Logitech PowerPlay Review: Is This $100 Charging Mouse Pad Worth It? (2024)

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

Logitech PowerPlay Review: Is This $100 Charging Mouse Pad Worth It? (1)

The Logitech PowerPlay Wireless Charging System is one of the more interesting gaming peripherals I've ever reviewed. That's not necessarily to say it's one of the most useful.

Logitech's latest innovation is a system to wirelessly charge mice as you play with them. You'll never run out of batteries in the middle of a heated match again. The system works exactly as promised, and the modified mice are as excellent as they've ever been.

The only problem is that I'm having trouble pinpointing a target audience for the admittedly intriguing system.

As a glimpse into what the future might hold for PC gaming setups, the PowerPlay is intriguing. As a functional example of a technology that's never been tried before, it's suggestive. As an everyday gaming accessory, though, it's questionable.

What is it?

PowerPlay isn't one particular product, but rather refers to a line of Logitech accessories that all share a specialized form of wireless-charging technology. The centerpiece of the line is the PowerPlay Wireless Charging System ($100): a mouse pad that charges certain Logitech mice as you play with them.

At present, there are two compatible mice: the Logitech G903 ($150) and G703 ($100). The former is essentially theG900 Chaos Spectrum; the latter is essentially theG403 Prodigy. The only difference is that the G903 and G703 come with removable batteries that take advantage of both PowerPlay and Logitech's new Lightspeed wireless pairing technology. (It's supposed to be faster and more reliable than Logitech's previous dongles. This is hard to measure, but it does indeed work flawlessly for everyday play.)

The mouse pad

Let's not mince words: The PowerPlay system is a $100 mouse pad. At least it's very elegant. The system plugs into a computer via USB, and offers both hard and soft covers for its 12.6 x 10.8-inch surface.

Players who prefer more granular control and tighter motions will probably prefer the coarse, hard option, while those who prefer broad, sweeping motions will probably be happier with the softer surface. Swapping between them is effortless — just pick one up and slap the other one down in its place. Friction keeps it place while you play.

If your wireless mouse has ever run out of power in the middle of a game, the PowerPlay ensures that you'll never have to deal with that inconvenience again.

The real point of interest, of course, is what's beneath the play surface.

Proprietary peripherals

The PowerPlay system does one thing and one thing only: it charges your mouse while you use your computer. (And even when you don't, provided that everything is still turned on.) Out of curiosity, we tried attaching other gadgets that make use of wireless charging, such as the Samsung Galaxy S8, but to no effect. The PowerPlay charges two Logitech mice; that's it.

Logitech PowerPlay Review: Is This $100 Charging Mouse Pad Worth It? (3)

PowerPlay works as advertised. If your wireless mouse has ever run out of power in the middle of a game, the PowerPlay ensures that you'll never have to deal with that inconvenience again. You can monitor a mouse's charging status with the Logitech Gaming Software, although you won't really have to.

If you're planning on taking your mouse elsewhere, you should be aware that the PowerPlay isn't the fastest way to charge it by a wide margin. A representative from Logitech estimated that it would take 14 hours to completely charge a dormant mouse on the PowerPlay mat, and perhaps five times that long if the mouse is in constant use. By contrast, charging Logitech mice with a USB wire takes about 2 hours. Both methods let you play while you charge.

I tested both the G903 and the G703 with a variety of games to see how well they performed, and how efficiently they charged. After spending a few hours with Chroma Squad, Diablo III, Hex: Shards of Fate, Heroes of the Storm and a handful of other titles, I noticed that the mice tended to charge by about 1or 2 percent per half-hour spent in-game. This is about equal to Logitech's estimations. It's not very fast but, again, if your mouse is constantly charging, how fast it does go isn't a big concern.

I'm not quite sure if I'd recommend the PowerPlay to anyone but the most dedicated esports enthusiasts.

You can also swap out the rechargeable batteries for tunable weights, if you prefer to let the mouse discharge. There's no huge advantage to doing this, but each mouse can last for about 20 hours on a charge, so letting them discharge for a while doesn't do any harm.

