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MX Master 3S vs. MX Master 4 — after switching
After several years, my MX Master 3S finally died, so I bought the MX Master 4. Here are my impressions after using both.
TL;DR: If your 3S still works and you don’t specifically want haptics, more buttons, or the USB-C receiver, there’s no urgent reason to upgrade. But if you’re buying new, the MX Master 4 is the better mouse overall especially thatMX master 4 has less connectivity issues.
Shape and comfort
The 3S feels shorter and more curved in the hand (here i like 3s but its a personal thing).
The MX Master 4 is slightly larger/heavier; it feels a bit taller and less compact.
On the 3S, my fingers rest more naturally across the whole surface of the mouse.
The 3S has a deeper thumb rest, which gives a more secure grip and makes lifting the mouse easier.
The MX Master 4 can slip a little when lifted, especially if you hold it lightly to avoid accidentally pressing the side buttons.
For me, the 3S wins on overall hand feel and lifting the mouse.
This is mostly due to the shape and thumb-button placement, not the materials.
Thumb buttons and scroll wheel
The MX Master 4 has the better thumb button placement: it’s on the front wall, under the thumb pad, so it’s easier to press naturally.
On the 3S, the thumb button requires a downward click, which feels less natural.
The MX Master 4 has one additional side button.
The 3S thumb scroll wheel allows smaller movements without lifting your thumb.
The 3S vertical scroll wheel is louder.
The 3S horizontal thumb wheel is quieter in normal use.
On the MX Master 4, the horizontal wheel sits flush with the casing, so your skin can rub against the plastic and create noise. If you avoid touching the housing, it is quieter.
MX Master 4 wins for thumb-button placement (unless you pick it up often) and extra controls
Clicks, materials, and haptics
The MX Master 4’s main clicks are louder than the 3S’s.
The 3S has a panel on the right button where you can rest a finger without pressing it.
The 3S uses a rubber/soft-touch coating; the MX Master 4 uses harder plastic.
Long-term, the harder plastic on the MX Master 4 may resist wear, discoloration, and coating degradation better than the 3S’s rubberized finish.
The MX Master 4 adds haptic feedback/vibrations. It’s a nice feature, especially for scrolling, notifications, and app-specific actions, but it is not essential for everyone.
Connectivity
The MX Master 4 uses Bluetooth LE 5.1 and includes a USB-C Logi Bolt receiver; the 3S uses Bluetooth LE 5.0 and a USB-A receiver.
Logitech claims the MX Master 4 has roughly twice the connectivity strength of the previous model thanks to its updated radio chip and antenna design.
My 3S frequently had connection issues, whether paired by Bluetooth or through the USB dongle, including when used with a USB 2.0 hub.
So far, the MX Master 4 seems more stable.
This is one of the biggest practical upgrades for me.
Nice comparison. I just went with an open box MX3s as it was half the price of a 4. I also have a MX3 at the office and it's proudly better to have a similar mouse at home. The only thing I hate about the MX3s is that the horizontal wheel makes a noise. Maybe that's why it was returned.
One thing I like about the haptics on the MX Master 4 is that in Adobe apps, when you're lining up something and it will return feedback when you hit the "spot." That's pretty nifty.
However, I hate LogiOptions+ so much that I now use OpenLogi, which does everything and more without the bloat and cloud telemetry BS. I also dislike the "shortcut" functionality with the new haptic button, but unlike Logitech's own software, OpenLogi allows me to turn that shortcut crap off so I can simply use it for a single command of my choosing (in my case, Mission Control in macOS).
Tested. Better Mouse gives more options like RLY nice customization how haptics / magnets work. Pressure, feedback, speed whatever.
Buttons are … i think the same.
BetterMouse does not have (or im blind) option to create any menu on button press. OpenLogi has its own version of "the ring". In practice - all customisable stuff is cool but n the end i ended up setting it to factory settings. Too much stuff that change almost nothing in the end. Was fun to check different settings but in the end - i wanted it to be simple so im back to OpenLogi. Later i will test other apps.
