Logitech Pop Mouse review: Emoji button meets colorful simplicity

Specs at a look: Logitech Pop Mouse
Sensor	Optical (mannequin not disclosed)
Connectivity Choices	Bluetooth Low Power or 2.4 GHz dongle (not included)
Programmable Buttons	2
Onboard profiles	0
Lighting	None
Measurement	~4.5 x 2.6 x 1.4 inches (114.3 x 66 x 35.6 mm)
Weight	2.9 ounces (81.9 g) with battery
Guarantee	1 yr
Worth (MSRP)	$40
Different perks	Out there in yellow, purple or pink

There are numerous causes to want wi-fi mice. They preserve your desk away from pointless cords, and it is now straightforward to search out one with superior capabilities, a pleasant set of programmable buttons, and the flexibility to carry a dependable connection. Some folks use a wi-fi mouse to regulate a distant system—like a media PC, for instance—and are excited about mice that not solely reduce the twine however the quantity as effectively.

The Logitech Pop Mouse is aimed toward that latter crowd. However earlier than you discover its absence of cable and skill to simply toggle throughout three units paired with Bluetooth, you may see the daring coloration choices that scream “vibrant” in all their plastic glory.

Priced at $40, the Pop Mouse additionally boasts an “emoji button” instantly underneath the scroll wheel, pushing the system towards a younger demographic. However that emoji button is programmable, so the Pop Mouse can nonetheless be a viable choice for superior customers in search of a secondary or journey mouse. Simply do not depend on this diminutive, flatter, extra restricted mouse in your subsequent large Photoshop challenge.

Let’s discuss colours

One of many largest promoting factors of the Pop Mouse is its colours. That will sound foolish to some, however a vivid, thrilling look goes a good distance in livening up a piece setup. And the Pop Mouse nonetheless has sufficient different options to make it a critical contender.

My evaluation unit got here in what Logitech calls “Blast,” which is admittedly only a mixture of black and yellow, with a splash of grey on the scroll wheel. The mouse additionally is available in “Daydream,” a shade of lilac that has made its method from Logitech’s gaming side with yellow and mint inexperienced, and “Heartbreaker,” which carries varied shades of pink.

Logitech is pushing for a double buy by providing the wi-fi Logitech Pop Keyboard in the identical coloration schemes. These are placing, playful designs, and there isn’t any toned-down choice. So should you’re not into statement-piece peripherals, the Pop assortment is not for you.

Three wi-fi units

I am comfortable to see Logitech provide this a lot wi-fi performance for $40. Just like the Logitech MX Anywhere 3, which prices twice as a lot, the Pop Mouse has three Bluetooth profiles (the function requires at the least Home windows 10, macOS 10.15, Chrome OS1, iPadOS 13.4, or Linux). You’ll be able to toggle via them by hitting a button on the mouse’s underside. A small gentle reveals up by a picture depicting PC 1, PC 2, or PC 3, so you recognize which one you are controlling.

And like that pricier mouse, the Pop Mouse can work with a dongle—the massive distinction is that it does not include one. When you want that sort of connection, which needs to be extra dependable and simpler to work with than pairing it along with your PC, Logitech charges $15 for the dongle. However I used to be tremendous counting on Bluetooth. As soon as my three units have been paired, I had no bother toggling via the techniques in only a second or two.

One other accent the Pop Mouse does not embrace is a charging cable to attach the mouse to your PC. The excellent news is that it’s going to apparently be years earlier than that is an issue. In response to Logitech, the mouse will last as long as two years earlier than needing a brand new AA battery.

However even should you get barely shorter battery life, the mouse will nonetheless outperform many rivals. The MX Anyplace 3 claims 70 days of battery time, Razer’s Pro Click Mini can go as much as about 30 days, and the Dell MS7421W (one other tiny mouse with three Bluetooth profiles) ought to last as long as 6 months.

The mouse’s software program, Logitech Choices, has a battery meter however does not present a exact battery proportion.

Hear me out: The emoji button is definitely helpful

Let’s get this out method. I’ve completely zero want or curiosity in an emoji button. The power to drag up the Home windows or macOS emoji menu in any app that helps textual content did completely nothing to enhance my life. The gimmick could enchantment to a youthful crowd, however depicting the enter as an emoji button actually undersells its worth as a basic programmable button.

By default, urgent the flat, easy button underneath the scroll wheel brings up emoji should you’re utilizing Home windows or macOS, however should you obtain Logitech’s Choices app, you’ll be able to reprogram that button to carry out extra helpful capabilities. Or you need to use the button to enter a particular, oft-used emoji as a substitute.

To be truthful, I take advantage of the “thumbs up” emoji in Slack sufficient that the button may very well be helpful with that performance. However I most well-liked utilizing the button for different capabilities, like exhibiting or hiding the desktop, taking a screenshot, launching a webpage or app, or controlling media.

And keep in mind, for fast entry to emoji, simply hit the Home windows key and “.” or “;” in Home windows or Management, Command, and spacebar in macOS. Pop Mouse not required.

Nobody-trick pony

The scroll wheel’s “click on in” can be programmable.

Moreover, the Choices app permits the button’s settings to vary relying on the app at present in use. You’ll be able to decide your personal apps, and Logitech has a small variety of pre-made profiles for some widespread ones, together with Zoom and Groups, the place the scroll wheel “click on in” turns into a microphone toggle, and WeChat, the place it turns into a display seize software.