If you want to avoid making too much noise during your next late-night deadline grind, all-night gaming session, or work in your nearest coffee shop — a great silent mouse is an excellent tool for avoiding noisy clickety-clicks. Whether you want to avoid annoying your general surroundings with loud clicks or you’re afraid of waking up your family members as a proud night owl gamer — you’ll need a decent silent mouse for the job.
And sure, the silent mouse market is a niche one — you have fewer options compared to traditional clickers. Still, once you start browsing, you’ll be surprised as to how many of them you can choose from in 2024; certainly, enough to make finding the best silent mouse a decent challenge.
Luckily, we’re here to help. Today’s guide will provide you with not only our recommendation on the best silent mouse — in our opinion, the Logitech M330 — but with in-depth reviews and an even more detailed guide on selecting a great silent mouse on your own. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some awesome silent mice!
Top 3 Silent Mice
We’ve tested a wide array of silent mice, and before we get into any more details on them, here are our top 3 picks:
- Logitech M330 Silent Plus — Top Pick
- Razer DeathAdder V2 — Premium Choice
- Logitech M220 — Editor’s Choice
Logitech M330 Silent Plus — Best Silent Mouse of 2024
Pros
- Tactile, yet near-silent
- Ergonomic design
Cons
- Middle-of-the-road design
Logitech M330 Silent Plus Review
As we’ve noted above, the best silent mouse we’ve reviewed in 2024 is the Logitech M330 Silent Plus. In essence, we’ve found it to be comfortable, simple, functional, and above all else — quiet. Plus, unlike some of the other models on this list, it also comes with an acceptable price tag, so it’s a decent balance between quality and budget-friendliness.
The manufacturer claims that their SilentTouch technology is 90% quieter compared to any traditional mouse. Seeing as this is their proprietary technology, we can’t vouch for that — but we can tell you what the mouse handles like in practice.
The sound emitted by the Logitech M330 is barely audible — but you still get a satisfyingly tactile clicking sensation while using it. And this would be great enough, but we’ve also noticed that the in-hand feel of the mouse is quite impressive for a mouse that isn’t strictly ergonomic.
However, it seems that its asymmetric shape gives just enough ergonomics to make it comfy even with prolonged use — we noticed no pain or strain even after days of using it around the office. There’s a lot to be said of its soft rubber surface, which produces a pleasant texture with a grippy feel.
Speaking of materials, despite its relatively low weight, the mouse does feel quite well-put-together and sturdy. And when it comes to performance, we can’t say that we’re particularly surprised by Logitech’s success.
Sure, the 1000 DPI isn’t the highest we’ve ever seen — but in practice, you don’t really notice it due to high-precision tracking and an incredibly tactile scroll wheel made of rubber.
Unfortunately, we do have to conclude that its general-use design and lack of adjustable DPI settings make this mouse unpractical for hardcore gaming — but the general populace and office workers will probably conclude that it’s the best silent mouse for them.
We haven’t tested the mouse long enough for the single AA battery to run out, but a lot of online comments state that the advertised 24-month battery life is true — which is definitely a boon. The USB dongle also works with all major operating systems without any additional drivers.
Razer DeathAdder V2 — Premium Choice Silent Gaming Mouse
Pros
- Designed for gaming
- Tight controls
- Ergonomic design
- A quiet gaming mouse
Cons
- Wired, which some people don’t prefer
- Expensive
Razer DeathAdder V2 Review
While our previous pick was undoubtedly the best all-around silent mouse, it lacked something — a design fit for gaming. And that’s something our premium choice is here to correct: the Razer DeathAdder V2. If you’re looking for a great silent gaming mouse and you’re not afraid to spend a pretty penny — this model will become your go-to choice very quickly.
If you’ve ever bought a gaming mouse before, you may know that most of them use mechanical switches for extra precision. Well, the first thing we noticed upon clicking with the DeathAdder V2 for the first time was that it doesn’t. Instead, this Razer mouse records clicks with optical switches — which means it’s substantially less noisy than the average gaming mouse.
