Some people bought a Bluetooth mouse because they thought they can get rid of a tangled cable and save more USB port. But, some products are shipped with a USB dongle, meaning that there’s one port needs to be sacrificed.
But does USB dongle is absolutely necessary? My device has no free USB port left, how do I deal with this problem? Can I use my Bluetooth mouse without having to attach its USB dongle?
Contents
Yes, you can use a Bluetooth mouse without its USB dongle
Some Bluetooth mouse bundled with USB dongle but it still works fine without it. If your notebook, laptop, or desktop PC already has a Bluetooth connection, then USB dongle may not be necessary to be plugged in.
Only plug-in dongle if your device doesn’t have Bluetooth. Manufacturers usually provide extra dongle just in case their customers didn’t have a Bluetooth connection on their devices.
On the other hand, if the mouse did not include dongle in the product packaging, it means the device can work with a built-in Bluetooth — no extra dongle needed.
If you consider using onboard Bluetooth, it may require manual installation by adding a new device. Please refer to the manual book to follow the step-by-step of the pairing process. Meanwhile, USB Bluetooth dongle designed to immediately connect with the mouse seamlessly.
Can I connect multiple devices with Bluetooth?
Yes, you can. My laptop, for example, has a built-in Bluetooth inside, and often I have a mouse, earphones, and printer connected together without any disruption. I even can lock the device via Bluetooth using a smartphone.
What about WiFi mouse without a USB dongle?
Unlike Bluetooth, a WiFi-based mouse still requires an exclusive connection with its WiFi dongle. It won’t work with the onboard WiFi component since the frequency is different. In other words, a USB port is necessary to attach the dongle.
That’s the downside of a WiFi mouse. Not to mention you probably need an additional USB converter if your device has no regular USB port. However, it’s known to be more reliable, higher response time, and longer battery life.
How to identify if a mouse is Bluetooth or WiFi
Wanted to buy a new wireless mouse? Check out this table to see how Bluetooth mouse and WiFi mouse are differentiated.
| Bluetooth Mouse | WiFi Mouse |
| Dongle not always included | Dongle is included |
| The dongle doesn’t have to be attached | The dongle has to be attached |
| Can work with any Bluetooth dongle | Can only work with its original dongle |
| Advertised as Bluetooth mouse | Advertised as WiFi or wireless mouse |
| Has no frequency | Has 2,4 GHz of frequency |
| Generally cheaper | Generally more expensive |
| Standard battery life | Longer battery life |
My favorite Bluetooth mouse that can run without the dongle
I have a Logitech M557 Bluetooth mouse that can last up to 12 months usage. It does not come with USB dongle because it was designed for the user that already has Bluetooth connectivity on their device. I also have Logitech M331, a WiFi mouse that requires the WiFi receiver (dongle) to be attached to my PC.
Of course, there’s plenty of wireless mouse products out there. You don’t have to stick on those options — they are just an example. If you planned to buy a wireless mouse, please make sure whether it’s a Bluetooth mouse or a WiFi mouse.
Alright. I hope this article helps you. If there’s anything you want to know, please write it down on the comment below!