Best Computer Trackballs in 2022

Last update: December 3, 2022

Are trackballs better for your wrist?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preference. Some people find that trackballs are more comfortable to use and put less strain on their wrists, while others find them more difficult to control. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which type of mouse is best for them.

Are trackballs good for RSI?

Are trackballs worth it?

Can trackballs be used for gaming?

Yes, trackballs can be used for gaming. They are not as popular as mice for gaming, but they can be used. Trackballs have some advantages over mice for gaming. They are more precise and they don't require as much space to use.


Hard Travel Case for Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball Computer Wireless Mouse by co2CREA Review:


I take my cherished trackball with me on a lot of trips. I really believe that it is my duty to go out into the world and educate others about the benefits of trackballs, which they may not be aware of. People frequently stare at me with confusion and perplexity, trying to figure out what kind of technology I am using. They are shocked to learn that such a contraption may work after learning about it. Educating these poor lost souls is a big load, there's no doubt about that. But I voluntarily accept the challenge.But how am I going to safeguard it from the horrific array of dangers along the route if I'm going to go with it? My motorcycle, which I frequently ride, regularly gets damaged or crushed in luggage. Oh my God, what should I do? I have to distribute this product so that other people can buy it and enjoy more fulfilling lives. It can still be crushed even with a soft case.How dare you? A rigid case with a soft interior? How on earth is that possible?To cut a long tale short, I'm out there rescuing lives, and this durable travel case for my Logitech M570 helps me in my noble endeavor of evangelizing trackballs.Anyone reading this with a mouse in their hand, kindly. Hold it! There is so much more in this world for you!



Hard Travel Case for Logitech MX Ergo Advanced Wireless Trackball Mouse by co2CREA (Case for Mouse) Review:


I adore using hard cases to protect pretty much anything that I intend to carry outside of my home on a frequent basis. My Logitech MX ERGO Advanced Wireless Trackball for Windows PC and Mac was perfectly protected by this case. I pushed on it, but there was no compression at the zipper, and there aren't any clicking sounds coming from the buttons, so I'm confident that the case is effectively shielding my new trackball.The interior is made of a smell-free, soft, well-cushioned felt material. A removable lanyard that may be attached to the zipper was also included in the package. It sits in a junk drawer and is probably going to be thrown out the next time I move because I'm not sure if I'll ever utilize it for anything to do with the case.The charging cord and USB adapter will not fit inside this case, which is just for the Logitech MX ERGO Advanced Wireless Trackball for Windows PC and Mac. This is good for me because I like to reduce bulk, but it might be a problem for other people.



Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball Mouse – Ergonomic Design with Sculpted Right-hand Shape, Compatible with Apple Mac and Microsoft Windows Computers, USB Unifying Receiver, Dark Gray Review:


I recently used my fifth M570 and now purchased two more. Unless you eat fried chicken at the computer, which is a real ball killer, they survive for roughly two years.The final M570 is the only one that has not experienced the greasy ball issue, which makes it difficult to clean and causes the ball to become grabby at the suspension points because the plastic softens. The left click key began to double click at just over 2 years old. Although I have previously purchased replacement balls, the M570 as a whole is now so reasonably priced that I don't bother if soap and water doesn't work.My modified M570 allowed me to skip the operation while managing my carpel tunnel and popping ibuprofen like popcorn till retirement.The old mice with the ball were picky, and I would often have to use a "death hold" on them to get them to function. When moving the mouse, your wrist was always at an awkward angle and flexing under pressure.The "death grip" problem was resolved by the M570, and the strange wrist angle problem is resolved by the 30 degree mounting wedge by returning the wrist to neutral. There have been five M570s and around 15 years of use for one block of wood.The block's opening, which is secured with foam core double-sided tape, provides access to the switch and battery. The four feet on the bottom are made by applying globs of silicone (bathroom) caulk, setting the block on wax paper, spacing it out with sucker sticks, and allowing the feet to dry.The track ball's page up and down buttons are really helpful when surfing. When I had to use a mouse once more and had to drag the arrow up and point/click the arrows at the top of the page, I became aware of this.



