Over the past couple of decades, we have not really seen much innovation in the peripheral space, especially when it comes to non-gaming accessories for PCs. The keyboards and mice we used over 10 years ago are still the same today as they were back then. With that said, one area where things have progressed significantly when it comes to these accessories is the ergonomics for these devices. For instance, things like an ergonomic trackball mouse and angled keyboard are all the rage these days.
Due to advancements in medical sciences in the past decade or so, we now better understand that using the older form factors of these peripheral devices like mice and keyboards is not quite the ideal thing we thought it was. These devices are just not designed to work naturally well with our body and posture and thus have harmful long-term effects. These can include things like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which can lead to acute pain and numbness in your arms.
However, ergonomics is not the only thing that’s under par when it comes to our usual mouse or keyboard design. A mouse, for instance, is only designed for a very specific use case and offers two-dimensional movement on the screen. This can be good if you are just a casual user or want to game on your PC. However, if you are a designer or anyone who works with 3D spaces within your device, you know how crucial additional dimensions of movement can be at times.
This is where a trackball mouse comes in. It is a normal mouse but with an additional ball built into it. The ball is rotatable on any axis and offers a lot more precise control. It can be used to move the mouse cursor without using the mouse itself or even add an additional dimension of movement into the mix, which a lot of people look for in their workflows.
Not only does the trackball give you an additional dimension to work with, but it can also act as a complementary precision movement device for your usual two-dimensional work. This is because when you are using a trackball, you don’t have to move the entire mouse on a surface and can fine-tune your control with just your fingers or your thumb. Not only that but it is also especially useful if you wish to do some precision work in a tight space.
Trackball Mice are not anything new either though as they’ve been around for decades. The recent resurgence in their popularity though is largely due to the fact that they are now being designed as ergonomic devices instead. Another thing that a modern ergonomic mouse has over its older counterparts is seamless multi-device switching, which has become an essential part of a lot of workflows. This has also led to a lot more variety in the trackball mouse design and we have seen some real innovation over the past few years.
However, while extra variety is a good thing, it also means that there are now hundreds of trackball mice to choose from. This can make the ordeal of finding the perfect match for your needs a bit trickier. Fret not, trackball mouse consumer as we’ve got you covered. Our carefully curated list of trackball mice caters to every category including the best budget trackball mouse in 2022, best overall trackball mouse in 2022, best CAD trackball mouse in 2022, and the best ergonomic trackball mouse in 2022 among many others. So, just sit back, and continue reading to find your next favorite PC peripheral!
1. Logitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse ($99.99):
- Pros:
- Ergonomic sculpted design that reduces muscle strain.
- Switch seamlessly between two devices.
- Super long-lasting battery.
- Precise scroll-wheel that can also tilt.
- Cons:
- Rather expensive.
- The maximum DPI value only goes up to 2048.
- Can be tricky to get used to the form factor.
When it comes to creating ergonomic and well-rounded peripherals, no one does it better than Logitech. The company has had the top spot both for gaming and productivity peripherals for quite a while now and for good reason as well. Their suite of ergonomic mice has been the go-to for many as they offer an unmatched feature set and reliability. Furthermore, the support from Logitech for even its older legacy devices has been quite spectacular, so you know that your investment will last for a long time.
The MX series from Logitech has always been the pinnacle of productivity mice. And, after many years of iterations for the normal MX Master series, we finally have a worthy contender in the ergonomic trackball mice space as well. The Logitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse is arguably the best and the most well-rounded trackball mouse you can find on the market today. The range of movement and connectivity that it offers is virtually impossible to compete with.
Thanks to its angled ergonomic body, you can bid farewell to wrist pains and muscle strains. Furthermore, the thumb-controlled trackball is incredibly precise and also offers an additional button that turns down the DPI for the minutest of movements.
