Ergonomic vs Ambidextrous Mouse: Which Should You Choose?

When you buy a mouse, they come in various shapes. We will compare the two most common types of mouse shapes; Ergonomic and Ambidextrous.

What is an Ergonomic Mice?

Ergonomic mice have a comfortable shape that naturally fits your hand. They have a higher inner side to support the natural resting position of the hand on a desk, with the palms facing inward. The outer side slopes gently to provide support for your ring finger and thumb.

Pros

Comfort

Ergonomic mice are generally easy to use, especially when held with your hand or claw grip. They are designed to be more comfortable for your hands and wrists. Unlike symmetrical mice, their shape allows your hands to face inwards, reducing stress on your wrists.

Stability

Ergonomic mice can be beneficial for people who experience hand tremors and need a more steady aim, because they are designed to be more stable by having a natural grip.

Availability

Ergonomic mice are very common and come in all shapes and sizes. It may take a while to find the best fit for you but it will most likely exist.

Cons

Right Handedness

Most ergonomic mice are designed for right-handed users, so left-handed users will have have to seek out left-handed ergonomic mice, which are not as common.

Grip Style

Due to their specific shape, ergonomic mice may require a particular grip style that could feel awkward for some users. This can make it hard to try different grip styles, especially for people with small hands.

Size

Ergonomic mice are made to fit a specific type of hand. Because each hand is different in size and shape, they may not fit you properly. If you have small to medium-sized hands, the raised inner side of most adjustable mice will make it hard to aim vertically with your fingertips.

What is an Ambidextrous Mouse?

An Ambidextrous mouse is symmetrical, meaning its left and right sides are the same. This makes it easy for right and left handed people to use it, though left-handed people can't always use the side buttons.

Pros

Grip Style Flexibility

Unless they have deep holes on the side, ambidextrous mice don't force you to use a specific grip. So you are free to experiment with whatever grip you like!

Left-handed Friendly

The uniform symmetrical shape of an ambidextrous mouse makes it equally comfortable for both right-handed and left-handed users.

Lighter

Compared to ergonomic mice, ambidextrous mice can be a significantly lighter.

Cons

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

This less comfortable shape will tire your wrists faster, and using your mouse for longer periods and frequently will put you at a higher risk of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), so you'll need to rest them more often.

Less comfortable

As your palm doesn't touch the mouse as much, it resting position is not natural for your hands. If you have big hands, this is an even bigger problem.

Which One Is Best For You?

Honestly, Only you can answer this question. Here are some things you should ask yourself to help you figure out what would be the right fit for you.

What's Your Grip Style?

To get the right mouse shape, consider how you hold your mouse. Choose a comfortable mouse if you want things in your hands and want them to stay in place. On the other hand, a low-profile ambidextrous mouse is a good choice if you like having your hands barely touch the mouse, for example if you use Fingertip grip. However, only some options exist if you want one with side buttons on the left side.

Do You Play For A Long Time?

If you play for hours without stopping, your hands and wrists will suffer. You could also get other health problems from not resting. For most people, the risk of RSI is shallow. However, using a comfortable mouse could lower this risk and let you play longer before your body starts hurting. Injuries to the wrist can keep you from playing challenging video games. Before you play your favorite games, make sure you take care of your health.

Do You Try Different Grip Styles?

A mouse that can be used by either hand is better if you like to switch things up a lot or copy how other players hold their mice. The form of an adjustable mouse will limit how you have it, so you won't be able to try new things. Ergonomic mice, on the other hand, are great if you care more about comfort than how you hold them. It will help you get your hand in the right place better than any ambidextrous mouse.

Conclusion

Both ergonomic and ambidextrous mice have their pros and cons. The best mouse for you will depend on your personal preferences and needs. If you are left-handed, you may have a harder time finding an ergonomic mouse that fits your needs. However, if you are right-handed, you may find that an ergonomic mouse provides better comfort and stability. On the other (left) hand, if you like to experiment with different grip styles, an ambidextrous mouse may be a better choice for you. Ultimately, the best mouse for you will be the one that feels most comfortable in your hand and provides the performance you need for your casual or gaming needs.

Lastly, You can use Rocket Jump Ninja's mouse search tool to help you find a good mouse that will fit your hand size and grip.