The Best Mice for Macs
The best mice for Macs play well with the Mac operating system and offer the comfort and connectivity that you’d want from any mouse.
Here are our top picks based on research and testing.
Note: Prices are subject to change.
Top Picks
TL;DR: The Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac is just what its name states: a comfortable wireless mouse that Logitech designed with Mac (and iPads) in mind.
Why We Recommend It
The Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac offers everything the flagship MX Master 3S offers, but catered to the Apple ecosystem.
The downloadable Logi Options+ software makes this one of the best mice for customization. The software lets you adjust the sensitivity (DPI), scroll settings, and more, and assign preferences to the seven buttons.
The best feature is app-specific profiles, which allow you to customize your mouse’s settings inside specific programs like Adobe Lightroom and Google Chrome.
Pros
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Robust software
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Excellent battery life
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Two metal scroll wheels
The mouse has a durable and comfortable metal and plastic build, and its ergonomic shape encourages a relaxed palm grip, where most fingers rest comfortably on the mouse.
For convenience, it connects wirelessly over Bluetooth and charges quickly via the included USB-C to USB-C cable. It’s also compatible with the Logi Bolt USB receiver.
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One of the best features of this mouse is its metal scroll wheels. Both are smooth, precise, and comfortable.
The central wheel can move notch by notch or scroll smoothly, depending on how hard you spin the wheel, or by toggling the “shift wheel mode” button.
Harry Rabinowitz/Lifewire
Unlike the original Master 3, the Master 3S features very quiet clicks. The primary left and right click buttons are almost noiseless, a good fit for the already quiet inputs of Mac touchpads and keyboards.
The 3S for Mac performed best during our testing and was the mouse we continued to use after testing concluded.
- Who else recommends it? Sites like CreativeBloq and PCMag pick the Master 3S for Mac as the best non-Apple option for Mac users.
- What do buyers say? The Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac has over 6,500 Amazon buyer reviews with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
TL;DR: The Logitech MX Master 3S has a premium build and loads of customization with macOS.
Why We Recommend It
If you like the flexibility of using your mouse with non-Macs too, the standard MX Master 3S mouse is a standout.
This mouse features incredibly satisfying clicks, an excellent ergonomic shape, superb tacking (whether you’re using Bluetooth or the Logitech wireless receiver), and a nifty little magnetic scroll wheel.
This wheel lets you scroll quickly for longer web pages or slow and precise for shorter travel. There’s also a metal side-scrolling wheel for complete scrolling control in both directions.
Pros
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Excellent feeling clicks and tracking
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Tons of assignable buttons and scrolls
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Premium build quality and design
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Robust software
Cons
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Fairly expensive
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Shine and wear will be a factor
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No touchpad-style gestures
While the MX Master 3S really nails the fundamentals and is an absolute joy to use, we find great value in all the other assignable buttons.
There are two macros on the side, assignability of the scroll wheel button, and even a gesture button on the left-hand fin of the mouse.
This button’s trick is that, if you hold it down, you can assign mouse movement gestures to different things that map out to Apple’s robust gesture ecosystem.
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We’ve been using this mouse for a long time—doing video and audio editing, general design work in Figma and Photoshop, and overall productivity functions—and don’t plan to switch anytime soon.
- Who else recommends it? You won’t have to look far to find a review of this mouse. Tech publications like Tom’s Guide, The Verge, RTINGs, PCMag—the list goes on—rank this mouse at the top of their lists.
- What do buyers say? The MX Master 3S has collected over 9,600 Amazon reviews with an average 4.5-star rating. Purchasers are happy with the ergonomics and usability.
TL;DR: This quirky little mouse is perfect for Apple users who want to make an aesthetic statement.
Why We Recommend It
Lofree is a lesser-known brand that focuses on quirky designs and high-quality components. Its Touch PBT mouse is undeniably unique.
Its mouse clicks are adorned with actual, full-sized keyboard-like PBT keycaps. The mouse’s white-and-gray aesthetic gives a nod to the early days of personal computing, and the little LED provides both style and functionality.
Pros
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Uniquely beautiful design and build
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Fun components—like full keycaps for clicks
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Assignable buttons and an LED screen
Cons
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Pretty small in the hand
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Clicks may be too much for some users
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A tad expensive for the offering
It’s not all looks, though—the clicks are substantial, and the tracking speed is more than adequate with a high-quality sensor under the hood.
The giant scroll wheel between those clicky keys is satisfying to use, and the macro buttons on the side are perfect for adding extra functions.
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The Touch PBT is a little small overall and might be better for users with smaller hands. We noticed a little discomfort in bigger hands at the end of particularly long days.
Also, the clickable keys on this mouse are fun to use, but they may bother some folks who prefer shorter, more subtle clicks.
It’s also a tad more expensive than we’d expect for its functionality.
But there’s no denying this is one of the most unique—and aesthetically interesting—mice on the market.
- Who else recommends it? XDA, Tom’s Guide, and more tech-focused publications give the Lofree Touch high marks for its style and unique design approach.
- What do buyers say? Lofree shoppers confirm that this mouse is on the smaller side, but give it a solid 4.4 out of 5 stars.
TL;DR: An easy choice for Mac users if you can find it at a good price.
Why We Recommend This
This first-party Apple product is a good buy for Mac users if you’re trying to save money. Since the Magic Mouse has become largely unpopular, you can pick one up for a reasonable price.
