Logitech’s vertical lifting mouse saved my wrists but did not escape my dirty grip

My wrists kill me. It’s probably because I’m getting older, but I also have carpal tunnel from many years of poor posture and ergonomics. Ever since I started working from home – long before this pandemic hit – I have been tossing myself together, improperly supporting keyboards and screens, and tossing the wrong kind of mouse. That Logitech Lift could not have come at a better time.

This vertical mouse is the first time I’ve ever used one, but it feels like a fitting entry into a world of better ergonomics. While I had a flare-up of wrist pain before I called this mouse in for review, things got exponentially better when I switched to Lift from another Logitech mouse, the G305. The G305 is a solid wireless mouse, but I had to face the reality that aesthetics were not something I could continue to prioritize without increasing the load on my body.

Fortunately, with the Lift’s sweet colors and modern style, I do not have to give up the look of ergonomics. After several weeks of use, I’m really looking forward to sitting down with the Logitech Lift to grind off the day. Its handshake style just gives my fingers so much more room to breathe. The only major drawback of this $ 70 vertical mouse is that it is not finger grease resistant. Now I have to figure out a way to clean it.

What does the Logitech Lift look like?

The Logitech Lift Vertical Mouse is a sibling of the Logitech MX Vertical mouse, so it comes from solid stock. However, the lift is smaller, making it more comfortable for smaller hands (Logitech has one size finder for mice if you are curious about whether this fits your grip). It also comes in a range of colors, including rose, as you see here, graphite and pale gray. There is also a specific model for left-handers, although it only comes in graphite.

Logitech Lift has quiet left and right click buttons, which is not something I thought would be a selling point for this particular peripheral device. But they are so soft when you press them, which is perfect for this ergonomic character of this mouse. Other buttons include a clickable scroll wheel that I use with my index finger to scan through pages, and a small button below it that adjusts the DPI. Logitech also includes two thumb buttons that are pre-programmed as back and forth browsing.

The mouse itself moves smoothly on most surfaces. I used the Lift on a table mat in fabric that it seems to be adapted to, although you will have to go into the cracks in the bottom of the mouse with a toothpick to clean it. Dirt is already accumulating from my weeks of use.

Speaking of gunk, as you rock with this thing all day, get ready for a shade of hand grease that pops up after weeks of use. Admittedly, I eat at my desk, which has probably contributed to the build-up. I also rock my face when I think and I use tinted moisturizer every day so it seems inevitable. At least I didn’t go down without explaining myself first. Now that I know it’s there, I want to find out how to get rid of it.

Logitech has one useful page on cleaning its peripherals, but I’m still struggling to get a grip on the dirt. I checked with one of my gadget reviewers and they also noticed a bit of a movie on their respective review device. Part of the problem is that half of the mouse is rubberized, so it’s like a binder for sebum and lotions. I did not see so many remnants on the matte half of the mouse.

Soft movements

The dirt on my Logitech Lift review unit is concentrated around the parts where you grip hardest: the thumb and forefinger. Since this is a vertical mouse, this is where you will find that your movements are concentrated instead of flicking your wrist left and right, as you would with a standard mouse. Instead, it feels like you’re drawing a big picture with a handy tool.

It took me a while to adjust Logitech Lift. When I first put my hands on it, I immediately regretted it, because it was such a different feeling than I was used to. But after about a week, I started to feel more comfortable with the movements required to operate a mouse like this.

Using the Logitech Lift is like moving a pen on a WACOM tablet. It works best with small, subtle movements, and every little turn of the wrist will immediately be translated on the screen. Although I love the Logitech Lift for general browsing and work purposes, I’m still a bit limited when shuffling between tight menu items or adjusting a slider in programs like Adobe Lightroom. I certainly would not use this mouse for gaming and would instead return to one of the original offenders of my carpal tunnel, the wired Logitech G203.

Logitech’s confusing software situation

I have previously reviewed several different Logitech peripherals. Each time, I’m in doubt as to which of the company’s many apps I need to get things the way I like them. I currently have six Logitech-made apps installed on my Windows machine to control all of my various devices. They include Logitech G Hub for their gaming equipment, Logitech Capture to my webcams, and Logitech options for adjusting other Logitech keyboards and mice I’ve tested. Now I have to round it all off Logi Bolt driver and Accommodation Options + for Logitech Lift.

Still, the sheer volume of programs is all very confusing. I already had the Logi Bolt software installed when I went through it Logitech POP Keyboardso I did not get the prompt to install Logi Options +, an app that will probably replace Logitech Options sometime later.

I like the look of the Logi Options + software itself, and the program makes it easy to click on which parts of the mouse I want to customize. The DPI button between the left and right mouse clicks is not programmed by default, so pressing it will not affect the cursor speed unless you enter Options + and adjust it. You can change the cursor speed in increments of 100 DPI, even if it shows it in percentage points. The maximum speed of the lift is 4000 DPI. If you wanted to use it for games, you could.

A good, if dirty, mouse

Logitech promises up to 24 months battery on one AA battery for the Lift. It’s a month ago and I’m still at 100% when I’m connected via the Bolt USB receiver. The lift offers Bluetooth connectivity and you can switch between three different computers or tablets at a time.

The Logitech Lift inspired me to move things around my office so I did not feel pain at the end of the workday. I have since switched to a better keyboard and keyboard caps and replaced the small desk with a larger stand that is adjusted with a crane. Things are getting better, although there is always room for improvement. And although the Logitech Lift has not eliminated my pain, the physical act of moving my arm around the desk to control my computer means that I am relieving the pressure of my battered wrist.

Logitech Lift does not appeal to everyone. When reading other reviews, larger hands seem to have a more challenging time adjusting to the Lift, its size and where the buttons are relative to where the fingers land. But for me, it has been a blessing for my productivity and for the comfort of my work-from-home lifestyle. And it comes in a color that matches the rest of the things on my desk.