Logitech’s tiny folding mouse packs big functionality

Logitech has officially unveiled the Mobi Fold, an ultraportable folding mouse that follows last month’s leak of marketing images. Priced at $79.99 and available in graphite, off-white, lilac, and sand, this compact device folds in half using a hinge that rotates roughly 130 degrees. While it’s not the lightest or cheapest option in Logitech’s lineup, the Mobi Fold stands out as one of the smallest and most feature-rich alternatives to a laptop trackpad , provided you can adapt to its unconventional shape.

The arch-shaped design resembles other folding peripherals, like Microsoft’s Surface Arc mouse, but the comparison ends there. Microsoft’s model folds flat for easy pocket storage, whereas the Mobi Fold operates more like a clamshell phone. It doesn’t snap shut with a satisfying click, but it feels robust. Logitech claims the hinge has been “tested to withstand 15 years of daily use.”

A silicone skin wraps around most of the mouse, including the hinge, improving grip and offering some drop protection. Where it covers the hinge, a pleated section expands and contracts as the mouse folds, preventing any pinching. At 79 grams, the Mobi Fold is slightly heavier than Logitech’s Pebble Mouse 2 or the budget M196, but when folded, it measures just over three-quarters of an inch tall and about 2.6 by 2.5 inches , reminiscent of a slim wireless earbud case.

Battery life is rated at up to one month on a full charge, with a one-minute quick charge providing up to 22 hours of use. A removable cover on the underside, likely thanks to recent EU regulations, allows the rechargeable battery to be replaced down the line.

The Mobi Fold isn’t meant to replace a full-featured desktop mouse, but it offers enough functionality to serve as a solid trackpad substitute. It includes a 4K DPI optical sensor, left and right buttons, and a multifunction touch panel between them. Using Logitech’s Logi Options Plus software, you can customize the touch panel’s behavior , swiping up and down can scroll through pages quickly or line by line. The top and bottom of the panel also act as two additional clicky buttons, defaulting to forward and back navigation in browsers.

A single button on the underside lets you connect and switch between up to three devices. I paired it easily with two laptops and an iPad. There’s no dedicated power button; instead, you turn the mouse off by folding it in half. Notably, while the touch panel remains active when you lift the mouse to fold it, all buttons are disabled, preventing accidental presses during the folding process.

If portability is your top concern, the Mobi Fold is an excellent choice for keeping a mouse handy. Just be prepared to spend extra time getting comfortable with it. Unlike the Microsoft Arc mouse, which curves naturally to your hand, the Mobi Fold feels like resting your palm on two sides of a folded piece of cardboard. Its buttons and touch panel are completely flat, and if you’re someone who frequently lifts and repositions a mouse rather than moving your whole arm, you may find it awkward to grip.

For $80, the Mobi Fold delivers impressive portability and more than basic functionality. While I still prefer a physical scroll wheel over a touch panel, I’d happily use finger swipes given how small this mouse folds up. Though I’d stick with my laptop’s trackpad for daily use, the Mobi Fold is a great accessory for taking advantage of the iPad’s recent multitasking upgrades.