Razer DeathAdder Essential Wired Gaming Mouse

The DeathAdder shape has been around long enough that plenty of players learned to aim on it, and the Essential is the stripped-back way to get it. It’s a wired, ergonomic mouse that fills your palm, with a 6,400 DPI optical sensor, five programmable buttons and dedicated DPI buttons for changing sensitivity on the fly.

That sensor number sounds low next to newer mice, but most people play somewhere between 400 and 1600 DPI, so it covers real use without trouble. What you’ll notice more is the shape, which is built to support a relaxed palm grip through long sessions of MMOs, RPGs or a night of ranked matches. The rubberized scroll wheel has small bumps for grip, which helps when you’re cycling weapons in a hurry.

All five buttons can be remapped or given macros in Razer Synapse, and the mechanical switches are rated for 10 million clicks. It’s a wired mouse with a standard cable, so expect some drag compared to a paracord or wireless model, and lefties should look elsewhere since the ergonomic shape is sculpted for the right hand. If you’re upgrading from an office mouse or setting up a second PC, this is a dependable place to start.