Best Ergonomic and Trackball Mouse for Arthritic Hands in Australia
A normal mouse asks a fair bit of the hand. The wrist lies flat and twisted, the fingers do the clicking, and the whole arm slides about the desk. For someone with arthritis, a sore wrist or a weak grip, all that adds up to discomfort, and sometimes to giving up on the computer altogether. The good news is that a different shape of mouse can take most of that strain away.
There are two kinds worth knowing about: the vertical, or ergonomic, mouse that holds the wrist in a natural handshake position, and the trackball, where the hand stays still and a thumb or finger rolls a ball to move the pointer. This guide explains which suits whom and where to buy in Australia. We do not quote fixed prices, as they change. We tell you what to check instead.
One gentle note first. This is about comfort, not treatment. If hand or wrist pain is ongoing, it is worth a word with a doctor or an occupational therapist, who can suggest what will help in your particular case. If you are also choosing the computer, see our best laptops for seniors in Australia guide.
Quick answer
For most older Australians with sore or stiff hands, a trackball like the Logitech ERGO M575 is the easiest answer, because the hand rests still and only the thumb moves the ball, so there is no sliding the arm about. If you would rather keep a familiar mouse shape, a vertical mouse like the Logitech Lift holds the wrist in a comfortable handshake position. A trackball also suits a small desk or a shaky hand, since the mouse never moves. Both come in left-handed versions, and you will find them at Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi and Amazon Australia.
How the main options compare
| What matters most | Better fit |
|---|---|
| No arm movement at all, for stiff hands or a small desk | Thumb trackball (Logitech ERGO M575) |
| A natural wrist angle in a familiar mouse shape | Vertical mouse (Logitech Lift) |
| A larger ball moved by the fingers, not the thumb | Finger trackball (Kensington Orbit or Expert) |
| The most comfortable premium option | Logitech MX Vertical or MX Ergo |
Trackball or vertical mouse: which suits?
The simplest way to choose is to think about what hurts. If moving the whole arm around the desk is the problem, a trackball is the answer, because the mouse stays put and only the ball moves. That makes it a real help for stiff shoulders, a sore wrist, a tremor, or a cramped desk. The trade-off is that it takes a few days to get used to rolling the ball instead of sliding the mouse.
If the discomfort is more about the flat, twisted wrist, a vertical mouse helps. You hold it as if shaking hands, which keeps the wrist in a kinder position, and you still move it around the desk as normal. It feels closer to an ordinary mouse, so there is less to learn. Many people settle on a trackball in the end, but the vertical mouse is the gentler change.
The best ergonomic and trackball mice for seniors, and who each one suits
Logitech ERGO M575 trackball: the easiest on sore hands
The ERGO M575 is the one we would point most people to. The hand rests on a sculpted, supported shape and the thumb rolls the ball to move the pointer, so the arm never has to slide about. Logitech says it cuts forearm strain by around a quarter, and the clicks are quiet. It is wireless, the battery lasts a long time, and it comes in a left-handed version. For arthritis or a sore wrist, it is the sensible first choice.
May suit someone who
Finds moving a normal mouse uncomfortable, has a small or cluttered desk, or wants the hand to stay still.
Things to check
That the thumb can roll the ball comfortably. Allow a few days to get used to it before judging.
Plain-English verdict
The safe first choice for stiff or sore hands.
Logitech Lift vertical mouse: a kinder wrist angle
The Lift is a vertical mouse you hold in a handshake grip, which keeps the wrist in a more natural position than a flat mouse. It still moves around the desk like an ordinary mouse, so there is little to relearn. It comes in a left-handed version and a smaller size for smaller hands, and the clicks are quiet. For someone whose main trouble is the twisted-wrist feeling of a normal mouse, it is an easy, comfortable change.
May suit someone who
Wants a familiar mouse action but a kinder wrist angle, and would rather not learn a trackball.
Things to check
The size, as the Lift comes in two, and the left-handed version if needed. It still needs some desk room to move.
Plain-English verdict
The gentlest change for a tired wrist.
Kensington trackball: a larger ball, moved by the fingers
Kensington makes trackballs with a larger ball that you roll with the fingers rather than the thumb, such as the Orbit and the Expert Mouse. Some people find the bigger, finger-rolled ball easier to control than a thumb ball, particularly if the thumb itself is sore. They sit still on the desk like any trackball, so there is no arm movement. Worth a look if a thumb trackball does not feel right.
