 This Product SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless | |||||
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| Awards |  Best Budget Wireless Gaming Mouse |  Best Lightweight Mouse | Best Bang for Your Buck | | |
| Price | $50 List $34.99 at Amazon | $50 List $39.99 at Amazon | $40 List $22.22 at Amazon | $50 List $34.99 at Amazon | $60 List $39.25 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This wireless gaming mouse is an exceptional value, but keep in mind that it relies on AAA battery power and is on the heavy side for a gaming mouse | A featherweight mouse with easy-to-use software that makes customization a breeze | This mouse offers great value and performance for most games, though it may not be ideal for the most demanding titles with intense mouse movements | This refined mouse boasts low inertial mass for quick flick FPS gaming as well as 6 remappable buttons and a spectacular light array | This is a compact unit and tether-free performer at a reasonable price |
| Rating Categories | SteelSeries Rival 3... | HyperX Pulsefire Haste | Logitech G203 Light... | Glorious Model O- | Logitech G305 |
| Performance (35%) | |||||
| Customization (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
| Scroll Wheel (15%) | |||||
| Specs | SteelSeries Rival 3... | HyperX Pulsefire Haste | Logitech G203 Light... | Glorious Model O- | Logitech G305 |
| Sensor/ Type/ Flawless | SteelSeries TrueMove Air (Pixart 3335 variation)/ Optical/ Yes | PAW 3335/ Optical/ Yes | 1855/ Optical/ No | PMW 3360/ Optical/ Yes | Hero/ Optical/ Yes |
| Measured Weight | 107 g | 59 g | 84 g | 59 g | 95 g |
| Calculated Average CPI (Set at 400) | 429.79 | 457.39 | 403.20 | 5 | 404.77 |
| Calculated Average CPI (Set at 800) | 855.70 | 823.09 | 806.52 | 783.20 | 810.17 |
| Calculated Average CPI (Set at 1600) | 1,618.12 | 1,646.63 | 1,613.26 | 1,567.56 | 1,615.37 |
| Number of Buttons | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 400 CPI SRAV% | -0.61% | -0.33% | 0.94% | -0.51% | 1.08% |
| 800 CPI SRAV% | -2.22% | -0.26% | 0.87% | -0.07% | 1.04% |
| 1600 CPI SRAV% | -3.53% | -0.21% | 1.23% | -0.47% | 0.68% |
| Worst % Deviation from Set CPI | 8.09% | 14.58% | 1.64% | -2.49% | 1.95% |
| Measured Wire/Charging Cable | Wireless, replaceable battery | 6 ft | 6 ft, 9 in | 6 ft, 6 in | Wireless, replaceable battery |
| Highest Polling Rate Available | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 |
| Software | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RGB Lighting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Measured Lift-off Distances | 0.9 mm | 1.0 mm | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm (set at 2 mm) 1.2 mm (set at 3 mm) |
0.4 mm |
| Polling Rate Ranges | 125, 250, 500, 1000 Hz | 125, 250, 500, 1000 Hz | 125, 250, 500, 1000 Hz | 125, 250, 500, 1000 Hz | 125, 250, 500, 1000 Hz |
| Lowest DPI/CPI | 100 | 200 | 200 | 400 | 200 |
| Manufacture Highest DPI/CPI | 18000 | 16000 | 8000 | 3200 | 12000 |
| CPI Steps | 100 | 100 | 50 | Remappable | 50 |
| DPI/CPI Range | 100 - 18,000 (100) | 200 - 16,000 (100) | 200 - 8,000 (50) | 400, 800, 1,600, 3,200 (remappable) | 200 - 12,000 (50) |
| Tracking Speed (IPS) | 400 | 450 | Not Specified | 250 | 400 |
| On-Board Memory | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Number of Profiles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Switch Type (Manufacturer) | Mechanical (SteelSeries) | Mechanical (TTC Golden) | Mechanical (Logitech) | Mechanical (Omron) | Mechanical (Omron) |
| Handedness | Right | Right | Right | Both | Right |
| Approximate Size | Medium | Large | Medium | Small | Medium |
| Approximate Measured Length | 4.74" | 4.88" | 4.59" | 4.74" | 4.60" |
| Approximate Measured Shell Length | 4.74" | 5.50" | 5.13" | 5.60" | 5.20" |
| Approximate Measured Height | 1.48" | 1.48" | 1.47" | 1.38" | 1.51" |
| Approximate Measured Hump inset, back to hump | 1.38" | 2.25" | 1.68" | 2.05" | 2.00" |
| Approximate Measured Finger Width | 2.03" | 2.20" | 2.03" | 2.26" | 2.30" |
| Approximate Measured Waist | 2.39" | 2.40" | 2.46" | 2.08" | 2.46" |
| Approximate Measured Palm Width | 2.43" | 2.50" | 2.11" | 2.23" | 2.14" |
The SteelSeries Rival 3 goes old-school and relies on two AAA batteries to keep it powered up, a unique feature in the current world of gaming mice. Steelseries states this can equate to over 400 hours of battery life, a comforting number if you think a rechargeable will not last the distance. However, we've never encountered this problem.
