Razer DeathAdder Essential Ergonomic Wired Gaming Mouse, Black | 6400 DPI Optical Sensor, 5 Programmable Buttons, Rubber Side Grips, Mechanical Mouse Switches

Why it's worth it

The DeathAdder Essential is the same broad ergonomic form as Razer's flagship, built with a simpler sensor and a wire. It's the mouse to buy for a first gaming PC, a spare desk, or a kid who'll outgrow it in two years.

You're getting the shape, and the shape is most of what matters. The Essential keeps the DeathAdder's right-handed ergonomic shell while dropping the price to a fraction of the V3 Pro's. For a first gaming setup, that's the right trade — a comfortable mouse with a decent sensor beats an uncomfortable one with a great sensor, every time.

The compromises are honest ones. You get a 6,400 DPI optical sensor instead of the flagship Focus Pro, mechanical switches rated for 10 million clicks instead of optical ones rated for 90 million, and a cable instead of HyperSpeed wireless. None of those will hold back anyone below a high competitive level, and the wire never needs charging.

From our review of 8 razer gaming gear

What we like

• +You're getting the shape, and the shape is most of what matters
• +The compromises are honest ones
• +It's heavier than the wireless models, and that's fine here
• +This is also the safest recommendation in the guide if you're buying for someone else

What to know

• –The lighting is a single fixed green, not Chroma RGB
• –A handful of owners report the scroll wheel click getting stiff over time, needing a firmer press than it should
• –The cable is a plain rubber one, not the soft braided kind found on premium wired mice, so it drags a bit more across a desk