7 Best Gaming Mice with Pinky Rest [2023] – First Hand Reviewed!

You could be immersed in your favorite eSports game when it happens – numbness in your pinky finger and the side of the palm. Before you know it, the discomfort gets unbearable, forcing you to quit.

But don’t worry! If you’re someone who likes gaming for hours only to feel your hands and arms turning into T-Rex’s, we’ve got your back. You don’t have to sacrifice your love for gaming just because of a pesky pinky pain. With the help of our carefully vetted list of the top 7 best gaming mouse for pinky pain, you’ll be able to game like a boss without any discomfort. 

No pain, yes gain. We pinky promise!

You’ll also learn what causes pinky finger pain and how to hold a mouse the right way to prevent other gaming injuries. 

In short, this guide aims to educate you on all things pinky pain and gaming mice with pinky rest to help you make an informed decision. 

Let’s get started!

TL;DR – Top Gaming Mouse with Pinky Rest 2023

  • Asus ROG Spatha X: The ultimate mouse for people with pinky pain. Its big form factor and side grooves provide great comfort while the 19,000 DPI optical sensor offers excellent gaming performance. 
  • Redragon M686 Vampire Elite: A highly budget-friendly, affordable, and comfortable gaming mouse that checks many boxes in terms of specs and ergonomics.
  • Alienware Elite AW958: A solid gaming mouse that’s built like a tank. Comes with interchangeable side grips or ‘wings’ for maximum comfort. 
  • Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse: A unique vertical ergonomic mouse that provides remarkable comfort and ergonomics. The best mouse to alleviate pressure from carpal and cubital tunnels located in the arm and wrist. 
  • Mad Catz R.A.T. 8+: A comfortable, ergonomic gaming mouse whose every aspect can be modified and customized. Perfect choice for FPS gaming. 
  • Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed: A great mouse for MMO players looking for a solid, comfortable, yet dependable gaming mouse with many buttons. 
  • Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE: The perfect choice for any RGB enthusiast suffering from palm, wrist, or pinky pain. The mouse has nine individual RGB zones and supports Qi wireless charging. 

Why Does Holding a Mouse for Too Long Hurt Your Pinky?

Holding a mouse for too long can cause pain in your pinky finger due to the strain on the ulnar nerve. This nerve runs along the wrist and can become compressed due to the awkward position of your palm and wrist on the desk while gaming. If not treated, the ulnar deviation may eventually lead to conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). 

Are Gaming Mice with Pinky Support Worth It?

Yes, gaming mice with pinky support are worth it if you experience pain in the pinky, wrist, or palm while gaming. Their design helps reduce strain on the ulnar nerve and carpal tunnel, giving your fingers, palm, and wrist a relaxed, natural posture. This alleviates muscle pressure and fatigue, allowing you to play comfortably for longer.

So what is the best pinky rest gaming mouse? 

Best Gaming Mice with Pinky Rest—Reviewed!

We started our research by scouring different gaming mouse with pinky rest Reddit threads. The goal was to identify the most popular and highly rated gaming mice with pinky rests. 

After reviewing multiple subreddits, such as r/MouseReview, r/PCGaming, and r/BuildaPC, we narrowed our focus to 11 gaming mice. All these mice were well-liked by the Reddit community for their ergonomics and performance. We then proceeded to put each mouse through a rigorous testing process.

In the first stage, we studied and graded each mouse physically, examining features like pinky and thumb rests, side grips, scroll wheel, weight, and overall flickability. The goal was to find the best mouse in terms of ergonomics and comfort.

Next, we ran various mini-tests to evaluate the mice’s DPI levels, tracking speed, input latency, polling rate, angle snapping, macros, and overall customizability. These tests were run in real game settings across CS:GO, Valorant, Warzone 2.0, DOTA2, LoL, and Fortnite. 

After spending a total of 108 hours (and 46 minutes) in our test lab, we shortlisted the 7 best gaming mice with pinky rest based on our research, evaluation, and in-game analysis.

Asus ROG Spatha X – Best Gaming Mouse with Pinky Rest Overall

The Asus ROG Spatha X is the ultimate gaming mouse for people with wrist and pinky pain. This is due to its large surface area, dedicated thumb rest, and side grooves for resting the ring and pinky fingers.

At 5.39 x 3.5 x 1.77 inches and 168 grams, the ROG Spatha is the largest and second-heaviest mouse on our list. Powering the mouse is the PMW3370 optical sensor from Pixart. The sensor is rated for 19,000 DPI, 1,000 Hz polling rate, 400 IPS tracking speed, and 400G acceleration with a lift-off distance of just 1.2mm. 

