The Logitech MX Grasp 4 is right here with haptic suggestions, much less rubber and the identical form

When you’ve shopped round for a wi-fi mouse at any level up to now decade, you’ve most likely seen plenty of individuals recommending a Logitech MX Grasp. There’s good cause for that: They aren’t low cost, however they’re often snug, versatile and loaded with options designed to make working in entrance of a monitor all day rather less annoying. The present MX Grasp 3S has sat on the prime of our personal wireless mouse buying guide for a while now.

Now, three years after releasing the 3S, Logitech is rolling out the brand new MX Master 4, which prices $120 and can ship in October. I’ve been capable of check it out for the previous few weeks.

For essentially the most half, that is an iterative replace, with the identical common form, battery life, 8K DPI sensor and ultra-quiet clicks because the MX Grasp 3S earlier than it. It’s a contact heavier (150 grams vs. 141g), wider (3.48 inches vs 3.32 in.) and taller (5.05 inches vs. 4.92 in.) than the final mannequin, however if you happen to discovered the 3S or older MX Grasp 3 snug, it’s best to have few points right here. That stated, it’s nonetheless a hefty mouse designed for palm grippers and right-handed customers: Its mild contours, beneficiant hump, ample thumb relaxation and huge buttons will match like a glove if that describes you, however lefties and people with particularly petite palms received’t agree.

The flashiest change right here is the addition of haptic suggestions, which is constructed right into a small panel throughout the mouse’s thumb relaxation. You may customise the depth of this impact via Logitech’s Choices+ software program — or flip it off completely — but it surely primarily brings a modicum of smartphone-style suggestions to your desktop. If you first pair the mouse, for one, you’ll really feel just a little bump. The identical goes if you happen to transfer between gadgets utilizing Logitech’s “Flow” feature. When battery is low, it’ll vibrate. When you’re making an attempt to exactly line up a graphic in an app like Photoshop, you’ll get just a little buzz once you’ve moved it to the precise proper spot.

You’ll additionally really feel it once you hover over choices within the Actions Ring, a customizable overlay that presents completely different shortcuts relying on the app you’re utilizing. This pops up once you click on the aspect panel; you can use it shortly entry the screenshot software whereas in Chrome, as an illustration, or the brightness and distinction sliders in Photoshop.

If all of this feels like a gimmick, properly, yeah it sort of is. It’s not the sort of factor anybody wants. However the impact is surprisingly delicate on the default “medium” setting, and there’s a stage of reassurance that comes with feeling a confirmed motion as an alternative of simply seeing it. I discovered it extra nice than distracting. The catch is that just a few apps will natively help the MX Grasp 4’s haptics at launch: Photoshop, Lightroom and Zoom, with Adobe Premiere Professional to observe quickly after. You’ll nonetheless have the ability to make the most of the haptic suggestions on a system stage on Home windows and macOS, and Logitech is releasing an SDK for extra builders to combine the performance, however we’ll must see what number of accomplish that.

One other change is with the mouse’s coating, which trades the 3S’ rubbery end for a evenly textured plastic across the prime. (The thumb relaxation and proper aspect nonetheless use rubber.) Some customers have complained about older MX Grasp mice peeling and wearing down after prolonged use; time will inform how properly the brand new mannequin holds up, but it surely ought to keep away from the identical form of sweat-induced degradation. Both method, I’ve discovered it easy to the contact with out being slippery. I additionally haven’t been capable of replicate the accuracy issues some 3S consumers have had with that mouse’s electromagnetic scroll wheel, which remains to be product of a high-quality steel and allows you to conveniently swap between a notched and free-spin scroll on the fly.

There are different minor tweaks and enhancements. The receiver included with the Home windows mannequin is now USB-C as an alternative of USB-A. The horizontal scroll wheel on the aspect — which stays a blessing for navigating spreadsheets — extends just a little farther with every spin. The PTFE ft on the underside are a bit bigger for a smoother glide. The devoted gesture button is not awkwardly built-in into the thumb relaxation; as an alternative, it’s been pulled out forward of the 2 programmable aspect buttons. Logitech says there’s a extra highly effective chip contained in the mouse to enhance connection high quality. The sides round the primary click on buttons at the moment are translucent: nothing main, however a bit extra fashionable. The screws on the underside at the moment are uncovered, too, which Logitech says ought to be useful for recycling functions down the street.

The remainder is essentially the identical as earlier than, which isn’t a nasty factor. The most effective characteristic right here remains to be the nearly silent essential buttons, which hold a delightful stage of journey however won’t ever trouble anybody round you. Battery life remains to be rated at a strong 70 days, which appears about proper — I haven’t charged the mouse in a couple of month and the Choices+ app says I nonetheless have about 50 p.c juice left. The design nonetheless feels tremendous sturdy, with no flexing or creaking. The aspect buttons really feel agency and tactile. Choices+ is resource-heavy however nonetheless intuitive sufficient for reprogramming buttons and customizing app-specific settings. It will probably nonetheless observe on a wide range of surfaces, together with glass or the material of my sofa. You may nonetheless join to 3 gadgets concurrently and change between them with a button on the underside, too.

On the draw back, there’s no USB-C cable included within the field anymore, and the polling charge remains to be set at a primary 125Hz, which suggests monitoring isn’t fairly as buttery easy because it could possibly be. The Mac version doesn’t include a USB receiver, and there’s nonetheless no built-in storage compartment for the dongle with both mannequin. You additionally must hold Choices+ open to really feel the haptic suggestions, which is annoying. A few of these complaints have been points for some time, so it’s irritating to see them three years later. Nonetheless, they’re most likely not dealbreakers. The MX Grasp 4 might not be a important improve if you happen to’re pleased with an older MX Grasp mouse, and if these didn’t be just right for you earlier than, this one most likely received’t be just right for you now. However if you happen to’re an influence person available in the market for a brand new productiveness mouse, we’d anticipate this latest iteration to be as widespread as its predecessors.