About a month ago, I decided it was time to retire my Razer keyboards in favor of something more compact. I had my sights set on a TKL (Tenkeyless) layout, and during a casual visit to BestBuy, I tried the Logitech MX Keys Mini. The scissor-switch keys felt satisfyingly crisp. While I don’t do nearly as much typing these days—AI handles most of the heavy lifting—there are still moments that demand a tactile, comfortable typing experience. The MX Keys Mini fit the bill, so I brought it home.
The Problem: No Logi Bolt Receiver in the Box
At CAD $139.99 plus tax, I assumed the essentials would be included—especially the Logi Bolt USB-C receiver, since the computer I intended to use it with (a Dell workstation running Ubuntu 25.10) has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi disabled for security reasons. But to my surprise, the receiver wasn’t in the box. The keyboard worked flawlessly, but I couldn’t connect it without the dongle.
The Discovery: AliExpress to the Rescue
While hunting for a reasonably priced Logi Bolt dongle, I stumbled upon AliExpress. As a first-time customer, I was offered the part for under CAD $2—an astounding contrast to what I found elsewhere. Skeptical but intrigued, I placed an order for both the dongle and a USB-C hub. To my surprise, both items arrived within 10 days and worked flawlessly.
I had always ordered from Amazon in the past, but this experience changed my perspective. Not only did I save money, but I also got to use the MX Keys Mini as intended. Ironically, if Logitech had included the receiver in the first place, I probably never would have explored what AliExpress had to offer.
The Mouse That Sealed the Deal
While browsing AliExpress again, I noticed a wireless mouse that bore a strong resemblance to the Logitech MX Master S3—but with one key difference: the price. It was listed for just CAD $30, so I ordered it on impulse while waiting for the dongle. That mouse turned out to be the M10 Bluetooth Mouse, and when it arrived, I connected it to my Mac and immediately fell in love.
The mouse feels premium, ergonomic, and well-balanced in the hand. Whether it was the excellent fit or the fact that I had just saved around CAD $130, the whole experience felt like winning a little tech lottery.
Why I’m Done with Razer
The Razer Mamba I had been using had developed scroll issues—a disappointing failure for a premium product. That experience, paired with my Logitech letdown, made me rethink brand loyalty altogether. In fact, I’m now offloading my Razer DeathAdder Elite mice on Craigslist, since they tend to be more appealing to gamers anyway.
I recently purchased the Satechi SM1 Slim keyboard—largely because it wasn’t a Logitech product—and couldn’t be happier with the quality and value.
The M10 Bluetooth Mouse: Clever Design, Smart Functionality
Here’s what makes the M10 mouse from AliExpress truly stand out:
- Tri-mode connectivity: Switch between three devices using color-coded profiles—Blue, Green, and Red.
- A faintly illuminated logo on the back of the mouse reflects the current connection, eliminating guesswork and accidental input on the wrong device.
- The ergonomics are spot-on, and it glides effortlessly on my desk.
- Rechargeable via USB-C, it delivers excellent battery life (~20 days) between charges with LED off.
This kind of smart design is rare at this price point. I now use the green profile for my Mac and red for my laptop. That simple LED cue makes switching devices easy and doesn’t require me to memorize which device is which.
Final Thoughts
Ironically, Logitech saved one dollar by not including the Logi Bolt in their high-end keyboard package—but it cost them far more in the long run. I’ve since walked away from both Logitech and Razer for peripherals, and thanks to one missing dongle, I’ve discovered a more satisfying alternative.
The M10 Bluetooth mouse has become my daily driver. It delivers a premium experience—and that’s exactly what I was looking for.