With that said, the area where the MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse excels the most is in its connectivity options. The trackball mouse can be connected via a wireless receiver, Bluetooth, and a USB cable. This means that you can use the mouse with up to 3 Windows or macOS devices and also switch seamlessly between them. If you are someone who shuffles between devices a lot, you really can’t get anything better than this. And, you get all of these features with a super-efficient battery that can last for up to 70 days on a single charge.
All of these things come at a cost though as the MX Ergo Trackball Mouse is not the cheapest option out there and you’d have to dig deep into your wallet to pay for it. However, if the best is what you want then this price tag is absolutely worth it. The Logitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball mouse is hands down one of the best trackball mice on the market. So, head over to the link below to check out and buy the magnificent Logitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse right now!
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2. Kensington Orbit Trackball Mouse ($32.99):
- Pros:
- Comfortable and precise.
- Can be used in constrained spaces.
- Convenient scroll ring.
- Simple and easy to use.
- Cons:
- Lacking in the ergonomics department.
- Not as feature-rich as other trackball mice.
- Limited ChromeOS compatibility.
If you do not care about all the fancy features of some of the more expensive trackball mice on the market and just want a stripped-down version of a trackball mouse, the Kensington Orbit Trackball Mouse is a great option for you. It is more akin to the older trackball mice we used to see back in the day but with a modern spin. The unique design makes it look like a spaceship and the trackball is the center of attention here.
The mouse delivers exactly what you’d expect it to, precision and simplicity. There aren’t a bunch of buttons littered around the mouse as Kensington has kept it super easy for beginners. The design is also ambidextrous so whether you are left-handed or right-handed, you can adapt to it pretty easily. Not only that but the compact trackball design is also especially great for saving space as you don’t have to move the mouse around too much.
With that said, the bare-bones experience is limited in its use cases. Wireless connectivity is missed and additional things like DPI control could have also helped. Customization options on ChromeOS are also limited. However, at an incredibly low price tag of only $32.99, you cannot really expect the Kensington Orbit Trackball Mouse to compete with products that are three times more expensive. So, if you are looking for a budget trackball mouse to decrease the strain on your muscles, the Kensington Orbit could very well be the answer for you. Check it out by clicking the link below!
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3. Logitech Ergo M575 Wireless ($49.99):
- Pros:
- Best in class ergonomic design.
- Precise thumb-controlled trackball.
- Connect to two devices at once.
- Great for tight workspaces.
- Excellent battery life.
- Cons:
- Average build quality.
- No precision mode button.
- Cannot seamlessly switch between devices.
We have already established above that Logitech is the master of making ergonomic mice and the ERGO M757 Wireless Trackball Mouse is no exception. The cheaper brother of the MX ERGO mouse comes at half the price and undercuts a lot of the competition, especially when you look at its rich feature set. The Logitech Ergo M575 Wireless Trackball Mouse still retains most of the important and impressive feature set of its more expensive sibling.
It has the same great ergonomic tilted design that Logitech is known for, helping your muscles to be stress-free. The trackball is also just as precise and does the job very well. However, there is no extra precision button on the Ergo M575 so you’re locked in that regard. Nevertheless, wireless connectivity is also optimal for most people as it offers both Bluetooth and Receiver connections. So, you can indeed connect it to two devices at once. However, the seamless switching feature between devices is gone to save some more bucks.
The battery life is one area though where Logitech has made no compromise, as it offers up to a mind-boggling 24 months of use from a single AA battery, which is insanely good. Not only that but the wireless trackball mouse also comes with easy to reach additional buttons that can be programmed at will.
When you consider that you are getting largely the same feature set here as the MX series for half the price, the value proposition becomes almost unbeatable. Thus, the Logitech Ergo M575 Wireless Trackball Mouse is hands down one of the best budget trackball mice options out there as it offers a plethora of strong features at a compelling price point. Head over to the link below to check it out!
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4. 3DConnexion 3DX Compact Spacemouse ($155.00):
- Pros:
- Intuitive design made specifically for 3D navigation.
- Great for architects, designers, and other creatives.
- Compact design that can fit anywhere.
- Great build quality.
- Cons:
- Can be tricky to learn and use.
