Logitech’s tiny M196 Bluetooth wireless mouse is on sale for just $9.48 this Prime Day. That’s about what you’d pay for a generic Chinese wireless mouse, except this is for a top brand like Logitech and it’s actually a solid barebones mouse. If all you do on your laptop is check email, browse the web, and other simple tasks, it’s a no-brainer.
Measuring just 3.9 inches long and 2.36 inches wide, it’s tiny for a mouse. You can easily pack this away in a bag or pouch, so it serves well as a travel mouse, whether you’re off on a week-long trip or just working out of a coffee shop every afternoon. It runs about 12 months on a single AA battery (included) thanks to its auto-sleep feature. And it has an ambidextrous design, so it doesn’t matter if you’re right- or left-handed.
Everything else about this mouse is pretty ho-hum. The optical tracking is serviceable for non-gaming tasks, the scroll wheel is functional if unimpressive, and the Bluetooth connectivity is reliable but lacks multi-device support (so no one-tap switching between laptops).
A few caveats for a mouse like this. First, it really is tiny, which means you’ll have to use a claw grip or similar—it won’t rest in your palm like a full-sized mouse would. It’s also as basic as they come, lacking both back and forward buttons on the side. While it’s good in a pinch, those missing buttons will be noticeable for power users, making it a poor choice as a true day-to-day workhorse.
The Logitech M196 is best as a travel mouse and/or a backup mouse, and it’s an easy recommendation now that it’s just $10. Snag one before Prime Day ends and use it everywhere outside your main workstation.