As someone who writes for a living, keyboard and mouse are two computer peripherals that I am very picky about. They have to be perfect in order for me to optimise my writing output.
It is also why people like to ask me which is the best productivity mouse. For the past few years, my answer has always been the Logitech MX Master 3 or MX Master 3S. Now, after nearly six years since the launch of MX Master 3 in 2019, the MX Master 4 is finally here.
- Price: S$199, get it at Shopee and Lazada
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2,4GHz wireless via USB-C dongle
- Number of buttons: 9
- Weight: 150g
| PROS | CONS |
| Simply the best productivity mouse | Expensive |
| Built perfectly for your (right) hand | Not for left-handers |
| Mostly plastic for better durability | Side panels still rubber-made |
| Works on almost any surface | No space to store dongle |
| Actions Ring a productivity boon | Doesn’t work in Bluetooth on Windows 10 |
| Haptic feedback a good to have | Quiet operation |
| USB-C dongle | |
| Quiet operation |
So, how do you improve a nearly-perfect productivity mouse? Well, Logitech has opted for slight tweaks and gradual evolution for the new mouse. The two main new features are Haptic Feedback and Actions Ring.
The MX Master 4 now has a Haptic Sense Panel, which is essentially the new thumb rest panel on the mouse’s left. It provides haptic feedback on specific actions, shortcuts, and notifications. This panel also houses the Actions Ring button.
Pressing the Actions Ring button will bring up a virtual overlay on your computer screen. This gives you quick access to customised shortcuts for your most used tasks. These tasks can include taking screenshots, volume control, and even starting ChatGPT.
These two new features require the Logi Options+ software (available in both Mac and Win). With it, you can customise the intensity of the haptic feedback from subtle, low, medium (default) and high. You can also add your most used tasks on the Actions Rings, as well as install app-specific Actions Ring to utilise while using the particular app.
The Actions Ring might sound like a gimmick, but it does help to improve your productivity with less mouse movement to start your tasks. However, I am not too sold on the haptic feedback. It is certainly a good to have, but exactly not a must-have.
In terms of design (available in two colours of pale-grey and graphite), the MX Master 4 retains most of its predecessor highly-ergonomic structure with only slight changes. On its top are two click buttons, a scroll wheel and a shift wheel button that lets you toggle between a fast scroll and a more controlled scroll.
On its left are the back and forward buttons, a new gesture button and a thumb-scroll wheel for horizontal scrolling above them. And of course, the new Ring Action button on the thumb rest panel. At its bottom, you will find a button that lets you toggle through three paired devices. Here, there are now more Teflon feet area for a smoother glide.
Internally, the MX Master 4 uses the same awesome 8,00DPI sensor of its predecessors. In other words, it works on any surface, including 4mm-thick glass. Additionally, it has a new advanced radio chip and improved antenna place for better connectivity. Thus, moving the mouse cursor never feels more fluid and enchanting than ever.
Most importantly, instead of the soft-touch rubber of its predecessors, the MX Master 4’s main chassis is said to use a new textured durable silicone surface that is more resistant to wear and tear as well as easier to clean. However, the thumb rest panel and the right panel are still made of this soft-touch rubber.
I own three MX Master 3 (of which two are for Mac) and two MX Master 3S (one is for Mac), which I interchangeably use for the past six years. And I have resorted to pasting stickers over them (see below photo) to ensure I can still use them without having “sticky goo” on my fingers. Hope I do not have to do the same to this MX Master 4.
Indeed, the main chassis and the click buttons feel plastic and thus more unlikely to “rot”. But I really hope the thumb rest panel and right panel do not turn to “sticky goo” over time like what happened to some of the MX Master 3 models I own.
In case you are wondering, the main difference between the two Master 3 models is that the 3S version is quieter. The MX Master 4, on the other hand, is almost silent (90% quieter than MX Master 3, according to Logitech) when you tap on the two main click buttons. Indeed, almost none of the buttons (except the shift wheel button) or scroll wheels make any noise when touched.
This is both a boon and a bane. I prefer the clicky sound of the original Master 3, as it just feels more fulfilling. But at the same time, you probably don’t want to disturb your colleagues with all your mouse clicks. So, this quiet operation will work both ways depending on your preference.
However, a wee bit on the downside, this “non-Mac” mouse sometimes failed to activate the Actions Ring after my Mac machine woke up from sleep. My guess is that it has failed to reconnect with the Logi Options+ software or some Bluetooth issue. A restart of the Option+ software usually rectify the issue. There were no such issues though when I was using the same mouse with my Windows PC. I do hope the MX Master 4 for Mac version will solve this “sleep” issue.
Like its predecessor, battery life is rated at 70 days on a full charge (with medium haptic feedback turned on). After using it for nearly two weeks for an average of 8 hours per day, the battery level only dropped to 80%.
One thing to note though is that the mouse doesn’t work via USB-C cable. But you can still use it while it is being charged via its front USB-C port (unlike Apple Magic Mouse). That said, the mouse does not come with a USB-C charging cable. On a happier note, it now comes with a USB-C wireless dongle, instead of the USB-A one. With more laptops and computers not having USB-A ports, this is a much welcomed change.
In fact, this becomes pivotal if you are still using a Windows 10 machine (like I do). This mouse does not connect via Bluetooth with Windows 10 machines, but works perfectly when the USB-C dongle is plugged it. I know Microsoft has stopped support for Windows 10, but there will be people like me who cannot afford to upgrade for various reasons.
Not to mention, as ergonomic as the mouse is, it is not built for left-handers due to its asymmetrical design. Right-handers will rejoice but left-handers will feel left out (pun intended). Plus, the mouse is pretty bulky. So, it is certainly not meant to go on the road with you.
Final complaint – There is still no place in the mouse to store the USB-C dongle, unless many of its gaming cousins. I am really afraid of losing this dongle, and highly recommend plugging it to your laptop or computer forever.
VERDICT: At S$199 (S$30 more expensive than its predecessor), the Logitech MX Master 4 is definitely not cheap. But for the best comfort, customisability, productivity and longevity, this mouse has almost no competition. It is quite simply the best productivity mouse ever.