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Are expensive mouses and keyboards worth it?

A

AstroNut325

Member
Hello,

I'm in the market for new mouse and keyboard. I have, since 1995, been using very cheap (sub $15 keyboard mouse combo). I'm now getting pain and aches in my right arm after an hour or so on my computer. Not sure if that's carpal tunnel or not. I need to get it checked by my doctor. Some people have recommended that I look into better keyboards and mice. At work I use the Microsoft Sculpt keyboard and mouse. And I honestly can't tell the difference between my $10 MS keyboard at home.

So my question to the folks at NeoGAF: How much did you spend on your keyboard and mouse? Do you feel it's worth the extra money on the input devices? If yes, what makes them worth it? Is it the comfort? features? durability/quality?

I'm also about to restart my PC gaming stint so I'd appreciate any feedback possible. I would prefer a more comfortable keyboard and mouse over features. Recommendations are welcome.
 
Mechanical keyboards are worth it. They type better and faster, the tension is customizable, the feedback feels really good. They're also solid and made to last, unlike cheap membrane keyboards.

Most expensive mice are a waste of money. The best gaming mice I've used have been in the $40-50 range. All that matters is how accurate and responsive the laser is.
 
Yes they are, but you need to find what exactly complements and helps the way you use them.

Universally mechanical keyboards are worth it, mice is different and completly personal choice.
 
Yes, a good mouse especially. I highly recommend the Zowie FK2, familiar shape, almost non existent lift off distance, great sensor and not too expensive. A keyboard is less important, you just need something you find comfortable to type on but a good mouse will really benefit your gaming.
 
Keyboard I spent about $120 on and my mouse I spent about $70 on. Going from them to just about any "general use" mouse and keyboard I can immediately tell the difference. Was definitely worth the money.

I've found the durability, features, and ergonomics to just be way better. You'll need to do some shopping around though obviously since there isn't a single solution for gaming peripherals.

Personally I'm using the Razer BlackWidow Stealth 2013 and the Steelseries Sesei mouse. Works perfect for me since I love mechanical keyboards but the blue switches are just way too loud, and the SteelSeries Sensei is probably not the typical gamer choice but the ambi-dextrous design just fits my hand the best. If you're okay with a mouse with a bit more heft to it the Logitech G502 is a great mouse as well, have that as my backup.

Just to add to this post quick this keyboard and the G502 have lasted me about 3-4 years so I've more than gotten my moneys worth from them.
 
I had the MX518 for years and now have a Proteus G502. The logitiech software is pretty great for setting macros and what not. Mechanical keyboards are great too. I have a corsair k70. Love the click clack. Definitely worth the money IMO.
 
I bought a corsair Sabre for £40 as my old laser mouse died, i threw it down the garden but thats another story, it's accurate enough for me.

Still got my old Microsoft Keyboard that cost me like £25 5 years or so ago

EDIT

I use a bundled dell laser mouse at work, and compared to my one at home it's shit, so there is a difference for sure.
 
Used to buy cheap shit. Finally bought an MX Master and it vastly improved my productivity.

Good peripherals are worth it.
 
jres80 said:
Mechanical keyboards are worth it. They type better and faster, the tension is customizable, the feedback feels really good. They're also solid and made to last, unlike cheap membrane keyboards.

Most expensive mice are a waste of money. The best gaming mice I've used have been in the $40-50 range. All that matters is how accurate and responsive the laser is.
Click to expand...

This has been my experience as well.
 
Mechanical keyboards are worth the money because they tend to be customizable, repairable, and built to last. Don't drop big bucks on membranes.
 
If you spend any significant money on a keyboard be sure it's mechanical and familiarize yourself with the key switches available so you get what you like. The mouse I love is the CM Spawn which was replaced by the CM Xornet II, which only costs $30. It's a fingertip/claw mouse though. I'm sure there is quality palm grip mice at a similar price as well.
 
Granadier said:
Used to buy cheap shit. Finally bought an MX Master and it vastly improved my productivity.

Good peripherals are worth it.
Click to expand...

This is the mouse I'm leaning towards right now. Just having a hard time dropping nearly a $100 on a mouse.

Also eyeing a G502.

Sorry... I have been using cheap stuff for 2 decades (was very poor before). I'm just not use to this.
 
Depends on your demands. If you're not using a wrist pad you may want to try those first before dropping money on an expensive keyboard or mouse. Mechanical keyboards do feel a lot better for typing. I care more about a good mouse than a keyboard though. I currently use a Roccat Kiro which is $40 and as long as they keep selling it, it'll probably be the mouse for me. I like it more than the more expensive Roccat Kone products. I bought the cheapest mechanical keyboard at Fry's which was a Thermaltake Poseidon for $70 and it was significantly better than any other keyboard I've used.
 
jres80 said:
Mechanical keyboards are worth it. They type better and faster, the tension is customizable, the feedback feels really good. They're also solid and made to last, unlike cheap membrane keyboards.

