6 Best Trackball Mice in 2026

The M575S is the trackball most people should try first. A sculpted shell supports the palm while the thumb rolls the ball, so the cursor moves and the arm stays put. It pairs over Bluetooth or the included Logi Bolt receiver, and three buttons can be customized for shortcuts. Because the device never travels, it needs only a small patch of desk.

The tradeoffs are about the thumb and the cell. Thumb control feels odd for the first few days, and precision tasks such as picking one cell in a spreadsheet take practice. The shape is right-handed. It runs on an AA battery rather than an internal rechargeable pack, so you buy and swap cells, though that is quick and avoids a charging cable. Some users also notice the thumb tiring if they roll constantly.

Ownership is easy. The ball lifts out for a wipe now and then, and the receiver or Bluetooth link stays reliable. Compared with the MX Ergo S it is lighter on features and less expensive, with no tilt adjustment, and compared with the Nulea M501 it feels more polished and better supported. For a plain recommendation, this is the benchmark.

The MX Ergo S is the upgraded cousin of the M575S, aimed at people who spend hours at a desk. A built-in hinge sets a 20 degree tilt, which turns the forearm toward a more natural posture, and a precision button switches between speed and fine control for detailed work. The maker describes the shape as certified by ergonomists and lists clicks that are much quieter than the previous generation. Power comes from a USB-C rechargeable battery.

That sophistication has a cost. It is the most expensive trackball in the group, and the tilt and precision features take a little time to set up. It is also a heavier, larger device than the M575S, so it sits better at a permanent desk than in a travel bag. The right-handed shape and thumb ball are the same, so left-handers should look at the Kensington options instead.

In ownership, charging replaces battery swaps, and the tilt adjustment lets you experiment until the hand relaxes. Against the Logitech Ergo M575S it adds tilt, a precision switch and rechargeability, and against the Kensington Expert it keeps the hand to a small footprint. For a person who uses a computer for long stretches, the refinements are worth it.

The Kensington Expert is the classic large-ball trackball. A 55mm ball sits in the center and is rolled with the fingers or palm rather than the thumb, which spreads the work across more of the hand. Diamond Eye optical tracking handles precise cursor control, and a patented scroll ring around the ball scans pages up and down. A detachable wrist rest cradles the hand, and the ambidextrous layout suits both left and right.

It is a big device. The footprint is larger than a thumb trackball, with a listing size of roughly five inches wide and under six inches deep, so it needs a real desk. The four buttons and the scroll ring take learning, and customizing them uses the Kensington software, which the listing notes is not currently supported on Windows ARM-based computers. The ball is large enough that dust can build up around it.

For ownership, the wrist rest and ambidextrous design are the reasons to pick it. Compared with the Logitech Ergo M575S it has no wireless link in the listing details, so assume a cord and check before buying. Compared with the Orbit it offers a bigger ball and more precise rolling. It suits people who like a big, steady device and prefer using the fingers over the thumb.

The Orbit with Scroll Ring is a smaller, gentler take on the Kensington approach. The ball is rolled with the fingers or palm, and a scroll ring around it moves up and down web pages and documents. Optical tracking provides precise cursor movement with less hand motion, and the ambidextrous design works equally well for left and right hands. A detachable wrist rest softly cushions the hand and wrist.

The tradeoff is that the listing gives fewer specifics than the others. It does not state a ball size or any wireless feature, so treat it as a straightforward wired-style trackball and confirm on the page. The scroll ring is a distinct way of scrolling that some love and others find fiddly, and the body is a plain, pebble shape without thumb support or a tilt adjustment.

As a daily companion it is simple and calm. The wrist rest removes cleanly for cleaning or for use without it, and the centered ball makes it easy to switch hands. Against the Kensington Expert it is more compact, and against the Logitech Ergo M575S it suits people who prefer palm control over the thumb. It is a good fit for shared desks with mixed handedness.

The Nulea M501 offers a wireless thumb trackball with a charging battery at a gentler cost than the Logitech models. It connects through Bluetooth or a USB dongle and remembers up to three devices, which a button on the underside cycles through. Four DPI levels adjust cursor speed, and the smooth thumb ball moves the pointer without sliding the mouse.

It is less polished than the Logitech trackballs. The finish and shell feel simpler, there is no tilt hinge, and the listing does not describe a premium support for the palm. Buyers should expect a more basic software story, and the button feel may not match the more expensive Logitech Ergo M575S. Rechargeable cells need regular charging, and a flat battery in the middle of a task is the usual complaint.

For ownership, the three-device switching is the highlight. A laptop, a desktop and a tablet can all share one trackball, which is useful in a home office. Next to the PORLEI it cuts the cord, and next to the MX Ergo S it gives up refinement for a lower cost. It is a smart starter for people curious about trackballs who do not want to spend heavily on a first try.

The PORLEI is the plug-in thumb trackball for people who want no batteries. A 34mm ball sits under the thumb, five DPI levels adjust cursor speed, and a 1.8 meter cable gives plenty of reach to a desktop. The sculpted shape is designed to fit the hand, and RGB lighting adds a bit of color.

The lighting is not to everyone's taste, and a person who wants a calm, plain device may prefer to avoid it. The cord ties it to the computer, and it needs a USB port. The 34mm ball is smaller than the finger-controlled balls on larger models, which suits a thumb but may feel fiddly for those wanting a bigger roll. The shape favors the right hand.

Owning it is hassle free. Nothing needs charging or pairing, and the wired link responds instantly. Compared with the Nulea M501 it trades wireless freedom for reliability, and compared with the Logitech Ergo M575S it is plainer and cheaper. It is a practical choice for a home desktop where you want to try a thumb trackball without batteries.