Logitech MX Master 4 review: A natural evolution

The workspace peripheral market has come a long way. From those bulky keyboards with plastic build to mice that either cause pain or die by longer use. While keyboards evolved driven by the need for speed and efficiency, mice changed over time driven by the need for intuitive human-computer interaction. Logitech’s has mastered the art of making computer accessories fun, and its latest flagship productivity mouse attempts to push these boundaries further. Launched at a price of 15,995 in India in December, this premium pointing device targets professionals who demand precision and customisation. Logitech MX Master 4 builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor. We testing the mouse for weeks, here’s our take on whether it offers a mere incremental refinement or a truly transformative experience.The overall design of the MX Master 4 remains that same with subtle differences that seem more like an evolution or refinement rather that a revolution. Logitech has reduced the rubberised texture coverage compared to previous generations with in favour of tactile grip surfaces. The hand positioning is the same but work has been to make the grip more natural. It is marginally larger than the the MX Master 3S which translates to less fatigue, better grip and enhanced ergonomic support during extended usage sessions. As we have seen with older iterations, construction quality remains exceptional – from the aerospace-grade aluminium scroll wheels to the precisely calibrated button mechanisms – it offers substantial durability without excessive bulk. Buttons are clicky and tactile but are silent as compered to the predecessor. The company claims that the latest offering is 90% quieter than the MX Master 3. The device comes with USB Type-C Quick Charging with a one-minute charge offering up to 3 hours of use, while a full charge lasts up to 70 days.It gets 8,000 DPI optical sensor for fluidity and accuracy across any workspace surface, including the a slightly rough table, delivering consistent cursor control. Colour options include Graphite and Pale Grey, and we got the Graphite colour option. The pattern on the thumb and silver scroll wheels add charm to the overall design.While wireless connectivity represents a crucial consideration for productivity peripherals, what matters most is the ease and low latency. The MX Master 4 excels in this domain by not only supporting dual connection methods: a bundled USB-C Logitech Bolt receiver or direct Bluetooth pairing with up to three devices simultaneously. So if you have a complex multi-monitor workstation, you can easily work with without having to switch to other mouse.The mouse has dual aluminum scroll wheels: the primary top-mounted wheel and supplementary lateral wheel offering distinct functional advantages. As we all know, the main scrolling mechanism supports both precision mode and free-flowing free-scrolling mode, switchable via a dedicated toggle button positioned atop the device. The lateral wheel facilitates horizontal navigation through wide documents, specifically spreadsheets like Google Sheets. Perhaps the biggest innovation in the Logitech MX Master 4 comes in the form of comprehensive haptic feedback integration. The company has embedded vibration motors within the chassis to provide physical responses across numerous interactions, such as basic scrolling and selection to specialised application functions.You can choose from four intensity options: subtle, low, medium and high. If you can feel and remember the intensity of tactile feedback, the rate of the work automatically enhances. For example, the vibration patterns are gentle during standard navigation but the pulses become more noticeable in situations like boundary encounters. However, it took us time to understand the feel and get used to the vibration feedback. Power consumption also increases with vibration intensity and you can also disable the haptic feedback with the Logi Options+ software. Is the technology useful? Yes. Can you do without it? Absolutely.Another thing we want to highlight is Actions Ring that, we feel, will specifically attract designers and artists. They bring most used tools, shortcuts and actions right to the cursor – essentially accelerating the pace of your work. For example, you are editing a photo. Now, instead of going to side panel to select different tools, you can quickly select them without dragging the pointer to one corner of the screen. What’s more? You can personalise shortcuts and download plugins for third-party apps with Logi Options+ to make the Actions Ring work for you. Platform compatibility include: Windows 11, macOS 13 or later, ChromeOS among others. Battery longevity reaches approximately 70 hours per charge under typical usage conditions. We charged the mouse once a week and did not really felt the need to go for the charger mid-week. During our review, we did not face any connection dropouts or cursor stuttering. While it took us some time move from a regular mouse to a more ergonomic one, the transition was positive. The Logitech MX Master 4 is likely at the top of the food chain when it comes to business productivity. From material selection to ergonomic sculpting, from software integration to haptic innovation, the latest iteration of top-of-the-line business mouse from Logitech enhances workflow and speed in multiple ways. For professionals like artists, photographers, video editors or even those who work with spreadsheets, can take advantage of the superior tools that the MX Master 4 offers. At nearly Rs 16,000, it gets a premium pricing but we feel it justifies the tag – thanks to tech like Actions Ring interface and plugin ecosystem, while refined fundamentals like quieter operation and enhanced connectivity address pain points. If you already own a MX Master 3S, switching to MX Master 4 can be a complex one. The smaller improvements prove substantial if not transformative. Those who are more engaged in document editing and web browsing may find the 3S adequate.