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The Apple Magic Trackpad and the Logitech MX Master 3S are two very different pointing devices, and they give you a completely different experience on macOS. The Magic Trackpad is a large glass trackpad with a ton of built-in gestures, simple scrolling, and more precision than you would expect. The MX Master 3S is a tall, ergonomic mouse loaded with programmable buttons. I have used both, and in this comparison I am going to walk through where they differ and which one you should pick depending on how you work.
Two different tools for two different people. The Magic Trackpad turns your desk into a laptop-style experience, and the MX Master 3S wins on comfort and customization.
- Every macOS gesture, with simple two-finger scrolling and right click
- Makes your desk feel like a laptop
- Programmable side and top buttons plus separate horizontal and vertical scroll wheels
- A dedicated button to cycle between devices
- Easier on your wrist over longer sessions
- Easier to pair
Intro: Who This Is For
This comparison is for anyone setting up a Mac desktop and trying to decide between a trackpad and a mouse. If you already love the trackpad built into your MacBook and want that same feel at your desk, one of these will fit you perfectly. If you spend long hours in productivity apps, photo and video editing, or gaming, the other will serve you better. They are both premium devices, and honestly, they can complement each other. I will get to that, but first let me break down the real differences.
Connectivity and Charging
Both the Magic Trackpad and the MX Master 3S use Bluetooth, so they work wirelessly with computers, iPads, and other devices. Both offer very reliable connectivity and very long battery life, so this is not where you will find a dealbreaker.
Charging is where they split. The Magic Trackpad still uses Lightning to recharge and to pair. The MX Master 3S uses USB-C. The bigger difference is device switching. The MX Master 3S has a dedicated pairing button on the bottom, so you can pair it to multiple devices and cycle between presets just by flipping it over. Moving the mouse between a computer, an iPad, and another machine is quick and easy. With the Magic Trackpad, switching devices takes a bit more work.
Ergonomics and Feel
Both of these are larger than a standard Mac mouse, but in different ways. The Magic Trackpad is very wide and very thin. The MX Master 3S is taller and thicker than most mice, including the Apple Magic Mouse, and your hand just fits on it perfectly. It offers a really comfortable ergonomic experience.
With the Magic Trackpad, I find it is not quite as ergonomic. Your wrist can sit at an uncomfortable angle, so it is not as good for longer computer sessions. On looks, the Magic Trackpad still has that sleek Apple feel, and both devices feel premium in use. If you love the trackpad on your MacBook, the Magic Trackpad makes your desktop setup feel natural and fun, almost like using your laptop in laptop mode. With the MX Master 3S, I can work a lot longer without any wrist pain, which matters if you are at the desk all day.
Gestures and Customization
If you are used to macOS gestures, the Magic Trackpad feels right at home. Switching between apps, opening Mission Control, and scrolling around with two fingers all work great, and a two-finger tap gives you a right click. It is a natural way to move through the system if you like using gestures.
The MX Master 3S goes the other direction with customization. You get two customizable buttons on the side, a scroll wheel on top that can be clicked, and a button below the scroll wheel. You also get both a horizontal and a vertical scroll wheel, which gives you better separation between the two. You can set app-specific shortcuts, so in Photoshop a button can do undo, redo, zoom in, or zoom out, and you can keep those shortcuts off in other apps. In Safari, you can set buttons to go forward and backward through your pages. The MX Master 3S still gives you gestures too. Hold the gesture button on the side and move the mouse left or right to switch apps and desktops, swipe up for Mission Control, or swipe down to reveal the desktop. There is a ton of built-in functionality here that the Magic Trackpad simply cannot match.
Using Them Side by Side
The core difference is how you move. With the Magic Trackpad you are mostly moving your fingers. With the MX Master 3S you are mostly moving your wrist. Because of that, these two actually complement each other really well. I use the Magic Trackpad for general productivity work and all the easy zooming and scrolling it does so well, and I reach for the MX Master 3S when a task needs more precision or the customizable buttons. Running both side by side can be a great setup, and it is worth considering if you cannot decide between them.
How They Stack Up
Here is the quick side-by-side on the differences that actually matter when you are choosing.
| Magic Trackpad | MX Master 3S | |
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Lightning | USB-C |
| Device pairing | Manual, one at a time | Dedicated button, cycles multiple devices |
| Shape | Wide and thin | Taller and thicker, ergonomic |
| Input style | Move your fingers | Move your wrist |
| Buttons | None to customize | Two side buttons, clickable scroll wheel, button below |
| Scrolling | Two-finger gestures | Vertical and horizontal scroll wheels |
| Best for | A laptop-like desktop, quick scrolling and zooming | Precision, long sessions, gaming, photo and video editing |
Which One Should You Buy
I would pick the Magic Trackpad if you want the most laptop-like experience on your desktop. If you love your Apple laptop, it is going to feel comfortable and natural. I would choose the MX Master 3S if you want the device pairing that lets you use it with multiple machines, the customizable buttons, and the ergonomic comfort in the hand. It is the better choice for gaming, for longer productivity sessions, and for graphics-intensive work like photo and video editing. If you have more questions about either one, I have deeper individual reviews of both the Magic Trackpad and the MX Master 3S. Links to buy both are below.