- Not the richest feature set.
While a normal trackball mouse is sufficient for most common workflows, creative people trying to navigate through their 3D CAD modeling applications need a bit more. This is where 3DConnexion steps in with its range of space mice that are specifically designed for this purpose. While it looks like a solitary volume knob, the 3DConnexion 3DX Compact Spacemouse houses a lot of neat tricks up its brushed aluminum sleeve.
It offers precise 3D navigation in CAD applications thanks to its intuitive 6Dof sensor, something that just cannot be replicated using a normal keyboard and mouse. It opens up a whole new dimension to view and manipulate your models. In addition to the movement, the mouse also has special radial menus for applications that are easily accessible via the buttons. The compatibility is also great as it supports pretty much every popular operating system out there including Windows, macOS, and even Linux.
However, while the 3DX Compact Spacemouse is undoubtedly an exciting piece of tech, it is not exactly cheap. This specialized 3D Navigation mouse comes in at a rather hefty $155 price tag but if you are serious about your creative work in CAD applications, that price tag is absolutely worth it. So, head over to the link below to check out and buy the 3DConnexion 3DX Compact Spacemouse!
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5. Kensington Expert Wireless ($84.00):
- Pros:
- Large trackball for additional precision.
- Convenient scroll ring.
- Detachable padded wrist rest.
- Great wireless connectivity.
- Ambidextrous design.
- Cons:
- Somewhat expensive.
- Larger than other trackball mice.
The Kensington Expert Wireless Trackball Mouse is the luxury option from the peripheral manufacturer. It looks like something that would fit perfectly on the desk of an executive manager. The polished trackball and the exquisite leather wrist rest are nothing to scoff at as this will definitely turn some heads. With that said, apart from looking great, the Kensington Wireless Trackball Mouse also performs exceptionally well.
The trackball is large and smooth, giving you ample control over its precise movement. The scroll ring is also a great addition, increasing the movement range. Furthermore, the ambidextrous design means that you can use it whether you are left-handed or right-handed. The mouse comes in both wired and wireless configurations but we’d recommend the wireless model. With dual connectivity modes via both Bluetooth and Wireless Receiver, the Kensington Expert Trackball Mouse is compatible with Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS as well.
However, the luxurious design and the wireless functionality come at a cost as the Kensington Expert is not the cheapest wireless trackball mouse out there. However, if you are looking for something comfortable and striking in its appearance as well, this is an absolute no-brainer purchase. Check it out by clicking the link below!
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6. ELECOM Wireless Gaming Trackball Mouse ($57.99):
- Pros:
- Big finger-controlled trackball.
- 8 different reprogrammable buttons.
- Quick DPI switch.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- Great for gaming.
- Cons:
- Unconventional design can be tricky to adapt to for new users.
- Lack of Bluetooth connectivity.
Contrary to popular belief, the use case of a trackball mouse is not only limited to productivity. In fact, trackball mice have been known to be great for gaming thanks to the precision and control they offer. And, the ELECOM Wireless Gaming Trackball Mouse is the perfect example of that. It is a trackball mouse that not only excels at the usual productivity tasks but also offers the precision and customizability required for gamers.
The ELECOM Trackball Gaming Mouse comes with a big trackball in the middle, that’s meant to be used with a finger rather than your thumb. The mouse is pretty big and offers a lot of wrist support for anyone with a claw grip. Not only that but almost all of the buttons on the mouse are completely reprogrammable, giving you unmatched customizability.
This wireless gaming trackball mouse also comes with a thumb-operated scroll-wheel that can tilt as well. In addition to that, the quick DPI switch button is handy and can prove to be clutch during tight gaming situations. The compatibility is also great with support for both Windows and macOS. However, the lack of Bluetooth is rather strange in this day and age. Nevertheless, the ELECOM Wireless Gaming Trackball Mouse offers great value for gamers looking to switch to a trackball lifestyle. Head over to the link below to check it out and purchase it!
