# Logitech MX Master 4 vs MX Master 3S: Is the Upgrade Worth It? > MX Master 4 vs MX Master 3S compared from named reviews: haptics, Actions Ring, weight and price, with a one-week test plan and Black Friday timing. - Canonical URL: https://webofmike.com/ai-life/computing/keyboards-mice/logitech-mx-master-4-vs-mx-master-3s/ - Author: Mike Moore (https://webofmike.com/about/) - Published: 2026-11-14 - Last modified: 2026-11-14 - Tags: AI Life - Cite as: Mike Moore, "Logitech MX Master 4 vs MX Master 3S: Is the Upgrade Worth It?", Web of Mike (webofmike.com), 2026-11-14. https://webofmike.com/ai-life/computing/keyboards-mice/logitech-mx-master-4-vs-mx-master-3s/ [AI Life](/ai-life/) / [Computing](/ai-life/computing/) / [AI Keyboards and Mice](/ai-life/computing/keyboards-mice/) **Short answer:** for most people already on an MX Master 3S, the MX Master 4 is a marginal upgrade. It is worth it as a first MX mouse if you will use the haptic Actions Ring. The 3S is the better value. The MX Master 4 weighs 150 grams. *Last updated: November 14, 2026. Researched comparison from maker specs and named reviews; I have not tested these products myself. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.* ## Quick picks: MX Master 4 or MX Master 3S? | If you | Get | Check it | | --- | --- | --- | | Want haptics and the Actions Ring on the mouse | **MX Master 4** | {{< amzn mx-master-4 "Check the MX Master 4 on Amazon" btn />}} | | Want the proven design for less | **MX Master 3S** | {{< amzn mx-master-3s "See the MX Master 3S on Amazon" btn />}} | Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through one, this site earns a commission at no extra cost to you. ## Is the Logitech MX Master 4 better than the MX Master 3S? Yes, in a few specific ways, and not enough to matter for everyone. The MX Master 4 adds a haptic Sense Panel button in the thumb rest that opens an Actions Ring and gives a small click in response. It is also easier to charge. [Creative Bloq's MX Master 4 Special Edition review](https://www.creativebloq.com/reviews/logitech-mx-master-4-special-edition-review-still-the-productivity-mouse-to-beat-but-should-you-upgrade) sums it up well: a brilliant mouse, a marginal upgrade for most 3S owners, and a clear win for people who will map shortcuts to the ring. ## What changed from the MX Master 3S to the MX Master 4? | Feature | MX Master 4 | MX Master 3S | | --- | --- | --- | | Haptic feedback | Yes, on the thumb-rest Sense Panel and in the Actions Ring | No haptic panel | | Actions Ring | Opens from the Sense Panel button | Works with older MX mice per Macworld, without the haptic click | | Weight | 150 grams, 9 grams heavier than its predecessor per Tom's Hardware | Lighter by that margin | | Charging | Macworld says you do not need to flip the mouse upside down to charge | Check the 3S manual for its port position | | Software | Logi Options+ | Logi Options+ | | Price | Higher | Lower per Macworld | Sources: [Tom's Hardware's MX Master 4 launch report](https://www.tomshardware.com/peripherals/gaming-mice/logitech-launches-mx-master-4-flagship-productivity-mouse-the-best-mouse-weve-tested-adds-haptic-feedback-circular-action-ring-shortcuts), [Macworld's MX Master 4 review](https://www.macworld.com/article/2928916/logitech-mx-master-4-mouse-review.html) and [Creative Bloq's MX Master 4 Special Edition review](https://www.creativebloq.com/reviews/logitech-mx-master-4-special-edition-review-still-the-productivity-mouse-to-beat-but-should-you-upgrade). ## Which should you buy? Pick the **MX Master 4** if you are buying your first MX mouse or you work in apps with plugins, such as the Adobe suite or Zoom, which the Guardian lists among the Logi Marketplace plugins. Pick the **MX Master 3S** if the price gap matters more than haptics. If you already own a 3S, hold off unless you will really use the ring. - **Buy the MX Master 4 if** you will map shortcuts and enjoy tactile feedback. - **Skip it if** you already own a 3S and mostly browse and write. {{< amzn mx-master-4 "See the MX Master 4 and check today's price" btn />}} - **Buy the MX Master 3S if** you want the best-known layout and a lower price. - **Skip it if** you want the haptic ring. {{< amzn mx-master-3s "See the MX Master 3S and check today's price" btn />}} ## How much does the haptic feedback matter? [The Guardian's MX Master 4 review](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/09/logitech-mx-master-4-review-the-best-work-mouse-you-can-buy) says the haptic feedback feels like a click or tap similar to a modern laptop trackpad or the small vibrations of virtual buttons on a phone, and it fires when you press and again when you mouse over an on-screen button. [Macworld's MX Master 4 review](https://www.macworld.com/article/2928916/logitech-mx-master-4-mouse-review.html) calls it overkill for many people and says only a handful of professional apps support the new haptic features. Creative Bloq calls it a lovely touch that lets you keep your eyes on the screen. The pattern: it is nice, it is subtle, and it is not a reason to replace a working mouse. ## Is the Actions Ring worth using? Yes for people who live in a few apps. The ring appears when you press the Sense Panel and can be set up for volume, screenshots, AI