TechRadar Verdict
Sitting somewhere in the lower-middle bracket of the Swiss brand’s lineup of wireless gaming mice, the Logitech G309 Lightspeed fits the bill by making cuts in all the right places. It may not have an inbuilt battery or wired connectivity, but there are two wireless modes available, and the gaming performance, build quality, and software all work in its favor. There are even better value wireless gaming mice out there, but the G309 Lightspeed is still a worthy choice.
Pros
- +
Good gaming performance
- +
Well-built
- +
Customizable with G Hub software
Cons
- -
Requires AA battery
- -
Relatively heavy
- -
1K maximum polling rate
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Logitech G309 Lightspeed review
The Logitech G309 Lightspeed is a mid-range wireless gaming mouse, aimed towards the more casual gamer who doesn’t need the elite features or performance of more premium offerings.
In terms of appearance, the G309 Lightspeed keeps things simple. There’s no gaming imagery or designs present (there’s not even any RGB lighting), looking more akin to a productivity mouse than anything else. Only a small Logitech G logo offers any sort of contrast to the monochrome colorway.
The overall shape is sleek, as the bulbous rear thins out towards the front. It’s not as wide or as long as the G502 Lightspeed, one of the best gaming mice around. But the mouse buttons do feel long, and their relatively flat profile means your fingers are more horizontal than you might expect; claw-grippers, therefore, might not find the G309 Lightspeed to their liking.
Build quality is also good. The plastic shell feels reasonably thin but sturdy nonetheless, and thankfully the large lid for the battery compartment feels secure yet easy enough to open when needed. The mouse buttons are snappy and light, but with enough solidity to inspire confidence.
The scroll wheel is notched tightly enough to prevent misfires, yet loose enough for speedy performance. The scroll wheel button puts up too much resistance, though, and is awkward to press at times. The side buttons, however, are light and responsive yet solid.
The PTFE skates are quite thin, making the G309 Lightspeed a mouse I would recommend using on padded surfaces only. There’s no replacement skates included in the box either, as some other gaming mice do.
Weighing in at 86g, the G309 Lightspeed does make itself felt in the hand. The weight is mostly concentrated in the center-rear, which helps it feel balanced, but those who set a low DPI may struggle to perform big swipes. This isn’t helped by the lack of grip: the sides aren’t indented to allow your thumb and fingers to get a proper hold of the body, and the smooth-textured plastic material fails to offer much traction. However, grip tape is included for both the sides and the mouse buttons, which does help to improve the situation.
If you use the G309 Lightspeed with the Logitech’s Powerplay wireless charging mat, the weight drops to 68g as you shed the AA battery. This makes the G309 Lightspeed much more amenable to large sweeps. However, Powerplay is an additional extra that adds to the overall price of the mouse.
Logitech claims the Lightspeed Hybrid switches feel mechanical despite being optical. I have to say that these claims hold water. They are light enough for ultra-fast clicking, yet provide enough feedback to feel what’s going on, all of which makes the G309 Lightspeed very satisfying to game with.
The G309 Lightspeed is also smooth and precise when gliding and aiming, although the 1K maximum polling rate might not be enough for those after the absolute best FPS performance. However, the G309 Lightspeed still performs on this front.
The Lightspeed Wireless connection also gave me no trouble when gaming. Switching between two devices, one connected via Bluetooth and the other the Lightspeed USB dongle, was also quick and hassle-free.
Via Logitech’s G Hub software, various tweaks and customizations to the G309 Lightspeed are possible. There are profiles available for a whole host of popular games, and DPI presets for various genres and use cases, including productivity, first-person, MMORPG, simulation and strategy. You can also tweak the sensitivity of each of the five DPI increments yourself, from 100 up to 25,600.
Along with the DPI settings, you can also reassign the mouse buttons. Options include rebinding buttons to other buttons and keys, as well as common shortcuts and system-level functions, such as cycling audio devices, copying and pasting, launching apps, and controlling media playback. There are also configurable actions specific to Discord, Streamlabs, Overwolf and OBS.
You can change the poll rate too, as well as the switch-type from hybrid to mechanical. However, the G309 Lightspeed lacks some of the more advanced tweaks seen on other gaming mice. For instance, there’s no motion sync toggle, or lift-off and debounce time adjustments.
Battery life is quoted as being up to 300 hours when using the Lightspeed wireless connection, or 600 when using Bluetooth. Although I wasn’t able to spend this much time with the G309 Lightspeed, I can say that over almost a week’s worth of use via both Bluetooth and the Lightspeed wireless USB dongle, the battery life dipped by around 5%, so Logitech’s claims do seem reasonably accurate.
At this price point, the G309 Lightspeed represents good value, considering its performance and specs. The multiple wireless connectivity options, as well as the integration with Logitech’s G Hub software, are welcome features and work as intended. However, the 1K poll rate may not be enough for some, and there are other gaming mice out there, such as the Cooler Master MM311 and Logitech’s own G305, that may prove to be better value depending on what you want from a gaming mouse.
Logitech G309 Lightspeed: Price & availability
- $79 / £79 / AU$149
- Available now
- Cheaper alternatives available
The G309 Lightspeed costs $79 / £79 / AU$149 and is available now. It comes in two colorways, black and white. There’s also a Kamisato Ayaka Special Edition available in certain territories, such as the US.
