Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse Review

Just a few short years ago, a fully ergonomic home office was often the domain of devout freelancers and the less common remote virtual workforce. Now, however, the real WFH military is thinking about it realistically. That’s why, as one of those soldiers employed at home, I was excited to try Logitech’s new Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse — it’s now available in three colors: Off-White, Graphite, and Rose.

The latest additions to the company’s Ergo line, including the Logitech Ergo K860, our pick for the best ergonomic keyboards, the unique-looking Lift is designed to reduce stress on everything from shoulders, back and forearms to more pronounced wrists. It’s aimed specifically at small to mid-sized hands, with its compact build, rubber grip, thumb rest, and weird-yet-weird-yet-easy-to-grasp vertical structure that helps it get its name.

While we picked the Logitech MX Master 3 as the best ergonomic mouse, which offers a more traditional shape, we rated Logitech’s larger, more expensive, and more versatile MX Vertical as a runner-up. The Lift eschews the MX Vertical’s USB-C to charge a single AA battery and offers left-hand models, though they’re both ergonomically proven in the US with the back-friendly AGR stamp of approval.

But is the 57-degree vertical design worth the equally expensive $70 price tag? Here are our thoughts a week after integrating a Logitech lift into our home office space.

A great, comfortable WFH mouse

We recommend the Logitech Lift to those looking for a good ergonomic mouse for their WFH setup, especially if you have wrist, arm, or shoulder issues. It’s cheaper and more compact than the popular MX Vertical, and has the advantage of offering left- and right-handed variations.

where we like it

Mike Andronico/CNN

I’ll admit, I’ve never used a vertical mouse before. But at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, when my husband took over a home office in our apartment (he takes more calls than I do and needs privacy), I found myself isolated at the dinner table. This has led to some terribly bad posture and a deep dive into better ergonomics — and some physical therapy. While I’ve invested in a better office chair, a larger monitor, and a Microsoft split ergonomic keyboard, I haven’t thought to upgrade my mouse either. so far.

Last week, the Logitech lift landed on my desk. Well, there are really two because I received one right hand off-white and one left hand graphite (it also comes in dusty rose). I picked up the off-white mouse, opened the box, and examined its sleek, steep architectural design. While it looks more like a fancy French pastry than a computer peripheral with a soft, rotating rubber grip, I’d love to give it a try.

A vertical mouse keeps your arm and wrist in a more natural position, holding it as if you were shaking hands, keeping it in line with your arm. The idea is that you never have to twist your arm to grab it, which reduces the contraction of your forearm muscles. Measuring 4.72 x 3.11 x 3.09 inches, the Lift fits my small hands so well, I picked up the thumb rest right away.

Easy to set up – easy to use

Toby Grummet/CNN

Setting it up is a piece of cake out of the box. The single AA battery is already installed, so I just turn it on and it automatically pairs with my MacBook Pro via bluetooth. While I can’t be sure, Logitech says the battery should last up to two years.

I put my beloved Microsoft Arc mouse aside, I’ve used it for years, and if I’m going to work, it’s especially prone to breaking off and putting it in my bag, then swapping it out for a Logitech lift, hoping to spend a few hours figuring it out. Instead, I got almost instant gratification. It took about five minutes to get used to the grip and using the left and right buttons and wheels, which are on the side rather than sitting on top of the mouse.

The back of the elevator fits my palm so well that I can rest my wrist on the table. And because the armrests of my chair are the right height, I can use my elbows instead of my hands to move the mouse. The whole process also makes it easier to sit upright, which is something I have to think about all the time now.

The scroll wheel on the right side and the click buttons on the sides are silent and within easy reach of my thumb and index finger. I love how easy it is to control the magnetic rubber SmartWheel, which can be clicked slowly to navigate or flicked quickly to scroll longer documents faster.

Easily pair with multiple devices

Mike Andronico/CNN

While I mostly use a laptop these days, Logitch lets you pair a mouse with up to three different devices running Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, iPadOS, or Android, and instantly pair it with the push of a button on the Lift’s base switch between them. I dug out my Microsoft Surface, which I tend to carry around on short trips with me, and did pair it right away with no problem. The mouse also supports a fourth connection using the included dongle. If you use multiple screens, the Logitech Flow feature lets you move the cursor between three computers at the same time.

Logitech also makes it easy for Lift to find out for any type of user with its new Logi Options+ software for Windows and Mac. Once installed, it walks me succinctly through all the buttons individually and shows me how to customize each button, adjust pointer speed, and switch sensitivity levels on the SmartWheel. I chose to have the two buttons on the left “copy” and “paste”, but keep the scroll wheel and pointer speed the same.

what we don’t like about it

Mike Andronico/CNN

For the most part, I pretty much appreciate the design and simplicity of the Logitech Lift. One complaint is the location of the small DPI button, which is right below the SmartWheel. While I don’t find it necessary to adjust cursor speed, those who do adjust cursor speed may find it harder to achieve.

In the end, I might feel more comfortable using the rechargeable USB-C option instead of relying on AA batteries, but that didn’t work out during testing. If you prefer a mouse with a rechargeable battery (or want the option of using a wired connection), the MX Vertical is best.

bottom line

Mike Andronico/CNN

The Logitech Lift is one of the best ergonomic mice we’ve tested, and our favorite vertical option. It fits perfectly in my palm, pushes easily without moving my wrist, and best of all, the learning curve is virtually non-existent. I like that it works out of the box and can connect to three different computers at once. And, unlike most other mice, lefties have left-handed options.

Due to its more compact design and lower price, the Lift is a great alternative to the Logitech MX vertical mouse for small to medium hands. Unless you need a rechargeable battery, an optional wired connection, or a different size for bigger hands, we think the Lift is the new vertical mouse that most WFH fighters buy. If you prefer a more traditional flat design, the $99 Logitech MX Master 3 remains our best mouse pick overall.

How does it compare to other vertical mice we’ve tested