Quick verdict: Buy the Logitech MX Master 3S if the mouse lives on one desk and you spend long days in spreadsheets, timelines, or design tools — its sculpted full-size shell and extra controls are built for that. Buy the Logitech MX Anywhere 3S if you move between home, office, and travel, or simply prefer a smaller mouse. Both share the same 8000 DPI sensor, MagSpeed scroll wheel, and 70-day battery rating; the decision comes down to size, shape, and how many shortcuts you want under your fingers.
- DPI
- 200–8000
- 200–8000
- Battery
- 70 days
- 70 days
- Connectivity
- Bolt USB / Bluetooth
- Bolt USB / Bluetooth
- Weight
- 141g
- 99g
- Buttons
- 7 programmable
- 6 programmable
- MagSpeed electromagnetic scroll wheel is the fastest and most precise scroll mechanism ever built into a mouse
- 8000 DPI Darkfield sensor tracks on glass and virtually any surface without a pad
- 70-day battery life on a single USB-C charge eliminates battery anxiety
- Designed for right-handed use only — no left-handed version available
- At 141g it is heavier than ultralight mice preferred by gamers
- Compact 99g body is half the size of the MX Master 3S while sharing the same 8000 DPI sensor
- MagSpeed scroll wheel in a compact form factor is unmatched by any rival travel mouse
- Works on any surface including glass — critical for hotdesking and travel
- Smaller form factor causes hand fatigue faster than full-size mice during extended sessions
- Fewer programmable buttons than the MX Master limits power-user customization
The Core Difference: Desk Mouse vs Travel Mouse#
The MX Master 3S is a full-size, right-handed ergonomic mouse. Its tall, contoured body is designed to fill your palm and support your hand at rest, with a dedicated thumb rest built into the shell. At 141g, it is meant to stay put on a desk rather than ride along in a bag.
The MX Anywhere 3S takes the opposite brief. At 99g and roughly half the size, it is designed to slip into a laptop sleeve and work wherever you set up. It is also a symmetrical shape, which makes it more comfortable for a wider range of grip styles than the strongly right-handed Master — though its side buttons sit on the left, so it is still set up for right-hand use.
Comfort Over Long Sessions#
This is where most buyers should start. A palm grip on the MX Master 3S keeps your hand relaxed and slightly angled, which is why it is one of the most commonly recommended mice for people who work at a computer all day. Owners with larger hands in particular tend to find it hard to give up.
The MX Anywhere 3S asks your hand to do a bit more work. Its compact body suits a fingertip or claw grip, and smaller mice like it can cause hand fatigue faster than full-size mice during extended sessions. If the mouse is your main daily driver for eight-hour days, that matters more than portability.
Buttons and Shortcuts#
The MX Master 3S has 7 programmable buttons, including a thumb-side horizontal scroll wheel and a gesture button under the thumb. The horizontal wheel is a genuine productivity tool for wide spreadsheets, video timelines, and design canvases, and the gesture button lets you map several actions to one control through Logi Options+.
The MX Anywhere 3S has 6 programmable buttons and no thumb wheel. You still get the MagSpeed main wheel and two side buttons, and Logitech's software supports horizontal scrolling by holding a side button while you scroll. That workaround is fine for occasional use, but it is not the same as a dedicated wheel. Power users who rely on many custom shortcuts will feel the difference.
What They Share: Sensor, Scrolling, Battery, and Connectivity#
The good news is that you are not giving up core performance either way. Both mice use an 8000 DPI Darkfield sensor that Logitech designs to track on glass and virtually any surface, which is especially useful for the Anywhere 3S on café tables and hotdesks. Both have the MagSpeed electromagnetic scroll wheel, which can spin freely through long documents or click line by line. Both are rated at up to 70 days on a full USB-C charge, both feature quiet clicks, and both connect over Bluetooth or a Logi Bolt USB receiver with multi-device switching.
Who Should Buy Which#
Choose the Logitech MX Master 3S if you:
- Work at one desk for long hours and want maximum hand support
- Use wide spreadsheets, editing timelines, or design tools that benefit from a thumb scroll wheel
- Have medium to large hands and prefer a full palm grip
Choose the Logitech MX Anywhere 3S if you:
- Carry your mouse between home, office, and travel
- Prefer a smaller, lighter mouse or use a fingertip or claw grip
- Want the same sensor and MagSpeed wheel without the bulk
Frequently Asked Questions#
Is the MX Master 3S worth it over the MX Anywhere 3S?#
Yes, if the mouse stays on your desk and you use it all day. The MX Master 3S adds a sculpted full-size shape, a thumb rest, a horizontal scroll wheel, and an extra programmable button. If you travel often or prefer small mice, the MX Anywhere 3S gives you the same sensor, scroll wheel, and battery rating in a far more portable body.
Does the MX Anywhere 3S have a horizontal scroll wheel?#
No. The MX Anywhere 3S has no thumb wheel. Horizontal scrolling is possible by holding a side button while using the main wheel, configured in Logi Options+, but the MX Master 3S is the better choice if you scroll sideways often.
Can either mouse be used left-handed?#
The MX Master 3S is designed for right-handed use only, and Logitech does not offer a left-handed version. The MX Anywhere 3S has a more symmetrical body, but its side buttons are on the left side, so it is still best suited to right-handed users.
Do the MX Master 3S and MX Anywhere 3S work on glass?#
Yes. Both use an 8000 DPI Darkfield sensor that Logitech designs to track on glass and most other surfaces, so neither strictly needs a mouse pad.
The Verdict#
The MX Master 3S remains the benchmark productivity mouse for anyone who works from a single desk: the full-size shape, thumb wheel, and extra controls make long workdays easier on your hand. The MX Anywhere 3S is the better pick for people on the move or with smaller hands, delivering the same sensor, MagSpeed wheel, and battery rating in a travel-friendly 99g body. Choose based on where and how long you use your mouse, and see our full mouse reviews for more options.
Where to buy