Wireless technology is a boon to those who hate keyboard and mouse cables as much as I do. That said, short battery life is a big problem for such mobile devices. So, in today’s post, I will be highlighting some tips and tricks to improve the battery life of a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Improve Battery life of a wireless keyboard and mouse
1 – Turn off the devices when not in use
The first and foremost tip to remember is turning the wireless devices (keyboard and mouse) off when not in use. Doing so improves battery life of a wireless keyboard to great extent. You can use the manual turn off method to switch off your mouse/keyboard when you are done for the day.
If you observe closely, there is a small on/off switch at the bottom of your wireless mouse that you can use to manually turn it off. (UPDATE based on comments: Not all devices may have this switch).Using this button is important because even though your wireless mouse is left idle for few minutes or hours, it is not switched off completely. They go to sleep when there is no activity noticed but wake up immediately as soon as they are pushed aside or moved around inside your bag or in your hand—and this movement can use a lot of power!
If you do not have a good memory and often forget to turn-off the devices you can set a reminder, here is a nice tip courtesy Labnol. This is a bit tricky, but works! Just visit this page and enter some text in the empty ‘WRITE HERE’ field. The tool will convert the text into an MP3. Then, hit the ‘Listen’ button and the computer will speak your words in natural sounding female voice.
Next, download the MP3 file, go to Control Panel > Change system Sounds > Exit Windows and browse to the downloaded file to set it as the reminder for turning off your mouse and keyboard. Do the same for ‘Windows Log off’ – that’s it!
2 – Keep keyboard away from large metal surfaces
A keyboard does not have an On/Off switch. The keyboard should be placed closer to the computer, within 30 cm (12 in), and away from interference from other electrical or wireless devices, especially speakers and cell phones. Moreover, it should not be used on large metal surfaces.
3 – Keep Mouse & Keyboard at the same level surface
If you are using both, the mouse and the keyboard simultaneously make sure they are within 100 cm (39 in) of the computer and on the same level surface.
4 – Use Mouse on light-colored surfaces
Always use the mouse on a light-colored surface or preferably on an opaque surface. Using the mouse over a dark-colored surface such as black or dark blue surface can cause the battery to drain faster. Also, never use the mouse on a glass surface, because tracking sensor in a wireless mouse uses more power on such surfaces causing the depletion of the battery at a much faster rate.
5 – Use keyboard more where necessary
Use keyboard where necessary! The more you move your mouse, the more power it uses. That’s because it has a laser which consumes more power. So, If you know some great keyboard shortcuts and can use them in place of mouse cursor use them. This will greatly reduce the work pressure on your mouse thereby helping you get more life out of your mouse batteries.
6 – Restrict Mouse-intensive activities
Spend less time doing mouse-intensive activities, such as browsing the Internet and when replacing batteries, use alkaline batteries. Although AA batteries aren’t highly expensive, I would recommend getting rechargeable batteries and a charger. It costs much less than getting AA batteries replaced quite often.
7 – Check the Keyboard/mouse battery-level indicator
When on a Windows Desktop, hover the mouse over the mouse or the keyboard battery-level indicator in the System Tray.
- Green – indicates a full battery.
- Yellow – indicates the battery is half full.
- Red – indicates it is time to change the battery.
There is a nice document at HP.com that you may want to read.
8 – Place Wireless devices always near computer
When the wireless devices are not in use, always store them nearby your computer.
There is no magic formula for improving the battery life of a wireless keyboard and mouse drastically but keeping these tips in minds will surely help you to improve the same to some extent.
These tips to Conserve Battery Power and Extend or Prolong Battery Life in Windows may also interest you.
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Most of the Bluetooth devices come with their software to change default actions and provide information about the device’s battery status as well. For instance, I have installed Logitech SetPoint software to know the exact status and change default button actions of Performance MX mouse (MR0007), which I bought a few years ago (an excellent mouse at its price range).
The Logitech SetPoint even sends out a notification when the battery level is low, although there are indicators on the mouse to display approximate battery level. The same is the case with Bluetooth devices from other manufacturers as well.
The good thing is that you don’t need to open your mouse, keyboard or that Bluetooth device’s software to check its battery level when it’s connected to your Windows 10 PC.
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If you have connected a Bluetooth mouse, keyboard, headphone or another device to your Windows 10 PC, you can now check the battery level of the external device with ease.