May suit someone who
Has a sore thumb, or prefers rolling a larger ball with the fingers.
Things to check
Whether the fingers can roll the ball comfortably. The Expert Mouse is larger and suits bigger hands.
Plain-English verdict
A good alternative when a thumb trackball does not suit.
Logitech MX Vertical and MX Ergo: the premium options
If budget is not the main concern, Logitech’s premium pair are lovely. The MX Vertical is a higher-end vertical mouse with a more pronounced angle, and the MX Ergo is a trackball whose base can tilt to suit your hand. Both are very comfortable and well made. They cost noticeably more than the M575 or the Lift, so they make most sense for someone who uses the computer a great deal.
May suit someone who
Uses the computer for hours and wants the most comfortable option, with money less of a concern.
Things to check
That the extra comfort is worth the higher price for this person’s use.
Plain-English verdict
The comfort upgrade for heavy users.
Your rights if something goes wrong
An ergonomic mouse or trackball bought from an Australian retailer is covered by the Australian Consumer Law, on top of any manufacturer’s warranty. It must be of acceptable quality and last a reasonable time, so if a button or the ball fails early, take it back to the shop that sold it. For a minor fault they may repair it; for a major failure you can choose a refund or a replacement, and the choice is yours. These guarantees can last beyond the warranty period, so an expired warranty is not the final word. If a shop will not help, your state or territory consumer agency, such as NSW Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs Victoria, or the ACCC at accc.gov.au, can step in.
Help paying for it in Australia
Because an ergonomic mouse or trackball is often needed for a condition like arthritis, it can count as assistive technology, and there may be help with the cost. For someone 65 or over, the My Aged Care Support at Home program can fund equipment that keeps a person independent at home. For someone under 65 with a disability, the NDIS funds assistive technology, and these mice sit in the low-cost band, so no formal report is required to buy one. If pain or grip is a real struggle, an occupational therapist can recommend the right shape and, where needed, support a funding request, which is a worthwhile step before you settle on one.
Quick buying checklist
- A trackball if moving the arm is the problem, a vertical mouse if the wrist angle is.
- Thumb ball (M575) or larger finger ball (Kensington), whichever the hand prefers.
- A left-handed version if needed, which both Logitech models offer.
- Quiet clicks, and a comfortable, supported shape.
- Allow a few days to get used to a new shape before deciding.
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
The best choice overall for most older Australians
If we had to pick one, it would be the Logitech ERGO M575 trackball. The hand stays still and supported, only the thumb moves, and it suits a sore wrist, a small desk and a shaky hand alike. If you would rather keep a familiar mouse action, the Logitech Lift vertical mouse is the gentler change. Whichever you try, give it a few days. A new shape always feels odd at first, and then suddenly it does not.
Our recommendation
Buy a Logitech ERGO M575 trackball for most sore or stiff hands, since the hand stays still. Choose a Logitech Lift vertical mouse if you want a familiar mouse action with a kinder wrist angle, or a Kensington finger trackball if the thumb is sore. Pick the left-handed version if needed, and allow a few days to adjust. For ongoing pain, have a word with a doctor or occupational therapist.
Where to go next
If a standard mouse is comfortable enough and you just want an easier one, see best easy-to-use mouse for seniors. A clearer keyboard pairs well too, so read best large-print keyboards, and our computers hub gathers every guide together.
FAQ: Choosing an ergonomic or trackball mouse
What is the best mouse for arthritis?
For many people a trackball like the Logitech ERGO M575 is easiest, because the hand stays still and only the thumb moves. A vertical mouse like the Logitech Lift is a gentler change if you want a familiar mouse action.
What is a trackball mouse?
It is a mouse that stays still on the desk. Instead of sliding it about, you roll a ball with your thumb or fingers to move the pointer. That means no arm movement, which suits a sore wrist or a small desk.
Is a vertical mouse hard to get used to?
Not very. You hold it like a handshake and move it as you would a normal mouse, so there is little to relearn. A trackball takes a bit longer to get used to, usually a few days.
Are these mice available left-handed?
Yes. Both the Logitech ERGO M575 and the Logitech Lift come in left-handed versions, and the Kensington trackballs work either way.
Where can I buy an ergonomic or trackball mouse in Australia?
Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi and Amazon Australia all stock Logitech and Kensington ergonomic mice and trackballs. Amazon Australia and Officeworks both list dedicated ergonomic ranges online.
