The 10 Best Trackball Mice
Updated by · How we research
Thumb ball or finger ball? We compared 10 trackball mice on comfort, precision and connections. The Logitech MX Ergo S leads for most people. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A trackball stays put while you roll the ball, so your arm barely moves and the whole thing needs only a small patch of desk. The real choice is thumb or fingers: thumb models feel like an ordinary mouse, while finger models steer more finely and often work in either hand. Expect a week or two of clumsy aiming at first.
Editor's Notes
November 1, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
The Logitech MX Ergo S leads this list. It is the current version of the MX Ergo that led the last one, now with quieter clicks and USB-C charging. Behind it, we balanced thumb and finger designs, because that choice matters more than brand.
The Logitech M570 is discontinued, so the Logitech Ergo M575S takes its place, and the Kensington Orbit with Scroll Ring now points to its current model. The Trackman Marble left because it's down to a few units at a scarcity price. The Elecom Compact has vanished from stores, and the Perixx Perimice-517 and L-Trac Glow dropped out for lack of independent reviews. New picks are the Elecom Deft Pro, the Nulea M501, the Nulea M505A and the ProtoArc EM02.
The strongest evidence came from a British computer magazine that reviewed the big names side by side and from a trackball enthusiast site that has rated most of these models for years. Where the two disagreed on a spec, we went with the maker.
Earlier notes
December 3, 2020:
In this update, we've removed the Yumqua Y-10W, the Elecom Deft Pro, the Speedlink Aptico, and the Microsoft D68 Explorer and replaced them with models that we felt offered better value. We've also updated the listings for the L-Trac Glow and the Elecom Huge and rearranged our ranking based on all the new additions.
The Elecom Compact is one of the company's latest offerings and is made in both finger-operated and thumb-operated designs. The Perixx Perimice-517 is a thumb-operated ergonomic option that comes in either a wired or wireless version. The ambidextrous Kensington Expert is a finger-controlled option and is also available either wireless or corded.
We've included the Logitech M570, which still receives high praise despite being officially replaced by an updated model, the Logitech MX Ergo. While the Ergo offers more features and updated support, the Logitech M570 is a cost-effective option and a great choice for those looking for a basic trackball. The Elecom Huge has likewise been replaced by newer models, but its solid performance and larger design make it continue to be one of the best options for those with bigger hands.
Finally, we would be remiss if we didn't address the removal of the Microsoft D68 Explorer. Microsoft's legendary creation has somewhat of a cult following due to its comfort, overall ease-of-use, and reliability. It can still be found on occasion, and its scarcity will likely only increase its value. While it is possibly one of the best trackballs ever made, its lack of availability and the extremely high price of available models has necessitated its removal from the list.
May 8, 2019, by Daniel Goldstein:
Most trackball mice fall into one of two layouts, each with their advantages and disadvantages. The first, the finger-controlled configuration, is one in which the trackball is placed in the center of the unit. An example of this layout is the the Kensington Slimblade. This ambidextrous design can be used by both right- and left-handed folks, and often boasts better precision than the equally popular thumb-controlled configuration. Using the Speelink Aptico as a visual example, you can see that this latter design resembles the layout of traditional mice, and it is often preferred by those who still use a mouse in their daily work. It is often lighter than its finger-oriented competitor, and many find it to be more comfortable, though nothing can be objectively said about which layout is better. Both designs usually provide a few customizable buttons that can be assigned to perform different click-functions. Aside the aforementioned models, the Kensington Orbit, the Elecom Deft Pro, and the Elecom Huge also have pretty good assignable buttons.
Though our #1 pick, the Microsoft D68 Explorer, seems insanely priced, somebody out there may have reason to justify such a hefty cost. After all this time, it's yet to beaten in terms of engineering. Its precision, comfort, and durability are unmatched, and for some, such a combination is priceless.
Special Honors
Ploopy A small Canadian maker that builds trackballs from open-source designs, including thumb and finger models. The firmware and case files are public, so owners can repair, reprogram or reprint parts. ploopy.co
Thumb Ball Or Finger Ball
Finger models put a bigger ball where your index and middle fingers rest.
