Logitech MX Anywhere 3S Compact Wireless Performance Mouse 2023 REVIEW

Compact mouse exceeds expectations on many levels.

For many years I’ve used a compact wireless mouse. Most recently, it was the MX Anywhere 2S by Logitech, but before that it was a very simple portable wireless mouse. Ever since I graduated high school, my main computer has been a laptop and the small wireless mouses just make the most sense for me. I know many people might feel that they are too small but I’ve not had any issues with my hands cramping up or any other size-related problems.

The MX Anywhere 2S was originally released in 2015 and the 3S model, which this review is about, was launched just this year (2023) in May. I don’t remember when I originally got the 2S but I’ve gotten many good years out of it and it still works like a champ. That said, I was thrilled to learn about the 3S model being released and even more excited to be able to finally get my hands on it.

Main Features

Dimensions

• Height: 3.96 in (100.5 mm)
• Width: 2.56 in (65 mm)
• Depth: 1.35 in (34.4 mm)
• Weight: 3.49 oz (99 g)

Sensor Technology

• Darkfield high precision
• Nominal value: 1000 DPI
• DPI (Minimal and maximal value): 200-8000 DPI (can be set in increments of 50 DPI)

Buttons

• 6 buttons (Left/Right-click, Back/Forward, Wheel mode-shift, Middle click)
• Scroll Wheel: Yes, with auto-shift
• Horizontal scroll: Yes, by holding side button while turning the wheel

Battery

• Rechargeable Li-Po (500 mAh) battery
• Stays powered up to 70 days on a single full charge. Get three hours of use from a one-minute quick charge. 1Battery life may vary based on user and computing conditions.

Sustainability

• Graphite plastics: 78% post-consumer recycled material 2Excludes plastic in printed wiring assembly (PWA), receiver, wire, FFC cable, and packaging.
• Black plastics: 78% post-consumer recycled material 3Excludes plastic in printed wiring assembly (PWA), receiver, wire, FFC cable, and packaging.
• Pale Gray/Rose plastics: 61% post-consumer recycled material 4Excludes plastic in printed wiring assembly (PWA), receiver, wire, FFC cable, and packaging.
• Paper Packaging: FSC™-certified
• Certified carbon neutral

Compatibility

• Requires Bluetooth Low Energy Technology
• Engineered for Intel® Evo™ Laptops
• Windows 10, 11 or later
• macOS® 10.15 or later
• Linux® 5Device basic functions will be supported without software for operating systems other than Windows and macOS.
• ChromeOS™ 6Device basic functions will be supported without software for operating systems other than Windows and macOS.
• iPadOS 14 or later
• Android™ 8.0 or later 7Device basic functions will be supported without software for operating systems other than Windows and macOS
• Compatible with Logi Bolt USB Receiver (not included); Not compatible with other Logitech USB receivers.

In The Box

• Mouse
• USB-C charging cable (USB-A to USB-C)
• User documentation

Warranty Information

• 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty

Pricing & Availability

The MX Anywhere 3S mouse is available for $79.99 through logitech.com and Amazon. It comes in four different colors – Graphite, Rose, Black, and Pale Grey.

User Experience

The MX Anywhere 3S mouse comes in a dark Logitech-branded box. The front has an image of the mouse included with the name and main features included. One of the callout features of this device is the Magspeed scroll wheel, which is meant to be hyper-fast with pixel-precise scrolling. More on that feature in a moment.

When I took the mouse out of the box, I immediately noticed the absence of a USB dongle. The reason this was apparent to me was because I switch back and forth between two MacBooks throughout the day. In between the two, I have a Thunderbolt 4 dock to connect all the same peripherals thorough. I used a wireless keyboard in addition to the Anywhere mouse and even though Bluetooth works well with both laptops, I’ve found that it’s much easier to have a wireless adapter connected to the dock so that I don’t have to worry about switch Bluetooth inputs each time I swap machines.

So, I was a little disappointed for an adapter to not be included. The 3S is compatible with the Logi Bolt USB Receiver, which is sold separately. This receiver makes it possible for users to connect up to 6 different devices to one receiver instead of having one for each item. Unfortunately, I don’t have the Bolt Receiver but I haven’t had any issues with the Bluetooth connection on either laptop other than forgetting to switch inputs on the mouse and wondering why the mouse suddenly doesn’t work.

After I connected the mouse to my primary laptop (2020 M1 MacBook Air), I made sure that I had the most recent version of the Logi+ Options app installed and configured the mouse buttons to my preferred actions (left/right buttons switch between desktops and center button reveals Mission Control).

One of the features I want to point out while I’m talking about the Logi+ app is the scroll wheel. I mentioned that it is the Magspeed wheel, which means that the mouse uses magnets rather than it being a mechanical contact. Probably the greatest benefit of designing the scroll wheel like this is that it has less parts to wear out over time.

While I have gotten used to it now, the SmartShift feature is a little odd at first. What it does is automatically switch scrolling from line-by-line to hyper-fast scrolling when you physically scroll faster. It’s kind of like switching between the racheting scroll and free-spinning modes without meaning to. I like it now, but at first, it felt a little off to me. The nice thing is that the Logi+ app gives you the option to turn that feature off.

The MX Anywhere 3S mouse has not disappointed me and it’s been a real workhorse for me. I love the soft click feel and the slight size difference between it and the 2S model. I feel like this 3S is a true upgrade from the model before. It is sleek and smooth in form and function.

Conclusion

The Logitech MX Anywhere 3S mouse emerges as a reliable and efficient companion for daily tasks. While the absence of a bundled USB dongle was initially disappointing, the seamless Bluetooth connectivity between host computers and the option to use the Logi Bolt USB Receiver for multiple devices provide convenient solutions. The mouse’s soft click feel and sleek design make the MX Anywhere 3S a commendable upgrade and a reliable workhorse for diverse computing needs.

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