Is a Trackball good for Gaming?

If you are a gamer you might wonder if you can use a trackball to play your favorite game. I personally think trackball gaming just as good, if not better than a regular mouse. Most gamers still prefer a mouse, but it’s hard to say if that is because so many more people use mice and never tried a trackball, or if a mouse is really better.

Computer gamers have been able to successfully use trackballs in most modern computer games, including FPS, RPG, and RTS genres, with any slight loss of speed compensated for with an increase in precision. Many trackball gamers are competent at “throwing” their cursor rapidly across the screen, by spinning the trackball, enabling (with practice) much faster motion than can be achieved with a ball-less mouse and arm motion. However, many gamers are deterred by the time it takes to ‘get used to’ the different style of hand control that a trackball requires. When you just start using a trackball, it does take a bit of time to get to the same level you were at before, just because you need to get used to the trackball. Once you are comfortable with the trackball, it would seem obvious that a trackball offers more benefits in gaming than a mouse:


Advantages of a trackball gaming compared to a mouse

  • A trackball is just as (or more) accurate as the best optical mice
  • A trackball offers much better control, which is very important in many games
  • With a trackball you only use your fingers so your wrists, arms, shoulders and neck don’t have to move. This gives you better control, more speed while using less energy. You won’t get sore wrists or arms after a long night of gaming.
  • Fingers (or thumb) are capable of much quicker and more accurate movements than our arms, which could give you an advantage over your adversaries.
  • A trackball doesn’t require desk space or a clean surface or a mousepad. It never needs to be picked up and moved over to make movements, which can be annoying in a game. You can really use a trackball anywhere, placing it on your knee, on your desk, on a couch armrest… especially the wireless trackballs are very versatile in that way.
  • The cord never ever gets in the way of your movement, because a trackball doesn’t move.

Advantages of a mouse compared to a trackball

  • A mouse leaves your fingers more easily available to hit combinations of buttons than a finger trackball. This could be solved by using a thumb operated trackball where you would have your four other fingers to hit buttons.
  • There’s a wide selection of gaming mice (see here) while there are no trackballs that are made specifically for gaming.
  • Achieving a smooth 360+ degree rotation on a First Person Shooter (FPS) with a thumb trackball might be more tricky. You have to move your thumb at some point.

Making the switch to trackball gaming

Making the switch to a trackball is definitely something you can do and still successfully game. Not everyone likes trackballs, though, so we strongly suggest to first try a trackball so you can feel the difference yourself and decide if you like it or not.
If you get a trackball, try to force yourself to use it, if you want to learn to use it. Just unplug your mouse and start using the trackball for your computer work and gaming. For some people it does take some time (some days or sometimes even a few weeks) to be as good with a trackball as they were with the mouse, and some people are already good or better with their trackball after a few minutes.

Which trackball is better for gaming?

On forums and gaming websites, most people mention the Logitech Trackman Wheel and Logitech Marble as their weapons of choice. Here’s a list of things to consider when choosing the right trackball.

Buttons and ball size
Although most trackballs are suited for gaming, you might want to consider the amount of buttons on the trackball and the size of the ball. A large ball usually gives more precision and more buttons could give you more options in certain games. Compare trackballs here to see available models and options.

Fit to your hand
Also it could be a good idea to have a look at the trackball in a store first, to see if it would fit the size of your hand. Some trackballs are quite large and some are smaller and more suited for small hands. The Kensington Expert is good for people with large hands, while the Logitech Marble and Kensington Orbit are great for everyone including people with smaller hands and fingers.

Thumb or fingers
Using a thumb or finger-operated trackball is a personal preference, but again: the thumb operated trackball might give you a better chance of using the buttons with your other fingers, while trackball operated by your other fingers gives you more control and accuracy over the movement. This depends a lot on the game though as each trackball always offers a precise control and use of several buttons, so it still remains a personal preference. Examples of thumb operated trackballs are the Logitech Trackman Wheel, Logitech M570 and the Microsoft Trackball optical and Microsoft Trackball Explorer. Multiple finger operated trackballs are the Kensington SlimBlade, Kensington Expert, Kensington Orbit with Scroll Ring, Logitech Marble and the Adesso iMouse T1 / iOne Lynx R15.

Conclusion

I would highly recommend attempting to switch to a trackball if you’re considering it. Most people don’t regret their decision to switch, even for gaming. Some people recommend to alternate between a trackball and a mouse (depending on the game you play or use of the computer), to reduce the repetitiveness of the movements and thereby reducing the risk of RSI.

Read more:
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If you are a gamer and have positive or negative experience with a trackball and a certain game, please share your experience by leaving a comment below.

