Updated Oct 22, 2026· 9 min read

Key takeaways

  • Editing video is a repetitive, precise job, and a mouse that performs well in a shooter does not always suit a timeline.

Editing video is a repetitive, precise job, and a mouse that performs well in a shooter does not always suit a timeline. Instead of flick speed, an editor needs accurate small movements for trimming a clip by a single frame, programmable buttons to run shortcuts such as split, ripple delete, and mark in or out, and a shape that will not cramp a hand after a six-hour session. Gaming mice happen to offer many of those features, which is why this category makes sense for people who both play and edit.

This guide is for creators who want one mouse for their editing suite and their evenings of gaming, whether they cut gameplay clips, vlogs, or short-form videos. Six listings are compared, from a premium ergonomic gaming mouse to budget wired models and an ergonomic mouse with a side scroll wheel. Every comparison rests on the specs printed in the titles; none of it is a measure of how a particular editing program responds, so confirm software compatibility for your own setup.

Quick Picks

Our top picks

Top pickRazer Basilisk V3 Customizable RGB Wired Ergonomic Gaming Mouse, Black | Fastest Gaming Mouse Switch, Chroma RGB Lighting, 26K DPI Optical Sensor, 11 Programmable Buttons, HyperScroll Tilt WheelRazer Basilisk V3 Customizable RGB Wired Ergonomic
  • PC gaming mouse favored by millions worldwide with…
  • Assign macros and secondary functions across 11 programmable…
  • Speed through content with a scroll wheel that…
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Also greatRedragon M602 Gaming Mouse, Ergonomic RGB Gaming Mouse Wired with 7200 Adjustable DPI, 9 Programmable Buttons, Professional Software for Gamer Office [Black]Redragon M602 Gaming Mouse
  • 【Classics Last Longer】Redragon Gaming Mouse - M602 was…
  • 【Fast & Sensitive】UP 7200 Adjustable DPI can be…
  • 【Real Comfort Ergonomic】This mouse is designed with an…
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ProductKey specs
Razer Basilisk V3 Customizable RGB Wired ErgonomicPC gaming mouse favored by millions worldwide with…
Assign macros and secondary functions across 11 programmable…
Speed through content with a scroll wheel that…
Check price
Redragon M602 Gaming Mouse【Classics Last Longer】Redragon Gaming Mouse - M602 was…
【Fast & Sensitive】UP 7200 Adjustable DPI can be…
【Real Comfort Ergonomic】This mouse is designed with an…
Check price
ProtoArc EM11 Pro Ergonomic Mouse for LargeCheck price
BENGOO Gaming Mouse Wired with RGB Backlit【Speed DPI Switch】 Bengoo customizable RGB gaming mice,…
【Flexible Buttons】 Equipped with six buttons: Left button,…
【Lighting Colors】 Muti-colors lights greatly match your style,…
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Redragon M801 Wireless Gaming MouseCheck price

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Product Best for Key spec from the title
Razer Basilisk V3 Heavy shortcut use on a large ergonomic body 26K DPI optical sensor, customizable controls, wired
Redragon M602 Budget wired shortcuts with software 7200 adjustable DPI, 9 programmable buttons
ProtoArc EM11 Pro Large hands and timeline scrolling Side scroll wheel, browser-based customization, 7.5 to 8.5 inch hands
BENGOO Wired Gaming Mouse A cheap secondary mouse for light cutting Up to 3600 DPI, 6 programmable buttons
Redragon M801 Wireless Cord-free editing with many buttons 9 programmable macro buttons, up to 16000 DPI
Razer DeathAdder Essential Simple, comfortable basics 6400 DPI optical, 5 programmable buttons, side grips

How to Choose

Count the buttons you will actually assign

Editing programs reward shortcuts. A mouse with six to nine programmable buttons lets you put split, delete, undo, and zoom within thumb reach, while a five-button mouse covers only the basics. Check whether the buttons can be remapped through software or in the browser, and whether profiles can be stored on the mouse itself. The best layout is not the one with the most buttons but the one where you can press each button without moving your grip. A sensible approach is to list the five actions you repeat most, such as split at playhead, delete, undo, zoom in on the timeline, and toggle snapping, then count how many buttons you need. If the answer is four or five, a simpler mouse will do; if you also use a color-grading panel or a long list of effects shortcuts, a nine-button layout starts to pay off. Remember that a button you cannot find by feel is a button you will never use.

