
What Is The Best Mouse For Carpal Tunnel Sufferers?
Do you suffer from carpal tunnel?
We know that some of the biggest culprits for aggravating carpal tunnel are at your computer. The mouse in particular is often troublesome, as it requires constant tension of the wrist, both for moving and clicking, and hours at a computer desk can leave you with uncomfortable tingling and numbness all the way down your arm.
Luckily, computer manufacturers know this and have designed mouses specifically for carpal tunnel sufferers. Once you transition to a wrist friendly mouse, it is night and day, you will never go back to the standard desk mouse again. Let’s take a look at some of our candidates for the best mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers on the market today.
#1 Logitech M570 Wireless Mouse
**[Editor Top Pick]**
It is nearly impossible to lose with Logitech. The company’s M570 Wireless Trackball Mouse is means less movement and tension of your hand and wrist, and far easier control of your mouse overall. It’s completely wireless, and over hours of use the amount of time your hand is able to stay relaxed is significant. Extremely popular with carpal tunnel sufferers, it also has one of Logitech’s trademark ergonomic designs to ensure maximum comfort.
Totally Wireless
The Logitch M570 Wireless Mouse is wireless. It communicates with the receiver using the 2.4 GHz frequency to limit interference. There’s a receptive range of 30 feet which is more than enough for home use.
Warranty
The M570 mouse is protected by a 3-year limited warranty. It’s also priced very reasonably and only marginally more expensive than a standard desk mouse.
Notable Specifications
- Protected by a 3-year limited warranty.
- Trackball design allows for greater control with less movement.
- Comes with the necessary AA batteries.
- Works with Mac and Windows.
- Delivers a maximum of 18 months of battery life
- Plug-and-forget receiver for added convenience
- Sculpted shape delivers maximum comfort
The Verdict
We were recommended this mouse by several people and we agree – it’s extremely comfortable to use. One of the things we love most is the price point. It’s inexpensive, especially for a brand of Logitech’s standing. We rank it as one of the best mouses for carpal tunnel on the market today.
#2- 3M Wired Ergonomic Optical Mouse
[Most Comfortable Mouse]
The 3M Ergonomic Mouse is a patented design that allows for vertical positioning of the hand and wrist. This is significant for carpal tunnel sufferers as it allows you wrist to remain in a neutral position (your thumb facing skyward, rather than to the side). It has been recommended by the Arthritis Foundation to be used by anyone suffering from joint pain, carpal tunnel included.
It’s a slightly pricier mouse, but for the relief it provides to many users, it is worth every dollar. Many people who haven’t been able to use a computer in years see their wrist/joint aches disappear completely once transitioning to this design.
Cord And Setup
Equipped with a 6.5-foot cord, it offers a convenient plug-and-play setup. Simply plug the mouse into your computer’s USB port and you’ll be able to use it almost instantly. You can also opt for a wireless option for a slightly higher price.
Ergonomically Designed
The vertical grip allows you to keep your hand in a fist-like position rather than a flat down-facing palm, and the joystick is moulded to fit your palm perfectly. It is extremely comfortable.
Two sizes
You can opt for large or small sizing, depending on your hand size. This ensures a suitable fit and maximum protection for fragile joints. 3M has a sizing guide here.
Notable Specifications
- Patented joystick design
- 6.5ft cord
- Plug-and-play setup
- Recommended by the Arthritis Foundation
- 2 year warranty
Overall Assessment
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t bear to sit at the computer for more than an hour or two, we’d highly recommend trying the 3M Joystick Mouse. It’s helped so many with joint issues, and if carpal tunnel is an issue for you, we think this mouse might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
#3 Anker Ergonomic Optical USB Wired Vertical Mouse
The Anker Vertical Mouse is a one of a kind design, merging all the best things about a standard desktop mouse and rearranging it into a wrist-friendly vertical device. As we know, a vertical mouse is the most favourable design for carpal tunnel. This particular device allows you to operate the mouse in a handshake-like position, which opens up your wrist and should reduce any numbness or tingling over long periods of use. It’s a fantastic device for both carpal tunnel and arthritis sufferers.
5 Easy Access Buttons
With standard left and right clicks, plus next and back buttons as well as a scroll wheel, you have full control with this comfortable and intuitive design.
Vertical wrist positioning
Use the mouse with your hand in a natural handshake position, which alleviates tension in the wrist and forearm, allowing for pain-free sessions at the computer, no matter how long.
Optical precision
An impressive 1,600 dpi for optical tracking making it far more sensitive than a standard desktop mouse.
Lifetime support
Anker offers an impressive 18 month warranty on all products, and lifetime technical support guarantee. Considering the mouse is already priced very affordably, we think this mouse is excellent value.
Notable Specifications
- Protected by an 18-month warranty
- Comes with lifetime technical support
- 1,600 dpi with optical tracking sensors
- Offers 4.8-feet of cable
- 5 buttons including last page and next page buttons
- Design is perfect for those suffering from carpal tunnel
Overall Assessment
The Anker Optical Wired Vertical Mouse is a unique design that positions your wrist in a completely natural and neutral position. If you’re on a tight budget but still looking for a good carpal tunnel mouse, we’d highly recommend this one. A fantastic product priced extremely generously, not only is it a great carpal tunnel mouse but the best budget choice on our list as well. You can order yours directly from Amazon by clicking here.
#4- ZLOT Vertical Gaming Mouse
We’ve included this one specifically for the gamers among us. We know what it’s like to have your arm numb up during a long gaming session. Fortunately, there are gaming mouses for carpal tunnel sufferers too.
