best usb c mouse for macbook pro

Paul taught digital media for many years, including photography, video and audio editing. Born in the UK, he now lives in Florida.

Looking for a great mouse to go with your Mac? Read below for my selections.

Public domain image via Pixabay

For many if not most laptop users, including myself, a mouse is much easier to use than a built-in trackpad in the majority of situations. It's quicker, more efficient, and more comfortable.

No matter how good the laptop's trackpad technology, one can never get quite the same full sense of control as one gets with a pointing device, making the trackpad experience extremely frustrating at times.

Finding the best mouse for a MacBook Pro, or a MacBook Air is not straightforward. It is not just a simple matter of buying one that is technically compatible, most people also want something that will fit with the look and feel of their Apple laptop too.

A computer mouse can vary in numerous ways too, such as:

Size
Feel
Number and arrangement of buttons
Style of scrolling wheel
General design
Price and value for money
Wired or wireless
Color and appearance

Top 5 Mice for MacBook Pro and Air

Here, in no particular order, are my selections:

The Macally 2.4G Wireless: An Affordable Optical That's Stylish and Versatile
The Jelly Comb Type C Wireless: Easy and Convenient
The Logitech M557 Bluetooth: Side Scrolling and Bluetooth Technology
The Azmall 2.4GHz Slim Optical: Versatile and Portable
The Apple Magic Mouse 2: Rechargeable Wireless State of The Art Technology

I give more information and discuss my choices below.

An affordable option for those on a limited budget, the Macally 2.4G Wireless Mouse is a sleek and user friendly device.

The Macally 2.4G Wireless Mouse: An Affordable Optical That's Stylish and Versatile

For those on a limited budget looking for an affordable optical wireless mouse, the Macally 2.4G is an excellent option. It has a stylish appearance and is comfortable and easy to use.

The wireless connection uses a reliable 2.4 ghz dongle and although it needs traditional batteries, these will last you three months, assuming an average usage of three hours per day.

Main Macally Pro

Low cost and excellent value for money.

Main Macally Con

Requires traditional batteries.

The Jelly Comb Type C Wireless Mouse is straightforward to connect and easy to use. The rechargeable batteries provide and additional layer of conveniance.

The Jelly Comb Type C Wireless: Easy and Convenient

Using a 2.4Ghz USB + Type C Dongle to provide wireless control, this mouse is easy to connect and use with your MacBook Pro or Air. It has a built-in 300mAh lithium rechargeable battery, which means that you don't have to mess around with buying and swapping out traditional batteries.

The sleek design features an optical laser that enables a fast response, accurate movement, and effortless tracking. It's also a relatively affordable device, offering excellent value for money.

Main Jelly Comb Pro

Built-in rechargeable battery makes life easy.

Main Jelly Comb Con

Great value, but not the best mouse in the list.

This wireless mouse connects to any Bluetooth enabled machine, including Macs. As well as being able to scroll up and down through documents, you can also tilt the wheel left and right to move back and forth through web pages.

The slim design gives the mouse a sleek appearance and it's comfortable to hold and use. The controls are programmable meaning that you can configure the buttons according to your own particular tastes and habits.

Main Logitech Pro

Side scrolling enables you to move through web pages

Main Logitech Con

Uses traditional batteries, which will need replacing

The Azmall 2.4GHz Slim Optical Rechargeable Wireless Mouse.

The Azmall 2.4GHz Slim Optical: Versatile and Portable

With a Type C and Micro USB adapter, plus plug and play technology, this Azmall optical mouse is both versatile and easy to connect and use. Its sleek, symmetric design makes it a comfortable fit for both a left or right hand.

Its portability makes this wireless mouse a great choice for travelers and you don't have to carry lots of spare batteries around, because this device is rechargeable. It is quiet to use, no loud clicking sounds that can annoy the people around you.

Main Azmall Pro

Comfort. This mouse is a joy to hold and use

Main Azmall Con

It can take around thirty minutes to recharge it, although you can still use it while charging.

For those who seek the perfect product, the Apple Magic is difficult to beat in terms of its responsiveness, style, functionality, and overall design. It utilizes state-of-the-art touch-sensitive technology. Apple have produced a masterpiece.

The Apple Magic Mouse 2: Rechargeable Wireless State of The Art Technology

If you want a product that incorporates the very latest in innovative touch-sensitive technology from Apple and fits perfectly with the look and feel of your MacBook Pro, or Air, then you will be wanting the Apple Magic Mouse 2.

Yes, the price tag is a little higher, but in terms of design, it is head and shoulders above anything else out there that is currently available.

The Magic Mouse 2 is lighter with fewer moving parts, meaning that it tracks much better than regular mice. Swiping and scrolling is also easier thanks to the multi-touch surface.

Main Apple Magic Pro

It's completely rechargeable so there's no need to keep buying and replacing traditional batteries.

Main Apple Magic Con

You pay for what you get and this device is not cheap.

A Brief History of the Computer Mouse

It is difficult for a modern computer user to imagine a world without the mouse, such is the ubiquitous and usefulness of this device.

The first mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1964. It had a wooden shell, circuit board. plus a couple of two metal wheels that rolled around on the surface that the mouse was placed upon.
In 1972 Bill English came up with the design known as the "Ball Mouse" by replacing Engelbart's wheels with a ball. The ball could detect movement in any direction thanks to interaction with two rollers that in turn spun wheels. The motion could be converted into electrical pulses signifying direction and speed.
The ball mouse was such an iconic design, that it dominated the market for many years.
The optical mouse was developed in around 1980. The advantage of an optical device was that it solved a major issue with the ball mouse, where the ball would pick up dirt, grease, and fluff and gradually lose functionality over time (although they could be cleaned, of course - never a particularly pleasant task!).
Optical mice were expensive to make, however, and it wasn't until the late 90s that prices had dropped enough for them to come into general use. Nowadays, the optical version is the standard type sold.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Paul on January 11, 2020:

Can't believe how fuzzy, out of focus and old style the video for the Apple mouse is.