What to Buy > Computer Components 25 25 people found this article helpful The Best Mice for iPads in 2024 Options from Logitech, Satechi, and Apple By Jesse Hollington Jesse Hollington Writer Jesse Hollington is a tech writer with 10+ years' experience. He has written for iLounge, Forbes, Yahoo, The Independent, and iDropNews, among others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 22, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. In This Article View All In This Article Reviews What to Look For in a Mouse For Your iPad Frequently Asked Questions The best mice for iPads are designed for anybody who plans to do serious work with their Apple tablet. It gives you the flexibility of working with everything from Photoshop to Excel without the need to poke and tap at your touchscreen, allowing for a huge productivity boost. Best Overall Logitech MX Master 3 PHOTO: Amazon $100 at Amazon $100 at Walmart Pros App-specific control profiles Fast and accurate scrolling Long battery life Cons Large size is tough for small hands Pricey Logitech's MX Master 3 is one of the most versatile mice on the market today. It's not just for desktop PCs—it also makes a great companion to your iPad Pro, iPad Air, or even a standard iPad, thanks to the advanced mouse and trackball support you can now benefit from in iPadOS 14. Looking at the design, it's clear that Logitech put a great deal of thought into the MX Master 3, with a versatile array of customizable buttons all within easy reach, plus a high-quality construction of tactile rubber and plastic that makes it feel comfortable in the hand while keeping it free of smudges. Scrolling is also dead-quiet, and it can pair up with your iPad via Bluetooth and be paired with two other devices that you can easily switch between, so you can be working in Photoshop on your iPad Pro one moment and then flip over to Premiere Pro on your Mac at the push of a button. The MX Master 3 also supports Logitech's Unifying USB Receiver, so it works with other devices even if they don't have Bluetooth. The built-in rechargeable battery offers up to 70 days of active use. The high-res 4,000DPI sensor also tracks beautifully and precisely on any surface—even glass—so you won't need to worry about finding a compatible surface when you're on the go. Number of Buttons: 7 | CPI: 4000 | Weight: 4.97oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / USB Receiver Lifewire / Yoona Wagener Logitech MX Master 3 Review Best Portable Logitech MX Anywhere 2S PHOTO: Amazon $59 at Amazon Pros Supports simultaneous connections Works across multiple surfaces Smooth, accurate scrolling Cons No built-in storage for USB receiver Not as ergonomic as some mice The iPad is an ultra-portable device, and users have different priorities for choosing an ideal mouse. This is especially true if you're using it primarily—or only—with your iPad. You'll want something portable and relatively inexpensive that supports Bluetooth and has enough buttons to access more advanced features. Logitech's MX Anywhere 2S covers all of these bases, making it an excellent pick for an iPad mouse. It's just the right size to be portable while remaining comfortable to use over long periods; it uses a rechargeable battery, it can pair with more than one device so that you can use it with your computer as well, and it's got five programmable buttons that can be customized with iPadOS 13.4 or later. It also sports a high-precision 4000dpi sensor that will track smoothly on any surface, even on glass, so you'll have a hard time finding a place where you won't be able to use it—hence the name "Anywhere." The battery will give you about two months of use before recharging it, which is another portability win. Number of Buttons: 5 | CPI: 4000 | Weight: 3.74oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / USB Receiver Lifewire / Gannon Burgett Best Trackball Logitech MX Ergo Plus PHOTO: Amazon $90 at Amazon $90 at Best Buy $90 at Lenovo Pros Easily switches between devices Precision button for fine control Six programmable buttons Cons No left-handed option Uncomfortable for small hands iPadOS will support any pointing device, and if you regularly use your iPad on a stationary work surface, you might prefer a trackball like Logitech's MX Ergo. It's a pretty slick solution, particularly if you're a 12.9-inch iPad Pro user looking for a more wrist-friendly pointing device. It's also handy if you're using your iPad alongside a desktop computer since Logitech's "Easy Switch" feature lets you pair it with two devices, which can use either Bluetooth LE or Logitech's USB Unifying Receiver to connect. A button on top lets you quickly switch from one to the other to move your pointer around Illustrator on your desktop for one second, then switch to touching up a photo on your iPad with a single click. A surprisingly generous collection of buttons is included, all fully customizable, even on iPad. The advanced "precision mode" even works on your iPad, slowing down the pointer for more accurate tracking since it's a feature baked into the MX Ergo's firmware and not dependent on Logitech's software drivers. Number of Buttons: 8 | CPI: 2048 | Weight: 9.14oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / USB Receiver Lifewire / Sandra Stafford Best for Multiple Devices Logitech M720 Triathalon PHOTO: Amazon $38 