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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThe practical way to build a wireless ergonomic mouse is to keep the electronics from an inexpensive working wireless USB mouse and build a new, hand-fitted enclosure around them. You are not designing a wireless protocol, optical sensor, or firmware system from scratch. You are relocating the donor mouse’s PCB sections, switches, scroll wheel, battery contacts, and sensor into a sculpted body—an excellent maker and industrial-design project, but not a medically validated ergonomic device.
The original Make: project was published in 2014 and updated in 2015. Its foam-sculpting companion guide rates the work as moderate difficulty and more than 16 hours, so plan for a prototype-building exercise rather than a quick weekend modification.
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What you are actually building
The donor mouse supplies the tested wireless system and most of the electronics:
- Optical sensor and lens
- Controller and radio
- USB receiver pairing
- Left- and right-click switches
- Scroll-wheel encoder and wheel
- Battery contacts and power circuitry
Your work is to document and, where necessary, separate those assemblies; extend their connections; and mount them inside a new enclosure shaped for a particular hand and grip. The finished body can be carved from extruded polystyrene (XPS, commonly called blue insulation foam), then reinforced and surfaced with filler, ABS or styrene detail strips, and a silicone skin such as Sugru.
#1 Best Overall
- Experience enhanced comfort and productivity with the Anker 2.4G Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse. Its scientifically designed ergonomic structure promotes a healthy neutral "handshake" wrist and arm position, reducing strain and amplifying your productivity.(Uses 2.4 GHz wireless via a USB receiver, not Bluetooth.)
- Enjoy superior sensitivity and precision with this wireless mouse. It boasts 800/1200/1600 DPI Resolution Optical Tracking Technology, offering more sensitivity than standard computer mice. This ensures smooth and precise tracking on a diverse range of surfaces, making it ideal for both work and leisure activities.
- The Anker Ergonomic Mouse is not only convenient but also user-friendly. It comes with next/previous buttons for effortless webpage browsing, making it an excellent choice for internet enthusiasts, gamers, and those who spend prolonged periods on their computer. Note: Key click sounds are unavoidable.
- This computer mouse is not just ergonomic but also energy-efficient and durable. It transitions into a power-saving mode after 8 minutes of inactivity, entirely disconnecting power. A simple press of the right or left button wakes it up. Product dimensions: 120*62.8*74.8 mm; product weight: 3.4 oz.
- The package offers a comprehensive set and warranty. It includes: 1 Anker Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse (2 AAA batteries not included), 1 2.4G USB receiver (stored in the mouse's bottom), 1 instruction manual. We extend an 18-month hassle-free warranty for your peace of mind.
This approach retains the donor’s wireless behavior but also inherits its limitations. There is no universal wiring diagram, sensor height, wire color, switch spacing, battery specification, or PCB layout. Every donor mouse must be treated as a separate reverse-engineering exercise.
Is the project right for you?
Attempt it if you are comfortable with soldering, desoldering, cutting, sanding, and repeated physical prototyping. It suits makers, product-design students, electronics hobbyists, and users whose hand shape or preferred grip is poorly served by standard mice.
Choose a different solution if you need a dependable work mouse immediately, have no experience protecting delicate electronics, expect a simple 3D-print project, or want a clinically validated treatment for wrist or hand symptoms. Stop using any mouse that causes pain, numbness, weakness, or worsening symptoms and seek appropriate medical advice. A custom shape may encourage a more neutral posture, but it cannot guarantee relief from RSI or carpal-tunnel symptoms.
