7 Index-Finger and Multi-Finger Trackballs Compared
Introduction
Thumb trackballs get most of the attention, but trackballs rolled with the index or middle finger have a loyal following too. You keep your palm resting on the body and move the cursor with your fingertips.
This article covers index-finger and multi-finger trackballs in KeyLab DB: seven mostly current models, plus one discontinued model as a bonus. All numbers are the values registered in KeyLab DB (unregistered items are shown as "—"). I do not claim that a bigger ball is better; the goal is to lay out specs and who each model suits.
KeyLab DB currently lists more than 30 trackballs of this type. Color and model-number variants of the same line are merged into one, and I picked one representative per line.
Quick answer
| If you want... | Pick |
|---|---|
| A big ball and a large body to rest your hand on | ELECOM HUGE PLUS (52mm) |
| A current, index-finger staple | ELECOM DEFT PRO (44mm) |
| Something small to carry around | ELECOM bitra (83g, 34mm) |
| A simple 2.4GHz-receiver-only model | ELECOM DEFT (M-DT2DR, 112g) |
| Bluetooth-only with silent buttons | SANWA SUPPLY MA-BTTB183BK |
| Use with either hand | Kensington SlimBlade Pro / Orbit |
Spec comparison
All values come from KeyLab DB (as of October 2026). Prices are not listed.
| Model | DB operation type | Ball | Weight | Buttons | DPI | Connectivity | Power | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECOM DEFT (M-DT2DR) | Index | 34mm | 112g | 8 | 750–1500 | 2.4GHz wireless | 1 × AA | Current |
| ELECOM DEFT PRO (M-DPT1MR) | Index | 44mm | 162g | 8 | 500–1500 | Wired + 2.4GHz + Bluetooth | 1 × AA | Current |
| ELECOM HUGE PLUS (M-HT1MR) | Index | 52mm | 279g | 10 | 500–1500 | Wired + 2.4GHz + Bluetooth | Rechargeable | Current |
| ELECOM bitra (M-MT2MRS) | Index | 34mm | 83g | 5 | 750 | 2.4GHz + Bluetooth | 1 × AAA | Current |
| Kensington SlimBlade Pro (K72080) | Multi-finger | 55mm | 285g | 4 | 400–1600 | Wired + 2.4GHz + Bluetooth | Rechargeable | — |
| Kensington Orbit (with Scroll Ring) | Multi-finger | 40mm | 160.6g | 2 | 400 | Wired | USB powered | Current |
| SANWA SUPPLY MA-BTTB183BK | Multi-finger | 44mm | 174.8g | 5 | 600–1600 | Bluetooth | 2 × AAA | Current |
| Kensington Expert Mouse TB800 EQ (bonus) | Multi-finger | 55mm | 460g | — | 400–1600 | Wired + 2.4GHz + Bluetooth | Rechargeable | Discontinued |
Weight is measured differently per product (without batteries, without the receiver, and so on), and manufacturers count buttons differently (with or without the wheel and tilt wheel). Neither number alone ranks the models.
ELECOM DEFT (M-DT2DR)
DEFT is ELECOM's standard line of index-finger trackballs. The registered M-DT2DR is a 2.4GHz wireless model with a 34mm ball and 112g (without battery). It has eight buttons (including the wheel button) and a tilt wheel for horizontal scrolling. The ball sits on ruby supports, and DPI is a two-step 750 / 1500.
It runs on one AA battery; ELECOM's estimate is about 273 days in low-energy mode. Windows and macOS are supported. There is no Bluetooth, so you connect through the receiver.
If you want a larger ball, DEFT PRO and HUGE in the same family sit above it.
ELECOM DEFT PRO (M-DPT1MR)
DEFT PRO is a larger DEFT: a 44mm ball and 162g (without battery). It supports wired, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. It has eight buttons (including the wheel button), ten programmable buttons in the DB, and a three-step DPI of 500 / 1000 / 1500.
It takes one AA battery, with about 366 days in low-energy mode over Bluetooth registered. The ball sits on ruby supports. Windows and macOS are supported.
It suits people who like DEFT and want to move up to a somewhat larger ball.
ELECOM DEFT PRO M-DPT1MR details
ELECOM HUGE PLUS (M-HT1MR)
HUGE PLUS has the largest ball among the ELECOM models here, at 52mm. It is the first refresh of the HUGE series in eight years, with bearing supports, silent buttons, a rechargeable battery, and wired, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections. The body is 114.7 × 181.9 × 57.2mm and 279g (without receiver), one of the largest in this comparison.
DPI is 500 / 1000 / 1500, polling rate is 1000Hz, and Bluetooth is 5.3 with up to three paired devices. Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iPadOS, iOS and Android are supported.
For the difference from the older model and who it suits, see the dedicated article.
