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Best Macbook Pro mouse in 2023

The best mice to pair with a Macbook Pro
Last Updated on April 22, 2023
best mouse for macbook pro

If you’re looking for the best MacBook Pro mouse, we’ve got you covered.

The trackpad found on Apple’s flagship Macbook Pro is a marvel of modern computing. It’s stylish, comfortable, smooth, and responsive to dozens of multi-touch finger gestures. But, in situations where precision is warranted, it doesn’t quite cut the proverbial mustard. No slight on Mac’s trackpad in particular. The lack of precision comes with the territory, and all trackpads fall short in this regard.

Suppose you operate in one of the creative fields (audio production, graphic design, video editing, etc.) where Macbook Pro’s are the tool of choice. In that case, a dedicated mouse is one of the best investments you can make to improve your workflow drastically. But, where to start with so many mice to choose from? Which is the best mouse for the Macbook Pro?

Don’t worry, we’ve saved you the trouble of subjecting yourself to hours of dry YouTube reviews and fruitless Google searching. Read on for our selection of top mouse recommendations to pair with your Macbook Pro.

Products at a Glance

How We Picked

There’s quite a bit of crossover between the best all-around mice and the best suited for use with a Macbook Pro. As such, most of our recommendations are through-and-through excellent mousing options.

When putting mice through their paces, we paid particular attention to how they performed in several key areas: wireless connectivity, comfort, ergonomics, battery life, sensitivity, and the number and placement of additional buttons beyond your trusty clickers and scroll wheel. Of course, we also considered price. The best mouse for Macbook Pro balances all of these to offer a well-rounded device that delivers where it matters.

After a whole lot of testing and much careful deliberation, we slimmed down our selection to five mice. Read on to find out why each made the cut. You’ll find a brief review pin-pointing why we think they’ll complement the Macbook Pro, alongside rapid-fire pros and cons.

Things To Consider

Battery Life

Unlike a Macbook Pro, we measure mouse battery life in weeks and sometimes months rather than hours. Mileage varies significantly on usage, but if you use the mouse for a few hours a day, a month or two of use on a single charge is considered reasonable.

Mouse batteries come in two forms – traditional AA batteries or Li-ion batteries. We recommend choosing a mouse with the in-built Li-ion variety, if only for convenience. No one wants to scramble for an AA battery when the mouse suddenly loses juice as an important deadline looms. These generally charge via a USB cable (generally USB-C), allowing you to transform the mouse into a wired device and continue using it while it charges.

If you opt for a wired mouse, then battery life is not something you need to worry about, although in that case, you may want to check the length and build quality of the cabling.

Comfort and Ergonomics

While low-profile mice score points for portability and style, they don’t necessarily incorporate the best ergonomic design. In the Macbook Pro context, this is even more relevant as the hefty price tag and beefy specifications of the machine mean they are most often used in a professional context and for long sessions.

If you are prone to aches, numbness, and RSI issues, consider a more ergonomic mouse with a larger footprint and better grip. Mice designed with ergonomics in mind tend to offer more hand support and force the user to adopt a more natural hand position, which helps ward off the pesky aches and pains that flare up with prolonged use. Thumb and palm rests, in particular, can make all the difference if you spend eight hours or more using a mouse daily.

Connectivity

Wireless mice connect to a Macbook Pro via Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless radio frequency and a USB dongle to communicate with the laptop. Wireless mice tend to be friendlier to battery life and are recommended for those that prize weeks or even months between each charge. On the other hand, Bluetooth mice are easier to set up and can be used with various devices with little to no effort as long as the host device has an in-built Bluetooth receiver. They do command a high price tag, though.

If you’re prone to losing things or are on the move constantly, we recommend choosing a mouse without a USB receiver dongle, or at least one with an in-built compartment for storage. These are tiny devices that are easily lost, especially as they can easily slip out of the USB port if a Macbook Pro spends a lot of time being pulled in and out of a backpack or protective sleeve.

Our Recommended

Best Macbook Pro mouse in 2023

1
PROS
  • Multi-Touch gesture controls
  • Automatic pairing with Macbook Pro
  • Rechargeable built-in battery
  • Top build quality and stylish design
  • Suitable for both right and left-handed users
CONS
  • Low-profile
  • Expensive
  • Set DPI

What better pairing for an Apple device than an apple accessory. Designed for quick and easy pairing with a Macbook Pro, the Apple Magic Mouse 2 leverages all of Apple’s design know-how to deliver a great mousing experience with plenty of top features.

The multi-touch surface is a highlight. It mimics the gesture controls of the Macbook Pro’s trackpad, essentially porting over the same versatility but with a traditional mouse’s precision. Different finger movements and taps produce various commands. There’s no scroll wheel, but simply swiping up or down behaves in the same way.

