The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse is a good FPS gaming mouse based on Microsoft's original IntelliMouse. It feels well-built and retains the classic ergonomic shape of the original. It also has grippy rubberized sides, two side buttons on the left, and a single RGB zone in a strip along the bottom at the rear. Performance-wise, it has a wide CPI range, a CPI you can adjust by increments of 50, and a very low lift-off distance. It also has a good click latency, but some gamers may prefer a more responsive option. Unfortunately, it's a heavy mouse compared to many similar, more modern gaming mice, its cable isn't very flexible, and the companion software isn't compatible with macOS.
Our Verdict
The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse is decent for office use. It feels well-built and has an ergonomic right-handed shape well-suited for all grip types; however, its large size makes it unsuitable for smaller hands. Unfortunately, it only has a few programmable inputs, and you can't use it wirelessly. Also, the scroll wheel lacks L/R tilt buttons and doesn't unlock for free scrolling.
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Feels well-built.
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Comfortable right-handed shape.
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Wired-only.
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Scroll wheel lacks L/R tilt button and doesn't unlock for free scrolling.
The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse is a good FPS gaming mouse. It feels well-built, has mouse feet that glide well on mousepads, and has an ergonomic shape ideal for all grip types, though only for larger hands. It also has a wide CPI range, a CPI you can adjust by increments of 50, and a very low lift-off distance. Unfortunately, it's heavy, and its cable isn't very flexible. Also, although the click latency is good, it may not feel responsive enough for some players.
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Feels well-built.
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Comfortable right-handed shape.
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Heavy.
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Cable isn't very flexible.
The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse is decent for MMO gaming but doesn't have nearly as many side buttons as a dedicated MMO mouse. That said, it feels well-built and has a very comfortable shape well-suited for all grip types. Due to its large size, it isn't suitable for smaller hands. It also has a wide CPI range, a CPI you can adjust by increments of 50, and a very low lift-off distance. Unfortunately, its cable isn't very flexible, the customization software isn't compatible with macOS, and while the click latency is good, some gamers may prefer a more responsive feeling mouse.
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Feels well-built.
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Comfortable right-handed shape.
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Doesn't have nearly as many side buttons as a dedicated MMO mouse.
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Cable isn't very flexible.
While the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse scores alright for ultra-light gaming, it's significantly heavier than a dedicated ultra-light gaming mouse. That said, it feels well-built and has an ergonomic right-handed shape suitable for all grip types. Unfortunately, its cable isn't very flexible, and its large size makes it unsuitable for smaller hands. Also, while its click latency is good, it may not feel responsive enough for fast-paced or competitive gaming.
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Feels well-built.
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Comfortable right-handed shape.
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Heavy.
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Cable isn't very flexible.
The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse is inadequate for travel use as it's large and bulky and likely won't fit in most laptop cases. It also can't be used wirelessly, making it awkward to use in smaller spaces like trains or planes. That said, it feels very sturdy, and it has onboard memory, which can be helpful to keep your settings even while using computers without the customization software installed.
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Feels well-built.
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Wired-only.
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Bulky; unlikely to fit in most laptop cases.
- Office/Multimedia
- Video Games (FPS)
- Video Games (MMO)
- Ultra-Light Gaming
- Travel
- Updated Jun 09, 2023: We've added a link to the BenQ ZOWIE EC2-CW in the Wireless Versatility section of this review.
- Updated Jun 23, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Jun 21, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Jun 15, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jun 11, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated May 23, 2021: The product has won our suggestion poll, so we'll buy and test it soon.
- Updated May 03, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse is a gaming-oriented 2019 update loosely based on the original 1996 Microsoft IntelliMouse. The one we tested is the Shadow Black color variant, and there's also a Shadow White variant available. You can see the label for our unit here.
Compared To Other Mice
The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse is the most recent iteration of the original 1996 Microsoft IntelliMouse. Its five-button layout and signature right-handed ergonomic shape helped paved the way for many contemporary gaming mice and its influence is still widely felt and easily recognized in many of today's gaming mouse designs. While it's considered heavy compared to more modern competitors and many gaming mice now boast lower click latency, its sensor performance holds up well, and it remains a popular choice among some gamers thanks to its comfortable shape and large size.
For other options, see our recommendations for the best mouse, the best wired mice, and the best gaming mice.
The Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro and the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse have similar ergonomic shapes, but the Razer is a better gaming mouse overall. The Razer connects either wired or wirelessly with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth. It's significantly lighter, has a more flexible cable, and has smoother gliding mouse feet. It also has a wider CPI range and lower click latency. The Microsoft is a wired-only mouse with a lower lift-off distance. Both mice are well-suited for all grip types, generally for larger hands, though the Razer is suitable for small hands using a palm grip as well.
The Razer Viper Mini is a better wired gaming mouse than the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse. It's much lighter and feels much sturdier. It also has a more flexible cable, mouse feet that glide more smoothly, and significantly lower click latency. On the other hand, the Microsoft has a wider CPI, a more precisely adjustable CPI, and a lower lift-off distance. The Microsoft is suitable for all grip types, generally for medium and larger-sized hands, while the Razer is best-suited for a fingertip grip for all hand sizes and a claw or palm grip only for smaller-sized hands.
