Esri’s ArcMap documentation does not name a best mouse, and no mouse model is endorsed for ArcMap. What the documentation does establish is that ArcMap’s drawing tools are driven by pointer movement, so a comfortable, dependable mouse is the sensible general choice for drawing graphics and freehand features on screen. If you are tracing a paper map, the documented route is different: a digitizing tablet with a puck. ArcMap is legacy software, so read every instruction below as guidance for an installation you already have, not as current product guidance.
Check your installation first
ArcGIS Desktop, the suite that includes ArcMap, was retired on March 1, 2026. Esri no longer develops it, and you should not assume ongoing support or updates for ArcMap. The workflow pages Esri published describe ArcMap 10.8 and the archived ArcMap help, and the ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.x system requirements page carries the retirement date. Before you buy hardware for ArcMap, confirm the version your installation runs and check with Esri or your license administrator what support, if any, still applies to it. If you are planning a move to a newer ArcGIS product, that migration decision matters more than any mouse.
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Two different jobs that need different hardware
“Drawing in ArcMap” covers two distinct tasks, and they call for different input devices.
Drawing graphics and freehand features on screen
This is creating shapes and lines directly on the map canvas. A standard computer mouse does this job, because every drawing method in the archived help is a click or a click-and-drag with the pointer. Your mouse is the instrument for the stroke, so comfort and control over repeated strokes are what you should evaluate.
#1 Best Overall
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- Ergo-certified: Lift wireless vertical mouse has been designed, developed, tested, and approved according to criteria set out by leading ergonomists
Tracing features from a paper map
Esri’s archived documentation describes a separate workflow for converting paper-map features into digital features using a digitizing tablet and puck. This is a specialized setup, and it is the only input configuration the documentation ties to paper-map tracing. The mouse is not the tool for that job.
What ArcMap’s drawing tools ask of your pointer
ArcMap’s Freehand tool is the clearest case of pointer-driven drawing. In Esri’s words, “The Freehand tool allows you to create lines that follow the movement of your pointer.” Esri’s help adds that the segments are smoothed into Bézier curves when the shape is finished, so you do not need to place every vertex by hand, though you still control the path.
Rank #2
- Experience enhanced comfort and productivity with the Anker 2.4G Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse. Its scientifically designed ergonomic structure promotes a healthy neutral "handshake" wrist and arm position, reducing strain and amplifying your productivity.(Uses 2.4 GHz wireless via a USB receiver, not Bluetooth.)
- Enjoy superior sensitivity and precision with this wireless mouse. It boasts 800/1200/1600 DPI Resolution Optical Tracking Technology, offering more sensitivity than standard computer mice. This ensures smooth and precise tracking on a diverse range of surfaces, making it ideal for both work and leisure activities.
- The Anker Ergonomic Mouse is not only convenient but also user-friendly. It comes with next/previous buttons for effortless webpage browsing, making it an excellent choice for internet enthusiasts, gamers, and those who spend prolonged periods on their computer. Note: Key click sounds are unavoidable.
- This computer mouse is not just ergonomic but also energy-efficient and durable. It transitions into a power-saving mode after 8 minutes of inactivity, entirely disconnecting power. A simple press of the right or left button wakes it up. Product dimensions: 120*62.8*74.8 mm; product weight: 3.4 oz.
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The Draw toolbar covers a broader set of graphics: rectangles, polygons, circles, ellipses, lines, curves, freehand shapes, and markers. You add most of them by clicking or dragging with the pointer. The archived help also describes coordinate-entry shortcuts for precision placement, which means that when accuracy matters more than a quick sketch, typed coordinates may be more reliable than a steady hand on any mouse.
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No comparative testing exists that ranks mice for ArcMap, so the criteria below are shopper considerations rather than measured advantages. Esri’s documentation does not show that any of them improves drawing results.
Rank #3
- Ergonomic Vertical Design for Natural Comfort: Designed with a natural vertical handshake position that reduces wrist rotation and muscle strain. A great choice for users with larger hands or anyone who spends long hours on the computer
- Silent Click & 5-Button Layout for Better Productivity: Quiet-click buttons help keep your workspace peaceful, while the practical 5-button layout lets you navigate, browse, and work more efficiently every day
- 4 Adjustable DPI Levels (1000/1600/2000/4000): Easily switch DPI settings to match different tasks — from precise document editing to fast scrolling and gaming. Smooth and accurate cursor control for every scenario
- Smooth & Quiet Tracking with PTFE Glide Feet: Built with durable Teflon (PTFE) glide pads to ensure effortless movement and reduced surface friction — offering smoother tracking and quieter operation
- Dual Wireless Connection & Long Battery Life: Connect via 2.4G wireless or Bluetooth with up to 10m range, and switch between up to 3 devices with ease. Powered by one AA battery and featuring smart sleep mode to help extend battery life
- Hand comfort over long sessions. Editing a map can mean hours of repeated clicks and drags. Choose a shape you can hold without strain.
- Grip and hand size. Check whether the mouse fits your palm and whether you use a palm, claw, or fingertip grip.
- Button layout. Confirm the primary and secondary buttons sit where your index and middle fingers rest naturally.
- Scroll-wheel control. A smooth, precise wheel can help when you move around a large map, though the documentation does not require one.
- Programmable buttons. These may help you repeat commands you use often. Their value depends on your own workflow.
- Wired or wireless preference. Wired connections avoid battery and pairing issues; wireless gives you more desk space.
- Operating-system and driver support. Confirm that the mouse software works on your operating system version.
