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

In the event you’ve shopped round for a wi-fi mouse at any level prior to now decade, you’ve most likely seen numerous individuals recommending a Logitech MX Grasp. There’s good purpose 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 high 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 probably the most half, that is an iterative replace, with the identical normal 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 should you discovered the 3S or older MX Grasp 3 snug, you must have few points right here. That stated, it’s nonetheless a hefty mouse designed for palm grippers and right-handed customers: Its light 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 fingers 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’ll be able to customise the depth of this impact by Logitech’s Choices+ software program — or flip it off completely — however it primarily brings a modicum of smartphone-style suggestions to your desktop. While you first pair the mouse, for one, you’ll really feel slightly bump. The identical goes should you transfer between gadgets utilizing Logitech’s “Flow” feature. When battery is low, it’ll vibrate. In the event you’re making an attempt to exactly line up a graphic in an app like Photoshop, you’ll get slightly buzz whenever you’ve moved it to the precise proper spot.

You’ll additionally really feel it whenever 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 whenever you click on the facet panel; you can use it shortly entry the screenshot device whereas in Chrome, for example, or the brightness and distinction sliders in Photoshop.

If all of this appears like a gimmick, nicely, yeah it type of is. It’s not the type of factor anybody wants. However the impact is surprisingly delicate on the default “medium” setting, and there’s a degree of reassurance that comes with feeling a confirmed motion as a substitute of simply seeing it. I discovered it extra nice than distracting. The catch is that only some apps will natively help the MX Grasp 4’s haptics at launch: Photoshop, Lightroom and Zoom, with Adobe Premiere Professional to comply with quickly after. You’ll nonetheless have the ability to make the most of the haptic suggestions on a system degree 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 achieve this.

One other change is with the mouse’s coating, which trades the 3S’ rubbery end for a evenly textured plastic across the high. (The thumb relaxation and proper facet nonetheless use rubber.) Some customers have complained about older MX Grasp mice peeling and wearing down after prolonged use; time will inform how nicely the brand new mannequin holds up, however it ought to keep away from the identical type of sweat-induced degradation. Both method, I’ve discovered it clean to the contact with out being slippery. I additionally haven’t been capable of replicate the accuracy issues some 3S patrons have had with that mouse’s electromagnetic scroll wheel, which continues to be fabricated from 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 a substitute of USB-A. The horizontal scroll wheel on the facet — which stays a blessing for navigating spreadsheets — extends slightly farther with every spin. The PTFE toes 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 a substitute, it’s been pulled out forward of the 2 programmable facet 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 are actually translucent: nothing main, however a bit extra fashionable. The screws on the underside are actually uncovered, too, which Logitech says must be useful for recycling functions down the street.

The remainder is basically the identical as earlier than, which isn’t a nasty factor. The most effective characteristic right here continues to be the nearly silent important buttons, which hold a lovely degree of journey however won’t ever hassle anybody round you. Battery life continues to be rated at a stable 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 % juice left. The design nonetheless feels tremendous sturdy, with no flexing or creaking. The facet buttons really feel agency and tactile. Choices+ is resource-heavy however nonetheless intuitive sufficient for reprogramming buttons and customizing app-specific settings. It could actually nonetheless observe on quite a lot of surfaces, together with glass or the material of my sofa. You’ll be able to nonetheless join to a few 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 continues to be set at a fundamental 125Hz, which implies monitoring isn’t fairly as buttery clean because it may very well 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 will not be a important improve should you’re proud of an older MX Grasp mouse, and if these didn’t give you the results you want earlier than, this one most likely received’t give you the results you want now. However should you’re an influence person available in the market for a brand new productiveness mouse, we’d anticipate this latest iteration to be as well-liked as its predecessors.