Finding the perfect mouse grip doesn't have to be hard.
There are only 4 different mouse grip styles to choose from, but the thing is - you can commit to only one.
Sure, they all have their pros and cons, but at the end of the day, your mouse grip is determined by one, underlying factor:
The mouse grip style you should choose is the one that you are most comfortable with. It doesn't matter if it's a palm grip, claw grip, or fingertip grip. If the way you hold your mouse feels right, then you can work with it.
There are some factors to determine why mouse grips are better than others based on the size of your hand.
In this article, you will be able to determine what the best mouse grip for you is, and how you can apply that when you're choosing your next mouse.
Let's dive in.
| Small | Less than 17cm / 6.7 inches | 7. 5 – 8.5cm / 2.9 – 3.3 inches |
| Medium | 17– 20cm / 6.7 – 7.9 inches | 8.5 – 10cm / 3.3 – 3.9 inches |
| Large | More than 20cm / 7.9 inches | 10 – 11cm / 3.9 – 4.3 inches |
| Showcase | Type of Grip | Hand Sizes | Mouse Examples |
 |
Palm Grip | Mouse Size: Large Hand Size: Medium - Large |
Razer DeathAdder V2 |
 |
Claw Grip | Mouse Size: Small - Medium (Shorter On Length) Hand Size: Small - Medium |
Logitech G Pro Wireless |
 |
Fingertip Grip | Mouse Size: Small - Medium Hand Size: Large Hands Or Long Fingers |
Razer Viper Wireless |
| Hybrid Grip | Can Be Anywhere In Between | Glorious Model O- |
There are 4 different types of mouse grips most commonly used.
There is no right or wrong grip, it is a matter of personal preference, but there are pros and cons to taking into consideration for gaming.
Palm grip keeps your hands relaxed and provides maximum support to the arm.
Mice following this grip style have steeper backs and are usually longer while offering a comprehensive design.
As you might guess from its name, a palm grip allows maximum contact between the hand and the mouse.
You can place your entire hand on the mouse you are using.
Your palm rests on the body with your fingers on the buttons, and the thumb is placed on the side.
This relaxed and natural way of positioning your hand is the reason for its popularity not just for normal use but also for gamers.
Even though it provides extreme comfort to users' hands, it is still less suitable for competitive gaming as it suffers in agility.
The arm support requires more significant movements thus, making it ideal for accurately delicate control.
The palm grip can be considered the best mouse grip for FPS gamers who have larger hands.
If you prefer a gaming mouse with a palm grip then you should probably look for larger sizes.
This type of grip works best with mice like the Razer DeathAdder V2 and is featured on our list of the best palm grip gaming mice.
Check it out if you know you have a palm grip, and you want to find the best mouse for you!
A claw grip complements faster yet accurate movements.
It offers its users a sense of control while quickly moving their mice and is suitable for fast gliding actions.
The claw grip style does not require you to place your entire hand on the machine.
The palm of your hand rests on the edge of the mouse while your fingers arch up and relax on the buttons.
This hand placement style reduces the weight you put on the mouse itself, making it lighter and a lot more agile compared to palm grips.
Although claw grips are less popular than the palm grip, it has grown its recognition among gamers.
This type of grip offers much faster movements and agile reactions, especially while playing games that require quick reflexes.
The claw grip style is best suited for action Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games like Starcraft II, but can also be adopted for FPS games.
If you choose this grip, you should look for smaller mice that allow your claw's better stance without causing discomfort.
This grip style is best suited for mice like Logitech G Pro Wireless X.
We have a full guide determining the best gaming mice for a fingertip grip. If you want to know more, check it out!
The fingertip grip style allows minimalistic contact between your hand and the mouse.
It is designed so that only lets your fingertips steer the mouse.
This way, highly rapid movements are allowed but can cost precision and delicacy.
This type of grip revolves around speed and wrist movements.
There are only five points of contact between your hand and the mouse.
This enables you to keep a light touch and makes the mice capable of flicking movements.
It is challenging to master, but once you do, your palm doesn't rest on the mouse, and you can move the mouse as fast as humanly possible.
It is the loosest style of the available options used by people with large hands or tiny mice.
This grip style is not optimal for precise or gliding motion as your palm control is out of the equation.
Mice with tip grip design are highly light and short in addition to being less bulky.
This grip is used primarily when you need to jump across the screen rapidly while maintaining accuracy.
This grip style best goes with mice like the BenQ Zowie FK2.
If you want to know more of the best mice suited for fingertip grips, check out our guide on finding the best gaming mouse for you.
As indicated in its name, the hybrid grip style encompasses various characteristics which are better suited for users with large hands or long fingers.
This grip style mixes the claw and fingertip style so that you can switch between them mid-use.
Use your finger when scurrying across the screen and switch to claw for consistent gliding motion.
This grip provides outstanding motion execution with little to no weight on the body.
Key activation and control are done by your fingertips with extreme precision and speed, while the gliding motion is controlled with your arm movement.
This grip style requires training to get adapted.
If you have larger than usual hands or long fingers then this grip style is optimal for you.
The best mouse to go would be something like the Glorious Model O-.
A mouse is an interface between your mind and your digital data.
It seamlessly turns your thoughts into actions following your body.
Therefore, it should be clear to you that your mouse is an essential factor in calculating the level of comfort in your digital life.
