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Best alternative to the magic mouse?

6 years ago from , Product Designer

I'm a UX designer and I'm left-handed.

In the last two years I found myself in trouble using a mouse for 8+ hours each day (especially Apple's magic mouse): occasionally I felt pain in my wrist, palm and fingers.

So I decided to switch to a Wacom tablet, and it felt great, the pain was gone. Unfortunately, while working exclusively with the tablet, I also found some limitations in my workflow: the scrolling interaction is not very comfortable and responsive, and the left/right click operations are slower with the pen.

So I'm now looking for a quality mouse to test, possibly suitable for my left hand. All suggestions are welcome!

53 comments

  • Marco SousaMarco Sousa, 6 years ago

    Have you tried just a trackpad? The Magic Trackpad could be a good alternative. Otherwise Razer's has some ergonomic gaming ones that could be cool if thats your aesthetic: https://www.razerzone.com/gb-en/gaming-mice-and-mats

    14 points
    • Michele ZamparoMichele Zamparo, 6 years ago

      Not really my aesthetic :D but this model https://www.razerzone.com/gb-en/gaming-mice/razer-atheris seems to have a more "minimalistic" look, not bad. The magic trackpad is beautiful and it could be a good alternative, but I found it's not so comfortable for drag&drop or object-resizing operations :(

      1 point
      • Shashwat Amin, 6 years ago

        "..gives you extreme accuracy and incredible control over spreadsheets or headshots."

        Lol loving the copy here.

        12 points
      • Peter Klaas VrieswijkPeter Klaas Vrieswijk, 6 years ago

        I'm a lefty too and i've been using the Magic trackpad for designing for the last 2 years. Really like it, drag and drop is done quite easily with two finger use. I use my middle finger to move the mouse and my thumb to press down. In this way its quite easy to drag stuff arround. Might be something you're going to have to get used to but the position of my arm on the desk is a lot better then the magic mouse.

        0 points
      • Steve O'ConnorSteve O'Connor, 6 years ago

        I can happily recommend the Razer mice. I've been using a DeathAdder for the last few years and they are fantastically responsive. Most people have trouble using my mouse setup speed…

        And yes, you have to ignore their marketing for teenage boys :)

        1 point
      • Petra Sitaru, 6 years ago

        That looks awesome. Thanks for sharing.. Probably going to try one although I'm currently rocking some Logitech MX master and his little brother MX anywhere.

        Good mouse but can't say I LOVE IT.

        1 point
      • Evrim Perşembe, 6 years ago

        The magic trackpad is beautiful and it could be a good alternative, but I found it's not so comfortable for drag&drop or object-resizing operations :(

        I never found this to be the case. Do you use three-finger drag?

        0 points
    • Ryan Heybourn, 6 years ago

      Agreed!

      0 points
  • Javier MiguelezJavier Miguelez, 6 years ago

    Since you already own the magic mouse, maybe you could try to fix the glaring ergonomic problems of the design by using this: http://mmfixed.com/. It will allow you to keep the touch gesture features (only thing that makes the mmouse worth it imo) and it's like $16 to get it shipped to Italy. I would also check Dr Levi stretches for gamers, I've developed tendonitis myself because of mouse abuse and his exercises have helped a lot! No more pain since. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiRC80FJbHU

    5 points
    • Jon MyersJon Myers, 6 years ago

      Great find. I'm buying this.

      I simply cannot replace the MM with a mouse that lacks the on board gestures. All others are too imprecise and slow for my workflow.

      0 points
    • Chris Aalid, 6 years ago

      +1 for this. I have one of these and it's great.

      0 points
    • Nick FrühlingNick Frühling, 6 years ago

      In a similar vein, but more for the width of the grip, I've been using Elevation Labs Magic Grips and they work well. No problem installing either side for lefties either!

      1 point
  • Graydon SpeaceGraydon Speace, 6 years ago

    logitech mx master. hands. down.

    4 points
  • Vlad Burca, 6 years ago

    you could try http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/mx-master-2s-flow?crid=7

    it took me some time to get used with it but I find it perfect right now

    4 points
    • Michele ZamparoMichele Zamparo, 6 years ago

      No ambidextrous design :(

      0 points
      • Cristian MoiseiCristian Moisei, 6 years ago

        The MX Master is an amazing quality mouse - it's no magic mouse, so most things will still be done the old fashioned way or via some cumbersome gestures (scroll-wheel, thumb buttons + moving it around), but the shape and ergonomics are great.

        So if you must have a mouse, look for something with a similar shape / level of quality but designed for the left hand.