Despite the AA battery, the G309 Lightspeed can be used with Logitech’s Powerplay wireless charging mat, with the brand currently offering a 30% saving on it in a bundle deal.
The G309 Lightspeed sits somewhere towards the lower end of Logitech’s Lightspeed wireless range of gaming mice. The G502 and G903 sit above it in terms of spec, with their upgraded hardware and additional features. However, the G502 is only marginally more expensive, although it does have an inbuilt battery and many additional buttons.
Meanwhile, the G305 is even cheaper, although this only has one onboard memory profile slot, as opposed to five on the G309 Lightspeed. There’s also no Bluetooth connectivity, but it does have an inbuilt battery and a USB-C port.
If you’re really on a budget, the Cooler Master MM311 is even cheaper and about the best wireless gaming mouse around in terms of value for money. Like the G309 Lightspeed, the MM311 also has a 1K polling rate and requires a AA battery.
Logitech G309 Lightspeed: Specs
Interface | Wireless (2.4GHz and Bluetooth) |
Ergonomics | Right-handed symmetrical |
Buttons | 6 |
DPI | Up to 25,600 |
Switches | Lightforce hybrid optical-mechanical switches |
Weight | 1.94oz (86g) (w/ AA battery), 68g w/ Powerplay |
Should you buy the Logitech G309 Lightspeed?
Value | While it’s less expensive than many other Lightspeed mice, the G305 is cheaper, if less feature filled. And the Cooler Master MM311 is even less. | 3.5 / 5 |
Design | The G309 Lightspeed is a minimalist pointer, and the sleek shape is a nice touch. It’s well-made, too – if a little heavy and awkward to fully grip. The G HUB software offers lots of customizations. | 3.5 / 5 |
Performance | The G309 Lightspeed acquits itself well, with clicks and swipes proving responsive and smooth. The 1K polling rate might not be enough for some, though. | 4 / 5 |
Overall | The G309 Lightspeed represents reasonable value for a simple gaming mouse that’s well designed and offers good performance. It’s not up there with pro-level pointers, but it’s still a worthy contender at this price point. | 3.5 / 5 |
Buy it if...
You want good gaming performance
For the price and spec, the G309 Lightspeed will provide many players with enough precision and snap.
You want good software
G Hub, for the most part, is an easy-to-use and versatile tool, offering numerous customization options for the G309 Lightspeed, although more advanced tweaks aren’t possible.
Don't buy it if...
You want an elite performer
With a weight of 86g / 68g and a maximum polling rate of 1KHz, the G309 Lightspeed might not cut it for pro-level players.
You want to play and charge
There’s no USB port or inbuilt battery, so you can’t just plug in a cable and continue gaming. There’s an optional charging mat available, but it’ll cost you.
Logitech G309 Lightspeed review: Also consider
Header Cell - Column 0 | Logitech G309 Lightspeed | Logitech G305 Lightspeed | Cooler Master MM311 |
---|---|---|---|
Price | $79 / £79 / AU$149 | $59 / £59 / AU$99 | $39 (about £31 / AU$59) |
Interface | Wireless (2.4GHz and Bluetooth) | Wireless (2.4GHz) | 2.4GHz wireless |
Ergonomics | Right-handed symmetrical | Right-handed asymmetrical | Right-handed symmetrical |
Switches | 6 | 6 | 6 |
DPI | 25,600 | 12,000 | 10,000 |
Switches | Lightforce hybrid optical-mechanical switches | Unspecified (w/ mechanical tensioning) | Not specified (mechanical) |
Weight | 1.94oz (86g) (w/ AA battery), 68g w/ Powerplay | 3.49oz (99g) | 2.71oz (77g) |
Cooler Master MM311
Our pick as the best gaming mouse for those on a budget, the MM311 undercuts just about every other wireless gaming mouse on the market, yet still offers top-tier quality. It also requires an AA battery like the G309 Lightspeed, but it’s lighter at 77g.
Read our full Cooler Master MM311 review.
Logitech G305 Lightspeed
For less money than the G309 Lightspeed, you could opt for the G305 Lightspeed. It has an inbuilt battery and a USB-C port, both of which are absent from the G309. It also has the same 1K polling rate, although it does miss out on Bluetooth connectivity and only has 1 profile slot on its onboard memory. If you want to keep things as simple as possible, though, this could be a contender.
Read our full Logitech G305 Lightspeed review.
How I tested the Logitech G309 Lightspeed
- Tested for about a week
- Used for gaming and productivity
- 10+ years gaming experience
I tested the G309 Lightspeed for about a week. During that time, I used the G309 Lightspeed for gaming, as well as for productivity and general use.
I played games that put the G309 Lightspeed through its paces, including Counter-Strike 2 and I Am Your Beast. I also used as many features and made as many tweaks as possible via the G Hub software, in order to test its usability and effectiveness.
I have over 10 years of PC gaming experience, and during that time I have used multiple gaming mice, including those made by Logitech. I have also reviewed numerous gaming mice with varying specs and price points, from budget offerings to esport-grade devices.
First reviewed: January 2025
Lewis Maddison is a Reviews Writer for TechRadar. He previously worked as a Staff Writer for our business section, TechRadar Pro, where he had experience with productivity-enhancing hardware, ranging from keyboards to standing desks. His area of expertise lies in computer peripherals and audio hardware, having spent over a decade exploring the murky depths of both PC building and music production. He also revels in picking up on the finest details and niggles that ultimately make a big difference to the user experience.
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