Logitech R400 vs R500 vs R700 vs R800 Comparison

When you’re looking at the different presentation pointers available, you’re always going to come across a lot of Logitech options. This is pretty much the case in any sort of computer accessories or tech area, as the brand specialise in peripherals to make things a little easier.

In the field of pointers though, they have their R series, which is one of the bestselling ranges of presentation clickers on the market. The most well known of these models is the Logitech R400 and R500, the R700 and also the R800 too. They are some of the most popular options currently available.

But what are the differences between these different pointers? They’re all very similar to each other, so why do they have different models? Well, that’s what we’re going to be taking a look at now.

Logitech R400 vs R500 vs R700 vs R800

The big difference between these presentation pointers is that they all have different ranges between 50 and 100 feet in distance. There are some subtle differences too – whilst the R800 uses a green laser, the other 3 pointers all use a red pointer instead.

This is the main difference between them all, this definitely isn’t everything. All four of these pointers are quite similar to one another, so it can be really difficult to tell the difference. The subtle differences between them will likely prove to be the deciding factor in your purchase.

So, let’s look at a few more differences that these pointers have that’s worth knowing. Then, you can be a little bit more informed before making a decision.

R400

Range: 50 Feet | Colour: Red | Connectivity: USB | Battery: 20 hours

The R400 is the cheapest out of all of these models for the most part, so whilst it’s the model with the lowest amount of power, it’s also the cheapest option out there too.

The R400 was released back in 2007, but it’s still a pretty popular presentation pointer today. Whilst the price has a lot to do with this, it’s definitely also because of the performance of the device as well.

It’s easy to set up, stays connected to your computer and it works at a decent range away as well. Although basic, this red laser pointer is one of the most commonly found online, and it’s pretty popular as a basic pointer worldwide.

For most people, this is one of the first options that you’ll come across online. But out of the R series that Logitech makes, it’s actually the weakest of all of the models available.

R500

Range: 65 Feet | Colour: Red | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery: 40 hours

Although you might think that the R500 was the second model to be released out of this set, it actually wasn’t. Whilst the other three pointers were released more than a decade ago, this model was only released in 2018.

Essentially, it was an answer to the publics need for an improved version of the R400. The company released the Logitech Spotlight in 2017, and although it was popular with some users, it’s pretty expensive and not an old fashioned pointer. So a year later, they released the R500 as a newer version of the R400.

The main difference between this model and the R400 is that it has a longer battery life, and it also has a slightly greater range too. So, whilst it’s a little bit more than the R400 at retail pricing, it is a little bit better too.

Plus, you’ll need to download the Logitech Presentation software to make the most of the R500. Unlike the R400 which isn’t reliant on software, it’s a little more advanced than its predecessor. It works really well with both Windows and the Mac OS, which is one of the benefits of this newer model.

As well as this, you can also connect this model to your computer directly via Bluetooth without the need for a receiver, which is a definite bonus. It has the same colour laser pointer, and it works well with Windows 10 and older versions of Windows too.

R700

Range: 100 Feet | Colour: Red | Connectivity: USB | Battery: 20 hours

The R700 was released back at the same time as the R400, and it has always maintained a higher price point than the cheap R400. This is mainly because it is intended to perform better, although it is made with the same materials and it’s very similar for the most part.

The main difference is that the R700 has an increased range, giving you the ability to use it up to 100 feet away from your device. Whilst this won’t be an improvement for those that use their pointer in small classrooms, it’s a massive difference if you plan on using the pointer in lecture halls.

Although the greater range does make it easy to see over distances, you do sacrifice some battery life. It’s also another red laser pointer – if you want a green laser pointer, you’ll need to look at the R800. For most people green is going to be the better fit, but some prefer this alternative.

R800

Range: 100 Feet | Colour: Green | Connectivity: USB | Battery: 20 hours

The only difference between the R700 and the R800 is that the R700 uses a red laser light, whereas the R800 uses a green laser light. This is literally the only difference between them, so it’s not really possible to compare them beyond this.

And although it might seem like quite a small difference, it actually could be a deciding factor in your purchase. Research shows that most people can actually see a green light far easier than they can see a red light.

So, if you need to get the attention of your audience, then R800 might be a better way to show them through your presentation. It’s fine to use with Windows, Mac and the Chrome OS too. Though like the R700, you don’t need to have any presentation software installed for you to use it.

Conclusion

Overall, all of these different clickers are very similar to each other. You’ll just need to work out exactly what it is you’re looking for when you’re doing your presentations, as this can definitely help you to determine which model would be the better choice for you.

In my opinion, most people looking for a cheap option would be fine with the R400 (it’s featured in our guide to presentation clickers). It’s cheap and easy to use, and it gets the job done. But if you want something more advanced to work with software, then the R500 may prove to be the best fit.