The Best Mice For Traveling

Update, 8/23/22: Verified content for accuracy and product availability. Replaced Logitech MX Anywhere with Logitech MX Anywhere 2. Added ‘What to Look For’ section and product comparison chart.

What to Look For in a Travel Mouse

There’s no one perfect mouse for everyone. We’ve covered these specific bases, and between them, you’re sure to find something that will fit your particular needs.

• Size: Consider how much room a mouse will take up in your travel bag. You probably want a more compact model if space is at a premium. If that’s not an issue, a relatively larger mouse might fit more comfortably in your hand.
• Ergonomics: Using a mouse for long periods can lead to hand aching and carpal tunnel syndrome. Find a mouse designed to reduce the chances of injury caused by repetitive motions.
• Gaming: If you game while you’re on the road, a mouse that’s slow to respond, drops a Bluetooth connection, or runs out of power quickly can ruin an evening. Pick a model that keeps gamers in mind.
• Price: Those who don’t travel often likely don’t need to spend too much on a mouse they’ll rarely use. And even road warriors are often on a budget. The good news is that getting a quality travel mouse doesn’t have to break the bank.

Best Overall: Logitech Triathlon M720

This mouse got super-high marks in our more general Bluetooth mouse roundup, and it’s still a good pick if you need something more portable. The Triathlon is about two-thirds the size of a full-sized desktop mouse, sitting in the sweet spot between comfort and portability. Using this thing for hours at a time won’t present any discomfort. It’s also compatible with quick switching between up to three machines, connected via Bluetooth or the included 2.4GHz wireless USB adapter. That means you could consolidate your mouse use for a desktop, laptop, and tablet into a single device with quick, easy switching. Logitech’s hyper-fast ball-bearing scroll wheel and multi-machine FLOW software are included, but the real travel-friendly feature is a battery life of over a year on a single AA battery.

Best Compact Travel Mouse: Logitech MX Anywhere 2

The Triathlon gets our nod for best ergonomics and longevity. But if you want something much smaller for a super-cramped laptop bag, the MX Anywhere 2 is the next best option. It uses many of the same guts, including the handy quick switch, dual Bluetooth/2.4GHz USB wireless, and a ball-bearing scroll wheel. At about half the size, this mouse isn’t quite as comfortable, but it includes horizontal scrolling and a more advanced laser that can track on glass and features FLOW support. But, this mouse will probably be dedicated to a single portable machine, it’s unlikely that you’ll use FLOW support, but it’s nice to know you could use it with multiple computers. The battery doesn’t last as long as the Triathlon, but it is rechargeable via USB.

Best Travel Mouse for Gamers: Razer Atheris

PC gamers that primarily use laptops are a niche breed, but Razer is nothing if not accommodating. Their Atheris model is the clear leader in a short field thanks to its small size, solid ergonomics, and the option to choose between a Bluetooth connection or wireless USB for lag-free play. The 7200DPI optical sensor doesn’t have the ridiculously fast-tracking of Razer’s full desktop mice, but it’ll be more than enough for any surface you’re likely to use adjacent to your gaming laptop. Two AA batteries will last for months if you use the mouse in low-power Bluetooth mode, and you can switch over to proprietary wireless when you’re in-game. The full shooter button layout is included, but with thumb buttons only on the left side, Razer’s claim of ambidextrous support rings a bit hollow.

Best Budget Travel Mouse: Tecknet BM308

If imitation is flattery, Logitech should be blushing: this budget-friendly Bluetooth mouse is a rather shameless copy of one of the company’s old Marathon designs. That said, it’s an excellent design to copy, thanks to a compact layout that still feels good in the hand. You won’t get the fancy dual wireless of the previous mice on this list at this price, but its Bluetooth connection is compatible with almost everything. You even get thumb browser buttons—not a given at this price by any means—and a DPI switch beneath the scroll wheel. This is about as inexpensive as you can get before noticing a severe dip in build quality, ergonomics, or both.

Best Travel Trackball: Kensington Orbit

Like gaming mice, trackballs are a small niche in the ultra-mobile market. But if a mouse doesn’t feel right, the Orbit from Kensington is as good as you can get without packing something much bigger and heavier. The design relies on a 2.4GHz USB dongle only, so mobile tablets aren’t supported, and you may need a converter if you only have USB-C ports available. But as a smaller trackball, the design is serviceable, with a nice ambidextrous body and a touch-sensitive scroll wheel surrounding the main ball. Having only two buttons means advanced users might feel slightly stifled, but it’s the best option in this form factor.