Updated at: 27-03-2023 - By: Leo Hall
So, is it better to invest in a laser mouse or switch to an optical one? When it comes to video games, the answer is crystal clear, and I’ll explain why.

Answer:

A laser mouse’s increased sensitivity and versatility make it ideal for use on glass and other transparent surfaces. The accuracy of an optical mouse is generally higher, and these mice are also much more reasonably priced.

The days of trackball mice are long gone; today’s gamers have the choice between laser and optical input devices. It’s easier to make a decision when there are more options to consider, but picking between two choices can be a challenge.

This article will compare and contrast the two types of mice, discussing their features and determining which is ideal for gaming.

Optical Mouse – What is It?

In terms of market penetration, the optical mouse has clearly come out on top. Not only is it the best gaming mouse, but it’s also the best for everyday users, typists, and anyone else who uses a computer for any purpose.

Optical vs. Laser Mouse: Which is better for Gaming? - Gamer Haul

The word “optical” in its title already hints at the product’s main use. It utilizes an infrared LED and an optical sensor to track the mouse’s movement on any surface and relay that information to the host computer.

To rephrase, the infrared LEDs shine light onto the area of motion, where analog data is collected and then converted to binary code, resulting in a steady stream of digital images.

Optical mice work by taking pictures of the surface beneath the mouse and then using those pictures to pinpoint its exact location, which is then transmitted to the computer so it can be moved around the screen. The optical mouse also has the disadvantage of being less effective on reflective surfaces.

Laser Mouse – What is It?

Recently, a new type of mouse called a laser mouse has been introduced to the market, which is more sensitive and precise than an optical mouse. In light of the fact that laser technology has superseded the LED sensor.

The laser can detect movement by sliding on a surface in the same way that an optical mouse can. As a result of its replacement by the laser, however, stability and sensitivity have improved.

When it comes to First Person Shooter (FPS) games, the laser tracking technology found in high-end laser mice really shines.

The laser beam is undetectable to the naked eye, and it can provide a resolution of 8000 DPI or more (as seen with the Logitech-G9X), which is a significant improvement in accuracy and responsiveness.

When working on shiny surfaces, the laser mouse’s increased stability and sensitivity can be a huge help.

Optical And Laser Mouse: 4 Important Factors

Learn the four variables that make a laser mouse different from an optical mouse.

1. Precision and Resolution

It’s true that optical mice have a slightly lower resolution than laser mice. Lasers typically have a range of around 3,000 dpi, while optical mice typically reach a maximum of around 1,200 dpi.

Professional designers, gamers (especially fans of third-person shooters), and editors of digital images. In both gaming and design, the speed of the cursor movement and the camera rotation are crucial to pinpoint accuracy.

The optimal mouse resolution for such tasks is between 1000 and 2400 DPI. Therefore, whether you prefer a laser or optical mouse, a higher DPI is the way to go.

If someone does not know what it is or has no idea how to figure it out, I would tell them that their ability to control how perfectly and smoothly the cursor hovers depends entirely on them. For PC games, the resolution is crucial because it determines how accurately your mouse can point at an opponent.

Both gamers and visual artists can benefit from this. They should go with a mouse that has both more resolution and sensitivity.

2. Speed and Response Time

A laser mouse with a resolution of 1600 dpi or higher will be useful if you are a professional gamer or streamer using a 4K monitor.

A mouse’s responsiveness is a major consideration for gamers. There is zero correlation between mouse species and this phenomenon. Most regular models will respond to a request within 10 milliseconds, but gaming models can do it in just 1 millisecond.

In comparison to their optical counterparts, laser mice offer impressively fast movement. The speed is determined primarily by the sensor’s resolution, the size of the display, and the display’s own resolution. Even when using the same sensor resolution, the FHD and 4K displays will show movement at different rates.

Difference Between Optical Mouse and Laser Mouse

In this scenario, a laser mouse performs better than an optical one. If you start at one corner of the screen and work your way across the diagonal, it will take you 4-5 cm with an optical mouse and only 2-3 cm with a laser. Also, the cursor form will shift to follow your mouse’s movement if you use the latter.

However, keep in mind that the laser sensor is far more sensitive than optical mice. However, while they can penetrate deeper, this ability is also their greatest flaw.

The semiconductor laser in the laser mouse emits infrared light, making the laser sensor a superior data reader over the optical sensor. The speed and precision with which a mouse can hover are greatly affected by the sensitivity setting.

3. Design and Backlit

The laser mice have a slightly different design than optical mice; they are more elaborately styled, with a backlight, additional buttons, and a contrasting red, green, and blue color scheme.

Many users have noticed that the LED optical mouse shines (typically red, but occasionally blue or green). The red LED light of the optical mouse shines even when the computer is turned off, which is neither convenient nor easy on the eyes, especially late at night or in a dimly lit room.

As was previously mentioned, the infrared light emitted by laser mice is invisible to the human eye, which is a distinct advantage of using such mice. Considering there is no illumination, laser mice pose no threat to our eyes.

Even though some variations include RGB lighting, ergonomic grip designs, and additional buttons. The rainbow-hued mouse seems to be a favorite of some users, I’ve noticed. Fortunately, makers of optical and laser mice are working on just such improvements.

4. Price

Laser mice are generally more expensive than optical mice, though this is not always the case. Especially the mice that have made extraordinary contributions in the fields of design, editing, and gaming. Most laser mice fall into the middle to high price range.

