Logitech MX Master 4 Review: A Developer's Honest Take After 3 Months
TL;DR: The MX Master 4 is the best mouse for developers right now. The haptic feedback and Actions Ring actually save time. But it is still not left-handed friendly, and the price hurts at $120. Buy it if you spend 8+ hours a day at a computer. Skip it if you game or need something portable.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I bought this mouse with my own money. Logitech did not send it to me.
Why I Bought the MX Master 4
I used an MX Master 3 for two years. The scroll wheel started acting up around month 18. I could have bought another MX Master 3, but the MX Master 4 came out with haptic feedback and the Actions Ring. I was skeptical. Haptic feedback on a mouse? Feels like a gimmick.
Three months later, I was wrong. It is not a gimmick.
What Is New in the MX Master 4
If you know the MX Master 3, the shape is the same. The changes are inside:
- Haptic Sense Panel - the left side has a touch strip that buzzes when you do things like switch desktops or snap windows
- Actions Ring - hold a button on top, a wheel appears on screen, pick your tool or shortcut
- 8K DPI Darkfield sensor - works on glass, even my messy glass desk with coffee rings
- Quiet Clicks - 90% quieter than the MX Master 3
- Better connectivity - 2x stronger radio, works through my metal desk frame
- USB-C fast charge - 1 minute charge gives 3 hours of use
The Good: What Actually Works
Haptic Feedback Is Not a Gimmick
I did not expect to like this. The left side of the mouse has a touch strip. When you swipe up or down, the mouse vibrates depending on what you do. Switch desktop space? A buzz. Snap a window to the side? A different buzz. Adjust a slider in your code editor? Buzz.
After a week, I stopped noticing it consciously. But when I went back to my old mouse at my second desk, I kept waiting for the buzz that never came. That is when I knew it worked.
You can customize the intensity and what triggers it in Logi Options+. I turned it down to medium. The default is too strong for me.
The Actions Ring Saves Real Time
Hold the top button, and a ring pops up on your screen around your cursor. Pick a tool, a shortcut, or an app. No reaching for the keyboard, no clicking through menus.
I set mine to: - Screenshot tool - VS Code terminal toggle - Calculator - Window switcher - Spotify play/pause
Logitech claims it saves 33% of time on common desktop actions. I do not know about 33%, but I definitely move my hand less. The ring reduces mouse movement by 63% according to their lab. That sounds about right.
The Scroll Wheel Is Still the Best
MagSpeed scrolling. Free spin mode for long documents. Click-to-click mode for precise lines. One button toggles between them. It is fast. 1,000 lines per second fast. I scroll through my terminal output like a maniac. Works great.
Battery Life
70 days on a full charge. I charge mine once every two months. When it does die, 1 minute on USB-C gives 3 hours of use. I keep a USB-C cable at my desk anyway.
The Bad: What Needs Work
No Left-Handed Version
This is still a right-handed mouse. Left-handed developers, you are out of luck. Logitech has been ignoring this for 10 years. Not acceptable for a flagship product at $120.
9 Buttons, But Not All Are Useful
You get: - Left click - Right click - Middle click (scroll wheel press) - Scroll wheel tilt left - Scroll wheel tilt right - Back button - Forward button - Gesture button - Mode shift button
I only use 5 of those regularly. The scroll wheel tilt is too stiff. The gesture button is hard to reach without shifting grip. The forward button is in a weird spot. Your fingers might be different.
Logi Options+ Software
It works. But it is slow to load and updates too often. The app takes 3-4 seconds to open. Settings sync between computers is unreliable. You would think Logitech could fix this by now. The MX Master 3 had the same problem.
125 Hz Polling Rate
Fine for productivity. Bad for gaming. If you play FPS games, get a gaming mouse. The MX Master 4 is not for you.
Price
$119.99 is a lot for a mouse. Is it worth it? Depends how much time you spend at your desk. If you code 8 hours a day, the cost per hour of use is pennies. If you work from a laptop in coffee shops, get something cheaper.
Specs at a Glance
| Sensor | 8K DPI Darkfield laser (works on glass) |
| Buttons | 9 (6 programmable) |
| Scroll Wheel | MagSpeed (free spin + click-to-click) |
| Connectivity | Logi Bolt USB-C receiver + Bluetooth |
| Battery | 650 mAh, 70 days, USB-C fast charge |
| Weight | 150g (5.29 oz) |
| Dimensions | 128 x 88 x 51 mm |
| Colors | Graphite, Pale Grey, Black, Space Black (Mac) |
| Price | $119.99 |
Who Should Buy It
- Software developers who spend all day at a desk
- Designers who need precision and shortcuts
- Anyone working with multiple monitors - the horizontal scroll wheel helps a lot
- Mac users - the Mac version matches Apple finishes perfectly
Who Should Skip It
- Left-handed users - Logitech does not care about you
- Gamers - 125 Hz polling rate is not enough
- Travelers - it is a big mouse, not great for bags
- People on a tight budget - the MX Anywhere 3S is $80 and excellent
Alternatives
| Logitech MX Master 3S | $99 | Older but similar. No haptics, no Actions Ring. A good deal if you find it on sale. |
| Logitech MX Anywhere 3S | $79 | Smaller, portable, same sensor. Good for travel. |
| Razer Pro Click | $99 | Better polling rate (1000 Hz). Built for productivity but works for light gaming. |
| Apple Magic Mouse | $79 | Best for Mac if you want gestures. Terrible ergonomics for long sessions. |
Buy Logitech MX Master 4 on Amazon ($119.99)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MX Master 4 worth it for developers?
Yes. If you code 8+ hours a day, the Actions Ring alone saves you hundreds of hand movements per day. The haptic feedback is nice but not essential. The scroll wheel is the best in the industry for long terminal sessions or documentation reading.
What is the difference between MX Master 3 and MX Master 4?
MX Master 4 adds haptic feedback, the Actions Ring, a better sensor (8K DPI vs 4K), 2x stronger radio, and quiet clicks. The shape is the same. The MX Master 3 is $20-30 cheaper but missing the new features.
Can you use the MX Master 4 for gaming?
You can, but you should not. The 125 Hz polling rate means noticeable latency in fast games. Get a gaming mouse with 1000 Hz polling rate if you play shooters or competitive games. The MX Master 4 is built for work, not play.
Does the MX Master 4 work on glass?
Yes. The Darkfield laser sensor tracks on glass up to 4mm thick. I use mine on a glass desk with no mousepad. Works perfectly.
How long does the MX Master 4 battery last?
Up to 70 days on a full charge. A 1-minute charge gives 3 hours of use. You will charge it maybe 5-6 times a year.
Final Verdict
The MX Master 4 is the benchmark for productivity mice in 2026. No other mouse combines this level of customization, scroll wheel quality, and battery life in one package. The haptic feedback and Actions Ring are real improvements, not marketing fluff.
Is it worth $120? For a developer who spends 2,000+ hours a year at a desk, yes. For a casual user, buy the MX Anywhere 3S and save $40.
Logitech still has problems. The software is slow. Left-handed users are ignored. The polling rate is stuck in 2015. But as a tool for getting work done, nothing beats it.
Buy Logitech MX Master 4 on Amazon | Buy direct from Logitech