When a mouse is not enough: the digitizing tablet route
A digitizing tablet and puck are the documented choice for converting paper maps. As Esri’s archived help puts it, “You can convert features from almost any paper map into digital features.” The table below compares the two input setups as the documentation describes them.
| Feature | Standard computer mouse | Digitizing tablet with puck |
|---|---|---|
| Documented use in ArcMap | Drawing graphics and freehand features on screen | Converting features from paper maps into digital features |
| Driver requirement | Not described in the archived ArcMap help | WinTab-compliant driver software, per the archived help |
| Operating modes | Single pointer mode | Separate digitizing and mouse modes |
| Interface access while in digitizer mode | Not applicable | An ordinary mouse can still access interface elements in either mode, according to Esri |
| Freehand drawing | Documented | Possible, but the documentation makes no comparative performance claim |
Do not assume every graphics tablet works with this legacy workflow. Check the tablet and driver documentation for your operating system and your ArcMap version, and confirm that the puck is supported by the driver you install. The tablet’s mouse mode is useful for the interface work that surrounds tracing, so you will still move between the two modes during a session.
Rank #4
- Perfect Fit for Small to Medium Hands: Designed specifically for hand lengths under 7.5 inches (19.05 cm), the EM11 NL reduces wrist strain by aligning with your natural grip. Please measure the size before ordering for a better fit and more comfort
- Connect up to 3 Devices: This ergonomic wireless mouse features dual Bluetooth connectivity and 2.4G USB-A connectivity modes for simultaneous connection of up to 3 different devices, and is compatible with Windows 8, Windows 10 or higher, Mac OS X 10.12 or higher, and Android 4.3 or higher
- Rechargeable Ergonomic Mouse: The Bluetooth Vertical Mouse has a built-in 500mAh Li-Ion battery that can be conveniently recharged using the included Type-C cable(The Type-C cable is for charging only)
- Ergonomic Vertical Design: The ergonomic mouse wireless keeps your wrist naturally straight, putting your forearm and wrist in a more natural and relaxed position, which can reduce discomfort and strain, helping to improve productivity and reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries compared to a standard mouse. Warm tips: We encourage you to relax your palm and hold the mouse naturally when using a vertical mouse
- Learning curve: Since it takes a learning curve to get used to the shape when using our ergonomic mouse for the first time, it may cause inconvenience to your mouse grip, We recommend that you take 1-2 weeks to get used to it, as many users find that it will help reduce the pressure and pain on your wrist caused by long-term use of the mouse and improve comfort
Setup checklist before you buy
- Confirm your ArcMap version and the support status attached to your license.
- Decide whether your work is on-screen drawing, paper-map tracing, or both.
- For drawing only, choose a mouse by hand comfort and driver support for your operating system.
- For tracing, confirm the tablet, puck, and WinTab-compliant driver work together on your operating system and ArcMap version.
- Test the device in your hand for a full working session before committing to it, if the store or manufacturer allows returns.
What the evidence does not establish
Esri’s archived help describes the workflows and the input methods they use. It does not test or compare hardware, measure drawing accuracy by device, or certify any mouse or tablet for current use. The sources also contain no ergonomics research and no model-specific compatibility information. Any recommendation of a particular device would therefore rest on your own requirements and the manufacturer’s documentation, not on a verified ranking.
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The archived help is a record of how ArcMap was designed to work, and it remains accurate about those workflows. It cannot tell you how a given mouse performs on your hardware or whether a newer operating system will run a legacy driver.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Seamless Switching Between Three Devices】The ergonomic mouse features Bluetooth (5.0/3.0) and 2.4GHz USB A modes for connectivity. When connected via Bluetooth, The vertical mouse can effectively reduce the usage of your USB-A port (Bluetooth mode can connect to two devices simultaneously). In 2.4GHz connection mode, simply plug in the USB receiver for a quick connection. Press and hold the bottom button of the mouse for 3 seconds to enter the connection and pairing state. Short press the button to switch connection modes and improve work efficiency.(Note: The 2.4GHz receiver is built into the bottom of the mouse).
- 【Higher DPI & 6 Adjustable Levels】This vertical ergonomic mouse is equipped with a high-performance chip and features 6 adjustable DPI levels (4800/3200/2400/1600/1200/800) to meet your daily needs. wireless mouse upgraded technology allows this ergonomic mouse to operate smoothly on different types of surfaces. When changing the DPI, the light will flash, with the number of flashes corresponding to the DPI level.
- 【Silent Mouse】This computer mouse operates quietly, allowing for usage even in quiet environments like libraries. Additionally, the vertical mouse provides nearly silent clicks, helping avoid disturbances to others and ensuring your work or study remains undisturbed (Note: Only the left and right click buttons of the mouse are silent; other function buttons are not silent).
- 【Ergonomic Design】The wireless mouse's ergonomic design offers ultimate comfort by placing your palm at a near-vertical angle on the desktop, reducing pressure and pain on your wrist caused by prolonged inverted mouse usage (Note: Mouse is designed for right-handed use only).
- 【Broad Compatibility and Low Battery Warning】The wireless computer mouse is compatible with various devices, including Windows, Mac, Chrome, and Linux laptops (side buttons are not compatible with macOS). Additionally, this bluetooth mouse for laptops automatically enters deep sleep mode after approximately 10-30 minutes of inactivity to conserve power; you can awake it by pressing the right or left button. Note: We recommend using branded batteries to ensure the mouse's longevity. When the battery is low, the LED light will blink (Requires 2 AAA batteries, not included).
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