Raison d'être

In fact, the battery life in Logitech's wireless mice has never been a problem, as far as I'm aware. Both the G903 and the G703 will give you between 20 and 25 hours of playtime, depending on your lighting options. They both recharge quickly via USB, and they both let you play while you recharge.

No gamer wants to run out of juice in the middle of an important multiplayer match. But surely, it's not that much of a hassle to plug in your mouse if the battery is getting low, or recharge it between sessions. In a single-player game, the stakes are even lower.

After racking my brains and consulting my co-workers, the best we can come up with is that the PowerPlay could alleviate a pain point for a small but dedicated contingent of competitive players — especially those on the burgeoning esports scene. If you dedicate yourself to competitive games for hours and hours at a time, running out of battery, or stopping to recharge, or letting a wire get in your way, simply may not be viable options.

Logitech PowerPlay Review: Is This $100 Charging Mouse Pad Worth It? (4)

If that description doesn't apply to you, however, a $100 PowerPlay system may be a tough sell — especially since you'll have to buy a $100 or $150 mouse to go along with it.

Bottom line

In the end, there's nothing else quite like the PowerPlay, but "it works well" is the only cogent analysis I can make of it. I wouldn't run out to buy one for myself, and I'm not quite sure if I'd recommend it to anyone besput the most dedicated esports enthusiasts.

However, if you're in the market to buy a new mouse anyway, getting a G903 or G703 rather than their non-PowerPlay counterparts might make sense, in case Logitech decides to do something more interesting with PowerPlay down the road.

For everyone else, the G900 is an excellent mouse, and the G403 is a good mouse. If you can sacrifice 2 hours now and then to let them charge, they'll serve you just as well as a novel-but-unproven accessory.

Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox.

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.

Logitech PowerPlay Review: Is This $100 Charging Mouse Pad Worth It? (5)

Marshall Honorof

Marshall Honorof is a senior editor for Tom's Guide, overseeing the site's coverage of gaming hardware and software. He comes from a science writing background, having studied paleomammalogy, biological anthropology, and the history of science and technology. After hours, you can find him practicing taekwondo or doing deep dives on classic sci-fi.

Latest

My house is spotless thanks to this $149 Dyson vacuum clone — and I'm never going back7 smart home devices to take your dorm room to the next levelCan you really have a "proxy VPN"?
See more latest►

Most Popular
FlexiSpot C5 ergonomic office chair review
Zwift Ride smart bike review
Lemokey X3 review: Not the king of budget keyboards
GravaStar Mercury M1 Pro review: This sci-fi gaming mouse wows
Tribit StormBox 2 review: I tested this waterproof Bluetooth speaker — and it’s surprisingly good for under $70
Lofree Block review: retro, beautiful and ever so slightly flawed
I ran 35 miles in the Nike Pegasus 41 and it’s my favorite Pegasus in years
Turtle Beach Vulcan TKL review: Missing the mark
Nothing Phone 2a Plus hands-on review: This could make you forget that the Pixel 8a exists
Topdon Phoenix Lite 2 review
Ultenic U12 Vesla cordless vacuum review: Dyson oomph for a quarter of the price
Logitech PowerPlay Review: Is This $100 Charging Mouse Pad Worth It? (2024)

FAQs

Logitech PowerPlay Review: Is This $100 Charging Mouse Pad Worth It? ›

PowerPlay works as advertised. If your wireless mouse has ever run out of power in the middle of a game, the PowerPlay ensures that you'll never have to deal with that inconvenience again. You can monitor a mouse's charging status with the Logitech Gaming Software, although you won't really have to.

What does POWERPLAY mouse pad do? ›

Through innovative application of electromagnetic resonance, the POWERPLAY base creates an energy field above its surface. This allows charging at all times over a large surface area.

How do I charge my Logitech Powerplay? ›

  1. 1 Turn off mouse.
  2. 2 Plug in charging base.
  3. 3 Replace weight module with POWERCORE charging module.
  4. 4 Turn mouse on.