at Amazon $32 at Walmart $40 at Best Buy Pros Sturdy, comfortable design Works across three devices 24-month battery life Cons Not rechargeable Unless you're a hardcore iPad user, chances are you also work with a MacBook or other laptop or desktop computer, and there's a real advantage to using the same mouse on all your devices. This is especially true if you switch between them frequently since you'll be much more productive if you don't need to readjust to a different mouse style every time you move between your computer, laptop, and iPad. Logitech's M720 Triathlon, as the name implies, will pair with up to three devices, which should be as many as most people need for a single mouse. It can do this over Bluetooth (which is great for your iPad) or Logitech's Unifying USB Receiver for devices that don't have Bluetooth LE capabilities. Best of all, it can seamlessly switch between both modes. However, other things make the M720 a great pick. It features a standard design appealing to a wide range of users and different hand sizes, so it's one of the most comfortable mice in this price range. It also tracks well on almost any surface and offers eight buttons, six fully programmable buttons in iPadOS and on your Mac or Windows PC. There are also three illuminated numbers on top so you can quickly see which device you're controlling, and a single button lets you quickly move from controlling your computer to your iPad and back. Number of Buttons: 8 | CPI: 1000 | Weight: 4.76oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / USB Receiver Best Design Microsoft Arc ELG-00001 PHOTO: Amazon $90 at Amazon $63 at Walmart $80 at Best Buy Pros Highly portable Design is unlike anything else Comfortable and easy to use Cons Limited functionality and controls Expensive Microsoft shakes things up with its Arc mouse, which takes the classic design to a new level of art. It's as minimalist in concept as Apple's Magic Mouse 2 but in a much more exciting way. The curved arch looks great on a desk while quickly snapping flat, so you can slip it into an iPad case or laptop bag or even store it away on your desk when you're not using it. At less than 3 ounces and 0.56 inches in thickness, it's so slim that you could quickly put it in the same pocket as your iPad, and it's available in a wide range of colors too, including far less common options like lilac, sage, and soft pink. It also features the excellent build quality that Microsoft's mice are known for, with a solid, comfortable feel for long periods. The biggest downside is that such a clean aesthetic comes with far fewer buttons than most other mice, and Microsoft hasn't don't anything quite as clever as the multi-touch surface found on Apple's Magic Mouse 2, so what you see is what you get with this one. It's got excellent battery life, however, lasting up to six months on a single charge. Number of Buttons: 2 | CPI: 1000 | Weight: 2.91oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE Lifewire / Gannon Burgett What to Look For in a Mouse For Your iPad Wireless Connectivity Most Bluetooth mice will connect to modern iPads relatively quickly, but since most iPads don't have a USB port, connecting a mouse via a USB receiver can be more challenging. While the newest iPad Air and iPad Pro models now include USB-C ports, you'll need to use a Lightning-to-USB Camera adapter to connect a wired USB mouse or a wireless mouse with a USB dongle to a standard iPad or older iPad model. Comfort and Grip Style Are you right or left-handed? Do you prefer a claw grip mouse, palm, or top grip? Ensure the mouse you choose will be comfortable using for long periods or across multiple devices. Since you’ll probably be taking your iPad mouse on the go, you may want a smaller, more lightweight mouse that can easily fit in a bag. Customization Options Do you want a mouse with programmable buttons? Maybe you want to be able to switch between continuous and ratcheted scrolling. Check out the mouse's customization options and the mouse’s companion software, and ensure it’s compatible with your device. FAQ How do you connect your mouse to your iPad? While you can technically connect a wireless mouse to your iPad—either with a USB-to-Lightning adapter or directly to the USB-C ports on the newer iPad Pro and iPad Air models—we recommend buying a wireless mouse for maximum flexibility. Almost all modern wireless mice connect using Bluetooth LE, which is easily supported on all of Apple's iPad models and can be paired up like Bluetooth headphones or speakers. Which mice are compatible with iPads? All mice reviewed above are iPad-compatible, but any wired USB or Bluetooth mice should work just fine—just be sure both the mouse and your iPad support the same version of Bluetooth. If you’re in doubt, read the packaging or search for the mouse online to read more about its connectivity options. How do you know if you need an ergonomic mouse? Many of the mice reviewed here are ergonomic, meaning they're designed to fit comfortably in your hand, which could help reduce wrist and finger pain. Try an ergonomic mouse if you feel sore after extended periods of online work. Anyone who spends long hours working on their iPad might benefit from ergonomic support. The Best Mice for Macs of 2024 The Best Wireless Mice of 2024 Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit