Choosing the Best Bluetooth Mouse for Your Needs

A wireless mouse comes in two varieties: radio-frequency (RF) and Bluetooth. The basic difference between a wireless (RF) mouse vs. a Bluetooth mouse is that RF mice need a USB dongle to connect, while a Bluetooth mouse uses a transmitter that communicates and connects with the Bluetooth receiver built into your computer.

A Bluetooth mouse is the optimal choice if unlimited convenience is your goal. You don't need to have an available USB port to use it, just a computer with a Bluetooth receiver. Also, a Bluetooth mouse is easily moved from device to device if you have multiple computers but only want to buy and use one mouse. This convenience only gets better because battery life for Bluetooth mice usually runs a year or two.

There are only two slight downsides to choosing a Bluetooth mouse. The first is that the connection requires a few extra steps from the "plug and play" functionality of a wireless mouse with a USB dongle. The second is reconnection speed after turning on your computer. A USB-connected mouse will be instant, whereas a Bluetooth can take a few seconds to establish connection with the computer.

Before going out and buying the first Bluetooth-enabled wireless mouse you see, you need to consider how you would use it. Whether you are a writer, gamer, designer or just general computer user, the specifications and design of the mouse will need to fit your needs. Designers might want an ergonomic laser mouse, while gamers want adjustable DPI settings on their mouse to increase the sensitivity and enable better twitch reflexes.

The first choice that you need to make is whether you want an optical or laser Bluetooth mouse. These are two of the most common types of mice. The main difference is that a laser mouse tracks movement with a laser, while an optical mouse reflects off the surface it's on with an LED. An optical mouse requires a flat, opaque surface. Laser mice, on the other hand, can be used on a variety of different surfaces as it does not reflect off the surface. Furthermore, laser mice can be more precise and responsive with a higher DPI rating than an optical mouse.

However, if you choose a Bluetooth trackball or trackpad, the laser or optical debate won't come into play. But no matter what type of Bluetooth mouse you choose, you should consider ergonomics. You don't want to spend your days using a mouse that is uncomfortable for you and causes wrist or hand issues. In addition, you should think about the noise factor. If you will be using this mouse at home and mouse clicks won't bother you, that is great. However, if you are looking for a new mouse for the office, you might want to consider a noiseless mouse so your incessant clicking doesn't annoy your coworkers.

Polling rate is another specification that you will notice when reviewing a wireless mouse's details. This is the mouse's way of telling the computer its position. The rate reflects the number of times per second the mouse is communicating that information to the computer. Gamers should choose a Bluetooth mouse above 500 Hz, but if you are using the mouse for anything else, the polling rate really isn't a consideration.

While you might think all mice are the same and fill the same need, that is simply not true. Here is a comparison chart of some of today's top Bluetooth mice to show how options such as DPI, interface and ergonomics differ from mouse to mouse. 

Bluetooth mice aren't hard to find, but the variety of options and different specifications can be intimidating. You need to consider all points and how they fit into what you need a mouse to do. Whether you are a general user, mobile worker, gamer, designer or other heavy computer user, there are options out there to fit your needs. Logitech, Microsoft, Corsair and Lenovo are all well-known manufacturers of mice sure to make your computing or gaming easier.