tools and app-aware actions, per the Guardian. Creative Bloq warns that Options+ takes learning, and that support is not universal across apps. The ring works with older MX mice, per Macworld, so you can try the ring idea on a 3S before upgrading. ## Does hand size and grip matter for either mouse? Yes, more than the spec sheet suggests. Both are large, contoured mice designed for a relaxed palm grip, where your whole hand rests on the shell. If you use a claw or fingertip grip, or you have small hands, a smaller mouse may suit you better. Measure from your wrist crease to your middle fingertip and compare it with the mouse dimensions on the maker's page before you buy. The extra 9 grams on the MX Master 4 matters most for fingertip grips and for people with wrist pain, because lighter mice take less effort to lift and move. If you are unsure, buy from a seller with a free return and use the mouse for a full workday before the return window closes. ## What should you check before you buy either one? 1. **Your operating system and Options+.** Both mice work with Logitech's Options+ app, so confirm your computer allows the install. 2. **How you connect.** Both can pair over Bluetooth or a Logitech receiver, which matters if your laptop has only one USB-C port. 3. **Your desk surface.** Check that the sensor tracks well on your desk or mat, since glass and glossy surfaces can be an issue for any mouse. 4. **Whether you are right-handed.** Macworld notes the line does not serve left-handed users. 5. **The return policy.** A mouse is a personal fit purchase, so a free return is worth more than a small discount. ## Test plan: decide in one week 1. **Day 1.** Install Options+ and build a ring with your 8 most-used actions. 2. **Days 2 to 4.** Use only the ring for those actions. 3. **Day 5.** Count how many times you reached for it. Fewer than ten a day means the 3S is enough. 4. **Day 7.** Check hand comfort. If the 150-gram weight bothers you, the 3S is lighter. ## Who should skip both mice? Skip both if you are left-handed, if you want a mouse under 100 grams for fast gaming or if you work on a computer where you cannot install Logi Options+. In those cases a lighter or ambidextrous mouse from another maker, or a simple mouse with programmable buttons, will serve you better than either MX Master. ## What do reviewers agree on? - Creative Bloq, Macworld and the Guardian agree the MX Master 4 is excellent. - Creative Bloq and Macworld agree that most 3S owners get a marginal upgrade. - Macworld and Tom's Hardware agree on the heavier weight and the Options+ dependence. ## What are the common complaints? - Weight, per Tom's Hardware. - Software setup time, per Creative Bloq. - Few haptic plugins, per the Guardian and Macworld. - No left-handed version, per Macworld. I summarize each finding in my own words and name the source. I did not read Amazon customer reviews for this page. ## Should you buy now or wait for Black Friday? Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30, 2026. Those are the real dates, and nothing else on this page is a countdown or a claim that stock is running low, because I can't see Amazon's inventory. - **Buy now if:** your current mouse is worn out and you use a computer all day. - **Wait for the sale if:** you can wait until Black Friday, November 27, 2026, or Cyber Monday, November 30, and watch the 3S in particular, since older models are the ones that tend to be marked down. That is a pattern, not a promise. I cannot see Amazon's price history from here. I don't list prices here because they change by the hour. Open the Amazon listing to see today's price, and compare it with what you saw last week before you decide. ## Is either a good gift? Both are good gifts for someone who works at a computer all day. The 3S is the lower-risk choice. Add a [laptop stand or monitor](/ai-life/computing/monitors/) for a full desk gift. ## Where to go next - [AI Keyboards and Mice hub](/ai-life/computing/keyboards-mice/): every guide in this category. - [Best AI Laptops 2026](/ai-life/computing/ai-laptops/best-ai-laptop/): the laptop to pair with the mouse. - [Best AI Monitors](/ai-life/computing/monitors/): the other half of a better desk. - [Best AI Webcam With Auto-Framing](/ai-life/gadgets/ai-webcams/best-ai-webcam-auto-framing/): a better video-call setup. - [Best AI Note Taker With No Bot](/ai-life/work-study/meeting-assistants/best-ai-note-taker-no-bot/): software that saves more time than any shortcut. - [AI Gadget Gift Guide 2026](/ai-life/gadgets/gift-guides/ai-gift-guide-2026/) and [Black Friday AI deals](/ai-life/deals/black-friday/). ## FAQ ### Is the MX Master 4 worth upgrading from the 3S? For most 3S owners, no. Creative Bloq and Macworld call it a marginal upgrade unless you will use the haptic Actions Ring. ### What is the difference between the MX Master 4 and the MX Master 3S? The MX Master 4 adds a haptic Sense Panel button that opens the Actions Ring, and it weighs 150 grams. The 3S is lighter and lower priced. ### Does the Actions Ring work on the MX Master 3S? According to Macworld, the Actions Ring works with older MX mice, but without the haptic click. ### Is the MX Master 4 heavy? Tom's Hardware measured 150 grams, 9 grams heavier than its predecessor.