Buying Guide
The Best Mice for a MacBook Pro
Five Bluetooth mice for a MacBook Pro, including Apple's own.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Recent MacBook Pros have few USB-A ports, so Bluetooth or USB-C receivers matter. These five connect without a USB-A dongle.
We compared gestures, battery and shape from each listing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Mac Version
Logitech MX Anywhere 3S for Mac
A version tuned for macOS and iPadOS.
Best for: Laptops.
Our take Check price for Logitech MX Anywhere 3S for Mac (opens in a new tab)
Best Gestures
Apple Magic Mouse (USB-C)
A Multi-Touch surface.
Best for: macOS gestures.
Our take Check price for Apple Magic Mouse (USB-C) (opens in a new tab)
Best Full-Size
Logitech MX Master 4
A sculpted shape with a USB-C dongle or Bluetooth.
Best for: Desk work.
Our take Check price for Logitech MX Master 4 (opens in a new tab)
Longest Battery Life
Logitech Signature M650
The longest battery life here (up to 24 months).
Best for: Users who rarely want to recharge.
Our take Check price for Logitech Signature M650 (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget
Logitech M240 Silent Bluetooth Mouse
Bluetooth with 18 months of battery.
Best for: Tight budgets.
Our take Check price for Logitech M240 Silent Bluetooth Mouse (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A version tuned for macOS and iPadOS. | Laptops. | Check price for Logitech MX Anywhere 3S for Mac (opens in a new tab) |
| A Multi-Touch surface. | macOS gestures. | Check price for Apple Magic Mouse (USB-C) (opens in a new tab) |
| A sculpted shape with a USB-C dongle or Bluetooth. | Desk work. | Check price for Logitech MX Master 4 (opens in a new tab) |
| The longest battery life here (up to 24 months). | Users who rarely want to recharge. | Check price for Logitech Signature M650 (opens in a new tab) |
| Bluetooth with 18 months of battery. | Tight budgets. | Check price for Logitech M240 Silent Bluetooth Mouse (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Mac Version1 of 5
Logitech MX Anywhere 3S for Mac on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This Mac version of the MX Anywhere 3S is tuned for macOS and iPadOS.
Best for
- Laptops.
Skip if
- The maker gives no battery life, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
It keeps glass tracking and a USB-C battery. This Mac edition comes in Apple-matching finishes and charges over USB-C. Its 8,000 DPI sensor tracks on glass, and Quiet Clicks keep it discreet in shared spaces.
The MagSpeed wheel scrolls up to 1,000 lines per second, and it tracks on glass with an 8,000 DPI sensor. It is designed around MacBook, iMac and iPad use. It pairs with up to three devices over Bluetooth, and USB-C charging matches current Mac cables.
Its price falls between the Magic Mouse and the MX Master 4, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the Signature M650, which runs for up to 24 months.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sensor: 8,000 DPI
- Grip: Compact
- Connection: Bluetooth LE, 3 devices
Pros
- Mac version tuned for macOS and iPadOS
- Tracking on glass
- Rechargeable USB-C battery
- Compact grip, the only one here
Cons
- No published battery life
- Costs more than the M240 at the time of writing
Best Gestures2 of 5
Apple Magic Mouse (USB-C) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Apple's Magic Mouse has a Multi-Touch surface for macOS gestures and a rechargeable battery.
Best for
- macOS gestures.
Skip if
- Skip it if battery life matters most to you; the Signature M650 offers up to 24 months.
Why we like it
Apple says a charge lasts about a month. Its Multi-Touch top handles swipes and scrolling without a wheel, which suits macOS gestures. The rechargeable battery lasts about a month between charges over USB-C.
It pairs automatically when plugged into a Mac with the included woven USB-C cable. Its up to 1 months battery life is the shortest in this group; the Signature M650 leads at up to 24 months. It shares a bluetooth connection with the M240; the Signature M650 goes with a bluetooth or Logi Bolt connection.
It also comes with native macOS support. It was priced above the Signature M650 and below the MX Anywhere 3S for Mac at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: up to 1 months
- Grip: Low-profile, ambidextrous
- Connection: Bluetooth
Pros
- Multi-Touch surface for gestures
- Rechargeable battery that Apple says lasts about a month
- Native macOS support
Cons
- Battery life trails the Signature M650 (up to 24 months)
- Costs more than the M240 at the time of writing
Best Full-Size3 of 5
Logitech MX Master 4 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MX Master 4 is built for heavy editor use: its MagSpeed wheel scrolls 1,000 lines per second, the Actions Ring puts app-specific shortcuts under your thumb, and a haptic panel confirms actions.
Best for
- Desk work.
Skip if
- Its battery life is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
Quiet clicks keep it discreet on calls. Its new dongle uses an upgraded radio chip and antenna, which Logitech says doubles connection strength, and the shell has improved stain resistance. The plastics include recycled material, and the battery uses recycled cobalt.
It is the only pick here with a USB-C dongle or Bluetooth connection; the Signature M650 has a bluetooth or Logi Bolt connection instead. It is shaped for right hands only. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the MX Anywhere 3S for Mac and the rest. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Signature M650 runs for up to 24 months.
Key dimensions & specs
- Grip: Sculpted, right-handed
- Connection: USB-C dongle or Bluetooth
Pros
- Haptic Sense panel with customizable feedback
- Actions Ring overlay for app shortcuts
- MagSpeed wheel that scrolls 1,000 lines per second
- USB-C dongle or Bluetooth connection, the only one here
Cons
- No published battery life
- Costs more than the M240 at the time of writing
Longest Battery Life4 of 5
Logitech Signature M650 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's Signature M650 is a quiet-click mouse sized for small to medium hands.