Think about scrolling and precision, not just DPI

Timeline work benefits from smooth scrolling, and a side scroll wheel, as on the ProtoArc, can move horizontally through a long timeline in many editors. For precision, a low and adjustable DPI setting, often 800 to 1,600, is easier for frame-level trims than a very fast cursor. A high ceiling such as 16000 or 26K DPI is irrelevant to editing, but a sensor that tracks smoothly at low speeds is valuable, so favor optical sensors with adjustable stages. Editors who work on a large monitor or two screens will usually want a slightly higher DPI to cross the desktop quickly, then a quick button to drop to a lower setting for fine work, which is exactly what multi-stage DPI buttons are for. On a high-resolution display, a mouse stuck at one low setting can feel sluggish, so adjustable stages beat a single fixed value.

Choose a shape for long sessions

Editors may use a mouse for four to eight hours at a stretch, so shape matters more than any spec. Larger hands need larger bodies; the ProtoArc states a design for 7.5 to 8.5 inch hands, which is a useful reference for sizing. Thumb rests, rubber side grips, and a gentle ergonomic curve help reduce strain. A palm grip generally suits large ergonomic mice, while smaller or lighter models fit a claw grip better. Pay attention to wrist angle too: a mouse that forces your wrist to bend upward for hours is a common source of discomfort, so a gently angled shell and a surface at the right height matter as much as any listed feature. If you often feel numbness or aching after long sessions, a bigger body with proper support is a better investment than extra buttons.

Wired or wireless, and what to skip

Wireless frees up your desk, but it requires charging or batteries, and a dropped signal in the middle of a trim is more irritating than any benefit. Wired models avoid that issue and are the simpler choice for a fixed workstation. Skip lighting effects and rapid-fire buttons, which add cost without helping editing. Budget mice usually cut corners on scroll-wheel feel, button-switch durability, and cable quality. Before committing, check that the mouse software or browser tool runs on the operating system you edit with, and that you can save a profile for each editing program so a game profile never overwrites your timeline layout.

The 6 Best Options

Razer Basilisk V3

A wired ergonomic mouse with Razer’s fastest gaming switch, Chroma RGB lighting, a 26K DPI optical sensor, and a customizable multi-control layout. It suits editors who want many assignable inputs in a full-size shape. Gamers who also cut footage will appreciate that the same mouse serves both roles, and the ergonomic form is intended to keep the hand relaxed during long play and editing stretches.

  • Strength: a customizable control layout supports a heavy shortcut workflow.
  • Strength: the ergonomic shape suits long sessions with a palm grip.
  • Trade-off: the big DPI figure is unnecessary for editing, and the body is large.

Skip it if you have small hands or want the lowest-cost option.

Redragon M602

An ergonomic wired mouse with RGB lighting, 7200 adjustable DPI, nine programmable buttons, and professional software for gaming or office use. It is meant for buyers who want a lot of buttons without paying a premium, such as students learning editing on a first PC, or hobbyists who cut clips on weekends and do not want to spend heavily on a specialist device.

  • Strength: nine programmable buttons give plenty of room for editing shortcuts.
  • Strength: adjustable DPI up to 7200 allows a slow setting for fine trims.
  • Trade-off: it relies on bundled software, so profiles may not travel between computers.

Skip it if you want branded switches or refined build quality.

ProtoArc EM11 Pro

An ergonomic mouse for large hands, designed for 7.5 to 8.5 inch hands, with a side scroll wheel and browser-based customization. It is not a gaming-branded mouse, but its features fit timeline work. People with larger hands who find standard mice too short often struggle with cramping, and this model targets that group directly, with a customization tool that runs in the browser rather than a heavy installed app.

  • Strength: the side scroll wheel can help with horizontal timeline movement.
  • Strength: browser-based customization avoids installing extra software.
  • Trade-off: the title lists no DPI or sensor detail, so confirm tracking performance.

Skip it if you want a gaming look or need a lightweight, small-hand mouse.