Windows 10 RS5 build 17639 and later builds show you the battery level of your external Bluetooth device. This means that, you get the exact battery level status of the external Bluetooth device.
Please note that Windows 10 can show the Bluetooth device’s battery level only if the device supports this feature. All devices might not support this feature.
Check the battery level of Bluetooth devices in Windows 10.
Step 1: Navigate to Settings app > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
Step 2: You should now see the battery level next to the device name.
Obviously, only devices that are currently connected to your PC will appear in the devices list.
Download avg internet security 9.0. If Windows 10 is not showing the battery level of the Bluetooth device, please check if you are running 17639 or above builds of Windows 10 RS5.
Also, update the device driver to the latest available version and check again. You can also contact the device manufacturer to check if it supports this new feature of Windows 10.
A Microsoft wireless optical mouse offers high quality and precise pointing, and comes at a price to fit any budget. It is one of the top selling devices on the market, and is backed by a trusted name. A major benefit of a Microsoft wireless optical mouse not only that it enhances your computer experience, but that it is quick to install.
Step 1
Microsoft Wireless Mouse 3500 Manual
Turn on your computer and insert the wireless mouse installation CD into the CD drive.
Step 2
Wait for the CD to start automatically. If it doesn't, go to 'Start', then 'My Computer', then right click on the name of the CD, and then select 'Play'.
Step 3
Follow the onscreen instructions for installing the software that came with your mouse. When finished, restart the computer. This will finish the software installation process.
Step 4
Shut down your computer once again, and install fresh batteries into the mouse.
Insert the receiver into a USB port on your computer, and turn the computer back on. Your mouse is now ready to use.
Tip
- The radio frequencies from an optical mouse can cause slight interference with other transmissions, such as television and radios. These instructions will work for all models of the Wireless Microsoft Optical Mouse, except the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 Special Edition. (If you have the Mobile Mouse 3000 Special Edition, please refer to your user's manual.)
Warning
- If you travel on aircraft with your wireless mouse, remove the batteries, as even with the mouse off the batteries will emit radio frequency. Don't mix old and new batteries in the mouse, as this will hamper its performance.
Items you will need
- Computer
- Microsoft wireless optical mouse
- Installation CD
- Fresh batteries
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Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
The Rundown
- Best Overall:Logitech’s MX Master 2S at Amazon, “The class leader for overall performance.”
- Best Anywhere Mouse:Logitech MX Anywhere 2S at Amazon, “A 4000 DPI laser sensor that gives you smooth tracking on almost any surface, including glass.”
- Best Apple Mouse:Magic Mouse 2 at Amazon, “Multi-touch gestures such as swiping, scrolling and zooming are all a refreshing way to use the mouse.”
- Best Comfort:Logitech M570 at Amazon, “With a bevy of buttons and a unique design, there’s plenty of reason to think this mouse represents a new whole way of working online.”
- Best Gaming Mouse:Logitech G602 at Amazon, “A gaming-friendly mouse that won’t break the bank.”
- Best Budget: VicTsing 2.4G at Walmart, “With technology that maximizes battery life for longer performance..a great choice at a truly budget-friendly price.”
- Best Design:Logitech M510 Wireless Mouse at Amazon, “Contoured comfortably to support your hand and wrist and there are rubber grips on the side for your thumb and pinky.”
- Best Battery Life:Logitech Marathon Mouse M705 at Amazon, “So power efficient that it can vastly outlast most wireless mouse options on the market by 2x the total battery life.”
- Best Mobile Mouse: FD V8 Ultrathin Silent Travel Mouse at Amazon,“Measuring 1.3 inches thick and weighing just 3.52 ounces, the FD V8 travel mouse is remarkably sleek.”
- Best Silent Mouse: Pictek Wireless Gaming Mouse at Amazon,“Virtually silent, providing a distraction-free environment for you and your desk-mates.”
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Logitech’s MX Master 2S
4.3
Widely regarded as the best mouse available, Logitech’s MX Master 2S is the class leader for overall performance. Compatible with Logitech’s Flow technology, the Master 2S connects with multiple devices seamlessly (and even includes a copy-paste function between different computers). Alongside Flow technology, the Logitech adds support for dual connectivity, allowing up to three Windows or Mac computers to connect via the unifying receiver or through Bluetooth technology, which eliminates the need for any additional hardware on a desktop.