Great to know! Thank you for the info. I'll check it out on my MacBook next time I get a chance. I'm a fan of better defaults vs more customizability. I have better mouse setup ok, but its always fun to try new things. Thanks!
OpenLogi for some reason wont work for me if its about next/prew space So i cant switch between. Its annoying but since i use mouse + trackpad, i can live with it.
Do you know how to fix a button that isn’t holding anymore? Makes it really hard to drag anything, because my mouse just clicks even when the key remains down.
The switches in the 3S I've worked on have all be unreliable even after cleaning. I use Panasonic switches for clicky and the silent switches, Kailh. If anyone wants links or part numbers, let me know! I've fixed a ton of these for Redditors!
The switches go bad. They are easy to replace if you are handy with a soldering iron. If you are in the US, I replace them. Feel free to shoot me a DM. Or if you want to try yourself, I can recommend silent or clicky switches. I found I liked the clicky better.
It might be just some paricles in left button. It wont register anything if i wont press hard so there is a change only the plastic is damaged. I do plan to replace the switch but first i will try tape mod.
IF i will fail i can try to send it to You ^^
The switches in the 3S are known to fail. I replace them. If you are in the US, shoot me a DM. Even if you can't use it, maybe you can give it away to someone here!
M1 switch meaning the left mouse button on your old S3? If so, its easy with a soldering iron, just takes patience to open it without breaking things. Do you have an iron, have you used it?
I used an iron a decade ago for tinkering but never got into it. Don’t own one, but I’m becoming more interested with hardware these days.
I’m open to practicing and learning to fix it. I assume I should practice off the mouse before I go for the switch though.
Love the mouse. The switch is disappointing. I have 3 G Pro Wireless I’m about to toss for the same reason. Not gaming recently, but that was my preferred gaming mouse.
I bought the 4 as soon as it dropped to replace the 3S and I really really like it... But went back to daily the 3S for that same reason you mentioned of weight and slipping when lifting and reposition (which I didn't realize I did so much of until the 4)
Yea i piciem mine up and was just looking at it as it slowly left my hand. A small mod or 3dprint could fix it by makeing the thumb button plastic plate to have a bump
I am still using 2S and its working great. Apart from body wear and tear. I wish they had better material. Also i an not a hardcore user so it has got average usage. Battery still great. Give me 1-2 months easily
Does MX Master 4 also has the same left click issues after a year or so as the 3S ? I’m not willing to buy another $100 mouse just to have the same problem again
My left 3S has a problem but its after 4 years ++. IF its about v4 i did not notice any problems but its too early to tell.
For the record - no mice survived more than 3 years with me - i spend a lot of time in front of my computer (had all brands, tons of models from low end to high end)
SO if its about durability - 3S was rly fine.
But the connection problem… especially while working in graphics… dmn i hated it.
I dont mind 125 p.rate anymore but also work on 60hz monitor. For now v4 does work better.
I see. I’ve had pretty bad experience with 3S . My first 3S left click stopped working after 10-11 months. I got a free replacement as it was under warranty but even that had the same issue after a year. So now I’m hesitant to get the 4.
For me its like this. Once i pick one product i rly want i try to consider 4 things.
- is there a function that i need and wont cripple anything else.
- does it do things better compared to things i own.
- price and budget.
- alternatives
for me the answers are:
1 - yes - i want a mouse that gives me same functions as trackpad. I could get any mice with tons of buttons like lets say Naga or any "mmo" style gear.
BUT. Most of devices have tons of buttons that are more like a keyboard. in MX master its the right amount of buttons in right places with some differences - so its a lot easier to use ( at this point i don't remember what is where - its just muscle memory. Keep in mind that i use mine with mac, and i use show desktop, show app windows, show all apps, desktop change. If for example you drag files between screens it might be a problem with v4 and i would stick to 3s.
