Vertical Mouse vs Regular Mouse: What's the Difference?
Many ergonomic keyboard and mouse sets now come with a vertical mouse. It looks odd the first time you see it. Here's what's different and whether you should get one.
What a vertical mouse is
A regular mouse is flat. Your palm faces down and rests on top of it.
A vertical mouse stands up on its side. Your hand rests on its side too, with your thumb on top and your palm facing in, about the way you'd hold your hand out for a handshake. The buttons are on the side facing your thumb.
Makers usually give an angle. The Logitech Lift is listed at 57 degrees, and ProtoArc's EM11 NL at 58 degrees.
The three mouse shapes you'll see in combos
| Shape | How your hand sits | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Palm flat on top | Many basic sets |
| Contoured | Palm mostly flat, with a shaped palm and thumb rest | ProtoArc EKM01 Plus |
| Vertical | Hand on its side, thumb on top | ProtoArc EKM02, Logitech Wave Keys and Lift |
A contoured mouse is a middle step. It's shaped to fit your hand but keeps a familiar flat grip.
How long it takes to get used to
A vertical mouse uses different movements, so it feels slow and clumsy at first. ProtoArc suggests 1 to 2 weeks to get used to its vertical mouse. Tips that help:
- Lower the pointer speed (DPI) for the first few days. Many vertical mice have a DPI button.
- Move from your arm, not just your fingers.
- Keep your old mouse nearby for detailed work, like photo editing, until you're comfortable.
Picking the right size
Fit matters more with a vertical mouse because your whole hand wraps around it.
- Measure your hand from the crease of your wrist to the tip of your middle finger.
- Check the listing. ProtoArc says its EM11 NL is for hands under 7.5 inches. Logitech says Lift suits small to medium hands.
- Larger hands: look for a mouse listed for large hands. In combos, Logitech's MK670 set includes a mouse sized for medium to large hands, though it's not vertical.
Right- or left-handed
Most vertical mice are shaped for one hand. The Lift in Logitech's combo is right-handed. If you're left-handed, check the listing before you buy a combo, or buy the mouse separately.
Who should stick with a regular mouse
A vertical mouse isn't for everyone. A regular or contoured mouse may suit you better if:
- You do lots of fast, precise clicking, such as gaming.
- You switch computers often and don't want to relearn your grip each time.
- You tried a vertical mouse for a couple of weeks and still don't like it.
A note on comfort claims
Many listings say a vertical mouse reduces strain. We can only describe the shape. If you have wrist or arm pain, ask a doctor or physical therapist what suits you.
For five keyboard and mouse sets compared, including which ones include a vertical mouse, see our ergonomic keyboard and mouse comparison.