The Best Mouse For MacBook Pro And MacBook Air — Summer 2023 Mice Reviews
If you travel a lot with your MacBook in tow, you may be more comfortable using a mouse instead of your MacBook’s trackpad. In the past, finding the best mouse for Macbook models was challenging; now, just about every mouse you can find will work with Apple devices. Using a mouse instead of your MacBook’s trackpad can prevent wrist fatigue and is much better suited for tasks that require more precision, like photo editing or gaming. Since the new MacBook Pros only have USB-C ports, you’ll need a mouse with a Bluetooth connection if you have a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. On the other hand, this also means you can wirelessly pair your mouse without worrying about dongles or USB receivers. We’ve focused on options with Bluetooth support in this list, and most are either rechargeable via USB or can last for months off of AA or AAA batteries.
We’ve tested over 290 mice. Below are our selections for the best mouse for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro users. For more options, check out our recommendations for the best mouse, the best wireless mouse, and the best ergonomic mouse.
Best Mouse For MacBook Pro And MacBook Air
Apple Magic Mouse 2
Apple is known for making devices that work well together, and it may be no surprise that we recommend the Apple Magic Mouse 2 as the best mouse for Mac users. Its iconic, low-profile design makes it easy to toss into laptop bags or even your pocket. A new black color variant is available, but the basic design hasn’t changed since its original release in 2015. The top of the mouse is a glossy Multi-Touch surface made of acrylic that behaves just like a trackpad. You register regular mouse clicks by tapping this surface, but it also recognizes a range of gestures, like scrolling, zooming, and swiping between applications. While its shape isn’t as ergonomic as other popular options, like our mid-range pick, the Logitech MX Anywhere 3, it’s suitable for all hand sizes. This mouse connects via Bluetooth and recharges with an included USB-C to Lightning cable. It’s important to note that you can’t use the Magic Mouse 2 while it charges since the charging port is on the bottom of the mouse. However, Apple advertises a battery life of up to a month or more, so it isn’t an issue you’ll need to contend with daily. It has a quick-charge feature, so two minutes of charging gives you around nine hours of use, which will get you through the workday without too much disruption.
Best Mid-Range Mouse For Macs
Logitech MX Anywhere 3
With a mid-range budget, we recommend checking out the Logitech MX Anywhere 3. It’s typically very similar in price to our best pick in this article, the Apple Magic Mouse 2, but it has quite a different design approach. While it lacks the multi-touch surface of the Apple mouse, it has a more traditional ergonomic shape making it a more comfortable choice if you use your mouse for long stretches at a time. This mouse feels very well-built and is made with premium-feeling materials. It also combines a solid offering of productivity features and portability. The scroll wheel is made of metal and feels very precise when scrolling. You can also toggle a free-scrolling mode for scrolling through content much faster. This mouse connects wirelessly with Bluetooth and can pair with up to three devices simultaneously. It recharges with a standard USB-C cable, and Logitech advertises that a fully charged battery can last up to 70 days. You can also reprogram buttons and set movement-based gesture controls with the software. You can pick this mouse up in one of three colors, and it has a dedicated version for macOS and for Windows. The Mac version only comes in one colorway but has several settings pre-configured for a Mac environment. The Mac version doesn’t include a USB receiver, but both versions support Bluetooth and are fully compatible with macOS.
Best Budget Mouse For Macs
Logitech M720 Triathlon
More premium options in Logitech’s productivity-minded MX series might garner more attention; however, the Logitech M720 Triathlon quietly offers many of the same features, making it our recommendation as the best mouse for MacBook Pro or MacBook Air for any budget-minded individual. You may notice a large price gap between this pick and our mid-range pick above. While options are available at prices between these two, they don’t offer the same value as either of these. This mouse has an ergonomic, right-handed shape and is well-suited for all hand sizes using most grip types. You can connect this mouse with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth and wirelessly pair it with up to three devices simultaneously. Its scroll wheel has left and right inputs for horizontal scrolling, and you can toggle between a controlled, notched scrolling mode and a much faster free-scrolling mode. Along the side, there are three buttons and a gesture button integrated into the thumb rest, which by default is used to perform movement-based gesture commands while held. Logitech advertises a battery life of up to 24 months with a single AA battery and has companion software that offers a good range of customization options, including button remapping and custom profile settings. There’s also a compartment where you can store the USB receiver when it’s not in use.
