How to Choose a Vertical Mouse with Horizontal Scroll

On this page (9 sections)

1. How does horizontal scrolling work on a vertical mouse?
2. What should you check in a vertical mouse with horizontal scroll?
3. Which products suit this kind of setup?
4. How do you set up a vertical mouse with side scroll?
5. Is a vertical mouse with thumb scroll better for wide work?
6. Can a vertical mouse scroll horizontally without a thumb wheel?
7. How should you compare the 3 products?
8. What should you avoid when choosing a vertical mouse side scroll model?
9. What is the final choice for a vertical mouse with horizontal scroll?

A vertical mouse with horizontal scroll uses a side-to-side control, usually a thumb wheel or tilt function, to move across wide pages and spreadsheets. Check the control layout first, then match the connection and operating system to your computer.

Horizontal scrolling is useful when content is wider than the window. It can move across spreadsheet columns, timeline tracks, image canvases and wide web tables without dragging a bottom scrollbar.

This guide explains what to look for in a vertical mouse horizontal scroll design. It also compares 3 products that may help with a more upright hand position, while keeping their scroll controls and compatibility clear.

For another vertical option, read the Logitech Lift mouse review.

If you are comparing the wider category, start with our Keyboards, Mice & Trays: The Complete Buying Guide. For more shape-focused options, see our best vertical ergonomic mouse guide.

How does horizontal scrolling work on a vertical mouse?

Horizontal scrolling moves content left or right instead of up or down. A mouse may provide it through a thumb wheel, a tilt action on the main scroll wheel, or software that assigns a side button to horizontal movement.

A thumb wheel sits near the thumb rest and turns forward or backward. Depending on the software, that movement can send left and right commands, making it useful for wide spreadsheets or editing timelines.

A tilt wheel responds when you press the scroll wheel left or right. This can be quick to use, but the mouse must include that function and your operating system must recognize it.

A side button is different from a horizontal scroll control. It may move backward or forward in a browser, as with the Anker mouse's next and previous buttons, rather than moving across a wide document.

Do not assume that a vertical shape includes side scroll. Confirm the exact control before buying, especially if horizontal movement is the main reason for your search.

What should you check in a vertical mouse with horizontal scroll?

Check 5 things: the horizontal control, hand orientation, connection method, operating system support and the position of the thumb controls. These details affect whether the mouse works naturally at your desk.

Does it have a thumb wheel or side scroll control?

Look for terms such as thumb wheel, horizontal scroll, side scroll or tilt wheel. “Side buttons” usually means browser navigation or extra clicks, not left-to-right document movement.

Read the button layout closely. A mouse can have 4 or 5 buttons and still lack a dedicated horizontal scroll function.

If you use large spreadsheets, test the intended workflow in your software settings before relying on it. Some programs support horizontal wheel commands directly, while others need a keyboard shortcut or mouse utility.

Is it designed for your hand?

A vertical mouse changes the angle of your hand compared with a flat mouse. Right-handed and ambidextrous designs place the thumb controls in different locations, so hand orientation matters.

A right-handed mouse may feel natural for one user and awkward for another. Check the hand orientation before choosing a model for a shared desk.

The position of the thumb wheel also matters. A control placed too far forward or too low can be harder to reach while keeping your palm relaxed.

How does it connect?

A vertical mouse may use a USB receiver, Bluetooth, a wired USB connection or more than one method. Your available ports and computer settings should guide the choice.

A receiver-based mouse needs a compatible USB port or adapter. Keep the receiver where the computer can maintain a stable connection, and check whether the receiver is stored in the mouse when traveling.

Bluetooth avoids a separate receiver, but your computer must support Bluetooth and the mouse must support the operating system's Bluetooth connection process.

For port-specific guidance, read how to choose a vertical mouse for a USB port.

Which operating system does it support?

Check the exact operating system before you buy. A mouse can connect physically while still offering limited button or horizontal-scroll support in a particular system.

The products here show why this check matters. Anker lists Linux and Windows 10, while the Logitech MX Vertical lists Windows and macOS.

The Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse Ergonomic Design lists Windows, macOS and iPadOS.

Connection support and button support are not always the same thing. A computer may detect a mouse while its extra controls need software or manual configuration.

Which products suit this kind of setup?

The 3 products below are vertical mice with different connection details and control layouts. They can help you compare upright shapes, but the information does not confirm a dedicated horizontal-scroll wheel for each model.

Anker 2.4G Wireless Ergonomic Mouse

The Anker 2.4G Wireless Ergonomic Mouse suits a right-handed user who wants a 2.4 GHz wireless connection through a USB receiver and a vertical optical design.

