Goldtouch Semi-Vertical Wireless Mouse: Ergonomics First

Vertical mice are an acquired taste. One of the more common types of ergonomic mice, the tall, vaguely L-shaped design allows you to grip the mouse comfortably and access all of its buttons without twisting your wrist parallel to the desk as you would with a standard mouse.

- MIKE EPSTEIN

The more handshake-like grip and reduced twisting and extending movements ease the pain for users with repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). And these traits may help slow the process of developing RSIs in those who are starting to feel pain and numbness while using a conventional mouse. The Goldtouch Semi-Vertical Wireless Mouse goes to great lengths to make using a PC comfortable; the company says its 66-degree angle still gives you some gravity assist when clicking, unlike a 90-degree design. There are tradeoffs inherent to that choice, but they’re worth considering, especially for users who need relief.

IN COMFORT WE TRUST

Vertical mice play by a different set of rules than your average six-button cursor controller. The matte-gray chassis is shaped like an L, which allows you to comfortably hold and move the mouse with a handshake-like grip. The standard six mouse buttons— the two main clicks, a scroll wheel, back, forward, and DPI control buttons—are positioned in a familiar righthanded formation. But they are laid out sideways near the top of the tall device, so you can click them as you would on a standard mouse, with minimal finger movement. (I’m right-handed, but Goldtouch also makes a left-handed model, which is pretty rare.) The vertical shape reduces stress on the muscles in your hands, making it very comfortable to hold, even for long stretches.