Fully Customizable controls
6 buttons and 1 joystick, 11 keys in total. No matter what games you’re into, whether first person shooters or MMORPG, this mouse should suffice for all your gaming needs, all while keep your wrist and joints protected.
Highly Responsive
Customize your mouse’s responsiveness from anywhere between 1500 and 10,000 DPI.
Unique Joystick system
Joystick on the peak of the mouse gives you maximum control, whether browsing the web or in the middle of an epic battle. The ergonomic design makes controlling the joystick as natural as if you were using a console controller.
Notable Specifications
- Ergonomic design especially for gamers
- Up to 10,000 DPI
- 11 buttons, including a joystick.
- 128kb onboard memory for programming.
- Weighing in at 170g
- 10 million click button life!
Overall Assessment
Not only does it look amazing, the ZLOT gaming mouse protects your wrist, fingers and forearm so any pain and numbness is a non issue. Even if you suffer from carpal tunnel, doesn’t mean you have to give up those all-night game sessions we all love. Use the right hardware and your pain problems should be a thing of the past. Read more about this unique device here.
#5 J-Tech Digital Scroll Endurance Wired Mouse
The J-Tech Digital Scroll Endurance Wired Mouse is unlike any other mouse on this list. The design, while similar, has a few minor differences. The first is the palm rest. As you know, resting the palm also removes tension from the wrist. The J-Tech has a removable palm rest that attaches to the base of the mouse. It also features much larger buttons that the other mouses listed here.
Unique Design
It might not be the prettiest mouse ever made, but the ergonomic design has been constructed to provide the user with as much comfort as humanly possible. This, combined with the built-in palm rest, ensures maximum protection for the nerves and joints in your arm, fingers and wrist.
Durability
Despite the modest price tag, this mouse is built to last. It offers a minimum scroll wheel lifespan of 200,000 full circles and 3 million clicks before it needs replacing. Fantastic value for a device priced this low.
Notable Specifications
- DPI is adjustable
- Includes a removable palm rest
- Ergonomically designed for maximum comfort
- Scroll wheel lasts an average 200,000 circles
- Button lifespan of 3 million clicks
Overall Assessment
The J-Tech Digital Mouse is truly designed for fragile joints – carpal tunnel and arthritis sufferers especially. Molded to fit your palm in a natural vertical position, you should be able to spend hours at the computer without any of the aches or numbness that often comes with a regular mouse. You can check out the full specs here on Amazon.
#6 Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse
The Microsoft Sculpt is surprisingly affordable and it is specifically designed to provide maximum comfort, while not straying too far from the design of a standard desktop mouse. If you have carpal tunnel symptoms only intermittently, or simply prefer the design of regular mouses, the Microsoft Sculpt can be a great choice.
Size And Design
Measuring in at 3.87 by 2.23 inches, and ergonomically shaped, the mouse offers maximum wrist comfort while still feeling familiar.
Buttons
It features a Windows button, which can be used to access the Start menu within seconds. This will give you the ability to run your programs without needing to use the keyboard. The Sculpt Mouse is also equipped with a 4-way scroll wheel, allowing you to navigate the screen quickly and easily.
Notable Specifications
- Ergonomically designed
- Features a Windows button and 4-way scroll wheel
- Measures in at 3.87 by 2.23 inches
- Thumb scoop ensures perfect wrist position
- Mouse’s shape delivers maximum wrist comfort
Overall Assessment
For those who love regular style mouses, the Microsoft Sculpt could be one of the best options for carpal tunnel sufferers. Streamlined curves and a comfortable design means it offers more support, but still feels just like a regular mouse. You can read more about it here on Amazon.
#7 Sharkk Ergonomic Mouse
The Sharkk Ergonomic Mouse should provide tremendous relief to those suffering from arthritis and carpal tunnel. Like most ergonomic mouses, it provides for a neutral wrist position, keeping tension out of the wrist and forearm. The mouse is specifically designed for right-handed users.
Compatibility
The Sharkk Ergonomic Mouse is compatible with Linux, Windows and Mac OS X operating systems.
Adjustable DPI
Users will be able to switch from 800, 1,200, and 1,600 DPI with a simple click.
Notable Specifications
- Wired connection for best responsiveness.
- Ergonomic design
- Reduce wrist tension and supports natural hand positioning
- DPI is adjustable
- Works with all major operating systems
Overall Assessment
The Sharkk Ergonomic Mouse is priced very competitively and, while not a very well known brand, offers a device that should relieve a lot of discomfort for carpal tunnel and arthritis sufferers. If you’re after something a little different and at a lower price point, this could be a great option for you.
Summary
What is the best mouse for carpal tunnel sufferers? As you can see there are many options, and whichever is best for you will depend on many things – how often you use a computer, for how long, what type of pain or numbness you experience, and where. Our personal favorite is actually the Anker, but we are also big fans of Logitech and the 3M offering as well. Take a good look at each design – all are designed to alleviate carpal tunnel symptoms in one way or another, you just need to find the right one for you.
Still looking? Check our articles about zowie mouse , MMO gaming mouses and DOTA 2 mouses.
Reference
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome
- http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/carpal-tunnel/proper-hand-and-wrist-position-for-mouse-and-trackball-use
- https://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/computers-carpal-tunnel-syndrome-10641/
- https://forums.ni.com/t5/LabVIEW/Carpel-Tunnel-syndrome-from-using-mouse-too-much/td-p/174954
- http://ehealthforum.com/health/carpal-tunnel-aggravated-by-mouse-use-t213224.html