Kensington Orbit Trackball Mouse with Scroll Ring (K72337US) Review:


I've been using the same trackball for years (I think I bought it in 2012 or 2013) to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome wrist pain. It has only recently begun to exhibit glitchy issues (not holding drag-and-drop even after thoroughly cleaning every component with alcohol). I'm delighted that I haven't had to replace it yet because I use word processing, spreadsheets, accounting, etc. for 10–12 hours each day, five–six days a week. It has endured my abuse and the occasional (minor) coffee spill. Despite being well-designed, I added a pillow to support my wrist in an ergonomic way.



Kensington Orbit Trackball Mouse (K64327F) Review:


The appearance is adequate, the ball glides smoothly, and the buttons are a little harder than I prefer but not painful.Advantages: The software offers mapping for left, right, and left right click for a wide range of functions.The way the ball is mounted makes it roll in all directions with ease (three-point floating).The sensor is reasonably accurate, and when set up correctly, you can move the cursor across the screen while maintaining precise text selection and button-clicking.-Software gives this mouse a wide range of customizing possibilities. Although it doesn't cover everything, it's not insignificant.Cons: -I'm not sure if the trackball itself or the plastic balls on which it rolls cause the ball to hop when moving forward or backward. Although I haven't used the new ball much yet, so my skin oil hasn't coated it, and I haven't put any oil on it, it doesn't display this issue when I insert the ball from my previous Logitech Trackman (T-BC21) into it. However, this could be because of the oils on the ball.-The ball *will* fall out if you turn the mouse over without securing it with your hand because of the way the ball is mounted. Personally, I don't think this is a problem, but some might. I figured I'd bring it up for anyone who might be interested.-Although pushing the left button wasn't too difficult for me because I don't have herculean hands, pressing the right button was a little challenging for my pinky.-Both the Kensington software and the mouse itself lack a scroll capability, which seems absurd given that buttons can already be mapped. Fortunately, there are third-party alternatives (autohotkey, x-mouse button control, to name a few), but it seems like a feature like this need to be included in mice right now.I believe it to be a nice cheap mouse overall. The rough ball and absence of a scroll option kept it from receiving a perfect score, but the other software features make up for it. It does what it's supposed to do and looks beautiful doing it. If you can't afford to purchase something more expensive, I believe it is worth the money.



Kensington Expert Wireless Trackball Mouse (K72359WW) Review:


I have been a film and video editor for more than 25 years. Only when I truly believe that sharing information will benefit others do I write reviews.I shoot a lot of video, but when it comes to editing, I can work for nine hours every day. I started experiencing shoulder ache a few weeks ago, and after some investigation I discovered I had a mild case of RSI.Undoubtedly, I understood that in order to stop RSI, you must address your chair, posture, desk, keyboard, etc. Therefore, bear that in mind when you read my review.So let's discuss the mouse. I tried a number of vertical mice, ergonomic mice, and even certain gaming mice, but the pain persisted and in some cases even worse with each.When I used the Logitech M570 trackball, I discovered that due to the design of the trackball, your thumb is required to control it. Additionally, the m570 makes it difficult to accomplish extremely precise motions, such as those required in graphic design or video editing, particularly if you are a quick editor or an editor who thinks quickly and wants to maintain what your hands do in sync with what your mind solves.When I first used the Kensington Expert Trackball (wired version), I enjoyed the large trackball but did not notice many differences. Still, making accurate movements was challenging.But after reading some helpful reviews and figuring out the issue, I now adore this trackball. The nicest part is that I don't feel my arm while editing, therefore I can edit for hours without my arm becoming tired.This trackball is without a doubt the greatest mouse substitute ever made. The Wacom Tablet will be my next step, however for the time being, I am in love with my Trackball.In order to use this trackball for video editing or other tasks that call for incredibly accurate movements, you must:1. Use your index finger to move the trackball, occasionally assisting with your middle finger. DON'T use your thumb to move the trackball if you have RSI since you will experience additional pain or other issues if you don't.2. Even though I use a MAC, I believe you can accomplish the same on a PC. Go to Control Panel in a Mac and select Mouse Speed Control. Set it to the exact center or one line before (slower) the center (not the trackball's unique speed).3. Even though I use a Mac, I believe you can accomplish the same on a PC. Go to Control Panel on your Mac, locate the Trackball's speed control tab, and change the speed there to 20–40%. (the exact number will depend on your style of editing, fast or slow movements). This will make it easier for you to make precise motions, but it will slow down the pointer's ability to cover large distances quickly. Set the trackball acceleration to 40–70% in the same tab to aid with it. When you spin the trackball to move the pointer from one position to another on the other side of the screen or in a second screen, this will help the trackball pick up some speed.Four buttons on the trackball can be customized in the aforementioned tab. The lower buttons are configured to right and left click by default. You should set the upper left or upper right button to drag lock so that you can stop dragging, one of the worst activities for RSI. Drag lock involves clicking on an item, moving it, and then dropping it with another click of the same button.I'm hoping that this review will be useful to other video editors, graphic designers, sound mixers, or anyone else who wants to protect their hands or arms or prevent RSI or even carpal tunnel syndrome.



