This year, I got a hand on Logitech’s G304 gaming mouse for a change. It has been in the market since 2018 but people are still looking for an honest review about it. Let me share my experience.
About It
Physical features
The unit follows a curvy form factor with a teardrop design, narrowing at the front towards the buttons. The front click buttons and the back body seem to have a 40% against 60% body proportion.
Click loudness is moderate, not too noisy but never a silent type. In my estimate, it is around 40 to 50 decibels.
Battery Life
This computer mouse only needs a single AA battery. The good thing is it can last up to 4 months of continuous use based on my experience. I spent a total of 12 hours per day using it on a computer and it lasted that long.
Logitech’s site claims it can last up to 250 hours but when I calculated my hours of use, I was able to squeeze its performance up to 1,440 hours. (I just found out that the promised 250 hours is for continuous gaming without interruptions).
Here’s the battery compartment of the mouse where it only needs 1 pc AA battery. The top cover just slides off with a light press.
Features
There is a dot LED light in the middle that changes color. It has a color code for each DPI setting that you will choose. Pressing the middle round button allows you to switch to different DPIs without using the software. This is a customization that is ready to use.
With regards to customizing the buttons, you may need to access the software first to assign functions for each.
Cleaning
It is easy to clean, considering that the spaces between the buttons are enough to allow thin brushes. I usually use a portable vacuum cleaner to remove dust initially. Food particles and other grimes are easy to remove with a soft brush.
Surface compatibility
I was able to use it on a mouse pad, a table with vinyl coating, and a glass table. There were no problems with sensor functionality. By the way, the glass table that I mentioned is still on top of a solid surface and not actually transparent.
Review on Usage Comfort
Grip
I can’t say it has the most comfortable grip but the fact that it slides smoothly helps in reducing hand strain. I am a finger/claw mouse holder and I do not have any problems using it.
I’m not very fond of a large mouse and this one is perfect for my grip. I have a medium-sized hand. Using it is comfortable enough and I do not feel any strains on my wrist and hand.
Weight
For me, this mouse is light enough to do minimal wrist effort. I can lift it from the surface and still be able to accurately expect the cursor where it should be on the screen.
It’s published weight is 99 grams I am using Energizer Max on it which is an additional 23 grams.
I’ve seen some people claim that it is heavy but I think it depends on the game you play. Some of them even have a hack to reduce the battery weight, replacing it with AAA.
Shape
My hand is very familiar with its shape. You may consider it as a standard mouse that may not have visual ergonomics features but is still comfortable to use. With its basic curves and rounded palm rest, I have no complaints.
Tactile Response
The left and right buttons are easy to press. They give a nice feedback and do not tire my fingers at all. I like something that confirms my press instead of a silent click.
Noise
Click loudness is average, not too noisy but never a silent type. In my estimate, it is around 40 to 50 decibels. The scroll wheel also has that rudder sound.
I am using a Logitech mouse pad but the G304 is still responsive on top of my smooth table made of wood. I can attribute its responsive action to the HERO sensor claimed by the company as an advanced feature of this unit.
Pricing
It is one of the more expensive mice in the market at Php 2,000 ($34) considering its simplistic look and basic features. I previously used a couple of mice for a third of its price and the features are similar, minus the brand name of course.
Maybe I am paying for durability which we will see in the following years if it holds up. I’ve read other users’ comments and they were complaining about double-clicks, which I haven’t experienced yet.
Gaming experience
My preferred feature for gaming is the highest 3200 DPI setting. I like to do minimal hand movement dealing with quick cursor movement on the screen. However, its maximum DPI is 12000 and can be selected using the G-Hub software.
What surprised me is the smooth cursor feature during gaming. I’ve been using it for DOTA 2 without any hangups. Response time is quick and it may be due to its Lightspeed feature.
Overall, the G304 served its purpose by simply being a wireless mouse. It is not very fancy but the design is clean and neat. It is beautiful to look at and has this “formal” aesthetic instead of having an out of this world design.
What I like
- Compact design and minimalist
- Beautiful, really good to look at
- Lightweight even with an AA battery
- Solid, does not feel cheap
- Glides smoothly both on bare table and mouse pad
What I don’t like
- Plastic fading of the button (this is common)
- Dust accumulation in the rubber feet
- Grime and dust in the scroll button because of its soft rubber material
- In just 3 months, the side plastic and both the left and right buttons start fading the matte finish
Here are the fading parts of the mouse which I also observed among matte finish plastics.
Side plastic fading of the mouse due to natural wear and tear
Duration of use: 97 days and counting
Best for: typing documents, basic editing of pictures, gaming with fast FPS, traveling, CPUs with dedicated USB slot
Ideal hand size for comfort and ergonomics: Medium (Mouse Size Chart)
I am not a fan of putting numerical equivalent to satisfaction ratings. Each one of us has a distinct way of knowing what is a good product and what is not upon actually using it.
And since you are still deciding whether to buy this or not, you can check my subjective ratings for this product.
| Criterion | Rating |
|---|---|
| Comfort (ease of use) | Very Satisfied |
| Price (price relative to overall quality and features) | Satisfied |
| Features (specs and functions) | Satisfied |
View the full specs of G304/G305 from Logitech.
Common Questions
Does it have Bluetooth connection?
No, it connects through the USB dongle considered as RFID. You cannot connect it to your cellphone’s Bluetooth even if it is a wireless mouse.
But if you have a laptop (with a USB socket, of course) or an OTG adapter, you may be able to connect the RFID transmitter since it has a normal USB socket A. I haven’t tried it, but it may work for USB C to USB A OTG.
What if I lose the USB adapter, can I use other Logitech models?
It will not connect with other dongles because it has a unique code with the dongle that comes with it. You may need to contact Logitech on how you can order a new USB receiver.
Is it waterproof?
I once spilled water on the left side but once dried, I was able to use it again. I don’t think it is water-resistant at all.