Even though you might not notice it every day, using a mouse and keyboard all the time is harmful to your arms. It is not natural to twist your arm or wrist the way holding a mouse does, and doing so repeatedly every day for years on end can cause tension and injury. Ergonomic keyboards and mice, like the Logitech MX Vertical Ergonomic Mouse ($99.99), are healthier substitutes for standard models that are made to cause the least amount of hand strain. The MX Vertical, which was first offered in 2018, flips your grip to eliminate the need for uncomfortable twisting motions. Although it is quite comfortable, the curvature of the mouse hinders its effectiveness, which is an issue for a product that aims to increase productivity.
The base has a well-known oval design, but a curved handle emerges from it to form what resembles a seashell when viewed top-down. Its measurements, 4.94 by 3 by 3.34 inches (HWD), show that it is taller than wide. The handle’s left side has a deep curve that naturally rests the thumb on the mouse’s base. Additionally, it features a ridged, wavy grip that looks fantastic but doesn’t feel like it holds your finger in place. There’s a narrow two-part side macro button above the thumb rest. You reach a third configurable button with your thumb above that, at the top of the grip. It alternates between two DPI presets by default. The handle’s right side rises sharply and straight up. Your scroll wheel and two click panels are located on that high slope.
The Logitech MX Vertical’s greatest characteristics
Going Vertical with the Logitech MX Vertical
The design of the Logitech MX Vertical mouse reduces the strain that holding a mouse puts on your arm, wrist, and hand. Standard mouse grip involves twisting your arm to make the mouse parallel to the surface it is sitting on, shifting your wrist left to right for rapid movements, and using your thumb and pinky to keep control of the device. With a vertical mouse, you can avoid twisting your arm by slipping the handle between your thumb and fingers, similar to how you would shake hands.
As the handle covers the gap and “holds” your hand, stabilizing left and right allows your wrist to flex more naturally and eliminates the need for your thumb to grip anything. It’s hard to describe how wonderful it feels to make the transition, let alone if you’re using a mouse with a weak form. After a week of not rotating my right hand and wrist for seven to ten hours a day, I could feel the muscles in those areas relaxing. As a freelancer, I put in a lot of work. It might not feel as noticeable to you because I’m an extreme instance, but it’s still a big adjustment.
Logitech MX Vertical: Balance Your Choices
The Logitech MX Vertical, a member of the company’s premier MX productivity range, is compatible with Logitech Options, which is their productivity gear setup software. The Logitech MX Vertical four configurable buttons (clicks are off-limits), DPI, and a few other minor parameters are all easily remapped with the help of Options, a sleek and basic interface. Options let you specify and store different options for individual apps, but it does not support saving numerous overarching setup profiles.
Additionally, Logitech Flow, which enables you to sync to numerous devices and switch between them instantly as if they were connected, is supported by the MX Vertical. For power users who frequently utilize two devices for work, it’s a truly amazing function. With a Logitech MX keyboard that is compatible with Flow, like the MX Keys, you can switch between typing on different devices by simply clicking on a window. Flow is a useful feature that is ultimately only required for a small percentage of customers and functions best when paired with other Logitech devices.
The MX Vertical Logitech Slow and Easy
Ergonomic gear is generally not inexpensive. The MX Vertical costs $99.99, which is the same as the MX Master 3, the company’s more recent flagship productivity mouse. However, because the MX Vertical is now a little older, you can get it at Amazon and other stores for roughly $80. The MX Vertical is well worth the money when it comes to comfort, and Logitech’s premium features and sturdy construction also make a big difference.
However, it’s rare to state that a mouse’s design intentionally hinders its usability, even a little. It’s up to you to decide if the trade-off is worthwhile based on how you use your computer daily, but it’s something to think about and something we hope manufacturers work to address as they create more ergonomic mice.