An ergonomic vertical mouse and a compact keyboard are your starting point in protecting against computer posture RSI. A good vertical ergonomic mouse isn’t cheap although an appropriate compact keyboard is very affordable. Read on as it’s an investment well worth making.
Why use an Ergonomic Vertical Mouse?
Ergonomic vertical mice look strange but you can see in the photos that the hand and forearm rests on the desk and controls the mouse in a relaxed posture.
A conventional mouse twists the arm from its natural resting position and you will notice that you will typically either twist your wrist back or hold the mouse in a hovering position when at the computer. If you use a laptop touchpad, notice how that also forces your arm into a different strained and twisted position.
Muscles and tendons get damaged when they are held in a tense position for too long or over stretched. For most computer users with conventional mice, their mouse or laptop touchpad posture is often the primary RSI issue!
The best ergonomic vertical mouse available is the DXT02W Ergonomic Mouse; it is wireless, ambidextrous, suits small and large hands and takes up very little desk room. Popularity has made it scarce; if it isn’t available, the DXT02 wired Ergonomic Mouse is next best as long as you ensure the wire runs freely and doesn’t drag the mouse backwards on the desk. Evoluent mice were previously our number 1 and are also good; they come in left or right handed, small-hand, wired and wireless models. We advise to go wireless when possible as wires dragging down the back of desks can also be implicated in RSI conditions. Cheaper mice are available but many, in our opinion, have RSI hazards in their design.
What about laptops? Most laptops already have compact keyboards however the trackpad is always a major RSI hazard! Our advice is to use a vertical mouse with laptops too.
What about trackballs? These generally have the same or similar issues to conventional mice – we don’t recommend them.
What about other ergonomic mice? Most aren’t quite vertical enough to deliver all the benefits and many are large in the hand with stiffish buttons which can pose a risk themselves.
BBC1 “Breakfast” anchor-woman Naga Munchetty uses her DXT02W on TV!
Go to our recommended mice and keyboards…
What’s wrong with a standard keyboard?
Does your keyboard have numeric or function keypads to the right of the standard keys?
Those special keypads force the mouse to be further away from the computer user causing tendons to be tense, fatigue, damage and give you pain.Our recommendation is to select a good compact keyboard without numeric and function keypads. If you need a number pad, consider having a separate one which can be pushed out of the way when you’re not using it. Your wrist shouldn’t be bent when using a keyboard so look for feet at the back so that the back can be raised slightly if necessary.
Ergonomic Mouse & Keyboard Buying Guide
UK Suppliers
Note for Evoluent mice size see sizing tab above
-
DXT02 Ergonomic Mouse
Less expensive, wired version. Easy to use, hold like a pen. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed.
View UK Supplier -
DXT02W Ergonomic Mouse
Excellent! Easy to use, hold like a pen. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed.
View UK Supplier -
Ergonomic Penguin Mouse
Hold a bit like a small glass with your arm resting on the desk. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed. See [Penguin Size] tab.
View UK Supplier -
Evoluent Vertical Mouse L/H-Normal
Left-handed normal-size version (consider DXT02 instead if you have small hands)
View UK Supplier -
Evoluent Vertical Mouse R/H-Normal
Right-handed version (their normal size is for larger hands)
View UK Supplier -
Evoluent Vertical Mouse R/H-Small
Right-handed small-hand version (normal size is for large hands)
View UK Supplier -
Perixx compact keyboard +2USB hubs
Inexpensive but effective compact wired keyboard with 2 USB Hubs
View UK supplier -
Perixx Mini Keyboard
Cheap and cheerful, slim compact wired keyboard. No USB sockets.
View UK supplier
This website operates ‘not for profit’ with our costs being supported through the small commissions (typically 1 – 2%) that we receive from suppliers
USA Suppliers
Note for Evoluent mice size see sizing tab above
-
Bakker Elkhuizen Mini Keyboard
Well made, slim compact keyboard with 2 USB ports
View USA supplier -
DXT02W Ergonomic Mouse
Excellent! Easy to use, hold like a pen. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed.
View USA Supplier -
Ergonomic Penguin Mouse
Hold a bit like a small glass with your arm resting on the desk. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed. See [Penguin Size] tab.
View USA Supplier -
Evoluent Vertical Mouse
Select from left-hand, right-hand, small-hand, wired and wireless options
View USA Supplier -
Perixx Mini Keyboard
Cheap and cheerful, slim compact wired keyboard. No USB sockets.
View USA supplier
This website operates ‘not for profit’ with our costs being supported through the small commissions (typically 1 – 2%) that we receive from suppliers
Canadian Suppliers
Note for Evoluent mice size see sizing tab above
-
Bakker Elkhuizen Mini Keyboard
Well made, slim, wired, compact keyboard with 2 USB sockets.
View Canadian Supplier -
DXT02W Ergonomic Mouse
Excellent! Easy to use, hold like a pen. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed.
View Canadian Supplier -
Ergonomic Penguin Mouse
Hold a bit like a small glass with your arm resting on the desk. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed. See [Penguin Size] tab.
View Canadian Supplier -
Evoluent Vertical Mouse
Select from left-hand, right-hand, small-hand, wired and wireless options
View Canadian Supplier -
Perixx Mini Keyboard
Cheap and cheerful, slim compact wired keyboard. No USB sockets.
View Canadian Supplier
The Evoluent VerticalMouse 4 regular size models which are sometimes called 'large' (Right Wireless, Right Mac, Right Bluetooth, Right and Left) are for hands at least about 7 inches or 178 mm from the tip of the middle finger to the wrist crease. Hands shorter than 7 inches/178 mm may be more suitable for the VerticalMouse 4 Small.
Measure your hand from the first crease on your wrist to the tip of your middle finger.
- SMALL 0-16 cm (0-6 ins approx)
- MEDIUM 16-18 cm (6-7 ins approx)
- LARGE 18 cm + (7 ins + approx)
How to use a Vertical Mouse
- Your arms and shoulders should be relaxed with your upper arm vertical by your side and your forearm horizontal.
- You should maintain a neutral hand and wrist position, similar to a handshake.
- You should be able to move your arm and shoulder freely.
- Hold the vertical ergonomic mouse lightly but touching the skin between your thumb and forefinger. Don’t grip it as you might have done with a conventional mouse. You gently push it towards the keyboard with the flat of your hand and pull backwards with your thumb.