        0 points
    • Petra Sitaru, 6 years ago

      I'm currently using MX Master and MX anywhere. It's a good mouse and really ergonomic but can't say I'm in love.

      0 points
  • Mike StevensonMike Stevenson, 6 years ago

    Not sure how anyone likes the Magic Mouse. I use an MX master and wouldn't use anything else.

    Also, accelerated scrolling. Wtf is that shit? Steermouse is the first app I install on a fresh machine

    3 points
  • Thiago Duarte, 6 years ago

    https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/mx-anywhere-2s-flow?crid=7

    Simple, wireless, great sensor and for both left and right handed.

    3 points
  • Kevin SuttleKevin Suttle, 6 years ago

    I have used a Magic Trackpad for a long time and love it. https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ2R2LL/A/magic-trackpad-2

    3 points
    • Dylan SmithDylan Smith, 6 years ago

      +1

      I had some early RSI symptoms when using a regular mouse. Switched to the Magic Trackpad and haven't had a problem since.

      1 point
    • Joshua KaufmanJoshua Kaufman, 6 years ago

      +1 Magic Trackpad completely eliminated my wrist pain. I also find it much more efficient for navigating design work. (It basically takes everything Apple learned from iOS gestures and applies it to the Mac.)

      1 point
  • Brian HintonBrian Hinton, 6 years ago

    Any mouse? The Magic Mouse is a horrible designed mouse that will quickly cause carpal tunnel, and other hand / wrist issues. I'd recommend the Logitech MX Master. It's VERY customizable (at the per application level), and it's nicely ergonomic. You have some nice color choices as well.

    2 points
  • Vince P.Vince P., 6 years ago

    The best combo for me is a wacom tablet ( mapping right click to one of the buttons on the pen, and pressing the pen to tablet as a left click), AND a magic trackpad.

    Works like a charm.

    2 points
  • John PJohn P, 6 years ago

    Very likely the cause isn't just the mouse, consider adjusting your seating and desk too.

    2 points
    • Michele ZamparoMichele Zamparo, 6 years ago

      This is without doubt a good point, but I'm already following best practices for my seat and desk position. The fact is that I never used a good mouse (I used to think that apple's magic mouse was a good one, but I had to change my mind)

      0 points
      • John PJohn P, 6 years ago

        I'm an Apple Mouse user too and did suffer from intense pain for a while. But yeah changing my chair/desk setup and also even rebinding some key shortcuts I used heavily in apps sorted it out.

        But yeah the Magic Mouse is a claw type mouse, which definitely isn't for everyone. Worth trying something more sculpted or even a vertical mouse.

        0 points
  • Account deleted 6 years ago

    Microsoft Designer Mouse, seriously.

    https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/mice/designer-bluetooth-mouse/7n5-00001

    1 point
    • John PJohn P, 6 years ago

      Can vouch this is a good mouse but if you have the Magic Mouse you wont like this. This is more for people wanting the Magic Mouse shape but with a wheel.

      0 points
  • Scott SmithScott Smith, 6 years ago

    Magic Mouse was also giving me a lot of pain over time. I switched over to a Logitech Performance MX a few years ago. I'm not sure if there is a left hand version, but I get zero pain from that mouse.

    1 point
  • Kemie GuaidaKemie Guaida, 6 years ago

    I've used a penclic mouse for about 10 years now and have never looked back. I cannot use any traditional mouse without wrist pain, but the position of this mouse is comfortable and lets me be precise. I use the right-handed version but they have an ambidextrous version too. Can't recommend it enough. Penclic mouse

    1 point
    • Michele ZamparoMichele Zamparo, 6 years ago

      Interesting product, I didn't know it existed! But I'm afraid this would have the same issues of my graphic tablet though

      0 points
      • Kemie GuaidaKemie Guaida, 6 years ago

        I haven't found this to be the case. It has a scroll wheel and buttons like any mouse. And has the same precision as a standard mouse. It's basically a mini-mouse with a pen attached.

        While I'm at it, I've also had a good experience using one of those tiny travel mice. My wrist does not bend up as much with those.

        0 points
  • Ermo NaaritsErmo Naarits, 6 years ago

    I'm thinking of giving Anker vertical mouse a try

    0 points
  • Ryan RushingRyan Rushing, 6 years ago

    Doesn't have the aesthetic quality of the Magic Mouse, but I will never give up my mouse from Evoluent. There was zero learning curve.

    https://evoluent.com/products/vm4r/

    I had tons of pain from using the swiping motions that immediately went away after switching. Also, I programmed the "thumb buttons" to change Spaces, so I'm not making that painful left-to-right wrist motion anymore.

