Logitech MX Master 3 vs MX Master 3S: Should You Upgrade?

If you are currently using a standard or less expensive Logitech mouse and have grown weary of its poor performance and desire to have a more expensive or effective mouse in your hand to complete your work effectively but are unsure which to purchase or upgrade, then take a look at this post. We’ll be comparing two well-known mice for their productivity today, so I was interested to see what Logitech’s new Logitech MX Master 3S and Logitech MX Master 3 had to offer. I’ve been using these mice in my workflow for more than a month, and I’m confident they’re among the best productivity mice on the market.

MX Master 3	MX Master 3S
BUY NOW	BUY NOW
PROS	PROS
+ Excellent build quality. +Amazing ergonomic design. + Compatible with both Windows and macOS. + Many programmable buttons.	+ Feels remarkably well-built. +Ergonomic right-handed shape. + Connects wirelessly with its included Logitech BOLT USB receiver or Bluetooth. + Quiet left- and right-click buttons.
CONS	CONS
– May not be ideal for those with small hands. – Very low polling rate. – Not as many side buttons as dedicated MMO mice.	– Fairly bulky; isn’t easy to slip into laptop bags or cases. – Fairly large; isn’t well-suited for smaller hands. – No storage compartment for its USB receiver.

Logitech MX Master 3 vs MX Master 3S: Specs

Logitech MX Master 3 vs MX Master 3S: Design

Let’s start with the appearance. The MX Master 3 looks nice, but I would have preferred it if it had also been offered in white. While it does look nice in grey, a white keyboard would have looked better next to it. The MX Master 3S is identical to its predecessor in appearance and weighs 141.2 g, while the MX Master 3 is the same size and weighs roughly 142.3 g. It measures 126 mm tall, 84 mm wide, and 52 mm deep.

The MX Master 3S’s construction is exceptional and unlike anything else you’ll find; the mouse works on almost any surface, including glass, and the feet allow it to glide over the top very smoothly. The rubber body has a pleasant texture on the hand, and the weight gives it a premium appearance. This mouse’s ergonomic design makes it incredibly comfortable to use for extended periods, provided you aren’t left-handed.

The exterior of the MX Master 3 was also painted white. The mouse is generally well constructed, and the soft touch finish, particularly on the palm rest, is upscale. However, there is too much plastic on the mouse’s other components. Adding more aluminum elements would have been a nice touch because the mouse doesn’t look that premium or appropriate for the price tag with the seams on the silver parts.

Logitech MX Master 3 vs MX Master 3S: Buttons

The MX Master 3S mouse pad makes me feel like I have much control over it, making editing much easier. The placement and texture of the two side buttons took some getting used to, but now that I’ve used the mouse every day for more than a month, I have no problems with them. There is a tab that you can feel to know where the button is, but pressing it has a very mushy feel.

The front mouse buttons, which are used for most mouse interactions, and the two thumb buttons on the side are nice and clicky. Unfortunately, the down button that enables you to use the mouse’s gestures is quite mushy and does not feel premium. It is also difficult to press with your thumb because it could be more tactile. This could have been done better, and I would have also anticipated that on a mouse that is this expensive.

Logitech MX Master 3 vs MX Master 3S: Scroll Wheel

Of course, the new and sophisticated metal scroll wheel is one of the main features of these mice. This magnetic scroll wheel has two states and is slightly different from a typical mouse. One that scrolls through more significant documents more quickly and easily because it’s magnetic rather than mechanical, and one that clicks like you’re used to from a regular standard cheaper mouse. You will get used to the standard mode’s clicking reasonably quickly, even though it is more subtle than your regular mouse’s clicking.

Although the side scroll wheel is probably my favorite feature and I adore its more extensive protruding profile, using it is a little awkward because your finger will first brush against the rubber before doing an entire scroll. With infinite scroll, you can flick the mouse wheel to scroll up to 1000 lines in a single second, which is helpful if you’re navigating a large code base or trying to skim through an article. The main scroll wheel has the same silver construction, which looks and feels premium.