That’s precisely why it landed on such a high spot on our list of the best silent mice in 2024 — even though it demonstrated low click latency and fast response times, it still managed to stay satisfactorily silent.
Sure, it’s no ninja-level Logitech M330, but it’s a heck of a lot less noisy than any regular gaming mouse we compared it to around the office. And we also loved the in-hand feel that definitely lives up to its premium price tag.
The movements of the DeathAdder were pretty fluid, though nothing revolutionary considering Razer always had a decent offering of gaming mice.
However, the major sticking point in discussions about this mouse was whether it’s a good thing that it’s wired or not. We personally don’t mind wired mice — and for what it’s worth, the proprietary Razer Speedflex cable really does manage to stay exceptionally flexible even after prolonged use.
You should bear in mind that the Razer DeathAdder V2 is still one of the loudest mice in our guide — but it’s the best of both worlds if you want something that’s reasonably silent and still great for gaming. This silent gaming mouse is the heap of the crop and we highly recommend it!
Logitech M220 — Editor’s Choice
Pros
- Great battery life
- Compact
- Ambidextrous design
Cons
- Not great for PC gaming
Logitech M220 Review
Yep, we’ve already taken a look at another Logitech mouse, and made it our top pick — but there’s another model that we’ve examined and decided it’s earned a spot on our list: the Logitech M220.
Now, the naming conventions might make you think that the M220 is simply an older model made obsolete with the M330 — but you’d be dead wrong there. We’ve found that the M220 caters to a very specific, and very useful market niche: it’s designed to be not only near-silent but ambidextrous.
Our left-handed colleagues found this to be a godsend. Sure, it’s not exactly as silent as the M330 Silent Plus — but its ergonomic, contoured design proved to be one of the most comfortable mice for left-handed people we’ve ever tested.
And best of all, right-handed folks can use it just as easily — the in-hand feel is equally great thanks to the shape that melds excellently with any kind of hand.
When it comes to general performance, we’ve found it good enough — though nothing to write home about if you plan on doing any serious gaming. Still, it’s proven its chops when it comes to general use and office work with precise cursor controls and smooth tracking; even though some people may be disappointed with the 1000-locked DPI.
But as we’ve said — it’s not a gaming mouse. The lack of noise and the ambidextrous design are its main selling points, and our experience shows both hold up even after extensive everyday use.
It’s also quite compact, and the single AA battery can supposedly give it 18 months of battery life — though we haven’t tested it as long. Yep, it’s a couple of months short of the M330 battery life, but it’s clearly got its own crowd.
VEGCOO C12 Wireless Mouse for Gaming
Pros
- Designed for gaming
- Interesting aesthetics
- Very affordable
Cons
- Lags behind other models in performance
VEGCOO C12 Wireless Gaming Mouse
Our final choice isn’t the best gaming mouse you’ll ever use, nor the quietest one — but it’s good enough in both categories, and cost-effective. We present the VEGCOO C12 Wireless Gaming Mouse!
From our experience, this is the choice you make if you’re looking for a silent gaming mouse — but the Razer DeathAdder model doesn’t fit your budget. In that case, this wireless mice from VicTsing is definitely worth a look.
Sure, we won’t beat around the bush — when you use both mice one after the other, the difference in performance and in-hand feel is definitely noticeable. But you can’t expect a price drop without sacrificing some of the performance and build quality.
Still, if you don’t expect the highest-end gaming mousse, you’ll find it’s a decent mid-level solution that manages to keep noise largely in check.
And if you’re a gamer that appreciates cool aesthetics, the stylized red scales with a red LED light will definitely light up your room during night-time gaming sessions. Just make sure you’re ready for the weightier feel this mouse has compared to other choices on our list — and the lower battery life that amounts to no more than 6 months on a single battery.
