Logitech MX Master 3S review: everything just clicks

You’ll typically see folks declare that the explanation mechanical keyboards died out within the ’90s was that membrane keyboards have been cheaper, however that’s solely partially true. That’s as a result of, within the early days, a big a part of the enchantment of membrane keyboards was their quietness. You can have dozens of staff tapping away on them with out making an workplace unbearably loud for everybody else.

The purpose is that the amount of pc equipment can matter rather a lot, particularly whenever you’re working in a communal area. At the least, that’s my principal takeaway from utilizing Logitech’s newest mouse, the MX Grasp 3S, which is totally different in simply two methods from the 2019 MX Grasp 3 that it’s changing: it’s received the next decision 8,000 DPI sensor (up from 4,000 DPI final time round) and a mouse click on that Logitech claims is 90 % quieter.

It’s a change that received’t be for everybody, and I don’t suppose anybody who already owns an MX Grasp 3 ought to fear about spending $99 on this new mannequin. The query is whether or not anybody else ought to.

Externally, the MX Grasp 3S is virtually similar to the MX Grasp 3 that got here earlier than it. It’s received a closely sculpted design that goals to anticipate precisely the place each a part of your proper hand would possibly need to sit, with a thumb relaxation on the left to a small indent to provide your pinkie finger buy on the correct. There’s no left-handed choice, and the mouse isn’t in in the slightest degree ambidextrous.

There are six buttons on the mouse in whole. Two thumb buttons sit on the left aspect, and there’s a 3rd thumb button on the underside of the thumb relaxation that acts as a shortcut key together with mouse actions. On prime, there are the usual two mouse buttons and a 3rd that switches the scroll wheel between its ratcheting and freewheeling modes.

This scroll wheel, together with a second that sits beneath the thumb, is as satisfying to make use of as ever. In its ratcheting mode, every rotating has a small but delicate tick, whereas in its free-spinning mode, it scrolls silently and extremely shortly. You may manually change between these two modes with the button beneath the scroll wheel, however it’ll additionally routinely change relying on how briskly you’re scrolling. I like that it has these two modes, however I’d be mendacity if I stated I had a lot of a use for the sheer pace of the second. The truth is, a lot of the instances I attempted to make use of it, I discovered that my M1 MacBook Air struggled to maintain up as I attempted to scroll by way of webpages.

The second thumb scroll wheel continues to be an awesome addition. I’ve used mice previously that attempted to supply horizontal scrolling on their principal scroll wheel (typically accessible by tilting the wheel left and proper), however solely the MX Grasp’s devoted second wheel has truly proved helpful in on a regular basis work. By default, it’s set to scroll horizontally, however you need to use Logitech’s companion Choices Plus software program to have it management quantity or zoom or navigate between tabs. It was most helpful as a horizontal scroll whereas modifying in Photoshop, navigating extensive net pages, or scrubbing by way of a monitor in Audacity. It takes a second to develop the muscle reminiscence to make use of it and to recollect it’s there whenever you want it, however when you do, it’s a helpful little instrument.

The mouse is wi-fi and has a built-in battery that prices over USB-C. In accordance with Logitech, you must get 70 days of use earlier than needing to recharge it. I wasn’t capable of run it fully all the way down to zero in my testing, however the 80 % of battery life I had left after per week of use suggests Logitech’s battery life estimate is somewhat beneficiant. However contemplating the mouse is usable whereas it recharges (taking a look at you, Apple), having to cost it somewhat over as soon as a month isn’t an enormous burden.

The MX Grasp 3S can hook up with computer systems utilizing both an included USB-A “Bolt” dongle or Bluetooth and might keep in mind as much as three units (you turn between them utilizing a small button on its underside). In testing, its wi-fi receiver may very well be somewhat laggy relying on the place I had it plugged in, nevertheless. Initially, I had the dongle plugged into the rear of a Thunderbolt 3 dock plugged into my Mac, a grand whole of 50cm (round 20 inches) away from the mouse on my desk. However that led to the mouse lagging, trailing behind the place I needed it to be.

Transferring the USB receiver to a port on the entrance of the dock didn’t assist. However after I got here throughout this discussion board put up, I attempted utilizing a brief 20cm (8-inch) USB extension cable to place somewhat little bit of distance between the USB receiver and the dock. Regardless of the receiver now technically being additional away from the mouse, the answer labored. It was a simple repair, however it’s not one you must must do on a $99 mouse.

In an e mail, Logitech spokesperson Wendy Spander admitted that “connectivity might be impacted by cables and steel close to the receiver” (my Thunderbolt dock has a steel case) however stated that “the overwhelming majority of our customers have an awesome and steady connection when utilizing the Bolt receiver.” Connecting the mouse over Bluetooth was much more dependable, however the mouse’s monitoring didn’t really feel as correct in comparison with utilizing the receiver, and it’s a disgrace to overlook out on the safety advantages that Logitech claims Bolt gives.

To date, so 2019, so let’s take a look at what’s truly new with this mannequin. First up, the press. Sure, the MX Grasp 3S is quiet. I didn’t have an outdated MX Grasp 3 to check the mouse towards, so within the sound comparability beneath, you’ll be able to hear its click on aspect by aspect with a Logitech G305, which I’d describe as having a reasonably typical sounding click on.

Clearly, the MX Grasp 3S is considerably quieter than a daily mouse, and what’s good is that it does this with out dropping too a lot tactility. It doesn’t really feel mushy, and you’ll nonetheless really feel the precise level at which it’s registering a press. However though it’s made it simpler for me to file Zoom interviews with out having to listen to myself continuously clicking within the background, I’d be mendacity if I stated I most well-liked it over a correct click on. There’s nothing functionally incorrect with it — I simply miss the elevated tactility and aural affirmation that I clicked the button.

Second is the query of DPI. The MX Grasp 3S’s sensor is 8,000 DPI, double the 4,000 DPI sensor within the MX Grasp 3, however out of the field, the mouse defaults to only 1,000 DPI (you’ll be able to modify it with Logitech’s Choices Plus software program). The fundamental concept is that the upper the DPI, the extra delicate a mouse’s sensor is and the quicker it could possibly transfer throughout the display. Logitech claims that is mandatory right here as a result of inventive professionals are utilizing larger and better decision 4K, 5K, and even 8K shows. However in follow, there’s not a lot sensible use for DPI values above 4,000, and it could possibly even make your mouse’s sensor much less correct. Even with macOS’s sensitivity slider set to its minimal, the mouse was unusably twitchy with its DPI set to eight,000 on my 32-inch, 1440p ultrawide show, and I think most individuals are going to depart it set to a a lot decrease degree.

However DPI values are solely half of the equation in the case of how responsive a mouse feels to make use of. The opposite half is its polling fee. However with a polling fee of simply 125Hz, the Grasp MX 3S merely doesn’t really feel as responsive as a 1,000Hz gaming mouse like Logitech’s personal G305. Make no mistake: it’s greater than responsive sufficient for the sorts of workplace duties that Logitech is designing the mouse for, however this isn’t your best option if you happen to’re planning to make use of it to play twitchy video games.

Logitech has a really particular market in thoughts for the MX Grasp 3S. It is a mouse that’s meant for workplace and productiveness work, the place sensible issues are extra essential than 360 no scopes. Used for that goal, it really works quietly and feels nice, because of its wonderful scroll wheel, sculpted design, and ever-helpful secondary scroll wheel. Simply be ready to choose up a cheap USB extender if you happen to run into any latency points.

Pictures by Jon Porter / The Verge