Chances are, if you are using the same old mouse every day then your hands, wrists, or forearms may eventually grow tired and stressed. This is usually caused by awkward positioning and unnatural posture as a consequence of using a traditionally-shaped mouse.
So, if you’re ready for a change then the Evoluent VerticalMouse might just be for you. We’ve tested the Evoluent VerticalMouse ourselves so you don’t have to do the hard work. This article covers a comprehensive review, pros, cons and other information that can help you make an informed buying decision.
RATINGS
9.8Evoluent VerticalMouse Quick Preview
Summary
A life-changing desk essential that many users swear by, Evoluent’s Vertical Mouse is a breakthrough in mouse technology. Its chief feature is it’s ergonomic design that follows the hand’s natural hand-shake position which promises the user a more relaxed, natural posture when working. However, if you’re an avid gamer, this mouse may not be for you. It’s built more for work purposes. Do you want to get an Evoluent? Read our full review below.
PROS
- Sleek, aesthetically-pleasing design
- Software is easy to use
- Several size options to choose from
- Grip is comfortable and ergonomic
- Customizable, responsive buttons
- Smooth tracking
- DPI switching on-the-fly
- 2-year limited warranty
CONS
- Vertical shape may not appeal to everyone
- Vertical shape takes getting used to
- Expensive price tag
- Not recommended for gaming
- Best for right-handed users only (although there is one left-handed model)
Manufacturer Information
In as early as 1994, founder and designer, Jack Lo, started to feel a noticeable discomfort while using an ordinary mouse. Frustrated at the limited mouse designs available, he started designing his own version: an ergonomic vertical mouse that follows the natural “handshake” posture of the hand.
Back then, Jack Lo’s design was unheard of so it wasn’t a surprise that the product was rejected by several investors, including Microsoft. In late 2002, Jack Lo finally released the first ever Evoluent Vertical Mouse, and in 2004, he unveiled the Evoluent Vertical Mouse 2.
Since then, Jack Lo has continuously looked into improving his company’s products, even though Evoluent is now considered as one of the most popular brands for fans of the vertical mouse.
Additionally, the Evoluent company also creates other ergonomic office products, such as flexible keyboards, tablet stands, and mousepads.
Today, many other companies have copied Jack Lo’s trademark design and they have released their own vertical mouse versions but Evoluent is still arguably the best vertical mouse brand.
This is their official website: https://evoluent.com/
This is their online shop: https://evoshop.biz/
Product Specs & Features
Specifications
The below specifications are for the Evoluent VerticalMouse D Medium Wireless. It is available in other sizes including large and small as well as variations for left and right handed users.
Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 4.5 x 4.1 inches
Item Weight: 8.5 ounces
Model Number: VMDMW
Battery: 1 AA battery, included.
Receiver: USB Type-A. Requires adapter (not included) for USB Type-C ports.
Compatibility:
Microsoft Windows® 7 or later
Includes driver for Windows 7, 8 and 10 for configuring the buttons. The driver is optional but highly recommended. VerticalMouse still has basic functionality without the driver.
Apple Mac® OS X 10.5 to 10.14
Includes Mac driver for configuring the buttons. The driver is optional but highly recommended. VerticalMouse still has basic functionality without the driver. Some functions of the Windows driver are not available in the Mac driver.
Apple Mac® OS X 10.15 and newer
Due to recent Mac OS update, our driver must be updated to maintain compatibility. We need a driver development kit from Apple but they have not replied to our request even after repeated emails. Therefore our driver development is unable to proceed. We apologize for the delay and will continue to contact Apple for the resource. Alternatively, the third party software USB Overdrive www.usboverdrive.com may be used to program the buttons on VerticalMouse. (Evoluent is not affiliated with USB Overdrive.)
Other operating systems
Fixed button functions without a driver. Third party drivers may be available from other vendors.
Ergonomics Features of the Evoluent VerticalMouse
At first glance, the Evoluent Vertical Mouse might be something an ordinary computer mouse user might instinctively want to flip over.
If you’re one of the many who took some time figuring out how the vertical mouse actually works, well, you’re not alone. Even those that have been selling them for years, started out as confused as you.