The build quality is nothing short of excellent, with a symmetrical low-profile shape suitable for both right and left-handed users. It is pieced together using aluminum and clear, high-quality plastic. The small profile also makes it an ideal mouse for those on the move and fits easily into a laptop or day bag. The battery life is excellent, while on the connectivity side of things, the Apple Magic Mouse 2 connects to a Macbook Pro automatically via Bluetooth – simply switch on the mouse, and it’s ready for use.

The Apple Magic Mouse 2 isn’t without its issues, though. The charging port, located on the mouse’s underside, means it’s not possible to charge and use the mouse simultaneously, requiring a certain amount of forethought to ensure it has enough power before embarking on a lengthy work session.

Additionally, while aesthetically pleasing, the low profile isn’t the most ergonomically-minded design, and comfort levels tail off as time passes. It’s also worth noting that the DPI sensitivity is set at 1300 and cannot be changed. Lastly, as we’ve come to expect, Apple charges a premium for the pleasure of owning the Apple Magic Mouse 2, so not one for those looking for a thrifty mousing option.

2
PROS
  • Adjustable DPI up to 10,000
  • Connectivity options
  • Programmable buttons
  • Lightweight construction and ergonomic shape
CONS
  • Only suitable for right-handed users
  • RGB lighting won’t suit all users.

Moving away from official Apple peripherals, the Corsair Harpoon pairs beautifully with a Macbook Pro, bridging the gap between work and play for the hard-working gamers out there.

Unlike the Apple Magic Mouse 2, the Corsair Harpoon adopts a more traditional mouse shape with a single sheet shell that scores points for comfort and ergonomics due to a 99g construction, contoured shape, unobtrusive thumb rest, and grippy rubber sides. The mouse blends seamlessly with the hand and feels great whether you’re just starting the day or are six hours in. Sadly, the design only suits right-handed users.

It also has six fully customizable buttons to assign macros to or remap for improved workflow or better in-game control. Similarly, the Corsair Harpoon’s sensitivity can be adjusted up to 10,000 DPI. The DPI can be customized into five profiles via the Corsair iCUE utility and switched on the fly by pressing the DPI button mounted just below the scroll wheel. The RGB lighting, which the mouse could have probably done without, can also be customized through iCue.

The battery is another attribute of the Corsair Harpoon. The rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery grants up to 60 hours of sustained use (with the RGB off). Simultaneously, the provided 1.8m tangle-free rubber cable allows you to keep using the mouse as it charges or simply use it as a wired device if you prefer to. Speaking of connectivity, Corsair has gone for options with Bluetooth, the proprietary frequency-cycling Slipstream Wireless 2.4 GHz (adapter included, with a storage nook on the underside of the mouse when not in use), and the wired option as above.

3
PROS
  • Comfortable ergonomic design
  • Up to 4,000 DPI
  • 70-day battery life and quick charging
  • Excellent tracking and precision
  • Well-thought-out 7 button layout
CONS
  • No Bluetooth connectivity
  • Price tag
  • Only for righthanders

The Logitech MX Master 3 takes the crown as the most ergonomic of our recommendations. Designed with extended periods of work or play in mind, the mouse brims with comfort-oriented features. Not least the chunky design with a silhouette that shapes beautifully to the palm and fingers. The generously sized thumb and palm rest provide ample support with a pleasant ribbed surface that promotes a relaxed but controlled grip on the mouse. Sadly, the design means this one is exclusively for right-handers.

Tracking and precision are superb thanks to Logitech’s Darkfield Tracking tech, which allows the mouse to be used on virtually any surface. With USB quick charging, not only is the Logitech MX Master 3 fast to charge (including a short 1-minute charge for three hours of use) but fully juiced, the mouse delivers up to 70 days of use. Wireless connectivity is assured thanks to Bluetooth, while the front-facing USB port is suitable for wired use while charging.

Customization is built into the Logitech MX Master 3 with sensitivity from 200 DPI up to 4,000 DPI adjustable in increments of 50 dpi. A total of seven buttons with a layout designed for ease of access, most of which are customizable, means the Logitech MX Master 3 is particularly suited to the Mac ecosystem. Not least is the customizable gesture button, which, when pressed and accompanied by a particular mouse movement, can trigger MacOS commands, much like the Macbook Pro’s multi-function trackpad.

While the Logitech MX Master 3 has plenty to position it as one the best non-Apple pairings for the Macbook Pro, the lack of Bluetooth connectivity does weigh it down somewhat. The wireless dongle works well, but there’s no in-built storage for it on the mouse. Much like the Magic Mouse 2, the price tag is relatively prohibitive too.

