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If you're a music producer, you've probably spent countless hours in the studio clicking, dragging and drawing automation. All that repetitive movement takes a toll, and wrist and thumb pain are common complaints among people who spend long sessions on a basic mouse.
A good mouse won't make your tracks better, but it will make long sessions more comfortable. It can also speed you up, since extra buttons can be mapped to DAW shortcuts such as undo, zoom and switching windows.
This guide has been refreshed for 2026/27 with newer models, and each pick comes with a clear reason. It includes regular mice, a vertical mouse and trackballs, since many producers switch to a trackball to relieve strain.
Besides an ergonomic mouse, I can highly recommend a quality wrist rest. I’ve used the DeltaHub Carpio 2.0 for years, and the improvement is a no-brainer.
What to look for in a music production mouse
Comfort first: If you get aches in your wrist or thumb, look at a vertical mouse or a trackball. They change your hand position and cut down on movement.
Programmable buttons: Extra buttons and a good scroll wheel are handy in a DAW. Look for software that lets you set different actions for each application.
Quiet clicks: If you record vocals or acoustic instruments in the same room, a mouse with silent clicks stops the noise from leaking into your takes.
Connection: Bluetooth is fine for most people, and a 2.4GHz dongle is reliable if your computer is crowded with devices. Wired mice never need charging.
Handedness: Many ergonomic mice and trackballs are right-handed only, so check this first if you're left-handed.
Logitech MX Master 4
Why we picked it: It's the most capable all-round mouse for DAW work, with a comfortable shape, a great scroll wheel and plenty of buttons you can map to shortcuts.
The MX Master line has been a favourite of producers for years, and the MX Master 4 keeps the same sculpted shape while adding a haptic panel under your thumb that can trigger shortcuts. Reviewers are mixed on the haptic feedback, but the shape and buttons are the real draw.
You can set buttons for each program, so the same mouse can zoom in your DAW and scroll in a browser. It connects to several devices at once, so you can switch between a laptop and a desktop.
Pick it if: you want one excellent mouse for everything and you don't have wrist problems.
Skip it if: you already own an MX Master 3S, since the upgrade is small, or if you have small hands.
Check the price on Amazon
Logitech MX Ergo S
Why we picked it: Your hand stays still while your thumb moves the ball, which reduces wrist and forearm movement, and the tilted base lets you set a more natural angle.
A trackball takes a few days to get used to, but many producers love them. They take up little desk space, so they work well on a crowded studio desk.
The MX Ergo S is the best-rounded of the Logitech trackballs. It has an adjustable tilt, precise movement and buttons you can customise. It is right-handed only.
Pick it if: you suffer from wrist or forearm strain, or you have little desk space.
Skip it if: you're left-handed, or you do lots of detailed drawing and prefer a standard mouse.
Check the price on Amazon
Logitech Ergo M575S
Why we picked it: It gives you the benefits of a trackball at a very low price, and its quiet clicks suit a studio where you record.
This is the cheapest way to try a trackball, and it replaces the older M570 on our list. It's comfortable, has a good battery life, and works on both Mac and Windows.
Reviews highlight the silent buttons, which is a bonus if you record vocals or acoustic instruments while you work. It is shaped for right-handed users only.
Pick it if: you want to try a trackball without spending much, or you need quiet clicks.
Skip it if: you want the adjustable tilt and extra buttons of the MX Ergo S.
Check the price on Amazon
Logitech Lift
Why we picked it: A vertical shape keeps your forearm in a handshake position, which eases strain, and it comes in a left-handed version.
If a trackball feels too strange but your wrist hurts, a vertical mouse is the easiest change to make. Holding it like a handshake takes the twist out of your forearm.
The Lift is designed for small to medium hands, and it's one of the few ergonomic options that comes in a left-handed model as well. It has quiet clicks and connects over Bluetooth or a dongle.
Pick it if: you want a more comfortable mouse that still works like a normal mouse, or you're left-handed.
Skip it if: you have large hands, as it can feel small.
Check the price on Amazon
Kensington Expert Mouse Wireless Trackball
Why we picked it: It's a large ball you move with your fingers, and the symmetrical design works for both left-handed and right-handed users.
The Kensington Expert Mouse has a big ball in the centre, which you control with your fingers. It gives fine control for editing and automation, and the scroll ring is a nice touch.
It connects over Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz dongle, and it's one of the few trackballs that works equally well for either hand. It takes a little time to get used to.
Pick it if: you're left-handed, or you like fine finger control.
Skip it if: you want a compact device, as it takes up more space.
Check the price on Amazon
Logitech MX Anywhere 3S
Why we picked it: It's small and light enough to live in a laptop bag, yet it still has a precise sensor and quiet clicks.
If you produce on a laptop and travel between studios and gigs, a compact mouse is easier to carry than a full-sized one. The MX Anywhere 3S works on almost any surface, including glass.
It has customisable buttons and a fast scroll wheel, and it connects to several devices. It's too small for long sessions if you have big hands.
Pick it if: you work on a laptop and travel with your gear.
Skip it if: you have large hands or use your mouse for hours every day.
Check the price on Amazon
Apple Magic Mouse
Why we picked it: It's built for macOS, with touch gestures for scrolling and swiping, so it feels at home with Logic Pro.
If you work on a Mac, the Magic Mouse is the obvious match. The flat touch surface lets you scroll and swipe with simple gestures, and it pairs instantly with a Mac.
It isn't the most comfortable choice for long sessions, because the low, flat shape encourages a claw grip. If you get sore, pair it with a trackball or a vertical mouse.
Pick it if: you use a Mac and prefer gestures to buttons.
Skip it if: you have wrist pain or want programmable buttons.
Check the price on Amazon
Buying in South Africa: prices on this page are approximate US dollar figures from Amazon US and will move. Shipping, VAT and warranty can complicate imports, so it's usually simpler to buy locally from retailers such as Takealot, Evetech or Wootware. Use these models as a shortlist and compare local prices.
Keep exploring: finish your setup with our guides to the best monitors for music production, the best PC builds for music production and the best DAW software.
FAQ
Are trackballs good for music production?
Yes, for many producers. A trackball keeps your hand still while your thumb or fingers move the cursor, which means less wrist and arm movement and a more comfortable session. They also take up little space. The catch is a short learning curve.
Is a wired mouse more reliable than a wireless one?
Wired mice never run out of battery and can't suffer wireless interference, so they are the most dependable. Modern wireless mice are very reliable though, and a dongle connection is a safe choice if you want to skip the cable.
Is a vertical mouse worth it?
If you feel strain in your wrist or forearm, it's worth trying one. The handshake position takes the twist out of your arm. It can take a few days to get used to, and it may not suit very large hands.
Do I need a mouse with lots of buttons for a DAW?
You don't need one, but extra buttons can speed you up. You can map them to shortcuts such as undo, zoom and switching windows. A mouse with per-application profiles keeps this tidy.
Should I use a trackpad instead of a mouse?
A trackpad is fine for light work, especially on a Mac. A mouse or trackball is more precise and more comfortable for long sessions of editing and automation.
Which mouse is best for left-handed producers?
The Kensington Expert Mouse is symmetrical and works for either hand, and the Logitech Lift has a left-handed version. Many other ergonomic mice and trackballs are right-handed only, so check before you buy.
