Choosing the right trackball can transform your workflow — reducing wrist strain, improving precision, and freeing desk space. These recommendations come from hands-on testing, specification analysis, and a review of expert and user feedback to identify trackballs that work well across budgets, operating systems, and use cases.
Considerations and Testing Methodology
What we tested
- Real-world comfort: extended typing and pointing sessions (1–4 hours) to judge ergonomics and fatigue.
- Tracking accuracy: precision tasks (pixel-level pointer movement, spreadsheet selection, and image-editing tests).
- Connectivity and compatibility: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz dongles, and wired operation across Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and common tablets.
- Software and customization: availability and flexibility of remapping, DPI adjustment, and firmware.
- Battery life and charging behavior for rechargeable models.
- Build quality and maintenance: how easy it is to remove/clean the ball and longevity of moving parts.
- Value: features relative to price and real-world usefulness.
How factors influenced rankings
- Comfort and tracking accuracy carried the most weight for productivity users.
- Connectivity and customization influenced picks for multi-device and power users.
- Price and ease of use pushed budget and value picks higher when they delivered reliable performance without extras.
This process combined hands-on time with specification cross-checks and aggregated user reviews to weigh long-term reliability and real-world usability.
Wired RGB Trackball
A budget-friendly wired trackball with a 34mm ball, RGB lighting, and five DPI steps. It delivers stable, plug-and-play performance for tight workspaces and gamers or casual users who want a dependable, no-frills trackball at a low price.
Wired RGB Trackball — Best Budget Pick
This wired trackball is a strong entry-level option: a 34mm thumb ball, USB-A plug-and-play connectivity, and five adjustable DPI levels (100–1200) give you predictable pointer control without driver installs. The sculpted shape is comfortable for most hands and the large Back/Forward buttons make web navigation fast. Highlights are its stable wired link (no latency worries) and an eye-catching RGB strip for a modern desk.
Pros:
- Extremely affordable and reliable wired connection
- 5 DPI steps for quick sensitivity changes
- Works well in cramped setups (lap, couch, small desks)
Cons:
- Buttons are non-programmable and some Mac users may lose Back/Forward functionality
- Wired-only limits multi-device workflows
Good for: users on a tight budget who want dependable, low-latency performance for office work or light gaming.
Kensington Expert Trackball
A high-end, precision-focused trackball with a large 55mm ball, diamond-eye tracking, and a patented scroll ring. Combined with a detachable wrist rest and customizable buttons, it’s designed for extended sessions and professional workflows.
Kensington Expert Trackball — Premium Choice
This is a classic pro-grade trackball built for precision and comfort. The large 55mm ball and DiamondEye optical sensor provide very fine cursor control across multi-monitor and design tasks. A patented scroll ring around the ball makes document and page navigation effortless, and the detachable wrist rest adds long-session comfort. Customizable buttons and scroll behavior are available through Kensington's software (note: some platform limitations apply).
Pros:
- Exceptional precision (large ball + high-quality sensor)
- Scroll ring for fast navigation
- Comfortable wrist support for long use
Cons:
- Higher price than entry-level models
- Wired USB-A connection (no built-in Bluetooth)
Good for: designers, CAD users, and anyone who needs pixel-accurate control and long-term ergonomic comfort.
Rechargeable Wireless Trackball
A rechargeable, multi-device trackball that pairs via Bluetooth or a stored USB receiver. Thumb-controlled and ergonomically curved, it offers adjustable DPI and long battery life — a solid wireless option for hybrid workers.
Rechargeable Wireless Trackball — Best Value for Money
This model balances features and price: rechargeable battery, Bluetooth plus USB receiver, and the ability to switch among three paired devices. The thumb trackball and ergonomic shell reduce wrist movement, and adjustable DPI helps tune sensitivity for different tasks. It’s not a pro-grade precision tool, but it’s a very capable generalist with great multi-device convenience.
Pros:
- Rechargeable battery (no disposable cells) and long run times
- Up to 3-device switching (Bluetooth + 2.4 GHz receiver)
- Comfortable thumb-control design and adjustable DPI
Cons:
- Buttons aren’t programmable
- Avoid fast chargers; use provided cable or 5V USB port for charging
Good for: hybrid workers, students, and anyone who wants wireless freedom and multi-device switching without paying premium prices.
Kensington Orbit Trackball
An ambidextrous wireless trackball with a 40mm ball, scroll ring, and dual 2.4GHz/Bluetooth connectivity with AES encryption. Offers KensingtonKonnect software for button customization and DPI adjustment for broad compatibility and secure use.
Kensington Orbit Wireless Trackball — Editors Choice
This Orbit model strikes an excellent balance between comfort, features, and price. The 40mm ball gives precise control without the footprint of larger pro models; the scroll ring simplifies document navigation. Dual wireless modes (Bluetooth and 2.4GHz) plus 128-bit AES encryption make it flexible and secure. Kensington's customizable software lets you map buttons and tweak DPI (400–1600), producing a trackball that fits both office and creative workflows.
Pros:
- Dual wireless with secure encryption
- Reliable software customization and DPI options
- Ambidextrous design good for left- or right-handed users
Cons:
- Some advanced customization is Windows-centric
- Not as enormous and granular as the 55mm pro ball for pixel-perfect editing
Good for: most professionals and multi-device users who want polished ergonomics, customizable controls, and secure wireless connectivity.
Comparison Overview
Key differences at a glance:
- Wired RGB Trackball (Best Budget Pick): 34mm ball, USB-A wired, 5 DPI steps — best for low cost, low latency, and tight budgets.
- Kensington Expert Trackball (Premium Choice): 55mm ball, DiamondEye sensor, scroll ring, detachable wrist rest — best for precision work and long sessions.
- Rechargeable Wireless Trackball (Best Value): Thumb-controlled, rechargeable, Bluetooth + dongle, 3-device switching — best balance of features and price for hybrid users.
- Kensington Orbit Trackball (Editors Choice): 40mm ball, dual wireless with AES, scroll ring, KensingtonKonnect support — best overall for most professionals.
Best overall: Kensington Orbit Trackball — it blends ergonomics, secure dual wireless connectivity, and software customization into a package that fits the broadest range of users.
Alternatives that excel in specific areas:
- Precision & heavy editing: Kensington Expert (larger ball and finer control).
- Lowest price/performance: Wired RGB Trackball (reliable and affordable wired option).
- Multi-device wireless value: Rechargeable Wireless Trackball (great features for the price).
Final Recommendation
After hands-on testing and comparing specs, the Kensington Orbit is the most well-rounded pick: it delivers reliable tracking, ambidextrous comfort, secure dual wireless options, and useful software support without the premium price of pro-grade models.
Choose differently if you have special needs:
- If you need the finest possible pointer control for design or CAD, pick the Kensington Expert Trackball for its large 55mm ball and scroll ring.
- If you want the cheapest, dependable solution that just works, pick the Wired RGB Trackball for its low price and stable wired performance.
- If you frequently switch between laptop, tablet, and desktop and want wireless convenience, pick the Rechargeable Wireless Trackball for multi-device pairing and long battery life.
These recommendations are grounded in hands-on testing (comfort and tracking), specification checks (sensors, ball diameter, DPI), and analysis of real-world user feedback. If you tell me your primary use case (design, office, multi-device, large hands), I can recommend the single best choice for your workflow.