How does Logitech G Powerplay work? ›

It is the first and only of its kind that delivers continuous charging while mouse is in motion via low-frequency electromagnetic field. This field covers a broad surface area, so your mouse is charged anywhere on the pad. A variety of Logitech G mice are POWERPLAY compatible.

Which Logitech mice work with POWERPLAY? ›

MEET THE POWERPLAY GAMING MICE

POWERPLAY is compatible with many Logitech G mice, including G502 X PLUS, PRO X SUPERLIGHT 2, G502 LIGHTSPEED and G703. Mouse not included with purchase of POWERPLAY.

Does it matter what mouse pad you get? ›

It's not that a regular mouse pad is bad, but a premium product is said to offer better tracking and less friction for more precision. Some feel it is in the mind more than the product, and mice do get better at tracking on varied surfaces, but it's about consistency.

How do I know if PowerPlay is charging? ›

  1. If the mouse only shows up to 65%, the battery sensor needs calibrating. Use the mouse and let it go dead, then recharge it wired til it's fully charged.
  2. Powerplay mat has a LED indicator to show when the puck is detected, and gets brighter when charging.
Jun 7, 2021

Does Logitech mouse need to be charged? ›

Recharge your mouse when the battery indicator blinks red. Do not use the receiver extender cable for recharging. Use only AA NiMH replacement batteries (1800 mAh minimum). Recharging the keyboard Typically, you can expect about 10 days of battery life before you will need to recharge the keyboard battery.

Does Logitech have a rechargeable mouse? ›

Logitech cordless mice can either be powered by AA batteries or have a built-in rechargeable battery. Please refer to the Tech specs section of the cordless mouse product page for exact details.

Can you charge Iphone on Logitech POWERPLAY? ›

This one will not charge your phone or any device not specifically meant for it - but the ENTIRE pad is a charging surface for the mouse. Also, the pad syncs with your mouse, so you can remove the dongle/adaptor that connects the mouse to the computer.

Does the POWERPLAY mouse pad work with the G Pro Wireless? ›

This mouse pad also work with G pro wireless gaming mouse, such as G703 or the newest G pro wireless. A: It only works with Logitech mice (and only some of those). It isn't likely to work with anything else.

How long is the Logitech POWERPLAY cable? ›

Cable length (power/charge): 1.83 m. Compatible with Logitech G703, G903 and G Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse.

Is it okay to leave a wireless mouse plugged in all the time? ›

Power Off When Not in Use: One of the simplest and most effective methods to preserve battery life is to power off your wireless mouse when it is not in use. By doing so, you eliminate unnecessary battery drain that occurs when the mouse remains active and connected.

What Logitech mouse do pros use? ›

Logitech G collaborated with more than 50 pro players to find the perfect shape, weight and feel combined with LIGHTSPEED wireless and HERO 25K sensor. The result: is one of the most popular mice in esports.

What is the purpose of a gaming mouse pad? ›

Gaming mouse pads exponentially improve mouse tracking, especially when paired with a high DPI, precision polling gaming mouse with a premium sensor. These pads also reduce unwanted surface friction, which causes inconsistent movement and drag to slow you down and create erratic response.

How does a charging mat work? ›

Wireless charging, or inductive charging, works by transferring energy form the charger to the device through electromagnetic induction. Wireless charging mats allow you to power-up multiple gadgets all at once by simply resting them on the surface, eliminating the need for tangled wires and device-specific adaptors.

What is the function of the mouse pad? ›

A mousepad or mousemat is a surface for placing and moving a computer mouse. A mousepad enhances the usability of the mouse compared to using a mouse directly on a table by providing a surface to allow it to measure movement accurately and without jitter.

What does the Magic Mouse do? ›

Overview. Magic Mouse is wireless and rechargeable, with an optimized foot design that lets it glide smoothly across your desk. The Multi-Touch surface allows you to perform simple gestures such as swiping between web pages and scrolling through documents.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 5753

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.