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36 comments

I have used a trackball mouse for app 10 years now. I play World of warcraft since the beginning, but also a lot of other games, MMO or action/adventure games. I couldn’t do without it, never any sign of fatigue or RSI even after long hours. I would only like it if someone made a gaming trackball mouse with some extra buttons. I always use the thumb-ball mice from Logitech.

I have never owned a gaming mouse, and really have never used anything but the Logitech thumb trackballs. I have had four of them since 2001. My first just gave out. My second one still works, but it is worn, my third is battery powered and has that gigantic dongle. That one still works, too. Now I am using the M570. It’s great. It’s laser driven so it is very precise. I would LOVE it if they made a gaming version with more buttons to mash. According to Logitech’s spec sheet on this trackball, the DPI is only 400, but it doesn’t seem to matter. If you are playing an FPS aiming is a breeze. If you are playing an MMORPG, throwing the ball to get to your skills bar is quite fast. Some features I would like to see are the hyper wheel that Logitech puts on it’s new mice, and more buttons for gaming.

Love trackballs. Have been using them for over 10 years. Have played WOW for over 5 years with one. Played Diablo,Diablo 2,D3′ Starcraft franchise, Star Wars, Guild Wars every incarnation. I have done very well on these my only complaint about a trackball is that they need a gaming version so there are more buttons. I have used “gaming mice” and couldn’t stand them but wanted to use them just for the extra buttons. So if a trackball came out that more/ programable buttons it would rule the world.

Im using a Kensington Orbit with scrolling, like its suggested on the side of this post, i started using it for a fps CSGO when i left my actual mouse at work, it was hard at first, but i actually play soo much better with a ball mouse than a trackpad. Its weird to think it would but its so much more accurate, the only downside is the scroll on this mouse is so sensitive and gets in the way sometimes, but ive adjusted to it by just spacing my fingers better. Overall though i’d say its not for everyone and it take some time to get used to it, but its definitely better. Plus i dont need to spend £60 on a razor mouse

I use Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman – the best Trackball ever. Got a brand new spare one, because Logitech stopped producing it.

I still wonder if I’ll test a trackball for gaming. To note that I do mostly flight sims and space sims (star citizen, which has fps elements as well). Unsure if I’ll do as well with a trackball.
So if I have to test one, better a not too expensive one, but I hesitate between the kensington orbit with scrollring or the logitech trackman marble…

I would generally say that to compete with a good player with a good mouse – you would need a good trackball with high precision. I have tested Logitech Trackman Marble for FPS games as well as CST L-Trac. And I would say L-Trac on highest DPI setting (1600DPI) is superior to Tracman Marble (around 300DPI). With a proper pointer acceleration you would be deadly fast and precise at the same time.

Fact is, trackballs are as good as even the best optical mice. For evidence, this guy uses a Logitech M570 and he scored 34% accuracy in BF4 in this round:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSWRmegZbrc

i just ordered the Kensington Orbit with scrolling, for work cuz i have to bring my laptop to work and do not like using the touch pad, and im also a gamer when i have time just want to know if the Kensington Orbit with scrolling, was the best choice?

Trackman Marble Gamer

What are your preffered setting for FPS games? I have noticed I get insane precision and speed wiyj my Trackman Marble when I set MINIMUM possible sensitivity (0.001 in case of my game) and MAXIMUM acceleration (1000). I feel like I can perform a surgery with my sniper rifle from a really long distance.

I use sensitivity 2.0 and acceleration 20 for Assault Cube, a free libre open source FPS. Controller is Trackman Marble. Low sensitivity is good at the beginning, when you master it you can put it back around more or less typical mouse settings. But always check what suits you the best.

On Trackman Marble so far sensitivity 4.0 and acceleration set to 10 works like a charm form me in Assault Cube. Low sensitivity is too much precision than is really needed here. You have to cover precisely quiet a big area of screen with a proper speed in that game so low acceleration allows you to have enough time for instant correction of movement before reaching max value of speed while sensitivity set to 4.0 keeps “slowest speed” relatively fast (Or in other words “not too slow” as speed is important).

It’s all about keeping a proper balance of acceleration (for purpose of really fast maneuverability – like lighting fast 180 turns) and sensitivity (low value means a really impressive precision, but also takes a lot of time to move crosshair around). You can set low sensitivity and set high (huge) acceleration – but it would require a lot of precision while controlling trackball and accidental faster than needed moves cause you to spin like a madman ending pointing totally different point of map than supposed (typically I end pointing the ceiling).

