Here are our top eight picks for the best silent mouse products you can buy for both work and gaming.
What Is a Silent Mouse?
For those new to the product, a silent mouse might be a complete mystery. After all, most people are used to hearing a mouse click whenever they use a computer. However, once you discover the silent mouse, you’re introduced to a whole new world of noiseless clicking. What makes a silent mouse quiet? Here’s what we know. Most of the time, mouse manufacturers think of the cost before considering the quality when making a mouse. Hence, they tend to use cheaper plastics and materials for the body, buttons, and scroll wheel. These materials bump against each other when you click on the mouse button, producing the sound we’re all familiar with. On the other hand, a silent mouse simply uses materials and mechanisms that create less noise upon contact. These can cushion the sound, reducing the noise by a large percentage. Of course, different manufacturers will use different methods to create their silent mouse products. Thus, the exact process (and the amount of reduced noise) may vary. However, they generally design a silent mouse more carefully than regular mice, using materials specifically for noise reduction.
8 Silent Mouse Models
Without further ado, here’s our list of the best silent mouse models you can buy in 2021.
What to Look for When Buying a Silent Mouse?
Buying a silent mouse isn’t just about looking for something that produces very little noise. There are tons of factors at play and that you should consider before you make a purchasing decision. That’s because a silent mouse is no use if it doesn’t have all the features you need. That’s because, like other gaming mouse models, it has a high DPI of 1600. Hence, you don’t have to worry about its responsiveness, even when playing MMOs or RPGs that require precise mouse control. Moreover, you can also adjust the sensitivity to 800 or 1200 DPI, making it flexible for both gaming and work. However, this silent mouse doesn’t have much else to offer apart from these features. There are no bells or whistles like the ability to go wireless, RGB lighting, or fancy ergonomics. Nonetheless, it’s more than good enough, especially since the price usually comes below $20. It’s the perfect choice for folks on a budget who need a responsive and silent mouse that just works. One look at this mouse, and you can already imagine how it can fit in various bag styles. You can slip it in a sling bag or your backpack without taking up too much space. Moreover, its slim design is good for portability and for professionals who want an elegantly designed mouse. On the other hand, this silent mouse is also wireless and can last up to two months at a time. Hence, you don’t have to worry about recharging its battery every other week. Moreover, apart from its silent mouse click, one of the highlights of this mouse is that it’s incredibly sensitive. You can adjust its DPI and set it to 800, 1200, 1600, 2000, and even 2400. Hence, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to having full control over a cursor. However, the only downside to this mouse is that it doesn’t come with Bluetooth connectivity. Hence, you’re going to have to use the 2.4GHz USB connection to plug it into your device. Nonetheless, it’s a great silent mouse model if you’re looking for a portable, high-performing, and elegant mouse. Moreover, at less than $15, you’re sure to be more than satisfied. Yes, that’s right. Most of the mice you see on the market are usually catered to right-handed individuals. In fact, right-handed people might not even think twice about the silent mouse models they’re buying. However, left-handed people might have a harder time looking for the right silent mouse given their predicament. On the other hand, this silent mouse isn’t only good because of its ambidextrous nature. It also has every right to be on this list, given its features. That’s because the mouse’s nearly silent clicks can guarantee your peace of mind wherever you go to work. Moreover, it’s also wireless, with an 18-month battery life that’s sure to last you a long while. In addition, it’s also compact, making it great to carry around when you’re overseas or on a business trip. However, don’t expect this silent mouse to serve you well when it comes to gaming. That’s because it’s strictly for casual and business use and only provides a DPI of up to 1000. Moreover, it doesn’t have a Bluetooth connection and only provides a 2.4GHz USB dongle. Nonetheless, these qualities aren’t bad, especially since it excels in every aspect and costs less than $15. Moreover, what’s great about this silent mouse is that the battery life is phenomenal. In fact, you can even use the mouse for 24 months straight without needing to charge it. In addition, it fits right in your hand, providing better ergonomics than your ordinary silent mouse. It’s also highly responsive (1000 DPI), with a tactile scroll wheel that’s great for navigation. Lastly, the mouse is compatible with a range of desktop operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS. However, it only comes with a USB receiver and doesn’t have a Bluetooth connection. Moreover, it’s only great for work and general use and isn’t well-suited for gaming or anything more rigorous. Finally, this silent mouse costs a lot, coming in at $18 to $30. Unfortunately, this silent mouse isn’t 100% quiet as it lets out a noise that might sound hoarse to some. However, it’s great if you’re looking for something close to being noiseless. Moreover, it performs well as a gaming mouse, providing a sensor that can go up to 12,000 DPI. That’s more than enough for almost any game you’ll ever play. In addition, it has four macro keys on the left side that you can use to your hearts’ content. They’re all programmable buttons, so you can speed up your workflow (and gaming) as much as you want. However, this silent mouse isn’t perfect and does have its disadvantages. For example, it still uses a wired connection, so it’s not ideal for wireless desk setups. However, that could be an advantage if you need 100% accuracy when it comes to gameplay. On the other hand, this silent mouse is also very expensive, selling for $60 to $70 depending on the retailer. It has a built-in 600mAh Lithium-ion battery so you don’t have to worry about it losing power when you’re working long days. The mouse also comes with a charging cable which lets