Best Silent Mouse 2024 Buying Guide
While you’re on the lookout for a great silent mouse, there are a couple of important points to consider — even though the purchase may seem like a simple one. With that in mind, here are a few of the most important factors that come into play when deciding between different silent mouse models.
Noise
Naturally, the entire point of buying a silent mouse is to ensure there’s as little noise as possible while you’re clicking away at your tasks or games. So, it makes sense that noise reduction is your primary deciding factor when looking at different silent gaming mouse models — and the same goes for regular, non-gaming units too.
Essentially, you want a noise reduction rate of at least 90% compared to regular, noisier mice. And as you can tell from our reviews, not every silent mouse is made equal — all of them perform their noise-canceling job to varying degrees.
Here’s a tip to ensure you’re getting the best silent mouse in 2024 while browsing: ensure that every part of the mouse is silent, not just the right and the left click. The scroll wheel, as well as any additional buttons, should also be checked. Of course, you can’t do that physically if you’re buying them online — but you can still do some research and read as many detailed online reviews as possible.
Price
It doesn’t matter what you’re buying — even if you have a ton of disposable income, you still don’t want to dispose of it recklessly. That’s why the price tag of your desired silent mouse will be another major point to consider before you actually put down any money.
So, how does a silent mouse stand in the wider mouse market? Considering their niche value, they’re generally more expensive than their quality equivalent among “loud” computer mice.
And besides being something to consider before buying, this is another reason to thoroughly check and research any specific silent mouse model. You’ll find a ton of manufacturers’ marketing teams slapping the term “silent” onto their mice’s names indiscriminately as a way to raise prices.
In many cases, the mice aren’t truly silent — though the models we’ve reviewed above are all legitimate and made by reputable manufacturers. But when it comes to their individual prices, just like with any other mouse — additional mouse features will mean a higher price tag.
So, consider whether you’re ready to pay a premium for customization, high-dpi sensors, and additional buttons; especially since you’re already paying more because the mouse is silent. If you’re getting a silent gaming mouse, the added performance that those models have comes with a price.
That being said, a pricey silent gaming mouse isn’t necessarily something to stay away from — just make sure that the price is reflected in the quality and performance as well.
DPI Settings
We’ve already mentioned that additional features and better performance also come with a higher price. But before you can start wondering what kind of price you’re willing to pay, you need to know what you’re paying for. In other words, how do we measure the performance of a silent mouse, and what are some of the additional mouse features it can have?
For starters, one of the main metrics for a mouse of any kind is its DPI setting. We’ve already explained what DPI is above, but as a short reminder — the value shows how far your cursor will go once you physically move the mouse.
Regular office workers generally don’t fiddle around with these settings, nor do they consider them important. However, gamers put a lot of stock in the DPI values of their mice. If you’re looking for a silent gaming mouse, you need to make sure it has adjustable DPI settings with multiple options.
In reflex-based games, like first-person shooters (Call of Duty, Halo, etc), the sensitivity of your aim will be directly determined by your DPI settings. And if these are set too high, you might aim too erratically and be unable to hit your targets; on the other hand, a low value means you won’t have the quick reaction times necessary for multiplayer.
Of course, as we’ve mentioned, people who are simply looking for a silent mouse for late-night work won’t be as concerned with DPI options.
Polling
While many people have heard of DPI, there are other mouse metrics that aren’t as famous — such as polling. This is the time required for a mouse movement to be registered on your screen after you’ve physically moved the mouse. Seeing as this is a frequency-based event, it is measured in Hz (hertz). The usual value you’re looking for is anything between 125 and 1,000 Hz.
Again, this may be an unimportant detail for people who are just stocking their home office and don’t really care about gaming. If you’re not in the middle of a particularly intense gaming session, you’re not likely to notice any lag unless it’s severe — in which case, there’s something wrong with the mouse beyond its polling frequency.
Also, this isn’t the same thing as an RF frequency measured in a wireless mouse — they’re two separate metrics.