Every trackball keeps its body still and moves the pointer with a ball, but where that ball sits changes everything. On a thumb model, such as the Logitech MX Ergo S, the ball sits on the left flank and your hand rests on a mouse-like shell. It's the easiest switch from a regular mouse, but Custom PC's review of the MX Ergo found a thumb less accurate than several fingers, and a thumb can tire over long days.
Finger models put a bigger ball where your index and middle fingers rest. Ambidextrous designs like the Kensington Expert Wireless center a 55-millimeter ball between the buttons, which is why Custom PC's trackball roundup picked it as the best overall. Right-hand shells such as the Elecom Huge and Nulea M505A move the ball under the index finger and put buttons under the thumb. If your thumb joint aches, or you work in drawings and photos, lean toward a finger ball.
Size, Hands And Connections
Hand size matters more than it does with a mouse. Custom PC found the Expert large for small hands and the Elecom Huge a poor fit for very large ones despite its name, so check the shell length against your palm. Left-handers have fewer choices: the Kensington Expert, Orbit and SlimBlade work in either hand, while every Logitech, Elecom, Nulea and ProtoArc model here is right-handed.
Connections vary more than you'd expect. The Logitech Ergo M575S runs well over a year on one AA cell over Bluetooth or a receiver. The Elecom Huge uses a receiver only. The SlimBlade and Orbit plug in by cable, and the Elecom Deft Pro does all three. Rechargeable models save batteries but need a cable now and then. If you switch between a desktop and a laptop, look for a button that flips between paired devices.
Keeping The Ball Smooth
A trackball collects skin oil and dust, and a dirty one feels sticky or skips. Kensington's cleaning advice is simple: push the ball out from underneath, wipe the ball and its cup with a damp cloth or a little rubbing alcohol, let them dry, and drop the ball back in. Do it every few weeks, or whenever the pointer starts to stutter.
Look at what the ball rides on. Elecom's larger models use small synthetic ruby bearings, which trackballmouse.org and other enthusiasts rate as smoother and slower to gunk up than plain plastic nubs. Budget thumb models tend to use the plain kind, so they need cleaning more often. Give yourself one to two weeks to adjust before judging any trackball, and remember that it can reduce wrist and arm movement but isn't a treatment for pain.
How we researched this
We compared 16 trackball mice from six brands, read the makers' specifications for the 10 picks, weighed a computer magazine's roundup and single reviews against a trackball enthusiast site's ratings and other independent reviews, looked for patterns in owner feedback, and checked every brand against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records. None of these models has a recall.
Sources (11)
- Custom PC: Best trackball mouse roundup
- Custom PC: Logitech MX Ergo review
- Custom PC: Elecom Huge review
- trackballmouse.org: Trackball reviews
- trackballmouse.org: Elecom Deft Pro
- Switch and Click: Elecom Deft Pro review
- Clickque: Nulea M505 trackball
- Logitech: MX Ergo S
- Logitech: Ergo M575S
- Kensington: Best way to clean a trackball
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls
Frequently asked questions
Is a thumb or finger trackball better?
A thumb trackball is easier to learn if you're coming from a regular mouse. A finger trackball usually gives finer control and suits people whose thumbs get sore. Many people who try both end up preferring finger models for detail work.
Do trackballs help with wrist pain?
They can reduce how much your wrist and arm move, which some people find more comfortable. There's little controlled research comparing them with mice, so treat a trackball as a comfort change, not a cure, and see a doctor about ongoing pain.
Which trackballs work for left-handed people?
Ambidextrous models with the ball in the middle, such as the Kensington Expert Wireless, Kensington Orbit with Scroll Ring and Kensington SlimBlade, work in either hand. Most thumb models are right-handed only.
What replaced the Microsoft Trackball Explorer?
Nothing matches it exactly; Microsoft stopped making it long ago. The Elecom Huge and the Kensington Expert Wireless are the nearest current big-ball options.
Are trackballs good for gaming?
Not for fast shooters, where quick flicks of a mouse are hard to match. They work fine for strategy and slower games, and some players like them for precise aiming.
How long does it take to get used to a trackball?
Most people feel clumsy for a few days and comfortable within one to two weeks. Lowering the pointer speed at first helps.
