The best mouse for designers are:
1. The Kensington Expert Mouse® Wireless Trackball
2. Kensington Pro Fit® Ergo Vertical Wired Trackball.
3. Kensington Orbit® Fusion™ Wireless Trackball.
4. Kensington Orbit® Wireless Trackball with Scroll Ring.
Best mouse for designers: why use a trackball?
A trackball mouse will provide you the same functionalities as a conventional computer mouse and some additional advantages which could be very useful such as enhanced working precision, an ergonomic design, and customizable buttons.
If you are a graphic designer or visual arts professional and are looking for the best pointing device here are 6 reasons because you should use a trackball:
Compatibility
All Kensington trackballs are designed to operate with Windows OS, Mac OS, and Chrome OS, which make them suitable to work with most of the specialized graphic design hardware and software.
Wired or Wireless
Kensington trackball products include 5 wired and 7 wireless trackball models, suitable for almost every workstation design. Kensington wireless trackballs offer you two different connectivity options: the first one, a Bluetooth device that allows you to save a valuable USB port; the second is a 2.4GHz USB wireless nano receiver. Most Kensington wireless trackballs have a bay to store the receiver inside the trackball when not in use.
Ergonomics
Professional graphic designers spend a lot of time working on their projects which leads to fatigue and increases the risk of suffering undesirable health conditions such as fatigue, repetitive strain injury (RSI) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Kensington trackball products have ergonomic designs which provide you maximum comfort when you are working, enhance your performance and reduce the probability of suffering fatigue, RSI and/or CTS.
Suitable for all
Kensington has a wide range of trackball mouse products, suitable for right-handed, left-handed and ambidextrous graphic designers. No matter the size of your hands, bigger or smaller, there is a Kensington trackball mouse that fits your needs.
Functionalities
All Kensington trackballs have the same functionalities of conventional computer mice and they also have customizable buttons which allow graphic designers to program a wide range of specific tasks. So, if you are looking for the best mouse for designers, just try a Kensington trackball.
Price
Kensington trackball products are affordable! With prices from $29.99 to $109.99 you will find the best trackball mouse for graphic designers at the best market price.
How to choose the best mouse for design?
There are some things to consider when you are looking for the best mice for designers:
Accuracy and precision
The accuracy and precision of computer input devices such as mice and trackballs is measured in DPI (dots per inch) and is directly related to the sensitivity of the device and the motion of the cursor in your computer screen. Regular optical computer mice exhibit 500-1600 DPI while laser computer mice have typical values around 2,000 DPI. Special mice for gamers can reach even 20,000 DPI.
For graphic design purposes, each professional has to choose which is the best DPI level required, and this depends on the complexity of the project, the size and resolution of the computer monitor and the software employed. Thus, the best mouse for graphics designers gives the user the option to customize the DPI settings of the device in order to adjust to the accuracy level for the specific situation.
Wired or wireless
Wireless mice give you freedom of movement which is a feature very appreciated when working in graphic design and visual arts projects, but their batteries must be recharged regularly and they could run out of charge in the least opportune moment.
Wired mice allow continuous operation, without the risk of going powerless, but they limit your movements and the wire could lay stubbornly in the trajectory of the device. So, you have to choose which is the best alternative between wired and wireless mouse, depending on your needs and preferences.
Size and Weight
Size and weight of mice are very important features for graphic design purposes. In general, smaller and lighter mice are suitable for traveling and cluttered workstations with little space available to operate the device, but they could be difficult to use with the accuracy required by sophisticated graphic design and visual arts projects.
On the other hand, bigger and heavier mice usually provide a higher control and accuracy, which is very valuable when working in most graphic design and visual arts projects, and exhibit extra customizable buttons which add more functionality to the device, but they tend to be bulky and more expensive.
Therefore, the best mouse for graphic designers is that which offers the best mix of size and weight, keeping the accuracy, precision and flexibility of operation.
Do graphic designers use mice?
Yes! Graphic designers use mice. Although in recent years the technology evolution has brought us other devices such as the graphic design tablets which are used with special pens, the mouse still remains as a primary tool for the digital photographer, visual arts professional and graphic designer.
However, there are other devices with great potential for visual arts, digital photography and graphic design projects: the trackball.
Trackballs are very similar to conventional computer mice but they are stationary hardware that does not require to be displaced. This is a very important advantage over conventional computer mice because it saves space in your workstation.
If you have a high complexity graphic design project or if you have a big computer monitor, with a trackball you don’t need to move your arm displacing a mouse over an extended surface to obtain a movement of the cursor on the computer screen, and you keep all the functionality and accuracy of a regular computer mouse.
Compared with conventional computer mice, trackballs tend to be more ergonomic and this reduces the fatigue after long hours working in sophisticated graphic design projects and also contributes to preventing undesirable health conditions such as repetitive strain injury (RSI) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) which affect many professional graphic designers.
For the user accustomed to the traditional computer mouse, to switch and adapt to a trackball can take a few days or weeks but many professional graphic designers choose trackballs as their primary pointing device once they have gained confidence and developed operating skills. So, just try a trackball for your next graphic design project!
Is a trackball mouse good for editing?