However, what you get for the money is the real story here. The connectivity, feel of the clicks, and the reliable tracking experience are all excellent.
Once you get this set up with your Mac, you’ll hardly think about hiccups in everyday use. Then there’s the gestures.
Pros
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Excellent software-based gesture functionality
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Premium design and build quality
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Rock solid connectivity and functionality
Cons
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Flat, small, and ergonomically questionable
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Rechargeable version charges on the bottom
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Prone to wear over time
The Magic Mouse’s touch panel, which occupies the top of the device, can take full advantage of macOS’s gestures.
Here you can swipe, scroll in all directions, and use some nifty software tricks.
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The negatives here are well-litigated; I won’t spend much time on it. But yes, the mouse sits flat on the desk and feels ergonomically questionable.
While the version we use takes batteries, the rechargeable one is oddly designed, so you must flip it over to plug in the USB charging cable. It’s not a huge deal if you remember to charge yours overnight or between uses.
Finally, the mouse is white and entirely made of glass, so it does show some wear and scuffing over time. You could go for a black one, but then you won’t be paying the budget price, so we can’t recommend that color in this category.
But as far as bang for your buck goes, the original Apple Magic Mouse is an excellent sidekick for your Mac.
- Who else recommends it? While reviews can be mixed based on the concerns I’ve outlined, Creative Bloq, PCMag, and Macworld all give the Magic Mouse a mostly positive rating.
- What do buyers say? Over 20,000 Amazon shoppers have rated the Magic Mouse, giving it an overall average of 4.6 out of 5 stars. And even more evidence of satisfied shoppers: Over 80 percent of reviewers give it 5 stars.
TL;DR: A fair price and robust software put the Triathlon M720 above budget competitors.
Why We Recommend It
Logitech’s Triathlon M720 mouse isn’t explicitly made for Mac but is highly compatible, thanks to Bluetooth connectivity and Logi Options+ software.
The left side features two traditional (and customizable) thumb buttons and a third button to switch between up to three paired devices.
The central scroll wheel, while not as premium as the Master 3S, still gets the job done and can switch between notch and smooth scrolling.
Pros
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Great value
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Can pair with multiple devices at once
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Highly customizable buttons
Cons
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Uses disposable AA battery
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Optional wireless dongle is USB-A
During testing, the M720 performed above average. But what put it above the competition was Logi Options+ software.
The software enables extensive customization, including pointer, scroll, and button assignments. It also lets you set app-specific profiles to customize the mouse’s behavior in heavily-used apps like Adobe and Safari.
Harry Rabinowitz/Lifewire
The M720 faced stiff competition in the budget wireless category. Many of Logitech’s other budget mice, like the M590, cost around $30 and don’t perform as well as the $45 M720.
More premium options like the Logitech Anywhere 3 for Mac or the Apple Magic Mouse 2 outperform the M720 but cost $80. The M720 is our top budget pick because it hits a middle ground that other mice miss.
- Who else recommends it? Rtings, Wirecutter, and Tom’s Hardware recommend the M720 as a great mid-priced wireless mouse.
- What do buyers say? The Logitech Triathlon M729 has nearly 13,000 Amazon shopper reviews and an average score of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
How We Tested
Our general testing process and characteristics we note during hands-on time with mice, includes the following:
- One full work week: Testing a mouse is all about hours of use. We made sure all the mice on this list got at least five full workdays of use. We also applied past long-term use with models including the Magic Mouse and the MX Master 3S.
- All-day comfort: We noted how each mouse feels in the hand for long days and how well each component works.
- Connectivity and software: We also paid attention to how easily the mice connect to our systems, and how intuitive the software and customization features are.
What to Look For
There are dozens of great wireless mice available for Mac. Picking one to use daily can be difficult, especially for a device that can ultimately come down to personal preference.
To help determine the best mice for your Mac, keep the following in mind:
Comfort
If your work involves sitting in front of a computer all day, your mouse must be comfortable to use, even for hours.
Mouse comfort can depend on the size of your hand. Check the physical dimensions of a mouse and pictures of it next to everyday objects like a smartphone or a laptop.
Also, check how heavy the mouse is—a heavy mouse may become tiring to use over time.
Software
Brands like Logitech, Apple, and SteelSeries generally have downloadable software that can be paired with their mice to add extra functionality and customization options.
Be sure that this software is available on a Mac. If it isn’t, you should consider a different mouse.
Battery
Wireless mice use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries or disposable AA or AAA batteries. The most popular flagship wireless mice use rechargeable batteries.
However, business travelers may prefer a small mouse with long-lasting disposable batteries.
Mac-Compatible Mouse Brands We Considered
We researched or tried out products from:
- Apple
- Kensington
- Lenovo
- Lofree
- Logitech
- ProtoArc
- Razer
FAQ
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Any wireless mouse will work with your Mac as long as it has Bluetooth. If you buy a corded mouse, you might need an adapter to plug it into your Mac. For a very old model, double-check the specs. Newer computers should all have built-in Bluetooth.
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Yes. Most of Logitech’s mice work with PCs and Macs. The company has a line of mice and keyboards designed for Macs too. The mice are similar to their counterparts but feature an Apple-like design and were tested to work with Apple’s Bluetooth stack. They also developed an Apple-friendly version of its Logi Options software.
Thanks for letting us know!
