Logitech MX Master 3S review

Trade in Logitech MX Master 3S

(Image credit: Future)

The Logitech MX Master 3S ($99) stands as a top-tier office mouse, succeeding the highly acclaimed MX Master 3, which long held our title for the best wireless mouse available.

Enhancing its predecessor in several notable aspects, the MX Master 3S boasts a doubled sensitivity of 8,000 DPI and a quieter audial profile thanks to silent button switches. Fortunately, it retains all the features that made the original Master 3 exceptional. These include a delightful scroll wheel with both infinite and ratchet modes, an ergonomic design that ensures comfort, an array of controls (including touch gestures), and extensive customization options via the Logi Options+ companion app.

However, the mouse isn’t flawless and has a couple of minor issues that might cause hesitation if you’re still undecided. Discover more in my Logitech MX Master 3S review.

LOGITECH MX MASTER 3S REVIEW: CHEAT SHEET

• What is it? A premium, ergonomic productivity mouse
• Who is it for? Office and creative workers, plus casual gamers
• What does it cost? $99 / £119
• What’s good? Virtually all of it, especially the scroll wheel, 8K DPI and customization options
• What’s not? Its quite pricey, lefties are left out, and it’s missing my favorite scroll wheel features from other Logi mice

LOGITECH MX MASTER 3S REVIEW: SPECS

LOGITECH MX MASTER 3S REVIEW: THE UPS

Master by name, master by nature, the Logitech MX Master 3S is a top-tier mouse in every aspect, offering a broad array of features and customization options. It also boasts quiet clicking and an 8K DPI sensitivity — two significant improvements from the original MX Master 3.

I guess money CAN buy class

(Image credit: Future)

The Logitech MX Master 3S is excellently constructed, featuring a satisfying weight and premium build quality: the scroll wheels are crafted from milled metal, while the body is encased in a matte, grippy rubber that exudes high quality. If I were to nitpick, I’d mention that, like many Logitech products, it’s a bit aesthetically conservative, though it’s certainly not unattractive.

The mouse is ergonomically designed with a moderate angle to enhance wrist support. However, if you have wrist issues like mine, the angle may not be sufficient to alleviate chronic pain. In that case, an ergonomic vertical mouse such as the Logitech Lift ($69) or Anker 2.4G Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Mouse ($25) might be a better fit.

Scroll away

(Image credit: Future)

The MX Master 3S includes the same metal scroll wheel as the Logitech MX Anywhere 3S ($79), which is a definite advantage. You can switch between infinite and ratchet scrolling modes, with the latter offering satisfying haptic feedback. It can scroll at up to 1,000 lines per second, which, to put simply, is very fast.

Additionally, there’s a secondary thumb scroll wheel that has a pleasing weight and a smooth scrolling action. The only drawback is the inability to adjust the weight of the ratchet — a feature available on the MX Anywhere 3S, which I appreciated for allowing the scroll weight to be set to its heaviest for the most tactile feedback.

Sneaky clicks

(Image credit: Future)

Just like the MX Anywhere 3S, the MX Master 3S boasts quiet clicking — not completely silent, but very subdued. Personally, the sound of my mouse clicks or those of my colleagues doesn’t bother me much (our office tests some of the loudest and best mechanical keyboards, and mouse clicks are rarely heard over the din of thocking and clacking boards). However, it’s a nice touch that the MX Master 3S features quiet switches for those who prefer to keep a low profile.

Fine-tunable

The MX Master 3S is perfect if you require extensive control and high levels of customization. The mouse includes two thumb buttons, a button on the thumb rest, four thumb swipe gestures, a top button, a scroll wheel button, and the aforementioned secondary scroll wheel.

(Image credit: Future)

All of these buttons can be remapped in the Logi Options+ software for Windows 11/10 and macOS, with per-application layers to create specific control layouts for individual apps. This is ideal for speeding up workflows in applications like the best video editing software.

