Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3 [Setups]

Sometimes a setup post on social media can express a common problem or disagreement quite well. Today’s Mac Studio and dual-Studio Display rig is pretty good example, showing the divide between users of Magic Mouse and one of its top competitors — Logitech MX Master 3 (and 3S) wireless mouse. So Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3 is on.

Commenters split themselves into pro Magic Mouse and pro Logitech MX camps. And a bunch of them sought middle ground, finding things to like — or hate — about both mice.

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Mac Studio setup with dual Studio Displays sparks mouse fight: Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3

Redditor FaithlessnessDry387 showcased the setup in a post entitled, “You guys were right; the Magic Mouse is ass, MX Master FTW.” They run a 60-core M2 Ultra Mac Studio desktop computer with two Studio Displays.

But that formidable gear accounted for a low percentage of remarks in the comments section. After all, Faith threw down a gauntlet by proclaiming “Magic Mouse is ass” in his title, along with “MX Master FTW [for the win].” And those remarks drew plenty of folks who agreed and others who didn’t, plus a few who hate both mice.

“I used to assume that Apple devices naturally require Apple accessories, but I’ve since realized that it’s all about style over substance,” Faith said.  “Although the Magic Mouse is aesthetically pleasing and has its advantages, it ultimately prioritizes form over function and makes some significant compromises.”

Ouch. But Magic Mouse supporters rallied. As did those for Logi MX Master.

Pro Magic Mouse comments

• I’m quite satisfied with the Magic Mouse actually. It fits my hand and the swipe gestures / scrolling is second to none. I even like the deliberate position of the charging port, making the mouse perfect in its design. Charging takes only a few minutes and a 100% charge literally lasts for months if you turn of the mouse if not in use. I really don’t get all the hate the device receives.
• The amount of hate the Magic Mouse gets always baffles me. Maybe my hand is built differently. Works great for me.
• MX Mice have hilariously low polling rates [which is how often the mouse updates its position to the computer, expressed in Hz].
• Those MX Master mice? Only product I’ve ever returned to Amazon. Bulky and so heavy without any real kind up upside, I don’t get it.

Gestures and ‘finger grip’

• It’s excellent with gestures and scrolling, and, in my experience, it really doesn’t deserve the hate. It’s a “finger grip,” which is very different from what many are used to, but it’s just a different way of handling a mouse. I used it for more than 10 years, perfectly comfortably, with no issues. Are other mice “better?” Yeah, I think so, for many, and for myself, but the Magic Mouse is a perfectly decent mouse, and far superior to most basic mice you’d find in an office.
• Comment: “Ergonomically it’s garbage.” Response: In what sense? Your palm and wrist wrests on the table in a very natural way, and your fingers move it around. Obviously you don’t like it, but that doesn’t mean it’s “ergonomically garbage.” I hate the Herman Miller Aeron chair, and vastly prefer other office chairs, but that doesn’t mean the Herman Miller Aeron chair is “ergonomically garbage.”
• I love Magic Mouse, I got one when they first came out, before I even had a Mac and have used one ever since. It’s peak mouse design and it sucks that there’s no where to go from here without making it worse.

Scrolling and zoom

• I’ve used Magic Mouse over 10 years, yes occasionally some accidental gestures, it’s unusable for gaming even I prefer use my Magic Trackpad for daily usage BUT when I traveling, when I need be precise, the MM it’s just perfect.
• I do agree about the Magic Mouse on both sides of the issues — it is a weird shape, and it charges so stupidly, however the scrolling, and the zoom is quite nice, and I wish that Logitech could tap into the same system architecture that Apple is using for that.
• No lefty MX Master available, so I’ve never experienced what using it feels like. However, I’ve been using the Magic Mouse since it came out and have never had an issue with it. Scrolling and multi touch/tap/click gestures are something I can’t see myself parting ways with at this point. I recently bought an adapter that the MM sits on which makes it fit more comfortably, and enables wireless charging. Super cool.

Pro Logitech MX Master mouse comments

• Did the exact same thing and switched to the MX Master, no more wrist cramps and accidental gestures or input lag, never ever looking back.
• Magic Mouse is too small for my hand, and yes, the MX Master is great. I keep a Magic Trackpad to the left of my keyboard for when I need the gestures.
• I loooove my MX Master. I did love the Magic Mouse for the years I used it. But my wrist pains are a thing of the past now. Honestly, I just remembered the struggles I had only now.
• Is that the MX3s? I just picked up the “S” model, and I wasn’t sure what the big deal was. It clicks with less effort I think, and is certainly more quiet. I have had I think 4 or 5 MX mice over the years – I tend to upgrade and rehome them with friends and family. The MX is a game changer when you get a moment to map the buttons to app specific functions and shortcuts.
• MX master has smooth scrolling. It can transition from clicky scrolling to free spin via the driver, or the function button behind the scroll wheel.
• That magic mouse should be an OSHA violation. Fight me.

Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3 middle ground: Both can be good (or awful)

Unsurprisingly, when it’s Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3, some people are going to find positives (and negatives!) in both.

• I hear you on accidental gestures, and I prefer my MX Master too, but I used the Magic Mouse for over a decade with no wrist cramps or input lag to speak of.
• I think a lot of it comes from the fact that [Magic Mouse is] one of the only mice on the market that’s designed for a “finger grip,” and most people just have a hard time adjusting to that when they’re used to a “palm” or “claw” grip. It feels “wrong” to them.
• Magic Mouse has amazing scrolling, another league of scrolling. But yes, its shape is crappy and it’s heavy. I use the Logitech superlight. Scrolling not as good obviously, but comfort and weight is amazing.
• I like gestures of the Magic Mouse, but the height of it is what kills me. it HURTS to use after awhile. I have a Logitech Triathlon mouse and love it. Download https://macmousefix.com it allows you to create easy to use gestures for the extra buttons. I needed an easy way to swipe between desktops/full screen apps and this tool allowed me to do that with my mouse.

‘As excellent as it is terrible’

• The Magic Mouse is as excellent as it is terrible. I use it specifically for 3d modeling as the ability to scroll sideways on it is indispensable for 3D work. However, this is the only instance I actually use it with. Normal browsing I use a Logitech verticals ergonomic mouse as it feels better on my wrists.
• Hated the Magic Mouse it was way too flat and low. The MX mouse gave me hand pains a couple minutes in. I settled on a cheap $30 Steelseries mouse from Best Buy and have never looked back.
• I agree the Magic Mouse is quite terrible. OK in a pinch – but I actually hated the MX Master. Used it for about 5 minutes and returned it. Been using Steelseries mice for years now. Currently use the Aerox wireless. Love it.

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