Best Computer Mouse for Carpal Tunnel Sufferers

What do we mean by the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers?

If you have heard of carpal tunnel syndrome before, there is a great chance that you’ve been dealing with this unpleasant wrist issue yourself or personally know a person, perhaps a friend or a family member, who has been facing carpal tunnel.

If so, you also know that handling a computer mouse while dealing with carpal tunnel can be highly unpleasant and even painful. As such, it is important to choose the type of computer mouse that will help the user cope with the pain.

By the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers, we are referring to a computer mouse that helps individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome to work with computers for extended periods of time by offering soothing hand positioning.

A proper computer mouse can not only make the work painless, it can also help reverse carpal tunnel syndrome in the long run. Though, the main purpose of the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers is to mitigate the pain.

There are specific types of the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel models and we will take a look at those in the following section. These types of computer mice are often called Ergonomic Computer Mice.

What type of computer mouse is best for carpal tunnel?

In this section, we will take a closer look at the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel types. In general, the following three types are what most doctors recommend. With these types of computer mice, you have the best chance of managing wrist pain when working long hours with a computer mouse while dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome.

An average person knows very little about computer mice and thinks that all computer mice are more or less the same, however, that is not the case. Sure, they all enable you to move the cursor and click the buttons and icons, but there are many computer mice shapes to accommodate various grab styles. Moreover, some computer mice offer ergonomic designs and it is these types of computer mice that are most suitable for carpal tunnel sufferers.

Vertical Mice

Vertical computer mice are a special type of computer mice that enable you to handle them while having your hand in a vertical position, meaning that your little finger it the one resting at the bottom (in most cases even touching the table or a mouse pad) and your thumb is on top.

This hand position has been proven to help reduce pain in people that are already dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome and also to be promoting the prevention of carpal tunnel for their responsiveness alone.

Vertical computer mice offer a highly comfortable hold (though this depends on your preferences and arm/hand shape) and easy access to function buttons.

This type of computer mice may require some getting used to, however, since the position is quite natural, the manipulation of a vertical mouse becomes quite intuitive fast.

Vertical mice can be completely vertical or they are actually ‘tilted’ to offer a soothing angle (approx. 60°).

Trackball Mice

Trackball computer mice are another popular solution for carpal tunnel sufferers. This type of mouse looks similar to an upside-down mouse (old versions with a rolling ball at the bottom). As the name suggests, the trackball mouse features an exposed ball on top, which minimizes the risk of thumb tendonitis.

The position of the trackball varies depending on the type of mouse you buy. Moreover, the size of the ball also varies from mouse to mouse. The ball can be position on top of the device or on the side.

In addition, trackball mice can also be tilted for more soothing wrist positioning.

The main goal of a trackball mouse is to provide smooth and precise movement and control while reducing pressure on your wrist and arm as it doesn’t require any arm or hand movement to move the mouse cursor.

Modified Traditional Mice

You all know what traditional computer mice look like, right? Well, if you are suffering from carpal tunnel, you want to consider a slightly modified traditional mouse, a more ergonomically designed one. That means that will offer more support to your hand and prevent any unnecessary pressure on your wrist. They are also called ergonomic “horizontal” mice or ergonomic “traditional” mice.

These modifications can come in various ways. Some models offer slight tilt, some offer adjustable angle, some offer special side support for thumb and pinky.

Modified traditional computer mice are typically larger in size and have some additional buttons, aside from two main click buttons and a scroll.

Modified traditional mice may be a solid alternative, however, to be completely honest, the above two types should give you better results if you are dealing with severe carpal tunnel.

Additional Mice Types Suitable for Carpal Tunnel Sufferers

In addition to the above three main types of computer mice, there are also some other alternatives, including pen mice and joystick mice. Both of these types offer vertical hand positioning which has been proven to have a soothing effect on carpal tunnel syndrome. As such, both of these two types of computer mice can also be a good choice.

8 Best Computer Mouse for Carpal Tunnel Sufferers Models

In this section, we will take a closer look at the 8 best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers models. That way your selection has already been greatly narrowed down. All you have to do is pick up one of the presented models, the one you feel will best suit your condition and needs and then order it.

All computer mice presented below have been tested and proven to offer great results when it comes to soothing carpal tunnel related pain and overall condition.

Moreover, we also did our best to include at least one model of each of the 3 main types of computer mice presented in the previous section.

Logitech M570 Mouse – Best for Carpal Tunnel

The Logitech M570 Mouse is currently the best-selling wireless ergonomic mouse and has over 11,500+ reviews on Amazon. According to this model’s users, it also offers a great experience as it is rated with the highest score.