So no – we’ll tell you that you don’t need to flip it over.
Because essentially, even in its vertical position, it actually works like a traditional mouse, but with a taller body and the buttons layouts are on the side, instead of on top.
Still, even with that knowledge, we will have to say that it does need some time getting used to – especially for those who have worked with a standard mouse for years.
Nonetheless, all vertical mice were designed to solve one problem:
The pronating of the user’s hands.
You see, when using a conventional mouse, our hands twist towards our thumbs, causing an unnatural and uncomfortable positioning from the forearm down. After a definite amount of time, that could lead to pain, aches, and discomfort on our hands that can prevent us from getting any work done.
With the VerticalMouse, however, it puts our hands in the handshake position. This allows for a more natural position compared to using a traditional mouse. Plus, these can help alleviate pain from the wrists, hands, or forearms.
Although users still have to watch out that they don’t put their wrists on hard surfaces while using a vertical mouse
With price points that start at $89.95, it is well on its way to having a premium price. However, compared to what most companies offer, it is still highly competitive.
Current Price
$114.95 from the Evoluent website. Reseller prices may vary.
Disclaimer:
The price included in this article is the price of the product as of this article’s publish date. Prices may change without prior notice.
Available Colors
- White & Grey
- Black & Chrome
- Black & Grey w/ Chrome Details
Shipping Policy
To avoid misinterpretation, we took this information directly from Evoluent’s shipping page:
-
Ground shipping within US
Shipping via FedEx Ground. The cost is automatically calculated and shown in the shopping cart after you enter an address. Takes 1-7 days from shipping, depending on the distance from the San Francisco area. -
Express shipping within US
Shipped via FedEx Express. The cost is automatically calculated and shown in the shopping cart after you enter an address. -
Outside US
Shipped via FedEx International Economy and International Priority. Takes 3-5 days from shipping, but sometimes up to 2 weeks. The cost is automatically calculated and shown in the shopping cart after you enter an address. -
Shipping cut off time
Orders received by 11 am Pacific time are usually shipped the same day. Orders received after 11 am are usually shipped the next business day. The same rules apply to express shipping.
For any shipping concerns, you can contact Evoluent’s customer service team here.
Returns Policy
- Contact tech support first to assess the problem. If authorized, products will be accepted.
- Defective products are replaced with available similar or identical products.
- Refund is not available for products purchased on the online store more than 30 days since the product was purchased.
- Refund is not possible for products purchased from a reseller not through the online store.
Warranty Information
The limited 2-year warranty policy that the company provides are as follows:
- The Evoluent branded products are warranted to be free from defects and workmanship for a period of time from the date of purchase.
- The warranty only applies to the original customer and is, therefore, not transferable. Unless it is prohibited by law on the local address.
- In case the purchaser cannot show the date for proof of purchase, the warranty period is calculated from the manufacturing date.
- The warranty does not apply to any damages that were caused by abuse, misuse, accidents, chemicals, or any usage that is not in accordance with the product instructions.
- Users may return a product for warranty support but should be in accordance with the return instructions. Evoluent may repair or replace the item with a new or refurbished model that is similar to the cosmetics of the product that was returned. If the product is no longer available, it will be replaced by a similar product. The replacement is not covered with a new warranty, but with the remaining warranty of the original product.
- Evoluent is not made liable for any incidental, indirect, special, or consequential damages, resulting from misuse of its products or from the defects of the products.
Product Details
Construction and Design
When you first look at the Evoluent VerticalMouse, you would think that it came straight from a Star Wars set.
On the left side of its vertical structure, it has a metallic chrome frame and thumb groove with a soft matte finish and two plastic buttons on top and on the bottom. The right side has a matte finish with the two buttons and mouse wheel. At the top of the mouse, you’ll find four lights that can indicate DPI or pointer speed. Lastly at the bottom, there is a lip that helps prevent your little finger from being dragged on the table.
When using the Evoluent VerticalMouse for the first time, you will instantly notice one major thing: it is extremely comfortable to hold on to compared to the ordinary mouse. Plus, due to the fact that it is taller, that means you have more buttons to configure compared to an old-fashioned mouse.
