Best TrackballsSource: Logitech

Best Trackballs iMore 2020

Trackballs are an amazing alternative to a traditional computer mouse or trackpad. They are ergonomically designed, with sculpted shapes to fit the palm of your hand, and often with wrist support built-in too. They give you more flexibility also, as trackballs can be used in smaller spaces thanks to the fact you don't need to move them to control the cursor. Adding to that they can be used anywhere, on any kind of surface, and in the case of our best overall choice, the Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball Mouse up to 30 feet away from your computer, thanks to its 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity. Here's a look at that product, and a few others we can also recommend.

Best Overall: Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball Mouse

Logitech M570 LifestyleSource: Logitech

Our overall best choice is a practical option from a well-known brand in the peripherals market place, Logitech. The M570 is an affordable choice for right-handers. Plus, it has easy-to-reach back and forward buttons, a precision scroll wheel, a sculpted, ergonomic shape, and a removable trackball.

This wireless mouse comes with a tiny Logitech Unifying 2.4GHz receiver that stays in your laptop and can be used to connect other wireless Logitech devices too. The M570 is powered by one AA battery, with the potential of up to 18 months use before you need to swap it out.

Pros:

  • 2.4 GHz wireless
  • Up to 18 months use from one AA battery
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Not as customizable as rival products

Best Overall

Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball Mouse

Track-star

The M570 is a great budget trackball for right-handed users.

Best Executive: Kensington Expert Wireless Trackball Mouse

Kensington Expert Mouse LifestyleSource: Kensington

Kensington's high-end "Expert" wireless trackball mouse has a large, 55mm central ball that means both left- and right-handers can use it. It has Bluetooth built in, but also comes with a 2.4Ghz wireless USB nano receiver. It gets Kensington's "Diamond Eye" optical tracking for precise cursor control, while the patented scroll ring around the ball lets you navigate up and down. You can customize what the four buttons do, and there's also a detachable, ergonomic wrist rest for improved comfort.

Pros:

  • Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless
  • Highly customizable options
  • Ambidextrous design

Cons:

  • High cost

Best Executive

Kensington Expert Wireless Trackball Mouse

Expert-ease

An ambidextrous, ergonomic design makes this a great luxury trackball.

Best Gaming: Elecom M-HT1DRBK Wireless Trackball Mouse

Elecom Mouse LifestyleSource: Elecom

Elecom's mid-range wireless option boasts a larger design with a bigger palm rest and grip comfort stability, so it is more suited to right-handed gamers with big hands. If that's you, then this also offers eight thumb and finger buttons that are designed especially for gaming.

This also gives you multiple DPI resolutions; you can choose between 500,1000 or 1500 DPI with the mouse's three-level DPI switch on the side. As well as the large trackball, the M-HT1DRBK has a left/right scrolling tilt wheel. It's powered by two AA batteries, which will give you over 500 days of use in low energy mode.

Pros:

  • Eight built-in mouse keys plus scrolling tilt wheel
  • 3-level DPI switch
  • Large, removable trackball

Cons:

  • Requires two AA batteries

Best Gaming

Elecom M-HT1DRBK Wireless Trackball Mouse

MMO-azing

A larger option perfect for gamers, this has eight buttons and adjustable responsiveness.

Best Elegant: Kensington Orbit Trackball Mouse with Scroll Ring

Kensington Orbit Trackball LifestyleSource: Kensington

This elegant option from Kensington comes in black with a blue trackball, or in white with a silver trackball. It has a smaller 40mm ball that can be used by left- or right-handers and comes with a detachable wrist rest. Like the "Expert" trackball from Kensington, this also gets the company's patented scroll ring around the trackball, which offers effortless scanning or scrolling up and down screens.

A more affordable choice as this is a wired, not wireless, option, the Orbit trackball nonetheless offers good functionality, with customization of the buttons, media and browser controls, system and launching shortcuts, and scrolling controls.

Pros:

  • Scroll ring
  • Detachable wrist rest
  • Customizable options

Cons:

  • Not wireless

Best Elegant

Kensington Orbit Trackball Mouse with Scroll Ring

Orbit-all

A smaller, wired option, this is an attractive and affordable choice.

Best Ergonomic: Logitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse

Logitech Mx Ergo LifestyleSource: Logitech

As the name would suggest, the Logitech Ergo is all about the ergonomics, with a comfortable, sculpted design. It has a unique adjustable hinge that allows you to customize the trackball angle to suit you, ranging from 0 to 20 degrees, so you can find a more natural, comfortable hand position, and reduce muscle strain.

As well as the design, this has clever tech inside. It gets Logitech's cross-computer control, so you can use this mouse to control two different computers seamlessly. That Flow connectivity also allows you to transfer files, images, and text between multiple machines. Other features of note are the rechargeable battery for up to 70 days of power, a precision scroll wheel, and some useful customizable options.

Pros:

  • Customizable trackball angle
  • Cross-computer control
  • Rechargeable battery

Cons:

  • High cost

Best Ergonomic

Logitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse

Ergo-astronomic

Clever connectivity and an adjustable, ergonomic design make this mouse worth the price.

Best Left-Handed: Elecom M-XT4DRBK Wireless Trackball Mouse

Elecom Left Hand Mouse LifestyleSource: Elecom

While left-handers can use the ambidextrous trackballs that have balls centrally located on top of the device, some may prefer an option with a trackball to the right-hand side of the mouse, like this Elecom option. As well as the specially-designed, ergonomic shape, this is another option that has robust customization options.

There's a two-level DPI switch giving you adjustable pointer speed, the ability to program the six buttons for certain functions. It has a high-performance optical sensor, a pulse tilt wheel, so you can scroll from side-to-side or flip landscape screens, and the trackball is detachable for easy cleaning.

Pros:

  • Customization options
  • Six buttons
  • 2-level DPI switch

Cons:

  • Battery not included

Best Left-Handed

Elecom M-XT4DRBK Wireless Trackball Mouse

Southp-awe

If you're a left-hander, this trackball is a capable, mid-range option.

Nice mice

All of these trackballs offer a strong alternative to a traditional mouse, with the clever trackball design providing a more ergonomic way of working, and more flexibility, too, with less space required to operate them.

The Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball Mouse has grabbed the top slot in this selection thanks to its overall decent specs, affordable price tag, and the practical fact that you can remove the trackball to clean it. The M570 also boasts really impressive battery life. Although it's not rechargeable, this trackball will give you up to 18 months of average use from just one AA battery.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Amy-Mae Turner As someone who doesn't stop moaning about her wrist RSI, Amy-Mae was nominated by the entire team to look into trackball mouse solutions.

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