For me, reducing the volume of my laptop bag by even 1cm is a lifelong mission. I am constantly moving between cafes, libraries, and shared workspaces in Seoul.
Because of this obsession with portability, I have collected almost every "portable mouse" on the market. I’ve used the popular Logitech MX Anywhere series, and I have extensively used the icon of portable mice: the Microsoft (MS) Arc Mouse series.
1. The MS Arc Mouse: A History of Love and Hate
I’ve used them all—from the early models where you folded the tail in half, to the modern "Surface Arc" versions that lay flat and snap into an arch to turn on.
The design is undeniably art. Taking a perfectly flat mouse out at a café and snapping it into a curve? The "cool factor" is unbeatable. But to be honest... using it made me angry.
- The Hollow Grip: Because it arches over empty space, there’s no support. After long hours, my hand cramps up.
- The Betrayal of Touch Scroll: The older models had wheels, but the newer ones switched to a touch strip. When working on spreadsheets or long articles, the scroll would often fly too fast or not register at all. It’s a specific kind of frustration only heavy users understand.
- The Price: And yet, it costs nearly $80 to $100.
I kept using it, thinking, "Expensive means good, right?" until I finally reached my breaking point. I opened AliExpress and started searching for anything that was flat but had a physical wheel.
2. The Alternative Found on AliExpress: A $12 Miracle?
That's when I ordered this DELUX MF20Pro. I doubted my eyes when I saw the payment amount.
$12.07 (approx. 17,000 KRW).
For the price of one MS Arc Mouse, I could buy five or six of these. I was skeptical—"Can a $12 Chinese mouse actually work properly?"—but the conclusion? "I should have bought this ages ago."
3. Wait, Who is DELUX? (Not Just a Random Factory)
Upon receiving the package, I was surprised by the build quality—it didn't feel cheap at all. So, I did a little background check on the manufacturer.
It turns out DELUX is not a fly-by-night company.
- Established in 1989: They have been making peripherals for over 30 years.
- Ergonomic Specialists: They are actually quite famous in the tech community for their "Vertical Mice" (ergonomic mice that reduce wrist strain).
- OEM Experience: They manufacture products for many major global brands.
I realized I wasn't buying a cheap knock-off; I was buying from a veteran manufacturer that just happens to sell at a reasonable price. That explains why the hinge mechanism feels so solid.
4. Instead of 'Snapping,' It 'Slides'
While the Arc Mouse transforms by bending, this one transforms by sliding the cover open.
- Portability: When closed, it becomes a completely flat, smooth pebble that slips easily into a pouch. (The thickness is similar to the Arc Mouse when flat.)
- Protection: When closed, the buttons and wheel are hidden inside the casing. No more accidental clicks in the bag, and no dust getting into the wheel.
5. The Deciding Factor: "It Has a Real Wheel"
This is the main reason I settled on this mouse. Unlike the imprecise touch scroll of the modern Arc Mouse, this has a crisp, tactile physical scroll wheel.
I can't believe a $12 mouse offers better control than a $100 one. When scrolling through long blog drafts or web pages, that physical feedback at your fingertips is essential. This is what a real mouse should feel like. Plus, the click sound is silent, making it perfect for libraries.
6. Is it Perfect? (The Details)
Of course, compared to an ergonomic beast like the Logitech MX Master, the grip is thin. However, unlike the hollow Arc Mouse, the MF20Pro has a solid rear base, making it feel much more stable in the hand.
Another great detail is the charging port. It’s located right at the front of the mouse (USB-C). If the battery dies, you can just plug it in and keep using it like a wired mouse. It’s compatible with my phone charger, which is a huge plus.
Price Does Not Determine Performance
Aside from the logo being a bit large for my taste, I haven't seen a device more faithful to the purpose of "mobile life" than this one.
If you were seduced by the MS Arc Mouse's design but ended up hurting your wrist (and your mental health) like me, try searching for DELUX on AliExpress. I saved my lunch money for one day and solved my lifelong mouse stress.
Writing this from a café in Seoul, with this little pebble by my side.
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