Logitech’s MX Grasp sequence has lengthy set the gold normal for productiveness mice, due to a bevy of useful options, together with a scroll wheel that switches between easy and ratcheted movement, a thumb wheel for different capabilities, a slew of programmable buttons and the flexibility to change between three wi-fi connections. The Logitech MX Grasp 3S affords only a few adjustments from its quick predecessor, the MX Grasp 3, upgrading to an 8,000 DPI sensor from a 4,000 DPI one, altering to quieter (however much less tactile) switches and utilizing a Logi Bolt dongle as an alternative of a Logitech Unifying receiver.
Nevertheless, the $99 Logitech MX Grasp 3S is the finest wi-fi mouse for productiveness principally due to what it retains from the prior mannequin: a incredible hand-friendly grip, sturdy construct high quality, Logitech’s Move software program for shifting your pointer between totally different gadgets, plus a ton of customization potentialities due to Logitech’s highly effective Choices+ app. Should you’re on the lookout for a mouse that can assist you code, edit movies, crop photographs or simply get work accomplished, this one is difficult to beat.
Specs for Logitech MX Grasp 3S
| Sensor Sort | Laser |
| Sensor Mannequin | Darkfield |
| Sensitivity | As much as 8,000 DPI |
| Connectivity | 3 Gadgets (Logi Bolt or Bluetooth LE) |
| Programmable Buttons | 7 (together with scroll wheel) |
| Measurements | 3.3 x 2 x 4.9 inches (84.3 x 51 x 124.9 mm) |
| Weight | 0.31 kilos (141g) |
| Coloration Choices | Black, Graphite, Mild Grey |
| Rated Battery Life | 70 Days (USB-C Charging) |
| Guarantee | U.S.: 1 12 months, EMEA: 2 years |
Design and Consolation of Logitech MX Grasp 3S
Should you’ve seen the previous-gen Logitech MX Grasp 3, you’d be forgiven for not with the ability to inform it aside from the MX Grasp 3S. The design hasn’t modified in any respect, although the colour choice has, ever-so-slightly, as there at the moment are graphite, black and light-weight grey colours as an alternative of simply black and mid-gray. In keeping with Logitech, the black MX Grasp 3S will solely be obtainable at brick and mortar retailers. The graphite shade is about as bland of a shade of grey as one can think about, whereas the sunshine grey is just about white and appears good however exhibits dust extra simply. I want Logitech would supply bolder shade decisions because it did with the “Midnight Teal” MX Grasp 2S, however the purpose here’s a very conservative look that gained’t stand out an excessive amount of within the workplace.
At 3.3 x 2 x 4.9 inches (84.3 x 51 x 129.4 mm) and 0.31 kilos (141g), the MX Grasp 3S isn’t a small mouse, nevertheless it’s in the identical ballpark as rivals, such because the Razer’s Professional Click on (3.1 x 1.8 x 5 inches, 0.23 kilos). With that dimension and dimensions, it’s properly formed for somebody with medium-to-large fingers and it simply feels fantastic to carry. The primary touchpoints on the mouse – the left facet and heel space – are all made out of luxuriously rubberized materials that’s extraordinarily gentle and nice for resting your hand on.
There’s a mild scoop-shaped slope on the left facet and a resting spot to your thumb (that is positively a right-handed mouse) that doubles as an additional, configurable button, although I want this “hidden button” beneath the thumb relaxation was simpler to press as I wanted to unnaturally attain again to hit it, as a result of the pressable half is on the base of the thumb. On the MX Grasp 3, which has been my every day driver for months, this button was extraordinarily stiff however on the MX Grasp 3S, it’s a lot softer although nonetheless in the identical, less-than-convenient place.
The ahead / again buttons and horizontal scroll wheel are conveniently-placed proper above the thumb relaxation space, together with an LED charge-indicator mild that solely lights up once you’re charging the mouse or it’s low on battery. On high of the mouse are the scroll wheel, proper and left click on buttons and a small button under the scroll wheel that’s configurable however defaults to altering the scroll wheel’s mode.
