If you’ve ever finished a long day at your desk with sore wrists, aching elbows, or even stiff shoulders, your mouse could be part of the problem. A standard mouse often forces your hand and wrist into an awkward, twisted position. Over time this can lead to discomfort, or even issues like RSI, carpal tunnel, or tennis elbow.

The good news? You don’t have to just put up with it. There are lots of ergonomic mice out there designed to make working at your computer far more comfortable. Here are a few of our favourites and why we think they’re worth a try.

1. Vertical Mouse

You’ve probably spotted one around the office before and thought, “What on earth is that?” It may look a little unusual, but there is method to the madness.

The vertical mouse puts the hand and wrist in a handshake position which avoids twisting of the forearm. This position helps to reduce pressure on both the wrist and shoulder. The vertical design keeps your fingers and hand comfortably outstretched, rather than cramped as with a standard mouse. It also encourages your elbows to stay close to the centre of your body, helping to prevent irritation in the elbow and arm.

Our favourite vertical mice are the Contour Unimouse and the Evoluent Vertical Mouse 4.

2. Roll Bar Mouse

Now, The Roll Bar Mouse is quite different. Instead of sitting by the side of your keyboard, it’s placed directly in front of you. This central position encourages a more natural sitting posture and helps prevent overreaching. It also reduces hand strain by keeping your forearms in a relaxed, natural position.

Hand strain is also minimised as it allows for natural forearm placement, the roll bar design means there’s no need to grip the mouse tightly, which eases pressure on your fingers and hands. As well as this, it allows you to share the work between both hands rather than relying on just one, helping to reduce stress in either hand.

We recommend the RollerMouse Red Plus or the Ergoslider Plus.

3. Trackball Mouse

If it’s shoulder pain you suffer with, then this is the mouse for you. Since the Trackball Mouse remains stationary, there is no need for shoulder movement at all. You simply roll the ball with your fingers to move the cursor, click and scroll rather than moving the mouse around the desk. This reduces stress on the shoulder.

Our favourite trackball mouse it the Kensington Orbit Optical Trackball.

4. Control Pad Mouse

Finally, there’s the Control Pad Mouse. Instead of a traditional mouse, it uses a centrally positioned control pad that lets you move the cursor precisely without stretching or twisting your wrist. By keeping all movement centred and balanced, it helps reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries while keeping you comfortable at your desk.

Our top choice is the Mousetrapper Advance 2.0.

The Verdict

So, are ergonomic mice useful? Absolutely. The may seem a little unconventional and look bit strange, but they can make a significant difference when it comes to tackling discomfort. Whether you choose a vertical, roll bar, trackball, or control pad mouse, the best option depends on your individual needs. If you’d like to explore further, visit our ergonomic shop to browse the full range of solutions for sore wrists, hands, and shoulders.

Want to review your whole workstation? Book a DSE assessment for personalised tips on your workstation setup. As advised by HSE, this can help determine the right setup for your comfort and compliance.

Give us a call on 01422 652257, email us at info@posturechairs.co.uk or fill out the form below for more details.