Apple Magic Mouse 2 review: putting style before comfort

When it comes to the best mouse for video editing and photo editing, most Apple users will tell you that you've got to have an Apple Magic Mouse. Based on my use, I wonder if a lot of the recommendation comes because the mouse looks great rather than because its nice to use.

Creative editing takes a lot of keyboard and mouse adjustments with a lot of repetition. You therefore need a mouse that can handle that without putting too much strain on the hand, wrist, and arm. I don't think the Magic Mouse delivers on that front.

But maybe I'm being too harsh. It's fair to say that a lot of the ergonomics around mouse use is subjective. You might find that you'll have no problems at all. Heading down to your local tech shop could give you an initial idea of what type of mouse would suit you best.

One of the main benefits when working with the likes of Photoshop or Premiere is the gesture functionality. The mouse makes it possible to click, scroll, zoom, and swipe, which is ideal for moving around timelines or creative projects.

For those looking to move into an all-USB-C future, Apple just this week announced a new Magic Mouse with USB-C charging instead of the outgoing Lightning connector.

Apple Magic Mouse 2 Specifications

Apple Magic Mouse 2 Key features

Responsive clicking is made possible through the invisible buttons located at the top end of the mouse. Alongside this standard functionality, the Magic Mouse 2 also provides a range of advanced gestures, such as scrolling, moving between media, and even swiping between applications. It is this functionality that sets Apple's offering apart from many of its competitors. You can think of the Magic Mouse 2 as a hybrid between a mouse and a trackpad.

Connection is via Bluetooth so it's 100% wireless. This means you can connect it with Apple Macintosh desktop and laptop computers running macOS or Mac OS X versions 10.11 and higher and iPad tablets running iPadOS 13.

Unfortunately the charging port is located underneath the mouse so there's no way of using the mouse while its charging. Thankfully the battery life is pretty long so as long as you plan ahead you won't have any problems.

Apple Magic Mouse 2 Build & Handling

Material

The Apple Magic Mouse 2 is made of plastic, although it is possible to purchase 'skins' that are made of other materials, including carbon fibre, brushed metal, natural stone, and even wood. These skins can be positioned, stretched, and even re-lifted with a hair dryer.

Durability

My Magic Mouse 2 is a few years old now and it's showing signs of wear and tear but nothing that hampers functionality. There are visible marks on the top see-through panel, round the edge of that same panel, as well as scratches on the underside protector pads. All of this is to be expected. The grey underside has coped surprisingly well with no marks to note.

Size

The Magic Mouse 2 is one of the most compact offerings on the market. It's width, depth, and height are 5.71 x 11.35 x 2.16cm respectively. The shallow depth is something that sets this Apple mouse apart from others. it also means your hand will sit a lot flatter. The 99g weight makes it easy to move around or throw in your bag.

Apple Magic Mouse 2 Performance

The best thing about the Magic Mouse 2 are the gestures. These are ideal for photo and video editors because they make common tasks more natural to execute. There are a range of gestures, including 360-degree scrolling, which enables users to scroll or pan in any direction. it is also possible to zoom in and out by scrolling with one finger.

The mouse is responsive to all gesture types and they do make creative workflows significantly more efficient. The mouse can also be set up with specific programmable profiles that are tailored for specific apps, including Photoshop.

Unfortunately, it's not all good news. I find the shallow depth and invisible scrolling particularly taxing upon my hand and wrist, to the point that I can't actually use the mouse anymore without problems. This is partly subjective though and the vast majority of users won't have any problems at all. Some of this would be mitigated by also using a Magic Trackpad.

Apple Magic Mouse 2 Verdict

The Magic Mouse 2 is for photographers and videographers who use Apple desktops or laptops for their editing. The customisable gestures are perfectly suited to creative workflows, making the process of moving through media and performing edits as natural as it could be.

Alongside impressive gesture functionality, the mouse also looks fantastic. Invisible buttons and scrolling keep the overall mouse looking sleek and minimalist. I didn't personally get on with the hand positioning required to operate the mouse but not all users will have this problem.