Logitech MX Anywhere 3s hands-on: An almost ideal travel mouse

Logitech already makes a number of the greatest productiveness peripherals round, however with just a few key upgrades, the corporate might have simply created an almost good travel mouse. And after utilizing the brand new $80 MX Anywhere 3S for the final week and a half (together with on a visit of my very own), I’m unsure I need to use anything ever once more.

On the skin, the MX Anywhere 3S options the identical primary design as its , together with the same palette of shade choices (graphite, pale grey, and rose). The variations are on the within, the place the mouse contains a new 8K DPI optical sensor that’s extra correct than earlier than and works on virtually any floor you possibly can consider (wooden, material, glass, et cetera). You additionally get a brand new set of tremendous quiet mouse buttons just like what you discover on its bigger sibling – the – which could not sound all that necessary, however it’s very a welcome function for households the place a number of individuals are finding out/working from dwelling. Finally, as a part of Logitech’s efforts to extend the sustainability of its merchandise, the MX Anywhere 3S is constituted of as much as 78 p.c post-consumer recycled plastic (although that determine is round 61 p.c for the grey and pink fashions).

Between its new options and the already unbelievable basis, the MX Anywhere 3S is just a delight to make use of. Weighing simply 95 grams, it is lighter than just about every part except for a handful of gaming mice whereas boasting a chargeable battery that lasts as much as a whopping 70 days. You nonetheless get the flexibility to pair the mouse with as much as three completely different units (PCs, laptops, tablets and extra), and due to a really travel-friendly ambidextrous design, it really works nice in tight conditions. And whereas Logitech’s free-spinning MagSpeed mouse wheel isn’t new, scrolling really feels a tiny bit smoother than earlier than too.

The one huge departure from earlier MX Anywhere mice is that the 3S doesn’t include a dongle. Instead, for this mannequin (and certain going ahead), Logitech is relying totally on Bluetooth. One purpose for this transformation is that Logitech believes trendy Bluetooth connectivity has gotten ok {that a} devoted wi-fi receiver merely isn’t essential, and after utilizing this factor for greater than 10 days, I get it. I haven’t had a single laggy mouse stroke or delayed response the complete time I’ve used it and even on Bluetooth you continue to get assist for Logitech’s multi-device . Besides, for frequent vacationers, a dongle is only one other thing to maintain observe of (or lose totally).

That mentioned, the primary purpose why the MX Anywhere 3S doesn’t include a dongle is as a result of Logitech’s Bolt receiver continues to be solely obtainable as a USB Type-A receiver, and with most new laptops as of late solely having USB-C, it doesn’t make a ton of sense to incorporate one thing requires an adapter to make use of. Logitech says that as a result of USB-C ports are so small, there isn’t sufficient room to suit the electronics with out making the entire thing unusually cumbersome. Meanwhile with USB-A, Logitech is ready to construct tiny circuit boards that match contained in the connector itself. So whereas the corporate continues to be attempting to determine an answer, we’ll have to attend just a little longer for a USB-C model of Logitech’s Bolt receiver. That mentioned, whereas there are conditions the place having one can be helpful, I haven’t missed having a bodily dongle in any respect when utilizing the MX Anywhere 3S.

Aside from its new mouse, in the present day Logitech additionally has a few different refreshed units. On the $110 MX Keys S, new options embody extra management over backlighting brightness and automated activation settings, an up to date perform row with extra videoconferencing controls (and that at all times useful emoji key), and a contemporary pale grey mannequin to match the remainder of the MX household. Alternatively, for individuals who want a brand new suite of workplace peripherals, Logitech has created a productiveness bundle referred to as the MX Keys S Combo which incorporates the MX Keys S, an MX Master 3S mouse and the MX Palm Rest – multi function field for $200. And whereas the MX Master 3S and the wrist wrest aren’t new, contemplating that these three units would usually price $230 if bought individually, this bundle is a pleasant solution to get a reduction.

Lastly, whereas it’s been in beta for a while, in the present day alongside the MX Keys S, Logitech’s function is lastly getting an official launch. Available contained in the Logi Options+ app, Smart Actions is a neat instrument for automating numerous repetitive duties throughout a number of applications with a single keystroke. That means you possibly can create a silence command that may do stuff like mute zoom, flip off your microphone and pause your favourite music app all with a single faucet. By default, there are a variety of primary templates you possibly can browse, although they can be custom-made as wanted. And whereas I’m nonetheless testing out the bounds of Smart Actions, to this point my favourite approach to make use of it has been creating what I name my “game time” command, which opens apps like Steam, Discord, Battle.web and extra all with a single shortcut. And the good factor is that when you don’t need to create your individual Smart Actions, Logitech made them straightforward to share and import. So when you see another person with a shortcut you want, you possibly can simply ask them to ship it to you.

The MX Anywhere 3S, the MX Keys S and the MX Keys S Combo are all obtainable in the present day priced at $80, $110 and $200, respectively.

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