Scharon Harding
| Specs at a glance: Logitech Pop Mouse | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Optical (model not disclosed) | ||
| Connectivity Options | Bluetooth Low Energy or 2.4 GHz dongle (not included) | ||
| Programmable Buttons | 2 | ||
| Onboard profiles | 0 | ||
| Lighting | None | ||
| Size | ~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 | ||
| Warranty | 1 year | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $40 | ||
| Other perks | Available in yellow, purple or pink | ||
There are many reasons to prefer wireless mice. They keep your desk clear of unnecessary cords, and it’s now easy to find one with advanced capabilities, a nice set of programmable buttons, and the ability to hold a reliable connection. Some people use a wireless mouse to control a distant system—like a media PC, for example—and are interested in mice that not only cut the cord but the volume as well.
The Logitech Pop Mouse is aimed at that latter crowd. But before you notice its absence of cable and ability to easily toggle across three devices paired with Bluetooth, you’ll see the daring color options that scream “vibrant” in all their plastic glory.
Priced at $40, the Pop Mouse also boasts an “emoji button” directly under the scroll wheel, pushing the device toward a young demographic. But that emoji button is programmable, so the Pop Mouse can still be a viable option for advanced users looking for a secondary or travel mouse. Just don’t rely on this diminutive, flatter, more limited mouse for your next big Photoshop project.
Let’s talk colors
One of the biggest selling points of the Pop Mouse is its colors. That may sound silly to some, but a bright, exciting look goes a long way in livening up a work setup. And the Pop Mouse still has enough other features to make it a serious contender.
My review unit came in what Logitech calls “Blast,” which is really just a combination of black and yellow, with a splash of gray on the scroll wheel. The mouse also comes in “Daydream,” a shade of lilac that has made its way from Logitech’s gaming side with yellow and mint green, and “Heartbreaker,” which carries various shades of pink.
Logitech
Logitech is pushing for a double purchase by offering the wireless Logitech Pop Keyboard in the same color schemes. These are striking, playful designs, and there’s no toned-down option. So if you’re not into statement-piece peripherals, the Pop collection isn’t for you.
Three wireless devices
I’m happy to see Logitech offer this much wireless functionality for $40. Like the Logitech MX Anywhere 3, which costs twice as much, the Pop Mouse has three Bluetooth profiles (the feature requires at least Windows 10, macOS 10.15, Chrome OS1, iPadOS 13.4, or Linux). You can toggle through them by hitting a button on the mouse’s underside. A small light shows up by an image depicting PC 1, PC 2, or PC 3, so you know which one you’re controlling.
Scharon Harding
And like that pricier mouse, the Pop Mouse can work with a dongle—the big difference is that it doesn’t come with one. If you prefer that type of connection, which should be more reliable and easier to work with than pairing it with your PC, Logitech charges $15 for the dongle. But I was fine relying on Bluetooth. Once my three devices were paired, I had no trouble toggling through the systems in just a second or two.
Another accessory the Pop Mouse doesn’t include is a charging cable to connect the mouse to your PC. The good news is that it will apparently be years before that’s a problem. According to Logitech, the mouse will last up to two years before needing a new AA battery.
Scharon Harding
But even if you get slightly shorter battery life, the mouse will still outperform many rivals. The MX Anywhere 3 claims 70 days of battery time, Razer’s Pro Click Mini can go up to about 30 days, and the Dell MS7421W (another tiny mouse with three Bluetooth profiles) should last up to 6 months.
The mouse’s software, Logitech Options, has a battery meter but doesn’t provide a precise battery percentage.
Hear me out: The emoji button is actually useful
Let’s get this out way. I have absolutely zero need or interest in an emoji button. The ability to pull up the Windows or macOS emoji menu in any app that supports text did absolutely nothing to improve my life. The gimmick may appeal to a younger crowd, but depicting the input as an emoji button really undersells its value as a general programmable button.
Scharon Harding
By default, pressing the flat, smooth button under the scroll wheel brings up emoji if you’re using Windows or macOS, but if you download Logitech’s Options app, you can reprogram that button to perform more useful functions. Or you can use the button to input a specific, oft-used emoji instead.
To be fair, I use the “thumbs up” emoji in Slack enough that the button could be useful with that functionality. But I preferred using the button for other functions, like showing or hiding the desktop, taking a screenshot, launching a webpage or app, or controlling media.
And remember, for quick access to emoji, just hit the Windows key and “.” or “;” in Windows or Control, Command, and spacebar in macOS. Pop Mouse not required.
No one-trick pony
The scroll wheel’s “click in” is also programmable.
Additionally, the Options app allows the button’s settings to differ depending on the app currently in use. You can pick your own apps, and Logitech has a small number of pre-made profiles for some common ones, including Zoom and Teams, where the scroll wheel “click in” becomes a microphone toggle, and WeChat, where it becomes a screen capture tool.