Utilizing magnets to regulate the quantity of friction, the “MagSpeed” wheel can toggle between FreeSpin and Ratchet mode scrolling. So, if you wish to scroll actually rapidly, the wheel can loosen up and supply little or no resistance, permitting you to go previous 1,000 strains per second. However, for those who want precision, it should change again to offering tactile bumps as you progress. By default, the Logitech Choices+ software program makes use of a characteristic known as SmartShift to change the modes forwards and backwards primarily based on how briskly you might be spinning the wheel. In observe, I discovered SmartShift, which you’ll modify the sensitivity of in software program, greater than enough so I by no means wanted to make use of the handbook toggle button.
The underside of the Logitech MX Grasp 3S is similar to the prior mannequin, with three easy black strips to assist the machine glide round, an influence change, the Darkfield sensor and the device-switching button. We’ll cowl this extra under once we discuss connectivity. However having to show the mouse over to be able to change from one connection to a different is actually lame, though for those who’re primarily utilizing the mouse with one laptop at a time, this most likely gained’t matter to you.
For charging, there’s a USB-C port on the entrance of the mouse, in a recessed area. You’ll be able to’t strictly use the mouse through a wired USB connection, however it could cost whereas related wirelessly and I discovered that having it plugged in didn’t make it any harder to maneuver the mouse round.
New and Polarizing Buttons on the Logitech MX Grasp 3S
In essentially the most radical change from prior MX Grasp mice, the MX Grasp 3S’ left and proper click on buttons use new, quiet switches that Logitech says supply 90 % noise discount over the prior mannequin. The switches are certainly considerably quieter than these of most mice, however in addition they have a very totally different really feel which might appear mushier and fewer tactile.
My first response to those buttons was adverse, as they appear to supply much less suggestions than common buttons. Nevertheless, in addition they seem to require much less actuation pressure which implies that I don’t should press as exhausting and, in principle, my clicking finger ought to get much less put on and tear. After utilizing the mouse for a number of days, I turned accustomed to the softer really feel and, at this level, I feel I prefer it higher because it does supply some good tactility and by no means makes me really feel like I’m bottoming out whereas clicking.
I additionally confirmed the MX Grasp 3S’s buttons to some different folks, none of whom spent a lot time with it. My coworker, Andrew, who likes quieter keyboard switches appreciated the lighter really feel. Nevertheless, my spouse and son actually disliked it.
No matter you concentrate on the texture of the mouse buttons, they positively ship on their promise of being quieter. I rapid-clicked the MX Grasp 3S and the MX Grasp 3 on a Google Meet name with my coworkers and so they may clearly hear the three however barely made out the 3S. Nevertheless, neither mouse was audible once I turned on Google Meet’s noise-canceling characteristic, which is enabled by default. On condition that Zoom has an analogous characteristic, it’s not clear that having a quieter mouse issues for convention calls. Nevertheless, for those who’re in an in-person assembly or working in close-quarters with others, the decrease noise stage might be useful.
Productiveness Efficiency of Logitech MX Grasp 3S
The Logitech MX Grasp 3S is a pleasure to work with. The mixture of its comfortable grip, electromagnetic scroll wheel, thumb wheel and incredible sensor makes it straightforward to get extra accomplished. The Darkfield sensor works easily on nearly any floor, even glass. Once I positioned it on high of a glass pill display screen, navigation was simply as correct because it was on a mousepad.
The sensor can go from 200 all the way in which as much as 8,000 DPI, double the 4,000 DPI of the MX Grasp 3. Nevertheless, the mouse defaults to 1,000 DPI (because it did on the MX Grasp 3) so you must go into the Logi Choices+ app and alter it earlier than you’ll really see a distinction.
Logitech instructed me that the aim of doubling the sensor DPI is to assist customers who’ve a number of screens transfer their pointers round all that display screen actual property with out pushing the mouse too far and overworking your wrists. I’m the best viewers for this characteristic, as a result of I exploit a four-monitor setup at dwelling and, certainly, turning up the DPI in Logi Choices+ made it simpler for me to navigate round my desktops, however I’m undecided that I want far more than 4,000 DPI. Turning my DPI up all the way in which to eight,000 or near it made the pointer too quick for me to keep away from overshooting my targets. Nevertheless, 5,000 DPI appeared like a candy spot on my four-monitor setup.
