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Computer mice are omnipresent PC companions, but they’re not without their issues. Prolonged use of a traditional mouse can potentially lead to tired, strained wrists and hands—and in extreme cases, repetitive strain injury (RSI). Thankfully, manufacturers have answered the call with a long list of ergonomic options, among them the familiar trackball.
What’s a trackball, exactly? It’s a variant on the computer mouse; instead of using your hands and wrist to coordinate movement, cursor control is relegated to a ball manipulated by the fingertips or the thumb (which digits you use depends on the design). The motion does take some time to get used to, but once you do, a trackball can reduce the lateral strain on your wrist from constant mouse swiping, and enforce better wrist positioning.
So, which trackball is right for you? To help you decide, we’ve collected a group of recently tested current-model trackballs that include both thumb- and fingertip-operated models, as well as models in other categories (gaming trackballs, budget trackballs). Let’s look at our top picks, as well as some detailed buying advice on how to land the best trackball.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Kensington Expert Mouse Wireless Trackball
Best Fingertip-Operated Trackball
Why We Picked It
Kensington has long been known for its trackballs, and the Expert Mouse Wireless Trackball is one of the best the company has released. With an excellent ambidextrous design and a detachable plush wrist rest, this trackball mouse is a comfortable driver for power users and trackball newbies alike. It supports both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, as well as plenty of customization options, thanks to the KensingtonWorks software. The only downsides are the trackball’s noisy clickers and its reliance on disposable batteries—though depending on where and how you use the Expert Mouse, disposable cells might well be a plus.
Who It’s For
For those already comfortable with the nuances of trackball control, the Kensington Expert Mouse Wireless Trackball is one of the best options on the market.
PROS
- Comfortable design, including game-changing scrolling ring
- Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless
- Detachable wrist rest
- Lots of customization available via config software
CONS
- Relies on disposable batteries (may be a pro to some)
- Noisy click panels
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Buttons | 4 |
| Interface | Bluetooth, RF Wireless |
| Hand Orientation | Ambidextrous |
| Sensor Maker and Model | Unspecified Optical Sensor |
| Sensor Maximum Resolution | 400 dpi |
| Power Source | Two AA Batteries |
| Weight | 15.98 ounces |
| Warranty (Parts and Labor) | 3 years |
Kensington Pro Fit Ergo TB550 Trackball
Best Thumb-Operated Trackball
Why We Picked It
If a fingertip-operated mouse isn’t for you, then Kensington has you covered. This thumb-operated trackball has a shallower learning curve than other trackballs, thanks to its familiar design that almost mimics a joystick. It features Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connection options, and the wireless operation is powered by a rechargeable battery. While left-handed users will be left out of the fun, the mouse is compatible with both macOS and Windows.
Who It’s For
If you’re interested in a trackball and would rather use your thumb instead of your other fingertips, the Pro Fit Ergo TB550 is a comfortable introduction to the genre, with plenty of productivity options for power users.
PROS
- Comfortable to use
- Excellent build quality
- Plenty of functionality
- 128-bit AES encryption
CONS
- Takes some getting used to
- No left-handed option
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Buttons | 5 |
| Interface | Bluetooth, USB Wired, 2.4GHz Wireless |
| Hand Orientation | Right-Handed |
| Sensor Maker and Model | Unspecified Optical Sensor |
| Sensor Maximum Resolution | 1600 dpi |
| Power Source | Internal Battery |
| Weight | 4.9 ounces |
| Warranty (Parts and Labor) | 3 years |
Logitech Ergo M575
Best Alternative to the Kensington Pro Fit Ergo TB550 Trackball
Why We Picked It
Well-designed and priced accordingly, the Logitech MX Ergo M575 is an immaculate trackball from Logitech, one that has proven itself to be a staple in the MX line since its debut. The MX Ergo keeps the overall design of a traditional mouse, this time including a ball operated by the user’s thumb. All the quality sensibilities of the MX line of Logitech accessories help elevate the MX Ergo to something special, and it earns our recommendation.
Who It’s For
Those who want to use a trackball but are intimidated by the idea of switching to a vertical or flat mouse will find the Logitech MX Ergo M575 comfortable and familiar.
PROS
- Ergonomic design
- Solid construction
- Supports both Bluetooth and Logitech’s USB Unifying receiver
CONS
- Thumb-ball design isn’t for everyone
- No support for wired connections
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Buttons | 5 |
| Interface | RF Wireless, Bluetooth |
| Hand Orientation | Right-Handed |
| Sensor Maker and Model | Logitech Advanced Optical Tracking |
| Sensor Maximum Resolution | 2000 dpi |
| Power Source | One AA Battery |
| Weight | 5.11 ounces |
| Warranty (Parts and Labor) | 1 year |
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Kensington Orbit Wireless Trackball
Best Budget Trackball
Why We Picked It
Interested in a trackball but unwilling to pay a premium? The Kensington Orbit might be for you. A budget-priced option, the trackball sports Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connections, plus a detachable wrist rest. (Operating the mouse without the wrist rest might prove difficult for those with larger hands.) Using disposable batteries instead of rechargeable ones helps keep the price down, and the body doesn’t feel quite as premium as other mice we’ve used. But despite these quibbles, the Orbit Wireless Trackball impressed us enough to recommend it for cost-conscious shoppers.