Logitech MX Master 3 vs MX Master 3S: Software

You will need to download a new software called Logi options+ in order to program every button. The software includes some predefined profiles for a variety of different apps, such as Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Google Chrome. Still, you can create your profiles to tailor them to your preferences. For example, in Chrome, you can zoom in on the browser; of course, all the other buttons can also be set up.

You can also enable different layers of functionality by pressing and holding buttons. For instance, in Photoshop, instead of simply moving the mouse around, you can pan through the document if you hold down on the mouse wheel while moving the mouse.

The pre-configured profiles for the various apps also make it easier not to have to do everything on your own, but you can still customize it if your app isn’t in there or if you want to change certain functions. All of these allow you to get creative with the functionality of this mouse and save a lot of time if you use all of the features properly.

Logitech MX Master 3 vs MX Master 3S: Connectivity

The MX Master 3 connects to your computer via Bluetooth or the included dongle. You can choose up to three Bluetooth devices and switch between them using the button at the bottom. If you turn the mouse over, the number on the bottom will also show you which device it is connected to. The connection is also reasonably dependable; I have been fine.

The MX Master 3S also has three different profiles you can connect to and easily switch between by pressing the button at the bottom. This is one benefit of using Bluetooth that I can see. Now that the outdated Unifying receiver has been replaced with the Logi Bolt receiver, it is disappointing to see that there is still no place in the mouse where the receiver can be stored when it is not in use.

Aside from the advertised security benefits that prevent hacking, I haven’t noticed any difference in feel from the Dongle I had with My 2s.

Logitech MX Master 3 vs MX Master 3S: Sensors

Although the 8000 DPI sensor feels incredibly responsive, the 4000 DPI jump in Logi Options+ will not feel smoother for everyday work. The pulling rate is still set at 125 hertz, which despite not being the intended use, makes gaming virtually unplayable at times. The MX Master 3S occasionally feels sluggish on a desktop computer with a 160-hertz monitor.

This is why I need to be more impressed with the sensor as an upgrade. There is no reason why the pulling rate shouldn’t be raised to at least 500hz because it would significantly alter the results.

The MX Master 3 has excellent tracking as well. It’s still okay because the sensor has stayed the same from earlier versions, but since this isn’t a gaming mouse, it’s not the best choice if you want to use it for FPS gaming or something similar. Additionally, for other games, none of the buttons are designed for gaming; instead, the scroll wheel and various gestures are more appropriate for productivity than gaming; there are few standard macro buttons for tasks like that.

Logitech MX Master 3 vs MX Master 3S: Battery Life

The MX Master 3’s battery life is quite impressive. I only had about 30% charge when I took it out of the box, and now, a few weeks later, I had to charge it. As a result, you won’t need to recharge the battery for a few months. It is also convenient that it has a USB type-C port, which means you can use a standard phone charger cable to charge it instead of the annoying older micro USB ports.

With the MX Master 3S, the battery life is a significant selling point. It feels almost endless, and increasing the pulling rate would significantly reduce it. Still, for me, that’s a trade-off I’m happy with, especially given how convenient it is to charge with the USB-c cable at 125 hertz on a full charge; a minute charge will provide you with three hours of use, so you shouldn’t ever have to worry about it dying on you.

Conclusion

The new 8000 dpi sensor, up from 4000, and the much quieter but less tactile mouse switches with the MX Master 3S are the most significant changes Logitech made to an already excellent mouse. The improvements are generally pretty minor, but the switches—dead silent but lacking a tactile feel like many other mice—should be your primary concern if you’re in the market. A cheaper alternative to the MX Master 3S is the MX Master 3, which offers everything except for those two factors. With all of the different buttons, this provides a lot more functionality. I can’t emphasize enough how much more comfortable the Logitech MX series is than just those cheaper claw grip mice, especially the second thumb wheel, because it’s much more premium and gives you a better shape for your hand.