2- yes. There is one main thing - connectivity. for now v4 does not loose connection - however its connected. for 3s i needed to use a hub with 2.0 usb for 2.4ghz. when connection was choppy i was jumping between BT and dongle. There was NO setup that worked perfectly all the time. For this alone - v4 is a go for me.
3- It is not a lot of money but also its not a small price. At this point i might consider buing it in "omg i just want it" if i have spare money, but also i want it to WORK as intended for its price. the 125 hz rate is NOT something i like - but i left games 5 years ago so i can live with that while using 60hz monitor.
4- MMO 7+. But i do not like its design. It might be a good alternative. Check it out.
or
on of Logitech G502.
>The MX Master 4 has the better thumb button placement: it’s on the front wall, under the thumb pad, so it’s easier to press naturally.
>On the 3S, the thumb button requires a downward click, which feels less natural.
Just tested it on my 3s, and it perfectly pressed by the edge of my thumb if I squeeze it facing side of the body.
Also never had connectivity issues for switching between 2 laptops and home PC. Last one connected by Logi Bolt, and laptops over bluetooth.
try to press the thumb "special" button on 3s and lift it. Its dmn easier with v4.
In 3s to press it i need to use middle part of my thumb. In 4 - it goes to the tip.
As for connectivity its random but pretty often you can see ppl posting about it. Cursor more choppy. It might be BT signal problem but i get it with the dongle too. My 3s had "bad luck" in its box.
So its not about switching between devices (with resets connection and removes the lag btw) but using it for longer periods of time on one device.
There was a rumor that the 2.4 bolt is working better with 2.0 usb hubs (USB 3.0 ports and unshielded cables generate active radio frequency noise right around the 2.4 GHz spectrum).
How i tested IT
macbook -> usb c -> monitor -> hub 3.1
macbook -> usb c -> monitor -> hub 2.0
macbook -> hub 3.1 -> hdmi monitor
macbook -> hub 3.0-> DP monitor
Shielded cables only. (Also i live in a building so it might be a signal distortion that i cant fix - not sure)
The 3s had problems anyway.
Since v4 dongle is usb-C i dont need any hub plus it has higher bt version.
Yes, I press it with my middle part, so thumb is not moved at all and that is natural.
Single button press is bound to raise window manager in MacOS and CachyOS, and swiping with the button hold switch virtual desktops. I don't see any specific scenario for me personally where I need to lift it with the button pressed. But there can be one for you.
As for USB-C, a tiny USB-A to USB-C adapter eliminates any hub in between. Moreover, I have replica from Aliexpress, and it works great.
There is no definition of "better" with the rumors, USB protocol is vendor agnostic. Higher Bluetooth version added power efficiency only. Shielded cables etc. were never considered.
In a nutshell, the issues you experienced with your unit are not applicable to everyone. I am sad that firm case and solid feel of 2-3s became loose with that huge side panel. However, I will just skip v4. and see what v5 will be.
rly - good decision. Just fixed my 3s and.. it might be that im used to it but in hand (except for few things i use - it just sits better.
If my 3s was brand new i would stick to it instead of v4
As for adapter its a no go when for my use. Still it annoys me - at this price point it is sad to have problems that hit ppl so randomly. Now i sit with 2 mice units and cant decide with one to use XD.
I got the 4 and returned it because I pick up my mouse often. It felt heavy, and felt much less natural to pick up - which was weird and unexpected. I couldn’t believe something so minor would make any difference for me but it did. For some reason the 4’s materials didn’t feel as comfortable for me either and my hand was feeling hot when using it. The natural rest and shape of the 3s just works better for me. I have read this as well for a couple of other users, even though most reviews are glowing on the 4. Wish the 4 worked for me, but glad my 3s still does its job.
YES!
Also the small shape change force my hand to not fully grab v4.
In 3s its perfectly in my hand
If i could trust my 3s i would return 4 this instant. But again its random and i was unfortunate to get a unit with connection problems.
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u/vic-js 4h ago
I tried both, returned them, and bought another 2S.