Sometimes, raising the bar is less important than setting the baseline. The $39.99 Logitech Signature M650 creates a new standard for the company’s most basic productivity mouse. By design, this five-button mouse is as simple as can be. Not surprisingly, that leaves room for us to point out all the things it lacks, such as a more accurate sensor that can track on glass, the ability to connect to multiple devices, or extra inputs. Even so, we’re impressed with how much functionality and polish it does offer. If you prefer to spend as little money as possible, you’ll do well with this mouse.
A Simple Signature
The Signature M650 looks refreshingly modern compared to most cheap office mice. A polished palm rest, two-tone scroll wheel, and rippled side help dress up its modest functionality. Simplicity is not a vice, and it’s refreshing to see how a little aesthetic attention can remove the cheap aura from a basic mouse.
The most interesting thing about the M650 is that Logitech offers it in two sizes. The standard model targets what the company calls small to medium hands, while the M650 L is for larger paws. You can also get a left-handed model in either size. Right-handed mice are available in as many as five colors (white, black, red, blue, and rose); lefties are limited to black and white.
It’s nice to have options, but the M650 is relatively small and narrow regardless of size, so I’d recommend going with the large version unless most mice feel unwieldy to you. I’d describe my hands as average verging on small, but the standard Signature M650 is way too small for me—my pointer finger and pinky hang off the side and I have to grab the mouse to maintain my grip. The large version feels correct.
No matter which size you buy, the M650 offers limited comfort. Measuring 2.5 by 4.25 by 1.45 inches (HWD) for the standard and 2.6 by 4.7 by 1.6 inches for the large model, the shape is quite narrow. Your thumb and pinky receive no support and hang off the sides unless you grip the mouse tightly. At 3.92 ounces, the mouse is heavy for its size, which should be expected at this low price.
The mouse has a standard five-button layout: left and right click, a clickable scroll wheel with rubberized grip, and two side buttons. Technically, there is a sixth button for wireless pairing on the underside, as well as a power switch. Logitech paid some attention to these simple buttons; the side inputs are indented in the middle, helping to guide your thumb into position, and the lightly grippy scroll wheel provides mild tactile feedback which gives you some sense of control.
Under the hood, the Signature M650 features a basic sensor dubbed Logitech Advanced Optical Tracking, which operates between 400dpi and 4,000dpi. Compared to fancier mice, that’s a high minimum and low maximum resolution, but fine for the word processing and web browsing for which it’s designed. It’s worth noting that Logitech cautions you the sensor isn’t made to work on glass surfaces, so its tracking ability is limited compared to the company’s premium mice like the MX Master 3S.
Connectivity and power, the bread and butter of any wireless mouse, are where the M650 impresses most. While most cheap cordless mice rely solely on Bluetooth, Logitech offers a choice of Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz (USB dongle) wireless connection. Though Bluetooth should be fine for most users, the Logitech Bolt dongle should allow a more stable connection in offices or other areas with many wireless devices and can also connect to other wireless Logitech peripherals such as keyboards or headsets without taking up multiple USB ports on your PC. Last but not least, there’s a slot to stash the dongle inside the mouse underneath the battery, which is extremely helpful if you plan to carry the mouse on your commute or a business trip.
As for power, Logitech says the Signature M650 can run for up to 24 months on a single AA battery. That’s incredible, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that relying on disposable batteries can generate e-waste over the device’s lifespan. We’d prefer a rechargeable battery, though we don’t expect one at this price.
More Options Than You Need
Given the limited resolution and very limited feature set of the M650, most users won’t really need a configuration app, but Logitech provides one. The Logitech Options Plus software lets you adjust cursor speed and reassign three of the five top buttons.
Options Plus looks stylish and is extremely easy to use, which is great for a basic mouse whose users may be new to the concept of customization. I don’t love that Logitech dumbs down dpi settings to the classic cursor speed, as it doesn’t allow for fine-tuned control, but it’s undeniably more accessible and a reasonable choice here.
Verdict: Basic Mousing for a Good Price
The Logitech Signature M650 lacks features that we consider more or less standard nowadays, such as the ability to connect to and switch among multiple devices. It’s also a bit small and narrow, even if you opt for the large size. Ultimately, there are better options for only $10 more, such as the Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse which offers extra features and a more ergonomic shape. Some simple gaming mice like the Razer Deathadder V2 can also fit into an office workflow. And yet the M650 is a solid wireless mouse that looks good, offers multiple connection options, and has great battery life for only $39.99. If you simply need something that can get you through your workday, it’ll do just fine.