It has 5 buttons, including next and previous buttons for webpage browsing. Those controls are not the same as a thumb wheel for horizontal scrolling, so choose this model only if browser navigation meets your needs.

Its optical tracking offers 800, 1200 and 1600 DPI settings. You can use the lower setting for slower pointer movement or a higher setting when you want the pointer to travel farther with less hand movement.

The mouse enters a power-saving mode after 8 minutes of inactivity and wakes when you press the right or left button. It uses 2 AAA batteries, which are not included, and the USB receiver is stored in the bottom of the mouse.

Anker identifies this as a right-handed mouse for laptop use. Its dimensions are 120 x 62.8 x 74.8 mm, and its weight is listed as 3.4 oz in the product information.

Best fit: a right-handed user who values a USB receiver, adjustable optical sensitivity and next or previous buttons. The key click sounds are unavoidable, so it may not suit a quiet shared workspace.

Logitech Mouse MX Vertical

The Logitech Mouse MX Vertical suits someone who wants a vertical layout with Bluetooth or USB receiver connectivity and support for Windows and macOS.

Its vertical layout and adjustable angle are designed to reduce strain on the hand and wrist. The optical sensor supports precise pointer control, while the 4000 DPI maximum gives you more sensitivity than a lower-resolution mouse.

This model has 4 buttons and an ambidextrous hand orientation in the supplied specifications. Its wireless range is listed as 5.0 meters, and the included lithium polymer battery is rechargeable.

The information identifies Bluetooth and USB receiver connections, but it does not identify a dedicated horizontal scroll wheel or thumb wheel. If you need side scroll, confirm the control layout before choosing it.

The box includes batteries. The mouse measures 4 x 4 in in the dimensions and weighs 4.76 oz.

Best fit: a user who wants Bluetooth or USB receiver flexibility and Windows or macOS support. It may not be the right choice when a confirmed side-scroll control is more important than connection options.

For setup help, read how to use a Logitech MX Vertical mouse.

Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse Ergonomic Design

The Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse Ergonomic Design suits a right-handed user who wants a 57° vertical angle, a 4000 DPI sensor and support for Windows, macOS and iPadOS.

The 57° angle places the hand in a handshake-style position, with the thumb on a thumb rest. Logitech says the design reduces muscular activity by 10 percent compared with a standard mouse.

The 4000 DPI sensor is paired with a cursor speed switch. Logitech says the higher-resolution sensor can reduce hand movement compared with a traditional 1000 DPI sensor.

This model has 4 buttons and a textured rubber surface. Its supplied components include the mouse, quickstart guide, receiver and USB C cable.

The mouse supports Bluetooth or the included USB receiver. The supplied compatibility covers Windows, macOS and iPadOS, with Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.15 or later and iPadOS 13.4 or later identified in the product information.

The battery lasts up to 4 months on a full charge, according to Logitech, and a 1-minute quick charge provides 3 hours of use. Battery life can vary with use and computing conditions.

Best fit: a right-handed user who wants a steep vertical angle, high-resolution tracking and broad operating system support. The information does not identify a separate thumb wheel, so confirm horizontal-scroll behavior before ordering.

How do you set up a vertical mouse with side scroll?

Set up the mouse so your hand can rest on the body without reaching sharply for the wheel or side controls. Then assign or confirm horizontal movement in the operating system or the software where you need it.

Start with the mouse close enough that your elbow stays near your side. Keep the pointer speed at a level that lets you reach across the screen without repeated wrist movements.

Place the thumb on its rest or near the side controls. If a thumb wheel is present, turn it with a small thumb movement rather than gripping the mouse tightly.

Open a wide spreadsheet or document and check the left-to-right behavior. If the wheel moves vertically instead, review the mouse utility, application shortcuts and operating system settings.

Do not treat next and previous browser buttons as horizontal scrolling. They change page history, while a horizontal-scroll control moves the document or canvas.

If you want a different type of control, compare what the joystick on a vertical mouse does. A joystick may serve a different purpose from a thumb wheel or tilt wheel.

Is a vertical mouse with thumb scroll better for wide work?

A vertical mouse with thumb scroll can be more convenient for wide documents when the thumb control is easy to reach and the software recognizes it. It is not automatically better because comfort depends on hand size, control placement and your normal pointer movements.

A thumb wheel keeps side-to-side movement near the hand. This can reduce the need to reach for a keyboard shortcut or drag a bottom scrollbar.

The trade-off is control density. A wheel, side buttons and thumb rest may feel crowded if you prefer a simple mouse body.

A vertical design also changes how you grip the mouse. Give yourself time to learn the new angle, especially if you switch from a flat mouse with a familiar wheel position.

