Overall and Final Verdict
With our testing out of the way, we can finally step back and get a look at the whole picture that is the new Logitech Powerplay 2, and it is a surprisingly complicated one. On the surface, they improved on the areas that I complained about with the original Powerplay design. It is slightly thinner and doesn’t have the raised area that would cut into my arm when using it. They also improved how well the pad grips the charger significantly, the old design would slide around, which is why they needed that raised area in the first place. Installation is even easier than before, you no longer even need to install or set up software or even plug it into your PC at all. It can run off of a USB charger. But the biggest issue I had with the original design, which was the location of the cable and the power circuitry is still in the same spot, not that I didn’t expect that. While I’m sure I’m not the only person who has an issue with it, it’s most likely not an issue with most people. My problem with the Powerplay 2 however is what they have taken away. You no longer get both a soft and a hard mousepad included with it. I wish we could at least get a new thinner hard pad design that matches, but that isn’t available either. They also removed the previously built-in receiver, which I do think there was a good reason for them to do, some of Logitech’s mice now connect with a higher refresh rate receiver. But I do wish they had put a USB passthrough connection so you could plug in your dongle near your mouse. But my main issue is that the Powerplay 2, with a few features gone feels like a Powerplay Lite, but it is selling for the same price as the original. I actually really like the new design. If you look at it as a Powerplay Lite and having used the original Powerplay for the last 7 years, I am a huge fan of the convenience that you get by keeping your wireless mouse charged at all times without ever having to give it any thought or consideration. So, for people who have the budget for it, it’s still highly recommended to go with your Logitech Gaming mouse. But I do hope we see the price come down to match the loss of some of the features, and I would love to see a Powerplay 3 that keeps improving on this useful technology that better fits on my desk and has a hard mouse pad option.
Live Pricing: HERE
