At a Glance: Logitech MX Master 3 Review

Logitech has had considerable success with its MX Master mice, which are designed to be productivity-boosting solutions with useful time-saving features. The new Logitech MX Master 3 aims to continue this legacy by offering improvements upon the outgoing Logitech MX Master 2S, but after looking over the two mice, little appears to have changed from one generation to the next.

Design

The MX Master 3 and MX Master 2S feature a similar right-hand oriented design with a large palm rest, two scroll wheels and eight buttons. These mice can be used as either wired mice when connected over USB, or they can be used wirelessly using either an included 2.4GHz wireless adapter or Bluetooth. The aesthetics look of the mice has changed somewhat, but I think the new MX Master 3 actually looks blander and less interesting than its predecessor.

The most notable changes made to the design of the MX Master 3 are on the left side of the mouse. The two mouse buttons that reside here have been relocated below the scroll wheel as opposed to beside it as on the MX Master 2S. The buttons have also been spaced apart from each other to make it easier to discern the two buttons from each other. The scroll wheel on the left side was also changed to a larger one that uses magnets to create a feeling of resistance as you turn the wheel.

Logitech notes that this updated scroll wheel should provide greater accuracy. Mike Epstein from our sister site PCMag tested out the MX Master 3 first-hand, however, and he noted that he was left unsure as to whether this new electromagnetic wheel was more accurate. He did, however, state that the extra feedback produced by the new wheel design felt pleasant.

Other than these changes, the MX Master 3 remains essentially the same as its predecessor. Both mice utilize Logitech’s Darkfield sensor that carries a 4,000 DPI rating and is supposed to be able to track movement on essentially any surface including glass. Both of these mice also feature a built-in battery that can last for up to 70 days on a single charge. The MX Master 3 does charge significantly faster than its predecessor, however, as Logitech transitioned this mouse to the new USB Type-C interface. Leveraging this technology, the MX Master 3 is able to charge from completely dead to fully charged in just two hours, and it can also charge enough for several hours of use in just one minute.

Conclusion

Although Logitech’s new MX Master 3 does offer a few notable improvements over the older MX Master 2S, it’s somewhat difficult to recommend. It may charge faster and have an upgraded scroll wheel, but realistically it’s still essentially the same as the MX Master 2S.

If these mice were priced the same, then the MX Master 3 would certainly be the one to buy, but they aren’t. The MX Master 3 currently retails for $99.99, whereas the MX Master 2S can be purchased for $66.30. Put simply, the upgrades inherent in the MX Master 3 don’t feel significant enough to warrant spending $33.69 more. As such, for as long as the MX Master 2S is available, I would recommend buying that instead. When the MX Master 2S inevitably exits the market, however, at that point I would recommend the MX Master 3 as a solid solution for office and work use.

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