Best for
- Users who rarely want to recharge.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the M240 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iPadOS and Android. Its SmartWheel switches between line-by-line and fast scrolling, and rubber grips suit small to medium hands. Plastics include up to 64% recycled material.
Nothing else here matches its up to 24 months battery life; the M240 comes closest at up to 18 months. You get a bluetooth or Logi Bolt connection here, which sets it apart from the M240 and its a bluetooth connection. You also get customizable side buttons and silent clicks.
It is shaped for right hands only. It connects over Bluetooth or a Logi Bolt receiver; Bolt does not pair with older Unifying receivers. It was priced above the M240 and below the Magic Mouse at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: up to 24 months
- Grip: Right-handed, small to medium hands
- Connection: Bluetooth or Logi Bolt
Pros
- Customizable side buttons
- Silent clicks
- Support for Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iPadOS and Android
- Longest battery life of the picks (up to 24 months)
Cons
- Costs more than the M240 at the time of writing
Best Budget5 of 5
Logitech M240 Silent Bluetooth Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's M240 is a silent Bluetooth mouse that needs no receiver.
Best for
- Tight budgets.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when battery life of up to 18 months, behind the Signature M650 (up to 24 months is a problem.
Why we like it
It has 18 months of battery life. It connects over Bluetooth only, so no port is used on a laptop, and its quiet clicks cut about 90% of click noise by Logitech's figure. The 18-month battery rating comes from an auto-sleep mode.
Its up to 18 months battery life ranks second of 3 here, behind the Signature M650 (up to 24 months) and ahead of the Magic Mouse (up to 1 months). It shares a bluetooth connection with the Magic Mouse; the Signature M650 goes with a bluetooth or Logi Bolt connection. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Signature M650 was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: up to 18 months
- Grip: Compact, ambidextrous
- Connection: Bluetooth
Pros
- Silent clicks
- 10m Bluetooth range
- No USB receiver needed
- Battery life of up to 18 months, ahead of the Magic Mouse
Cons
- Battery life of up to 18 months, behind the Signature M650 (up to 24 months)
How We Chose These Mice for MacBook Pro
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Productivity features
- We compared scroll wheels, programmable buttons and multi-computer control as described by each maker.
- Shape and grip
- We grouped each mouse by grip style and noted listed hand sizes.
- Sensor
- We noted listed sensor resolution and surface support.
- Connection and battery
- We recorded connection options and rated battery life.
What to Look for in a Mouse for MacBook Pro
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Pick a shape for your wrist
Standard sculpted mice suit most hands; vertical mice reduce forearm twist; trackballs keep the arm still. Each takes different adjustment time.
If you have wrist or forearm discomfort, try vertical or trackball first.
Multi-computer control
Some mice switch between computers with a button, and a few can move the cursor and clipboard across machines.
This helps if you work on a laptop and a desktop at once.
Quiet clicks for shared rooms
Silent or quiet-click switches reduce noise on calls and in shared offices. The feel is slightly softer.
Programmable buttons save shortcuts
Extra buttons can run copy, paste, undo or IDE commands. Per-app profiles change them automatically in each program.
Check that the software runs on your operating system.
Match the hand size
Makers often state a hand size range, especially for vertical mice. A mouse that is too small forces a claw grip.
Measure from wrist crease to middle fingertip before buying.
Fast scrolling helps with long files
Free-spinning or magnetic scroll wheels move through long files and logs quickly, then switch to line-by-line for precision.
If you read long code or spreadsheets, prioritise the scroll wheel.
How to Choose a Mouse for MacBook Pro
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Laptops | MX Anywhere 3S for Mac | A version tuned for macOS and iPadOS |
| macOS gestures | Magic Mouse | A Multi-Touch surface |
| Desk work | MX Master 4 | A sculpted shape with a USB-C dongle or Bluetooth |
| Users who rarely want to recharge | Signature M650 | The longest battery life here (up to 24 months) |
| Tight budgets | M240 | Bluetooth with 18 months of battery |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Mice | Battery life | Grip | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| MX Anywhere 3S for Mac | Not listed | Compact | Bluetooth LE, 3 devices |
| Magic Mouse | up to 1 months | Low-profile, ambidextrous | Bluetooth |
| MX Master 4 | Not listed | Sculpted, right-handed | USB-C dongle or Bluetooth |
| Signature M650 | up to 24 months | Right-handed, small to medium hands | Bluetooth or Logi Bolt |
| M240 | up to 18 months | Compact, ambidextrous | Bluetooth |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Mice |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | M240, Signature M650 |
| About $50 to $100 | Magic Mouse, MX Anywhere 3S for Mac |
| About $100 to $150 | MX Master 4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DPI matter for work?
Higher DPI helps on large or high-resolution displays. Most work needs far less than the maximum.
Are trackballs good for coding?
They save desk space and keep the arm still. Fine selection takes practice, but many users adapt quickly.
Is a vertical mouse better for programmers?
It can reduce forearm twisting for people who feel strain. It takes about a week to get used to.
Do I need the maker's software?
Basic use works without it, but button remapping and per-app profiles need the software.
Will it work on a glass desk?
Only mice whose listings mention glass tracking are designed for it. Others may need a mouse pad.
Are there left-handed versions?
Many ergonomic mice are right-handed only. Check the product page for a left-handed model.
Bottom Line
Logitech's MX Anywhere 3S for Mac is the pick for macOS tuning and glass tracking. Apple's Magic Mouse is the gesture choice, and the MX Master 4 suits a full desk.