Want a good computer mouse?

Many consider the mouse to be one of the essential PC peripherals. Point, click, and that’s it. But modern mice have come a long way, and if you’re looking for a more advanced mouse, you might be confused by some of the marketing terminology.

Below, we’ll take a quick look at some of the most common terms you’ll come across when looking for a multifunctional mouse. If you’re paying $50 (or even $150 or more) for a mouse, you should know exactly what you’re getting.

optical sensor

Modern mice use optical sensors that use LEDs, additional metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors (like in a camera), and a digital signal processor (DSP) to convert hand movements into pointer movements. The DSP, as explained in How Stuff Works, “is able to detect patterns in images and see how those patterns have shifted from the previous image. Based on the pattern change in the image sequence, the DSP determines how far the mouse has moved and sends the corresponding coordinates to the computer.” Slightly less common are laser sensors, such as the Logitech Darkfield sensor used in the Logitech MX Master 3.

An optical or laser sensor also means you don’t need a mouse pad for the mouse to work well. Mouse manufacturers, like the makers of the MX Master 3, sometimes boast about this as if it were an exclusive feature. But even a cheaper optical or laser mouse (like this $20 Microsoft mouse we just pulled out of a dusty closet) should work without a mouse pad.

Just because you can use a mouse without a mousepad doesn’t mean you actually want to. Skipping a mouse pad can cause movements to feel and sound squeaky, especially if the mouse doesn’t have feet on the underside that help it glide more smoothly. And some surfaces are more pleasant to work with than others.

Some brands, including Logitech and Razer, make their own sensors. PixArt, meanwhile, is the most common third-party brand for optical sensors.

But not all advanced mouse sensors are the same. If you’re going to invest in a good computer mouse, it’s a good idea to check the sensor specifications.

DPI or CPI

Dots per inch (DPI) and dots per inch (CPI) are used interchangeably throughout the mouse world. What’s the difference? Basically, DPI comes from the world of printing and is taken from a display point of view, while CPI is taken from a mouse sensor point of view. In either case, the abbreviations indicate the sensitivity of the mouse, or how many pixels the pointer will move when the mouse is physically moved.

When using a mouse with a low DPI or PCI setting, the cursor will move very slowly across the screen. A mouse with a high CPI setting will move around the screen much faster for the same movement. Without getting too specific, let’s say that for every inch of mouse movement at 1000 CPI, your cursor will (usually) move 1000 pixels. (This is the data from the manufacturer of gaming peripherals for PC SteelSeries.) Many high quality mice allow you to specify the CPI of the mouse. Their software may allow you to use a slider or enter a specific number or numbers. Some mice also have a dedicated button called a CPI or DPI switch to switch between saved CPI or DPI settings. And there are some gaming mice with a sniper button, or a button that instantly lowers the CPI of the mouse when pressed to aim at a target, like in a first-person shooter.

However, low CPIs are not only associated with headshots. Some users may prefer low CPI for precise movements in regular games. A low CPI can also come in handy for creative work, like when you’re trying to get the right color down to the last pixel.

On the other hand, a high CPI can accommodate a large PC monitor or a high resolution monitor. The high CPI also allows you to switch between your favorite games or apps with minimal physical effort. Some mice can reach CPIs of up to 36,000 with their software, such as the upcoming ROG Chakram X gaming mouse that Asus announced earlier this month. But this is an extreme specification.

You can find many good mice for gaming or productivity with a CPI range of around 200-3000. The Logitech MX Master 3 is one of the most advanced productivity mice out there, rated at 200-4000 CPI. But for users who want their pointer to move around the screen with a single tap of the mouse, there are options too.