Simple and sleek: Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse review

The Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse is an excellent mouse that prioritises comfort and simplicity over any advanced features. You won't find many extra buttons on this design, but you will likely appreciate its lightweight and sleek style.

Using two AAA batteries, the Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse has an impressive battery life of up to 12 months. You won't need to replace the batteries often, which is a nice convenience. Factor in the mouse's size, shape, and wireless design, and you've got a great travel option.

This mouse is also a fantastic budget choice for those looking for an affordable model. It makes a solid backup or primary mouse and performs especially well as an office mouse.

Verdict: The Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse is a simple yet very effective Bluetooth mouse that is ideal for those wanting a reliable design without unnecessary additions. It glides nicely and is very lightweight and portable, but its small size might be a bit uncomfortable for some hands.

What's good?

The most apparent design choice of the Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse is its sleek and small build, and that's one of its best features. This is a very compact mouse, ideal for those with limited desk space or small hands. Aesthetically, it looks great, and practically, I really appreciate how lightweight it is. As someone who primarily uses a laptop, the portability of a mouse is something I look out for. Compared to any other model I have used, this Microsoft Mouse is about half the height and twice as light. Whether you like to work in a coffee shop or need a mouse for travelling, this is an ideal design for you.

Another design aspect I like is how smooth the mouse feels to use. I tried it out on a few surfaces, and unsurprisingly, it is most suited for a mouse pad. Once on one, it glides very comfortably. There's minimal resistance and I never felt the need to adjust the sensitivity.

The battery is also very solid. While I typically prefer rechargeable mice, the Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse can last for about a year on a pair of AAA batteries, which is excellent. In most cases, batteries make a mouse heavier, but this one's lightweight build offsets that. It also comes with batteries included, which is much appreciated.

One last thing I want to praise is the price. At about £39.99, the Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse can still be considered a budget-friendly mouse. It's affordable, and when factoring in the battery and overall performance I have experienced when testing it, I believe it to be of excellent value.

What's okay?

There are a couple of features of the Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse that come out to just be okay. Firstly, there's the mouse wheel. I actually quite like how it feels, but it is nothing outstanding. Likewise, the mouse can be used ambidexterously if you adjust the settings, so left-handed folks can rejoice. These are handy aspects, but nothing too amazing.

The more interesting feature to talk about is the lack of features. When I call this mouse simple, I mean truly mean that. It's very easy to use and get started with straight away, but it lacks any advanced features that other mice might have. Don't expect programmable buttons or a DPI slider with this one. Depending on what you're looking to get out of a mouse, you'll either find this simplicity to be a positive or a negative.

Any negatives?

While the Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse's sleek and compact design is one of its strengths, it does come with an unfortunate downside as a tradeoff. This mouse is small, and in my somewhat large hands, that makes it feel a bit undersized. It shouldn't be an issue for those with smaller hands, but it won't be a good ergonomic mouse for those of us with larger ones. I often found that my initial resting position would have my fingers over the edge of the mouse, and I would need to pull my hand back to accommodate the shape better.

The flat design of this mouse results in your wrist laying fairly flat as well. As such, it's definitely worth pairing it up with a mouse pad that has a wrist rest, as in my experience, this made it the most comfortable. And besides, a mouse pad is a must here, as the device itself feels a bit too loose and free on other surfaces.

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Who tested it?

Kyle Purves is a tech writer for What's The Best. They've reviewed plenty of tech products, from headphones and speakers to mice and keyboards, and they know what to expect and look out for.

How was it tested?

The Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse became my primary mouse for the time I tested it. I connected it to my laptop through Bluetooth and tried it on various surfaces, including a mouse mat, desk, and coffee table. Its battery was put to the test through constant use throughout the day, from tasks during work hours to playing video games later in the evening.

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Kyle Purves is a Tech Writer and Reviewer for What's The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.

They're well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They're also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.

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