Materials and tools
Donor electronics
- An inexpensive, functioning wireless USB mouse with its original receiver
- Small-gauge hookup wire suitable for the donor’s connections
- Soldering iron, solder, flux, desoldering braid or pump
- Multimeter and, ideally, magnification
- Heat-shrink tubing or electrical tape
- Temporary tape, magnets, or removable fasteners
Body and finish
- XPS insulation foam—not expanded polystyrene packaging foam
- Hand saw, rasp, files, knives, and sandpaper
- Water-based filler
- PVA glue as an optional protective coat
- Compatible solvent-based body filler, used only over a protected surface
- ABS or styrene strip for edges and control details
- Sugru or a comparable silicone modeling material
- Hot-glue gun, used cautiously
Safety equipment
Use close-fitting goggles, gloves appropriate to the products in use, ventilation, and respiratory protection selected according to each filler or adhesive’s safety data sheet and manufacturer instructions. A generic dust mask is not automatically suitable for solvent vapors. Take particular care with sharp blades, broken blades, cyanoacrylate adhesive, sanding dust, and hot glue.
Plan the ergonomic form before opening the mouse
Start with several quick sketches rather than committing to the first silhouette. Decide whether the mouse is right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous, and identify the intended grip: palm, claw, fingertip, or hybrid.
Measure the user’s hand length and width. On a top and side sketch, mark the approximate resting positions of the thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger. Also consider the desired wrist and forearm angle, thumb support, finger reach, and how much force will be needed to move the mouse.
Rank #2
- Lift yourself up: When the desk life gets you down, lift yourself up with Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse - a great fit for small to medium right hands
- Raise your hand into comfort: Rest on Lift upright mouse throughout the day, with a softly textured grip and snug thumb rest for level-above coziness
- 57 degrees of sooooothe: Lift’s vertical shape helps wrists feel like “ahhh” at work, and promotes a more natural posture in the forearm, for day-long comfort and productivity
- Relax into focus: Settle into work with a wireless computer mouse featuring easy-to-reach customizable buttons, whisper-quiet clicks, and a SmartWheel for smooth, seamless scrolling
- Ergo-certified: Lift wireless vertical mouse has been designed, developed, tested, and approved according to criteria set out by leading ergonomists
Reserve space for the left and right buttons, wheel and wheel click, battery door, power switch, receiver storage, and sensor opening. The optical sensor must remain parallel to the desk and have a clear, rigidly supported view of the surface.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBefore sacrificing the donor, make a cardboard or rough foam mockup. Hold it for several minutes, then revise the shape. A vertical or heavily sculpted body is not automatically ergonomic: watch for wrist deviation, forearm rotation, thumb pressure, finger pinch, shoulder movement, and excessive grip force.
Prepare and document the donor mouse
- Confirm that the mouse works before modification.
- Pair it with its original receiver and test tracking, left click, right click, wheel click, scrolling, power operation, and battery behavior.
- Photograph the exterior and every internal layer before removing anything.
- Label connectors, wires, switches, battery contacts, the sensor, and wheel assembly.
- Record connector orientation and battery polarity. Do not rely on wire colors; they vary by mouse.
- Identify parts that are soldered to the PCB and parts that also depend on the original shell for mechanical support.
Prefer a donor with a compact, removable optical-sensor assembly, separate click switches, a discrete wheel encoder, accessible battery contacts, and enough room to route wires. Some modern boards use flexible cables, custom connectors, or structural parts that make relocation impractical. Do not assume that a particular current mouse is compatible simply because it is wireless.
Relocate the controls and PCB sections
“Frankensteining” the PCB means separating only the sections that need to move and connecting them with carefully extended leads. The original build relocates controls, including the jog or scroll wheel, so they can sit independently in the new foam body. The donor’s sensor should generally remain rigidly aligned with its lens; moving it casually is one of the easiest ways to create tracking problems.
- Remove power before soldering.
- Work on one connection or function at a time.
- Photograph each connection again immediately before desoldering it.
- Preserve signal identity and polarity.
- Use the shortest practical wire route; unnecessary length makes routing and troubleshooting harder.
- Insulate each joint with heat-shrink tubing or tape.
- Add strain relief where wires leave a PCB or pass through a shell partition.
- Use a multimeter to check continuity and to make sure adjacent contacts are not shorted.
- Test the electronics outside the enclosure before closing the body.