For another pointer style, read trackball mouse vs regular mouse. A trackball changes the movement method entirely, so it may suit a different desk habit.

Can a vertical mouse scroll horizontally without a thumb wheel?

A vertical mouse can scroll horizontally without a thumb wheel if it supports wheel tilt, software remapping or an operating system shortcut. The exact method depends on the mouse, the computer and the application.

Some programs accept Shift plus the regular scroll wheel for left-to-right movement. This can be useful when the mouse has no dedicated side control, but it requires a keyboard modifier.

Software remapping can assign a button to horizontal scrolling. Check whether the mouse utility supports that command and whether it works in the programs you use most.

A regular wheel may also respond to tilt. However, a mouse should not be described as having side scroll unless the control or supported function is clearly identified.

If you want to explore scroll behavior beyond side-to-side movement, see can you get a vertical mouse with infinite scroll.

How should you compare the 3 products?

Compare the products by confirmed connection, operating system support, hand orientation and vertical controls. Treat horizontal scrolling as a separate check because the information does not confirm a dedicated thumb wheel for these 3 models.

Choose the Anker if you want a simple receiver-based connection and next or previous browser buttons. Choose the Logitech Mouse MX Vertical if Bluetooth and USB receiver flexibility matter.

Choose the Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse Ergonomic Design if you want the 57° angle, a cursor speed switch and Windows, macOS and iPadOS support. For any of them, confirm side-scroll behavior if horizontal movement is essential.

What should you avoid when choosing a vertical mouse side scroll model?

Avoid choosing based only on the words “vertical” or “ergonomic.” Those terms describe the body shape or intended hand position, not a guaranteed horizontal-scroll control.

Avoid confusing a USB receiver with a wired USB mouse. A receiver-based mouse is wireless but still needs a USB port or compatible adapter.

Avoid assuming that a mouse works equally across Windows, macOS, Linux and iPadOS. Check the operating system and version before you rely on extra buttons or scroll commands.

Avoid placing the mouse too far from the keyboard. A vertical shape can still encourage long reaches if the pointer sits at the edge of a wide desk.

Finally, avoid buying a model for side scroll when its information mentions only next and previous buttons. Those buttons may be useful for browsing, but they do not confirm left-to-right document control.

What is the final choice for a vertical mouse with horizontal scroll?

Choose a vertical mouse with horizontal scroll only after confirming the actual side-to-side control. A thumb wheel or tilt wheel is the clearest match, while a remappable button or keyboard shortcut can work when the mouse has no dedicated control.

Pick the Anker for a right-handed 2.4 GHz USB-receiver mouse with 5 buttons and adjustable optical sensitivity. Pick either Logitech model when Bluetooth or USB receiver support matters, then compare their stated operating system support and vertical design details.

The Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse Ergonomic Design is the strongest fit here for a right-handed user who wants the clearest vertical-angle information and support across Windows, macOS and iPadOS. None of the 3 products should be treated as a confirmed thumb-scroll choice without checking the control layout first.

For a drawer and keyboard setup that keeps your pointing surface closer to your body, read how to choose an under-desk keyboard tray with a drawer.

Frequently asked questions

What is a vertical mouse with horizontal scroll?

A vertical mouse with horizontal scroll combines a raised, handshake-style body with a control for moving left and right through wide content. The side-to-side control may be a thumb wheel, tilt function or another dedicated input.

Check the exact button layout because not every vertical mouse includes horizontal scrolling.

Do vertical mice have horizontal scroll wheels?

Some vertical mice have a thumb wheel or tilt-enabled scroll wheel, but vertical design alone does not guarantee horizontal scrolling. Check the button and wheel layout, then confirm that your operating system and software recognize the side-to-side input.

Can a vertical mouse scroll sideways in Excel?

A vertical mouse can scroll sideways in Excel when its thumb wheel, tilt control or assigned button sends a horizontal scroll command that Excel recognizes. Wide sheets may also respond to Shift plus the normal wheel, but the exact behavior depends on the mouse software and operating system.

Is a vertical mouse with side scroll compatible with Mac?

Mac compatibility depends on the connection method and the mouse model. The Logitech MX Vertical supports Windows and macOS, while the Anker model lists Linux and Windows 10.

Check the operating system version and connection type before choosing a vertical mouse with side scroll.

Does the Anker vertical mouse have horizontal scrolling?

The Anker 2.4G Wireless Ergonomic Mouse has 5 buttons, including next and previous buttons, but its information does not identify a dedicated horizontal scroll wheel. Choose it for its vertical shape and 2.4 GHz USB receiver connection, not as a confirmed thumb-scroll model.