Wired or Wireless Mouse
Unlike the (mostly) game-related factors we’ve talked about above, this is one of those things that everyone will consider before buying a silent mouse — or really a mouse of any kind. Of course, the fact that both wireless and wired mice still have a huge market share tells us that there are pros and cons to both.
On the one hand, a wireless mouse gives you an immense amount of freedom, regardless of whether it’s a silent mouse or not. After all, you can move around with it wherever you want, and it’s perfect for a laptop setup.
However, there are certain downsides to consider when it comes to these types of silent mice as well. For instance, you need to think about power conservation and batteries — something you wouldn’t have to consider with a wired mouse that gets its power from your computer’s USB port.
Button Setup
Depending on your needs, you should consider how many buttons your ideal silent mouse will have before buying one. Of course, the simplest model comes with two distinct buttons — a left click and a right-click, as well as a scroll wheel.
On the other hand, some modern models also come with more context-sensitive buttons and additional options. For instance, there may also be a button that controls which DPI setting you’re currently using, or “Back” and “Next” buttons that are mostly used for web browsing.
Also, some silent mouse designs in 2024 also have programmable buttons. You can assign specific functions to these and program them yourself.
Design and Ergonomics
Besides the noise reduction quality, performance metrics, and various functions you have available — you should also think about the ergonomics of your silent mouse. After all, you’ll be using it all the time, especially if you’re buying it for work. With that in mind, you want the mouse to be designed for an elegant, comfortable, and easily controllable grip.
The same goes for a silent gaming mouse — the most avid gamers tend to have long sessions that can last as long as a workday, and having comfort in a physically demanding type of game is important.
If the mouse is too narrow, wide, small, or large for your hand, it can easily cause tiredness or fatigue in your hand as a result of overcompensation. Luckily, you can find plenty of ergonomic models among silent models as well — those with a finger balance and thumb rest that allows for better control.
Frequently Asked Questions on Best Silent Gaming Mice
What is a good silent mouse?
Logitech’s M330 is, in our humble opinion, one of the best silent mice on the market. At least according to the manufacturer, it’s 90% less noisy than all the other mice available on the market. And though we can’t confirm this claim, the lack of operating noise is definitely quite noticeable.
Plus, it comes with all the other features you’d expect in a high-quality mouse — such as contoured rubber grips for ergonomy, a precise response, and three DPI levels you can choose from.
How to Program a Gaming Mouse
This largely depends on the operating system you’re using. If you’re using the latest version of Microsoft Windows, your first step is to fire up the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center. Then, go to the app-specific settings section, and click the “Add New Button” option. From there, you’ll be able to program specific functions in specific apps. And if the program you’re looking for isn’t present on the list, there’s also an option to add programs manually.
What Does DPI Mean in a Gaming Mouse?
DPI is a shorthand for “dots per inch”. The aforementioned dots represent the number of pixels on your computer screen that can fit within a single inch of space that your mouse sensor goes over. In essence, this shows how fast your cursor will move across the screen, and how sensitive it will be. Some mouse features of more advanced silent gaming mice include different DPI settings, so you can switch between them depending on the application.
Wrapping Up: Best Silent Gaming Mouse
All things considered, casual users or office workers that are on the lookout for a truly silent mouse but don’t need any gaming features would be best served by the Logitech M330. It’s quiet, ergonomically shaped, and energy-conservative — a single AA battery will last you months with this model.
Plus, the large experience Logitech has in mouse design has resulted in superb accuracy and precise controls. Of course, if you’re not thrilled about the M330 for whatever reason, we’ve provided a number of excellent alternatives as well — all that’s left for you to do is to pick the one that suits you best!
Dave Pearson is a Canadian musician, sound editor, and audiophile. He is also the founder and owner of the website SoundProofGeek. On SoundProofGeek, Pearson offers advice and resources on audio equipment, including how to assess and improve audio quality, how to troubleshoot and repair audio equipment, and how to improve the music listening experience.
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