Another thing that you might notice is its bigger frame. Yes, compared to other vertical mice and even with other Evoluent products, this mice’s body is ever so slightly larger. However, with the sleek design, it provides a lot more comfortable grip. The overall layout of the buttons offers a more natural and streamlined design for excellent operation. Nevertheless, because it is larger in size, it can get more difficult to carry around if you are using a laptop.
When connecting to your desktop or laptop, Evoluent provides two options for customers. You can either choose a wired version or a wireless (Bluetooth) version, which comes with the typical USB adapter. Of course, the wired version, like all wired mice, can add a bit of clunk on your desk and can limit your movement, although it can be more durable, faster, and, needless to say, much cheaper (about $20 off) compared to its wireless counterpart. The Bluetooth version, though, promotes a cleaner desk, smoother movement, and more freedom when it comes to moving the mouse.
Evoluent Software and Usage Efficiency
Using a mouse with a vertical grip will get some time for you to get used to. However, once you finally understand how to use it properly, the mouse can provide a smoother experience that can rival even the best traditionally designed mice.
The smooth button three-button layout on the right side, though, can cause users to accidentally click the lower button. Although after a while it does tend to happen less. It would just take a few minutes to get used to it.
In terms of usability, you can directly use the mouse after getting it out of the box. Evoluent, though, provides their own Mouse Manager software that is available both on Windows desktops and iMacs. The software adds more customizations to the mouse that instead of only five buttons, you can configure it to be nine, except for the small DPI switch behind the mouse wheel. Users can configure custom keystrokes, setup alerts, adjust scroll speeds, backspace, enter, and so much more.
On top of that, the software is 100% free to use for all users.
Who is the Evoluent Vertical Mouse recommended for?
- People who are experiencing discomfort on the forearm – Because of its design, the mouse aims to provide users with much more comfortable and natural grip. This handshake position removes unwanted pressure on the carpal tunnel and ultimately eliminates pain and aches.
- People who are looking for more button configuration – The Evoluent VerticalMouse has five buttons that are highly configurable to suit the comfort needs of the users. The taller body allows the placement of more buttons compared to the smaller-ordinary mouse. Additionally, downloading a software from Evoluent can provide more customization options for you, but more on that below.
- People who are looking for more comfort – Again, because of its design, it provides a better grip for your hands. Plus, a healthier position for your entire lower arm.
Who is the Evoluent Vertical Mouse not recommended for?
- PC gamers – If you are a PC gamer and you are looking at this mouse in particular, we would highly suggest that you look somewhere else. The new positioning of the mouse would not allow for smoother movement across the desk and its sensitivity is too sensitive for gaming. So, for gamers out there, we would still recommend you look at mice that are specifically designed for gaming.
- People who are left-handed – This particular mouse that we are reviewing is entirely designed for right-handed people. Although the company does offer products that were designed for left-handed people, it provides an issue in terms of flexibility and design.
- People with small hands – This mouse is larger compared to other mice, and that excludes the fact that it is a vertical mouse. For people with hands smaller than the average size, they will find the mouse difficult to operate. Fortunately, Evoluent does provide a size guide to each of their products so that users can select the mouse with the right size for their hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Overall, the Evoluent VerticalMouse is an excellent vertical mouse. Despite the price, we still feel it’s a small price to pay for a healthier and more comfortable day at work.
With its ergonomic and sleek design, users can have a much healthier grip while sitting in front of the computer for hours. The added benefit of the Evoluent Mouse Manager offers a lot more functionality than any normal mouse can provide.
Having said that, it is also important to note that this mouse is not for everyone. Yes, this mouse is fantastic in its ergonomic design and customizability, but the vertical design might make some people look the other way.
Even if vertical mice are sold in most computer accessories shops, people still choose what they’re most comfortable with – the old, standard mouse. Maybe because of the fact that most people have gotten used to working with a regular mouse and using a vertical mouse would feel foreign to them.
Although we could hope that more people would see the benefit of a vertical mouse compared to that of a conventional one as it does provide a much-needed change from the wear and tear of an old-fashioned mouse.
