Logitech’s Mobi Fold packs impressive features into a compact, foldable mouse.
Logitech has unveiled its latest ultraportable travel mouse, the Mobi Fold, after some leaked marketing images hinted at its arrival last month. True to its name, the Mobi Fold is a compact mouse that can fold in half thanks to a hinge that pivots about 130 degrees. Priced at $79.99, it comes in graphite, off-white, lilac, and sand colors. While it may not be the lightest or most budget-friendly option from Logitech, it stands out as one of the smallest and offers a solid alternative to your laptop’s trackpad, albeit with some unique ergonomic quirks.
The Mobi Fold features an arch-shaped design reminiscent of other folding devices, like the Surface Arc mouse. However, instead of folding flat, it resembles a clamshell cellphone. Although it doesn’t snap shut with a satisfying click, it feels robust, with Logitech claiming the hinge is tested to endure 15 years of daily use.
The hinge and much of the mouse are covered in a silicone skin that enhances grip and provides some protection against drops. The pleated design around the hinge expands and stretches when the mouse is folded, eliminating any risk of pinching.
Weighing in at 79 grams, the Mobi Fold is slightly heavier than Logitech’s Pebble Mouse 2 and the basic M196 that I’ve been using for travel. When folded, it measures just over three-quarters of an inch in height and about 2.6×2.5 inches in size, making it feel incredibly compact—similar to a thin wireless earbud case.
Logitech claims that the Mobi Fold’s rechargeable battery can last up to a month on a full charge, and a quick 1-minute charge can provide up to 22 hours of use. It’s set for a global release, and thanks to recent EU regulations, it features a removable cover on the underside, allowing for future battery replacements.
While the Mobi Fold isn’t meant to completely replace a full-featured desktop mouse, it offers enough functionality and customization to serve as a viable trackpad alternative. It includes a 4K DPI optical sensor, left and right mouse buttons, and a multifunction touch panel in between. The behavior of the touch panel can be adjusted using optional software, allowing for quick scrolling through websites or documents. The top and bottom of the touch panel also act as additional clickable buttons, which can be customized through the app, defaulting to forward and back navigation while browsing.
A single button on the underside allows you to connect and switch between up to three devices, and I had no trouble pairing it with a couple of laptops and an iPad. Instead of a dedicated power button, the mouse powers off when folded in half. I found that while scrolling with the touch panel remains active during folding, all buttons are disabled to prevent accidental clicks.
If portability is your main concern, the Mobi Fold is a fantastic option for keeping a mouse handy. Just be prepared to spend some time getting used to its unique design.
While Microsoft’s Arc mouse features a smooth curve that fits comfortably in your hand, the Mobi Fold feels more like resting your hands on two sides of a folded piece of cardboard. Its buttons and touch panel are completely flat, and I’ve realized I prefer to lift and reposition my mouse rather than moving my entire arm. The Mobi Fold’s slim design made it challenging to find a solid grip on either side.
At $80, the Mobi Fold offers an impressively portable mouse that goes beyond basic functionality. While I generally prefer a physical scroll wheel over a touch panel, I’d be willing to adapt to finger swipes for the sake of its compactness. Although I’d still lean towards my laptop’s touchpad, the Mobi Fold is a great accessory to leverage the iPad’s recent multitasking enhancements.
