What Is a Vertical Mouse and Is It the Best Ergonomic Mouse?

As the founder and CEO of a digital marketing and web design company, my job entails heavy usage of a computer. Whether it's for web design, SEO, or managing digital marketing campaigns, you'll typically find me seated in front of a screen for about 7 to 10 hours daily. Over time, this began to take a toll on my body, particularly on my wrist, neck, and trapezius muscles.

Having experienced first-hand the discomfort of recurring tension headaches and diagnosed migraines, I became extremely passionate about ergonomics and began to explore different solutions to make my office more ergonomic.

One of my discoveries along the way was the concept of a vertical mouse, also known as an upright mouse. I took the leap and purchased a Logitech MX Vertical Mouse in September 2021 to try at my home office, which I used a couple of times a week and served as a trial run. I enjoyed the initial benefits of the vertical mouse so much that I bought a second vertical mouse just two months later for my normal office where it’s used 7 to 10 hours per day.

So, what exactly is a vertical mouse, and why am I recommending you try one?

What Is a Vertical Mouse?

A vertical mouse, also known as an upright mouse, is a unique design twist on the traditional computer mouse that aligns your hand and forearm in a more natural position. Rather than laying your hand and wrist flat over the top of the mouse, as with conventional designs, a vertical mouse appears flipped on its side at an angle, encouraging you to hold the vertical mouse in a slightly angled handshake position. For example, the ergonomic vertical mouse I use and is featured in the video below is tilted at a 57-degree angle.

The purpose behind the design of the vertical mouse is purely ergonomic. According to Logitech's ERGO Lab research, the vertical mouse is created with the aim to minimize muscle strain and reduce discomfort associated with long hours of mouse usage. Logitech's study showed that the ergonomic design of a vertical mouse can have a tremendous impact considering heavy computer users perform 3 million keystrokes and move their mouse up to 17 miles each year!

If you’re moving your mouse that much and not optimizing your comfort, think about how much strain that can create!

My Personal Experience with Switching to an Ergonomic Vertical Mouse

As I previously mentioned, I switched to a Logitech MX Vertical Mouse in 2021 and have been very pleased with the results. Based on my experience, I believe there are three main benefits of switching to a vertical mouse.

Pros of Using a Vertical Mouse

1. Improved Ergonomics: Supported by third-party and Logitech studies and my own experience, the vertical mouse design reduces strain, not just on the wrist, but extending all the way to my neck and trapezius. I've noticed that the rotation of my hand from the standard flat mouse to the vertical mouse at an angle specifically relaxes muscles in both my wrist and trapezius. 
2. Versatile for Work: The vertical mouse is just as efficient as a traditional mouse for all types of work I complete on a daily basis. Be it graphic design, web development, admin tasks, or even gaming, a vertical mouse does the job equally well, if not better. As a bonus, the Logitech MX Vertical Mouse model I use has a quick mouse speed adjust button that allows me to dynamically adjust the speed of the mouse movements on the fly using customizable settings. This gives me optimized sensitivity for design work when I need it vs. my standard settings for speeding up the efficiency of administrative related tasks.
3. Reduced Tension and Migraine Headaches: I noticed a significant decrease in the frequency and severity of my tension and migraine headaches after switching to a vertical mouse, among other ergonomic improvements in my office, which I attribute to the reduced strain on my body. I tracked and continue to track my headache frequency, intensity, symptoms, triggers, and other key metrics using the Migraine Buddy app.
4. Longer Use Time Before Fatigue: Naturally, no matter how long you use any tool, eventually fatigue may set in. I noticed fatigue with my traditional mouse typically in the afternoon of a workday consisting of heavy use. However, with my vertical mouse, I don't notice fatigue from use. I'm sure If I used the vertical mouse beyond my normal 7-10 hours a day, fatigue would eventually set in. However, it appears that the length of time I can use a mouse without fatigue has increased notably since switching from a traditional mouse to an upright mouse.

As a humorous bonus "pro," people may be less likely to steal and/or borrow your vertical mouse. Yes, this is a bit of a joke. However, there is also truth to it. Computer users who don't use a vertical mouse regularly might not know how to use a vertical mouse! Case in point, my wife does not dare confiscate my mouse. Eventually, I'm sure that I'll convert her to using her own vertical mouse.

However, like any product, there are also a few cons of a vertical mouse to consider.

