Anker’s Wireless Ergonomic Mouse looks weird — and I like it
Yes, I use a weird mouse, but it’s supposed to be good for you.
Note: This article was first published on 24th June 2018 and is re-published now as the mouse is still available and the review is still applicable too.
I’ve used an ergonomic keyboard for years, so an ergonomic mouse was the logical next step for me. Anker actually sells two versions of its Wireless Ergonomic Mouse on Amazon, and a third version has recently come out. The one I’m using in this review — bear with me — is the ‘FBA_AK-848061068344.’
Technical note: Although the exact SKU reviewed is no longer available, the current model being sold is has a model number that goes by “AK-98ANWVM-UBA”, or also known as “A7852”. For all intents and purposes, the prior model reviewed seven years back and now are quite similar, though the new one is a little more taller/steeper. The product name is however, still the same, along with funtionality and expectations that the editorial team feels the review is still applicable.
Unlike typical mice that lie flat, the Anker slopes upwards. The idea of a vertical mouse sounds plausible. A typical mouse forces you to rotate your wrist and forearm to claw it. A vertical mouse lets you rest your wrist and forearm in a straighter position. It’s more akin to how your arm looks while hanging from your side, so it should be more comfortable.
I use the Anker at work and have a traditional mouse at home, and it took me weeks to get used to this unusual mouse. But I’ve come to find the Anker more comfortable than my old mouse. The sloped grip does feel more natural, especially for long periods of time.
It’s a good product, but not a great one. Gripping and moving is fine, but using the scroll wheel is awkward. The scroll wheel is not positioned further along enough, so I have to contort my fingers backward to get at it. To be fair, your finger length and experience may vary.
Because of the slope, my last finger, as well as the outer corner of my wrist, keeps brushing against the table. I have a mouse pad made of soft cloth, so this isn’t a painful burden, more of a mild nuisance.
Not my hand, but you can see how the last finger brushes against the table.
Still, the contrast between grips is obvious when I go back to my flat mouse. A flat grip feels wearisome now, and I don’t feel at home anymore with it. The Anker won’t eliminate wrist pain while mousing, but it does feel more comfortable for longer use.
Now the thing about keyboards and mice is that they get very personal, especially for nerds. If you search online for ergonomic mice, you’ll find reviews that swear by vertical mice. But others insist on horizontal mice, while some support trackballs. You’ll also find people who eschew mice altogether for track pads or tablets. If you’re ergo-curious and on the fence, the Anker Wireless Ergonomic Mouse is cheap (US$18) and satisfactory enough to give it a try.
Note: At the time of re-publishing, the mouse is available on Amazon Singapore and Anker Singapore for a list price of S$49.90, which isn’t too shabby considering inflation, taxes, exchange rates, and other market forces since we first reviewed this seven years back.
This review was also published in August 2018 issue of HWM.
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