Everyone has a unique way of holding on to a mouse.
Some use a palm grip, some use the claw, and the others, their fingertips.
In some cases, people opt for a combination; I own both a Logitech G502 HERO and a Razer Deathadder Elite, which both have different grips:
I could argue that the Deathadder Elite is more comfortable, due to the palm grip, and the way the mouse is shaped to fit your hand like a glove.
But, the G502 is better suited for claw grippers. It has a nice ergonomic slope located on where you place your thumb and an overall comfortable feel which still makes it very comfortable.
The downside to the Deathadder Elite is the lack of customization compared to the Logitech G502 which has more programmable buttons.
This is why the G502 is still my main mouse, however, don't just take my word for it, try it the mice for yourself.
If you want to find what some of the top mice on the market are, we did a breakdown of some of the best mice on the market:
Here's the thing; following a specific grip style is not the important point.
You should be comfortable with the manner you use without any agility hindrance and pain.
Most of us see pro gamers use a particular type, and we try to adopt it, but it is not always easy or rewarding.
These cases might even end up in arm strain and needless fatigue.
Each grip employs its own manipulation and control techniques; identifying your style and improving it further is a way to take your insight to a whole new level.
Understanding the type of grip we use enables us to adjust to our speed, accuracy, precision, and comfort.
If you are a gamer or most of your day is spent working on the computer and clicking a mouse, you certainly need to know how to properly hold your mouse.
Honestly, holding a mouse should be pretty straightforward.
Just make sure you're in a position where you can move your mouse easily, and not get tired after a long period of time.
Proper ergonomics include:
By doing this, you should have a very comfortable grip, and have the ability to maneuver your mouse without any problems.
The position of your mouse relative to your body affects your overall performance by a great deal.
Some of us might move the mouse too far from the keyboard and end up with a neck strain or a fatigued shoulder.
Keep your elbow at a 90-degree angle to your chest.
Use a mouse pad helps tremendously with gliding your mouse smoothly, and having a designated area to move your mouse.
Nowadays you can get a 3XL-sized mousepad for quite cheap, which is what I would recommend to anyone.
The Glorious 3XL Extended Gaming Mouse Pad is a great choice if you're looking to get a quality mouse pad that will improve the accuracy of your mouse sensor.
Hold your mouse loosely and lightly, just like holding a torch to type.
A tight grip might cause strain and needless fatigue to your arm and shoulder.
If you are not actively clicking, lay your fingers on the buttons lightly rather than hover them.
This might save you a lot of pain.
If you do not need to use your mouse, then let go of it.
Always keep your wrist straight; keeping it at an angle is not a good idea for prolonged use.
You should use key preferences and software configurations to optimize the cruising speed and the scroller size.
If the mouse moves too fast or too slow, anyone would get frustrated.
If you're not sure about what mouse sensitivity to use is, we did a full breakdown on finding the best DPI for gaming, feel free to check it out.
Ensuring that you hold your mouse in the correct ergonomic position will prevent bad posture, which in turn will prevent injury in the long-term.
Keeping your hand rested on the table only allows movement of the wrist, which leads to too much use of the wrist.
Keep it hovering over the table to enable free shoulder movement. It not only lessens the strain on your wrist but improves your accuracy too.
Mouse grips are a trend but not be followed without a thought.
You need to be mindful of the style you use. Some people are more comfortable with a palm grip and others with a claw grip.
The fingertip grip is popular among gamers only.
Do not grip the claw too tightly, as it may make the movements less agile.
Striking the keys with force never makes them act faster.
How you grip a mouse depends on the task that you need to perform.
There are various ways to command your clicky partner.
When we talk about mouse grip styles, you can select four grip styles:
How you wield your mouse might make a big difference in your operating speed and comfort, so find what comes most naturally to you.
All grip styles on their own have some merits as well as some cons.
The Palm grip offers the best comfort; the claw is fast and precise, while the tip provides rapid response.
There is no correct or the best way to hold a mouse; if you do not have any issues with your current grip style and are pain-free, that style is best for you.
A claw grip is an efficient grip style that offers precision along with agile cruising.
In this style, we rest our palms on the edge of the mouse and rest our fingertips on the buttons.
The contact between our hand and the mouse is only at the points.
This takes most of the weight off the mouse's body, making it lighter and easier to move.
The claw style is mainly used by gamers in action-RTS (real-time strategy) games like Starcraft II.
It is also a good option for regular work that requires a lot of screen cruising.
Keep your mouse close to your keyboard; otherwise, your neck muscles may strain from fatigue.
The best angle to keep your mouse would be at 90-degrees relative to your body.
Keep your arm afloat over the table, making the shoulder free to move.
This takes most of the load off the wrist and makes the movements consistent and precise.
Grip the mouse lightly; this lessens the pain while keeping your activities agile.
When looking for the best grip style, you need to keep in mind that the best style is the style that makes you feel the most comfortable.
I personally alter between the palm grip and the claw style for various games.
If you are really looking for the best, you need to try them out and feel the changes you notice.
A claw-style grip is an optimal option for starting as it offers agility and accuracy while maintaining some of the comfort offered by the palm grip.
Sometimes the grip style is not the issue.
Your mouse will often determine the type of grip you are holding it, so it's important to choose the right mouse.
Toggle between various grip styles and practicing as different games require different conditions that can be met using alternating grip styles.