Choosing the best mouse doesn’t just mean buying the one with the best specifications. Finding one with the right shape is essential, and doing so requires first determining how you hold your mouse. We’ll talk about the three basic mouse grip techniques that most people use—palm grip, claw grip, and fingertip grip—to assist you with that.
There is no right or incorrect grip type, so as long as you’re not attempting to be the next S1mple, you’ll probably be alright utilizing the grip you now use. Just as long as you are using the proper mouse for your grip. Therefore, if you’re still looking for the ideal mouse, this article should help you make a more informed decision. Let’s get going.
The 3 Types of Mouse Grip Techniques
PALM GRIP
| Pros | Cons |
| Low tension Good for tracking Promotes elbow and shoulder aim | Not great for rapid clicking Quick micro adjustments are a little more difficult |
Undoubtedly the most untense of the three grips is the palm grip. A palm grip entails placing your entire palm and the majority of your fingers on the mouse, as the name suggests. Comparing the palm grip to the other two grip types, this makes it quite pleasant and reduces hand fatigue.
As a result of how awkward it is to rotate at the wrist with a palm grip, arm aiming typically goes hand in hand with a palm grip. The palm grip and arm aiming combination is ideal for broad, gliding movements and slower-paced gaming, but it isn’t very good for fine tweaks.
Gamers with low mouse sensitivity will especially enjoy the palm grip because it perfectly matches the broad sweeps and long mouse motions they frequently utilize.
If you have a palm grip, you should opt for a “ergonomic” gaming mouse like the Glorious Model D or the Razer DeathAdder V2. These gaming mice, which are exclusively available in right- or left-handed versions, will include sculpted curves and additional breadth to improve palm grips. Of course, these aren’t your only choices.
FINGERTIP GRIP
| Pros | Cons |
| Low tension A lot of freedom of movement from the wrist Fast grip | Lots of wrist movement, worse for consistency |
The palm grip is the exact opposite of the fingertip grasp. Here, your palm floats far above the mouse, holding it just with the tips of your fingers. Depending on your playing style, it may be the most uncomfortable of the three, but there are advantages.
The fingertip grip’s speed is its best quality. Players accustomed to a fingertip grip can quickly make small adjustments without even moving their wrist. This makes it a great grip for games like twitch shooters and those that require quick mouse movements. However, you do have a tendency to lose the stability that the palm grip provides.
The fingertip grip has one frequently ignored advantage: it makes aiming downhill exceedingly simple. Instead of dragging your wrists back, users of the palm and claw grip can simply pull their fingers in to point their gaze downward. Although it’s a minor bonus, it can be significant under tense circumstances.
Particularly lightest mice, smaller symmetrical mice work well for fingertip grips. FPS games benefit greatly from the outstanding control provided by the fingertip grip and the ultralight, ambidextrous mice’ weight of under 70 grams. Additionally, you want a mouse that has a low profile so that you don’t have to raise your hand excessively.
CLAW GRIP
| Pros | Cons |
| Allows for rapid clicking Better micro adjustment ability Still good for arm aiming | High tension Fatiguing |
The claw grip resembles both of the other mouse grip varieties in various ways. In the traditional claw grip, the base of the palm rests on the mouse before the hand arches over it. Following that, the fingers descend at an angle on the buttons, giving it the appearance of a classic animal claw.
The majority of the flexibility and quick movement of the fingertip grip are still present during gameplay, but there is a little bit more stability and control provided by the palm contact. Both the fingertip and claw grips work well for gamers with medium to high sensory sensitivity who frequently aim at the wrist.
The primary drawback of the claw grip is that it places additional stress on the joints and fingers. It will help if you use the proper mouse, but for me, it’s not as comfy as the other mouse grips. The best mice are small to medium-sized, lightest, symmetrical, and can be held with the fingertip. For claw grip, you might want to think about getting a shorter mouse than you would normally.
On paper, the Logitech G Pro X and Razer Viper, for instance, are both ideal claw grip mice. However, the Viper is 4.99 inches long, but the Logitech is 4.41 inches, making it a much better fit for me. Despite the 60% rule for mouse size, which suggests using mice 60% the length and width of your hand, the Viper is allegedly a better fit. So it’s really worthwhile to try out different mouse lengths and see how you like them.
What’s The Best Mouse Grip Techniques?
One does not exist! The grip that is most comfortable for you and your setup will help you perform at your best. I alternate between using my palms for FPS and my claws for MOBAs because the claw is much better at spam clicking.
A claw grip gives the best clicks and tracking at the expense of hand stress, so if you find it comfortable start there and discover your fit if all you truly want to do is optimize gameplay and your hand feels okay with it.
A good example of this would be the Zowie EC2 and Zowie S2, both of which are intended for hands that are medium to large in size, but with the EC2 being better for the palm grip and the S2 being better for the claw grip. Use both mice in both grips to see which one you prefer.
Conclusion
You now know the three major mouse grip techniques that most users adopt. There is no proper grip to utilize in this situation; it all depends on your personal preferences and level of comfort. You can find professionals that use each of these grips and make it work for them, so don’t worry too much if your grip is preventing you from progressing.
However, choosing the ideal mouse is greatly aided by understanding your preferred mouse grip. Naturally, you’ll need to test out a few mice before settling on one. However, being aware of your preference for a palm grip should save you from spending time and money on, say, smaller ambidextrous mice.
Overall, knowing your grip type and measuring your hand size will put you in a lot better position to choose the appropriate mouse. Good fortune!
