NOTE: Body Correct Living no longer offers ergonomic mice, however, this page has been kept as a useful reference for customers.

Choosing the right ergonomic mouse is as simple as a handshake.

Last time you bought a mouse, you walked down the mouse aisle in your local electronics megastore and tried sweeping the mice around the test area and clicking the buttons a few times. You saw that some of these mice were labeled "ergonomic" and wondered if the extra $15 actually made any difference or not. All the while you wondered what's wrong with a real mouse that doesn't have a goofy curved design that slips out of your hand every time you tried to pick it up. Whether or not you took it on faith that the ergonomic mouse would prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and other mouse related aches and injuries, you deserve the comfort of a proper ergonomic mouse.

This guide will teach you the secret of the ideal mousing position and how to use it to buy the right ergo mouse. You will also learn how to avoid the mice that are just trying to separate you from your wallet with marketing buzzwords.

If you just want a quick ergonomic mouse recommendation, go with the Evoluent Vertical Mouse. There is also a wireless Evoluent Vertical Mouse. For more details, read on.

The Ideal Mousing Position

The first important concept to understand for the pain-free ideal mousing position is a "neutral position." Essentially a neutral position is the natural position of a joint in your body so that there is no uneven or awkward stress placed on it. For example, if you hold your forearm straight up and down so that your elbow points to the floor and your fingers point to the ceiling, your wrist is in a neutral position. If you tilt your hand backwards, bending at the wrist only, you will feel how quickly tension builds up as a result of deviating from a neutral position.

There are three main joints involved in the ideal mousing position: the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. In order to achieve the ideal mousing position, all three of these joints need to be put in a neutral position. Fortunately, creating this position is very easy. Start by standing with your arms at your sides. Then, raise your mousing hand until it points straight away from you. Make sure to keep your elbow at your side, directly under your shoulder and bend only at the elbow. Your upper arm should now be in a straight line with your shoulder pointing at the ceiling and your elbow pointing at the floor. Your lower arm should be extended straight outwards in a "handshake" position. This is the ideal mousing position.

While you are in the ideal mousing position, first notice the complete lack of tension in your shoulder. Removing that pain and strain alone is worth the price of a proper ergonomic mouse. Second, notice that your palm is facing sideways rather than down like a conventional mouse. A conventional mouse forces you to rotate your forearm which causes the bones in your arm to twist and scissor. Try rotating your arm in and out a few times and notice the tension that builds up not only in your forearm, but all the way from your fingertips up through your shoulder. No wonder people have so many wrist and forearm related injuries!

Choosing an Ergonomic Mouse

The simple secret to choosing a proper ergonomic mouse is to look for one that puts you in the ideal mousing position. There are a class of these mice called "Vertical Mice." They look funny and unusual at first, but they are unparalleled in comfort and pain relief. The most popular one is the Evoluent Vertical Mouse. I also personally use the Evoluent mouse. It has completely fixed the pain in my wrist and shoulder. See our blog for my full review of the Evoluent Vertical Mouse.

Other popular vertical mice are the Zero Tension Mouse by Dr. Michael Leahy, the 3M Stick Mouse, and the Quill Aerobic Mouse.

Another important ergo mouse is the Humanscale Switch Mouse. It has a V-shaped base that allows you to tilt it to about a 45 degree angle. While not a fully vertical mouse, the Humanscale Switch Mouse is a great option for people who share a computer with someone who is opposite-handed since it can be used both right-handed and left-handed.

The Bottom Line

The best ergonomic mice are vertical mice that put you in a completely neutral, thumbs up "handshake" position. If all the mouse has going for it is a curved top with a thumb rest and a box labeled "ergonomic," put away your wallet and save the money. Unfortunately, unless you have a specialty shop near by, you will likely have to purchase without the benefit of physically trying out your new mouse as your local Best Buy or other electronics megastore won't have what you want.

However, now that you know the secret of the ideal mousing position, you can confidently choose and buy an ergonomic mouse based on the correct arm and hand position for maximum comfort and pain prevention. Shoulder and wrist pain don't end when the work day does, and it's so easy to fix just by getting the right mouse.

The most popular ergonomic mouse is the Evoluent Vertical Mouse. I also personally use and recommend it.

Brian Brookshire

Owner of Body Correct Living