Who It’s For
For those interested in trying a trackball at a decent price, the Kensington Orbit Wireless Trackball delivers the goods with solid functionality.
PROS
- 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity
- Well-designed scroll wheel
- Detachable wrist rest
- Affordable
CONS
- Not comfortable to use without the wrist rest
- No rechargeable battery
- Build quality feels cheap
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Buttons | 2 |
| Interface | Bluetooth, 2.4GHz Wireless |
| Hand Orientation | Ambidextrous |
| Sensor Maker and Model | Unspecified Optical Sensor |
| Sensor Maximum Resolution | 1600 dpi |
| Power Source | Two AA Batteries |
| Weight | 5.6 ounces |
| Warranty (Parts and Labor) | 3 year |
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GameBall
Best for Trackball for Gaming
Why We Picked It
Gaming with a trackball is uncommon, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it. To that end, the GameBall sets out to stake its claim as a trackball specifically for gaming. The flat, ambidextrous design takes a few ambitious swings, though it doesn’t always get a base hit. No customization software, a spotty touch-based scroll wheel, and a high price keep the GameBall from earning higher marks, but gamers looking to give a trackball a try will find that it’s a decent driver for action games and shooters alike.
Who It’s For
For gamers who want to roll their enemies and not their wrists, the GameBall is a respectable pointing option.
PROS
- Ambidextrous
- Comfortable
- Trackball is accurate
CONS
- No software for customization
- DPI switching is cumbersome
- Touch scroll isn’t always accurate
- Expensive for what it offers
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Buttons | 6 |
| Interface | USB Wired |
| Hand Orientation | Ambidextrous |
| Sensor Maker and Model | Unspecified PixArt Sensor |
| Sensor Maximum Resolution | 3000 dpi |
| Power Source | Wired USB |
| Weight | 8.1 ounces |
| Warranty (Parts and Labor) | 1 year |
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Kensington Pro Fit Ergo Vertical Wireless Trackball
Best Trackball with a Vertical Design
Why We Picked It
While it’s not Kensington’s strongest trackball offering, this vertical trackball can still prove useful to people looking for an ergonomic-mouse alternative. It’s comfortable, with many customization options, and it features just as many wireless options as its competitors do. The mouse’s biggest pitfalls are its rigid, stiff housing and occasionally erratic sensor in our test sample that can sometimes miss precise movements. Still, these are likely not enough of a deterrent for users looking for a vertical trackball mouse.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for a vertical trackball mouse for wrist relief, and pinpoint precision isn’t your first priority, you’ll find the Pro Fit Ergo more than capable of guiding you through casual web browsing and similar sessions.
PROS
- Comfortable fit.
- Many customizable buttons.
- Sensitivity adjustment button.
- Includes storage for wireless dongle.
- Long-lasting batteries.
- Dual Bluetooth connections.
- Easy-to-use software.
CONS
- Trackball housing is stiff, and cursor tracking erratic.
- No tilt adjustment.
- Right-handed only.
- Uses AA instead of rechargable batteries.
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Buttons | 9 |
| Interface | RF Wireless, Bluetooth |
| Hand Orientation | Right-Handed |
| Sensor Maker and Model | Unspecified Optical Sensor |
| Sensor Maximum Resolution | 1500 dpi |
| Power Source | Two AA Batteries |
| Weight | 7.04 ounces |
| Warranty (Parts and Labor) | 2 years |
Buying Guide: The Best Trackball Mice for 2024
Trackballs have been around for years, dating back as far as the late 1940s. They were originally invented by a man named Ralph Benjamin while he was working for the British Royal Navy Scientific Service. At the time, Benjamin’s project used analog computers to calculate the future position of target aircraft based on several initial input points provided by a user with a joystick. It was the use of the joystick that prompted him to create a more elegant tool, which he named the “roller ball.”
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, when PC-mouse manufacturers began to extend their product lines, trackballs emerged as a niche alternative to traditional computer mice, where they remain. A variety of makers offer trackball mice, but nowadays, the ones you’ll see most often, by far, in ordinary retail are developed and produced by two companies: Logitech and Kensington.
As we noted earlier, as an ergonomic alternative to traditional mice, trackballs work by enabling you to manipulate your onscreen cursor by rolling a ball with your fingertips or thumb, instead of your wrist or arm. The trackball is held in place by a socket, inside which sensors detect motion across the X and Y axes. In a way, the trackball works much like an upside-down classic ball mouse.
But despite the obvious visual differences, trackballs deliver the same functionality that most mice do. You’ll still find left and right click buttons and a scroll wheel. (A few opt for a “scroll ring” surrounding the ball that serves the same functionality as a wheel.) You may also get a shortcut button or two on some models. Trackballs are not typically gaming-focused, but rather aimed at productivity PC use, though there is a sect of gamers who prefer them when playing certain action games or titles that involve a lot of pinpoint panning across large areas.
Do You Want to Use Your Thumb or Fingertips?