you use it while it’s charging. Of course, the best feature the TeckNet Pro provides is how low-cost it is for how silent it gets. However, that’s not the only thing this mouse has going for it. That’s because this silent mouse also has an ergonomic design, making it perfect if you have long work hours. On the other hand, it’s also pretty sensitive and has a high 2600 DPI. Moreover, it’s also wireless, which is a plus considering how cheap it is. It can even preserve power automatically and can last up to 24 months on two triple-A batteries. Lastly, it also has multiple buttons that are highly convenient for more flexible navigation. However, there are some downsides to the TeckNet Pro — which isn’t unexpected, given its low price. For example, it’s non-rechargeable and only comes with a 2.4GHz USB dongle. Hence, you can’t connect it to any device via Bluetooth. Moreover, it’s also much louder than other silent mouse models on this list. Hence, don’t expect it to be completely silent like the others on this list. Lastly, the build quality is decent but not exactly great. Nonetheless, it’s a great silent mouse if you’re looking for something functional at a very low price. With this silent mouse, you get all the perks of a decent wireless gaming mouse. It has a high DPI of 2400 and even comes with colored LED lights to complement your gaming rig. Moreover, the smooth, beautifully designed body is just comfortable enough for long hours of gaming. On the other hand, this silent mouse is also wireless, which means you can even game on the go. The USB dongle that it comes with can connect to any computer, provided you have the right port. Moreover, it can even receive a signal up to 10 meters away. Hence, you can also use it to remotely control your device from a distance. Lastly, it’s also a rechargeable wireless mouse, so you don’t need to worry about buying more batteries every few months. However, do note that it can only last up to 30 days on a charge. Thus, you’ll have to be prepared to charge it monthly. Overall, there’s not much to say about the disadvantages of this silent mouse. Of course, we would have loved it if its battery could last longer than one month. Moreover, a Bluetooth connection would have been nice to have. Nonetheless, it’s still a great silent mouse, especially since it’s priced below $14. If you’re a heavy multitasker, you might find it handy to buy a silent mouse that has numerous programmable buttons. On the other hand, gamers might want a silent mouse with high performance. With that said, what should you look for when buying a silent mouse? Here’s what you need to know.
Build Quality
The first — and one of the most important — factors to consider before buying a silent mouse is the build quality. Nobody wants to purchase a silent mouse, only to have it break after a couple of months. That’s why ensuring that the mouse is built well enough to last a while is an important part of it.
Performance
On the other hand, gamers and power users might want to consider silent mouse models with high performance. Having a high, low, and adjustable DPI is very important, especially if you play many games. Some gamers might want faster character movement and would choose a higher DPI setting. Others might value accuracy and control better, opting for lower DPI levels for more precise aiming. In addition, performance can also pertain to the silent mouse model’s customization. Some mice have little-to-no extra programmable buttons that allow for more flexibility. Others, on the other hand, have tons that you can use to your heart’s content. Whichever type of person you are, performance is a big factor to consider before you buy a silent mouse.
Budget
Lastly, we have the budget. Of course, opting for the most expensive silent mouse might guarantee quality. However, it’s not always practical for someone who’s only willing to spend less than $15. Your budget is one of the things that will determine how wide or narrow your search will be. It can narrow down the list to very few models, depending on your budget range. Make sure to keep a silent mouse model’s price in mind before you hit that purchase button.
Pros and Cons of Using a Silent Mouse
All this talk of buying a silent mouse is great for those who are genuinely looking for one. However, before you make a definitive choice, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons first. Is a silent mouse necessary to your workflow? Why do you need it, and will it benefit you in the long term? With all that said, let’s check out the pros and cons of using a silent mouse and why it can be both good and bad.
Advantages of a Silent Mouse
Of course, the biggest advantage of using a silent mouse is the fact that it’s noiseless. Many people can’t stand the annoying sound of endless clicking. However, they can’t always escape it if their work or game requires tons of mouse clicks. That’s why silent mouse models are so popular because they can keep things quiet without disrupting your eardrums. Additionally, silent mouse models are usually very comfortable to use. Regular mice don’t use soft rubber for their buttons, making them loud and clicky. However, silent mice do — and that makes them softer and more comfortable to press. If you tend to click on your mouse a lot, a comfortable silent mouse might be the best option.
Disadvantages of a Silent Mouse
Unfortunately, silent mouse models do come with a few disadvantages. One of which is the plug-and-play nature of most of these devices. While this may sound like an advantage to most, some gamers might not be fond of the idea. That’s because some players like to customize their settings a lot, so that the accompanying software would be nice. On the other hand, while silent mouse models usually have silent clicks, most don’t offer silent scrolling along with it. That’s unfortunate since loud scrolling can be just as annoying as the sound of loud clicking. Moreover, silent mouse models are usually built for right-handed people, leaving lefties only a few models to choose from. Lastly, one of the biggest downsides to silent mouse models is undoubtedly the price. Tons of cheap, regular mice only cost people $5. With silent mouse models, you’d be lucky if you could find one that costs $10. At the very least, you’ll usually have to pay $13 to $15 for a decent model. Hence, it’s not the most affordable, especially when you can find noisy (but decent) mice for cheaper.