The MagSpeed scroll wheel was an enormous comfort to me enhancing lengthy paperwork, vertically navigating giant spreadsheets or studying net pages. I discovered the SmartShift characteristic greater than enough for switching between FreeSpin and Ratchet modes routinely so I didn’t must manually toggle utilizing the shift wheel mode button.
I discovered the thumbwheel notably helpful as a result of it allowed me to zoom out and in on net pages, paperwork or PHP and JavaScript recordsdata I used to be enhancing in Notepad++. Along with utilizing it for zooming, you possibly can configure the wheel for horizontal scrolling, quantity management, navigating amongst tabs, ahead/again or a keyboard shortcut.
Connectivity and Logitech Move on MX Grasp 3S
Like its predecessors, the Logitech MX Grasp 3S can hook up with as much as three gadgets wirelessly and rapidly change amongst them utilizing both the Simple-Change button on its backside or the Logi Move characteristic of the Logi Choices+ app. You’ll be able to join through both Bluetooth or a Logi Bolt dongle. One Logi Bolt dongle that is already pre-paired along with your mouse comes within the field, however you may as well use a dongle that you simply bought elsewhere for those who pair with it utilizing Choices+. You don’t want the software program to do Bluetooth pairing, which is vital as a result of solely Home windows and macOS can run the app.
Observe that the MX Grasp 3S isn’t backward suitable with Logitech’s Unifying Receiver, which was the dongle normal earlier than Bolt and the one used with the MX Grasp 3. The Logi Bolt can be not backward suitable with gadgets that work with the Unifying Receiver. The corporate has been switching to Bolt from Unifying Receiver as a result of Bolt affords higher safety and fewer latency, notably in environments with plenty of wi-fi gadgets. However for those who’re invested in a number of Logitech gadgets and don’t need to use a number of USB ports for these gadgets, the transition remains to be a ache.
The Logi Move characteristic is actually useful if in case you have a number of Home windows or macOS gadgets side-by-side and also you need to use them as in the event that they have been one lengthy desktop. I activated Move on my Home windows 10 desktop and my Home windows 11 laptop computer, which I positioned to the best of my screens. After a quite simple setup course of by which I chosen the gadgets and positioned them as containers subsequent to one another in Choices+, I used to be capable of change computer systems simply by dragging my mouse pointer off of the best facet of the display screen.
As a result of I’ve 4 screens on my desktop, stacked in a 2×2 format, I generally by chance ended up dragging my pointer onto the laptop computer once I was simply attempting to maneuver between the highest proper and backside proper screens as going off the best facet of the highest monitor or the underside monitor each took me to the laptop computer. I strongly suggest enabling the “Maintain CTRL and Transfer Cursor to Edge” setting, which gained’t change gadgets until you’re additionally holding down the CTRL key.
Maybe most significantly, I used to be capable of take the contents of the clipboard with me once I switched between my two PCs, copying textual content or a picture on the laptop computer after which pasting it into any app I wished to on the desktop. That is notably helpful if I need to seize screenshots from Home windows 11 after which edit them on my Home windows 10 laptop.
Should you use Move so much, you’ll actually profit from utilizing certainly one of Logitech’s MX Mechanical keyboards (or its older, non-mechanical MX Keys keyboards) as they will change profiles routinely alongside along with your mouse. After pairing my MX Mechanical keyboard with the laptop computer and toggling the “Hyperlink Keyboard” choice to on in Logi Choices, the system labored flawlessly as I dragged my pointer forwards and backwards.
If you wish to change to a tool that may’t run Logi Choices+, you possibly can’t use Move and should depend on the Simple-Change button. I exploit a Raspberry Pi with Linux as a part of my workflow, so I discovered it actually irritating that the tiny Simple-Change button is on the underside of the mouse the place it’s exhausting to achieve. Different Logitech Mice, such because the Triathlon M720, remedy this downside by placing that button on high, however the MX Grasp line hasn’t gotten the memo that some customers want simpler handbook switching. It will be good for those who may customized configure one of many different buttons, maybe the Shift wheel button or thumb button, to function Simple-Change. However a minimum of proper now, you can not. It will even be good if switching gadgets manually in your MX Mechanical keyboard would change the mouse to the identical machine, however that’s not an choice both.