The Logitech Pebble M350 is a great travel mouse, while the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse is a good wired gaming mouse. The Logitech has a much more portable shape. It's also lighter and connects wirelessly either with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth. Comparatively, the IntelliMouse is a wired-only mouse that feels sturdier and has two side buttons. It also has a wider CPI range, an adjustable CPI, a higher polling rate, a lower click latency, and customization software for Windows. The Intellimouse is suitable for all grip types but best-suited for larger hands, while the Logitech is ideal for all hand sizes, but only for a fingertip grip.
The Logitech MX Master 3 is an excellent wireless office mouse, while the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse is a good wired gaming mouse. The Logitech connects wired or wirelessly either with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth. It feels much sturdier and has a thumb rest that's also a gesture button. It has more total buttons, a thumb scroll, a primary scroll wheel that unlocks for free scrolling and has L/R tilts buttons, and companion software for Windows and macOS. Comparatively, the Microsoft is a wired mouse that's significantly lighter, has a wider CPI range, a lower lift-off distance, and a higher polling rate.
The Razer DeathAdder V2 and the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse are gaming mice with similar shapes, but the Razer is a better mouse overall. The Razer is significantly lighter, has a more flexible cable, and smoother-gliding mouse feet. It also has a wider CPI range and a significantly lower click latency. The Razer is well-suited for a palm grip for all hand sizes and a claw or fingertip grip for all but small hands. The Microsoft is also well-suited for all grip types but isn't suitable for small hands due to its large size.
The Razer DeathAdder Elite and the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse are gaming mice with similar ergonomic shapes and comparable performance. The Razer is lighter, has a lower minimum CPI, and a more precisely adjustable CPI. Comparatively, the Microsoft has onboard memory, which the Razer lacks. Both mice are well-suited for larger hands and all grip types, though the Razer is also well-suited for smaller hands using a palm grip.
The BenQ ZOWIE EC2 and the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse are good wired gaming mice with ergonomic right-handed shapes. The BenQ is significantly lighter and has much lower click latency. Comparatively, the Microsoft feels sturdier, has a much wider CPI range, an adjustable CPI, and a lower lift-off distance. It also has companion software for customization, which the BenQ lacks. The BenQ is well-suited for all hand sizes using a palm grip, but otherwise, both mice are better-suited for larger hands using other grip types.
The GLORIOUS Model D is a better, wired gaming mouse than the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse. It's significantly lighter, has a much more flexible cable, mouse feet that glide more smoothly, and lower click latency. On the other hand, the Microsoft feels sturdier, has a wider CPI range, a more precisely adjustable CPI, and a lower lift-off distance. Both mice are suitable for all grip types and primarily for medium and larger hands, though the GLORIOUS is also suitable for all hand sizes using a palm grip.
The Ninjutso Origin One X and the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse are gaming mice with similar shapes. The Ninjutso connects either wirelessly with its USB receiver or wired with its charging cable. It's significantly lighter and has mouse feet that glide more smoothly. It also has a more flexible charging cable, despite being a wireless mouse. On the other hand, the Microsoft has much lower click latency and a much wider CPI range. You can also adjust the CPI by increments of 50, while you can only choose between four CPI presets with the Ninjutso. The Microsoft also has customization software, which the Ninjutso lacks.
The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse and the AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse are wired mice intended primarily for office use. The Microsoft has a larger, right-handed shape and has two side buttons on the left. It's significantly better built and is made from higher quality materials. It also has customization software and much better sensor performance and click latency. On the other hand, the AmazonBasics mouse has a symmetrical shape and lacks side buttons and customization software.
Test Results
The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse is a modern update of Microsoft's original 1996 IntelliMouse and shares its right-handed ergonomic design. Our unit has a dark color scheme that fades from black in the front to a gray-silver color near the back. It also has grippy rubberized surfaces on the sides, side buttons, and on the scroll wheel, and one RGB lighting zone in a strip along the bottom at the rear.
The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse has a solid plastic body that feels well-built. The scroll wheel wobbles slightly, and there's a rattling noise when the mouse is shaken, but this shouldn't pose any problems during everyday use.
The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse has an ergonomic right-handed shape based on Microsoft's original IntelliMouse. This version has grippy sides with a rubberized finish, but the large size of the mouse makes it unsuitable for smaller hands. For a similar mouse with large, textured rubber side panels for added grip, check out the Cooler Master MasterMouse MM530 or the Fnatic FLICK 2.
Due to the large size of the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse, small hands might struggle to comfortably use it with a palm grip.
Due to its large size, people with small hands may have difficulty using this mouse comfortably with a claw grip as it may require an awkward hand position.
Small or medium-sized hands may have trouble reaching the front side button using a fingertip grip.
The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse is a wired-only model with no wireless connectivity options. If you're looking for a wireless gaming mouse with a very similar shape, check out the BenQ ZOWIE EC2-CW.
The braided cable feels good quality and is more flexible than most braided cables. However, it isn't as flexible as paracord-like cables and retains kinks from packaging.
The mouse feet glide well on mouse pads, but they produce a slight scratching sound and glide less smoothly directly on desks.
- Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse
- User documentation
The Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse has polling rate settings of 125Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz.
You can program the mouse wheel click and both side buttons, and you can swap the left and right mouse buttons. There are a maximum of five CPI profiles that you can set using the software, and you can assign a button to cycle between these profiles. You can also program a mouse button to perform a "quick turn" in games to quickly spin your character to face the opposite direction, but you need to calibrate this for each game.
The scroll wheel on the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse feels precise and has well-defined steps, though it's a little loud. The software also allows you to adjust the scrolling speed.
The software has a modern-looking interface, but most of the options are in a single menu, which can make it difficult to navigate.