Most expensive mice are a waste of money. The best gaming mice I've used have been in the $40-50 range. All that matters is how accurate and responsive the laser is.
Click to expand...

This ^^^^

There are some mice though that have more precision that are pricier, but in retrospect their better for artists then for actual gaming.
 
917JWjNse3L._SX522_.jpg



Cheap and built like a tank.
 
Mechanical keyboards are worth the price premium. For mice, I don't care. I'm fine with the cheapest dollar-bin stuff.
 
Legit question: How important is the DPI for a mouse? Like... Do I need anything over 1000? I'm mostly working on MBA assignments, and I'll play some FPS games such as Doom or Overwatch.

Edit:
Comfort is the most important thing. I understand this is pretty subjective. Just trying to understand what is comfortable to the people of NeoGAF.
 
AstroNut325 said:
Legit question: How important is the DPI for a mouse? Like... Do I need anything over 1000? I'm mostly working on MBA assignments, and I'll play some FPS games such as Doom or Overwatch.

Edit:
Comfort is the most important thing. I understand this is pretty subjective. Just trying to understand what is comfortable to the people of NeoGAF.
Click to expand...

Ultimately it's not super important but if you get a mouse with a high DPI you can adjust it to be lower so it's nice to have the option.

Also I can never recommend the Steelseries Rival mouse enough. Just feels so good.
 
DPI numbers are pretty irrelevant these days. Depending on the sensor, manufacturer, etc. they can wind up using wildly different scales, and all the major companies have driver software that lets you tune your desired level of sensitivity regardless of the mouse's DPI.

Focus on comfort and getting something with a decent quality sensor.
 
AstroNut325 said:
Legit question: How important is the DPI for a mouse? Like... Do I need anything over 1000? I'm mostly working on MBA assignments, and I'll play some FPS games such as Doom or Overwatch.

Edit:
Comfort is the most important thing. I understand this is pretty subjective. Just trying to understand what is comfortable to the people of NeoGAF.
Click to expand...

Nah you won't need anything over 1000 DPI, with most gaming mice though the DPI is configurable with the software that comes along with it so you can find what level is comfortable for you.
 
AstroNut325 said:
Legit question: How important is the DPI for a mouse? Like... Do I need anything over 1000? I'm mostly working on MBA assignments, and I'll play some FPS games such as Doom or Overwatch.

Edit:
Comfort is the most important thing. I understand this is pretty subjective. Just trying to understand what is comfortable to the people of NeoGAF.
Click to expand...

No, most people use 400 or 800dpi.
 
AstroNut325 said:
This is the mouse I'm leaning towards right now. Just having a hard time dropping nearly a $100 on a mouse.

Also eyeing a G502.

Sorry... I have been using cheap stuff for 2 decades (was very poor before). I'm just not use to this.
Click to expand...

My Razar already lasted 11 years. $100 for something you use hours everyday for the next 10 years isn't bad at all.
 
AstroNut325 said:
Legit question: How important is the DPI for a mouse? Like... Do I need anything over 1000? I'm mostly working on MBA assignments, and I'll play some FPS games such as Doom or Overwatch.

Edit:
Comfort is the most important thing. I understand this is pretty subjective. Just trying to understand what is comfortable to the people of NeoGAF.
Click to expand...

It's important to know how you grip your mouse:

aFWabq4.png
 
Getting a more expensive mouse probably wont fix your pains

Do special excercises to release the stress on your hands.
Try to find an anchorpoint on your desk, your elbow or lower arm is fine.
Find a relaxed grip on your mouse. Palm/slightly clawing is preferable. Get a mouse that supports that kind of grip.
Lower/higher your dpi/windows sens. You got pain in your wrist? Lower your DPI so youll move your whole arm instead of micro adjustments.
 
t26 said:
My Razar already lasted 11 years. $100 for something you use hours everyday for the next 10 years isn't bad at all.
Click to expand...

Good point. If it lasts, it's worth the money.

Felix Lighter said:
It's important to know how you grip your mouse:

aFWabq4.png
Click to expand...

I'm definitely the third (fingertip grip). Sometimes the first (entire palm).

Edit:
julesodies said:
Getting a more expensive mouse probably wont fix your pains

Do special excercises to release the stress on your hands.
Try to find an anchorpoint on your desk, your elbow or lower arm is fine.
Find a relaxed grip on your mouse. Palm/slightly clawing is preferable. Get a mouse that supports that kind of grip.
Lower/higher your dpi/windows sens. You got pain in your wrist? Lower your DPI so youll move your whole arm instead of micro adjustments.
Click to expand...

Definitely doing this.
 
I am constantly behind a keyboard between work and home. I ended up buying Corsair K70 RGB's and I am way more comfortable using mechanical.

Mouse I'm using a Microsoft Sidewinder which is pretty old but still gets the job done, I should look into something better one of these days...
 
For gaming, a good mouse is pretty important. Keyboard not at all, except if it is terrible.

The key aspect about a mouse is the shape, to feel comfortable with it. Even more than the sensor. That and a decent mousepad makes wonders.

