Which should you choose?
Overall Findings
Uses an LED light as an illumination source.
Uses CMOS image sensors.
Has a resolution of around 3,000 dpi.
Senses the top of the surface it’s on.
Works well on a mouse pad or non-glossy surface.
Inexpensive, generally cost $10 and up.
Uses a laser as an illumination source.
Has resolutions between 6,000 and 15,000+ dpi.
Senses peaks and valleys in a surface.
Works on any surface.
More expensive, but the price gap has narrowed.
Other factors may drive your choice, for example, if specific applications or situations call for certain features.
Hardcore gamers may need a mouse with particular functionality.
If you need flexibility, choose a mouse that works on any surface.
Technology: What’s Different in Optical and Laser Mice?
LED light is the illumination source.
Lower dpi than a laser mouse.
Laser is the illumination source.
Higher dpi, so it’s more sensitive.
Optical and laser mice differ in the technology used to track movement.
The optical mouse uses an LEDlight as an illumination source.
The laser mouse, as its name indicates, utilizes a laser.
Since laser mice have a higher dpi, these devices track more dots per inch and are more sensitive.
The average user probably can’t tell the difference.
Both optical and laser mice useCMOS sensors.
These sensors are also used in low-resolution video cameras in smartphones.
Surfaces: How Do Laser and Optical Mice Differ?
Senses the top of a surface.
Smooth feel at slow speeds.
Works best on a mouse pad or non-glossy surface.
Senses more deeply into surface.
Jittery feel at slow speeds.
Can be prone to acceleration problems.
But the laser light looks more deeply, so it’s sensitive to peaks and valleys on a surface.
The sensitivity of a laser mouse has a downside.
It’s vulnerable to speed-related accuracy variance or acceleration.
If it doesn’t, the mouse suffers from acceleration.
An optical mouse works well on a mouse pad or any non-glossy surface.
A laser mouse works on any surface.
You may want a laser mouse if you plan to use your mouse on glossy surfaces.
It’s possible toadjust the speed of a mouse, whether it’s laser or optical.
However, this shouldn’t affect how the mouse sees the surface it’s on.
Price: Not a Huge Difference These Days
Prices vary.
Price gap has narrowed between optical and laser.
Can find a good one under $20.
Not as expensive as they used to be.
Gamers and graphics types may need additional mouse features.
Laser mice used to be more expensive than optical mice.
This price gap between the two types has narrowed, but specialized mice can cost more.
The higher-priced mice have additional features for specific functions.
These added bells and whistles drive more costs than internal tracking technology.
Other users may prefer a specific color or design.
Laser mice used to be more expensive, but the price gap has narrowed.
Optical mice have a lower dpi, but this isn’t something an average user would notice.
Both types perform well, though various brands and models may appeal to individual uses.
Opt for a laser mouse if you want to use a mouse on multiple surfaces.
Choose an optical mouse if you’re comfortable with your mouse pad.