The body of the Asus ROG Spatha X is made of premium magnesium alloy, which should explain its heft. It comes with a hard carrying case for traveling and a magnetic dock for wireless charging. 

There are 12 buttons, of which six are on the side. The buttons are customizable via Asus Armoury Software. You can adjust the polling rate, DPI, RGB, and acceleration speed from the software. There’s also support for macros. 

In testing, the Asus ROG Spatha X was easily our favorite. Its large, bulky design provided ample room to rest the palm on. The grooves on the side were also perfect for resting the ring and index fingers. 

The only minor nitpick is the weight. But fortunately, the mouse has got a perfect weight distribution, so it’s not as big of an issue as it might seem on paper.

9.4
ASUS ROG Spatha X Wireless Gaming Mouse
  • Pointing Device Connectivity Technology: Cable/Wireless
  • Pointing Device Wireless Technology: Radio Frequency
  • Wireless Operating Frequency: 2.40 GHz
  • Movement Detection: Optical
  • Movement Resolution (dpi): 19000

Redragon M686 Vampire Elite – Best Budget Gaming Mouse with Pinky Support

Redragon M686 Vampire Elite is the perfect choice for gamers on a tight budget looking for a comfortable yet capable gaming mouse. 

The Vampire Elite has a dimension of 3.6 x 1.67 x 124 inches, making it slightly smaller than the Asus ROG Spatha X. The weight is also considerably lower at 124 grams. Powering the mouse is the PMW3335 optical sensor from Pixart, good for 16,000 DPI. It has got a 1,000 Hz polling rate with a 1ms response time. 

Despite its budget-friendly nature, the M686 Vampire Elite offers wireless connectivity. The mouse comes bundled with a 2.4G wireless dongle with a rechargeable 1,000mAh internal battery. Redragon claims a battery life of up to 45 hours in ‘Eco Mode’ with a recharge time of 5 hours. 

While the recharge time is quite long, you can use the mouse while charging, thanks to the USB-C charging port at the front. You get a braided charging cable with the mouse. 

The Vampire Elite further boasts two RGB lighting strips running along its top, an RGB Redragon logo, and a scroll wheel. The scroll wheel’s RGB light is synchronized with the DPI setting, allowing easy tracking of the current DPI level.

Comfort is M686’s biggest perk. Its cleverly placed thumb and pinky rests provide more than adequate space for all grip styles, namely the claw grip.

As for the build, the mouse is, unfortunately, entirely made of plastic. Not surprising, given its budget-friendly nature. Fortunately, the overall build quality isn’t compromised. We didn’t notice any squeaks, creaks, or flex in the chassis during our test.

If you’re looking for maximum comfort on a tight budget, the M68 Vampire Elite is a good option. 

9.4
Redragon M686 Wireless Gaming Mouse
  • Wireless for Boundless Wins - Cables really do affect the accurate battle reaction, Redragon M686 wireless gaming mouse with 2.4Ghz dongle frees you. It aims to offer the purest mouse moving experience helping you get that KDA up again.
  • Acme Adjustable DPI to 16000 - Geared with 5 onboard DPI levels (1000/2000/4000/8000/16000) which allow your mouse movements to be registered to pinpoint accuracy. Each of the 5 DPI levels is easily customizable via software, enabling you to switch to your DPI settings on the fly.
  • Easy Keybinding with Macro - 8 programmable buttons are all editable with customizable tactical keybinds in whatever game or work you are engaging. Also equipped with 3 side macro buttons make for better gaming and workplace experience.

Alienware Elite AW958 – Best Wired Pinky Rest Gaming Mouse

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – and that’s certainly true for Alienware Elite AW958. This gaming mouse has been around for years and for good reasons. 

The Alienware Elite stands at 5.12 x 3.67 x 1.57 inches and weighs 197 grams. Curiously enough, you can bring that heft up to 217 grams via the included 4 x 5g weight bars. While that may sound a lot on paper, it’s a different story in practice. The weight is evenly distributed, making it relatively easy to maneuver the mouse. The rubber feet also make sliding it around on a mouse pad easier. 

The mouse is powered by a 12,000 DPI optical sensor, rated for a 1,000 Hz polling rate, 250 Hz tracking speed, and 50G acceleration. It has a response time of just 1 ms. 

The Alienware Elite AW958 features two interchangeable side ‘wings.’ The standard wing comes with two thumb buttons. If you need additional buttons then there’s also a six-button wing included in the box. The wings are made of soft-touch rubberized material that feels pleasant to use with top-notch quality. 