Then, I bought a mechanical keyboard coming from a cheap 15$ membrane keyboard that lasted me for years some months ago in an impulse buying. It did nothing to improve my gaming performance, not like I bought it for that anyway. If anything, I won't mash keys that happily now since I want it to last as much as posssible.

But oh man, the looks and the feeling...

giphy.gif
 
Jafku said:
a mechanical keyboard is definitely worth it
edit: I use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BALXTGA/?tag=neogaf0e-20 for my mouse
and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AOIRCI6/?tag=neogaf0e-20 for my keyboard. Would definitely recommend both. Paid $36 for the mouse and $85 for the keyboard
Click to expand...

This guy knows.

Also recommend checking out something like this to see what switches work best for you http://www.ebay.com/itm/NPKC-17-Swi...hash=item3f56cf9c02:m:miDSN5WU0AyXy9pwntNiKeQ

Cherry blues 4 life clickety clack
 
I use a gaming mouse and keyboard for work.

If press 50,000 letters and click 10,000 times and each action takes 0.05s shorter because of better action/response time/etc that's 50 minutes of my life I've saved.
 
StrangeTaco said:
Keyboard I spent about $120 on and my mouse I spent about $70 on. Going from them to just about any "general use" mouse and keyboard I can immediately tell the difference. Was definitely worth the money.

I've found the durability, features, and ergonomics to just be way better. You'll need to do some shopping around though obviously since there isn't a single solution for gaming peripherals.

Personally I'm using the Razer BlackWidow Stealth 2013 and the Steelseries Sesei mouse. Works perfect for me since I love mechanical keyboards but the blue switches are just way too loud, and the SteelSeries Sensei is probably not the typical gamer choice but the ambi-dextrous design just fits my hand the best. If you're okay with a mouse with a bit more heft to it the Logitech G502 is a great mouse as well, have that as my backup.

Just to add to this post quick this keyboard and the G502 have lasted me about 3-4 years so I've more than gotten my moneys worth from them.
Click to expand...

I have the same mouse but a corsair strafe as keyboard, the mouse is pretty amazing for its price.

Keyboard makes a really big difference for me, i find myself a lot more confortable using a mechanical keyboard than membrane ones, it just feels good, probably its the feedback.
 
I have the Corsair STRAFE RGB MX Silent keyboard that goes for about 150us. Spent that much so I can have the silent mechanical switches. Well worth the money
 
One way to think of this is that the input devices are probably the components that depreciate in value the slowest. If you take good care of a nice mouse and keyboard there is no reason they won't last many years. Compare that to a high end video card, which will be so-so at best in a few years.
 
AstroNut325 said:
Hello,

I'm in the market for new mouse and keyboard. I have, since 1995, been using very cheap (sub $15 keyboard mouse combo). I'm now getting pain and aches in my right arm after an hour or so on my computer. Not sure if that's carpal tunnel or not. I need to get it checked by my doctor. Some people have recommended that I look into better keyboards and mice. At work I use the Microsoft Sculpt keyboard and mouse. And I honestly can't tell the difference between my $10 MS keyboard at home.

So my question to the folks at NeoGAF: How much did you spend on your keyboard and mouse? Do you feel it's worth the extra money on the input devices? If yes, what makes them worth it? Is it the comfort? features? durability/quality?

I'm also about to restart my PC gaming stint so I'd appreciate any feedback possible. I would prefer a more comfortable keyboard and mouse over features. Recommendations are welcome.
Click to expand...

$200 for mouse and kb.

It's not required, but they last a lot longer than the $10 stuff and it improves productivity to have a good typing keyboard.

A lot of people have terrible posture and really tense shoulders/forearms. Buying quality peripherals won't solve those issues.
 
I might be in the pcgaf minority here, but mechanical keyboards may be the most overrated thing in gaming imo. I actually PREFER my membrane keyboard (Corsair K50; $50 last black friday) over mechanical ones I've used.

As long as it's a decent membrane keyboard (read: better than OEM garbage that comes with packaged systems) imo it's a waste of money to pay more for mechanical. As for a mouse, same deal... my CM Xornet I paid $25 for a few years ago has served me just fine. I may replace it this year with the Xornet 2.
 
Good mouse for gaming is definitely worth it.

Good keyboard.. not really necessary imo.

Currently have a K70rgb and a Proteus Spectrum G502
 
Mouse yes-ish..something like a G502 is perfect for me, currently own a G500.

I'm absolutely fine with a cheap old keyboard, still using my old novatech one.
 
AstroNut325 said:
I'm definitely the third (fingertip grip). Sometimes the first (entire palm).
Click to expand...

Well I use a fingertip grip and this is the mouse that I finally fell in love with personally after trying quite a few:

Z7pm9lQ.jpg
Click to expand...

It is no longer in production but it was replaced by the Xornet II which has the exact same shape.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017M4FT34/?tag=neogaf0e-20

But in the end it is such a personal preference thing. A mouse that fits your grip perfectly feels so much better.
 
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