Kensington Expert Trackball Mouse (K64325) Review:


I have been a film and video editor for more than 25 years. Only when I truly believe that sharing information will benefit others do I write reviews.I shoot a lot of video, but when it comes to editing, I can work for nine hours every day. I started experiencing shoulder ache a few weeks ago, and after some investigation I discovered I had a mild case of RSI.Undoubtedly, I understood that in order to stop RSI, you must address your chair, posture, desk, keyboard, etc. Therefore, bear that in mind when you read my review.So let's discuss the mouse. I tried a number of vertical mice, ergonomic mice, and even certain gaming mice, but the pain persisted and in some cases even worse with each.When I used the Logitech M570 trackball, I discovered that due to the design of the trackball, your thumb is required to control it. Additionally, the m570 makes it difficult to accomplish extremely precise motions, such as those required in graphic design or video editing, particularly if you are a quick editor or an editor who thinks quickly and wants to maintain what your hands do in sync with what your mind solves.When I first used the Kensington Expert Trackball (wired version), I enjoyed the large trackball but did not notice many differences. Still, making accurate movements was challenging.But after reading some helpful reviews and figuring out the issue, I now adore this trackball. The nicest part is that I don't feel my arm while editing, therefore I can edit for hours without my arm becoming tired.This trackball is without a doubt the greatest mouse substitute ever made. The Wacom Tablet will be my next step, however for the time being, I am in love with my Trackball.In order to use this trackball for video editing or other tasks that call for incredibly accurate movements, you must:1. Use your index finger to move the trackball, occasionally assisting with your middle finger. DON'T use your thumb to move the trackball if you have RSI since you will experience additional pain or other issues if you don't.2. Even though I use a MAC, I believe you can accomplish the same on a PC. Go to Control Panel in a Mac and select Mouse Speed Control. Set it to the exact center or one line before (slower) the center (not the trackball's unique speed).3. Even though I use a Mac, I believe you can accomplish the same on a PC. Go to Control Panel on your Mac, locate the Trackball's speed control tab, and change the speed there to 20–40%. (the exact number will depend on your style of editing, fast or slow movements). This will make it easier for you to make precise motions, but it will slow down the pointer's ability to cover large distances quickly. Set the trackball acceleration to 40–70% in the same tab to aid with it. When you spin the trackball to move the pointer from one position to another on the other side of the screen or in a second screen, this will help the trackball pick up some speed.Four buttons on the trackball can be customized in the aforementioned tab. The lower buttons are configured to right and left click by default. You should set the upper left or upper right button to drag lock so that you can stop dragging, one of the worst activities for RSI. Drag lock involves clicking on an item, moving it, and then dropping it with another click of the same button.I'm hoping that this review will be useful to other video editors, graphic designers, sound mixers, or anyone else who wants to protect their hands or arms or prevent RSI or even carpal tunnel syndrome.



Perixx Perimice-517 Wired Trackball USB Mouse, 7 Button Design, Build-in 1.34 Inch Trackball with Pointing Feature Review:


