Is the Special Edition actually better than the standard MX Master 4?

No. The sensor, buttons, wheel, battery and radios are the same. The Special Edition differs in finish and packaging, not performance.

Which is better for long work sessions?

Both, equally. The ergonomic right-handed shell, thumb rest and MagSpeed wheel are identical, and reviewers praise comfort on both.

They should last the same. Both use the same switches, wheel and USB-C battery, and the Special Edition is rated up to 70 days per charge.

Is either good for small hands?

Neither is ideal. Owners with smaller hands report the roughly 150 g body feels heavy and hard to grip, so try the shape before committing.

Do both work with Macs and Windows PCs?

Yes. Both connect over Bluetooth or the Logi Bolt receiver and use Logitech Options+ on Windows and macOS.

Should I step up to the Special Edition?

Only if you want a specific color. There is no feature gain, so pick on finish and availability.

Logitech MX Master 4 vs Logitech MX Master 4

These are the same mouse: the MX Master 4 and the MX Master 4 Special Edition share the sensor, MagSpeed wheel, 8 buttons, 8,000 DPI, USB-C charging and Logi Bolt/Bluetooth radios. The Special Edition is a color and packaging variant, so the choice comes down to which finish you want, not capability. Owners and reviewers praise the ergonomics, scroll wheel, quiet clicks and battery life, and some smaller-handed users find it heavy and hard to grip.

Choose the MX Master 4 if you want the standard release in Pale Grey or Space Black and the widest availability.
Choose the MX Master 4 Special Edition if you prefer one of its extra finishes, such as Graphite, Silver or Off-White.

Prices

Logitech MX Master 4: $41.00 at vipoutlet.com (checked today)
Logitech MX Master 4: $117.00 at Amazon (checked today)
Difference: the Logitech MX Master 4 is $76.00 cheaper than the Logitech MX Master 4 today