Keep a working MX Master 3S if you mainly want familiar scrolling and customizable shortcuts. Consider MX Master 4 for its haptic feedback after checking your software and operating system. Actions Ring alone is not a reason to replace a 3S: Logitech now supports the feature on compatible older MX devices through Logi Options+.
This guide helps first-time buyers and existing 3S owners compare documented features, editions and setup requirements. Official sources were checked on October 5, 2026. We have not tested comfort, click noise, connection reliability or task completion times, and do not present manufacturer productivity claims as our own results.
MX Master 4 vs 3S: the useful differences
| Feature | MX Master 4 | MX Master 3S |
|---|---|---|
| Haptic feedback | Yes, with supported features and events | No equivalent haptic hardware |
| Actions Ring | Through Logi Options+ | Available through compatible Logi Options+ setup |
| Maximum listed DPI | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| Main and horizontal scrolling | MagSpeed wheel and thumb wheel | MagSpeed wheel and thumb wheel |
| Mouse weight | 150 g | 141 g |
| Listed rechargeable battery | 650 mAh | 500 mAh |
| Receiver in your purchase | Check exact regional edition | Check Standard, Bluetooth or Mac edition |
The consumer product pages for MX Master 4 and MX Master 3S provide the hardware figures in their Specs and Compatibility panels. The current US 3S page opens the Bluetooth Edition and identifies the receiver as Standard Edition only. Do not apply the box contents or OS requirements of a Business listing to every consumer package.
Actions Ring is software; haptics need the newer hardware
Logitech’s Actions Ring support guide describes the on-screen shortcut overlay, compatible devices and button assignment. It lists Windows 10 or later and macOS 13 or later, and instructs users to install the latest Options+. The Options+ feature page distinguishes broader Actions Ring availability from haptics, which it lists for MX Master 4.
If you own a 3S, first check whether your allowed software setup can provide the shortcut menu you need. Configure the trigger and a few frequently used actions before deciding to buy another mouse. Our recommendation is to judge the result against your own workflow rather than assuming a new body is necessary for a software feature.
MX Master 4’s vibrations are a separate benefit. Logitech’s haptic feedback guide explains adjustable intensity, supported events and app/plugin limits. Do not assume every action in every app generates feedback. Buyers who dislike vibration or cannot use the relevant software should give this upgrade less weight.
Check the host, connection and software separately
The current consumer 4 page lists Windows 11 or later for Bluetooth and Windows 10 or later through Logi Bolt; both routes list macOS 13 or later. The 3S page lists Windows 10 or later and macOS 10.15 or later for its supported connection routes. Those mouse requirements do not establish that today’s Actions Ring software works on an older OS.
For Linux, ChromeOS or tablet use, check the listed basic-function conditions rather than expecting Windows/macOS customization features. On a managed work computer, confirm that Options+ and any required integrations are permitted. A mouse can pair successfully while a feature you bought it for remains unavailable.
Native Windows 11 haptics are another specific route: the 4 product page calls for a supported Windows update from late March 2026 onwards and updated mouse firmware. Treat this as a compatibility check, not proof that all Windows installations and applications support the feature.
What stays similar, and what the numbers cannot prove
Both models already offer an 8,000-DPI maximum and MagSpeed scrolling. Buying 4 therefore does not raise the advertised DPI ceiling over 3S. The 4 is heavier in the listed mouse-only figures; whether its shape or feedback feels better requires personal evaluation.
A larger battery capacity alone does not establish longer real-world runtime. Haptic settings and usage change power consumption, and we have not measured either mouse. Similarly, Logitech’s claims about saved time or stronger connectivity are not our measured speed or reliability comparison. We recommend paying for an identified feature, rather than an assumed improvement in every task.
Who should buy, keep or wait?
- Consider 4: you want supported haptic cues, can use the required software/OS, and accept its complete local price and listed weight.
- Consider 3S: the familiar feature set covers your tasks and the correct edition costs less, including any receiver you need.
- Keep your 3S: it works well and your missing shortcut functionality can be added through a supported Options+ setup.
- Wait or choose a different mouse: you need a shape, operating system or software policy these models cannot satisfy. Do not assume a larger model is more comfortable for every hand.
Use the official MX Master 4 listing and MX Master 3S listing to check current editions, then select your region and verify total price, receiver, charging cable, stock, warranty and returns. These links open the US store and are direct manufacturer destinations; we do not guarantee a discount, stock or affiliate commission.
FAQ
Prefer Japanese? See the related Japanese-language MX Master comparison. This English guide independently checks current manufacturer information and does not use that article as a factual source.
Do I need MX Master 4 for Actions Ring? No. Check compatible device and OS support in the current Logitech guide. A 3S can use the software overlay without acquiring 4’s haptic hardware.
Is the 3S Bluetooth Edition the same shopping package as Standard? No. The current US page distinguishes receiver inclusion. Read the exact SKU’s box contents, especially if your computer needs a receiver.
Will 4 make me work faster? This article cannot establish that. Choose it for supported features you expect to use; confirm them with your actual applications before treating an advertised improvement as a reason to upgrade.