The Logitech M570 Mouse is ergonomically designed. Moreover, Logitech is a reputable brand delivering high-quality computer gear and accessories, which is reflected in this computer mouse.

The key feature of this ergonomic computer mouse is that you don’t need to move your wrist nor arm to use it. The mouse packs a trackball, which enables you to use your thumb to manage the cursor. As such, you can position your hand in a fixed, most soothing position and keep it that way.

The trackball use requires some getting used to, though it offers great performance – it is very efficient and allows precise cursor movement. The fact that you do not need to move the mouse makes it suitable for all surfaces – works great on a table, couch, or even bed.

The Logitech M570 Mouse is a wireless ergonomic mouse and offers a range of 30 feet, which should be more than enough for all your mouse needs.

Moreover, the mouse offers quite an impressive battery life of 18 months using an AA size battery. The mouse also comes with a battery life indicator, which lets you know when you’re about to run out of battery so it does not surprise you in the middle of important tasks.

The Logitech M570 packs 4 buttons (left/right click and previous/next page buttons) and a scroll wheel. Using the free software at Logitech, you can program the buttons to get common tasks done quickly.

We should note that this mouse is made for right-handed people only. If you’re left-handed, this mouse is unfortunately not for you.

Anker 2.4G Vertical Mouse – Best for Carpal Tunnel

As the name suggests, the Anker 2.4G Vertical Mouse is a vertical computer mouse. It functions using wireless technology, which offers great responsiveness and long-range.

The handshake-like hand position offered by this mouse is the natural rest position for our hand, which means that there is no twisting of your arm and wrist involved. This brings extreme comfort and puts a minimal strain on your wrist and fingers, thus making it a great choice for carpal tunnel sufferers.

The Anker 2.4G Vertical Mouse packs a scroll and five buttons, including left/right-click buttons (as you get in a regular mouse), next/previous page buttons for easy web surfing, and a DPI switch button, which you can use to control the mouse sensitivity (800/1200/1600 DPI).

The mouse runs on 2 AAA size batteries that offer a battery life of 12-18 months for moderate to heavy users. It packs a battery-saving feature – when left idle for more than 8 minutes, it automatically enters the power-saving mode.

The Anker 2.4G Vertical Mouse is also made for right-handed people only.

Jelly Comb Wireless – Best Mouse for Carpal Tunnel

The Jelly Comb offers a much healthier hand position that offers soothing effects for your wrist. The mouse offers a highly comfortable and ergonomic design, which makes it one of the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers.

The mouse also includes a surprisingly silent operation. The buttons offer high sensitivity, which means it doesn’t require a lot of pressure to click them and the click does not produce any loud noise.

The mouse also comes with the forward/back buttons on the side, which offer a tactile feeling for easy browsing. The mouse also lets you change the DPI setting via a small button practically located behind the scroll wheel.

The scroll wheel is made of soft rubber material with fine lines for more traction. This mouse could feel big for users with small hands. Moreover, in some cases, you may get an even better experience if you combine the mouse with a proper mouse pad with a wrist rest.

The mouse glides effortlessly and offers a very smooth and efficient operation.

Delux Wired – Best Mouse for Carpal Tunnel

We personally prefer wireless computer mice, however, if you like wired options better, you should definitely seriously consider the Delux Wired vertical mouse. The design alone will surely grab your attention. The matte black velvet-like color looks nice.

The mouse produces quite click and can barely make people around you hear them, which can be practical if you share a room or you alone do not like loud click sounds.

This vertical mouse is suitable for all long-hours users. Most users that are struggling with tendinitis and carpal tunnel find it extremely soothing.

Since there are no batteries, the mouse is very lightweight, well-built, and feels great on your hand.

It packs optimally positioned buttons for maximum convince. The mouse works well on any surface without any pad, which can be also highly practical, especially if you plan on using it in other places aside from your desk.

The mouse also packs the RGB light, which can easily be turned off with a click (that doesn’t work on any Mac device).

The entire design requires some getting used to, however, this period is usually super short. If you are looking for an eye-catching, compact, vertical, wired computer mouse, then the Delux Wired is a great choice.

Anker Optical USB Wired – Best Mouse for Carpal Tunnel

The Anker Ergonomic Optical USB Mouse is another great wired option. This best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers model brings together comfort and affordability. It uses the latest technology that enables a neutral “handshake” position, which does not strain your wrist.

The Anker Optical USB Wired is suitable for all hand sizes. Even with very small hands, you can easily access all the well-positioned buttons.

