The most used mice by Dota 2 players
The most popular mice are calculated based on 45 professional Dota 2 players.
Introduction
DOTA 2 is one of the most played (and watched) games in the world, and with hundreds of thousands of players logging in every single day, it’s showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. Despite the fact that the game is somewhat known for its steep learning curve there are still plenty of newcomers joining the battle of the ancients every single day.
If you want to perform at your best level you’ll want gaming gear that doesn’t hold you back, and that’s where we come in. We’ve analyzed the gear that the professionals are using, and based on that data we came up with this guide on the best gaming mice for DOTA 2.
It is of course true that a mouse is of less importance in a MOBA game than it is in a shooter where precision matters, but we do see that the MOBA pros gravitate towards the same high tier mice as the shooter professionals do. In this article we’ll briefly go over the features of the mice that we listed below so that you can get an ideal baseline to make an informed purchase for yourself.
Related: Gaming Mouse Specs List
Our Guide
The Pro Usage Top 5 gets updated continuously and instantly so that you can always get an accurate overview of what the pros are using at any given time. In the body of the article itself, we go over the five most popular pro products in no particular order and, when relevant, we also give you some extra options in the form of products that fall just outside of the top 5 or are otherwise relevant.
What makes a mouse good for DOTA 2?
Contrary to what you might think, not a lot of professionals are using a dedicated MOBA/MMO mouse with a side panel that has lots of side buttons. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use one (there certainly are options out there) but the professionals don’t seem to gravitate towards these mice. Perhaps surprisingly, we see a lot of the usual shooter game mice here.
In any case: what makes a mouse great for you will largely depend on subjective factors but there are a couple of things to consider when buying a mouse for gaming. You will want to have a mouse with a flawless sensor and, if you’re going wireless, a perfect connection. Even though pixel perfect precision matters less in MOBAs you still don’t want to find yourself misplaying because your mouse couldn’t keep up or didn’t register your click at a crucial time.
Top mouse brands in DOTA 2
Last updated:
Rank | Name | Used by # players | Perc. |
---|---|---|---|
1 | RAZER | 17 | 37.78% |
2 | Logitech | 8 | 17.78% |
3 | SteelSeries | 6 | 13.33% |
4 | ZOWIE | 3 | 6.67% |
5 | CORSAIR | 1 | 2.22% |
Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro
The Razer DeathAdder is an iconic line of gaming mice that’s been around for years, and the V3 marks one of the biggest changes in the line. Gone is the flatter, very large shape that was long the trademark of the DeathAdder line: in is a boxier, more compact shape.
This shape change brings the DeathAdder more in line with very popular, more compact ergonomic designs such as the ZOWIE EC line. It’s also a change that was well-received. In the months and years after its release, we saw the V3 version of the DeathAdder steadily climb the ranks, ending in higher positions than its predecessors ever reached on our website.
On the inside, you’ll find optical switches and Razer’s flawless Focus Pro 30K sensor, all in a package that weighs just 63 grams. If you like ergonomic mice and you want to try an icon in the genre, the DeathAdder V3 Pro is a mouse that you have to consider.
Razer Deathadder V3 Pro
Used by 4 Dota 2 players ()The DeathAdder V3 Pro is aimed squarely at competitive and professional gamers who desire performance above all else, and it hits the mark on all fronts.
Pros
- Great build quality
- Flawless wireless connection
- Great battery life (90 hours)
- Capable of 4KHz polling rate in wireless mode (with separate dongle)
- Gen 3 optical switches feel great
Cons
- Price is high
- Side buttons have too much post travel
- Shape change might not sit well with everyone
- 4KHz polling rate not achievable out of the box (you need a separate dongle)
Specs
Sensor | Focus Pro 30K |
---|---|
Polling Rate | 125 / 500 / 1000 / 4000 / 8000 Hz |
Button Switches | Razer Optical |
Button Force | 81g |
Connection | Wireless |
Shape | Ergonomic |
Length | 12.95cm |
Height | 4.21cm |
Weight | 63g |
Width | 6.13cm |
Logitech G203
If you decide to go for the Logitech G203, we would recommend the Prodigy version. The Lightsync version has a sensor that performs worse.
Reading these ‘best mouse’ lists is all well and good, but of course pros tend to play with the best gear available to them and that usually comes at a cost. For those people who are on a budget the Logitech G203 is a fantastic option. It’s often recommended as the budget mouse on enthusiast forums, and it’s nice to see that professionals are also using it, further reinforcing the fact that this is one impressive piece of kit.
