Best trackball mouse 2024

The best trackball mouse is going to let you use your computer with ease and comfort, thus doubling as one of the best mice on the market in some instances.

Getting used to a trackball mouse can take a little bit of time though compared to say the best gaming mouse, but a lot of people swear by them and will raid your village if you besmirch their good name. We recommend not engaging with those people, but to be fair to them, there are a lot of good reasons to use a trackball mouse over a standard one.

The biggest benefit is that you don't have to move your wrist as much, which is amazing from a good old ergonomics standpoint. Sure, it's not especially cool to care about ergonomics and the best ergonomic mice, but it's also not cool to get RSI, so we'd rather be interested in not getting injured. If you're looking to do creative things, a trackball mouse can help there as well.

So, let's get stuck into our best trackball mouse list, so you can start protecting your wrists.

Best trackball mice

1. Logitech MX Ergo - a well-rounded trackball mouse
2. Kensington Expert Mouse - top finger trackball option
3. Kensington Orbit - a great budget option
4. Logitech Ergo M575 - an excellent pick for small hands
5. ProtoArc Trackball Mouse - best choice for gaming

Credit: Logitech

1. Logitech MX Ergo

Best trackball mouse overall

Our pick for the best trackball mouse overall is the Logitech MX Ergo. Aside from the sleek design, this thumb trackball mouse allows for incredibly precise control, and has a lot of cool features that help it stand above the other options on this list. Frankly, unless you don't like thumb trackballs, this is the one to get no matter what you're going to be using it for - it's just that good.

The angle can actually be adjusted a little to find the most comfortable position for each user, the scroll wheel allows for high precision, and it can be switched between modes for better accuracy or higher speed. It also has up to four months of use on a full charge.

Finally, it can be connected to two devices at once, and thanks to a Logitech Flow, can copy files between the two with ease as well. It's just an amazing mouse.

• Read More: Best budget vertical mice

Credit: Kensington

2. Kensington Expert Mouse

Best finger trackball mouse

If you'd rather use a finger trackball than a thumb trackball, then the best in class in our eyes is the Kensington Expert Mouse.

Putting "Expert" into a name can be a little iffy, but here, it's very well deserved because this mouse is an absolute powerhouse of ergonomics and control. It also looks good too, but that could just be because it's mostly black.

This trackball mouse comes with wrist support, so you know you're getting looked after, and also has a wheel around the ball which can be used to scroll through pages. Outside of that, it has four buttons that you can customise as you want, and you can even change the scroll and cursor speed with the KensingtonWorks software. These features ultimately make it a great option to consider.

• Read More: Best wireless mice

Credit: Kensington

3. Kensington Orbit

Best budget trackball mouse

Looking after your wrists and using a trackball mouse isn't something reserved for just those with deep pockets. In fact, you can get some very good mice for cheap here, and the best of the bunch is the Kensington Orbit, which offers an affordable way to protect your body in the long run.

The Kensington Orbit is a finger trackball mouse that helps with accuracy for some people and is more common. It works with both Windows and Mac, which is great news if you're someone who happens to use both, whether at work or at home, and it also has a funky wheel that can be used to scroll through pages more easily. It's not fancy, but it is comfy, and it gets the job done very well.

• Read More: Best gaming keyboards

Credit: Logitech

4. Logitech Ergo M575

Best trackball mouse for small hands

If you're someone with smaller hands, then it helps to have a mouse that's not going to ask too much of them. A lot of mice are built for larger hands in general, or people with greater finger dexterity and flexibility, so it can be tough if you're lacking in any of those areas. Thankfully, those who want to get the best trackball mouse don't have to compromise too much, because the Logitech Ergo M575 is exquisite.

This ergonomic mouse has the trackball on the thumb, which can be a lot easier to get used to for most people, and allows for more comfortable control too. It also has a slight tilt to make it easier on your joints, and it has a few extra buttons to make controlling your computer easier as well. Plus, it works with both PCs and Macs... win win.

• Read More: Best gaming desks

Credit: ProtoArc

5. ProtoArc Trackball Mouse

Best trackball mouse for gaming

It's worth noting that while a trackball mouse can be used for gaming, it's going to be a lot trickier for most people than a more traditional option. That being said, you can use these mice for gaming, and while the Logitech MX Ergo does a good job here too, the ProtoArc Trackball Mouse has RGB lighting, and is, therefore, more likely to help you perform better. At least we're pretty sure that's what the lights are for.

This mouse can also switch between 3 DPI levels with the touch of a button, has an impressive battery life of up to one month, and the thumb control frees up your fingers for better clicking, making it easier to aim or control things as needed. It's also not too pricey, which is a huge boon for those gaming on a budget, but who still want a more ergonomic approach to things.

• Read More: Best wired mice

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

No need to panic if you've got any questions. We've answered some of the most commonly asked queries below.

What is a trackball mouse?

If you haven't already worked it out, a trackball mouse is a pointing device used to control the movement of the cursor on your screen. Instead of moving the entire mouse across a surface, you manipulate a stationary ball located on the top or side of the device instead. The ball is typically controlled with the fingers or the thumb, allowing users to roll the ball in any direction to move the cursor.

Trackball mice come in various designs, with some having the ball on the top and others on the side. The stationary nature of the device makes it well-suited for situations where space is limited, as users can control the cursor without requiring a large mouse movement area.

These mice are known for their precision and can be a comfortable option for users who may experience discomfort with traditional mice, as they often require less wrist movement. Trackball mice are available in both wired and wireless versions too, and they are used for a variety of applications, including general computing, gaming, and design work.