Cons of Using a Vertical Mouse

1. Handedness Limitation: The design is not universal to both right and left-handed users. Meaning, unlike other mice I’ve used in the past, the mouse is not universal. However, Logitech does offer a left-handed version of the MX Lift Vertical Mouse which is similar in design to the MX Vertical Mouse.
2. Adaptation Period: The vertical mouse has a completely different feel, and it might take some time to get used to. You will not likely enjoy the mouse on day one, or perhaps even month one. My suggestion is to try it out for at least 3 months before determining if it’s right for you.
3. Size Matters: Pick a vertical mouse that fits your wrist size. A mouse that's too big or too small can counteract the ergonomic benefits.
4. Price: Any truly ergonomic mice are going to come with a higher price tag. That said, given how frequently you use the mouse, it’s well worth the cost in my opinion. The productivity gains from reduced pain and discomfort can quickly outweigh the initial cost.

Durability Note and Customer Service Update for Logitech MX Vertical Mouse

You'll find that vertical mice vary greatly by brand. While I'm still a huge fan of Logitech mice, after nearly 3 years of heavy use, both of my Logitech MX Vertical Mice became magically erratic within the same month. I did a lot of troubleshooting with the software and hardware, even including cleaning the devices. However, the devices worked well sometimes and were erratic other times. That said, I do not believe it had anything to do with the actual mouse hardware. Instead, if I had to hypothesize, I believe it may have been a compatibility issue with my OS, possibly with the older USB dongles.

My vertical mice were both out of warranty at that point. However, I still reached out to Logitech anyway. Their support was excellent, and my guess is they may have been aware of this issue affecting some users. In either case, with very minimal effort on my part, they replaced both of my Logitech MX Vertical Mice for free with new devices. I've been using them ever since with no issues. 

My advice: do not go with the cheapest vertical mouse. Instead, go with a brand that's known for quality products and helpful customer support. Based on my experience, that's still Logitech.

Ergonomic Vertical Mouse FAQ

Since I originally published this article, I have received questions from readers, colleagues, and friends regarding their interest, and hesitancy, in switching to a vertical mouse. I addressed the most common questions below based on my personal experience using a vertical mouse since 2021.

Is an ergonomic vertical mouse better and worth the extra money?

If you use a computer as part of your daily job, an ergonomic vertical mouse is well worth the cost! Even if you only use a computer 6 hours per weekday (which is conservative) and work an average of 50 weeks a year, that’s 1,500 hours per year (or 90,000 minutes).

From my experience, those hours can be much more enjoyable and far less fatiguing if you treat your body to a well-crafted vertical mouse.

What is the best ergonomic mouse for long work hours?

Over my career, I have used a myriad of traditional mice predominantly from Logitech, Microsoft, and Dell. However, due to needing to make ergonomic improvements related to headaches and shoulder/neck pain, I switched to using an upright mouse exclusively in 2021. I strongly recommend either the Logitech MX Vertical Mouse (which is what I use at home and the office), or Logitech’s cheaper alternative, the MX Lift Vertical Mouse.

What is the best vertical mouse?

The best vertical mouse is going to be somewhat subjective and will vary from person to person based on hand-size, typical tasks, and, ultimately, budget. While I am personally a huge fan of Logitech vertical mice, you may find an alternative vertical mouse that suits your needs. That said, I would encourage you to not just focus on price, but dig into the reviews, the science behind the design, and the credibility of the manufacturer.

What's the best ergonomic vertical mouse for Mac?

I'm a PC user through and through and have only tested vertical mice on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices. So, you might want to talk to one of your Apple-enthusiast friends for a better answer. That said, I do know that Logitech has a Logitech Lift for Mac vertical mouse that's specifically designed for Apple devices.

Is a vertical mouse better than a traditional mouse?

When it comes to ergonomics, a vertical mouse is definitely better than a traditional mouse. Check out Logitech’s extensive studies on mouse and keyboard ergonomics.

So far, I haven't seen any studies that show a flat mouse is more ergonomic or better for your wrist than the newer upright mouse design.

Are all vertical mice wireless?

No, you can certainly buy wired vertical mice as well. The mouse I use, Logitech MX Vertical Mouse, is wireless but also includes a USB-C charging cable. When plugged into the charging cable, the mouse becomes wired and stops using the wireless functionality.

How long does it take to learn how to use a vertical mouse?

It took me about two months to get used to using a vertical mouse. Keep in mind, at the time I switched to the upright mouse, I was using it closer to 8-10 hours per day. So, for a safe bet, I suggest giving yourself at least three months of use to really get used to the vertical mouse.