The palm rest is height and length adjustable. If you find the standard fit too uncomfortable, you can adjust it to your liking. Lastly, there are two pinky rests with different widths, further improving the ergonomics. 

As expected from an Alienware-branded product, the Elite AW958 is built like a tank with anodized aluminum and rubber grips. The buttons also feel clicky and tactile, thanks to premium Omron switches rated for up to 50 million clicks. You can customize these buttons via Alienware Control Center Software. 

In short, the Alienware Elite AW958 is a mouse that you can rely on for durability. It does feel a bit heavy, but its perfect weight distribution and smooth rubber feet more than make up for its bulkiness. Furthermore, the customization potential guarantees optimal comfort during gameplay.

9.4
Alienware Elite Gaming Mouse
  • 16.8M ALIENFX RGB lighting DPI indicator
  • 5 on-the-fly DPI settings
  • All programmable buttons

Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse – Best Vertical Gamer Mouse with Pinky Rest

The Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse is the perfect option for gamers suffering with pinky finger, wrist, palm, or thumb pain. 

Its vertical ergonomic design keeps your arm in a neutral position, alleviating pressure from the cubital tunnel. It also supports your wrist vertically, thus completely taking any pressure off the carpal tunnel as well. 

The Logitech Lift has a dimension of 4.25 x 2.7 x 2.8 inches and weighs 125 grams. The 2.8-inch height is over an inch taller than any other mouse on our list. That makes handling Logitech Lift a slight learning curve when using it for the first time. 

We found the mouse a bit lacking in terms of DPI and polling rate. You get a 4,000 DPI optical sensor and a polling rate of just 125 Hz. The Bluetooth wireless technology is also limited to 125 Hz, which although is not Logitech’s fault, it’s still worth mentioning. We just can’t help but wish there was an option to use the mouse with a USB cable.

Conversely, the Logitech Lift can be paired with up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth. The Lift also supports Logitech Flow, allowing you to use the mouse with two PCs at the same time. Flow is cross-platform compatible and can be used with Windows and Mac devices. 

For input, the Logitech Lift features six programmable buttons. All of them are customizable via Logitech Options Plus software. At the bottom, there’s a three-way toggle switch, allowing you to switch between up to 3 Bluetooth devices on the fly. 

At the bottom is the battery compartment that houses a single AA battery. Logitech claims a battery life of up to 24 months. We don’t think that’s correct, though. All in all, a solid choice for gamers looking for a mouse with regular pinky pain complaints. 

9.4
Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse
  • Lift yourself up: When the desk life gets you down, lift yourself up with Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse - a great fit for small to medium right hands
  • Raise your hand into comfort: Rest on Lift upright mouse throughout the day, with a softly textured grip and snug thumb rest for level-above cosiness
  • 57 degrees of sooooothe: Lift’s vertical shape helps wrists feel like “ahhh” at work, and promotes a more natural posture in the forearm, for day-long comfort and productivity

Mad Catz R.A.T. 8+ – Best FPS Mouse with Pinky Rest

The Mad Catz R.A.T. 8+ is a customizable, ergonomic, and comfortable mouse. It wouldn’t be a stretch to call it the Swiss Army Knife of gaming mice. Almost every imaginable aspect of the mouse can be customized to your liking. 

The R.A.T. 8+ has a right-handed shape and stands at 4.69 x 3.46 x 1.5 inches. It weighs 157 grams and is weight adjustable. Powering the mouse is the PixArt PMW3389 optical sensor with 16,000 DPI, 50G acceleration, and 400 IPS tracking. 

One thing we would like to highlight is the 2,000 Hz polling rate. It’s exactly twice as high as most other mice on our list. Realistically, it’s difficult to tell the difference between 1,000 and 2,000 Hz polling rates. Not only that, but high polling rates also tend to strain the CPU more, so there’s a potential tradeoff to consider here. 

Customizability is, without a doubt, the highlight of the show. The Mad Catz R.A.T. 8+ packaging includes dual palm and pinky rests, a built-in screwdriver, and an adjustable thumb rest. The pinky rests come in smooth and textured grip types. The thumb rest can be adjusted in height and tilt using the built-in micro screwdriver.

For input, the mouse features a total of 11 buttons. The switches are from Omron and are rated for up to 50 million clicks each. There are also two scroll wheels. Aside from the standard scroll wheel at the top, there’s also a side scroll wheel, providing additional functionality. 

Regarding connectivity, the Mad Catz R.A.T. 8+ is a wired-only mouse with a braided USB cable that’s 1.8 meters in length. While wired connectivity is preferred for FPS gaming, it’d have been nicer if the mouse offered optional wireless connectivity. 

