First Impressions
Priced at $47.99, the ProtoArc EM05 NL Vertical Trackball Mouse is Protoarc's entry in the trackball mice category. With 603 buyers rating it at 4.3 stars, it currently sits at #30 of 47 in our rankings. It's not a top pick - there are higher-rated and better-value options in the category - but specific shoppers may still find it fits their needs.
In the Hand
Comfort over a long session matters more than peak DPI specs. Reviews are mostly positive on comfort, with the usual minority who find any specific shape doesn't suit them.
Specifications
- Brand: Protoarc
- Price: $47.99 (slightly below the $54.12 category average)
- Amazon rating: 4.3 of 5.0
- Reviews: 603
- Category rank: #30 of 47 in trackball mice
- Cheaper in category: 31 products
- Higher-rated in category: 21 products
- More-reviewed in category: 30 products
Owner Reports
A 4.3-star average from 603 buyers means most are happy, but a meaningful slice - roughly 15-20% - has at least some complaint. The pattern in the negative reviews matters more than the average itself.
What Else to Consider
At $47.99, the ProtoArc EM05 NL Vertical Trackball Mouse sits slightly below the $54.12 category average. 31 options are cheaper and 15 are more expensive.
The category leader is the Logitech Ergo M575 Trackball for Business ($44.99, 4.6★, 13,843 reviews). Pricing is essentially the same, so the rating and review-count edge tilts in favor of the top pick.
Most-reviewed alternatives (more buyer data):
- Logitech Ergo M575 Trackball for Business - $44.99, 4.6★ (13,843 reviews) · Better on both axes
- Nulea M501 Wireless Trackball Mouse Pink - $37.99, 4.4★ (12,239 reviews) · Better on both axes
- Logitech Trackman Marble Trackball Mouse - $199.99, 4.6★ (12,089 reviews) · Higher rated
If rating alone is your filter, the highest-rated option in this category is the Logitech MX Ergo S Wireless Trackball (Renewed) at 5.0★. If pure price is the filter, the cheapest is the J-Tech Digital Wireless Trackball Mouse at $19.99.
The Buy/Skip Call
Maybe. Middle-of-the-pack on rating and price, no standout strengths. If a specific feature matches your need (look at the spec list), it's reasonable. Otherwise the top picks are safer bets.
Final Take
7.5/10
Functional, mid-pack option. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing pushing it above the better-ranked alternatives either.