The ESR MagMouse, which launched on Kickstarter just over a week ago, aims to solve a specific problem: making your mouse easier to carry. While you can always toss it into your backpack, what about those moments when you’re quickly moving between meetings or classes and want to carry it more conveniently with your laptop? According to the brand, its new $36 MagMouse (now $26 for early backers) – which I’ve been testing for about a week – is designed specifically for that purpose. The mouse works as advertised and I’m here to tell you all about it. Hit the jump for more details.
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Hands-on with the ESR MagMouse
The ESR MagMouse is now live on Kickstarter, and early backers can grab one for just $26. The campaign has already met its funding goal, and Kickstarter has even recognized it as a ‘Project We Love.’ According to the brand, shipping to backers is set to begin next month, so you could have it in hand sooner rather than later if you reserve your unit now.
A closer look at the features
- Convenient ‘Snap and Go’ design
- Comes with a built-in USB-C cable
- Support wireless connectivity
- Rated to last for up to 80 days on a single charge
- Features a 4-way scroll wheel and silent buttons
9to5Toys’ Take
Let’s start with the design of the MagMouse: it’s a lightweight, compact device weighing 75 grams. It takes up minimal space, whether on your desk or when you decide to tuck it neatly into your backpack while you’re on the go. This particular model, as previously mentioned, comes with a built-in USB-C cable for charging, but it’s worth noting that this is an extremely short cable which isn’t ideal for using it in wired mode. The cable neatly folds into its belly, where you’ll also find a slot to store its 2.4GHz USB-A dongle.
ESR has equipped the mouse with strong magnets that securely attach it to the docking pad. The magnets hold the mouse firmly in place so you don’t have to worry about it falling off. The docking pad itself is relatively thick, which might make it difficult to slide your laptop into slimmer sleeves. It features a reusable sticky gel surface that adheres well to the laptop. I’ve attached it to the front of my MacBook, but you can also stick it to the bottom and use it as a base for your laptop to rest on.
The magnets in the mouse are strong enough to automatically snap into place on the docking pad as you bring them close, much like how an iPhone aligns and attaches to a MagSafe charger. It is, however, worth noting that the MagMouse isn’t a MagSafe accessory. The term “magnetic” here only refers to its ability to align and attach to the included docking pad. You won’t be able to stick it to MagSafe chargers or use it for wireless charging.
As far as the specifications are concerned, the MagMouse comes packed with a 4800 DPI optical sensor, and it also has as many as seven buttons. There’s a convenient button at the top to let you change the DPI on the fly, and it even has two side buttons for shortcuts and such. Another highlight here is the 4-way scroll wheel, which is great for browsing web pages, documents, and more. This mouse also has silent buttons, making it ideal for workspaces, and I’ve had no issues with its contoured shape so far as well. The soft-touch silicone sides make it comfortable to use for long hours, and the pre-installed skates at the bottom make it easy to move on your desk.
ESR claims the MagMouse can last up to 80 days on a single charge. After about a week of use, the battery still shows a full charge, so I can’t confirm the long-term battery life just yet. I also haven’t had a chance to test ESR’s claim that a one-minute charge provides four hours of use. I’ll update this section once I’ve fully drained the battery and have more insights to share.
Overall, I’m happy to report that this mouse delivers on its promise of making it easier to carry alongside your laptop. Its standout feature is the ability to magnetically attach to the docking pad on your device, and I can confirm that this function works reliably. If that sounds like a useful convenience for your usage, it’s definitely worth considering.
That said, I think ESR missed an opportunity to make the mouse more functional by not including wireless charging via MagSafe. Given ESR’s strong lineup of MagSafe accessories, it feels like a natural feature they could have incorporated, especially with their existing expertise in that area. This is, nonetheless, a great start, and they’ll perhaps improve upon this design and concept now that it has gained some traction at Kickstarter among enthusiasts.
Buy the ESR MagMouse
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