GoKawiilLogitech's new $80 Mobi Fold is conceptually quite appealing. This tiny 2.8-ounce travel mouse reminds me of the mini flip phones of yesteryear, folding up into a small square that's less than an inch thick and pocket-friendly. Unfold it, and you have a fully functional, rechargeable mouse that works on any surface and offers very good performance along with a relatively strong set of features. But it has one drawback that may affect some hands more than others.
To me, anyway, its ergonomics feel a little cramped. In my testing, I kept finding myself adjusting my hand on the Mobi Fold, trying to strike a comfortable balance between where my fingers sat on the mouse and where my wrist rested. (I have medium-sized hands, according to my glove size.)
It unfolds in to a slim mouse. David Carnoy/CNET
The ergonomics certainly aren't terrible and may be fine for those with smaller hands. But if you're used to Logitech's flagship MX Master 4 ($120) or its compact, travel-friendly MX Anywhere 3S mice, the Mobi Fold feels like a downgrade in the ergonomics department.
Despite that sentiment, I do think using the Mobi Fold is preferable to using your notebook's trackpad. Logitech says it reduces muscle strain by 22% compared to a trackpad, and that number does seem about right. It's also an ambidextrous mouse, so lefties don't have to feel discriminated against.
CNET Managing Editor Josh Goldman's hands are larger than mine. David Carnoy/CNET
Logitech's Arc mouse with less of an arc
In many ways, this is Logitech's answer to Microsoft's similarly priced Arc mouse, which is designed for use with Microsoft's Surface tablets and laptops. The 2.9-ounce Arc folds flat but not in half. However, it does have more of a hump or curve that offers a little more support for your palm. I found it slightly more comfortable overall.
The Mobi Fold next to the Microsoft Arc mouse. David Carnoy/CNET
Small ergonomic gripes aside, the Mobi Fold is a likable and capable travel mouse, with a 4,000-dots-per-inch optical sensor and Logitech's quiet-clicks technology so you don't annoy people sitting near you in public places. Wrapped in a dust-resistant silicone sleeve, it seems durable; Logitech says it's "drop-tested" and its hinge can withstand 15 years of daily use, based on its tests. It does become a bit of a fidget toy, but it recognizes when it's being folded to avoid any accidental clicks.
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