X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Logitech Marathon Mouse M705 review: This curvy mouse gives your wrist the kind of break it deserves

Logitech's smooth-tracking, comfy mouse keeps carpal tunnel at arm's length.

Justin Yu Associate Editor / Reviews - Printers and peripherals
Justin Yu covered headphones and peripherals for CNET.
Justin Yu
3 min read

Given the amount of time we all spend sitting at computers, it's never too early to pay attention to your daily ergonomics -- because, well, #wellness. You can stave off the impending doom of repetitive stress injury just by switching up your typical usage patterns, so take a second right now to survey your workspace.

The Good

The M705 wireless mouse has a contoured shape that fits the natural ergonomics of your hand. Its Unifying Receiver makes it easy to pair with any computer (along with other Logitech peripherals), and the laser sensor offers precise, smooth scrolling across most surfaces.

The Bad

Users with large hands may feel cramped on the surface of the mouse.

The Bottom Line

The Logitech M705's adaptive laser sensor and sculpted body will make your wrist happy for less than the cost of a few lattes.

If it's time to upgrade your mouse to a design that follows the natural curve of your hand, the Logitech Marathon Mouse M705 will make your joints happy for less than the cost of a few lattes. It lists for $50 in the US, £45 in the UK and AU$80 in Australia, but you can find it online for $36, £36 and $AU59.

Your wrist should never be the pivot point for mouse movements so Logitech designed the M705 with a smooth contour that skews slightly left so your elbow does the work instead. The top surface is wide to accommodate a range of hand sizes but if you're looking for something bigger, the company's flagship MX Master Mouse is so big and comfy that it feels like a Lay-Z-Boy for your hand.

Logitech M705 Mouse (pictures)

See all photos


The mouse has six extra buttons in addition to the standard left and right clickers on top. You get two directional thumb buttons on the side that move you "back" and "forward" in a web browser or media player, a hidden button underneath the thumb pad on the left and three separate buttons on the scroll wheel that engage by clicking left, right and down.

The mouse works via plug-and-play as soon as you insert the USB dongle but -- on Windows PCs, Macs and Chromebooks --you can also install Logitech's SetPoint software to re-map the buttons to commonly used tasks like opening applications, navigating media or engaging shortcuts like full screen video. (The M705 will also work with Chromebooks, sans the custom software.)

One feature that stands out on the M705 is its speed-adaptive scroll wheel that lets users toggle between smooth and notched scrolling using the button on top. I generally prefer to have a notched wheel that navigates down a page click-by-click, but the ability to switch to a free-scrolling wheel is perfect for jumping back to the top of a long page with a flick of a finger.

logitech-m705-mouse-01.jpg

The mouse's buttons can be re-programmed.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Logitech innovates further with its in-house USB adapter called the Unifying Receiver. It's a fraction of the size of a typical flash drive and can pair up to six Logitech accessories -- say, keyboards and trackpads -- on the same receiver. The battery compartment underneath has a little spot to hold the dongle too, in case you ever want to travel with it.

I wasn't able to test this claim, but Logitech reports two AA batteries have enough juice to power the M705 for up to three years. It could potentially last even longer if you switch the power slider "off" when you're done with it, and you can actually remove one of the batteries to save a little weight and it'll still work.

The M705 uses Logitech's traditional laser technology and I was able to use it without issue on most surfaces including skin and clothing. The only thing that gave it trouble was marble and glass countertops.

That probably won't be an issue for most users, but it's worth noting that Logitech's pricier models have a different laser sensor called "Darkfield" that can track on those irregular platforms.

Ultimately, you can spend up for Logitech's MX Master and MX Anywhere 2, which offer a more luxurious design and rechargeable batteries, or you can get two Logitech M510s for the price of the single Marathon M705 reviewed here. But this model can be considered the Goldilocks in Logitech's line, delivering superior comfort at a just-right price.

8.3

Logitech Marathon Mouse M705

Score Breakdown

Design 8Features 8Performance 9