Trackball - why its worth to return to them

 

Kensington Trackball Orbit® Optical Trackball

The return of the trackball as an alternative to the standard mouse

After decades as a niche peripheral, trackballs are enjoying a quiet renaissance. Designers and users are rediscovering their compact footprint, ergonomic benefits, and precision — and modern technology (optical sensors, Bluetooth multipoint, configurable software) has made them far more pleasant to use than the ball-bearing devices many remember from the 1990s.

When trackballs first appeared

The trackball predates the modern computer mouse. Early trackball concepts appeared in military and industrial systems in the late 1940s and early 1950s; the device evolved from large, mechanical control balls used to position indicators on radar and battlefield displays. Over time the idea migrated into commercial computing and specialized control consoles, then into consumer peripherals as personal computers and graphical interfaces became common.

How a trackball works (simple mechanics)

A trackball is a stationary housing that exposes a freely rotating ball. Sensors inside the housing detect the ball’s rotation around two axes and convert those rotations into cursor movement on screen. Older mechanical trackballs used rollers and encoder wheels; modern designs typically use optical sensors or magnetic/encoders that read the ball’s motion with less friction and better accuracy. Buttons and scroll controls sit on the housing so you click and scroll without moving the whole device.

Elecom Huge (M-HT1DRBK)

What modern trackballs add

Contemporary trackballs combine the basic ball mechanism with modern features you expect from a good mouse: high-resolution optical sensors, adjustable DPI, Bluetooth and USB dongle wireless modes, rechargeable batteries or USB-C charging, multiple programmable buttons, and companion software for button mapping and sensitivity profiles. Ergonomic shapes (thumb-operated or finger-operated) are tuned to reduce wrist and forearm movement; materials and ball bearings are engineered for low friction and consistent tracking.

Why a trackball can be better than a mouse

• Ergonomics: Because the trackball stays put, you avoid repetitive wrist/forearm movements that can contribute to RSI; only fingers or the thumb move, often keeping the hand in a more neutral posture.

• Desk space: No sweeping motion is required, so trackballs work well on cluttered desks, small desks, or sofas where a mouse can’t be moved freely.

• Precision and comfort: For fine pointer control (CAD, audio/video editing, image editing, multi-monitor work) some users find the large inertia of a ball easier to control for micro adjustments.

• Longevity and reliability: Well-made trackballs are durable; with fewer surface-tracking parts they can be less affected by uneven desk surfaces and some designs are easier to clean and maintain.

These strengths don’t make the trackball objectively superior in every situation, but they make it a compelling alternative for people whose priorities are comfort, precision in confined spaces, or reduced arm movement.

Logitech ERGO M575 Wireless Trackball Mouse for Business

Who should consider a trackball — and 6 examples to buy (low to high price)

Who it helps most:

• People with wrist, forearm, or shoulder pain who want to minimize movement.

• Professionals needing precise cursor control for long sessions (CAD, audio/video editors, designers).

• Users with cramped desks or multi-device setups who value stationary peripherals.

• Kiosk, control-room, and accessibility use cases where stability and one-handed operation matter.

Six trackball options, from budget to premium:

• Logitech M575 (compact thumb trackball, affordable and reliable) — good entry-level choice.

• Logitech M570 (older but proven thumb trackball with solid battery life) — economical and widely available.

• Nulea M501 (rechargeable wireless thumb/finger trackball; mid-range with modern features) — balances price and features.

• Kensington Expert Mouse (large finger-operated ball, programmable buttons, popular among creatives) — mid-to-high range; excellent for precision work.

• Logitech MX Ergo / Ergo M57 (adjustable-tilt ergonomic design, software customization, multi-device) — premium ergonomic option for intensive users.

• Elecom HUGE or other high-end finger-operated trackballs (large ball, high-resolution sensors, robust customization) — top-tier for professionals who want the most precision and comfort.

(Prices vary by retailer and region; current market listings and local availability determine exact cost and model versions).

Why trackballs are still in the game

Trackballs survive because they solve real, persistent problems: ergonomic strain from repetitive mouse movement, limited desk area, and the need for fine control in certain professional workflows. Modern hardware and software address the historical weaknesses (clunky feel, limited precision, poor wireless) and make trackballs easy to integrate into today’s multi-device, mobility-focused setups. Because those problems still exist for many users, and because the technology is better now, trackballs remain a useful and sometimes preferable pointing solution rather than a relic.