MX Master 3S and other Logitech mac accessories review

Mac owners sometimes feel left out when it comes to keyboards and mice. Windows users have so many choices! You can use a Windows keyboard or mouse with your Mac, but the experience can come with compromises. Like having to stare at a Windows key while wondering where the Command key is. If that’s you, you’ll be happy to hear that Logitech recently launched a trio of new accessories specifically for Mac users: the MX Master 3S Bluetooth optical mouse for Mac, the Lift vertical ergonomic mouse for Mac, and the Logitech MX Mechanical Mini wireless keyboard for Mac.

MX Master 3S Bluetooth optical mouse for Mac

 MX Master 3S and other Logitech mac accessories review

Mac users who have been using the standard wireless mouse that came with their system are missing out. Don’t get me wrong, the mouse Apple supplies is a decent one, but the Logitech MX Master 3S Bluetooth optical mouse is on a different level.

The body of the MX Master 3S is sculpted to be ergonomic and comfortable to use for extended sessions—Logitech has been perfecting this form factor for years. It is equipped with multiple buttons which offer a soft, tactile click. Each can be programmed for a wide range of apps using the company’s free Logi+ software. The integrated battery charges using USB-C and lasts up to 70 hours on a charge. It connects wirelessly to your device using Bluetooth and is also compatible with Logi Bolt USB receivers. A button on the bottom of the mouse lets you switch between three different devices. Its optical sensor offers 8K of resolution and tracks on virtually any surface.

 MX Master 3S and other Logitech mac accessories review
New MX Master 3S for Mac (L) and previous versions of this iconic mouse.

But my favourite feature is the scroll wheels. There are two on this mouse, one on top, one on the side. They are made of machined steel and the top one features MagSpeed electronic scrolling with dynamic inertia. In other words spin the scroll wheel and it will continue to spin on its own for a bit and can whip through up to 1,000 lines per second. Click the switch on top of the mouse, and the main MagSpeed wheel gains silent detents that make scrolling extremely precise.

I’ve been using a Logitech MX Master for Mac series Bluetooth mouse for a number of years now and you probably couldn’t pay me to switch. It’s worth noting that the unique design is meant for right-handed users and there is currently no option available for lefties.

Lift vertical ergonomic mouse for Mac

MX Master 3S

The second mouse I had the opportunity to test is a new one to me: the Lift vertical ergonomic Bluetooth mouse for Mac.

The design of this mouse borders on extreme—it is nearly as tall as it is long! That approach means ergonomic, comfortable, and productive mousing for hours at a time. The grip is softly textured, while the mouse’s 57-degree angle of lift results in the user’s hand being in what Logitech describes as a “natural handshake” position, for reduced pressure on the wrist.

Buttons and a scroll wheel are positioned on the sides, not the top surface of this mouse. The four buttons can be customized using Logi+ software, and a button on the bottom lets you instantly switch between three different Mac or iPadOS devices. Instead of being rechargeable, this mouse runs on a single AA battery, which is included in the box. A battery should last for up to two years of use, so you shouldn’t have to worry about constantly replacing it. When it does come time for a new battery, the compartment door on the bottom of the mouse is held in place with magnets, so it is super easy to pop open. 

One thing to know about the Lift mouse is that Logitech’s designers had small and medium-hand, right-hand users in their target. I’m right-handed, but I found this mouse just too small for my hands. If you’re not sure about sizing, you might want to consider popping by your local Best Buy store and trying one out.

Logitech MX Mechanical Mini wireless keyboard for Mac

 Logitech MX Mechanical Mini wireless keyboard for Mac review

I was thrilled when Logitech sent me a new MX Mechanical Mini wireless keyboard for Mac to test out a few months back. I work on a Mac all day and as a writer/editor, the keyboard is a critical component. I’m pretty picky about keyboards, in fact. My preference is for a mechanical keyboard (the tactile feedback helps with typing speed and accuracy), I want backlighting (I keep the lights off in my office during the day so the lighting can be a little dim), and I want it to be wireless, because who wants wires? I also want the keyboard to be Mac native, but I usually have to make do with a keyboard meant for Windows PC use and deal with the fact that it lacks a Command key. Compact is a nice to have—I don’t have much use for a standalone numeric keypad so I’d rather have the extra desk space.

The Logitech MX Mechanical Mini wireless keyboard for Mac is very nearly a perfect solution. First, it’s made specifically for the Mac, so Mac users will find the key layout familiar. You can pair it with up to three different devices.

Logitech MX Mechanical Mini wireless keyboard for Mac
The
Logitech MX Mechanical Mini wireless keyboard for Mac is smaller than a full-sized keyboard.

It’s equipped with mechanical switches, although they are of the quiet variety so you can’t fully reproduce the sound of an old-school newsroom. It’s wireless (Bluetooth) and is rated for up to 15 days of use on a charge. I plug it into USB-C for a charge every two weeks—that’s much better battery life than most backlit wireless keyboards I’ve used. There is a slight downside to that battery life, though. The white LED backlights stay on during full darkness, but in dim lighting they automatically turn off until your hand approaches the keyboard to conserve battery power. There’s no way to change that, so far as I’ve been able to find.

