It’s a commonly asked question but ‘what is the highest DPI gaming mouse’ is a burning issue for some PC gamers. If you’re buying a new gaming mouse and you’ve got a decent budget you’re naturally going to want the best bang for your buck. That tends to mean a mouse with a sensor rated for high DPI.

It’s a constantly shifting market but at the time of writing these are the gaming mice with the highest DPI.

1st Place: Razer Viper V2 Pro & Razer Naga V2 & Razer Basilisk V3 Pro – 30,000 DPI

It’s actually a dead heat at the moment between three of Razer’s range. All sporting the new Focus Pro optical sensor, the Viper, Naga and Basilisk are all capable of up to 30,000 DPI.

Highest DPI Gaming Mouse - Razer Viper V2 Pro

Just be careful though! There are multiple models of each mouse and not all share the same 30K sensor, so check the tech specs carefully before you click that ‘Buy Now’ button. If you want a Viper make sure it’s the V2 Pro. The new Viper 8K has a sensor with a faster polling rate of 8,000Hz versus 4,000Hz, but the 8K version drops to 20,000 DPI. The Naga V2 Pro and V2 Hyperspeed feature the Focus Pro optical sensor while other models make do with lower-spec sensors. Finally, the Basilisk needs to be in V3 Pro trim or you’ll be losing DPI.

2nd Place: Corsair M65 ULTRA – 26,000 DPI

While Corsair is best known for their PC hardware they’ve been building decent gaming peripherals for a long time, and their M65 ULTRA and Darkstar Wireless MMO mice are interesting alternatives if you’re looking for the highest DPI gaming mouse.

Highest DPI Gaming Mouse - Corsair M65 ULTRA

Available in wired or wireless trim, the M65 ULTRA uses Corsair’s Marksman sensor to achieve a highly respectable 26,000 DPI. Not only that, the M65 ULTRA costs significantly less than the Razer mice. If you’re budget conscious then this would make a fine compromise.

The Darkstar is a wireless mouse aimed at MMO players and uses the same Marksman sensor to great effect. If you’re looking for a mouse with lots of buttons then this is a serious contender too.

3rd Place: Logitech G502 X PLUS – 25,600 DPI

It’s a narrow margin but the Logitech G502 X PLUS is pushed into third place by a measly 400 DPI. Logitech’s Hero 25K optical sensor can actually reach 25,600 DPI but that’s not enough to beat the Corsair M65 in this list. The G502 has been around for a while now, gradually improving in much the same way as Razer does with their mice.

Highest DPI Gaming Mouse - Logitech G502 X PLUS

It’s another great mouse available in wired or wireless and while it can undercut some of Razer’s mice on price, the Corsair represents slightly better value.

Why do I need a high-DPI gaming mouse?

DPI, or Dots Per Inch, is a measure of how sensitive a mouse’s sensor is. A mouse with a higher DPI will move the cursor on the screen more distance than a mouse with a lower DPI when both are moved the same physical distance.

Here are some advantages of having a high-DPI gaming mouse:

  1. Precision: High DPI can result in more precise control of your cursor, which can be beneficial in games that require fine control, such as sniping in a first-person shooter or selecting units in a real-time strategy game.
  2. Speed: A high-DPI mouse can move the cursor across the screen more quickly than a low-DPI mouse. This can be beneficial in fast-paced games where quick reactions are necessary.
  3. Multiple Monitors: If you’re using a multi-monitor setup, a high DPI mouse can be useful because it allows you to move the cursor across multiple screens more quickly and with less physical movement.
  4. High-Resolution Displays: If you’re using a high-resolution display, a high DPI mouse can make it easier to navigate across the screen, as each “dot” that the mouse moves will be smaller.
  5. Customizability: Many high DPI mice allow you to adjust the DPI setting, so you can choose a lower DPI for tasks that require more precise control, and a higher DPI for tasks that require faster movement.

Higher DPI Isn’t Necessarily Better

However, it’s important to note that using the highest DPI gaming mouse isn’t a guaranteed path to success. Some people find that a higher DPI can make the mouse too sensitive and hard to control, especially when a twitch of the hand sends the cursor flying across the screen. The best DPI setting depends on your personal preference, the games you play, and your screen resolution. The good news is that all high-DPI gaming mice allow the sensitivity to be adjusted. If you love the design but don’t love the high DPI, you can play with it until you find your own ideal setting.