Whether it’s for business, gaming, or just watching cat videos all day, the majority of us spend a lot of time attached to our computers. Towards the end of the day, our wrists usually feel like they’ve been through a marathon—tense, painful, and pleading for relief. I understand. A few years back, I started experiencing persistent wrist discomfort as a result of long periods of coding, which sent me exploring the world of ergonomic devices. Now we have trackballs. These strange gadgets claimed to alleviate pain, but I was disappointed after using a cheap one on my first try. Within a week, I had enough of the ball getting stuck and the buttons feeling cheap. Now we’re in the present, and I’m reconsidering everything because of the Pro Fit Ergo TB550 Trackball from Kensington, which costs $69. Discover the many ways in which this thumb-operated wonder might become an indispensable companion for your wrist.
Kensington Pro Fit Ergo TB550 Trackball: Pros & Cons
Benefits | Drawbacks |
---|---|
Pleasant to operate | No left-handed option; requires adjustment |
Very sturdy construction | Drawbacks of 128-bit AES encryption |
Many useful features |
Kensington Pro Fit Ergo TB550 Trackball: Specifications
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Buttons | 5 |
Interfaces | Bluetooth, USB wired, 2.4GHz wireless |
Sensor | Unnamed optical sensor manufacturer and model |
DPI Resolution | 1600 dpi maximum |
Power Source | Internal battery |
Weight | 4.9 ounces |
Hand Orientation | Right-handed |
Warranty | 3 years (Parts and labor) |
Where Form Meets Function (with a Touch of Futurism): Design
If the Ergo TB550 were an automobile, it would be a beautiful concept car that is unique, daring, and made to attract attention. It seems like a prop from a science fiction movie at first sight, what with its 45-degree tilt and sculpted contours. The steep angle does more than add visual appeal; it also puts your hand into a handshake posture, which Kensington says alleviates forearm pain by automatically aligning your wrist and elbow.
It’s true, there is a learning curve. Using the TB550 for the first hour was like trying to teach salsa dancing to my thumb. Then everything fell into place once I discovered my rhythm (I’ll get to that in a little). You won’t have any trouble keeping a firm grasp on the 1.3-inch trackball thanks to its matte surface and its ability to slide well beneath your thumb. The TB550 is quite small (1.9 x 3.7 x 5.4 inches) and light (4.9 ounces), especially when contrasted with Kensington’s SlimBlade Pro, which I thought was too cumbersome. Changing a brick for a stable paperweight is the analogy I’m trying to make.

Helpful Hint: No need to bother here if you lean left. The fact that it is unabashedly designed for right-handed usage is a typical complaint about trackball mice.
Is Ergonomics a Marketing Hype or a Science-Based Comfort?
Does the TB550 live up to Kensington’s claims of “improved wrist and forearm alignment”? In 2021, researchers from the University of Waterloo found that, in comparison to conventional mice, vertical mice showed a 10% reduction in forearm muscle activity. Even though it isn’t really a vertical mouse, the TB550’s angle gives it that appearance.
I had reduced weariness during extended Zoom sessions and fewer midday wrist cracks throughout my two-week test. Where is the key? You’re not moving the mouse cursor. Instead, your hand remains still while your thumb does the actual lifting. It’s similar to how shuffle boarding on a dance floor differs from orchestrating the performance from your seat.
Anecdote from My Own Life: The graphic designer who is my business partner and has a history of carpal tunnel syndrome gave the TB550 a go on a whim. After complaining about the “weird ball thing” all day, she finally acknowledged that her wrist was feeling less strained. She is now spearheading an effort to take mine.
Taken from “What Is This Sorcery?” User Experience about “Why Didn’t I Switch Sooner?
Let’s face it: not everyone is a fan of trackballs. If you’re someone who loves gaming or uses Photoshop extensively and needs absolutely precise images, you may find the TB550 to be too restricting. But what about those who are fiercely committed to productivity? It’s ground-breaking.
It takes some practice to master the thumb-controlled ball, but the optical sensor from Kensington is lightning fast. After adjusting the DPI settings (discussed further below), I had no trouble navigating spreadsheets or the web. One notable feature is the four-way scroll wheel, which allows for horizontal scrolling by tilting it to the left or right or a gratifying middle click by pressing down.

