A vertical mouse has an ergonomic design that keeps your hand in a neutral rest position to help reduce wrist and hand strain. Vertical mice minimize stress on the tendons, lowering the chances of suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injury.

Some key factors to consider when shopping for a vertical mouse are design, button placement, compatibility with different operating systems, and user comfort.

Here are the best vertical mice available today.

Premium pick

1. Evoluent VM4R

8.80 / 10
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The Evoluent VM4R has a patented design that maintains a handshake-like orientation for maximum comfort. It eliminates the usual palm-down position, providing smoother movement and less wrist, arm, and hand strain after long working hours.

The extra-wide lip around the right base prevents the pinky finger from rubbing the desk surface, thus providing more comfort. This model comes with six buttons (two on the side, three on the front, and a scroll wheel) that are programmable to enhance the ease of use. With them, you’ll find it effortless to copy, paste, and adjust the screen’s brightness.

In addition, the pointer speed button, which is thoughtfully placed under the scroll wheel, helps you increase the speed and precision to navigate through pages quickly. Besides being aesthetically appealing, the lighted Evoluent logo turns off when your mouse is in sleep mode, helping conserve battery power.

Key Features
  • Extra-wide lip
  • Six programmable buttons
  • Adjustable laser sensor
Specifications
  • Weight: 0.44lbs
  • Sensor: Laser
  • System Requirements: Windows XP, Windows 7/8/10, Linux, Mac
  • Wireless?: No
  • Brand: Evoluent
Pros
  • Wide compatibility
  • Offers maximum comfort
  • Nice-looking illuminated logo
  • Useful pointer speed indicators
Cons
  • Not compatible with some macOS
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Evoluent VM4R
Editors choice

2. Anker AK-98ANWVM-UBA

8.60 / 10
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If you’re a right-handed person looking for a vertical mouse that minimizes the strain on your wrist, consider the Anker AK-98ANWVM-UBA. Its sleek and ergonomic design allows you to rest your hand in a neutral position, eliminating wrist tension that may limit productivity. In addition, it has a matte surface that prevents your hands from sweating, allowing smooth movement and improved accuracy.

The power-saving mode is another standout feature that puts the mouse to sleep after eight minutes of inactivity. It’s an excellent way to conserve battery life since you don’t have to replace the two AAA batteries after a short time. Better yet, there’s a battery level indicator that notifies you when the battery is running low, so you can recharge it on time.

The optical sensor is quite versatile since it lets you use the mouse on different types of surfaces as long as they are flat and smooth. You can use a mouse pad for increased accuracy when performing demanding tasks like gaming.

Key Features
  • Requires two AAA batteries
  • 800/1,200/1,600 DPI
  • Battery level indicator
  • Next and previous buttons
Specifications
  • Weight: 0.21lbs
  • Sensor: Optical
  • System Requirements: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2000, Windows 7/8/10, Linux, Mac OS X
  • Wireless?: Yes
  • Brand: Anker
Pros
  • Power-saving mode
  • Comfortable to use
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • No lighting effects to make it eye-catching
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Anker AK-98ANWVM-UBA
Best value

3. Perixx Perimice-513

9.00 / 10
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Designed for medium and large hand sizes, the Perixx Perimice-513 is one of the best vertical mice for reducing tennis elbow. Unlike a traditional mouse, this model puts your hand at a 45-degree angle, maintaining a natural position that helps increase comfort when using your computer for long periods. As such, you’re less likely to suffer from muscle strain and fatigue.

On the top left is a responsive DPI button that enables you to switch between two DPI levels (1,000 and 1,600) depending on the application at hand. Such ranges aren’t too high, so you can play real-time strategy games without worrying that the cursor will fly off the screen.

The smooth scroll wheel also makes it easy to move up and down a webpage or document, saving time. Although the mouse is wired, it doesn’t limit your movement a lot since it has a 5.9-foot cable.

Key Features
  • 5.9-foot cable
  • Hardwearing rubber coating
  • Six buttons
Specifications
  • Weight: 0.32lbs
  • Sensor: Optical
  • System Requirements: Windows XP, Windows 7/8/10, Linux, Mac OS X
  • Wireless?: No
  • Brand: Perixx
Pros
  • Attractive design
  • Comfortable to use for long hours
  • Plug-and-play design
Cons
  • Button placement isn’t the best for small hands
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Perixx Perimice-513

If you’re looking for the best vertical mouse with an ergonomic design, the Lekvey 7L-01 is an excellent pick. Its raised outline and well-constructed thumb rest grips the contour of your palm nicely, reducing repetitive strain injury experienced when working for extended sessions.

Your wrist stays in a neutral and comfortable position, allowing faster and more precise movements that are hard to achieve with a traditional mouse. The backward and forward buttons are positioned near the thumb rest and are highly responsive to provide browsing convenience for gamers and internet surfers. You’ll also be pleased by the right and left switches that deliver soft clicks when highlighting something on the screen.

This reduces distractions working in public places like a coffee shop. The included 2.4G USB receiver allows you to enjoy the convenience of a tangle-free mouse. It connects up to a distance of 33 feet, so you’ll have the freedom to move around without experiencing dropouts.

