PC peripherals are rarely fashionable. They typically either lean in on simple form and function, or, in the case of many gaming keyboards and mice, go all out with enough RGB lighting for a Christmas tree. But sometimes you want a mouse that’s aesthetically pleasing as well as functional, and Logitech’s POP line of computer accessories is set on delivering just that combination. The Logitech POP Mouse ($40) is a trendy wireless mouse that should impress casual PC and Mac users who want their gear to be an extension of their personality, but it’s rather expensive for what it offers.
The Design: Hey Good Lookin’
Just like its companion, the emoji-laden $100 Logitech POP Keys Keyboard, the POP Mouse is hard to ignore on a desk. Available in three color schemes, the wireless mouse’s shouty hues might be enough of a sell for some. There’s Daydream (mint, lilac, and yellow); the Blast scheme of our review unit (black, gray, and yellow); and Heartbreaker (Neon coral and raspberry red). These vibrant options match the ones offered for the keyboard, so you can give your desk a coordinated, loud look. Logitech also offers the two peripherals in a $140 bundle, but it doesn’t represent savings over buying the two separately.
Weighing 2.8 ounces and measuring 1.3 by 2.3 by 4.1 inches (HWD), the POP Mouse is almost identical in size to other no-frills wireless mice like the Microsoft Ocean Plastic Mouse or Logitech’s own Pebble M350 mouse, and functions just as you’d expect. The left and right buttons are separated by a slight gap right down the middle of the mouse, with the scroll wheel and an additional macro button taking up real estate in the center.
The rounded edges make it particularly comfortable in your hand, and underneath you’ll find two curved rubber grips that allow for smooth gliding no matter the surface. You’ll also find a power switch and a Bluetooth button that allows you to switch among three synced devices. The whole operation is powered by one included AA battery that you access by lifting the top half of the mouse.
Unlike the in-your-face design of the POP Keyboard’s dedicated emoji keys, the POP Mouse is much more subtle, with few headlining design elements to set it apart other than the bold color options. But there are a few software-based customization options, and yes, one of them does involve emojis.
Using the Logitech Options app, you can assign your favorite emoji to the macro button. If you’re not an avid emoji user, you can assign the button to other, non-emoji-related actions, and set up defaults depending on the app you’re using. You can tweak the scroll wheel button’s assignment as well using the Options app.
Sync With Up to Three Devices
In use, the POP Mouse is a capable, well, mouse. In addition to cycling among up to three synced devices using the aforementioned Bluetooth button, the mouse also takes advantage of Logitech’s Flow technology, which allows you to switch between computer screens and even share files by dragging your computer cursor off of one screen and onto another. The extra tech actually makes the POP Mouse a pretty versatile device, and it even works when switching between Windows PCs and Macs.
When it comes to other customization options, however, it’s a different story. Aside from customizing the center button, there’s not much else to tweak. You can change pointer speed, though doing so doesn’t assign a dots per inch (dpi) value: Logitech states that the preset speeds range between 1,000dpi and 4,000dpi. You can also toggle smooth scrolling on or off, and invert the scroll wheel direction, but that’s about it.
The limited customization is not necessarily a bad thing, of course. Most of the time, a wireless mouse that simply works is all you need, and plenty of other gaming mice are made specifically for those looking to customize every part of the device.
What it lacks in customization, the POP Mouse does make up for in longevity, with an estimated two years of battery life from one AA battery.
The deciding factor of whether or not to spring for such a colorful yet simple mouse might come down to price. At $40, the Logitech POP Mouse is somewhat costly for the feature set, and you can easily find cheaper options with essentially the same functionality, like the Microsoft Surface Mobile Mouse, or the Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse. Among this lot, the Logitech POP Mouse is a pretty face, but not much else stands out about it.
Peak Aesthetic, Peak Price
If you’re looking for a solid wireless mouse that works well and looks good while scrolling through documents and firing off emoji-laden emails, the Logitech POP Mouse might work for you. It’s a surprisingly versatile device that hops between multiple connections with ease and offers some light customization.
But if you’re looking for something more feature-rich, or even more ergonomic, the mouse might not be the right fit, and at $40, we can’t help but point you in the direction of other cheaper mice that offer just about the same functionality, like the Surface Mobile Mouse. Still, the Logitech POP Mouse could make an excellent gift for younger computer users who value a blast of color above all else.
