Second Chance Logitech MX Master 2S Wireless Mouse Black (2024)

The MX Master 2s is a nice mouse to look at and the shape itself is fine. It's just that in this class there are other mice that fit better in a hand than this one. Strangely enough, the ergonomics are a step backwards compared to the predecessor of this series, namely the MX Performance (I don't count the MX Master 2, the 2s is simply an overhaul after problems with the regular 2). The thumb buttons are oddly placed, as it apparently has to be operated with the back phalanx of your thumb. For the front phalanx, which you usually use, they are simply too far back. The 'ledge' that your ring finger half rests on on the MX Performance is no longer there, and when I miss it I notice how big the difference is.

Logitech has chosen to add a horizontal scroll wheel to the MX Master 2, which will be one of the reasons that the thumb buttons have been moved back. It may be a godsend for regular editors and Excel users, but it will be of little use to most. I would rather they had just designed a separate mouse for these people, since by far the largest group is now the victims of this choice.

The freewheel function allows for easy scrolling through long pages, and the smart-scrolling function ensures that it is activated automatically. For me this works perfectly. Unfortunately, other manufacturers don't have this feature, which means Logitech is the only choice for me. Compared to the MX Performance, switching between regular mode and freewheel works by means of an electrical construct, and I wonder if this will continue to work well. I rather rely on mechanical solutions in this regard. The advantage of the electrical solution is that you can reprogram the button.

Logitech has switched software suite from Setpoint to Options. It took me a while to realize that this was really about a new software suite by the generic name. Personally, I do regret not having all my Logitech input devices in the same suite now. But Options itself works fine and is user-friendly. Once you've set up your mouse, you don't need to see it anymore, of course.

Overall, the Master 2s is a fine mouse, but we've seen better, including from Logitech itself. Hopefully they will rethink the ideas behind the design, because in fact the MX series has only deteriorated since the Revolution, both in ergonomics and build quality. Technically it is all better, but the ergonomics are what the user actually notices with this kind of productivity mice that are not aimed at mouse-intensive things like gaming.

If you can really use a second scroll wheel and are looking for something in this segment, it can be recommended. If not, I'd look into something else. Other Logitech mice also have a freewheel option, so that's not the reason for choosing this mouse. I bought an M720, which is now my most used mouse.

The pros and cons should say it all, but this mouse doesn't work on Linux by default.

Logitech Options, the software that allows you to change the buttons on your mouse, does not have a Linux version (Windows and MacOS only).

It is possible to connect your mouse using the Logitech Unifying Receiver and Solaar (https://pwr.github.io/Solaar/), but this does not allow you to set any further options and does not display the battery level.

If you don't want to use Solaar, you can connect with the mouse by holding down the button to change the channel and then pairing with the mouse via bluetoothctl, but that is of course not useful for the general user.

I have not tried to pair the mouse via the Bluetooth GUI interface.