Not sure if a mechanical and/or mini keyboard is right for you? If you have questions, you might want to check out this post on computer keyboards I wrote. It’s a few years old, but the basics haven’t changed and it might help you pick the right keyboard for your situation.

Logitech Flow support in mice and keyboards

Logitech Flow

Finally, one of the things that these three Logitech peripherals share is support for Logitech Flow. I don’t use it myself—my two work Macs are kept strictly separated for security reasons—but if you switch between Mac, iPad, or even a Windows PC, Flow lets your cursor move from one device to another, and even copy and paste files between devices. With a multi-device setup, Flow can be a real productivity win and the use of these Logitech peripherals means you need buy only one keyboard and one mouse.

 

If you’re a Mac user—or an iPad owner looking to make the most of the latest capabilities of iPadOS—the MX Master 3S Bluetooth optical mouse for Mac, Lift vertical ergonomic mouse for Mac, and the Logitech MX Mechanical Mini wireless keyboard for Mac are all worth checking out.

Brad Moon
Editor Computing solutions
I’m a long-time electronics and gadget geek who’s been fortunate enough to enjoy a career that lets me indulge this interest. I have been writing about technology for several decades for a wide range of outlets including Wired, Gizmodo, Lifehacker, MSN, About.com, Kiplinger, and GeekDad. I’m in my 10th year as a senior contributor for Forbes with a focus on reviewing music-related tech, Apple gear, battery power stations and other consumer electronics. My day job is with the Malware Research Center at AI-native cybersecurity pioneer CrowdStrike.

260 COMMENTS

  1. The multiple programmable buttons on the MX Master 3S are fantastic. It let’s you customize actions for different apps to maximize efficiency.

  2. I love the fact that it has double scroll wheels. Each serves a purpose and would make me more efficient in my work, faster outputs as wel

  3. I like the sensor on the Logitech MX Master 3S mouse, it tracks well on the glass surface which many other mice don’t.

  4. Logitech MX Mechanical Mini wireless keyboard’s size and portability are big wins. I’d like to try them while traveling

  5. My favorite feature is the button on the bottom of the mouse that allows it to be used with 3 different devices.

  6. Logitech Flow is a very cool feature. I like the idea of being able to copy and paste onto different devices.

  7. The Logitech MX Master 3S Bluetooth optical mouse for MacOS would be fantastic. Coming with multiple buttons which offer a soft, tactile click and the fact they can each be programmed for a wide range of apps using the company’s free Logi+ software would be of great use

  8. I like that I can use it on my Mac but that it also has an integrated battery that charges using USB-C that lasts up to 70 hours on a charge. I like that it has long life between charges so that I can stay more productive for longer periods of time!

  9. Regarding the Lift vertical ergonomic Bluetooth mouse, I hope to get relief from pressure on the wrist because of the mouse’s 57-degree angle of lift which results in the user’s hand being in what Logitech describes as a “natural handshake” position.

  10. I love that the MX Mechanical Mini wireless keyboard for Mac is backlit. I prefer to keep the lights off first thing in the morning so the beautiful (eerie!) glow off my keyboard is something I like. It’s all the light I need.

  11. Logitech MX Mechanical Mini wireless keyboard’s size and portability are big wins. I’d like to try them while traveling

  12. My favourite feature is that the mouse is ergonomic for a more comfortable fit when I am using it for extended periods of time.

  13. Agree with brad that the scroll wheels on the MX master 3s are super helpful, I also love the gestures that we can configure.

  14. I like the sensor on the Logitech MX Master 3S mouse, it tracks well on the glass surface which many other mice don’t.

  15. the feature that I think would be my favorite is the ergonomic, comfortable, and productive mousing for hours at a time. I spend a lot of time at my computer and comfort and ease of musle strain is very important

  16. I love the fact that the Logitech MX Master 3S Bluetooth optical mouse is ergonomic. I’m at the computer all day and i’d love a comfortable and perfect fitting mouse for my hand.

  17. Definitely the scroll wheels. Two is always better than one as scroll wheels usually are the things that give me the most problems on my daily work at home.

    Writing and editing is made easier with the double scroll wheels (I assume) because faster response and you have two choices of which to click.

  18. I love that the Lift vertical ergonomic mouse for Mac is in a “natural handshake” position, for reduced pressure on the wrist as I have been having wrist pain!

  19. Logitech MX Mechanical Mini wireless keyboard’s size and portability are big wins. I’d like to try them while traveling on business.

  20. I love the fact that it has double scroll wheels. Each serves a purpose and would make me more efficient in my work, faster outputs as well and we know that all bosses want the work done efficiently and fast.

  21. The ergonomic design. I use a mouse for long periods of time, so having a properly designed mouse to keep my hand from cramping up over night would be a big pro.

  22. The Logitech Flow software that allows you to use your mouse between devices would be such a good feature for increasing productivity.

  23. The feature of Logitech Flow support in mice and keyboards that Brad discussed in his review is my favourite feature because of the potential to easily share files between devices.

Comments are closed.