ProtoArc EM25 review: a budget MX Master lookalike that doesn't quite land
The EM25 mirrors many MX Master design choices at a much lower price, but feel and refinement issues hold it back.
If you’re shopping for an ergonomic mouse you’ve probably looked at the Logitech MX Master 3S or MX Master 4—both excellent productivity mice I’ve used extensively. ProtoArc’s EM25 apes many of their design cues at a far lower price: a similar chassis, an extended thumb rest, two scroll wheels (one with a clutch), and quiet main switches, all for $50 / £29. On paper it looks like a bargain, but in practice most features disappoint. Odd material choices, strange-feeling mechanisms and a general lack of refinement mean nearly every control feels slightly off. The chassis has a certain solidity that almost redeems it, but unless you’re desperate for an MX Master-style mouse on the cheap, there are better non-ergonomic options out there.
