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The palm grip is the best all-rounder style of grip, but the claw and fingertip grips each offer more precision and reaction speeds respectively, at the cost of comfort.

Choosing the right mouse grip can make a big difference in your computer use experience. From palm to claw to tip grip, each style has its pros and cons. Learn which grip is best for you and how it can impact your productivity and comfort.

Palm Grip: The Natural Choice

Hand on mouse in palm grip.
Sydney Butler / How-To Geek

The Palm grip is probably the most popular and widely used grip style. As the name suggests, this grip style involves placing your entire hand on the mouse, with your fingers wrapped around the buttons and your thumb resting on the side of the mouse.

One of the palm grip's main benefits is that it feels natural and comfortable for most people. Your hand can rest fully on the mouse. This can help reduce hand and wrist strain. Additionally, the palm grip provides stable and consistent grip, making it great for general use, such as browsing the internet, working on documents, and even playing games.

That's not to say you won't feel the strain eventually, so you still need to take breaks and preferably use a mouse with good ergonomics.

Claw Grip: Advanced Mouse-Fu

Hand resting on mouse in claw grip
Sydney Butler / How-To Geek

The Claw grip is a more advanced grip style often used by gamers and people who need more precision and control. With this grip style, the fingers are positioned in a claw-like shape, with the tips of the fingers resting on the mouse buttons. The back of the hand is raised, with the heel of the hand resting on the back of the mouse.

One of the main benefits of the claw grip is that it provides more control over the cursor. This can be especially useful for activities that require quick and precise movements, such as gaming or graphic design.

However, it's important to note that the claw grip can strain the fingers, as they are more contorted than when using palm grip. This can lead to hand and finger fatigue over time. The claw grip may not be comfortable for everyone, as holding the mouse in this position requires more effort. However, it's a good middle ground between the palm and fingertip styles.

Related: How to Choose the Right Gaming Mouse

Fingertip Grip: Speed Over Accuracy

Hand on mouse in fingertip grip grip
Sydney Butler / How-To Geek

The Tip grip, also known as the Fingertip grip, is similar to the claw grip but with the fingertips positioned right on the buttons and lifting the rest of the hand off the mouse. This grip style is usually used for fast responsiveness in gaming.

The tip grip can be tiring to hold for long periods because keeping the mouse in this position requires more effort. It can also put a lot of strain on the fingers since they don't have the support of an anchored wrist. This can lead to hand and finger fatigue over time. Not a huge issue when playing short bursts of online multiplayer matches, as long as you take a breather now and then.

Some Mice Are Better For Some Grips

When choosing your next ergonomic or gaming mouse, consider which grip style you prefer, as well as the design of the mouse itself. For instance, if you use a palm grip, you may want to opt for a mouse with a larger and taller body that can support your entire hand. Conversely, if you prefer claw or tip grip, a mouse with a lower profile and smaller body may be more suitable, as making more precise movements with your fingertips is easier.

Don't forget that these are just three archetypal mouse grip styles. You should use a style that works best for you, while giving your wrist and hand the support it needs according to the length and intensity of your mouse use. In other words, you're probably going to have a hybrid grip of some sort, or in a few cases something completely out of left field!