Which Gaming Mouse Grip Is Right For You?
Do you subscribe to the claw gang? Perhaps the deft touch of fingertips is enough, or you prefer the iron grip of the palm. For many, the choice of mouse grip is a defining feature of their gaming style. But if you've yet to choose a control method, you might be wondering which mouse grip is right for you.
There’s no best way to hold a gaming mouse, but each style can offer a few different perks you might want to know. Whether you’re looking to optimize your gaming control or just want to learn the differences between each, we’ve broken down the three core mouse grips below and explained why each could be the one for you.
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Claw grip
The hold: The claw grip has the palm of the hand resting on the back end of the mouse, with the only other point of contact being the fingertips on top, and the thumb to one side.
How it works: With the claw grip, most mouse movements will be guided by the hand, but your fingers will be poised for rapid clicks at a moment's notice. It’s a stable, precise grip that includes the option to make small adjustments with your fingers when needed. However, you might find that your steepled fingers tire a little faster than other, more relaxed grips.
Recommended for: A solid mouse grip for all kinds of games. The claw grip is stable enough for FPS, while its flexibility works well in RPGs and other genres, too. This grip is particularly suited to larger mice that aren’t too heavy.
The Pulsefire Dart Wireless Gaming Mouse will hit the mark no matter your gaming needs, and all without cumbersome wires slowing you down. Built with a Pixart 3389 sensor and Omron switches, you can be sure the entirety of its 50-hour* charge will be spent in comfort and control. Consider your rig part of your fashion statement? The Pulsefire Surge’s 360° RGB lighting effects will make your mouse the draw of the desk thanks to its individually customizable LED colors.
The HyperX Pulsefire Dart Wireless.
Fingertip grip
The hold: The only point of contact in the fingertip grip is through, you guessed it, the fingertips. The mouse is held slightly distanced from the hand, such that the palm doesn’t make contact. Some choose to rest two fingers on the right mouse button for extra control.
How it works: Rather than shifting the mouse with your wrist or arm, the fingertip grip puts all the control in your digits. Flexible fingers allow for localized adjustment, meaning you can perform almost all actions on your screen while your arm stays stationary. If you need to shift over to that second monitor, rigid fingers lock the mouse for larger movements led by the arm. It doesn’t have the stability of the other two common holds, but makes up for it with speed.
Good for: Rapid cursor movement with minimum effort. Good for general PC use, and a great choice for MMO or MOBA gamers who need to constantly zip that cursor around the screen.
To keep those fingers from feeling strained, we recommend the phenomenally light Pulsefire Haste 2. Weighing in at just 53 grams**, the Pulsefire Haste 2 can be shifted to and fro by your fingertips in a heartbeat. Want something lightweight, but you need more inputs for those guild sessions? The Pulsefire Raid adds 11 programmable mouse buttons but doesn’t pack on a lot of extra weight. Using HyperX NGENUITY customization software you can tailor the mouse perfectly to your needs, and also set up some stylish RGB patterns while you’re at it.
The HyperX Pulsefire Raid.
Palm grip
The hold: The palm grip sees the base of your hand wrap around the back of the mouse, with index and middle fingers resting nearly flat over the left and right mouse buttons. The thumb rests flat along the side of the mouse for extra control.
How it works: With the largest hand to mouse contact area of all three holds, the palm grip provides the most stable command over your mouse, granting the greatest precision. Keeping the hand in close contact means your movements will largely be controlled by your arm, not your wrist or fingers. Palm grip requires the most energy of all three holds, but makes up for it with complete control.
Good for: Large movements with perfect precision. Tailor-made for lower mouse sensitivities, the palm grip is a great choice for shooter-loving gamers. Controlling movements with your arm demands slightly more exertion but affords a far greater degree of precision when lining up those long-range headshots to clutch the round.
The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2
If you’re a dedicated FPS gamer, the Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless is build to help you land those headshots flicks with speed and precision. The ultra-lightweight, 61-gram design will glide effortlessly across your mousepad. With wires dropped from the equation, there's no risk of an unwanted snag keeping your crosshair from its target. And don't worry about running out of juice mid firefight - the Haste boasts up to 100 hours of battery life on a single charge.
While each grip has its strengths (and ardent fanbases), it’s important to note that there is no “right” way to hold your mouse; whatever feels most comfortable for you is the way to go. Remember to keep a gentle grip, rest your arm on the table, and take regular breaks to minimize the risk of developing carpal tunnel while gaming. Practice with each grip and find the one that feels best for you. Whatever your pick, you can be sure that HyperX’s range of gaming mice will have you covered.
* Tested on default lighting. Battery life varies based on usage and computing conditions.
** Weight without cable
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About HyperX
For 19 years, HyperX’s mission has been to develop gaming solutions for every type of gamer and the company is consistently recognized for delivering products that provide superior comfort, aesthetics, performance, and reliability. Under the tagline of “WE’RE ALL GAMERS,” HyperX gaming headsets, keyboards, mice, USB microphones, and console accessories are the choice of everyday gamers as well as celebrity ambassadors, pro gamers, tech enthusiasts, and overclockers worldwide because they meet the most stringent product specifications and are built with best-in-class components. For more information, please go to www.hyperx.com.
About HP
HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our product and service portfolio of personal systems, printers, and 3D printing solutions, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at https://www.hp.com.
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