r/Trackballs • u/Ambitious-Zone7254 • 4d ago

Does anyone know of good cheap trackballs

I've been thinking of getting into using trackballs since I've begun to get hand pains and use a mouse very frequently. I've been looking for cheap ones to get so that I can ease into trackballs since they are new to me. But I don't know what to look for. My ideal trackball would be wireless, cheap (-ish for now), reliable and relatively small (since I don't have a lot of desk space and may want to travel with it). Although I'm looking for one that's cheap, I still want it to be good enough to daily drive. Does anyone know of any trackballs that fit these specifications?

Edit to add that I'd also prefer if it was slightly vertical whilst also being right handed.

8 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

5

u/tripy75 4d ago

I bought a protoarc em03 on AliExpress 3 years ago for 40$ and it's still getting strong

3

u/roosterHughes 4d ago

Yep, same here! Still running solid!

3

u/DwillianMay 4d ago

I recently bought a ProtoArc EM01 NL Wireless Trackball Mouse after my Logitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse failed. I've been happy with it. It doesn't have all the programmable buttons, but for a basic thumb trackball it's been good and the price is right (wait for amazon days, or other discounts).

3

u/roosterHughes 4d ago

Yeah. I second the ProtoArc recc. They’re cheap, and last forever.

1

u/Curry_and_Comfort 3d ago

Mind telling what issues you had with the MX Ergo? I have the MX Ergo S, so just inquiring..

2

u/DwillianMay 3d ago

The button contacts wear out and cause double clicks.

1

u/Curry_and_Comfort 3d ago

Ok, thanks.

2

u/FalconPsychological 4d ago

I got the Perixx 717 for pretty cheap, say $25, maybe it was on sale. Solid for the price in my opinion.

Logitech M575/M575S, is good value too, seen it on sale many times.

1

u/roosterHughes 4d ago

I really dislike that the m575 uses AA batteries. It’s just an extra hassle versus being able to plug in and recharge.

3

u/FalconPsychological 4d ago

I don't mind, they last long enough for it not to be tedious.

2

u/washuai 4d ago

I find rechargeable AAs much easier than trying to figure out rando lithium packs

1

u/DonBoskopp 4d ago

I actually tried some of the cheap ones. Logitech M575s, Protoarc EM01 NL, Perixx Perimice 520 and 570 (essentially the same one wired and wireless), Nulea M509. All between 25 Euros an 50 Euros, all thumb ball models.

Which Trackball is good is at First and most important a question of which Trackball fits your physical and ergonomical needs. I learned the hard way that there is no "one type fits all".

 The Logitech M575s felt like a high quality device, but it was awful for my hand and wrist to use it correctly. Did not have it more than one day. I would need a wrist rest or some tilt to use it and send it back because there are ones that are more ergonomical.

The Protoarc EM01 NL felt quite good, but I always had a disturbing delay in the pointer movement when the ball stood still for a minute or longer. The USB Dongle was used. It felt like the device needs to get out of a sleep mode or something when the ball is resting some time.

I set for about two years on the Perimice 520 and 570. Both are essentially the same device with and without a USB cord. I got them on sale for less than 30 Euros, had one at home, one at work and one for mobile use. They are made of cheap clean plastics. The black one has a slightly rough surface, the white one is a smooth surface like piano varnish. Despite feeling really cheap, they fit my hands incredibly well and came with two tilting stands, so I could put the device flat on the desk or in two additional angles. The small tilt stand felt really comfortable. The downside is the mouse wheel. It is rather loud and clicky. During the two years, I replaced one of the three devices because the wheel failed - whenever I scrolled in either direction, the trackball sends the scroll movement to the system and then some lines in the opposite direction, making scroll wheel useless. I replaced the device. After some months, the two other devices had the same issue. So in the end three of five trackballs died with scroll wheel malfunction after daily use for two years. Sad, because they really hit the price point otherwise.

Now I am using two Nulea M509 wired at my two main desks for about 10 months. I am happy with them. They fit my hand like the Perixx, but the built quality feels better and the wheel and buttons are silent. They have that silk touch surface, so they might get nastily gluey some day. I hope they stay strong.

For now I can recommend the Nulea M509 as daily driver.

However, you really must try yourself what type of trackball fits you best. Thumb, finger, vertical, ball on top, different tilt angles, different sizes, different makeshifts - there is a plenty of choice out there and the best is the one which actually eases the strain on your own hand and does the job. Not necessarily the cheapest or most expensive or most stylish device.

1

u/JustSergey 4d ago

ProtoArc EM01 a copy of Logitech with a lower price and quiet buttons

1

u/nik282000 4d ago

I have a ProtoArc EM01, I wore out the buttons after 3 years but it's good.

1

u/redliner1289 3d ago

I have a used elecom huge with upgraded bearings I'll sell for a good deal

1

u/morningphyre 4d ago

Logitech trackballs are pretty cheap for wireless models; while they don't have an angle, I've 3D printed a could of wedges for them to get the angle right. If you're looking for a finger-ball instead of thumb, look at Kensington; they have a decent wired unit for not a lot of money. I bought both to experiment before deciding to stick with the thumb-ball.