4
PROS
  • Very affordable
  • Slim, compact low-profile ambidextrous design
  • Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz Wireless connectivity
  • 18 month battery
CONS
  • Limited to 1000 DPI
  • AA battery required
  • Plastic construction

The Logitech Pebble M350 delivers a compact, slim and low-profile design with little to no added niceties, perfect for those that want a mouse approaching the style of the Apple Magic Mouse 2, but at a fraction of the cost.

Designed for ambidextrous use, it is a minimalist option with two clickers and a scroll wheel. The flat, slightly forward-angled shape allows it to fit in a pack pocket, making it a top choice if you are constantly on the move. The rounded sides are surprisingly comfortable with fast and accurate tracking.

It may not have the ergonomics of the Logitech MX Master 3, but the Logitech Pebble M350 is surprisingly pleasant and comfortable to use. Logitech proposes both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity via a dongle with a little storage nook next to the battery under the top shell.

To keep costs down, there are no frills on the Logitech Pebble M350. The sensitivity is set to an immovable and pretty pedestrian 1000 DPI. Acceptable for work-related tasks, but you won’t be darting across the screen at any speed. Logitech has compromised on the build quality with a plastic shell that, while sturdy enough, lacks the same high-quality feel as the other mice on our list.

Lastly, a single AA battery powers the Logitech Pebble M350, and it isn’t rechargeable. Fortunately, a single one can last up to 18 months, so this is a manageable corner to cut as you won’t be sinking money into a fresh battery every few weeks.

5
PROS
  • Up to 10,000 DPI with three customizable presets
  • Symmetrical design
  • Six programmable buttons
  • 135 hour of battery
CONS
  • AA battery

While Mac’s aren’t exactly synonymous with gaming, the Macbook Pro is a relatively capable gaming machine by Apple’s standards, mainly if you stick to popular eSports titles and avoid resource-intensive AAA games. If you plan to squeeze in a bit of gaming between work sessions, the entry-level Corsair Katar Pro is a strong option.

With a sensitivity of 10,000 DPI, adjustable in 100 DPI increments, and with three customizable presets, and six programmable buttons, there’s everything you need to fine-tune the mouse to your style and needs. The button placement is well-thought-out. The mouse as a whole feels well-pieced together despite a low price. This is a running theme with the Corsair Katar Pro – it makes you forget this is by all measures a budget mouse.

The sleek, symmetrical ‘gaming’ shape of the Corsair Katar Pro is conducive to a comfortable hand and finger position. It also makes the mouse suitable for right and left-handers. Weighing in at 96g, the mouse glides confidently across the mouse pad and is also easy to maneuver with a welcome ‘weighted’ feel. You’ll also find ribbed sides for extra grip.

Although the Corsair Katar Pro requires a single AA battery, a single battery delivers upwards of 135 hours of use. You also have dual connectivity through either Bluetooth or the included USB adapter.

Does a MacBook Pro need a mouse?

Strictly, no, a MacBook Pro does not need a mouse. You can use the trackpad which sits in front of the keyboard. However, a mouse can mean easier control of the cursor, which is good for creative professionals or keen gamers.

Where is the best place to look for a MacBook Pro mouse?

Try major online retailers like Amazon and Best Buy if you’re after a bargain. As they are in direct competition with each other, they’ll be battling to bring consumers the best prices.

Can you use any mouse with a MacBook Pro?

Pretty much any wireless or wired mouse will work with a MacBook Pro. However, if the mouse uses a USB connection and your MacBook only uses USB-C , you’ll need an adapter.

Our Verdict

Designed specifically with Mac products in mind, it’s hard to see past the Apple Magic Mouse 2 as the best mouse for Macbook Pro. Apple’s design flair is there in droves, not least the multi-touch gesture controls, and despite a steep price and extended use comfort issues, this mouse will make the most of your time with a Macbook Pro.

A close runner-up is the Corsair Harpoon. Bridging the gap between work and play is no small feat, but Corsair has succeeded in doing just that with the Harpoon. With customizable options aplenty, this a mouse that adapts to you and your Macbook Pro.

For sheer comfort and ergonomic design, little competes with the Logitech MX Master 3. Every contour and button is designed to maximize comfort, and with a beefy battery and superb tracking, this one comes highly recommended.

If you want an Apple Magic Mouse 2 at half the price, then the Logitech Pebble M350 is money well spent – cheap, portable, and surprisingly comfortable to use. Lastly, the Corsair Katar Pro is an excellent pick-up for any budget-conscious gamers out there.

Don’t hesitate to drop us a message in the comments section below with any questions or concerns.