How to find a proper values on your own? At first set acceleration to zero and try out some sensitivity settings that allows you to be precise enough on middle distance. Then try finding value of sensitivity that allows you to change your focus point from center of your screen to corners (to adjust speed with which you can cover an entire screen) quiet fast without losing control over what you are aiming. Do not set too low value. You sure would be able to trace pixels that way but you would be too slow for FPS gaming. When you are done with sensitivity try adjusting acceleration. You may try increasing it from zero by small fractions all the way up to the point when you are satisfied. It typically should help you make quiet effortless 180 turns without kicking too much at slower moves. Only very fast moves (I mean here the speed that for sure is too fast for aiming anything) should cause you to turn with incredible speed. You will notice if value is good if you are not feeling like you are too slow (which means you set too low sensitivity) and/or your crosshair tends to “be faster than the target” (Too high acceleration). You can come to the second problem also when you set too high sensitivity and that’s why I advice to adjust sensitivity first with acceleration turned off. That way you would instantly know that it’s most likely acceleration to be blamed.

Sometimes after this procedure you may eventually want to tweak sensitivity a little bit down as you may find yourself with acceleration value that is not getting too much in the way but you feel like something is too fast a little bit – as with acceleration you may operate good enough with little bit slower speed (lower sensitivity value).

After some experiments and talks with other users of Trackman Marble I must say that in general sensitivity set to 3.0 or 4.0 and acceleration set to 2.0 produce the best results in Assault Cube.

I would set sensitivity to 4.0 and acceleration to 0.04 myself. But didn’t test it yet.

I very fond of my trackballs. Have been a user now for about 10 years.

I wondered…
Would any of you like to have a Razer-grade/-type mouse eSport grade?
Right now Razer won’t even get near it with a 5-foot pole. I pitched the idea to them a couple of years ago and they said, that though they recognised that there were RSI-gamers out there, trackballs would not be in draft any time soon.

I thought someone in here might like give ideas. Be a part of it.
I was thinking a sniper version (if needed. A finger version) and a generic. High dpi.
How many buttons?
Ballsize? (able to change it to another texture?)
What form?
RGB?
Compatible with the three major platforms goes without saying.

There is (or was) a project called gamerball – they are(were) developing a trackball designed for gaming. So far the best for gaming would be CST L-Trac – I have no problem to play Quake 3 with it and get 40-60 percent accuracy.

Recently got the CST (now X Keys) LTrac Glow. I really really want to love the device because I think the device is created really well; however, with having medium-sized hands, it feels uncomfortable to reach the scroll ring and such. Any suggestions? I love the build quality, the steel rollers and the ball itself!

Hi Sloth, I can suggest trying to move the ball with the center of your middle finger and ring finger, so you hand is sort of hovering over the ball, and the tips of your three middle fingers are then closer to, or even reaching the scroll wheel. That’s how I use it, but I do have large hand/long fingers. I just took a picture to show the CST in use:

CST trackball fingers scrolling scrollwheel

I wondered…
Would any of you like to have a Razer-grade/-type mouse eSport grade?
Right now Razer won’t even get near it with a 5-foot pole. I pitched the idea to them a couple of years ago and they said, that though they recognised that there were RSI-gamers out there, trackballs would not be in draft any time soon.

I thought someone in here might like give ideas. Be a part of it.
I was thinking a sniper version (if needed. A finger version) and a generic. High dpi.
How many buttons?
Ballsize? (able to change it to another texture?)
What form?
RGB?
Compatible with the three major platforms goes without saying.

If the major mouse companies won’t take the pitch I have a contact in Shenzhen in China with a couple of factories to ask…

About trackballs designed for gaming, I found that… one that will be available in 2019…
https://www.gamingtrackball.com

We should look at that when it will be available…

They recently stated on reddit that theye are going to finally sell them this year. But who knows.

Looks nice but…. it looks the ball is finger controlled while I prefer my thumb…

The best “gaming” trackball at the moment: (if you ask me) is the Logitech MX Ergo trackball

https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/mx-ergo-wireless-trackball-mouse

Before i bought the Logitech MX Ergo trackball i used the Logitech Wireless Trackball M570 a good one. And my friends where using mouses we where matched to each other during a FPS like COD.

Then I bought the the Logitech MX Ergo trackball…This one is so good that my friends almost accused me of cheating in COD 🙂 and for the rest of that LAN party I used the Logitech Wireless Trackball M570 because it was not funny any more for my friends.

2 months later all of my 7 gaming friends did switch to the he Logitech MX Ergo trackball. Some where used to it in a few days and some in a few weeks but all over they al became better in FPS games.

Ever tried Elecom thumb trackballs?