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7. Logitech Trackman Marble Ambidextrous Trackball Mouse ($24.95):
- Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Budget-friendly.
- Plug and play connectivity.
- Comfortable trackball.
- Ambidextrous design.
- Cons:
- Bare bones feature set.
- No wireless connectivity.
The Logitech Trackman Marble Ambidextrous Trackball Mouse offers a great user and budget-friendly experience. It looks like an ordinary ambidextrous mouse but replaces the scroll wheel with a nifty trackball instead. The button placement is great and for a simple experience, the Trackman really nails everything it aims towards. It has 4 programmable buttons, and a trackball, making it one of the most straightforward trackball mice out there.
This Ambidextrous Trackball Mouse comes with both a USB and PS/2 cable, so you could even pair it with an ancient computer. Not only that, but the build quality is also quite decent for the price point. As for the compatibility, you can expect it to work well on most Windows and macOS devices. So, if you want a cheap budget-friendly trackball mouse that offers a no-frills approach, the Logitech Trackman Marble is the one for you. Just head over to the link below to buy it!
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8. 3Dconnexion Spacemouse Enterprise ($399.00):
- Pros:
- Best in class 6DoF sensor for 3D navigation.
- 31 programmable keys and 12 intelligent function keys.
- Color LCD for application toolbar.
- 8 Keyboard Modifiers.
- Exceptional build quality.
- Cons:
- Very expensive.
The 3Dconnexion Space Mouse Enterprise looks like something straight out of a sci-fi TV show. This insane piece of tech looks like an entire computer in itself, but there is good reason for that. The Enterprise Space Mouse is the pinnacle of 3D navigation for CAD application users. It has 31 programmable keys, and 12 intelligent function keys that significantly make your workflow faster.
The Enterprise Space Mouse also has its own color LCD screen that displays your toolbar and all the intelligent functions. And, last but not the least, the six-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) sensor provides the absolute best in class 3-dimensional navigation to view and manipulate your digital models. And, while this fascinating piece of tech is quite expensive, the feature set that it offers is unlike anything on the market. You can check out the 3Dconnexion Space Mouse Enterprise via the link below!
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9. SANWA Wired Ergonomic Trackball Mouse ($34.99):
- Pros:
- Comfortable and precise trackball.
- Great ergonomic design.
- Adjustable DPI settings.
- Budget-friendly.
- Cons:
- Average build quality.
- No wireless connectivity.
If you are in the market for an ergonomic trackball mouse but cannot afford the high-end options from Logitech, the SANWA Wired Ergonomic Trackball Mouse is the solution for you. The ergonomic trackball mouse largely offers a similar feature set but at a much lower price. It has a big 34mm trackball that is fairly precise and the 5 different buttons are all within reach. The ergonomic form factor is also great for reducing muscle strain.
The SANWA Wired Ergonomic Trackball Mouse also comes with DPI switch buttons, letting you adjust the sensitivity on the fly. In addition to that, the compatibility is also great as it works with Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS devices. However, the wired connectivity can feel a bit lacking if you move your setup around often. With that said, at a price point of under $35, you really won’t find a budget-friendly ergonomic trackball mouse value better than this. So, head over to the link below to check it out and buy it!
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10. Kensington SlimBlade Trackball Mouse ($89.81):
- Pros:
- Elegant low-profile slim design.
- Precise laser tracking.
- Ambidextrous.
- Great build quality.
- Cons:
- Expensive.
- Not wireless.
The Kensington SlimBlade Trackball Mouse is one of the most elegant and classy trackball mice out there. Its low-profile shape paired with the exquisite metallic finish can really boost the aesthetics of your workstation. The functionality is also exceptional thanks to a large and precise trackball that uses laser tracking. It can also be used by both left-handed and right-handed people thanks to the ambidextrous design.
However, the steep price tag and the lack of wireless connectivity hold it back a bit. Nevertheless, the Kensington Slimblade is one of the coolest looking trackball mice out there. So, if you are a sucker for aesthetics, then this is most definitely right up your alley. Just click the link below to check it out!