The Layout of Buttons:
- Ordinary left/right clicks
- Two customizable buttons on the side of the thumb (I use Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V to copy notes—it’s a lifesaver).
- Settings for DPI (400 to 1,600) are located underneath the toggle.
Strange Features: – The resistance to turning the scroll wheel is rather high at the start but gradually decreases as you continue to use it.
- Pressing the trackball’s “eject” button is like sending a spaceship’s escape pod hurtling into orbit. Impromptu? Really. Sure, it’s functional.
Customization: Kensington Works Maintains Simplicity (For the Most Part)
Kensington Works, the companion software from Kensington, is pleasantly straightforward. This program prioritizes the essentials: button remapping, scroll speed, and cloud backups, in contrast to Razer’s Synapse, which resembles operating a spacecraft.
Important Features: – Cloud Binding: Store profiles to cloud storage services like Google Drive or OneDrive. Convenient for quick device swaps.
- Settings Made for Each App: In Zoom, you may make your thumb button mute or unmute, but in Excel, it will remain at the “Enter” position.
Crumbs: – The decision to measure scroll speed in “knots” is perplexing unless you have a background in sailing.
- A Not a single opportunity to make one’s own DPI settings. Only the four defaults will work for you.
Kensington Pro Fit Ergo TB550 Trackball Battery Life: Mice’s Energizer Bunny
Based on my tests, Kensington’s promise of four months of usage on a single charge is accurate. The battery indication remained at 80% after three weeks of daily 8-hour usage. To avoid having to turn the mouse over, the USB-C charging connector is front-mounted.
Added bonus: the USB receiver stores nicely in the base, so you won’t have to worry about misplacing it among your sofa cushions again!

Analyzing the TB550 in Comparison to the Competitors
- The Logitech M575 ($50) is an inexpensive option, but it doesn’t tilt and the trackball is smaller.
The Logitech MX Ergo ($100) is an expensive option, but it has a premium design and an adjustable tilt.
£100 for the Kensington Expert Mouse: a cumbersome, yet finger-operated ball that is perfect for computer-aided design (CAD) users.
At its price point, the TB550 is accessible to ergo novices, but its comprehensive features will win over aficionados.
Kensington Pro Fit Ergo TB550 Trackball Who Is This Mouse Intended For?
(no mouse movement = less space required) – Office workers desiring a clutter-free desk – Chronic wrist pain sufferers
Ready to dive into something new? Inquisitive tech enthusiasts
Stay away from it if you’re left-handed, a serious gamer, or have a severe aversion to obstacles to learning.
Conclusion: Investing in Your Health Is Worth It
Although it might benefit from some software refinement and does not accommodate southpaws, the Kensington Pro Fit Ergo TB550 stands out because to its clever design, long battery life, and comfortable fit. Imagine it as a yoga retreat tailored to your hand: difficult at first, but ultimately rewarding for those who persevere.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Combine it with an adjustable desk and a wrist rest for optimal ergo karma.
Questions and Answers Sections it possible to charge the TB550 while using it? A: Absolutely! Stay productive even as you charge thanks to the USB-C connector.
The trackball may be easily removed for cleaning by pressing the eject button located beneath.
Q: Is Linux compatibility guaranteed? A: Yes, for the most part; however, Kensington Works is incompatible with Linux.
How long will the trackball last? This product has been claimed by Kensington to have a lifespan of 10 years or more. Who knows? It seems solid, however.
The TB550 is a welcome change from a technological landscape that too often puts speed ahead of comfort. Do this for the sake of your wrists and your future self. 🖱️✨