Software program and Customization of Logitech MX Grasp 3S
You need to use the Logitech MX Grasp 3S with none software program in any respect and it’ll function at default settings for the buttons, wheels and DPI. Nevertheless, to get essentially the most out of it or to make use of Move, you must set up Logi Choices+, which is the brand new identify for Logitech’s Choices software program. Obtainable for Home windows or macOS, Choices+ lets you customise every button and each scroll wheels by app, management the MagSpeed wheel’s DPI and modes, arrange Move and see a listing of all of the gadgets your mouse is paired with. The software program additionally backs up your settings to the cloud, ought to you must reinstall the software program or begin contemporary on a brand new laptop.
I discovered that customizing the buttons supplied a extremely good strategy to maximize my productiveness, however you must be sure to have the settings tweaked for the apps you utilize most. By default, the thumb wheel allows horizontal scrolling in Home windows however tab switching in Chrome. However I wished to guarantee that it zooms in Chrome and horizontal scrolls in Excel and was in a position to take action.
Although Choices+ contains default settings for a lot of apps, together with Phrase, Powerpoint, Chrome, Edge, Zoom and Groups, you possibly can add any utility you need as I discovered once I created customized settings for Notepad++, my favourite code editor. Once I wished to program the shift wheel button to change tabs in this system, a perform that usually requires hitting CTRL + PgUp, I merely chosen Keyboard Shortcut because the output for that button in Notepad++.
As highly effective as Logi Choices+ is, there’s nonetheless loads of room for enchancment. As famous above, you possibly can’t program any of the buttons to change gadgets – you possibly can solely use the underside button for that. I additionally couldn’t discover a strategy to set any of my buttons to mute my microphone in Home windows, although there’s an choice to make it mute your audio system. Since so lots of the instruments I exploit are web-based, I’d actually love to have the ability to customise the buttons by web site, reasonably than having the identical controls for something I do in Chrome or Edge. For instance, it could be extra useful if I may program the horizontal scroll wheel to be zoom in Google Docs however horizontal scroll in Google Sheets and quantity management in Google Meet.
Battery Lifetime of Logitech MX Grasp 3S
Logitech charges the Logitech MX Grasp 3S for as much as 70 days of battery life, identical to the MX Grasp 3. There wasn’t time to place this declare to the take a look at, however after a couple of week of wi-fi use, Logi Choices+ reported that the battery was nonetheless at 95 % of capability. The MX Grasp 3, which has been my every day driver for a number of months, appears to want a contemporary cost each 6 weeks or so.
The excellent news is that, in case your MX Grasp 3S is operating low on juice, you should utilize it whereas it’s charging. Simply remember that it wants a wi-fi connection to your laptop to work even when it’s plugged in.
Backside Line
Whether or not you’re a developer, a artistic skilled, an workplace employee or a pupil, having a greater mouse can assist you get extra accomplished in much less time. At $99, the Logitech MX Grasp 3S is pricey, however appropriately priced for a top-of-the-line productiveness mouse because it matches the MSRP of each its predecessor and its essential rivals: the Microsoft Precision Mouse and the Razer Professional Click on, neither of which have thumb wheels or Logi Move. And, whereas you may get an honest wi-fi mouse for a lot much less, the MX Grasp 3S can change the way in which you’re employed, particularly for those who use a number of gadgets.
If you have already got an MX Grasp 3, the upgrades most likely don’t present a compelling sufficient cause so that you can improve (chances are you’ll even be turned off by the quiet buttons). And for those who see an MX Grasp 3, which Logitech says that it’ll cease making, at a strong low cost, it’s best to strongly think about it. Nevertheless, in order for you the very best wi-fi productiveness mouse in the marketplace at this time, the Logitech MX Grasp 3S is it.