The MX Master 4: Hands-on with the New King of Mice

My desk is a constantly revolving door of new hardware, and the most recent addition is the Logitech MX Master 4, the latest in a legendary line of productivity mice, which many people consider the go-to default choice for serious work.

It's a hefty mouse, weighing in at about 5.2 ounces (150g), and at $120, it’s a premium device. But for something that can be a comfortable high-end productivity mouse and can also handle some light gaming, it can be worth it, especially considering that people keep their MX Master mice for years. 

I swapped this in for the Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed mouse I've been using on my PC desktop setup lately and the first thing that struck me wasn't the performance, but the sound -- or lack thereof. The main buttons on the MX Master 4 have incredibly quiet clicks, providing satisfying tactile feedback without the audible "clack" of most other mice.

Photo: Jacob Bobo

 

The scroll wheel, like on many mice, can toggle between a clicky line-by-line scroll (my preference) and a frictionless smooth scroll. There's also a smooth-scrolling horizontal thumb wheel, which I haven't used as much as I thought I would; my workflow doesn't involve the wide spreadsheets it's designed for, but I appreciate the concept.

The most important feature is the updated rubberized thumb button, which provides haptic feedback and activates a radial menu Logitech calls the Action Ring. This is where you get features that might be new to most users. Using the Logi Options+ software, I immediately customized the ring, swapping out a less-useful emoji command for a "Show Desktop" shortcut and adding system volume controls. It's an intuitive way to create workflow-specific shortcuts, and you can also download sets of commands for specific apps, from Figma to Final Cut Pro. 

The sensor itself has up to 8,000 DPI resolution, and tracks over glass and other difficult surfaces. It connects via a Logi Bolt USB-C receiver or Bluetooth, and the 650 mAh battery can hold a charge for up to 70 days of use on a single charge. After a couple of weeks of steady use, including a work trip, I’m still at about 50% charge. 

Photo: Dan Ackerman

 

One other change from the previous MX Master 3 mouse is that the soft-touch plastic surface is now a harder ABS plastic. That should reduce surface wear and discoloration over time, although the new shell on my MX Master 4 has already picked up a few scuffs from being tossed into my bag for a work trip. 

Aside from that, it’s a fantastic, high-end mouse and an iterative but intelligent update that keeps the MX Master series firmly on top. Of course, the best way to know if a mouse this sculpted is for you is to get it in your own hands, which you can do at your local Micro Center. 

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Dan Ackerman is the Editor-in-Chief of Micro Center News. A veteran technology journalist with nearly 20 years of hands-on experience testing and reviewing the latest consumer tech, he previously served as Editor-in-Chief of Gizmodo and Editorial Director at CNET. He is also the author of The Tetris Effect, the critically acclaimed Cold War history of the world's most influential video game. Contact Dan at dackerman at microcenter.com.