The optical mouse has the drawback of not working properly on shiny, reflective surfaces like a mirror. Therefore, if you plan on using your mouse on either of these two surfaces, a laser mouse would be your best bet. In this case, an optical mousepad with a rubber base and excellent grip would be ideal.

Today, you can buy a laser mouse, but it will set you back more than the average optical mouse. Although optical mice also progressed with useful features like wireless connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, and macro buttons, the value added by a laser mouse remains unrivaled.

How Do They Work?

Both optical and laser mice use a CMOS sensor to capture thousands of digital images per second of the surface they’re resting on in order to analyze it and calculate the movement’s range and velocity.

The way that they shed light on the surface is what sets them apart. Different from a laser mouse, which uses a laser, an optical mouse uses an LED light. To what extent, then, do the two options differ, and what are their respective benefits and drawbacks?

Sensitivity

Dots per inch (DPI) is the standard unit of measurement for the sensitivity of a computer mouse. When the difference in DPI between optical and laser mice was larger, this figure was of greater importance. Nowadays, even the cheapest gaming mice can have a DPI of over 1000, which is a huge advantage.

A third factor contributing to DPI ratings’ declining relevance is the rapid development of CMOS sensors, which have progressed to the point where even mice with DPI ratings in the low triple digits can achieve high levels of accuracy.

Accuracy

The accuracy with which a mouse can analyze the surface it is resting on is more crucial, and this is where the differences between a LED light and a laser become more apparent.

It’s hard to miss with a laser. Way too precise. Unlike LED lights, laser light can actually see through whatever it is pointed at. Therefore, it is able to perform a much more in-depth analysis of the data. This has its benefits, but it can also cause the laser mouse to over-analyze the surface, which can cause jitter during slow movements.

However, unlike optical mice, laser mice can function on a wide variety of surfaces. For optimal performance, an optical mouse needs to be used on a flat, non-reflective surface because it relies on light for illumination. It will be inaccurate to the point of being unusable if used on something that is particularly glossy or prone to reflecting light.

Price

Furthermore, the pricing used to be a much more crucial consideration. Years ago, optical mice were the more affordable option for gamers, while laser mice were considered the gold standard. Today, the divide is negligible at best.

Make sure on Amazon by all means. Both optical and laser mice can be found for as little as a few dollars and as much as several hundred. Some extra features like buttons and lighting can be found on mice that cost more, but this is no indication of improved performance.

If you want to have a good time, you should spend no more than $90. In terms of construction and performance, a mouse with a price tag below that range is likely to be of lower quality, while a price tag above that range is likely to be little more than a marketing gimmick.

Which Is Best?

In the end, optical mice are the best option here. They’ve been shown to be more responsive and reliable than laser mice, both of which are crucial for gaming. The one drawback is that you need a mouse pad for optimal performance, but this is hardly a problem unless you move around a lot while working.

One of the many advantages of a laser mouse is that it can be used on any surface, including glass. They’re more convenient to take with you on the go, but they have a bad habit of overanalyzing mouse movements, especially the slower ones, which makes them useless for gaming.

In addition, their DPIs are higher than average, though as was mentioned up top, this is less of a factor than it once was.

Type Pros Cons
Mico Optico
    • Increased value for the money spent
    • Greater precision
    • Use only in the absence of reflections.
Optical Pointer
    • Easy to use, and adaptable to a wide variety of surfaces
    • A Greater DPI
    • Lack of spontaneity in analyzing slower motion

Finally, we’ve already covered the topic of whether or not you should get a wired or wireless gaming mouse, which is another choice you may have to make.

If you’re set on purchasing an optical mouse, you should also look over our recommendations for the finest mouse mats on the market today.

Sự khác biệt giữa chuột quang và chuột laser

FAQs

Which mouse used by the gamers the most?

As a general rule, optical mice are the preferred choice for gamers. Generally speaking, such models are more useful in games because they provide more stable and predictable behavior. It’s possible that high DPI is not always a crucial criterion in shooters.

Is optical mouse better than laser?

When first introduced, laser models were thought to be far superior to optical mice. The optical mouse, however, has come a long way in recent years, and it can now be used in a wide range of settings without sacrificing precision. More importantly, it avoids the sensitivity problem that plagues lasers. Because of this, it is the most popular choice among manufacturers.

What is the difference between the sensors of optical and laser mouse?

Although it is more common to discuss sensors, it is important to keep in mind that. While one mouse uses an infrared LED and another uses a laser, they both function using essentially the same type of sensor.

What is the average DPI of optical and laser mouse?

The typical range for a laser mouse is between 2,000 and 4,000 dpi, while the optical mouse typically reaches between 800 and 1,200 dpi.

Which mouse has the most DPI optical or laser?

Laser mice have a DPI of 2000–4000, making them three to four times more precise than optical mice. Nonetheless, 16000 dpi mice are now available. Yes, they typically include higher levels of accuracy and sensitivity. On top of all that, the standard dpi for a gaming mouse is between 1000 and 1500.

Which mouse weighs more optical or laser?

If the mouse’s weight is an important consideration for you. Therefore, the construction of a mouse can affect how much it weighs. On the other hand, laser mice tend to be heavier than optical mice.

Which mouse consumes the power most?

It’s not worth your time or effort to worry about how much energy a mouse uses, as mice in general don’t need much in the way of food or shelter, although ‘Yet. Currently, wireless mice have a very high power requirement.

Conclusion

In fact, when comparing the two types of mice in terms of technical specifications, laser mice emerge as winners. After all, optical mice have been perfectly capable of fulfilling the tasks up until this point. As a result of its high popularity and mass production, it has surpassed the popularity of laser ones.