The track virtually anywhere feature adds support for the Master 2S to work on any surface (even glass). The re-chargeable battery lasts up to 70 days on a single charge and the design was engineered not only with performance in mind, but also ergonomics for a comfort that’s sculpted to conform to the shape of a hand for a naturally comfortable position.
Best Anywhere Mouse: Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Wireless Mouse
Logitech’s Anywhere Mouse “works everywhere you do,” from office desks and kitchen islands to coffee shop tables and airplane tray tables. It can also navigate seamlessly between up to three computer screens, copying and pasting text and images from one screen to the next. It boasts a 4000 DPI laser sensor that gives you smooth tracking on almost any surface, including glass.
The mouse’s design is crafted for comfort and productivity, featuring hyper scrolling and customizable buttons via the Logitech Options Software. But what good is a wireless mouse without a reliable battery? The MX Anywhere 2S holds a charge for up to 70 days and can be topped up with a full day’s charge in just four minutes via microUSB.
Best Apple Mouse: Magic Mouse 2
Designed solely for Apple’s computer line, the Magic Mouse 2 is a typical Apple design that skips on buttons and scroll wheels and opts for a multi-touch surface instead. Swiping between Web pages or scrolling through documents requires nothing more than the brush of a finger with minimal desk resistance, thanks to an optimized foot design. The built-in battery lasts around 30 days before requiring a recharge through the included Lightning-to-USB cable (it'll fullly charge in nine hours). Apple’s inclusion of multi-touch gestures such as swiping, scrolling and zooming are all a refreshing way to use the mouse. Weighing just 7.2-ounces, Apple’s unique take on the mouse offers a love-it-or-hate-it approach but if you love it, its feature-set is hard to resist.
Best Comfort: Logitech M570
Logitech’s M570 wireless trackball mouse might not be the most eye-catching of the bunch, but its sculpted shape helps support and keep your hand in one place. The trackball bears all the workload weight with smooth, precise cursor control whether you’re working on your desk or any other room in the home or office. With battery life good for up to 18 months on one included AA battery, the 2.4GHz wireless connection works up to 30 feet away on both Windows and Mac operating systems. With a bevy of buttons and a unique design, there’s plenty of reason to think this mouse represents a new whole way of working online.
Best Gaming Mouse: Logitech G602
There’s no shortage of competition in the gaming wireless mouse space, so standing out from the pack requires an impressive set of features. Fortunately, Logitech’s G602 delivers with more than 250 hours of battery life and a shelf life rated at more than 20 million clicks. In fact, Logitech delivers a two-millisecond response rate alongside Delta Zero sensor technology. This gaming mouse offers both an ultra-durable build that can stand up to even the most intense gaming experience. Add in 11 programmable buttons and support for Windows and Mac operating systems and you’ll find a gaming-friendly mouse that won’t break the bank. Logitech claims a lag-free gaming-grade experience and the online reviews deliver with a 4.3 out of 5-star Amazon rating.
Need some more help finding what you're looking for? Read through our best gaming mice article.
Best Budget: VicTsing 2.4G
With technology that maximizes battery life for longer performance, the VicTsing 2.4G wireless mobile mouse is a great choice at a truly budget-friendly price. With five adjustable CPIs to help your ideal scroll speed, the 2.4GHz wireless technology has a 50-foot range before dropping signal. Aside from wireless performance, the VicTsing’s ergonomic shape and build were designed to be both sweat-resistant and skin-friendly for all-day comfort and support.
A rest position for your little finger adds extra support not often found on mice that are quadruple the price. Compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux, the VicTsing maximizes battery life with energy-saving features (shuts down after eight minutes of no use), which allows it to last up to 15 months on a single AA battery.
Best Design: Logitech M510 Wireless Mouse
Ergonomically, a well-designed mouse provides comfort and efficiency over long periods of use. That’s why we love the Logitech M510 so much. The mouse is contoured comfortably to support your hand and wrist and there are rubber grips on the side for your thumb and pinky. Unfortunately, the two buttons on the left side limit its users to righties only.
As for productivity, you can customize shortcut tasks for all of its buttons to make it easier to do tasks such as switch applications, open windows and tabs or jump to full screen. The laser tracks smoothly across every surface (barring mirrored ones like glass) and Logitech claims the battery lasts up to two years with daily use. If you’re a power user, you’ll be pleased to know that Logitech’s Unifying receiver plugs in via USB and connects to up to six devices, including keyboards, to free up previous ports.
