Ergonomic mice can help people who are suffering from Repetitive Strain Injury and other painful conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s no surprise that many of us spend hours working at a screen using a mouse and keyboard. It’s possible to sustain some kind of injury or pain from all that repetitive action.

The problem with ergonomic mice is that they can be very expensive. Specialist brands like Contour produce some amazing ergonomic mice but the price can be high. The makers of these specialist mice know that $200 for an ergonomic mouse is cheaper for a company than a lawsuit for an RSI claim. But what do you do if you’re a freelancer or self-employed and don’t have the budget for that kind of expense?

ProtoArc is a peripherals brand that makes ergonomic keyboards and mice. The company has just announced the new EM11 Pro Ergonomic Vertical Mouse , a wireless mouse with ergonomic comfort and workflow customization tools for anyone who spends long hours navigating spreadsheets, documents, dashboards and multiple devices. The best part is that this ergonomic mouse sells for just $49.99.

Already, EM11 Pro has won an iF Design Award that combines horizontal scrolling, browser-based customization, as well as support for up to three connected devices in a mouse that’s designed to reduce the possibility of RSI and has a vertical ergonomic shape that puts less strain on the user’s wrist.

The EM11 Pro features has an angle of 58 degrees and includes a side-mounted horizontal scroll wheel for navigating wide documents and spreadsheets. It can be customized with shortcuts for browsing websites and can be fully customized with shortcuts and macros without the need to install special software. This feature is useful for people working in company’s where the installation of software is forbidden on security ground.

As more people switch to hybrid work, multi-monitor setups and get used to software-heavy workflows, many want more from their keyboards and mice. Standard kit no longer cuts it. While some ergonomic mice focus on improving comfort levels, many lack productivity features such as horizontal scrolling, programmable shortcuts and advanced customization. Today, users want comfort and productivity gains.

Ergonomics And Productivity

ProtoArc says it specifically designed the EM11 Pro mouse to address both ergonomics and workflow efficiency by adding a side-mounted metal scroll wheel for horizontal scrolling, plus six programmable buttons for setting up and repetitive workflows. Users can configure button assignments, shortcuts and macros using a browser like Chrome or Edge without the need to instal desktop software. This approach is becoming much more common in the peripherals market because it means a mouse can be programmed whatever OS the user is working on.

Other features included on the new EM11 Pro mouse include adjustable DPI resolution ranging from 800 to 7,200 for precision work. The adjustable DPI range lets users switch between precise cursor control and faster navigation depending on the work they are doing. The mouse can support up to three connected devices with seamless switching between computers, tablets and other compatible devices.

The new mouse also offers the choice of connecting via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless, although you do need to use the wireless dongle option when programming the mouse. There are also quiet-click primary buttons and the mouse is powered by a rechargeable 500mAh battery capable of delivering up to 200 days of use on a single charge, depending on usage patterns.

“The ergonomic mouse category has traditionally focused on comfort, while productivity features have often been reserved for significantly more expensive devices,” says said Joey He, founder of ProtoArc. “With EM11 Pro, we wanted to combine ergonomic design, workflow customization, and horizontal navigation into a product that remains accessible to a broader group of users.”

The EM11 Pro builds on the success of ProtoArc’s EM11 NL, a popular ergonomic mouse for small-to-medium hands, which has sold 1.2 million units. Using feedback from EM11 NL users, ProtoArc developed the EM11 Pro, which is designed for medium-to-large hands and includes advanced productivity features like customizable shortcuts and macro support.

Pricing and Availability:

The ProtoArc EM11 Pro Ergonomic Vertical Mouse is available now from Amazon and the ProtoArc website priced at $49.99.

  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz USB dongle.
  • Ergonomic design: 58-degree vertical mouse.
  • Multiple devices: Yes 3.
  • Programmable buttons: 6.
  • Battery: 500mAh rechargeable via USB-C.
  • Battery life: Average 200 days per charge.
  • Sensor: Optical 800 to 7,200 DPI.
  • Hand orientation: Right.
  • Operating systems: Android 4.3 or higher, Mac OS X 10.12 or higher, Windows 8, Windows 10 or higher.
  • Weight: 122g.