Logitech Pebble M350 Review

If you’re working while traveling or operating as a digital nomad, bringing a mouse on your trip can make your life much easier. Most people don’t need a mouse with a ton of features; the simple act of having one is a nice break from being forced to use the trackpad. However, some might argue that a mouse with too few features shouldn’t qualify as a travel mouse. We’re curious where on that spectrum the Logitech Pebble M350 sits and whether or not it’s as good of a travel mouse as everyone on Reddit has led us to believe. Let’s dive in!

The Rundown

The mouse is plastic, and while it doesn’t feel the most durable, we haven’t had any issues with rugged obstacles, like working on old wooden desks or commuting to and from work for two weeks without a tech pouch. Actually, it looks nearly identical to when we purchased it.

You may have seen the numerous available colorways, and we think they’re fun. That said, finding them all in one place can be challenging, so you might have to buy somewhere else to get the colorway you want, whether that’s Logitech’s site, Amazon, or another distributor.

The logo on the mouse isn’t too loud or large. It’s a similar color to the mouse overall, which helps it blend in. We aren’t overly worried about how a mouse works, but nobody wants to be a walking billboard when they get to the airport lounge or coffee shop to get work done.

There are two buttons, similar to a traditional mouse. They’re easy to click but don’t go down too easily; the amount of pressure needed feels right.

In the center, there’s a mechanical scrolling wheel, which you’ll either love or hate. Well, you can be in the middle, too, but typically, folks are one way or another when it comes to scrolling with an actual roller. It has an average resistance; you can’t let it fly and watch it move quickly, but you can get things moving quickly if you put the work in.

Overall, this mouse isn’t very customizable. When using this model, there are only four things that you can interact with. There’s the left-click, right-click, scroll wheel, and scroll button. To use the latter, just click down on the scroll wheel. Apart from that, you’re on your own. You can customize what every button does, but there isn’t anything intuitive going on here. On the other hand, that probably isn’t why you’re considering this mouse.

To get under the hood, stick your fingernail (or a non-pointy item) into the area between the top and side of the mouse. It’s held by magnets and pops off easily. Once you get inside, you’ll find a few things.

First, the USB attachment enables you to use this mouse with a computer that doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth. We’ve found that both work well, and there isn’t a noticeable difference between the two. Using their dongle will take up a port on your computer, and it’s USB-A, not USB-C, as some users might prefer, so you might need another dongle to use this with an Apple computer. Second, we’ve got the battery. This mouse takes a single AA battery, which we dig. These are readily available across the globe at most corner shops, and you could even borrow the battery from a device in your hotel room in a pinch. Make sure you replace it, though!

We’ve had no issues when it comes to battery life so far. Logitech claims an 18-month battery life; however, this will significantly depend on how much you use the Pebble. If you’re a daily user, it isn’t going to last this long. Turn off the battery when you aren’t using it to save power (and to stop your computer from going berserk while the mouse is inside your laptop bag or travel backpack).

On the bottom, there are a few more goodies. There’s the on and off button, which we just mentioned, the light portal where the mouse tracks your movements, and a button to pair the device. We found pairing to be simple and easy when you follow Logitech’s instructions.

In general, there are no issues using this mouse other than how limiting it is. However, you know that now, so you can make an informed decision before purchasing it. The main thing you’ll want to consider is how it fits in your hand, so let’s get into it.

Packability

One issue that some of our testers run into is that it’s quite small and doesn’t have much depth. More specifically, it measures 4.21 in (107 mm) by 2.32 in (59 mm) by 1.04 in (26.5 mm). If you even have medium-sized hands, this may be an issue. You aren’t going to hate using this mouse, but it won’t be the most comfortable or ergonomic experience for you.

Those of us on the team with larger hands only enjoyed using the mouse for shorter days, while those with small hands didn’t mind using it all day. It comes down to your preferred resting position—the smaller the hand, the more likely it is to lay on the end of the mouse, adding support and increasing comfort. However, if you like to hover over your mouse, this won’t be a dealbreaker for you.

Compared to other Logitech mice, this mouse is shorter, smaller, has fewer features, and is, admittedly, cheaper. It’s a solid option to throw into your tech pouch while traveling, so you don’t have to bring a larger, more expensive model that you don’t want to break, lose, or lug around.

With the battery, the Pebble comes in at 2.72 oz (77 g), which is quite lightweight. That said, we don’t notice a massive difference in weight between this and a more feature-heavy model when compared to the overall weight of your tech pouch or travel backpack.

Quick Comparison

A similarly-sized mouse that’s a favorite among digital nomad travelers is the Apple Magic Mouse. However, size is where the similarities end.

The Pebble is roughly 80% lighter than the Magic Mouse and 2.7 times cheaper, too. Plus, the Pebble is often greatly discounted on sites like Amazon.

The Pebble’s mechanical scrolling wheel is a nice feature; however, those who use a mouse for design work and similar functions will enjoy the Magic Mouse’s ability to scroll up, down, left, right, and every way in between. There is something special about being able to scroll incredibly fast, as you can with the Magic Mouse, but the dedicated scroll wheel has a heritage feel that we can’t explain. Or did you never get grounded for getting spaghetti sauce stuck in the one attached to your desktop computer as a child?

The Magic Mouse is feature-heavy, which makes the battery less long-lasting. We typically get a month or two out of the mouse, depending on how much we use it. Once it’s dead, it plugs in on the bottom, so you can’t use it while charging, which can infuriate some users, and we get why. With the Pebble, just pop in a new battery every year, and bingo, bango, you’re all set!

Despite having a similar size and being used for similar purposes by digital nomads, these are incredibly different pieces of technology. If you want a sleek mouse that can scroll all over the gaff and is customizable with your Mac, the Magic Mouse is a solid option. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly travel companion that does the job while away from your dedicated mouse at home, look at the Pebble!