The Logitech MX Ergo trackball is my favorite. It uses Bluetooth so you don’t need a dongle, has an ergonomic shape, and is very smooth and responsive. I highly recommend it.

Butcher with a trackball

In case anyone need Quake3 / OpenArena / Tremulous v1.3 aka GrangerHub client settings / whatever uses ioQuake 3 engine – for their trackballs – here are pretty neat settings. Maybe someone can advice better alternatives – but these are nice start.

Set your CST L-Trac to highest resolution ( DPI 1600 ) by pressing middle button and then pressing together left and right button and releasing. Repeat that twice. Now you should have 1600 DPI.

Now in console type:

#set field of view to 90°
cg_fov 90

sensitivity 0.5
cl_mouseAccel 0.01
cl_mouseAccelStyle 0
cl_mouseAccelOffset 5

Depends on the games, not all games work well with a trackball. FPS and MMO’s are easily translated, however driving and simulation can be wonky. Third person games are a definite no go, unless you got cat like reflexes.

Difference between a mouse and a trackball?

The difference between using automatic and manual!

I have used trackball mouse for years the logitech mx ergo included that was is my favourite. But when i recently bought a gaming computer that came with a game mouse and keyboard i thought ok ill try the mouse these are asus. And i got to say there is just alot more customization in a gaming mouse than a trackball. Trackballs are great in there own right. But for gaming i dont know my mouse dpi can go up too 12000 so and can be adjusted like crazy poling rate etc. Options like these are great to have for a gamer regardless of what game you play. Trackballs need to start getting better options in there software logitech included.

Can someone cite the sources for the section “Advantages if trackball gaming compared to a a mouse”? It seems that the authored clouded judgment on the subject made them forget they’re required to cite sources (scientific, not anecdotal) when making claims such as that.

Sure. Heres scientific data. Look at the Headshot to Kill ratio. and that’s with a 29.99 trackman marble. https://apex.tracker.gg/profile/pc/chewonth1s

Two of the best trackballs I know of are from Logitech and I own both.

1. Logitech Trackman – For those not willing to give up their precious mice, a second mouse to your primary is the best solution. You get the best of both worlds and use either one or even at the same time your choice. The Trackman doesn’t come in wireless though 🙁

2. Logitech Wireless Trackball – This is the cheaper version of the MX Ergo series. Basically its a wireless three button trackball, it fuses a trackball and mouse together. You get the three button and wheel you would be use to with a mouse and a trackball instead of the hand movement in one.

Hi Carl, thanks for your message. Which “Logitech Wireless Trackball” do you mean exactly? Do you have a model number?

I’ve been using Logitech’s Marble mouse and its successor Trackman Marble for nearly 30 years. I just can’t use a regular mouse, picking it up, moving around to stay on the mouse pad. The problem is there is a design flaw that causes the marble mouse to malfunction eventually. Unintended Double Clicks, Clicks that don’t work, and extreme difficulty with Drag and Drop. There is supposedly a way to fix this yourself by doing surgery on the trackball guts. I’ve always been afraid to try. But now my third one has failed and I’m going to have to. Now using a regular mouse and its driving me crazy. I’ll have to fix the Trackball or spend $30 on a new one. Can’t hang with the mouse. A shame Logitech hasn’t fixed this design flaw by now. I also had a Logitech wireless thumb control trackball that only lasted a few months. I’m not impressed with Logitech’s their reliability, but when it works its great.

jonathan michael patrick

Been using Logitech marble trackball for over 15 years now mostly for gaming. It give me the ability to get precise shot on targets and also find it less tiring. I use it playing War thunder a combat sim game and it made a difference as I’m in the top 5000 players in the world and yes people think I cheat but it’s the ability to aim exactly where I need to. Oh yes this trackball is over 15 years old as well and still going strong compared to a mouse.

Hi!
Now I am using the M570. It’s great. It’s laser-driven so it is very precise. It’s really good to use and very comfortable for me. According to Logitech’s spec sheet on this trackball, the DPI is only 400, but it doesn’t seem to matter. If you are playing an FPS aiming is a breeze. If you are playing an MMORPG, throwing the ball to get to your skills bar is quite fast. Thanks for sharing this valuable information.

Elecom seems to have nice quality and variety (thumb/finger, button count). Getting one when I save up.

A gaming trackball is coming. Been following them for a few years now. Looks like it will begin shipping in about a month after 5 years of development. Extra buttons, different DPI settings, ambidextrous, and lots of other little features. Not saying it’s the best out there by any means, I haven’t tested it myself yet. But I do think it has a lot of potential. Gameball.

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September 1, 2012