iClever’s Vertical Mouse Will Do (If Other Options Are Over Your Budget)

Do you have to spend a lot of money to get ergonomic gear for your computer? No. But you do have to make a few compromises. That’s the idea behind iClever’s vertical mouse.

This sub-$20 gadget can’t compete with the likes of the excellent Logitech MX Vertical or its contemporaries. But if all you need is some relief from your wrist-based repetitive stress injury, the iClever’s got you covered.

It handles the basic duty of lifting your hand off the mouse pad and turning it to a more natural position. I used the iClever for hours of desktop work per day and was just as comfy as I was with the more expensive options.

The iClever lacks creature comforts, though. Thankfully, it’s wireless—wrangling a mouse cable sort of defeats the purpose. But it limits you to a standard, 2.4 GHz USB receiver with no Bluetooth option. You also have to dig out two, AAA batteries (not included) to get it working. And if you want advanced key binds or super-specific customization, you won’t find it here, as there’s no software to be found.

But the basics are here. The wheel spins and clicks, and there are backward and forward buttons for your thumb. There’s a button to adjust the sensitivity of the 2400 DPI optical sensor with four hard-coded presets. The mouse is light and slick on a pad, and the buttons are shockingly quiet if you want to be unobtrusive at the office. In short, it works!

There are some bright spots. For instance, there’s a nice little groove for your pinky to help keep your hand in the right position. If you travel with your gear, there’s also a hidey-hole for the USB dongle near the battery bay. And most ergonomic mice are likely to go on a walk as people usually opt for them instead of using a trackpad.

As a budget-conscious alternative to the de facto picks, the iClever Vertical Mouse will serve you fine. Grab it if you occasionally need a break from your regular mouse or are strapped for cash.