Trackballs come in two control styles: thumb-operated, and fingertip-operated. Thumb-operated trackballs have less of a learning curve than fingertip-operated ones. They feature a more traditional mouse layout (with adjacent left and right clickers, plus a scroll wheel, all on top), and they usually make use of a smaller trackball. Some mirror vertical mice, while others adopt a traditional, flat style. These trackballs are also better suited for gaming, though it ultimately comes down to user preference.
(Credit: Zackery Cuevas)
But thumb-operated trackballs are not without their possible downsides. For one, by nature they can’t be designed as ambidextrous (the ball is just on one side), and while their learning curve might not be as steep if you’re using a trackball for the first time, they are not as accessible as the fingertip-operated variety.
Fingertip-operated trackballs, on the other hand, usually feature an ambidextrous design, with the left and right clickers on either side of the top-mounted ball. Most also feature larger trackballs that allow more than one finger to roll them. (You’ll usually use your pointer and middle fingers.)
You’ll also want to consider your wrist position. Vertical or semi-vertical trackballs provide extra support to your hands while keeping them in natural positions. Opting for a flat design removes grip from the equation almost entirely, allowing your muscles to stay relaxed while you still have complete control.
(Credit: Zackery Cuevas)
Fingertip-operated trackballs do have one thing in common with the thumb-oriented variety—they still take time to get used to, even if the learning curve is shallower. Because they are so fundamentally different than your normal mouse, it requires a certain amount of muscle-memory relearning to gain full control of your inputs.
There are plenty of reasons to switch from a conventional mouse to a trackball mouse. Some people prefer them because they’re easier to use, while others find an improvement in their productivity. Trackball mice also take up less desk space than conventional mice. (You don’t slide them around, and thus don’t need to allocate room for that.) And the improved ergonomics could lead to improved posture and less fatigue.
Our reviews examine the value, build quality, features, and software of every trackball to figure out which will deliver the most bang for your buck. Whether you are differently abled or looking to relieve stress, it’s worth taking the time to figure out which trackball is right for you.
Should You Get a Wired or Wireless Trackball?
The simplest way to hook up a mouse to your PC is through a wired USB connection, which almost all trackball mice support. Computer mice are usually plug-and-play devices, with no additional software to install for basic operation, though they may have downloadable software for further customization. A wired device will draw its power over USB, so you won’t have to worry about charging any kind of battery. Wired connections are the most reliable when it comes to response time, but the differences are slim and becoming slimmer.
(Credit: Michael Epstein)
Trackball mice already offer more freedom than your typical mouse, but you can take that even further with a wireless model. Wireless trackballs transmit data to your PC through one of two primary means: an RF connection to a USB receiver, or via Bluetooth. (Some mice support both.) Both have their pros and cons, but if you want to reduce the number of cables on your desk and enjoy more freedom of movement, wireless is the way to go.
(Credit: Zackery Cuevas)
Bluetooth options offer the most freedom because they don’t require a USB port, and the stable, easy-to-manage connections are ideal for use with laptops and even mobile devices like tablets, sometimes allowing users to cycle through devices at will. A few models allow you to switch among multiple Bluetooth-connected devices at a button-press.
In regular use, a Bluetooth connection gives you roughly 30 feet of wireless range, but a Bluetooth mouse may not match the battery life offered by devices with an RF-based USB dongle. Check the specs. Be sure to keep an eye on your battery—whether the trackball has a rechargeable battery or uses disposable cells, you’ll want to look at the trackball’s estimated battery life before you buy. Note that some wireless models that employ rechargeable internal batteries let you use the trackball in wired mode, connected via USB cable, while you charge.
Trackball Setup: Adjusting to Fit Your Needs
Now, while switching to any kind of ergonomic mouse will not heal you of any ailment by itself, trackballs are known to have some benefits. Everything from your monitor height to the keyboard and mouse you use will affect the natural alignment of your body while you work or play on your computer. Overuse of input devices specifically can lead to RSIs like carpal tunnel syndrome. Trackballs alleviate this by relying on your fingers to do the work while your wrist and hand rest in their natural positions. If you’re considering a trackball for this reason, you should consult a doctor first.
(Credit: Nathaniel Mott)
Aside from choosing whether you want to operate the mouse with your fingers or your thumbs, you also want to decide what size trackball works best for you. You’ll find larger trackballs aimed at power users, while smaller trackballs are better suited for folks on the move. Some even tilt left and right for minor angle adjustments on the fly.
You’ll also want to consider your wrist position. Vertical or semi-vertical trackballs provide extra support to your hands while keeping them in natural positions. Opting for a flat one removes grip from the equation almost entirely, allowing your muscles to stay relaxed while you still have complete control.
Which Trackball Should I Buy?
A trackball mouse can prove an invaluable comfort and productivity booster for your day-to-day workflow. Whether you’re opting for a budget trackball, or one decked out with shortcut buttons and multiple connection options, using any of the trackballs on our list will be a worthwhile addition to your desk set, and a step toward improving your ergonomics and user experience. If you’re looking for other ergonomic input-device options, also check out our picks for best ergonomic keyboards and ergonomic mice.
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