In short, the Mad Catz R.A.T. 8+ is a great computer mouse with a pinky rest attachment. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more customizable mouse for your gaming kit.

9.4
Mad Catz The Authentic R.A.T. 8+
  • Armed with the superior Pixart PMW 3389 optical sensor, the R.A.T.8+ is capable of keeping up with extreme 16000 DPI and movement speeds of up to 400 inches per second, with 50G of acceleration. Armed with a 4-level DPI switch, gamers can easily control the way their mouse behaves in battle.
  • Industry-leading OMRON switches, the R.A.T.8+ comes fitted with extremely durable switches that provide a life expectancy in excess of 50 million clicks, ensuring that your gaming mouse won’t let you down in the heat of the action!
  • F. L. U. X. software, for Windows only and available for download, lets you customize your settings – create unlimited user profiles, program buttons, customize lighting and more. Store your favorite 4 user profiles on mouse using on-board memory; quickly switch profiles using the Profile button.

Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed – Best MMO Mouse with Pinky Rest

The Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed is the perfect option for MMO buffs who’d like to grind for longer but can’t due to pain in their wrist and pinky finger. 

The Naga V2 HyperSpeed is a flat mouse with an average size of 4.71 x 2.96 x 1.71 inches. As with other Razer branded mice, this is a lightweight mouse at just 95 grams. That makes it the lightest mouse on our list. 

Powering the Naga V2 is Razer’s latest and greatest Focus Pro 30K optical sensor. As the name implies, the Focus Pro 30K is good for a staggering 30,000 DPI, making it the world’s fastest optical gaming sensor. 

However, that DPI is so high that it’s almost unusable in practice. We suspect it’s about pushing the boundaries just for the sake of it. That and, of course, the ensuing edge in marketing. 

In any case, the Focus Pro 30K also supports 50G acceleration and 750 IPS tracking speed with a polling rate of 1000 Hz. In short, it’s as good as it gets.  

For input, the Naga V2 has 19 buttons in total. At the side are 12 buttons in a 3 x 4 grid. At the top are the usual left and right-click buttons, alongside a scroll wheel that supports HyperScroll, a free-scrolling mode. 

In terms of connectivity, the Naga V2 offers Razer’s iconic HyperSpeed wireless technology that’s essentially almost as good as wired USB. For convenience, the mouse also supports Bluetooth connectivity. However, Bluetooth connectivity is not recommended for competitive gaming because of its low 125 Hz polling rate. 

As expected from a Razer-branded product, the Naga V2 HyperSpeed’s gaming performance was incredible. Thanks to its large surface area, multiple programmable buttons, and a dedicated pinky rest, the mouse was extremely comfortable to use. This makes it an ideal choice for DOTA2 and League of Legends players.

9.4
Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed Wireless MMO Gaming Mouse
  • 19 Programmable Buttons: Armed with ergonomically positioned buttons that provide an arsenal of commands at your fingertips for mapping out the essentials or going all out with advanced macros
  • Razer HyperSpeed Wireless (2.4 GHz) and Bluetooth: Unleash seamless, low-latency performance that's 25% faster than other wireless tech or switch to Bluetooth for longer hours of gaming
  • Powered by Razer HyperScroll Technology: Perform repeated commands rapidly or blaze through content in free-spin mode, or activate tactile mode for enhanced precision and satisfying feedback

Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE – Best RGB Gaming Mouse with Pinky Rest

Just because you suffer from pinky finger pain doesn’t mean you have to stick with plain, boring-looking ergonomic gaming mice. There are still a few great gaming mice around that are as much about comfort as about style and RGB. The Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro is a prime example. 

The Dark Core RGB Pro stands at 5.0 x 3.2 x 1.7 inches, which makes it one of the smaller mice on our list. It’s relatively heavy, though, weighing at 133 grams. Powering the mouse is the PAW3392 optical sensor from Pixart, with a peak DPI of 18,000 and a polling rate of 2,000 Hz. 

For connectivity, the Corsair Dark Core offers all three options. First, there’s Corsair’s signature SlipStream 2.4G wireless connectivity. In testing, we found SlipStream to be comparable to Logitech’s iconic LightSpeed and Razer’s HyperSpeed. This is by no means a simple feat. 

There’s also the option to use the mouse via Bluetooth. Bluetooth works in a pinch though, so we can’t recommend it for competitive eSports gaming. Lastly, there’s also the option to use the mouse wired via a USB-C cable, which you can use to charge the internal battery as well. 

