Vertical Mouse Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right One

A vertical mouse often raises an eyebrow at first glance: it looks like a regular mouse tipped on its side. That is exactly the point. By holding the mouse the way you would shake someone's hand, your forearm no longer has to twist flat for hours. You still need to pick a model that suits your hand and the way you work, though. Here is what to check before you buy.

Why switch to a vertical mouse?

With a traditional mouse, your palm faces the desk and your forearm stays rotated all day. A vertical mouse puts your hand in a more neutral position, thumb up, close to how your hands naturally rest when your arms hang by your sides. Many people choose one for everyday comfort, especially if they spend more than four or five hours a day at the computer.

The tilt angle

This is the first thing to look at. Models on the market range from about 50° to 90°.

• Around 57°: the best compromise for beginners. Your hand is clearly more upright, but the grip still feels familiar.
• Close to 90°: a fully vertical position that feels stranger at first and takes longer to get used to.

If you have never used a vertical mouse before, a mid-range angle makes the switch easier. That is the choice we made for our wireless vertical mouse, which is tilted at 57°.

Your hand size

A mouse that is too small makes you clench your fingers; one that is too big forces your wrist to stretch. To measure your hand, take the distance from the crease of your wrist to the tip of your middle finger:

• under 17 cm: go for a compact model;
• 17 to 20 cm: most standard vertical mice will fit, at around 12 cm long;
• over 20 cm: look for a large size.

Check which hand it is made for, too: most models are designed for right-handed users. Left-handed versions exist, but they are harder to find.

Wireless or wired?

Wireless keeps your desk clear and makes it easy to move between workstations. There are two technologies:

1. 2.4 GHz USB receiver: a stable, instant connection with no pairing. It is the easiest option on a desktop computer.
2. Bluetooth: handy on laptops with few ports, but sometimes slightly less responsive depending on your surroundings.

As for power, a mouse that charges via USB-C means you never have to buy batteries. An occasional top-up is enough, and you can keep using the mouse while it charges.

Buttons, scroll wheel and sensitivity

For office work, six buttons cover the essentials: left and right click, a clickable scroll wheel, two side buttons for back and forward in your browser, and a sensitivity button. Three DPI levels, such as 800, 1200 and 1600, let you match cursor speed to the size of your screen. The bigger the screen, the more a higher sensitivity saves you from sweeping arm movements.

Getting through the adjustment period

For the first few days, your accuracy may feel a little off. That is normal.

• Alternate with your old mouse for a week.
• Turn the sensitivity down slightly at first for better precision.
• Keep the mouse close to the keyboard, with your elbow near your body.
• Let your forearm rest on the desk rather than moving from the shoulder.

In most cases, the new grip feels natural within a few days.

Accessories that complete the setup

A vertical mouse works best on a consistent surface. A mouse pad with a gel wrist rest gives precise tracking and stops your wrist resting on the edge of the desk. For your keyboard, a memory foam wrist rest keeps your hands in the same position as you move between typing and clicking.

The bottom line

Choose an angle of around 57° to start with, a size that fits your hand, a rechargeable wireless connection and six buttons for office use. Give yourself a week to adjust: your wrist will soon tell you whether you made the right call.