I've always been fascinated by mice, and after owning different ones for my various tasks and on both Mac and PC; I have to say that this generation's changes are truly superb. The shape has altered slightly from previous models, which was already extremely comfortable, but now it seems more like a longer, curved version designed to fit comfortably in the palm.
The scroll wheel is still as smooth and silent as ever, with near-silence scroll bumps paired with new clickers that make a bit more of a thud than usual. The tactile feedback from clicking remains excellent, not too mushy or clunky despite its dulled sound. The new thumb button for the action wheel has added an impressive range of possibilities to the mouse, making it feel even more comfortable.
Customizing the wheel and buttons, sensitivity, and controls per app was always a delight; however, I've started to think that moving the gesture control to a button might mean I'll have to get used to not having gestures on my thumb. Fortunately, these can be easily swapped out if needed, allowing for customization later in the process.
The software has copied most of my MxM3 settings over seamlessly, making setup time almost instant. The mouse is also still compatible with Bluetooth paired devices, such as my iPad and MacBook Pro; however, it dropped support for USB unifying receivers which I prefer using with my monitors instead of this new standard connector.
The material used in the mouse has improved significantly, replacing softer plastics that degraded over time with newer ones now offering a harder back. The sides and thumb area have also undergone some changes to feel smoother, but they can still feel sticky if not cleaned properly; however, I'm hopeful about its long-term longevity due to these materials.
For those who don't already own an MX Master, there are so many useful functions available – one of the biggest surprises is the ability to switch between "infinite" free wheel scrolling and dynamic free-wheeling based on how fast you're scrolling. It's amazing how well this works; I can even dynamically switch between these two modes at will.
The new haptics add a bit of a gimmick, but they grow on me over time; the default level of medium is still strong enough to detect when you're holding it, but I prefer it lower or subtle. The battery life has also been consistently high, staying above 90% for an average of too early.
One thing that's slightly more accessible now is the horizontal scroll; a new feature that makes it easier to navigate through documents and files on the screen. It feels smoother, with a firmer scroll compared to a capacitive wheel like some other devices I've used. The ability to track this movement accurately even when your thumb isn't on the wheel has been greatly improved.
I've also noticed that gesture controls default to what's expected; however, more advanced users can customize these for their specific needs and preferences. This includes being able to configure the default layout as desired, making it feel very flexible and adaptable to different situations.
Overall, I'm extremely pleased with this mouse; its balance of features, quality materials, and performance make it truly perfect at its price point. While it's not the best device for gaming or heavy usage tasks, it's a fantastic all-around option that has exceeded my expectations in many ways.
V. Ziegler - 01/01/2026
