Logitech MX Master 3S mouse review: Muted refinements

If you sit at a computer all day, you want a mouse and keyboard that help your workflow, not hinder it. Based on multiple generations of previous mice, the Logitech MX Master 3S is easily the best ergonomic mouse you can buy, but it may not be worth upgrading to the MX Master 3.

We’ll compare mice later in this review, but what you need to know about the MX Master 3S right off the bat is that it has subtle improvements over its predecessors. The size and shape are (as far as I can tell) identical to previous models, but Logitech has added features like Quiet Click and an 8,000 DPI sensor that are aimed at improving the mouse user experience.

Tried and true design

Looking around the MX Master 3S, you’ll find that this is not a travel mouse. Rather than a narrow, short, and compact design, Logitech designed this peripheral to fit snugly in (most) hands. The shape is relatively large, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t fit smaller hands comfortably.

Note: Unfortunately, like the MX Master 3 before it, it doesn’t look like Logitech is releasing a left-handed version of the MX Master 3S. I recommend checking out the Logitech Lift if you’re left-handed and looking for an ergonomic mouse.

Once your hand is on the mouse, you’ll find that its seven customizable buttons are within easy reach. Without even lifting your finger, you’ll find the gesture button to the left of your thumb, and the forward and back buttons to the right. Above that is the horizontal scroll wheel.

At the top of the mouse, you’ll find the “MagSpeed ​​​​Electromagnetic” scroll wheel that doubles as a middle button (and is capable of scrolling 1,000 lines per second), a button that by default changes the mode of the wheel shifting from freely rotating to ratcheting and of course the left and right click buttons.

The new standout feature of the MX Master 3S is something Logitech calls “Quiet Click.” Instead of making a perceptible and audible click every time you press the left or right mouse button, you’ll be greeted with a muted click that Logitech says is 90% quieter than the MX Master 3.

The company chose to mute the click noise as much as possible so that using the mouse is less distracting for you and those around you. I can understand this logic as more people will leave work from home life and return to an office with co-workers nearby.

Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of Quick Click switches because there is a definite distinction in the tactile feel of the switches. The actuation force is also different, requiring less pressure to press either button.

My household was divided on whether the MX Master 3S’s muted button clicks were better than those found on other mice. My preference stems from my love of clicky blue mechanical keyboard switches. But on the other hand, my partner gets tired of my keyboard making noise all day, so anything to mute the sound of my work had his approval.

The good news is that the new Quiet Click switches didn’t break performance no matter what my opinion was. The selection of text and elements on screen was as precise as ever.

Connection to devices and battery life

Connecting the MX Master 3S to multiple devices at once is a piece of cake. You have the option of using the included Logi Bolt USB receiver that connects to your Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chrome OS computer or connect to a device via Bluetooth Low Energy (LE). The latter allows you to pair the mouse with more devices that don’t have USB-A ports, including iPads and Android phones and tablets.

If you have the option of using either method, I recommend using the Logi Bolt receiver. The connection between the mouse and the USB dongle is much more secure, there is less latency, and you don’t have to worry much about radio frequency (RF) interference.

Plus, you can use a single Logi Bolt to connect your computer to six devices at once, including the MX mechanical keyboard. Just make sure all of your peripherals are compatible with the dongle and don’t just work with Logitech’s old Unifying receiver.

The biggest downside to the Logi Bolt receiver is that Logitech isn’t making a USB-C version yet. With more computers (especially laptops) no longer offering full-size USB-A ports, you’ll have to either rely on a Bluetooth connection or buy an adapter or hub.

Once you have up to three devices paired to your MX Master 3S, you can use the Easy-Switch button on the bottom of the mouse to quickly switch between each device (which can be a combination of Logi Bolt and Bluetooth connections).

As with previous generations, the MX Master 3S charges through a USB-C port found on the front of the device. The port’s location allows you to charge the mouse and continue to use the peripheral for work (unlike Apple’s Magic Mouse, which has its Lightning charging port at the bottom of the accessory).

Fortunately, you shouldn’t have to worry about charging too often. With a battery life of at least 70 days of use, you can go months without needing to charge your mouse. But if the MX Master 3S dies in the middle of the workday, the good news is that you can use the included 1m (42in) USB-C to USB-A cable to quickly charge the mouse. Logitech claims that just one minute of charging time will add three hours of use.

As long as you occasionally plug your MX Master 3S into your computer to charge it overnight, you never have to worry about your mouse dying in the middle of a project.

Logi Options + makes customization easy

Logitech has been beta testing an updated version of its computer-side customization and management software for months, and with the release of the MX Master 3S, it’s making Logi Options+ official. Downloading this application on your Windows or Mac computer is crucial to get the best experience with your mouse.

With Logi Options+ installed and the MX Master 3S connected to your computer, you can adjust mouse button actions, scroll wheel speed, and more. For example, by default, clicking down on the scroll wheel acts like pressing the middle button. Using Options +, you can reprogram the button to open an application, close a window, or perform almost any keyboard shortcut.

Logi Options + also allows you to customize actions per app. So in Google Chrome, you might want the Forward and Back buttons to help you navigate through tabs, but in Photoshop, those buttons might be better at selecting specific brushes.

Dig into Logi Options+ and you’ll find sections to set up Logi Flow (a feature that lets you use your Logitech mouse and keyboard on multiple computers), check for firmware updates, and more.

MX Master 3S vs. MX master 3

If I were to place the MX Master 3S and MX Master 3 in front of me, I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart without clicking the buttons. It’s not until you press the left and right buttons that you’ll hear (and feel) a difference.

Other than the Quiet Click buttons, the optical sensor is the only real difference between these two mice. While the last-gen MX Master 3 maxed out at 4,000 DPI, Logitech doubled that, bumping the MX Master 3S all the way up to 8,000 DPI.

This increased DPI and tracking sensitivity, which you can adjust in Logi Options+, allows you to use the mouse on almost any surface (including glass). The higher DPI also allows for more accurate and responsive tracking on high-resolution displays.

Should you buy the Logitech MX Master 3S?

If you’re looking for a new mouse on the market, unless you’re looking for something to play with, I have no problem recommending the MX Master 3S. Players should check out Logitech G502 Lightspeed, Logitech G203, or Razer Viper Ultimate.

While I’m not the biggest fan of muted mouse clicks, it doesn’t take away from the overall experience. The ergonomic shape, multiple scroll wheels, and remappable buttons make this mouse suitable for any professional or anyone who sits in front of a computer for long periods.

You can buy the MX Master 3S in two color options: Graphite (pictured above) and Pale Gray (pictured below). The mouse is available starting today, May 24, 2022, for $99.