Aside from standard left/right-click buttons, the Anker Optical USB Wired mouse also provides dedicated “next” and “previous” buttons that come in handy when browsing the web.

This vertical mouse uses 1000/1600 DPI Optical Tracking Technology, which adds sensitivity. That means extra smooth tracking and a high level of precision on most surfaces.

The mouse also comes with a DPI switch that toggles between cursor speeds for fast and simple adjustments.

Logitech MX ERGO – Best Mouse for Carpal Tunnel

The Logitech MX ERGO is another great trackball mouse. Logitech cleverly designed this mouse that combines a trackball and also reduces wrist strain.

The MX Ergo’s design is very nice. It offers a grey color scheme that looks really good. Since the body of the mouse has a wider footprint, this means a more comfortable grip. The MX Ergo is not moved around like a regular mouse. It remains stationary and you move the cursor by rolling the ball around with your thumb. According to Logitech, this results in 20% less muscle strain than a conventional mouse. Of course, if you are just switching from a regular mouse, it takes some getting used to.

For an additional soothing effect, the mouse can be tilted at 30 degrees with an included weighted tilt-able adjustable base. This allows you to reduce the movement of the tendons that pass through your carpal tunnel, which offers your hand a natural handshake-like position, which reduces further strain on your wrist.

The mouse also packs a button that enables you to easily switch between two computers and further customize the buttons with Logitech’s Flow software, which can be very handy for more advanced users.

Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse – Best for Carpal Tunnel

This mouse is a great choice for all Microsoft fans looking to ease wrist pain and make the mouse use more soothing. The Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse comes in black color with an eye-catching Windows white icon on a blue square.

It looks like a bulky regular computer mouse. However, it is this bulkiness that offers great support and slightly tilted positioning that eases the pressure normally present on the wrist.

Aside from the left/right-click buttons and the scroll, the mouse comes with two additional buttons – one where your thumb rests and a windows button. Microsoft software can be used to assign these buttons to anything you like.

The mouse works well with a smooth surface (such as tables but it wouldn’t work with clear glass or mirrored surfaces.

Its battery life is average and is expected to work 6-8 months on a set of two AA batteries. For additional convenience, it does have a battery indicator that lets you know when you need to replace them.

TeckNet Pro 2.4G Mouse – Best for Carpal Tunnel

The TeckNet Pro 2.4G Mouse is a hybrid between a regular mouse and the ergonomic mouse. We decided to list it here because of its affordable price and the fact that it is the best for those transitioning from a regular computer mouse. As such, you will not be any slower even on the first day of use of this mouse.

Thanks to its slightly twisted design, you can rest all your fingers on the mouse, which eliminates the stress on your wrist. The mouse has a total of 6 buttons – left/right-click, scroll, DPI switch button, and backward/forward button. The TeckNet Pro 2.4G Mouse offers 5 adjustable DPI levels so that you can adjust the level of sensitivity according to your tasks and needs.

The manufacturer markets a battery life of 24 months, however, in reality, you should expect this to be slightly less but still very good.

The great thing about this mouse is that it is fully compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.

The Main Features of the Best Computer Mouse for Carpal Tunnel

We will provide you with a full buyer’s guide that will help you select the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers in the next section, however, herein we will take a closer look at some of the main aspects to consider.

Wired or Wireless

When buying a computer mouse of any kind, you need to decide whether you want to get a wireless one or a wired one. Each of the two options has its pros and cons, which means there are still a lot of people on both sides.

The main advantage of a wireless mouse is pretty obvious, you get rid of the wire. Most of us prefer that a lot, so we mainly use wireless mice.

But that means that you will need to deal with batteries, which also adds weight to the mouse. Moreover, wireless mice can have a slightly slower response than their wired sisters.

That said the main advantages of wired mice would be lightweight and the fact that no batteries are needed.

So, which do you want? Wired or wireless?

Proper Hand Positioning

If you are already dealing with any wrist pain, you should absolutely consider an ergonomic computer mouse. The best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers will enable you to eliminate discomfort and even cure your issues.

Even if you are not having any wrist problems at the moment, we highly recommend you to invest extra in an ergonomic mouse, especially if you speed long hours on your computer. That way you can prevent carpal tunnel syndrome to occur in the future.

Generally speaking, vertical computer mice may offer the most natural position, however, we all have different needs and thus, some other type may best suit you. If you get a chance try the mouse in person or make sure to buy one that offers you a return option.

