Over the last several months, I've been testing several silent mice options for consideration on this list. The HP 280 is my ultimate sleeper pick for the best overall silent mouse for several reasons.
It is super affordable at just $25 but is designed to offer the comfort of much pricier vertical ergonomic options. I have long fingers and a larger hand, so I tend to prefer mice with a little more wrist support and a dedicated grip. The 280 features both and is one of the comfiest I've worked with in the budget range. And even though the 280 is on the smaller side, I personally feel like the ergonomic design balances out the size.
Internally, it offers multi-surface tracking, a sensor resolution of up to 1,200 DPI, optical sensors, an integrated scroll wheel, and 18 months of battery life. One of the biggest drawbacks to this mouse, in my experience, is that it isn't rechargeable, especially when competitor options like the Satechi M1 mouse are only $5 more and offer a rechargeable battery. I also wish it came in more fun colors. As someone who works from home often and has spent time curating my desk and working area to fit my aesthetic and needs, it's a bummer that this mouse isn't available in even a white color to better match my look. While the color may not matter to you, the little details can have a big impact.
This mouse was easy to set up, even with my work Mac. It works smoothly and quickly and is quiet -- definitely quieter than other options I have tested, like my own Logitech Pebble mouse. I have found myself reaching for this over the HP 925 vertical mouse, especially for on-the-go work or moving around the house. However, if you need an ultra-portable mouse, there are definitely slimmer options to consider.
HP 280 customers on the HP website said they liked the quietness, how easy it was to set up, and the value of the mouse. Some customers said it had an uncomfortable grip depending on your hand size,
HP 280 silent mouse tech specs: Multi-surface tracking | Up to 1200 DPI sensor resolution | 18-month battery life | Integrated scroll wheel | Optical sensor