Logitech recently launched its new generation of high-end compact mouse, the MX Anywhere 3, overseas. The key upgrades this time are the addition of several new features found in the MX Master 3, including the MagSpeed electromagnetic scroll wheel and a USB-C charging port. So, how good is it to use? Let me share my thoughts below.
First, let's talk about the feel. If the MX Master 3 is a behemoth, the MX Anywhere 3 is the epitome of compactness. It retains the series' small size, roughly the size of my palm, and is also quite flat. Combined with the soft, anti-slip side grips, it's more suitable for Asian hand sizes and a "claw grip" style of use. Compared to my previous experience with the MX Master 3, the MX Anywhere 3's height is just right, avoiding the problem of prolonged wrist bending. The button feedback is crisp and firm, providing accurate responses to user clicks and minimizing accidental presses.
Speaking of buttons, this is where it differs from the previous Anywhere 2s. The MX Anywhere 3's middle button has been upgraded to the series' top-tier MagSpeed scroll wheel, so it no longer has the left/right scroll function. Instead, you get a very precise and sensitive vertical scrolling experience. I think this change has both pros and cons. The good part is that with MagSpeed, when scrolling through long pages, you can give it a flick and the scroll wheel will automatically spin all the way down. The official claim is "a thousand lines a second," and it really is exhilarating! However, because the MX Anywhere 3 doesn't have a side scroll wheel to compensate for the lack of left/right scrolling on the middle button, users who need to scroll horizontally will have to learn a new key combination: "hold down the side button and scroll the middle wheel." It might feel less intuitive at first, but once you remember it, it's still convenient.
Another new feature of the MX Anywhere 3 is its integration with Logi Options, the app for managing series products. It now includes the ability to control microphone and camera toggles in Zoom and Microsoft Teams video conferences, which should be quite convenient for those who frequently attend online meetings. It's especially practical for those who need to speak occasionally during meetings but don't want to keep their microphone on constantly.
Inheriting Logi's Darkfield sensor technology, the MX Anywhere 3 can also provide precise movement regardless of the desktop material, even reflective surfaces like glass (glass must be at least 4mm thick). This eliminates the need to reserve space for a mouse pad on an already limited desk, making it ideal for office use.
Next, let's talk about connectivity. As a newly launched MX Anywhere 3, it naturally uses USB-C for charging. For device connection, it supports both Bluetooth and the Unifying receiver, depending on whether you use Logi's proprietary connection technology. I personally connect the MX Anywhere 3 to my MacBook, iMac, and iPad. When switching devices, I just press the button on the mouse's underside, which is very simple. You can also use Logi Flow's device-to-device transfer function, but Apple has its own Handoff feature, so I didn't bother setting up Flow.
Finally, regarding whether it's good to use, I personally believe the MX Anywhere 3 offers a superior user experience compared to the MX Master 3, mainly due to its better grip. As for the button combinations, you'll get used to them; it's not an insurmountable problem. And the features inherited from the flagship model—MagSpeed is still exhilarating, the buttons are still solid, and Darkfield is just as reliable—so I believe some people would agree that this is a more user-friendly portable mouse than the flagship.
The Logitech MX Anywhere 3 is already available for sale exclusively at Club Like, priced at HK$799. Other retailers and the Logitech Club online store will launch it on December 10th. Yes, the MX Anywhere 3 for Mac will also be available, with the same price, different colors, and a different model name. It will also lack support for the Unify function, only connecting via Bluetooth, so please take note.