For example, I configured the secondary scroll wheel to function as a zoom, enabling quick examination of fine details in Adobe Lightroom. I also set the thumb buttons to copy and paste in Chrome, which significantly accelerated my work in Google Sheets.

(Image credit: Future)

In general, Logitech gear isn’t as customizable as products from other brands. For instance, I use Corsair’s excellent iCUE software with my Corsair Scimitar ($80), which allows me to remap the mouse’s controls and even assign keyboard bindings to buttons. By comparison, Logitech’s Logi Options+ feels somewhat limiting. However, if you aren’t using the mouse for gaming, it should provide more than enough customization.

(Image credit: Logitech / Future)

It’s worth noting that if you’re exclusively a macOS user, there’s a dedicated Mac version of the MX Master 3S. We tested the dual Windows and Mac version, and it performed flawlessly on both platforms, with the Logi Options+ app allowing you to assign essential macOS controls like App Exposé to gestures or buttons. Unless you have a preference for the space gray color, there’s no compelling reason to limit yourself to the macOS model.

A casual gamer

The MX Master 3S is primarily designed as a productivity mouse, not specifically as a gaming mouse. However, if you do want to game, it will handle casual play quite well with a maximum sensitivity of 8,000 DPI. This is a significant increase from the original Logitech MX Master 3 ($99), which had a maximum DPI of 4,000.

(Image credit: Logitech / Future)

I used the MX Master 3S for some casual gaming, including first-person shooter Hell Let Loose, and found it sufficiently responsive for close-quarters action. However, if you’re a competitive gamer who requires a mouse that can match your reflexes, we’d recommend the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 ($159), which offers up to 26,000 DPI. For those on a budget, the SteelSeries Rival 3 ($30) is worth considering.

4 weeks’ work

(Image credit: Future)

The Logitech MX Master 3S’s battery life isn’t exceptional, but it’s far from poor. With 25% of the charge, I got about a week of full-time work use, including some gaming. This suggests you can expect around 4 weeks of use from a full charge. As Anatoly Dyatlov said in HBO’s *Chernobyl*: not great, not terrible.

LOGITECH MX MASTER 3S REVIEW: THE DOWNS

I have very few criticisms of the MX Master 3S. Of course, there are more affordable mice to consider if you’re on a budget, and if you’re left-handed, this mouse might not be suitable for you.

Hardly budget-friendly

(Image credit: Future)

Naturally, the premium features I’ve described come with a price tag. The MX Master 3S costs $99, so it’s not a choice for those on a tight budget. However, it’s priced similarly to its predecessor and is in the same range as other high-end mice like the Contour Unimouse ($89). If you’re looking to save money, you might consider the Razer Pro Click Mini ($79) or the Logitech Signature AI Edition M750 ($49).

Left out

(Image credit: Future)

While my previous comment was in jest (though my sister is a leftie), it’s true that the MX Master 3S is designed exclusively for right-handed users. Its ergonomic design makes it unsuitable as an ambidextrous mouse, and there’s no left-handed version available at the moment. It would be great to see a premium option like this available for left-handed users as well. For a high-quality mouse that’s available in a left-handed orientation, consider the Contour Unimouse ($89).

LOGITECH MX MASTER 3S REVIEW: VERDICT

(Image credit: Future)

The Logitech MX Master 3S has very few drawbacks. While it is on the pricier side, it isn’t excessively so compared to its competitors, and it offers a substantial range of features and functionality that makes its price relatively justifiable. It would be great to see more premium mice available in left-handed versions, especially from a major manufacturer like Logitech.

Overall, the MX Master 3S is an excellent mouse with a design and build quality that justifies its cost. It’s an ideal choice for anyone needing a productivity mouse, particularly those with large or complex workflows. The array of controls and the ease of customization will significantly streamline repetitive tasks. Enter the master—at least the newest one.

Source: Tom’s Guide