Speaking of charging, the base model of the Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro can only be charged via the USB cable. But there’s also an SE variant that supports Qi wireless charging and is compatible with Corsair MM1000 Charging Mouse Pad. There’s not much price difference between the two variants, so we highly recommend getting the SE variant. 

As for RGB, the mouse has nine individual RGB light zones on the scroll wheel, the Corsair logo, the thumb buttons, and two accent lights at the rear. The RGB lights – as well as the eight buttons – can be customized via Corsair iCUE software. 

The mouse comes with a detachable pinky rest that provides excellent comfort.

9.4
Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE
  • Three ways to connect: sub-1ms SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS technology, low-latency Bluetooth wireless technology, or USB wired.
  • Play with pinpoint accuracy and precision thanks to a custom PixArt PAW3392 native 18, 000 DPI optical sensor, optimized for wireless mice with extremely low power consumption and customizable in 1 DPI resolution steps.
  • Hyper-polling technology communicates with your PC at up to 2, 000Hz, twice the speed of standard gaming mice, ensuring blazingly fast response times

Comparing Top Gaming Mouse for Pinky Pain

MouseWeightDPIButtonsAction
ASUS ROG Spatha X168 gms9,00012Check price
Redragon M686 Vampire Elite124 gms6,0008Check price
Alienware Elite AW958120 gms2,00013Check price
Logitech Lift125 gms4,0006Check price
Mad Catz R.A.T. 8+157 gms6,00011Check price
Razer Naga V2 Hyperspeed95 gms30,00019Check price
Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro133 gms8,0008Check price

Where Do You Rest Pinky on a Mouse While Gaming?

To achieve maximum accuracy and comfort, position your pinky and ring fingers at the side of the mouse. Either one or both fingers should rest comfortably on the pinky rest, whichever feels more comfortable. Next, the index and middle fingers should rest on the mouse buttons. Lastly, the thumb should grip the side of the mouse at a slight angle while resting on the thumb rest.

Can Changing Your Mouse Grip Style Reduce Your Pinky Finger Discomfort?

Yes. Changing your grip style can help reduce pinky finger discomfort, and the palm grip style is considered the most comfortable grip in this regard. To use this style, rest the base of your palm against the back of the mouse. Then place the index and middle fingers on the mouse buttons. Your ring and pinky fingers should be placed on the side of the mouse, resting on the pinky support.

The other two grip styles – claw grip and fingertip grip – aren’t recommended as they may cause discomfort to your pinky finger. The claw grip requires keeping your pinky finger at an extreme angle, causing muscle strain. The fingertip grip, on the other hand, leaves your pinky finger hanging to the side without any support.

However, both claw grip and fingertip grip styles offer better mouse control, which is why professional eSports players use them. If you prefer these grip styles, a gaming mouse with a pinky rest can provide much-needed support to your pinky finger.

Is Mionix Naos 7000 a Good Pinky Rest Gaming Mouse?

The Mionix Naos 7000 was one of the 11 mice we tested, but it didn’t make it to our shortlist for a few reasons. Firstly, it was noticeably larger than the other mice we tested. Additionally, we found the mouse’s surface too slippery for those who frequently lift their mouse. Finally, the shape of the mouse is designed to accommodate a very specific grip style, which leaves little room for improvisation. 

The Mionix Naos 7000 is still a very compelling gaming mouse. Unfortunately, it’s not particularly suitable for people with pinky finger pain. 

Conclusion

All the gaming mice we’ve covered in this blog fill a particular niche, so it all boils down to your personal preference. The Asus ROG Spatha X ranks at the top and is the best of them all. Of course, it comes with a higher price tag. For gamers on a tight budget, the Redragon M686 Vampire Elite is a good option.

Then there’s the wired Alienware Elite AW958, ideal for gamers who prefer wired connectivity and don’t want to deal with wireless dongles and batteries. Meanwhile, FPS eSports players will appreciate the design, versatility, and customizability of the Mad Catz R.A.T. 8+

On the other hand, we’ve the Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed, perfect for MMO buffs And last but not least is the Logitech Lift, which takes a unique approach with its ergonomic, vertical design.

However, all these gaming mice have one thing in common: they are designed with comfort and ergonomics in mind to alleviate pinky pain and promote a healthy gaming experience.

Andrew is arguably the geekiest member of our team. He has a knack for new gaming hardware and awesome gadgets. Although Overwatch is his current favorite, he thinks the Counter Strike Global Offensive is the best shooter of all times. He is constantly hunting for news about new hero releases and patches. Andrew believes that playing video games is not just a hobby but a way of life. He regards his job at RealGear as a way of helping fellow gamers make the most of their gameplay by writing reviews about the hardware he uses and the FPS/ RTS he plays.

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