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Logitech MX Anywhere 2 review: A high-performance mouse for mobile users

The mini version of the MX Master, Logitech's flagship wireless mouse, is almost as feature-rich and offers excellent performance.

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
David Carnoy
2 min read

Logitech's MX Anywhere 2 Wireless Mobile Mouse is essentially a mini, travel-friendly version of the company's flagship MX Master Wireless. This trimmed-down mobile version retails for $80, though it can be found for closer to $60 (£65; AU$130) online.

8.2

Logitech MX Anywhere 2

The Good

The Logitech MX Anywhere 2 is a rechargeable wireless mouse for Macs and Windows PCs that offers smooth, precise operation, lots of customization options and decent ergonomics for a mobile mouse, and works on almost any surface. You can connect to up to three computers using Logitech's included Unifying Receiver USB dongle or opt for Bluetooth connectivity. A speed-adaptive scroll wheel lets you autoshift from click-to-click to hyperfast scrolling. Battery life is good.

The Bad

Ergonomics aren't as good as on Logitech's larger MX Master; the rechargeable battery isn't user-replaceable (but should last several years).

The Bottom Line

The MX Anywhere 2 is a top-notch mobile mouse.

I tested the MX Anywhere 2 with both

Logitech MX Anywhere 2 Wireless Mobile Mouse

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As you might expect from a high-end mouse, it has plenty of bells and whistles. Thanks to Logitech Darkfield Laser technology, it works on just about any surface -- everything from a glass table to the Formica-style finish of my work desk.

It has an integrated rechargeable battery that's supposed to last up to 60 days on a single charge, which is almost double the battery life of the MX Master. You can continue using the mouse while charging with a Micro-USB cable, and just 1 minute of charging gives you 2 hours of usage. I wasn't able to precisely test battery life, but I haven't had to recharge it in the three weeks I've used it.

Like the MX Master, this mouse can connect to your Windows or Mac computer with the included Pico Unifying Receiver (a small USB dongle that will also work with Logitech keyboards) or via Bluetooth Smart technology.

If you go with Bluetooth, you can pair the mouse with up to three devices and switch between, for example, a laptop, desktop and tablet using the appropriately named Logitech Bluetooth Easy-Switch button.

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Logitech's Easy-Switch button

Sarah Tew/CNET

Using the Logitech Options software, you can customize all the buttons on the mouse. Mac users, meanwhile, enjoy the extra luxury of gesture support -- most of the multifinger trackpad gestures can be duplicated on the MX Anywhere 2 when holding down an extra key.

One of the most important buttons on a mouse is the scroll wheel. Like the MX Master, this mouse has a speed-adaptive scroll wheel that lets you autoshift from click-to-click to hyperfast scrolling with a press of a button. That smooth, precise scroll wheel is one of the components that help justify this mouse's premium price.

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The mouse connects via Bluetooth, or you can use the included Pico Unifying Receiver, which will also work with Logitech keyboards.

Sarah Tew/CNET

What's missing? Well, you don't get the MX Master's thumbwheel for side-to-side scrolling and page switching, which is great for spreadsheet jockeys. It's also missing an extra button where your thumb rests on the mouse.

But as far as mobile mice go, it's a worthy successor to the original MX Anywhere, which was powered by two AA batteries and didn't look or feel quite as swanky as this mouse, but had similar features. The first MX Anywhere did come with its own travel pouch, and this new model doesn't. Not a big deal, but it's always nice to have a little extra protection with your mobile products.

8.2

Logitech MX Anywhere 2

Score Breakdown

Design 8Features 8Performance 9