Introduction
Reading a detailed Logitech MX Master 3S review might seem like overkill for a computer mouse, but if you spend eight hours a day at a desk, your mouse is the tool you touch more than anything else—even your phone. For years, I used the cheap, plastic mouse that came free with my computer. I ignored the cramping in my wrist and the clicking sound that drove my coworkers crazy. I thought, “It’s just a mouse. It moves the cursor. What else do I need?”
Then, I started suffering from mild repetitive strain injury (RSI). My wrist ached constantly. A colleague recommended the Logitech MX Master series. I balked at the $99 price tag. One hundred dollars? For a mouse?
Eventually, I caved. And honestly? It ruined me. I can never go back to a cheap mouse again. It wasn’t just about comfort; it was about speed. This device fundamentally changed how I work.
In this deep-dive review, I will break down the ergonomics, the “MagSpeed” scrolling technology, and the customizable software that makes this mouse a productivity powerhouse. Whether you are a coder, a video editor, or an Excel warrior, this guide will help you decide if the MX Master 3S is worth the investment.
1. Ergonomics and Design: Saving Your Wrist
The first thing you notice in any Logitech MX Master 3S review is the shape. It looks like a spaceship sculpted from clay. It is designed specifically for right-handed users (sorry, lefties) to cradle the palm in a natural, handshake-like position.
According to the Mayo Clinic, keeping your wrist flat on a desk compresses the median nerve, leading to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The MX Master 3S tilts your hand slightly at a 20-degree angle. This tiny adjustment relieves pressure on the wrist tendons.
My Experience: The textured rubber coating feels premium and grippy. The thumb rest isn’t just a rest; it’s a hidden button (more on that later). After switching, my wrist pain vanished within a week. It is heavy (141g), but that weight gives it a sense of precision and stability that cheap plastic mice lack.
2. The MagSpeed Scroll Wheel: A Fidget Spinner for Work
This is the killer feature. Most mice have a mechanical scroll wheel. It clicks, it gets stuck, and scrolling through a 500-page PDF takes forever. Logitech invented something called MagSpeed Electromagnetic Scrolling.
Instead of physical gears, the wheel uses magnets to control resistance.
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Ratchet Mode: You feel precise, tactile bumps for line-by-line scrolling.
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Free-Spin Mode: Flick the wheel hard, and the magnets disengage. The wheel spins silently for up to 15 seconds, scrolling 1,000 lines per second.
It feels incredible. It’s like switching from a bicycle to a Ferrari. You can fly to the bottom of a massive Excel spreadsheet in one flick and stop on a dime with total precision. Once you get used to this, using a normal mouse feels broken.
3. “Quiet Click” Technology: Silence is Golden
The biggest upgrade from the previous model (MX Master 3) to the new “3S” is the noise. Or rather, the lack of it. Logitech claims the 3S has 90% quieter click sounds.
I tested this side-by-side with my old mouse. The old one made a sharp, high-pitched “CLICK.” The 3S makes a dull, barely audible thud.
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Pros: You can work in a library, a quiet cafe, or next to a sleeping baby without annoying anyone.
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Cons: Some gamers or tactile lovers might miss the auditory feedback of a sharp click. Personally, I found the silence addictive. It makes the work feel smoother.
4. Logi Options+ Software: The Productivity Cheat Code
A mouse is just hardware. The software is where the magic happens. The Logi Options+ app allows you to customize every single button on the mouse specifically for different apps.
This is how I set mine up:
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Google Chrome: The thumb buttons go “Back” and “Forward.” The thumb scroll wheel switches tabs.
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Adobe Premiere Pro: The thumb scroll wheel zooms into the timeline. The side buttons constitute “Undo” and “Redo.”
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Excel: The thumb wheel scrolls horizontally (a lifesaver for wide sheets).
You can essentially map keyboard shortcuts to your mouse. This reduces the number of times you have to move your hand back to the keyboard, saving micro-seconds that add up to hours over a year. This level of customization is a key reason for the positive verdict in this Logitech MX Master 3S review.
5. The Sensor: Works on Glass
Most optical mice fail if you try to use them on a glass coffee table. The laser goes right through the glass. The MX Master 3S uses Darkfield High Precision Tracking. It boasts 8,000 DPI (dots per inch), which is overkill for office work but amazing for high-resolution monitors.
I tested it on a clear glass dining table, a shiny magazine cover, and my jeans. It tracked perfectly on every surface. If you are a digital nomad who works from random hotel desks, this feature ensures you never need a mousepad again.
6. Battery Life and Connectivity
The battery life is absurdly good. Logitech claims 70 days on a full charge. In my testing, I charge it maybe once every two months. It charges via USB-C (located on the front), so you can use it while charging. A quick 1-minute charge gives you 3 hours of use.
For connectivity, it supports Bluetooth Low Energy and the new Logi Bolt USB receiver.
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Flow Technology: This is mind-blowing. If you have two computers (e.g., a Mac and a Windows PC), you can move your mouse cursor to the edge of one screen, and it will jump to the other computer. You can even copy text on the Mac and paste it onto the PC. It feels like magic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is it good for gaming? A: Not really. While you can game with it, it is heavy (141g) compared to dedicated gaming mice (60g). The polling rate is 125Hz, which is fine for strategy games but too slow for competitive shooters like Call of Duty. Stick to the Logitech G Pro for gaming.
Q: Is it worth upgrading from the MX Master 3 (non-S)? A: Only if you hate the click sound. The 3S is identical to the 3, except for the silent clicks and the higher DPI sensor (8000 vs 4000). If you have the 2S or older, the upgrade is definitely worth it.
Q: Does it work well with Macs? A: Yes, there is even a “Mac” version of the mouse (which just removes the USB dongle from the box). However, the standard version works perfectly with MacBooks via Bluetooth.
Q: Is it too big for small hands? A: Possibly. This is a large, hump-backed mouse. If you have small hands, you might find it uncomfortable to reach the scroll wheel. I recommend trying the smaller Logitech MX Anywhere 3S instead.
Conclusion
Is the Logitech MX Master 3S review verdict a buy? 100% yes. It is the gold standard for office peripherals. Spending $100 on a mouse sounds crazy until you realize it is the primary interface between your brain and your work. The ergonomic benefits, the satisfying magnetic scroll wheel, and the app-specific customizations pay for themselves in saved time and saved wrists. Stop fighting with your cheap mouse and upgrade your workflow.