As they’re today mostly popular for their gaming mice models, like their G604 for example, Logitech was before, and when I think about it that was waaay before, leaning more onto their productivity portfolio since the gaming niche wasn’t that widespread. You all probably remember models like the M500, MX1000, Performance MX or even ones that came with a combo solution like the Wave Pro. Since we already talking about it, what was your favorite model you ever had or still have, leave a comment down below!
One of the models which over time also received a status of an icon is definitely their MX Master series, which is now coming in its third generation – the MX Master 3. On first glance, it looks like there’s minimal difference between it and the MX Master 2S model, but let’s dig in a bit deeper and see how much resemblance is there, besides their same price of 99$.
The MX Master 3 also has that bulkier shape which is aiming to suit into your hand more naturally once you put your palm around it, which is why it has this raised up the portion that slowly slopes on one side, forcing your palm to be in a more natural position. We still have this protruded left side portion with a resting pad for your thumb, which also has an integrated switch function on the bottom. Overall, when it comes to its appearance, you can notice that Logitech used a little bit of a different design approach while keeping the same shape philosophy and listening to users’ feedback.
Logitech MX Master 3 – same shape, different look
And when I say users feedback, I’m particularly referring to the upper thumb portion on the left side of the mouse, where they’ve lowered down and pushed forward the back and forward switches, which makes them much easier to reach, while they also distinctly separated them from each other, so you don’t misclick one of them, which was a problem with the MX Master 2S. They’ve also bumped up the size of the side scroll wheel, which is now even more precise in my opinion, and I love how they use a completely metal construction, so you know it will last you. The middle scroll wheel basically the same upgrade, it’s now bigger and all-metal, and it features Mag Speed wheel technology which uses electromagnets in order to seamlessly switch between the normal tactile and resistance-free scrolling. Last but not the least, Logitech moved the battery LED indicator to a more visible place, behind the horizontal scroll wheel, as before it was very easy to block it from your view with your thumb.
The most obvious similarity comes once you turn both mice onto its back, their resemblance is uncanny here, starting from the Telfon gliding areas, sensors, and switches. MX Master 3 once again beside the ability to connect over Logitech Unify receiver, has a very useful feature of an added Bluetooth connection, so you can connect up to three devices onto them, and switch seamlessly between each device using this dedicated switch.
Since the overall shape is more or less the same, ergonomics which the new Logitech MX Master 3 offers is very similar compared to its predecessor. it’s just a bit narrower when you put it next to MX Master 2S, so the palm resting area is a bit smaller, but that didn’t have any effect on the way I grip onto it or its comfort. It’s definitely more suited for palm grip style users, and for my average, to large-sized hand, it still fits me perfectly, zero complaints. Although It’s not a light mouse by any means, compared to a gaming mouse like the Corsair Nightsword RGB, with its just above 140 grams of weight, it does move around nicely and without any hesitation. Of course, you’re not going to pair it something like a Logitech G915 keyboard, but you could definitely play a game or two with it. If these two are still too big for your hands, or you prefer a different grip style, you can always go for their smaller MX Anywhere 2S model, which basically has all the major features of its bigger brother, but it’s packed in a smaller package. It’s also possible that we’ll soon see a new model for this series since it and MX Master 2S came out at the around same time.
New software package for MX Master 3
In terms of its performance, since it still uses Logitech Darkfield 4000 DPI laser sensor, the user experience that it offers in this field is on par with its predecessor. When it comes to your everyday productivity use, needs and tasks, it’s more than what you will ever need precision wise, while you could use it for some light, non-FPS gaming, but other than that, I wouldn’t make it a gaming mouse workhorse. The left and right switch are direct and tactile, as well as the bottom thumb switch, while the forward and back ones feel a bit on the soft side. The horizontal scroll wheel is very smooth and precise, while the middle scroll wheel has a distinct feel of its steps, so it can also be precise when needed, while it’s easy to activate its hyper scrolling function.
As for the software side of things, as expected, everything is controlled through very clean looking and straightforward Logitech’s Options application, and with the MX Master 3 model, we got a slight upgrade of features in this area too. Now you’ll get a few preloaded profiles to choose from, and they have differently pre-mapped keys, depending on what application is in question. Obviously, those are mostly productivity applications in question, like Word, Excel, Photoshop, Premiere Pro and so on, and these last two were ones I’ve used the most since I edit my videos and thumbnails in them, and it definitely helped me out from the get-go with their default mapping, without any need to tamper with the bindings further, although you could do that if you want to, remap a certain function of the preloaded profile with another one or just use a custom keystroke assignment.
Of course, besides the preloaded profiles you can also make and customize your own profile depending on the application you’re using, which is something you would do anyway on the MX Master 2S since it doesn’t have any profiles preloaded, while you’re also missing out on certain mapping possibilities with it compared to the MX Master 3. Other than that in here you can set up your DPI level, change the sensitivity of the activation point for the hyper scroll wheel and other settings, and also check your battery status.
The best mouse for work?
Speaking of that, the battery setup is also the same, we have a 500 mAh integrated Li-Po battery which can offer up to 70 days of work on a single charge, so basically nothing’s changed here. But, we finally got a USB Type-C port on the mouse itself for charging it up and as a cherry on the top, it also supports quick charge where you can get a three-hour use from a one-minute charge.
With all that said, bottom line, is there a difference between the MX Master 3 and MX Master 2S models? Basically, this was a so to speak an overhaul of an existing model, as Logitech had a good product, to begin with, and now they just took the current formula and improved upon it on everything that was missing or misplaced, buuuut, I don’t think it’s worth jumping over from the MX Master 2S onto the new MX Master 3 solely based on those changes. On the other hand, for anyone else who is in for a new mouse, if you’re a long-time user of an older model and you’re in search of your new everyday companion, the MX Master 3 would definitely be a top choice in regards to segment that it represents.
That’s it for this time, I hope this Logitech MX Master 3 review will let you decided which mouse to buy easier, if you have any question feel free to hit me in the comments section of my YouTube video listed above, you can contact me via my social media channels!
