How Long Do Gaming Mice Last?
Gaming mice, like any other type of computer peripheral, have a limited lifespan and will eventually wear out. The exact lifespan of a gaming mouse will depend on several factors, including the quality of the mouse, how frequently it is used, and how well it is cared for.
Just a disclaimer for this article, most of the answers would be subjective and based on my experience after using several gaming mice. Knowing how long gaming mice last is a tricky topic to give an objective answer to.
Does Cheap Gaming Mice Last Long?
Based on my experience, cheaper mice are more likely to break faster than more expensive mice. Even though it is a hard pill to swallow for budget gamers but the cheaper the device you purchase the less quality control it went through. Especially the generic gaming mice you buy in your local mall are always of poor quality.
I have used 10-dollar gaming mice and those lasted for a month or two. Spending extra dollars when choosing your gaming mouse is much more ideal.
Does Expensive Gaming Mice from Well-known Brands Last Longer?
Though I said earlier that spending more might give you a better experience, it is still not an assurance that you’ll have a mouse that lasts longer. But I can say that my experience with Razer, Logitech, and SteelSeries has been particularly good. Most of the mice I bought from these companies had been with me for a year or more.
But even with branded mice, I experience quite irritating issues like the double-clicking issues of an older model of Logitech mice and connection issues with one of my Razer mice. But overall, I am very satisfied with the more expensive mice.
I am not saying that you buy the most expensive mouse they offer as there are many budget and entry-level mice that are produced by these trusted brands.
Which Lasts longer? Wireless or Wired Mouse?
Based on my experience, I think wireless mice last longer, but I might be having some bias as I prefer wireless mice to wired mice. I had a Logitech G103 that gave up on me after a year, but I still have my Logitech G305 that still works great after 3 years of use. Though some factors that I should consider, like G103 being a very cheap mouse.
Without the bias of my experience, I think being wired or wireless might not be as crucial a factor as your frequency of use and how careful you use your mouse. Certain mouse key switches are only rated for two million clicks, which might sound a lot but frequently gaming you will reach that mark for about a year without noticing it.
Does Mouse Pads Help in the Longevity of the Gaming Mouse?
It does not necessarily make the mouse live longer, but it helps in preventing the sliding pads underneath the mouse from getting severely damaged. The mouse pad helps ensure smooth movement of the mouse when gaming.
Damage pads would only make you have a terrible experience when playing a game. You will notice a subtle drag making you have an inaccurate aim.
Conclusions
In general, you can expect a gaming mouse to last anywhere from a few months to several years. To maximize the lifespan of your gaming mouse, it is important to handle it gently, clean it regularly, and use it on a stable, flat surface. If you take good care of your gaming mouse, it should provide you with reliable performance for many hours of gaming.
READ ALSO: Controller VS Mouse and Keyboard: What’s better for PC gameplay?