    Main problem I had with using the Evoluent vertical mouse was the scroll wheel, so I also bought this Grab Scroll software software which allows me to grab any part of the screen to scroll, just like using a smart phone/tablet.

    I let a few people on my team borrow my mouse, and now literally everyone in the company has one!

    0 points
  • Jens KreuterJens Kreuter, 6 years ago

    had same problem with huge pain in my arm, thumb and wrist. finally doctor inject cortisone.

    solution: switched from magic mouse to the Logitech MX Master. never had any pain again.

    get the mx master. it´s a fantastic mouse.

    0 points
  • Philip AmourPhilip Amour, 6 years ago

    Magic Mouse 2 or Magic Trackpad 2

    0 points
  • Tyler ATyler A, 6 years ago

    I switched to a pretty nice gaming mouse (SteelSeries Rival 500) and will never go back to an Apple Mouse again in my life. I have all of the buttons programmed to do different things depending on what application I am in, I can change the speed with another button, and basically, my right hand never has to come to the keyboard unless I have to type a bunch. Not to mention it is WAY more ergonomic in my hand.

    0 points
  • Cole RobertsCole Roberts, 6 years ago

    +1 for Razer and more specifically: https://www.amazon.com/Razer-DeathAdder-Elite-Ergonomic-Comfortable/dp/B01LXC1QL0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505161845&sr=8-1&keywords=razer+deathadder+elite

    This mouse is great for hours of continuous use with zero pain. I've also used some other SteelSeries mice and always found myself switching back to Razer.

    0 points
    • Hamish TaplinHamish Taplin, 6 years ago

      I also use this mouse and it is really good. Worth noting: you can turn the green light on the scrollwheel and the palm rest off so you just end up with a pretty clean looking black mouse.

      0 points
  • CJ CiprianoCJ Cipriano, 6 years ago

    As much as it isn't super Apple aesthetic, I have had multiple Razer mice and have been happy with each and every one. This is what I've been using at work in conjunction with a trackpad on the left side of my keyboard. 10/10 recommend. https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Mamba-Tournament-Professional-Performance/dp/B013HSWF40

    0 points
  • Jonathan ShariatJonathan Shariat, 6 years ago

    Pretty much any mid-top line gaming mouse is excellent. They are super ergonomic, high DPI, and even come with weights so you can fine tune the feeling.

    0 points
  • Jon DarkeJon Darke, 6 years ago

    Have you tried different Wacom pen setups? I have button 1 to be pan/scroll - so it's really fast to move around. Button 2 is set to right click. Tap is obviously left click.

    Past setups have included just using a modifier key to pan/scroll and having the two buttons a double & right click.

    0 points
    • Michele ZamparoMichele Zamparo, 6 years ago

      I have the same as your past setup. I found the tablet to be not as good as mouse/trackpad when browsing websites or Finder...

      0 points
    • Mick NMick N, 6 years ago

      This is my setup as well. Panning around a web page or design document is a dream. I made a concerted effort to ditch the mouse years ago and haven't looked back. The accuracy of using the pen input is fantastic.

      0 points
  • Rogin Farrer, 6 years ago

    I've been a huge fan of the new-ish Logitech Triathlon. Connects view bluetooth, isn't as large as the MX Master, which is huge for my hands, has great customizability and battery life. Looks great, too.

    Only problem is, I don't think there's a lefty version :(

    0 points
  • Mario Biancolella, 6 years ago

    Ciao Michele, parlo in italiano perchè immagino che tu lo sia. Convenevoli a parte posso consigliarti una soluzione che sembra apparentemente il sostituto del Magic Mouse ovvero il mouse "Logitec T630". Il T630 è un mouse bluetooth touch che dovrebbe permetterti di avere le stesse funzionalità del ben noto topoli marcatto Apple. Ti lascio il link di Amazon nel caso tu fossi interessato all'acquisto:

    Amazon link

    0 points
    • Michele ZamparoMichele Zamparo, 6 years ago

      Ciao Mario, ti ringrazio :) Sfortunatamente il mio problema con il magic mouse è dato dalla sua scarsa ergonomia, e ho paura che questo modello di Logitech presenti gli stessi rischi..

      0 points
  • Marek LMarek L, 6 years ago

    I am left-handed too and been searching for a good wireless mouse for years with no luck. so at the moment I am stuck with corded Zowie FK2 mouse and SteelSeries Rival 100 as a backup.

    0 points