Do not invent a pinout or wire gauge from another mouse. A lifted solder pad, damaged flex cable, reversed battery, contaminated sensor, or fatigued joint can stop the entire assembly from working.
Sculpt the XPS body
The foam workflow documented in the companion guide is deliberately iterative:
Rank #3
- Perfect Fit for Small to Medium Hands: Designed specifically for hand lengths under 7.5 inches (19.05 cm), the EM11 NL reduces wrist strain by aligning with your natural grip. Please measure the size before ordering for a better fit and more comfort
- Connect up to 3 Devices: This ergonomic wireless mouse features dual Bluetooth connectivity and 2.4G USB-A connectivity modes for simultaneous connection of up to 3 different devices, and is compatible with Windows 8, Windows 10 or higher, Mac OS X 10.12 or higher, and Android 4.3 or higher
- Rechargeable Ergonomic Mouse: The Bluetooth Vertical Mouse has a built-in 500mAh Li-Ion battery that can be conveniently recharged using the included Type-C cable(The Type-C cable is for charging only)
- Ergonomic Vertical Design: The ergonomic mouse wireless keeps your wrist naturally straight, putting your forearm and wrist in a more natural and relaxed position, which can reduce discomfort and strain, helping to improve productivity and reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries compared to a standard mouse. Warm tips: We encourage you to relax your palm and hold the mouse naturally when using a vertical mouse
- Learning curve: Since it takes a learning curve to get used to the shape when using our ergonomic mouse for the first time, it may cause inconvenience to your mouse grip, We recommend that you take 1-2 weeks to get used to it, as many users find that it will help reduce the pressure and pain on your wrist caused by long-term use of the mouse and improve comfort
- Cut a rough, hand-sized block of XPS.
- Saw away large areas of excess material.
- Refine the major planes with a rasp.
- Use files for finger grooves, thumb rests, and radii.
- Sand only after the major geometry is correct.
- Mark the centerline, control locations, sensor opening, and split line.
- Test the grip repeatedly in the intended user’s hand.
- Cut the body into top and bottom sections that can be opened for service.
- Hollow the interior for the PCB, wheel, switches, battery, and wiring.
- Add internal ledges or mounts so the sensor, switches, and wheel cannot move during use.
Allow roughly 1–3 mm for later filler and surface layers, as recommended by the companion guide. Keep walls thick enough to resist crushing, but do not close the shell around electronics until every functional test has passed.
Hot glue can be useful for temporary positioning and assembly, but an overheated glue gun can dramatically melt XPS. Use the lowest practical heat, apply small amounts, and test on scrap foam first.
Temporarily assemble and test
Install the electronics with tape, magnets, or removable fasteners before applying filler. Keep a removable battery panel or door, access to the power switch, and a route for retrieving the receiver if the donor stores it internally.
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With the shell temporarily closed, verify:
- The sensor tracks on the intended desk surface.
- The cursor moves in the expected direction.
- The sensor opening is unobstructed and the lens is clean.
- Both buttons actuate fully without constant pressure.
- The wheel spins freely, scrolls, and still supports wheel-click operation.
- No wire touches the wheel or optical sensor.
- The receiver remains paired and wireless range is acceptable.
- The battery can be replaced without destroying the enclosure.
Do not proceed to permanent finishing if the donor only works intermittently. Remove power, inspect joints under magnification, compare continuity with your photographs, recheck battery voltage and polarity, and test the original board outside the shell. Repair one circuit at a time.
Finish and protect the shell
XPS is vulnerable to solvents in some glues, chemical fillers, and spray paints. Test every unfamiliar product on scrap foam. The documented finishing sequence is:
- Apply a water-based filler.
- Let it dry thoroughly, then sand it smooth.
- Add an optional PVA glue barrier where additional protection is needed.
- Apply solvent-containing automotive or body filler only after the foam is protected.
- File and sand the hardened filler.
