Let’s face it—most people never think twice about their mouse. But once you start juggling editing timelines, toggling between apps like a maniac, or trying to scroll through spreadsheets that feel infinite, something clicks. You realize: this tiny tool under your hand matters. A lot. That’s what pushed us to get our hands on three radically different options—the Apple Magic Mouse, the Logitech MX Master 3S, and the Logitech MX Anywhere 3S—and we quickly found ourselves asking the same question you probably are: how can three mice be so different?
Right away, it’s obvious these weren’t built with the same user in mind. They’re not just three versions of the same idea—they’re three philosophies. Minimalism, ergonomics, and portability, each taken to the extreme. So we set out to explore what each one brings to the table—and, maybe more importantly, what they leave out.
Different shapes, different vibes
You ever look at a gadget and think, “That wasn’t made for human hands”? That’s kind of the feeling you get with the Apple Magic Mouse at first. Its ultra-flat, glossy design might win a beauty contest, but the second you rest your palm on it, things get weird. It’s like holding a smooth pebble—pretty, but not built for comfort.
Now contrast that with the Logitech MX Master 3S, which is unapologetically bulky. Its sculpted shape, complete with a thumb rest and textured side grip, feels like it was molded for your hand. There’s real weight to it, both literally and in how it supports your palm.
Then there’s the MX Anywhere 3S, the middle child trying to keep the peace. Smaller than the Master, but with better ergonomics than Apple’s ultra-minimalist take, it hits a sweet spot for people who move around a lot or don’t want to lug a mouse that looks like a spaceship.
One touch vs many buttons
If you’ve ever used the Magic Mouse, you know the top is basically a touchpad. No buttons, no wheel—just a glossy, touch-sensitive surface that handles swipes and scrolls with gestures. Elegant? Maybe. Efficient? That’s another story.
Jump to the MX Master 3S, and you’re in command central. Seven buttons, a thumb scroll wheel, and even a gesture button below the thumb pad, all fully programmable. You can map custom shortcuts for anything from app switching to copy-pasting, and once you start using it, it’s hard to stop.
The MX Anywhere 3S tones it down slightly with six buttons, missing the horizontal scroll wheel but keeping enough features to stay useful. You still get customizable controls and fast access to key actions, which is more than most compact mice can offer.
Same battery league, wildly different charging logic
Here’s where things get spicy. All three mice give you over two months of use on a single charge—the Magic Mouse clocks in at about 60 days, while both Logitechs stretch it closer to 70. So far, so good.
But here’s the kicker: Apple’s Magic Mouse can’t be used while charging. Because—yes, this is real—the charging port is on the bottom. That means you have to flip it upside down and let it lie there like a dying turtle while it juices up.
Both Logitech mice? They charge via front-facing USB-C ports, so you just plug in and keep going. Plus, fast charging gives you up to three hours of use in one minute of charge, which is great when you’re low on power and don’t want to break flow.
Who plays nice with who
If you’re all-in on Apple’s ecosystem, the Magic Mouse obviously integrates perfectly with macOS and iPadOS, supporting all the native gestures and multitouch features you’d expect. But its compatibility stops there—and the gestures don’t carry over if you’re using it with other systems.
The Logitech MX Master 3S and MX Anywhere 3S both play a wider field. They’re compatible with Mac, Windows, iPadOS, and even Linux, though they do require newer OS versions. And while macOS support isn’t as “native” as Apple’s own gear, you still get all major features with the Logitech Options+ software.
Plus, here’s a major bonus: both Logitechs can pair with up to three devices at once and switch between them instantly. If you’ve got a desktop, a laptop, and a tablet in rotation, that’s an absolute lifesaver.
More buttons = more workflow magic
Here’s the truth: your productivity skyrockets when you don’t have to reach for the keyboard every five seconds. That’s where the Logitech mice shine.
The MX Master 3S’s thumb wheel isn’t just cool—it’s a genuine time-saver, especially if you work with timelines, spreadsheets, or anything horizontally oriented. And that gesture button? It’s like a secret menu of commands at your fingertips.
The MX Anywhere 3S doesn’t get the fancy thumb wheel, but its side buttons and scroll modes are still a big step up from a basic mouse. You can program them to do anything from undo to screenshot to launching your favorite app.
The Magic Mouse… doesn’t do any of that. You’ve got your standard left/right click and a few built-in gestures like swipe and scroll. That’s it. There’s no extra layer of customization, no shortcut magic, no way to tailor it to your workflow beyond what macOS allows.
Comfort matters more than you think
We used to underestimate this part. But after hours editing videos or burning through documents, our hands told us everything we needed to know.
The MX Master 3S is the definition of ergonomic comfort, with a full palm grip and soft-touch materials that reduce pressure. You can rest your hand fully without strain—it just fits.
The MX Anywhere 3S is less luxurious but still comfy, especially for a travel-friendly size. It keeps a natural grip without forcing your fingers into awkward positions, even during extended use.
And then there’s the Magic Mouse, which is… well, it’s just flat. Too flat. Your wrist ends up hovering or bending unnaturally, and over time, that becomes a problem. We couldn’t do a full workday with it without some discomfort kicking in.
Scrolling: one glides, the others zoom
This might sound minor, but scrolling is something you do constantly. And Logitech nailed it.
Both MX Master 3S and MX Anywhere 3S use MagSpeed electromagnetic scroll wheels, which let you glide through long docs in seconds or slow down for pixel-level precision. They’re smooth, nearly silent, and insanely fast when needed.
The Magic Mouse doesn’t have a wheel at all. Scrolling is done via finger swipe, which works fine for short bursts but lacks the nuance of mechanical feedback. When you’re dealing with huge files or need tight control, it just doesn’t hold up.
Portability: who fits in your bag?
This one’s obvious. The MX Anywhere 3S is built for travel, light and compact enough to slip into a laptop sleeve. And it still manages to offer serious functionality in that tiny shell.
The Magic Mouse is also compact, but its low profile makes it awkward to carry, especially if you’re worried about scratching that glossy top or triggering a gesture by accident.
The MX Master 3S isn’t built to travel. It’s large, heavy, and just not the kind of thing you want bouncing around in a backpack. It’s meant to stay on your desk—and it does a damn good job there.
The final word? We’re keeping the MX Master 3S
If you’re still reading, maybe you’ve figured it out already. The Logitech MX Master 3S is hands-down the most complete, capable, and comfortable of the three. It isn’t trying to look cool—it’s here to work. And it does. Hard.
With unmatched ergonomics, dual scroll wheels, full customization, and zero downtime while charging, it delivers everything we want from a professional mouse. It’s not trying to reinvent how a mouse works—it just makes every part of the experience better.
The MX Anywhere 3S is a solid runner-up, especially for mobile setups or anyone who wants portability without sacrificing power. It’s compact, responsive, and still offers programmable control.
And the Magic Mouse? Look, it’s gorgeous. It matches your Mac perfectly and feels cool to use… for about ten minutes. But its lack of comfort, limited functionality, and absurd charging design make it hard to recommend for anyone doing serious work.
So yeah, we’re sticking with the Master 3S. If your mouse is more than a pointer—and you know it is—then there’s no contest.