I'm making an effort to write this review and am tempted to keep it a secret, but I feel compelled to do so to spare others the time and money I wasted looking for a trackball mouse that was "gaming-worthy." Most "pro-gaming" mice feature two key parameters for performance and accuracy, polling rate (the rate at which the mouse location is collected), and DPI, in addition to comfort and design, LEDs, and other bells and whistles (the resolution at which the sampling occurs).In most cases, trackballs with configurable DPI are almost useless because none of them have greater polling rates. Every trackball mouse I've tested polls at a rate of roughly 128Hz (by default) (at best). Although I DO NOT suggest doing this!, one can occasionally "hack" overclocking the USB port using 3rd party drivers, but it is only a hack.Since the early days of eSports and the original Doom / Quake, trackball mice have been my "secret weapon." They are (were) significantly superior in terms of control and comfort. Trackballs have fallen behind in performance for whatever reason, probably due to interference from eSports organizations or sponsors. I have about a dozen trackball mice in my collection, including models from Elecom, Sanwa, and Logitech, including the original Trackman (still the best of the bunch). Even the most advanced "performance" trackballs lack the fundamental performance capabilities, and some appear to be trying to make up for this by including extra bells and whistles that compromise the straightforward design (just try gaming with an MX Ergo while you press the right mouse button a little too hard to zoom in and accidentally tilt the mouse from zero to twenty degrees and your thumb slips off the trackball and hits the DPI switch from normal to ultra-super-high DPI). In the midst of combat, it makes a difference between "frag or be fragged."The polling rate is an important setting to make sure your mouse is polling quickly enough to keep up with the game's FPS (frames per second), which depends on your GPU, Monitor refresh rate, and DPI as well. Accuracy-intensive weapons, such as the Lightning gun or Rail gun in Quake, are one example. The last thing you need are sluggish input devices because the balance is critical. These settings are nothing new if you take gaming seriously. But once more, for whatever reason, trackballs have lagged behind, and until recently, firms have not provided trackball mice with the same performance features as they do for "pro-gaming" mice.The Perixx was quickly identified as a Full-Speed USB mouse by the operating system (Windows 10 Pro x64) when I plugged it in. This indicates that at 256Hz, I'm receiving almost twice the polling rate. The smoothness and accuracy of games are greatly improved by this relatively insignificant change in polling rate, even though it is still far below the 500-2000Hz pro-gaming mice offer.The Perixx trackball is bigger and flatter than those made by Logitech (which I do like for comfort). The wideness gives your pinky finger additional support, and the flatness does appear to keep your wrist more straight. With little to no weariness, I've been participating in 6 to 8-hour tournaments, and I'm quite happy with the comfort design.The Perixx trackball has nearly the same trackball surface as the MX Ergo, but less than the Logitech M570 or original Trackman. The greater surface area tends to be my preference because it enables more accurate "complete turns" (0-180 degrees) in games. Additionally, it appears like the trackball's internal ball bearings are a little too flush with the interior plastic trackball housing. On sometimes, I'll find myself pressing down on the trackball a little too hard, causing it to become stiff in its socket. My only issue and the only thing keeping me from giving five stars is this. This is a really small issue, and it might go away with more use. I did purchase an extra "matte" finish trackball, so perhaps I'll try different balls in the mouse to see if the problem disappears (mouse "breaks-in"). The Perixx is still by far the most accurate trackball mouse I've ever used, and I've seen a difference right away while using particular weaponry in video games.The Perixx buttons provide good "click" feedback and are responsive (low profile, short travel distance). It contains the traditional wheel and forward/back buttons, but by keeping it straightforward and avoiding adding too many buttons, buttons in awkward places, or bells and whistles, they did the mouse a wonderful service. The mouse also has a switch for 400/1000 DPI, which I probably won't use in games but is much more balanced than the abrupt 512/2048 change in the MX Ergo and might be utilized (with practice) for zoom or pinpoint aim. Additionally, no accidental in-game DPI resolution switching is possible thanks to the DPI switch's normal placement (behind the wheel).Before this mouse showed up on my doorstep, I had hoped, prayed, and even pleaded with businesses like Logitech and Razer for a good pro/gaming trackball mouse. Even though I offered these organizations my skills as an experienced software and hardware engineer to solve these issues or develop brand-new solutions for them, it seems that they don't view anything as broken.The Perixx trackball mouse's engineering, design, and implementation of Full-speed USB firmware for faster polling rates and performance put it considerably ahead of the vast majority of more expensive "performance" trackballs (which are really anything but).



Kensington SlimBlade Trackball Mouse (K72327U) Review:


Since the days of the old ADB, I have been using Kensington trackballs for 30 years. The heaviest ball, which is necessary for swiftly spinning and moving the mouse, is produced by Kensington. They are still the best I can find, though I, like many others, have been rather alarmed by the general reduction in quality and smoothness over the years.The scroll rings of my last two Expert trackballs were becoming sticky (despite cleaning and lubricating with graphite), and the other had electrical issues that caused it to sporadically "lose" stuff. In order to acquire one final decent one, I combined the two and chose to try the SlimBlade in place of the lost one.I have to move quickly and intuitively on my desktop, so it goes without saying that I'm highly particular about these things. If the trackball is even the slightest bit glitchy, it repeatedly irritates me. The SlimBlade's design pleasantly surprised me because it has less moving parts and solves many issues the original Expert model had. The bearings are now fixed rather than being captive jewel bearings. The ball has significant size and heaviness, but it still travels absolutely smoothly. The buttons still move smoothly and reliably despite being a part of the surface. Very excellent, they made a hole in the bottom so the dust can fall out and not collect.The 'ring' initially confused me because I assumed it was some sort of touch-sensitive component (yeah, I don't read instructions very often). rather, it interprets the movement of the two sensors into a scroll movement when they are traveling in the same direction. Clever! Additionally, it gets rid of a moving component that always appeared to cause problems. It took me ten minutes to adjust, but I can now flick the ball horizontally with speeds that are at least as good as those I achieved with the Expert models (which were rarely fast or smooth). Furthermore, this movement is almost silent** as opposed to the Expert model's noisy rubbing. Having a silent movement is definitely advantageous because I record my screen and do voiceovers while I record.Overall, I believe this is a significant advance over the Expert model; it seemed more seamless, predictable, and intuitive right away. Just hoping it continues (the Expert balls were pretty durable)When you scroll, there is a synthetic clicking sound by default. Although it is not at all bothersome for regular use, it is unquestionably so for recording. You need to take out 7 screws from the bottom to make it entirely silent (one under each rubber foot and then three arranged in a triangle under the rubber ring). After being taken apart, the noisemaker—a short cylinder with a hole in the top—is located at the top of the circuit board. To access the disk within, carefully peel off the noisemaker's top. Simply leaving the top off while reassembling the rest of it made it silent and ideal for recording.



Kensington Orbit Wireless Trackball Mouse with Touch Scroll Ring (K72352US) Review:


This is a "first impression" review because I just got it today and haven't finished using it yet.This is one of the very few wireless trackballs available that I can use with my left hand; I've been looking for one.I've been using a left-handed mouse for years despite being a right-handed person since my right hand has repetitive stress injuries. I've always preferred the Logitech Trackman marble mouse's ergonomics and ambidextrous design, which allows me to switch to using my right hand if I so want. Even though my right hand is recovered, after all this time, I discover that I actually prefer using a left-handed mouse since it allows me to use both hands simultaneously to take notes and type.The Logitech has the drawback of being wired, which makes it difficult to use while traveling, attending meetings, etc. so far, the overall feel and operation of the Kensington Orbit is so similar to the Logitech that I hardly notice the difference. The buttons function properly, and the trackball pointing is fluid. It feels excellent in the hand.The touch scrolling is a little difficult, which is why I didn't give it a perfect score. I'm finding it jumpy and not particularly precise, so it might just take some getting used to. There were other issues with the Kensington TrackballWorks software as well. After installation, it felt as though aliens had seized control of my computer because the pointer started moving all by itself and opening many instances of strange programs. I ultimately decided to delete it and switch to the stock Windows drivers, which are perfectly functional. If you purchase it, it is ready to use right out of the box and plug and play. Simply use it this way, and don't think about the TrackballWorks program, is my recommendation.Over the following few weeks, if there are any problems, I'll revise this review.


Do people still use trackballs?

Yes, people still use trackballs. Trackballs are especially popular with gamers and people who do a lot of graphic design work. They're also popular with people who have limited space on their desk or who travel frequently.

Do trackball mice wear out?

Do trackballs help with carpal tunnel?

There is no definitive answer to this question as everyone experiences carpal tunnel differently and what works for one person may not work for another. However, many people who suffer from carpal tunnel find that using a trackball can help to reduce pain and improve hand function. The use of a trackball can help to take pressure off of the wrist and fingers, which can help to reduce pain and inflammation. Additionally, the use of a trackball can help to increase blood flow to the hand and improve hand dexterity. If you are suffering from carpal tunnel, it is worth trying a trackball

How accurate are trackball mouse?

Trackball mouse are said to be very accurate. They are also said to be more comfortable to use because you don't have to move your hand around as much.

How do you clean trackball bearings?

To clean trackball bearings, first remove any dirt or debris from the outside of the ball with a soft cloth. Next, unscrew the housing cover and remove the ball. Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean the inside of the housing and the ball itself. Be sure to dry everything completely before reassembling.

Is trackball better than vertical mouse?