For the past three years, anyone who asked me which is the best productivity mouse in the market will get the same answer – Logitech MX Master 3.
In fact, I own two MX Master 3 mice – the normal one and the “for Mac” version. So imagine my glee when Logitech announced a refresh of the mouse with the MX Master 3S.
- Price: $169, pre-order it at Lazada (available on June 3)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Logi Bolt USB Receiver
- Weight: 141g
The two biggest upgrades of the MX Master 3S over its predecessor are the new silent click buttons that are said to be 90% quieter and a new 8,000 dots per inch (dpi) optical sensor that is twice faster.
| PROS | CONS |
| Retains superb ergonomic design | Not cheap |
| Electromagnetic scroll wheel continues to impress | Silent clicks not for everyone (like myself) |
| Much quieter and faster | No dedicated button to adjust DPI setting |
| Pairs up to three devices | Only for right-handers |
Otherwise, in terms of design, the MX Master 3S looks identical to its predecessor. That is a good thing, as it is still superbly ergonomical for your hand. There is a heavily sculpted shape and large thumb rest that allows your right hand to rest comfortably on it. It is still by far the best mouse design in the market.
There are eight buttons on this mouse. On its top are two click buttons, a scroll wheel and a Mode shift button. On its left are the back and forward buttons, a thumb rest that is also a gesture button and a thumb-scroll wheel for horizontal scrolling.
All the buttons are customisable using the just-out-of-beta Logi+ software (available on Windows and Mac). There are also app-specific profiles you can download and use with popular apps including Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop. For example, in Photoshop, the thumb-scroll wheel can be used to adjust the Brush size, while holding the scroll wheel and moving the mouse will allow you to pan a picture.
The fantastic MagSpeed scroll wheel returns too. It uses electromagnetic pulses to enable the mouse to scroll 1,000 lines per second. And it will automatically shift from line-by-line scrolling to free-spinning when you scroll faster. This is a great aid to productivity when you need to scroll back to the top of a page or down to the bottom of a page with a single turn of the scroll wheel.
Now, the new click buttons are really quiet. I totally believe Logitech’s claim of 90% less click noise than its predecessor. I guess it is great if you are returning back to office for work and do not want to distract or disturb your colleagues.
However, I am not a fan of the quiet click buttons. Don’t get me wrong. They don’t feel mushy or lack tactile response. But being a fan of clicky keyboards, the lack of audio feedback is deafening. It is just not as satisfying.
However, the MX Master 3S is able to work on any surface including glass. It worked perfectly on my dining table that has a black glass top. Also, it uses a new 8,000-dpi optical sensor over its predecessor’s 4,000-dpi one. The higher sensitivity is supposed to work great for those with multiple monitors setup, allowing you to move quickly from screen to screen.
Frankly speaking, I highly doubt anyone needing even 4,000 dpi sensitivity. I usually put it at around 1,600 dpi. And I work with a triple monitor setup at home. Setting it at 8,000 dpi is just too fast for anyone to work normally. Not to mention, you can only adjust the dpi sensitivity using the Logi+ software. You cannot customise any of its buttons to do that. Hopefully, this can be resolved in a future software update.
On the downside, the MX Master 3 is designed for right-handers. So if you are a left-hander, it is not for you. Plus, Logitech continues to provide a USB-A 2.4GHz wireless receiver. Considering how prevalent USB-C ports are going to be, I think it is time for a USB-C receiver or at least include a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter. Of course, you can always use Bluetooth connectivity, which is far more convenient.
In addition, this mouse can be connected up to three different devices. Toggling among the three devices is a breeze by pressing a button at the base of the mouse.
Furthermore, this mouse has great battery life. After five days of eight hours of daily use on Bluetooth connectivity and never switching it off, the battery level in its software indicated 90%. If you have battery anxiety, you can always use it while charging it via its front USB-C port unlike some fruit company’s mouse.
At $169, this computer rodent is quite expensive. But it offers much better value for money compared to some gaming mice, especially if you are look for a solid productivity mouse.
VERDICT: If you love silent clicking and super fast speed in a mouse, the Logitech MX Master 3S is a definitely for you. But for those who prefer louder clicks (like myself), the Logitech MX Master 3 might be a better bet, especially if it is on discount. Still, the MX Master 3S deserves an Editor’s Choice!
