Distinctions - The Arc Touch provides a solid experience within its versatile and consistent sensor. Across a variety of surfaces, disconnections were not to be found, making the Arc Touch a solid pick for those on the go without a mousepad. By folding flat, the Arc Touch minimizes its profile to fit easily within low-profile laptop sleeves or bags

Criticisms - Scroll sensitivity was found to be very touch-and-go, with the default being extremely slow until exponentially fast. In the same vein, haptic feedback provided by the scroll is more obtrusive and loud than many competitors at the obvious expense of battery life, seemingly a lose-lose. A small frustration also lies in that despite the now decade-plus run of the Arc Touch Mouse, it has not been updated to be fully bluetooth without the USB 2.0 plug-in, which many using the mouse in tandem with a laptop with either limited port space or updated USB type C ports will find frustrating. Adjustability of the arch was also found to be wanting, as the default position caused more strain than competitors with continued use.

Distinctions - Durable plastic housing on the top of the mouse, specifically the left and right buttons is solidly built with little flex. Elegantly simple design language around the base of the mouse allow for a smooth glide across even rough surfaces.

Criticisms - Build quality on the frequently used battery flap is objectively weak. Precise forms used to develop the clasp broke with repeated use, leaving the mouse functional, but not intact. Matte vinyl of folding arch feels cheap and wears with continued use, while on the top end, the scroll pad began to tarnish almost immediately across all models tested. Similarly to the fold on the arch, the rubber bumper provided to the USB plug separated from two of the models we tested after repeated removals from ports.

Distinctions - All colorways of the Arc Touch Mouse are concise and not overly flashy, with variety in color choices allowing them to be used in more casual and professional environments. Durability of button plastic also meant that with some cleaning, plastic elements could easily appear as new, with any scratches or dents being hidden amongst more neutral colors.

Criticisms - Very simply, the Arc Touch mouse attracts grime and dirt. Mouse buttons began to show oils very shortly after use, with the scroll pad showing tarnishing across all users and test models with even limited use. Rubbery feel to the vinyl of the folding arch allowed dust and particulates to gradually accumulate and stay attached even through the motion of commuting. The black colorway was the only iteration we found to be truly at home with any environment it was used in. Microsoft offers the rest of their available colors in relatively inoffensive more neutral or less-saturated hues, however, many colors like aqua, lavender and sand were so unique they threatened to not find kinship amongst any test environments, instead standing out for being close-but-not-quite to colors with the spaces. While quantity in choice is certainly offered, there are few offerings with universal appeal.

Distinctions - The Arc Touch Mouse does offer ease of disposal via a primarily plastic design, allowing attempts at recycling to be simplified.

Criticisms - Sustainability is where the Arc Touch flounders tragically. With more than ten years under its belt, the Arc still relies on AAA batteries despite many updated competitors swapping to rechargeable options. With a relatively short battery life (in testing below the manufacturer asserted six month estimate), the Arc Touch’s lack of ability to be recharged translates to rapid consumption of AAA batteries, unless of course the consumer invests in a rechargeable AAA alternative of their own volition, which, it should be noted, is not the kind that ships with Microsoft’s retail packaging. Similarly, poor build quality around haptic feedback and battery panel mean that the Arc Mouse will undoubtedly not outlive the lifespan that could be provided by an internal rechargeable battery.

Distinctions - Microsoft’s Arc Touch Mouse is decidedly solid in terms of sensor performance, and even with less-than-flawless execution, achieves the goal of portability with room to spare.

Criticisms - Primary criticism lies with poor selection of build materials and negligence around sustainability. Many peers within the space that exist around the same price point offer more than what the Arc Touch offers in raw material feel and quality, not to mention compatibility with fully wireless setups. As more and more truly wireless mice appear on the scene, a growing trend towards rechargeable internal batteries rather than dependence on their disposable siblings leads the Arc Touch to feel much like a dinosaur in the ranks of its contemporaries with a dwindling list of appealing traits.