The G203 of course doesn’t have all of the latest and greatest tech in there but it has a flawless sensor, pleasing clicks, a decent cable, and decent feet.
If you’re on a bit of a budget and you don’t mind using smaller mice then the G203 is by far one of the best options out there. It’s been the go-to budget recommendation for a lot of people for years now, and even though the budget market has seen some new challengers rising up to the occasion in recent times, the G203 still holds up fantastically well for people who don’t have a lot to spend.
Logitech G203
Used by 4 Dota 2 players ()The Logitech G203 is an excellent budget mouse for people who want an ambidextrous gaming mouse and don’t feel the need to go wireless. Do make sure to go for the Prodigy version though, as the Lightsync version has an older sensor that can technically spin out.
Pros
- Great price/performance value proposition
- Good build quality
Cons
- Cable isn’t very flexible
- Mouse feet aren’t the best
- Lightsync version has an inferior sensor
Specs
Sensor | Mercury |
---|---|
Polling Rate | 1000 Hz |
Button Switches | Omron |
Connection | Wired |
Shape | Ambidextrous |
Length | 11.7cm |
Height | 3.8cm |
Weight | 85g |
Width | 6.2cm |
Razer DeathAdder V2
The Razer DeathAdder V2 was succeeded by the DeathAdder V3. That one has a completely different shape, however, so for fans of the old DeathAdder shape, this is the one to go for as it’s the most up-to-date DeathAdder that still has the old shape.
The Razer DeathAdder is a mouse that’s been around for longer than some of our readers. It’s one of the best selling, most well-known gaming mice in the world. Of course this also means that it has seen many different iterations. Not all of these have been met with universal praise but the V2 line (the V2 and the wireless V2 Pro both came out at around the same time) kickstarted a kind of renaissance for the iconic mouse.
Featuring Razer’s flawless Focus+ Optical sensor, Optical switches, great stock feet, and (in the case of the Pro version) a flawless wireless implementation it’s hard to look past the DeathAdder if you’re on the hunt for a larger ergonomic mouse. The V2 is on the weightier side when compared to some other top picks in today’s market, but if you can live with that it’s still a good choice that can be bought at very decent prices due to the fact that it’s been succeeded by the V3.
Razer DeathAdder V2
Used by 4 Dota 2 players ()The DeathAdder is an iconic mouse, and Razer’s been doing a good job keeping up with recent trends so that their flagship pointing device remains at the top of its game
Pros
- Good stock cable
- Good stock feet
- Great build quality
Cons
- Optical switches can use some finetuning
Specs
Sensor | Focus+ |
---|---|
Polling Rate | 125 / 500 / 1000 Hz |
Button Switches | Razer Optical |
Connection | Wired |
Shape | Ergonomic |
Length | 12.76cm |
Height | 4.10cm |
Weight | 80g |
Width | 6.27cm |
Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro
The Razer DeathAdder V2 was succeeded by the DeathAdder V3. That one has a completely different shape, however, so for fans of the old DeathAdder shape, this is the one to go for as it’s the most up-to-date DeathAdder that still has the old shape.
The DeathAdder V2 Pro is the wireless version of the Razer DeathAdder V2. It came out some time after the wired version came out and has much of the same features as the wired version.
If you are someone who has always wanted a wireless DeathAdder with that classic large, flatter shape, then this is definitely the one to go for. Later versions of the DeathAdder introduced a different shape design, making the DeathAdder boxier and more similar to mice such as the ZOWIE EC line. Due to being succeeded by newer mice, the DeathAdder V2 Pro can often be bought discounted, which makes it an amazing deal for gamers who are fond of the old shape.
Razer Deathadder V2 Pro
Used by 3 Dota 2 players ()The Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro is pretty much everything I expected it to be. It’s a wireless version of a mouse that I already really liked and that mouse made the jump to the wireless world without any hiccups.
Pros
- Flawless wireless connection
- Good build quality
Cons
- Optical switches don’t feel as satisfying as mechanical ones
- Scroll wheel feels inconsistent when clicking
Specs
Sensor | Focus+ |
---|---|
Polling Rate | 125 / 500 / 1000 Hz |
Button Switches | Razer Optical |
Connection | Wireless |
Shape | Ergonomic |
Length | 12.3cm |
Height | 4.04cm |
Weight | 87g |
Width | 6.26cm |
ZOWIE EC2
The EC2 is an older iteration of the EC line. We recommend going for the latest version if you’re interested in the EC. Click here for an overview of the different iterations.