How to change a vertical mouse’s sensitivity options?

Windows 10 and Windows 11 both have mouse sensitivity options (pointer speed, scroll speed, etc.) available within their default settings (no additional software required). You can just search “mouse settings” in the Windows search bar, and it will bring up the mouse settings portal.

That said, since I use the Logi Vertical Mouse, I pair my mouse with their free Logi Options+ software. This allows me to easily set numerous customizations. For example, I configure two different sensitivities at a time and toggle between them via the top button on my mouse. This allows me to use fast mouse movement with my day-to-day activities and then toggle to a slower speed when in Illustrator or Photoshop for more fine detail movements.

With Logi Options+, you can program different functions for the mouse’s additional buttons and even dynamically adapt what the buttons do based upon which program is actively being used.

Is an ergonomic vertical mouse good for gaming?

From my experience (when I actually have free time), using a vertical mouse for gaming is a great choice. I’ve tested the vertical mouse on both modern FPS and RTS titles (e.g. Battlefield, Age of Empires, etc.), and it works excellently. Technically, Logitech’s vertical mouse requires up to 4X less hand movement to move the cursor (when compared to a traditional mouse with a 1,000 DPI sensor).

That said, I am not a pro-gamer, so please keep in mind that I have only tested this in the casual gaming environment.

Is a wired or wireless vertical mouse better?

This depends on what primary tasks you are doing with your mouse. Most gamers will tell you that a wired vertical mouse is better for gaming as it typically has lower latency. However, I strongly prefer a wireless vertical mouse for work since it reduces desk clutter. 

The upright mouse that I use is wireless but also has a cable for charging which converts it to wired use, which is a nice combination of both worlds! 

Is a vertical mouse good for graphic designers and web designers?

Yes! As a web designer, I enjoy my vertical mouse much more than my previous traditional, flat mouse, as it makes fine motor movements easier. Additionally, the vertical mouse I use has pre-programmable mouse sensitivities that I can toggle between on the fly (with a click of a mouse button) while editing photos or working on graphics within Illustrator.

What’s a good ergonomic keyboard to pair with a vertical mouse?

I use the Logitech ERGO K860 wireless ergonomic keyboard. This keyboard is pretty large and features an ergonomic split wave. Also, the most unique selling point is the keyboard has inverted tilt options which is much more stress relieving at the wrist joint in comparison to traditional tilt options.

Amazon has a combo pack that includes the Logitech ERGO K860 and the Logitech MX Vertical Mouse which is what I use at the office.

Is a vertical mouse typically ambidextrous?

No. Due to the nature of their angled design, vertical mice are designed for either left-hand or right-hand use. 

Some flat, traditional mice definitely have ambidextrous options, but this is certainly not the case with an upright mouse. Thus, you'll need to make sure you pick out either a left-handed or right-handed option.

If you're ambidextrous or mixed-handed (cross-dominant) like I am, certainly pick the hand you use most for mouse work, but keep in mind you won't be able to swap. I noticed that once I shifted from a flat mouse to a vertical mouse, I had less fatigue in my hand and shoulder, and thus no longer needed to swap hands during extended work days. I still do keep a flat ambidextrous mouse available though for my left hand just in case.

What's the best left handed vertical mouse?

As you may have noticed, vertical mice are not universal for handedness like some traditional mice. As such, you have to purchase a vertical mouse specifically designed for left-handed users.. For left-handed individuals, I recommend the left-handed Logitech Lift Left vertical mouse.

Does a vertical mouse help with carpal tunnel syndrome?

I'm so sorry for the pain you are experiencing! I do not have any direct experience with carpal tunnel syndrome, so I cannot answer this question. However, I'd recommend talking to your doctor about your carpal tunnel, share Logitech's ERGO Lab research, and have them review the Logitech MX Vertical Mouse or the Logitech Lift Vertical Mouse. They may be able to give you a more specific recommendation.

Should You Buy an Ergonomic Vertical Mouse?

I have found the benefits of using a vertical mouse to drastically outweigh the cons. To everyone who spends considerable time in front of a computer, I highly recommend giving the vertical mouse a try, especially the Logitech MX Vertical Mouse or the Logitech Lift Vertical Mouse.

Remember, in the end, it's not just about working harder, but also working healthier and smarter. Give a vertical mouse a try, and I truly believe that your body will thank you!

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