Key Features
  • Built-in rechargeable battery
  • 800/1,200/1,600 DPI
  • Six buttons
Specifications
  • Weight: 0.21lbs
  • Sensor: Optical
  • System Requirements: Windows 2000, Windows Vista, Android, Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7/8/10
  • Wireless?: Yes
  • Brand: Lekvey
Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Easy to use
  • Increased functionality
Cons
  • Not the best for large hands
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Lekvey 7L-01

The J-Tech Digital V628 has a unique design, which resembles a combination of a mouse and a joystick. Your hands wrap comfortably around the ergonomic layout while cushioning the wrist to minimize strain. It has a detachable palm rest that provides additional support to your wrist to avoid muscle fatigue after long hours of tracking.

The DPI button with three sensitivity levels (600/1,000/1,600) enables you to adjust the responsiveness according to your liking. Once you set it to a higher level, you’ll experience fast pointer speed, which comes in handy during in-game shooting and when editing photos. The optical tracking technology allows seamless tracing on most smooth surfaces, provided they aren’t transparent.

When it comes to functionality, this mouse proves to be one of the best as the buttons are strategically placed for easy access. For instance, the index and middle fingers rest nicely on the right and left buttons, allowing you to double-click and select objects for long periods without experiencing wrist strain.

Key Features
  • Removable palm rest
  • Two thumb buttons
  • Comes in two sizes
Specifications
  • Weight: 0.6lbs
  • Sensor: Optical
  • System Requirements: Windows 7/8/10, Linux, Windows Vista 7/8, Windows XP
  • Wireless?: No
  • Brand: J-Tech Digital
Pros
  • Wide compatibility
  • Works on a range of surfaces
  • Comfortable to use
Cons
  • No left-handed version
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J-Tech Digital V628

What sets the Delux-M618Plus apart from most other vertical mice is its five-gear DPI tracking. It’s adjustable from 800 to 4,000 via the DPI switch, so you can increase or decrease the sensitivity to suit different computer applications. For instance, you can set the high-sensitivity level as your default then switch to the lowest for accurate sniping when gaming.

The mouse features a volute bionic design that allows you to place your palm sideways to reduce hand stiffness and arm fatigue. As such, you don’t have to worry about experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome despite long-term gameplay and PC work.

The matte rubber finish provides a perfect and sweat-free grip that makes holding the mouse for prolonged hours comfortable. In addition, the optical sensor allows you to enjoy precise and accurate tracking, provided you use it on a non-reflective glass surface, enamel desk, or smooth wooden surface.

Key Features
  • RGB lights
  • Rated for three million keystrokes
  • Six chunky buttons
  • Removable wrist rest
Specifications
  • Weight: 0.46lbs
  • Sensor: Optical
  • System Requirements: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7/8/10
  • Wireless?: No
  • Brand: Delux
Pros
  • Ergonomic design
  • Sweat-free grip
  • Great for gaming
Cons
  • 4,000 DPI may be overkill for some users
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Delux-M618Plus

The iClever TM_209G is suited for people with medium to large hands since it features a horseshoe design. Though it’s not the largest, its open-ended outline offers maximum support for your hand, minimizing wrist injuries from improper positioning. In addition, the diamond patterns prevent your palm from sweating when editing photos or working for hours.

Besides its shape, you’ll appreciate how smooth the clicks are, thanks to the advanced stability system incorporated into the buttons. It reduces tip noise while taking less effort to depress, so you can stay working in quiet areas without distracting the people around you. You’ll also love the redesigned wheel that provides a smooth scrolling experience when navigating various slides.

Connection-wise, this mouse connects with compatible systems via a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, which is more stable than most alternatives. The auto-power saving mode puts the mouse into sleep after 10 minutes, so it’s an excellent way to save battery life.

Key Features
  • Auto-power saving function
  • Rated to handle up to five million clicks
  • Rated to handle up to five million clicks
Specifications
  • Weight: 0.3lbs
  • Sensor: Optical
  • System Requirements: Chrome OS, macOS, Windows 7/8/10, Linux
  • Wireless?: Yes
  • Brand: iClever
Pros
  • Smooth wheel ensures effortless scrolling
  • Quiet clicks
  • Ergonomic design
Cons
  • No lighting effects
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iClever TM_209G

FAQ

Q: Are Vertical Mice Repairable?

Yes, they are. Several factors could be the root cause of your mouse failing to work properly. For instance, when the laser is covered with debris, it interferes with the cursor’s movement. In case of such a problem, consider cleaning your mouse regularly, especially if you use it on different types of surfaces.

Other problems could be damaged batteries, malfunctioning USB ports, and use on inappropriate surfaces, but they are all solvable. If it’s hardware damage, seek professional help or replacement.

Q: Should I Pick a Wired or Wireless Vertical Mouse?

Wired mice are highly responsive since they are less prone to signal interference, making them ideal for gaming. They are generally cheaper and more practical for everyday use.

Wireless vertical mice are ideal to use if you’re always on the move since they don’t have dangling wires. They are great if you are looking for convenience. However, it is wise to choose what suits your unique needs.

Q: Do I Need a Vertical Mouse?

Yes, especially if you spend most of your time working or gaming on your computer.

Most vertical mice have an ergonomic design that helps maintain a handshake posture while operating them. This helps avoid forearm pronation, wrist strain, and arm pain.

The best vertical mouse will help prevent tendinitis, CTS, and other musculoskeletal diseases. It is also comfortable to use if you’re suffering from arthritis.