Do ergonomic mice really work? Experts weigh in.

My job as a journalist involves a lot of repetitive tasks — namely typing on a keyboard and using a computer mouse all day. Any job that involves repetitive tasks or stiff body postures can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) like soft-tissue injuries, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Creating an ergonomic workspace, an environment with equipment physically fit to a person and their job, can help prevent MSDs and lessen muscle fatigue, says NIOSH. While ergonomic chairs and standing desks can make a huge difference in comfort, smaller tools like mice and keyboards shouldn’t be ignored — as they can be the main tools you use throughout the day at many desk jobs. With the right ergonomic mouse, you can reduce strain on your hand and wrist during computer use, says Don Patten, a certified professional ergonomist and the specialized services lead in ergonomics for Workplace Safety and Prevention Services in Ontario, Canada. 

We spoke with experts to better understand ergonomic mice and get recommendations on the best models. I also tried some popular, top-rated options (at least a 4.0-star average rating from 1,000 reviews on Amazon) for a week.

SKIP AHEAD The best ergonomic mice | How to shop for ergonomic mice | How to use ergonomic mice | Do ergonomic mice work?

To pick the best ergonomic mice, we relied on a mix of expert advice and personal experience. Here is what we kept in mind:

• Fit: If a mouse doesn’t fit your hand, it can cause discomfort and increase your risk of injury, according to our experts. Because most mice are only offered in one size, we picked models in a range of sizes and form factors, including vertical mice, traditional mice, trackball mice and mice for lefties. Mouse fit is personal — the best mouse for you depends on your hand size and what hand position you find most comfortable, according to our experts.
• Connectivity: We favor wireless mice in our recommendations — a wired mouse can add tension and cable drag that can make long hours at the computer more uncomfortable, in my experience.
• Battery life: Charging your mouse when you need to get work done can be a hassle. All of our picks have a battery life that lasts months or years, not days. We include a mix of rechargeable and battery-operated mice.

Our top picks come from a mix of large brands like Logitech and smaller, expert-recommended brands like Evoluent. Below each recommendation we share specs we think you should know, like connectivity options, battery life and weight.

Editor’s pick: Logitech Lift Vertical

I have used this mouse for over two months and find it very comfortable for long days working from home. It has a vertical (more on this below) shape that places your wrist in a “handshake” position: straight and vertical like reaching out to shake a hand instead of the flat, slightly twisting arm position of using a traditional mouse, according to the brand. All of the mouse’s buttons are nearly silent and very satisfying to click. The area where my palm rests has a slightly ridged grippy texture that helps keep my hand in place.

It connects via Bluetooth or wirelessly through the USB-A receiver — it took me less than a minute to connect it to my computer. Both the AA battery and the wireless receiver are neatly stored inside the bottom of the mouse.

This mouse is compatible with Logitech’s Logi Options+ software. The software takes about a minute to set up and lets you customize the mouse’s pointer and scrolling speed, as well as reprogram the forward and back buttons to other functions like volume or brightness control.

It is available in right-handed and left-handed styles.

Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless (USB-A receiver) | Battery: Up to 2 years (1 AA battery, included) | Dimensions: 4.25 x 2.7 x 2.8 in | Weight: 4.4 oz | Compatible with: PC, Mac, iPad

Expert’s pick: Evoluent Vertical Mouse 4

This mouse comes in regular and small sizes as well as left-handed and right-handed versions, making it easier to find the best fit for you — this is why it’s recommended by Karen E. Loesing, owner of The Ergonomic Expert, a consulting company for ergonomic office evaluations.

It has the typical left and right click buttons, forward and back buttons, and scroll wheel controls. It also has two pointer speed buttons which increase and decrease cursor speed, without having to use any computer software.

The mouse is compatible with the Evoluent Mouse Manager software, which you can use to reprogram any button to another function. The mouse is also available in wireless and Bluetooth (Mac only) versions.

Connectivity: Wired (built-in USB-A) | Battery: N/A (wired) | Dimensions: 4.25 x 2.7 x 2.8 in | Weight: 4.4 oz | Compatible with: PC, Mac

Budget vertical mouse: Anker Wireless Vertical Mouse

This mouse from Anker is a good option if you want to try a vertical mouse but do not want to spend over $30. I used this mouse for one week working from home and found it comfortable and lightweight compared to other vertical mice.

The button feel and sounds are a little hollow and high-pitched to me, not as comfortable as the soft and quiet clicks of more expensive options like the Logitech Lift Vertical. The mouse is accurate to use, however — it never misclicked or double-clicked in my experience.

The mouse does not use any software. Instead, it has a button on the top of the body that switches between three mouse pointer speeds. 

It connects wirelessly via the included USB-A receiver. This is the only way to connect, so be sure you have a USB-A port or adapter for your computer. The USB-A receiver can be stored in a slot underneath the mouse when you are not using it.