Best Cheap Mouse For Macs
Logitech Pebble M350
The Logitech Pebble M350 is an extremely portable choice with a very flat, low profile, just as its name suggests. It also comes in four different colors to suit your setup. Although its shape may look unusual, it’s designed to be easy to carry with you. You can connect this mouse wirelessly using Bluetooth, and it uses a single AA battery for power which Logitech indicates can provide power for up to 18 months. Unlike the Apple Magic Mouse 2, this mouse has a physical scroll wheel with clearly defined steps, which you may prefer over the Apple mouse’s virtual, touch-surface scroll wheel. Unfortunately, it isn’t a very comfortable option for extended periods because of its compact design. It’s also missing features typically found on productivity-oriented mice meant for desktop use, like side buttons or a free scrolling mode. Also, Logitech doesn’t offer customization software for this mouse, so you can only customize its settings or button functions with third-party software. That said, it’s a popular low-cost option if you’re frequently on the go and looking for the best Bluetooth mouse for Mac.
Best Work Mouse For Macs
Logitech MX Master 3S
Although we recommend the Logitech MX Master 3S here, you won’t go wrong with any mouse in the MX Master lineup. The older models are often on sale, so they’re worth checking out if you’re looking for a high-performing office mouse on a budget. The differences between versions are minor, so going with an older model won’t lose you any major functionality or comfort. Each model features the same ergonomic, right-handed shape with a thumb rest and two scroll wheels, and they all offer the same Bluetooth connectivity with a solid battery life of up to 70 days on a full charge. However, the main difference with the 3S, the most recent entry to this lineup, is that this mouse has quieter click buttons and an improved sensor that’s more compatible with high-resolution displays. It also has a Mac-specific variant with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable to be more compatible with newer MacBooks that lack USB-A ports. The Mac variant has a slightly different color scheme, and it comes with default gesture controls that are Mac-specific, like opening the Launchpad and switching between apps. You can also use the companion software to program profiles for specific apps, like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, so you can easily control the brush size, undo/redo, and image panning using the buttons right on the mouse.
Best Gaming Mouse For Macs
Logitech G604 LIGHTSPEED
Combining comfort and versatile gaming performance, we recommend the Logitech G604 LIGHTSPEED as the best gaming mouse for Macs. It isn’t as lightweight as some gaming mice designed exclusively for FPS titles. However, it has an array of programmable buttons, solid build quality, and an ergonomic right-handed shape well-suited for nearly all hand sizes and grip types. Performance-wise, it uses Logitech’s flagship sensor and has very low click latency, so playing games in any genre feels snappy and responsive. You can connect this mouse using Bluetooth right out of the box, and unlike many gaming mice, it doesn’t have RGB lighting, which can significantly drain battery life. This mouse uses a single AA battery for power, which Logitech advertises can provide up to five and half months of usage. The scroll wheel also has left and right tilt inputs and both a slower, notched scrolling mode and a free-scrolling mode you can engage manually with the press of a button. If you’re interested in a more affordable gaming mouse, the Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed has a similar design. However, it has fewer buttons and doesn’t offer the same sensor performance. Also, its customization software isn’t compatible with macOS, so it’s a better option if you’re more of a casual gamer that isn’t looking to adjust your mouse’s settings.
Notable Mentions
- Razer Pro Click Mini: The Razer Pro Click Mini is a standout alternative to the Logitech MX Anywhere 3. It has remarkable sensor performance for a productivity mouse, making it a great hybrid choice for productivity and gaming. It also has a scroll wheel with a free-scrolling mode and has left and right tilt inputs. However, like other Razer mice, its major downside is that its customization software isn’t compatible with macOS. See our review
- Keychron M3: The Keychron M3 is a lighter and typically more affordable alternative to the Logitech G604 LIGHTSPEED. It’s better suited for faster-paced games like FPS. It’s one of the few gaming mice with a USB-C wireless receiver and charging cable, so you don’t need to worry about carrying around any dongles. However, It has fewer programmable buttons, and its shape isn’t quite as supportive and ergonomic as the Logitech’s. See our review
Recent Updates
- Jun 09, 2023: We’ve reviewed our list and verified all our picks remain in stock and are the best choices for their categories. We’ve also removed the Corsair RGB Wireless from our list of Notable Mentions and replaced it with the Keychron M3.
- Apr 14, 2023: We’ve gone through our recommendations and confirmed the relevance and stock availability of all our picks. We haven’t made any changes to our lineup as all our picks remain the best choices available.
- Feb 14, 2023: We’ve reviewed this article and made some minor changes to our phrasing but we haven’t changed our lineup of recommendations as all products continue to represent the best picks for their respective categories.
- Dec 16, 2022: We’ve reviewed this article and confirmed that all recommendations remain the best available choices. We’ve added new text to several entries, adding context about pricing and details about the major differences between similar products.
- Oct 17, 2022: Removed the Logitech Lift from the list due to lack of relevance. Minor adjustments to the text for readability.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best mice for Mac users. We factor in the price (a cheaper mouse wins over a pricier one if the difference isn’t worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no mice that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all the mice we’ve tested to find the best mouse for MacBook Air and MacBook Pros. Be careful when choosing the best mouse for Mac to not get too caught up in the details. While no mouse is perfect for every use, most mice are great enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.