It’s been a while since the release of the Logitech MX Master 3S, but I didn’t rush to try it out since I was more than happy with my old MX Master 3. Sure, it showed some signs of use, but nothing too bad. Still, curiosity got the best of me, and I finally gave the new model a chance. And while it’s not a huge update, it made my work a lot more enjoyable.
Don’t fix what’s not broken
Let’s start with the basics: the way it looks. And it looks… exactly like the MX Master 3. Which isn’t to say that it looks bad; to me, it looks… functional. It’s instantly recognizable and very ergonomic — if you’re not lefthanded. It feels extremely comfortable to use, but I know people who think that it’s either too heavy or too big. Those people will likely enjoy the MX Anywhere 3S. But not me. I need the big boy.
There are still six buttons in total, including the “hidden” gesture button, as well as two scroll wheels. There are only two new features — a better 8,000 DPI sensor (MX Master 3 had “only” 4,000 DPI) and a much quieter mouse click. Logitech says it’s 90% quieter, and I tend to agree. Once again, there will be people questioning if it’s actually a downgrade (the loud clicks just feel better to some), but I am much happier with a quiet mouse that won’t disturb my wife when I am up working late. To me, it does not feel mushy at all. It’s not a mouse for gaming (the 125Hz polling rate just doesn’t cut it), mind you, it’s more of a tool for creative people, programmers, and writers.
Read also: Logitech MX Mechanical Mini Keyboard For Mac review: Finally, Mechanical Keyboard Designed for Mac
The scroll wheel is one of a kind
The star of the show is still the MagSpeed scroll wheel, which is simply the best in the biz. There’s a reason I never thought of changing my main mouse, and it’s the wheel. It’s electromagnetic and offers no resistance at all. There are two modes: the ratcheting mode that does offer resistance and scrolls in small increments, and the free-spinning mode that’s ultra-fast and incredibly smooth. Curiously, in my three years of using MX Master 3, I have never used the “smooth” mode, but now that I tried it again for this review, I am not looking to go back. It just feels right. Combine it with the Mos utility (Logi offers its own smoothing option, but it’s not as good), and scrolling will feel as smooth as with a Magic mouse.
The mouse also includes the thumb wheel. I rarely use it, but I am glad that it’s there. There are a few ways to utilize it (you can change the sound volume), but I left the default mode of horizontal scrolling — it’s very convenient to change Arc’s Spaces that way. It also has specific uses in programs like Adobe Photoshop — once you’ve tried it, there’s no going back to other mice.
Read also: Logitech Crayon (2023) review: Better than the new Apple pencil?
Connection and the Logi Options+ app
I’ve been using Bluetooth connection with no issues, but there’s also a Bolt dongle (for some reason, USB-A) you can use for less latency. It can remember up to three devices.
Logitech also offers the Logi Options+ app, which I’ve been using for a while now. It offers customization options, allowing you to rebind buttons and adjust the mouse’s responsiveness. The app has never had any issues for me — it’s smooth and convenient to use, and it’s definitely one of the best, especially compared to some of the lesser-known brands’ offerings. But that’s not always been the case: at the beginning, the Logi Options+ had a lot of issues, including constant crashes. To this day, many users are wary of the app, but I can’t find faults with it. Especially after the horrors of the KiiBoom software.
Typically, Logitech products have always had good battery life, and the Logitech MX Master 3S is no exception. There’s no realistic way to test its battery life for this review, but I believe Logitech’s estimates of 70 days of use. In any case, you can use it while charging, and one minute of charge provides three hours of use.
Verdict
For me, there’s just no better mouse, and even in 2024, the Logitech MX Master 3S remains the king. The endless customization options, quality materials, ergonomics (still, I wish there was a left-handed option, too) and silent clicks make it as close to perfect as possible. Its only real drawback is that the size makes it unfit for travel, especially since there’s no place to store the USB dongle.
Where is the wired version?