Connectivity: Wireless (USB-A receiver) | Battery: Not listed (2 AAA batteries, not included) | Dimensions: 3.98 x 3.23 x 3.15 in | Weight: 3.36 oz | Compatible with: PC, Mac

Best trackball mouse: Logitech MX Ergo

This mouse lets you control your computer’s pointer by spinning a trackball instead of moving your entire mouse. Using your thumb to control the trackball instead of your wrist, arm and shoulder reduces muscle fatigue, according to the brand. While not advertised as a vertical mouse, it can be angled in a semi-vertical 20-degree position, says Loesing. 

It has forward, back and pointer speed buttons placed on the left side of the body. This mouse is also compatible with Logitech’s Logi Options+ software, where you can customize scroll speed as well as change the forward and back buttons to other functions like volume or closing tabs in a web browser.

Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wireless (USB-A receiver), wired (detachable micro-USB) | Battery: Up to 4 months (rechargeable) | Dimensions: 5.22 x 3.93 x 2.02 in | Weight: 5.78 oz (9.14 with metal plate) | Compatible with: PC, Mac

Staff pick: Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse

If you are looking for a comfortable mouse but still want a traditional, flat-hand form factor, consider this Bluetooth mouse from Microsoft. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio uses this mouse at work, and says it’s the most comfortable mouse she has tried by far — it helps prevent her carpal tunnel flare-ups. 

It feels lightweight (it is the lightest mouse of our recommendations), glides smoothly across mouse pads and hard surfaces and has a comfortable thumb rest, says Godio. It took less than a minute to connect to her laptop, and she has never had an issue with the Bluetooth connection.

Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery: Up to 15 months (2 AAA battery, included) | Dimensions: 4.65 x 3 x 1.67 in | Weight: 3.21 oz | Compatible with: PC, Mac

Ergonomic mice are designed to improve comfort and reduce strain on the hand and wrist, says Patten. They often have a contoured shape and larger arches to better support the palm and fingers for a more relaxed, often vertical handshake position that reduces strain on the hand and wrist. 

To find the best one for you, our experts recommend keeping the following in mind as you shop:

Ergonomic mice come in different shapes and sizes. Our most recommended type is vertical mice. Imagine a traditional mouse tilted upwards so that your thumb is resting on top of the mouse (vertically) instead of tucked away to the left or right (horizontal) side of your mouse. That is what vertical mice typically do: position your hand in a handshake position, with your thumb on top.

Ergonomic mice, including vertically designed ones, can potentially assist in maintaining a neutral posture and prevent excessive wrist movement, according to experts. But there are dozens of different models to choose from. “It’s a good idea to try out different ergonomic mice and find the one that suits your needs, hand size and grip style before making a purchase,” says Patten. 

Some of our recommendations, like the Evoluent mouse, come in multiple sizes, but most options only offer the same size right-handed or left-handed models. To find the right mouse for your needs, I recommend going to an electronics store in person — they often have computer mice and keyboards on display to try out.

A mouse perfectly tailored to your hand is useless if it does not easily connect to your computer. We list the connectivity and compatibility of all of our top picks at the bottom of each recommendation. I prefer Bluetooth options like the Logitech Lift Vertical, as it’s easier to connect and does not require a dongle or wire.

Ergonomic equipment can be uncomfortable if used incorrectly. When using an ergonomic mouse, Patten recommends keeping a few principles in mind to prevent discomfort and potential injury:

Align your hand comfortably with the mouse: placing your hand too far forward or too far back can strain your wrist and forearm.

Maintain a relaxed grip, with your hand and fingers moving freely. Holding your mouse too tightly can lead to muscle tension and fatigue.

Position your mouse so that your elbow stays close to your body and your wrist remains neutral, in a straight and relaxed position aligned with your hand and arm. Overreaching to operate your mouse can strain your shoulder, arm and wrist.

Remember to take breaks. Prolonged mouse use without breaks can lead to muscle fatigue and potential injuries.

Getting into a comfortable position for using your mouse and keyboard can be much easier with an adjustable ergonomic office chair and standing desk, in my experience.

A well-fitting ergonomic mouse combined with an ergonomic workstation can help to prevent muscle strain, fatigue and injury, according to experts. The best ergonomic mice can create a more neutral hand and wrist position, minimize repetitive movement and reduce forceful gripping, says Patten. By keeping your hand, wrist and forearm in a more natural position, you can be more comfortable and productive, says Loesing.

At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Harry Rabinowitz is a reporter for Select who has covered tech for years. For this piece, he spoke with ergonomic experts and consultants to better understand ergonomic mice. Alongside expert recommendations, he tried several different ergonomic mice for at least a week while working from home.

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Source: | This article originally belongs to Nbcnews.com