BENGOO Wired Gaming Mouse

A wired ergonomic mouse with RGB backlighting, four adjustable DPI stages up to 3600, six programmable buttons, and an optical sensor. It works as an entry-level secondary mouse, for example a spare for a laptop editing setup or a first mouse for someone who is only starting to learn timeline shortcuts and is not ready to invest in a bigger layout.

  • Strength: six programmable buttons cover core editing shortcuts.
  • Strength: DPI stages up to 3600 are more than enough for editing precision.
  • Trade-off: a basic design with no premium switches or software depth.

Skip it if you need many buttons or an editor-grade scroll wheel.

Redragon M801 Wireless

A wireless gaming mouse with RGB lighting, nine programmable macro buttons for MMO-style layouts, up to 16000 adjustable DPI, and a rapid-fire button. It targets players who like many assignable buttons without a cable. Editors who work on a laptop in different rooms may like the freedom, though they should keep a charging routine so the mouse is ready when a deadline hits.

  • Strength: macro editing buttons and a nine-button layout suit shortcut-heavy work.
  • Strength: wireless design clears cable clutter from the desk.
  • Trade-off: wireless means charging, and a rapid-fire button does not help editing.

Skip it if you prefer a wired connection or a simpler layout.

Razer DeathAdder Essential

An ergonomic wired mouse with a 6400 DPI optical sensor, five programmable buttons, rubber side grips, and a mechanical switch design. It is the simplest and most approachable choice here, suited to newer editors who want a reliable, comfortable mouse and plan to learn shortcuts on the keyboard rather than on mouse buttons.

  • Strength: rubber side grips and an ergonomic body make long sessions comfortable.
  • Strength: a straightforward five-button layout is easy to learn.
  • Trade-off: fewer programmable buttons for shortcuts.

Skip it if you want a thumb grid or a side scroll wheel.

Which One Fits Your Situation

You edit all day and want many shortcuts

The Redragon M602 and Razer Basilisk V3 both offer plenty of programmable inputs. Choose the Basilisk for an ergonomic shape and the M602 to save money.

You have large hands

The ProtoArc EM11 Pro is designed for 7.5 to 8.5 inch hands and has a side scroll wheel for long timelines.

You want a tidy, wireless desk

The Redragon M801 Wireless offers nine programmable buttons without a cable.

You are on a tight budget and need the basics

The BENGOO and the Razer DeathAdder Essential keep it simple, with six and five buttons respectively.

Common Mistakes

  • Buying for DPI numbers rather than button layout and comfort.
  • Choosing a mouse too small or too large for the size of your hand.
  • Choosing wireless without planning for charging during long work sessions.
  • Assuming gaming software will let you map editing shortcuts without checking.
  • Ignoring the scroll wheel, even though timeline work relies on it.

Related guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a gaming mouse good for video editing?

It can be. Programmable buttons, adjustable DPI, and ergonomic shapes all help, though the best fit depends on your hand size and shortcuts.

What DPI is best for editing video?

Many editors prefer 800 to 1,600 DPI for precise trimming. All the listed mice offer a range that covers this easily.

Do I need a side scroll wheel in 2026?

It is optional, but it makes horizontal movement through a long timeline easier. The ProtoArc EM11 Pro is the listed model with one.

Wired or wireless for editing?

Wired is the simplest choice for a fixed workstation. Wireless is fine if you manage the battery and want a cleaner desk.

L
Liam Bennett
We compare specs, materials and verified owner reviews before a product earns a spot. Rankings are never paid.

FAQ

Is a gaming mouse good for video editing?
It can be. Programmable buttons, adjustable DPI, and ergonomic shapes all help, though the best fit depends on your hand size and shortcuts.
What DPI is best for editing video?
Many editors prefer 800 to 1,600 DPI for precise trimming. All the listed mice offer a range that covers this easily.
Do I need a side scroll wheel in 2026?
It is optional, but it makes horizontal movement through a long timeline easier. The ProtoArc EM11 Pro is the listed model with one.
Wired or wireless for editing?
Wired is the simplest choice for a fixed workstation. Wireless is fine if you manage the battery and want a cleaner desk.
Affiliate disclosure. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Prices accurate as of the date shown.
6 Best Gaming Mouse for Video Editing (October…Check price on Amazon