- Add ABS or styrene strips to define edges, seams, buttons, or other details.
- Apply a thin silicone skin.
- Allow the skin to cure fully before trimming or sanding.
For a simple prototype, water-based filler and paint may be sufficient. For a more durable tactile surface, use the filler and silicone-skin process. A production-quality enclosure is better made from a carefully designed 3D print, machined part, or molded shell.
Rank #4
- Precision you can feel with the Haptic Sense Panel; customizable (1) haptic feedback on specific actions, shortcuts, notifications enhancing productivity on this wireless Bluetooth mouse
- Effortlessly access favorite tools with Actions Ring (2) on this MX Series mouse—a dynamic, customizable overlay adapts to each app, placing most used filters, adjustments, and shortcuts at your cursor
- Scroll 1,000 lines per second and stop on a pixel with the MagSpeed scroll wheel—Logitech’s fastest (3), quietest, and most precise (4) scrolling experience
- Enjoy 2X more powerful connectivity (7) with a USB-C dongle, advanced radio chip, and optimized antenna for faster, stronger, reliable performance—or use Bluetooth for more versatility
- Ergonomic mouse designed for comfort, MX Master 4 keeps you in flow with a natural tilt, intuitive buttons, and a thumb scroll wheel that reduces hand stress for fluid navigation
Apply the Sugru-style silicone skin
Product formulation, colors, packaging, and availability may differ from the 2014–2015 references, so treat the old Maker Shed item number as historical rather than a current buying recommendation.
- Roll the material between sheets of plastic food wrap to create an even layer.
- Peel it from the food wrap and position it carefully; it is sticky.
- Knead and press it into the enclosure’s contours.
- Trim excess with a fresh blade.
- Smooth the surface with slightly soapy water.
- Leave it undisturbed to cure for 24 hours, following the current product instructions.
- Sand back only after it is fully cured and dry.
Plan the application instead of repeatedly lifting and repositioning the material. The companion guide notes that it can become difficult to work after roughly 20 minutes of repeated manipulation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting the finished prototype
The mouse stops working
Inspect for lifted pads, broken flex cables, reversed battery polarity, shorted contacts, damaged sensors, lost receiver pairing, and wire fatigue. Disconnect power, inspect with magnification, verify continuity and battery polarity, then test the donor electronics outside the shell.
The cursor moves but tracking is erratic
The sensor may be tilted, flexing, partially blocked, contaminated with foam dust or filler, or positioned at an unsuitable distance from the desk. There is no universal sensor-height specification in the source project: preserve the donor’s original geometry as closely as possible and support the assembly rigidly.
Buttons click unreliably
The shell may be pressing the microswitch continuously, the cap may be too far away, the switch may be misaligned, or filler may have entered the mechanism. Use temporary shims and test the full button travel before applying the final skin.
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Support the wheel assembly laterally and vertically. Check that the axle remains parallel to the encoder and that the wheel is not rubbing foam, silicone, or filler. Extending wires alone does not provide the mechanical support the wheel needs.
Best Value
- 【Seamless Switching Between Three Devices】The ergonomic mouse features Bluetooth (5.0/3.0) and 2.4GHz USB A modes for connectivity. When connected via Bluetooth, The vertical mouse can effectively reduce the usage of your USB-A port (Bluetooth mode can connect to two devices simultaneously). In 2.4GHz connection mode, simply plug in the USB receiver for a quick connection. Press and hold the bottom button of the mouse for 3 seconds to enter the connection and pairing state. Short press the button to switch connection modes and improve work efficiency.(Note: The 2.4GHz receiver is built into the bottom of the mouse).
- 【Higher DPI & 6 Adjustable Levels】This vertical ergonomic mouse is equipped with a high-performance chip and features 6 adjustable DPI levels (4800/3200/2400/1600/1200/800) to meet your daily needs. wireless mouse upgraded technology allows this ergonomic mouse to operate smoothly on different types of surfaces. When changing the DPI, the light will flash, with the number of flashes corresponding to the DPI level.
