These days, there’s a lot of choice when it comes to computer mice. Depending on what you want one for, they come in a range of different form factors. Some have even added RGB lights and additional buttons to broaden their appeal to gamers. The Logitech M185 wireless mouse is one of Amazon’s best selling computer mice. And it’s easy to see why. It comes from a highly reputable brand and looks sleek and simple without any unnecessary flashiness. I picked it up for a budget-friendly £12.43. And for that price, it’s quite the steal. The M185 mouse is small and light, making it perfect for working on the go. However, its small form factor means it’s not suitable for serious PC gaming.
Logitech M185 Mouse Review – Packaging and Setup
The Logitech M185 wireless mouse came in a neat aquamarine box with a picture of the mouse (or a similar mouse) on the front. The one on the box had “logitech” written across it whereas the one inside simply said “logi”. I’m not sure why – maybe the one pictured is an older model. Still, it was a bit confusing. Nonetheless, it looked identical in every other way.
Inside, the mouse sat within a polyethylene bag. Once I’d taken it out, I took the battery cover off the back to find the tiny USB receiver. Setting up the mouse was a doddle – simply plug the receiver into your computer’s USB port and you’re good to go, no need to install any drivers.
Logitech M185 Mouse Review – Is it good for work?
The Logitech M185 mouse is great for transient working.
If you spend a lot of time looking at spreadsheets on the move, you’ll know the pain of having to navigate hundreds of small cells with an inaccurate trackpad. Finding a mouse that fits comfortably onto train tray tables or onto coffee bars next to your laptop can also be an issue. Luckily, the Logitech M185 mouse solves those problems. And it does it by combining a highly accurate optical sensor with a light-weight, compact build.
The M185 mouse weighs just 75.2g with batteries and measures a dinky H: 99mm x W: 60mm x D: 39mm. My hands are maybe slightly larger than average and gripping the mouse felt reasonably comfortable. Although, I did often find my fingers mimicking a claw to use it precisely. With a slightly larger mouse, my hand rests on top for less strain on my digits. However, this is a trade off for the M185’s exceptional portability. But it’s also the main reason why it’s best suited to clicking between emails, spreadsheets and documents than photo/video editing and gaming.
The smoothness of its cursor control meant I never missed a click, with the click itself being satisfying and robust. Speaking of smooth, the middle wheel works well for efficient line-by-line scrolling through documents and webpages, and sounds nice and sturdy to boot.
Wireless range on the Logitech M185 mouse is about 25 metres, so it’ll work well if you need to plug your laptop in for a presentation while controlling it from the other end of a long room. Most people, however, will be using the M185 for close-up work on trains and on cramped desks where it really excels. After use, it can be easily placed into a laptop bag for transportation. Thanks to its size, it will fit in most, if not all, bags.
Logitech M185 Mouse Review – Is it good for gaming?
In short, the Logitech M185 mouse is not good for gaming. While it will do for shorter sessions on strategy games (e.g. Civilisation, Age of Empires, Cities: Skylines), that’s about the extent of it. Its small form factor makes it impractical for more dynamic and fast paced gaming.
Having tried the mouse out on Civilisation V, I can say it worked well. The smooth and accurate cursor meant I was able to control my units with precision. However, after about an hour, my hand began to ache due to the aforementioned tendency to slip into a claw-like grip thanks to its size.
If you game on the go using a laptop, a wireless controller would be a much better bet than the Logitech M185 mouse.
That said, the M185 isn’t designed as a gaming mouse. It’s a compact and portable work tool made as a better alternative to laptop trackpads.
Verdict
While the Logitech M185 wireless mouse isn’t ideal for gaming, it is excellent for peripatetic working. If you spend a lot of time on trains or planes and need a mouse to take with you, this one fits the bill. It’s lightweight and small making it easy to carry around. But best of all, it’s cheap. That means that if you lose it, it’s not a huge burden to replace – a must for those with hectic schedules where accidentally leaving things behind is a real possibility. The only people it’s not suitable for are those with considerably bigger hands. But Logitech do offer the larger M190 at the same price point.
I used the Logitech M185 mouse on a MacBook Pro with a USB port peripheral and it performed without any noticeable lag. As a result, I would recommend it for use with a MacBook Pro. The same cannot be said for other similarly priced alternatives.
The Logitech M185 wireless mouse is great at what it’s designed for – working on the go.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Have you tried the Logitech M185 mouse? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other tech reviews…