Yes! A trackball mouse is good for editing. Trackballs have the same functionalities as conventional computer mice. However, for the user accustomed to working with a regular computer mouse, the transition to image or photo editing with a trackball could be a little difficult, but with some practice image editing skills are developed and those tasks are accomplished at least with the same accuracy as that obtained with conventional computer mice.
Of course, there are tasks of different difficulty levels, some of them more challenging than others. It is very easy to work with text fields and sliders using a trackball. Making selections with rectangular boxes, using and/or editing curves or levels is as easy as using a conventional computer mouse.
Other tasks such as retouching, using brushes or making detailed masks require more time and practice to reach the same accuracy than that obtained with a conventional computer mouse.
Some specific tasks, just like drawing or following long straight lines, could be a little more difficult with a trackball, as the movement of the cursor in the computer screen is determined by a rotation of the sphere on the device.
Despite these small shortcomings, trackballs are suitable for most tasks and activities during a photography or image edition as well as for most graphic design and visual arts projects.
If you are looking for an ergonomic, accurate, reliable and stylish mouse for your professional editing projects, you should try the Kensington SlimBlade™ Trackball. Additionally, KensingtonWorks™ allows users to unlock powerful personalization features that enhance productivity and increase workflow efficiencies.
What is the best mouse for graphic designers overall?
Among the wide range of Kensington products, the Expert Mouse® Wireless Trackball is the best mouse for graphic designers overall, based on compatibility, connectivity, functionality, accuracy, ergonomics, and price criteria.
Compatibility
All Kensington trackballs are compatible with the most important computer operating systems: Windows OS, Mac OS and Chrome OS.
Connectivity
Most Kensington wireless trackballs have two connectivity options: via Bluetooth or through a wireless 2.4GHz USB Receiver.
Functionality
Functionality is related to the number of customizable buttons and the number of devices that can be connected simultaneously.
Accuracy
Accuracy is measured in DPI (Dots Per Inch). Some Kensington trackballs have a DPI switch button which allows the user to select and change the accuracy settings depending on the specific project requirements.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is related to a comfortable design. Some trackballs are designed for right-handed, left-handed or ambidextrous users.
Price
What is the best budget mouse for designers? Kensington offers trackball solutions at affordable prices.
Based on these criteria, The Kensington Expert Mouse® Wireless Trackball is the best trackball mouse for graphic designers.
The Kensington Expert Mouse® Wireless Trackball can be used with Chrome OS, Mac OS and Windows OS, as well as a wide range of Mac hardware such as iPad family, including iPad Pro 12.9" 3rd & 4th gen.
It has several wireless connectivity options, with a 2.4GHz USB Receiver, Bluetooth and Dual USB Receiver & Bluetooth.
This device exhibits 4 customizable buttons and a scroll ring, a finger-operated trackball and optical tracking technology with a precision of 400 DPI which make it a great tool for most graphic design and visual arts projects.
Moreover, it is suitable for left-handed, right-handed and ambidextrous users which makes it a great option when you are looking for the best ergonomic mouse for graphic designers, and all these just for $109.99!
The best wired mouse for graphic designers is the Kensington Pro Fit® Ergo Vertical Wired Trackball. This mouse is a right hand, thumb-operated trackball compatible with Chrome OS, Mac OS and Windows OS.
It has 9 programmable buttons, a scroll ring and a DPI switch to change from 400 DPI to 400-800 DPI or vice versa. Moreover, it allows you to connect up to 3 different devices, just for $69.99.
The best wireless mouse for graphic designers is the Kensington Orbit® Fusion™ Wireless Trackball. This mouse is a right hand, finger-operated trackball compatible with Chrome OS, Mac OS and Windows OS.
It has a wireless 2.4GHz USB Receiver, 5 customizable buttons, a scroll ring, laser tracking and a triple DPI switch which allows you to set the accuracy of the device in 400, 400-800 or 800-1500 DPI, just for $79.99.
From a functionality point of view, the best mouse for graphic designers is the Kensington Pro Fit® Ergo Vertical Wireless Trackball. This trackball mouse is a right hand, thumb-operated trackball compatible with Chrome OS, Mac OS and Windows OS.
Connectivity options which include wireless 2.4GHz USB Receiver, Bluetooth and Dual USB Receiver & Bluetooth; 9 programmable buttons, an ergonomic design, and a DPI switch to select 400 DPI or 400-800 DPI of accuracy.
Moreover, it allows you to connect up to 3 different devices, just for $79.99.
From an accuracy point of view, the best mouse for graphic designers is the Kensington Orbit® Wireless Trackball with Scroll Ring. This mouse exhibits an ambidextrous design, finger-operated trackball, compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS.
Connectivity options include wireless 2.4GHz USB Receiver and Bluetooth. Additionally, it has 2 customizable buttons, a scroll ring, optical tracking and a multiple DPI switch which allows you to set your accuracy level in 400, 800, 1,200 or 1,600 DP, just for $49.99.
The best budget mouse for designers depends on the specific requirements and complexities of the visual arts or graphic design projects. Among the wide range of Kensington products, the Orbit® Optical Trackball is an excellent wired mouse for visual arts and graphic design purposes.
This device is a finger-operated trackball compatible with Chrome OS, Mac OS and Windows OS, suitable for right-handed, left-handed or ambidextrous users; has 2 programmable buttons, a scroll ring, optical tracking technology, and all these just for $29.99!