- 【Silent Mouse】This computer mouse operates quietly, allowing for usage even in quiet environments like libraries. Additionally, the vertical mouse provides nearly silent clicks, helping avoid disturbances to others and ensuring your work or study remains undisturbed (Note: Only the left and right click buttons of the mouse are silent; other function buttons are not silent).
- 【Ergonomic Design】The wireless mouse's ergonomic design offers ultimate comfort by placing your palm at a near-vertical angle on the desktop, reducing pressure and pain on your wrist caused by prolonged inverted mouse usage (Note: Mouse is designed for right-handed use only).
- 【Broad Compatibility and Low Battery Warning】The wireless computer mouse is compatible with various devices, including Windows, Mac, Chrome, and Linux laptops (side buttons are not compatible with macOS). Additionally, this bluetooth mouse for laptops automatically enters deep sleep mode after approximately 10-30 minutes of inactivity to conserve power; you can awake it by pressing the right or left button. Note: We recommend using branded batteries to ensure the mouse's longevity. When the battery is low, the LED light will blink (Requires 2 AAA batteries, not included).
The foam melts
Stop using the product, remove damaged material, and test a water-based barrier and finishing system on scrap. Never assume a material labeled foam-safe is compatible with every other layer.
The shape becomes uncomfortable
Return to the mockup stage. Recheck wrist angle, thumb pressure, finger reach, forearm rotation, grip force, and whether the user must pinch the mouse to move it. The project’s aim is a hand-fitted form, not a guaranteed ergonomic outcome.
Final validation checklist
- Tracking is reliable on the intended surface.
- Left click, right click, wheel click, and scrolling work repeatedly.
- The wheel has no friction or lateral movement.
- The battery door and power switch remain accessible.
- The receiver works at the intended distance.
- The mouse sits stably on the desk.
- The body remains comfortable after at least 30–60 minutes of use.
- No sharp edges, exposed wires, loose parts, heat, odor, or battery damage is present.
Improve the second version
The foam prototype is valuable because it makes geometry fast to change, but XPS can dent, collect contamination, soften under incompatible chemicals, and make repairs difficult. A second-generation enclosure could use a 3D-printed shell with screw-fastened service panels, modular switch mounts, a replaceable battery door, proper wire strain relief, and a documented CAD model. The companion guide notes that the silicone-skin technique can also be used over ABS and PLA prints.
Recommended Free Tools
A custom microcontroller mouse is a separate undertaking requiring an optical sensor, firmware, radio stack, power management, battery design, and regulatory-compliant wireless implementation. It offers more control but is not an extension of this donor-mouse method.
Build or buy?
| Choose the DIY build when… | Choose a commercial mouse when… |
|---|---|
| You need an unusual hand-fitted shape, want to learn, or are prototyping a product concept. | You need reliable operation, warranty coverage, predictable weight, or immediate availability. |
| You accept sacrificing a donor and spending more than 16 hours on shaping and finishing. | You do not want to troubleshoot sensor alignment, battery access, receiver pairing, or solder joints. |
For a ready-made alternative, the Logitech Lift is positioned for small-to-medium hands and has a left-handed option; its listed US price was $79.99 in August 2026. The Logitech MX Vertical is a premium 57-degree design for medium-to-large hands; its observed US price was $99.99 on sale versus a displayed $119.99 comparison price.
For a different interaction model, the Logitech MX Ergo S wireless thumb trackball was listed at $119.99, while the ERGO M575S was listed at $44.99 on sale versus $49.99. The Kensington Pro Fit Ergo Wired Mouse was listed at $31.29 for readers who prefer a low-cost wired option. These prices are dated US observations, not permanent MSRP or guarantees.
Commercial mice provide a finished enclosure and established electronics; the DIY version provides something they cannot: direct control over the shape. Choose the build for customization and learning, not because it is automatically cheaper, faster, or healthier.
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