Best Products > Computer Components The 8 Best Mice for iPads in 2023 The best mice for Apple's portable tablet By Jesse Hollington Jesse Hollington Twitter 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 27, 2023 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Twitter 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 recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Tweet Share Email Computer Components Mice Monitors Keyboards Cards CPU USB/USB-C Storage Laptop Bags & Backpacks Printers The best mice for iPads are designed for anybody who plans to do serious work with their Apple tablet, giving 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. The Rundown Best Overall: Logitech MX Master 3 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Portable: Logitech MX Anywhere 2S at Amazon Jump to Review Best Trackpad: Apple Magic Trackpad 2 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Satechi Aluminum M1 Bluetooth Wireless Mouse at Amazon Jump to Review Best Trackball: Logitech MX Ergo Plus at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Multiple Devices: Logitech M720 Triathalon at Amazon Jump to Review Best Ergonomic: Logitech MX Vertical at Amazon Jump to Review Best Design: Microsoft Arc ELG-00001 at Amazon Jump to Review in this article Expand Our Picks What to Look For in a Mouse For Your iPad FAQ Best Overall Logitech MX Master 3 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Quill.com What We Like App-specific control profiles Fast and accurate scrolling Long battery life What We Don't Like Large size is tough for small hands Pricey Logitech MX Master 3 Review 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 Best Portable Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Wireless Mouse 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Supports simultaneous connections Works across multiple surfaces Smooth, accurate scrolling What We Don't Like No built-in storage for USB receiver Not as ergonomic as some mice Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Review 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, another portability win. Number of Buttons: 5 | CPI: 4000 | Weight: 3.74oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / USB Receiver Lifewire / Gannon Burgett Best Trackpad Apple Magic Trackpad 2 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Macsales.com What We Like Multitouch gestures Large surface area Long battery life Complements iOS and macOS apps What We Don't Like Pricey Magic Trackpad 2 Review If your tastes in pointing devices lean more toward trackpads, then there's no doubt that Apple's Magic Trackpad 2 is hands-down the best trackpad for your iPad. That's not simply because Apple makes it—it also unlocks a variety of multi-touch gestures you can't access on any other trackpad. For instance, you can use two fingers to scroll up, down, right, and left through web pages, emails, and documents, just like you can on a MacBook, and that's not all. You can also use pinch gestures to zoom in and out on photos and web pages and use two- and three-finger swipes to return to the Home Screen, open the App Switcher, swipe between open apps, and pull up the Today view and Spotlight search windows. If you're a MacBook user, the Magic Trackpad 2 makes an even better choice, as there will be almost no learning curve. The gestures are almost entirely the same between macOS and iPadOS. It offers the same Force Touch technology that makes the entire surface receptive to light and firmer presses for initiating actions, selecting text, and more. Best of all, you won't need a large open desk surface to take advantage of it, as it sits in one place beside your iPad, connecting wirelessly using Bluetooth LE. It lasts for around a month between charges, and you can even juice it up directly from the USB-C port on an iPad Pro or fourth-generation iPad Air. Number of Buttons: 1 | CPI: N/A | Weight: 8.16oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / Lightning Lifewire / Sandra Stafford Best Budget Satechi Aluminum M1 Bluetooth Wireless Mouse 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Satechi.net What We Like Inexpensive Rechargeable battery Ambidextrous design What We Don't Like Uncomfortable for large hands Satechi M1 Wireless Mouse Review Next to Apple, Satechi makes some of the most attractive Mac and iPad accessories, featuring sleek and futuristic industrial designs heavily relying on aluminum. As the name makes clear, Satechi's Aluminum M1 mouse is no exception, featuring a rounded pod-like design available in three shades of aluminum to complement Apple's classic iPad finishes. While the aluminum construction makes it one of the heavier mice we've used, it also makes it one of the most solid, so if you like a mouse with a bit of heft, you'll enjoy using this one. Even better is that it's remarkably affordable, but don't let the low price fool you, as it's lightning-fast at scrolling and tracking and seamlessly pairs with an iPad or Mac using Bluetooth LE. The only downside is that users with larger hands may find using it a bit uncomfortable. While the size makes it very portable, the aluminum construction also means that any increased size would significantly increase the weight, and we're sure that Satechi didn't want to push things too far in that area. On the upside, however, it's ambidextrous, so it works just as well for left-handed users. The built-in battery should last several months of everyday use and recharges quickly through the built-in USB-C port. Number of Buttons: 3 | CPI: 1200 | Weight: 6.2oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE Lifewire / Sandra Stafford Best Trackball Logitech MX Ergo Plus 4.5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy What We Like Easily switches between devices Precision button for fine control Six programmable buttons What We Don't Like No left-handed option Uncomfortable for small hands Logitech MX Ergo Plus Review 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 are included, all fully customizable, even on iPadOS. 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 4.5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy View On Logitech.com What We Like Sturdy, comfortable design Works across three devices 24-month battery life What We Don't Like 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 of which are fully programmable, 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 Ergonomic Logitech MX Vertical Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy What We Like Unique design is comfortable to use for hours Fast recharging Sculpted design is different than anything else What We Don't Like No option for hyper-scrolling Not designed for very small or very large hands Logitech's MX Vertical doesn't fit the mold of what most people think of as a mouse since it sports a unique design that keeps your hand in a much more natural position, much like if you were shaking someone's hand. This puts the mouse buttons and scroll wheel in a sideways orientation, although, of course, the sensor is still on the bottom, and unlike a trackball, you slide it around the table just like any other mouse. Despite the odd look, the MX Vertical works really well, and best of all, Logitech promises noticeably reduced muscle strain by taking pressure off the wrist. The high-resolution 4,000 DPI sensor also minimizes the arm movements usually required when using a traditional mouse. A solid collection of comfortably placed buttons puts all the necessary controls at your fingertips. Of course, they're fully customizable too. Bluetooth LE allows for a simple, reliable connection to your iPad with no extra hardware required. While you can still use Logitech's included USB Unifying receiver when you want to use it with a computer that doesn't support Bluetooth, you can also plug it into an iPad Air or iPad Pro with the included USB-C charging cable to run it in wired mode. Number of Buttons: 4 | CPI: 4000 | Weight: 4.76oz | Interface: Bluetooth LE / USB Receiver / USB-C The 7 Best Vertical Mice of 2023 Best Design Microsoft Arc ELG-00001 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy What We Like Highly portable Design is unlike anything else Comfortable and easy to use What We Don't Like 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 The 8 Best Wireless Mice of 2023 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 generally 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 just like a set of Bluetooth headphones or speakers. Which mice are compatible with iPads? All of the 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. If you tend to feel sore after extended periods of online work, you might want to try an ergonomic mouse. Anyone who spends long hours working on their iPad might benefit from ergonomic support. 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