Logitech is launching the Logitech MX Master 3, a new variant of the top model wireless mouse, at the IFA technology fair. Improvements are in the shape, button placement and an electromagnetic scroll wheel. We have already tested it. The MX Master 2S was already very good, is there still room for improvement?
Logitech MX Master 3
Price € 109,-Colour Graphite or light gray
Connection Unifying USB receiver (included) or Bluetooth
Battery life Up to 70 days
Sensor 4000 dpi
OS Windows, macOS, Linux
Website www.logitech.com
10 Score 100
- Pros
- Fits perfectly in the hand
- Still scroll wheel
- Nice placement of buttons
- Excellent software
- USB receiver and bluetooth
- Negatives
- Unfortunately only right handed
The third variant of the MX Master initially stands out because of its shape. After all, the MX Master 2S had the same shape as the first MX Master, the major innovation was in the sensor, which became considerably more accurate. The excellent 4000 dpi sensor has remained in the Logitech MX Master 3, everything else is different. Logitech has gone back to the drawing board and sculpted a new shape. But that's not even the main difference, because it's mainly the scroll wheel that draws the attention. That scroll wheel now works on the basis of an electromagnet and has become a lot quieter.
Like its predecessors, you can use the MX Master 3 both via a Unifying receiver and via Bluetooth. Via a button on the bottom you can connect it to three devices and switch between these devices. Charging, as befits a modern device, is now via USB-C instead of Micro-USB. A full battery lasts 70 days, according to Logitech. We haven't been able to use the mouse for that long, but you never have to worry about an empty battery. Only 1 minute of charging gives you three hours of use, while you can also work with a connected USB cable.
Larger thumb buttons
The shape of the MX Master 3 has been changed from the previous models. However, this is mainly a cosmetic difference, because the mouse feels great in the hand again. Logitech has especially enlarged the scroll wheel at the thumb and placed the scroll buttons below the scroll wheel, making it easier to operate. The thumb button has been given a bump, which makes it clearer that it is a button. With this, Logitech has finally solved my biggest criticism (the browse buttons) on the MX Master after four years. It's the perfect mouse in my opinion.
Silent scroll wheel
In addition to their natural shape, Logitech's MX mice mainly stand out because of the switchable scroll wheel. You can switch the scroll wheel between completely free scrolling and click-by-click scrolling via a button. The latter, clicking scrolling, was always accompanied by quite a bit of noise. For example, you heard the clicking sounds of the scroll wheel quite well with the two previous variants of the MX Master. So good, in fact, that colleagues sometimes complain when scrolling frantically. Also the switch between free and click-by-click scrolling always went with a clearly audible click.
The scroll wheel of the MX Master 3 can still be switched between free and click-by-click scrolling via a button on top of the mouse. However, there is one very important difference: the loud clicking noises are gone, Logitech has completely redesigned the scroll wheel and now uses an electromagnet in the scroll wheel to enable cascading scrolling. In terms of feel, this works great with the great advantage that the sounds are gone. Switching between free and click-by-click scrolling also makes virtually no noise. A welcome innovation, especially for the environment.
Extensive software
You set up the MX Master 3 with Logitech Options. With this software installed you can adjust the mouse completely to your liking. If desired, you can also create profiles for different programs, useful for assigning different functions to the buttons per program. You can assign an impressive number of different functions to the buttons. By the way, you can't assign the left and right mouse buttons yourself, that would of course make the mouse unusable. Both scroll wheels can be set to normal or reverse scrolling. Of course, Flow is also back, Logitech's ability to use the mouse on two computers at the same time, where you can move the mouse cursor from one PC to the other. For example, you can use your laptop as a second screen for your PC.
Conclusion
Logitech says it has listened carefully to users for this third version of the MX Master and we believe that immediately. Our two criticisms of the previous versions (the thumb buttons and the loud scroll wheel) have been resolved. The MX Master was already good, but three times is really a charm: this is the perfect wireless mouse. For right-handed users then, left-handers unfortunately cannot enjoy this perfection.
