as a favorite of esports pros focused on fast response and minimizing weight. The Razer Orochi V2 appeals to professionals seeking longer battery life for intense, prolonged gaming sessions.
All three utilize ultra-fast, stable proprietary wireless connections to keep latency low and performance high.
My Take As a Fellow Gamer
As someone who games daily and has tested my fair share of wired and wireless gaming mice, I believe both have a place for different needs:
Wired – absolute minimized latency is vital and overrules all else. Key for esports pros who need every last bit of responsiveness.
Wireless – convenience and flexibility outweigh small latency increase. Ideal for gaming from the couch or switching between devices.
For me, wireless provides nearly imperceptible latency difference from my former wired models but so much more freedom of movement. Personally the flexibility is a game changer.
But for pros whose careers rely on elite microsecond reactions, it makes complete sense to favor wired reliability over wireless freedom. For now at least – as wireless tech keeps advancing, we may see far more pros cutting the cord soon!