The Zowie EC series is very well known and loved amongst the competitive shooter crowd but it’s a bit less of a known factor in other scenes. That’s because Zowie’s mice are made from the ground up for (tactical) shooter players, but that of course doesn’t have to mean that they can’t be used for other games.
Perhaps one of the EC’s most famous features is its fantastic ergonomic shape. Zowie are known for their great shapes and the EC is arguably the crowning jewel. With a shape that flows naturally without any sudden or potentially annoying curves this is one of the comfiest mice you can get if you like ergonomic pointers. The ECx-C series features a number of improvements over the EC2 and EC1 such as an improved cable and scroll wheel. You can read all about the differences between different EC versions here.
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense plug and play ergonomic mouse then the EC2 should be high on your list. Due to the aforementioned improvements we would recommend the EC2-C over the EC2.
ZOWIE EC2 Black
Used by 3 Dota 2 players ()This is a difficult one for me in the sense that I’m just not sure if this is ‘the ultimate version’ of this mouse. I understand Zowie’s choice to ignore the lightweight race (since lighter = better definitely isn’t true for everyone and 87 grams is a good weight for a gaming mouse) but it can’t be denied that improvements can still be made to the EC series. I’m not even talking about the scroll wheel (which is a design choice) but I am thinking of the cable, side buttons, and perhaps also the coating.
Pros
- Fantastic shape
Cons
- Cable can use improvement
- Side buttons have too much travel
- Coating gets dirty quickly
Specs
Sensor | PMW 3360 |
---|---|
DPI | 400, 800, 1600, 3200 |
Polling Rate | 125 / 500 / 1000 Hz |
Button Switches | Huano |
Connection | Wired |
Shape | Ergonomic |
Length | 12.18cm |
Height | 4.24cm |
Weight | 87g |
Width | 6.00cm |
SteelSeries Sensei RAW
You’d forget it if you are a regular browser of specialized gaming forums, but there is a convincing case to be made for choosing one peripheral and sticking with it once you’re sure that it works for you. The SteelSeries Sensei RAW is the perfect example of this. This mouse has a very safe and nice ambidextrous shape, but it’s a really old mouse at this point in time that’s using outdated tech. Even if you were able to find a new Sensei RAW, we would recommend you to look towards newer mice, as the Sensei RAW isn’t up to modern standards.
SteelSeries Sensei RAW
Used by 3 Dota 2 players ()The SteelSeries Sensei Raw is almost a decade old and not available anymore. We don’t recommend buying the Sensei Raw due to the outdated technology that it uses.
Pros
- Great shape
Cons
- Stiff cable
- Sensor isn’t flawless
- Feet are subpar
Specs
Sensor | PMW 3330 |
---|---|
Polling Rate | 1000 Hz |
Button Switches | Omron |
Connection | Wired |
Shape | Ambidextrous |
Length | 12.5cm |
Height | 3.9cm |
Weight | 90g |
Width | 6.8cm |
Razer Viper V3 Pro
The Razer Viper V3 Pro is one of the best gaming mice to release in 2024, so obviously it’s a great choice for DOTA 2 as well. If you like a simple (design-wise, that is) gaming mouse with a safe, neutral shape and just two buttons on the side then this is a good option. It has cutting edge Razer tech such as the Focus Pro 35K sensor and third gen optical switches inside of it, making it a mouse that’s packing a lot of heat under the hood.
This is the one to go for if you like to be up-to-date with technology.
Razer Viper V3 Pro
As far as I am concerned, the Viper V3 Pro is the new benchmark for gaming mice.
Pros
- Fantastic gaming performance
- 8KHz wireless polling rate out of the box
- New shape is a lot safer
- Good coating
- Razer optical switches feel great
Cons
- Expensive
- Side buttons feel a bit mushy
Specs
Sensor | Focus Pro 35K Optical Gen-2 |
---|---|
Polling Rate | 8000 Hz |
Button Switches | Razer Optical |
Button Force | 67.6g |
Connection | Wireless |
Shape | Ambidextrous |
Length | 12.71cm |
Height | 3.99cm |
Weight | 54g |
Width | 6.39cm |
Best Mouse for DOTA 2 – Conclusion
Choosing the right mouse for you is a process that doesn’t drastically differ between games or genres. Just like with FPS games, it’s important to get yourself a mouse that you are comfortable with.
If you want to know more you can always check out our other guides or check one of our many mouse reviews. If you have any questions then please don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments of the relevant articles or on Twitter or Discord, we try to answer everything.