Best Battery Life: Logitech Marathon Mouse M705
Logitech’s Marathon Mouse M705 is appropriately named with battery life (powered by one AA battery) that can last up to three years. The M705 is so power efficient that it can vastly outlast most wireless mouse options on the market by 2x the total battery life. Fortunately, battery life isn’t all the M705 does well. It has an ergonomic design with a sculpted shape that fits your hand naturally. Advanced tracking offers an ultra-responsive and accurate cursor control while working on various surfaces without skipping a beat. The three integrated thumb buttons offer quick and easy multitasking with quick swapping between applications. With an easy-to-swallow price tag and battery life that can last longer than your computer, there’s plenty of reason to give the M705 a look.
Best Mobile Mouse: FD V8 Ultrathin Silent Travel Mouse
Measuring 1.3 inches thick and weighing just 3.52 ounces, the FD V8 travel mouse is remarkably sleek, making it an ideal travel companion for work trips. It also eliminates 90% of click noise, so you can work in public spaces without disturbing your neighbors.
The FD V8 mouse comes with a small receiver that plugs into your computer’s USB port. Its 2.4GHz wireless connection provides accurate cursor tracking (without a mouse pad), along with a hyper-fast rate of return speed (250Hz) at a max distance of 20 meters. Additionally, the device uses an energy-efficient battery, automatically powering down after 5 minutes of idling. It doesn’t need an on/off switch; the mouse wakes up with a quick click and is ready to go. On standby, the charge will last for about 36 months. The FD V8 mouse comes in five vibrant colors, each with a glossy finish to brighten up your workspace.
Microsoft Wireless Mouse Battery Cover
Check out our guide to the best travel mice you can buy today.
Best Silent Mouse: Pictek Wireless Gaming Mouse
Need peace and quiet in order to work? The Pictek Wireless Gaming Mouse is virtually silent, providing a distraction-free environment for you and your desk-mates. The manufacturer claims it's built to last for up to 5 million clicks, so it’ll feel like a brand-new mouse every time you use it. The Pictek uses 2.4GHz wireless technology to provide a stable connection, precise tracking, and hyper-fast data transmission speeds. For long gaming sessions or hard nights at the office, Pictek promises reliable performance, with no delays, dropouts, or interference, even from 33-foot distances. The device also features a 250Hz pulling rate and a 2,400 DPI optical sensor.
The Pictek wireless mouse is a plug-and-play device, so there’s no need for extra installation software. The receiver fits snugly into a slot underneath the mouse’s battery pack for easy storage. The mouse weighs only 2.9 ounces and measures 4.9 x 2.8 x 1.5 inches long, which fits easily into any backpack or travel bag.
Tested by
How We Tested
Our reviewers spent 120 hours testing a top-rated wireless mouse. To get the most comprehensive results possible, they connected it to their computers and used it for hours at a time. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using this wireless mouse, from connectivity to comfort. We've outlined them here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.
What to Look for in a Wireless Mouse
PC vs. Mac compatibility - It’s easier to find mice that work with Windows and Mac operating systems than it is to find keyboards that do both. Still, it’s important to make sure the wireless mouse you choose is compatible with your system. If you’re using a Windows-oriented mouse with a Mac, consider remapping its buttons to make it easier to use.
Bluetooth vs. USB - There are advantages to both Bluetooth and USB mice. Bluetooth mice are truly portable. They connect to a receiver in your computer, so there’s no dongle required. On the other hand, Bluetooth mice can sometimes have more performance and connection issues than their USB counterparts.
Portability - If you want a mouse that you can take on the road, it’s important to consider whether you want a full-size mouse or a smaller one. However, portable mice usually aren't ergonomic — they may cause more strain than the full-size versions that are designed to fit your hand.
Test Results: Logitech’s MX Master 2S (Best Overall)
4.3
What We Like
- Comfortable
- Attractive design
- Convenient ways to customize
What We Don't Like
- Instructions not very helpful
- Pricier
“This is the most comfortable, useful, and good-looking mouse I’ve ever used,” raved one of our testers. Our reviewers also loved its customization features, with one reporting that “the customizable buttons saved me seconds [at a time] which added up to saving me time overall.” One downside, though, was that its setup was complex, according to one tester: “I didn't understand how to set it up and the instructions provided were not very helpful,” she said. One of our reviewers also thought it was a little pricey — but ultimately, still a great buy. “I think, at first, I’d be hesitant to buy it given its price point,” she said, “but it’s absolutely worth it.”