Controls Placement

With time, we all can get used to all sorts of controls placement, however, it is best to go with the mouse that best suits your hand shape and your need and user preferences. For example, if you want to use your thumb to click the forward/back button, then make sure to get a mouse that offers you that option.

There are so many options these days that you should easily get the mouse that suits your wants. It is important that each button is with your fingers reach without placing your hand in an unnatural position.

Adjustability Features

We all have different sensitivity preferences. That said, it is smart to go for a mouse that enables you to easily and quickly adjust the DPI settings.

Moreover, physical adjustability is less common, however, there are many computer mice that offer adjustability features, such as tilt adjustment, and buttons reprograming to fully personalize the device. If that is something you are after, you need to consider slightly more expensive models.

Things to Look for When Choosing the Best Computer Mouse for Carpal Tunnel Sufferers

Use this section as a buyer’s guide when in need of the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers. Below we cover all the important aspects that must be considered before you make a purchase.

Purpose of the mouse

What is the most common task you do on your computer? Is it browsing, writing, gaming, video watching, photo editing? The type of your mouse should best match that main task. Many users use mice very little (e. g.: writers), while others (e. g.: gamers and designers) use it constantly.

OS Compatibility

Many of the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers models are compatible with various Operating Systems, however, not all. As such, you need to ensure that the mouse will work properly with the OS at your hands.

Wired/Wireless

Make sure to decide whether you want a wired or wireless mouse. Use the previous section to help you decide.

Number of Buttons

Do you need only right and left click? Do you want a scroll button too? Do you want any other buttons to be located on your mouse? Most of the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers models include right/left click, scroll, and next/previous buttons (a total of 5 buttons). However, there are additional options available.

Left or Right-Handed

This is an important aspect to consider. If you are right-handed or left-handed but use the right hand to handle the mouse, you are lucky as you will have a lot more options. When it comes to ergonomic mice for left-handed users, the options tend to be rather limited.

Make sure to consider that aspect to avoid being stuck with a mouse that you cannot use.

Consider Your Grip

There are three main grip styles that regular computer mice offer – a palm grip, a claw grip, and a fingertip grip. However, when considering ergonomic mice, you will need to mainly focus on palm grip style as it is the one that offers the most support. However, there are many exceptions to this rule, thus you should go with the option that is most comfortable for you.

Size

Of course, the size of the mouse alone will also determine the grip style for you. Thus make sure to get the mouse that offers the size that matches your hand size.

Battery Life

This aspect should only be considered in the case of wireless mice. You definitely don’t want to be stuck with a mouse that requires you to change the batteries every week, right?

Luckily for you, most of the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers models offer a very impressive battery life. If you want to be as environmentally friendly, make sure to go with a model that packs battery-saving features.

Price

The best computer mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers will typically cost you a bit more than a regular mouse would. However, based on our experience it is well worth paying slightly more and enjoy pain-free mouse handling. Wouldn’t you agree?

Moreover, you still have many relatively affordable options, especially when considering the modified traditional mice.

Regular Computer Mouse vs. Best Computer Mouse for Carpal Tunnel

The main difference between the regular computer mouse and the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel suffers lies in the support and hand positioning offered. The latter ensures that there is a little strain as possible present in your hand and wrist, which means even long hours of use do not result in any pain or discomfort.

As mentioned above, there are various types of ergonomic computer mice, and they all incorporate various features that prioritize comfort. However, overall the most natural hand position is normally ensured by vertical ergonomic computer mice.

FAQs

How can the best computer mouse for carpal tunnel help?

By offering maximum support to your palm and ensuring the natural resting position of your hand, it can eliminate pain and discomfort even during long-hour use.

How does a trackball mouse rate for carpal tunnel?

It rates very well. Considering the position of the hand itself, trackball mice may rate slightly below vertical mice, however, it is the fact that you can move the cursor without moving your arm or hand that can be extremely soothing for many users.

Is an ergonomic mouse necessary for carpal tunnel?

Yes, if the user plans to use the mouse for long periods and want to avoid pain and worsening of the syndrome and related symptoms.

Is a vertical mouse good for carpal tunnel?

Yes. It has been shown that ergonomic vertical mice offer the most natural resting hand position.

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

The most common symptoms include an ache or pain in your fingers, hand, or arm, numb hands, tingling or pins and needles, a weak thumb, or difficulty gripping.

Why does carpal tunnel cause wrist and hand pain?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is nothing but the compression of the median nerve. Repetitive strain injury can also lead to increased pressure on Carpal Tunnel which triggers the syndrome in return. Wrist and hand pain are two common symptoms of the syndrome.

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