ELECOM HUGE PLUS M-HT1MR details
ELECOM bitra (M-MT2MRS)
bitra is the smallest and lightest model here: a 34mm ball and 83g (without battery) in a 62 × 94 × 40mm body. It runs on one AAA battery, and ELECOM's estimate is up to about nine months.
It connects by 2.4GHz and Bluetooth (LE) and switches between two devices. The buttons are silent, and Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iPadOS, iOS and Android are supported. It has five buttons (including the wheel button) and a fixed 750 DPI.
You give up DPI switching, but if you carry it in a bag, the size and weight stand out.
Kensington SlimBlade Pro (K72080)
SlimBlade Pro is Kensington's multi-finger trackball with the ball in the center, scrolled by twisting the ball. The ball is 55mm, weight is 285g, and the body is 133 × 153 × 56mm. KeyLab DB records it as usable with either hand (ambidextrous).
DPI is 400 / 800 / 1200 / 1600, connections are wired, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, and it is rechargeable. It has four buttons, and Windows and macOS are registered as supported.
Unlike the ELECOM models, it has no wheel and scrolls by twisting the ball. KeyLab DB has no availability status for it, so check the official site before buying.
Kensington SlimBlade Pro K72080 details
Kensington Orbit (with Scroll Ring)
Orbit is Kensington's classic design, scrolled with a ring around the ball. The ball is 40mm, weight is 160.6g, and the body is 114.8 × 138.8 × 48.4mm. It has two buttons, a wired USB connection, and a fixed 400 DPI.
It works with either hand, and supports Windows, macOS and ChromeOS. It is not for people who want many features, but it is easy to live with if you do not need many buttons.
Kensington Orbit K72337WW details
SANWA SUPPLY MA-BTTB183BK
MA-BTTB183BK is a Bluetooth-only trackball with silent buttons. The ball is 44mm, weight is 174.8g, and the body is 103.1 × 170.7 × 54.8mm. The ball sits on ceramic supports, DPI is 600 / 800 / 1200 / 1600, and there are five buttons (left, right, wheel, back, forward). Bluetooth 5.1 connects up to two devices.
It uses two AAA batteries; SANWA SUPPLY's calculated figure is about 230 days (not a guarantee). Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iPadOS, iOS and Android are supported. The same line also has MA-WTB182BK, a 2.4GHz wireless version.
Choose it if you want to use Bluetooth alone and keep a USB port free.
SANWA SUPPLY MA-BTTB183BK details
Bonus: Kensington Expert Mouse TB800 EQ (discontinued)
Expert Mouse TB800 EQ is the multi-connection version of Kensington's flagship Expert Mouse, and KeyLab DB records it as discontinued. The ball is 55mm and it weighs 460g, the heaviest here. It has a scroll ring and side scrolling, connects by wired, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth with up to four devices, and is rechargeable, with the maker quoting up to four months per charge.
I include it as a reference for when you see one used or in stock, not as a current recommendation. You can filter for current models in the trackball list.
Kensington Expert Mouse TB800 EQ details
How to choose
- By ball size → 34mm (DEFT, bitra), 40–44mm (Orbit, DEFT PRO, SANWA), 52–55mm (HUGE PLUS, SlimBlade Pro). Larger balls come with heavier, larger bodies.
- To carry it around → bitra (83g) is the lightest, followed by DEFT (112g).
- By connection → wired, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth: DEFT PRO, HUGE PLUS, SlimBlade Pro. Bluetooth only: SANWA. Receiver only: DEFT.
- For either hand → Kensington SlimBlade Pro and Orbit.
- Batteries or rechargeable → batteries: DEFT, DEFT PRO, bitra, SANWA. Rechargeable: HUGE PLUS, SlimBlade Pro.
Data alone cannot tell you how a ball size fits your hand. Trying one in a store is the surest way to choose.
Explore more
The trackball list lets you filter by operation type, ball size, connectivity, handedness and weight, and compare up to six products side by side.
Sources: KeyLab DB registered values (October 2026) and each manufacturer's official site. Specifications and availability can change.
FAQ
- How is an index-finger trackball different from a thumb trackball?
- A thumb trackball keeps your hand still and moves the ball with your thumb. With an index-finger or multi-finger trackball you rest your palm on the body and roll the ball with your index or middle finger. These models tend to have larger balls and larger bodies.
- Is a bigger ball easier to control?
- This article does not claim so. Ball diameters in KeyLab DB range from 32 to 55mm, but how a size feels depends on your hand and how you work. Trying one in person is the reliable way to find out.
- What is the difference between "Index" and "Multi-finger" in the table?
- It is the operation type KeyLab DB records for each product. It does not always match the manufacturer wording, for example when a maker calls a product "index and middle finger".