The performance metric assesses the gaming mouse's capabilities against the demands of competitive gameplay. We examine the sensor's key specs, including polling rate, CPI (counts per inch), and tracking speed. Additionally, we consider the quality of the buttons, the overall weight of the mouse, and how smoothly it glides across different surfaces. Although it's a formidable gaming mouse, the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Mouse performed at the lower end of the spectrum in this highly competitive metric where all the mice reviewed, including this one, were strong performers.
The Rival 3 Wireless has the SteelSeries TrueMove Air flawless optical sensor, which allows sensitivity adjustment in steps of one hundred from 100 to 18,000 CPI. Several presets are available without the software installed, but with the software, there is even more adjustability for those who really like to fine-tune their mouse. The polling rate is selectable in increments of 125,250, 500, and 1000hz, and the tracking speed is 400 inches per second (IPS).
The Rival 3 Wireless is one of the heaviest gaming mice in the review, weighing 107 grams with two AAA batteries installed. It feels very dense in the hand when moving it around, which is especially notable since it's not an oversized mouse dimensionally. It's important to note that while this mouse is heavier than the average gaming mouse, it may or may not be of concern, depending on your gaming preferences. However, the consensus is lighter is better when it comes to competitive gaming mice in many game genres where speed is critical.
We evaluate customization options by examining the mouse's capacity to adapt to diverse gaming needs through both hardware and software modifications, allowing users to tailor their experience to suit their preferences. Again, the Steel Series Rival 3 Wireless wasn't among the best tested in this metric.
While it has some minimal RGB lighting touches, for those who appreciate ambiance on their desk, it only shines through the sides of the scroll wheel, falling short of other RGB-illuminated gaming mice with high customizability and multiple lighting zones. Similarly, while the Rival 3 lets you bind pretty much any button you want to any command you want and even allows complex macros, we've seen others do it better. The Rival lacks a dedicated shift option that can be held down to give every button an alternate assignment, for instance.
Unlike the most customizable gaming mice, the Rival keeps it basic with no scroll wheel or weight adjustment of any kind. However, its symmetrical design means this mouse could work well for right—or left-handed gamers. To sum it all up, the Rival 3 Wireless is adequately customizable, just not as conveniently or robustly customizable and programmable as the top performers in this metric.
First off, the Rival 3 is a wireless mouse that doesn't require or include a cable to recharge since two AAA batteries power it, so it isn't hampered by any cable stiffness or tangles whatsoever. The optional software package for this mouse is robust with tons of customizability baked in for button assignments, sensitivity, polling rate, battery power management, acceleration & deceleration, and angle snapping options; pretty much everything you could ask for in terms of tuneability on the software side of things.
I especially appreciated this mouse's ability to be set to wake only on button presses instead of by moving the mouse. Too many times have I accidentally nudged the mouse to have it wake our computer screen. The Rival 3 eliminates that issue.
This metric measures the mouse's feel, response, sounds, and overall tactility, and I have mostly positive things to report about the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless here.
The symmetrical shape of this mouse is nice and comfortable, with subtle comfort grooves for your fingers toward the top of the primary click buttons. The mouse has a medium slope down and off the sides and a light texturing to make it grippy and comfortable enough not to elicit any complaints from us. Like most mice in this category, clicking on all six buttons is tactile and responsive, although slightly mushier than others we've tested in this class. The scroll wheel, too, is a bit less tactile than some others, but that's not a bad thing. Some scroll wheels can be too notchy, but the Rival 3 Wireless is smooth with less prominent steps when rolling, all while maintaining good resistance.
Clicking in on the scroll wheel takes slightly more force than some others, and another notable characteristic about this scroll wheel is that it is almost flush with the primary click buttons, inset in a sort of valley between them. This might annoy some users, as your finger may make contact there. Scrolling is quiet, and there is only a faint click sound when depressing the wheel. It's pretty stealthy overall, which may appeal to anyone concerned with repetitive clicking annoyances in shared gaming or workspace.
The SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless offers solid features, including a high-precision sensor, ergonomic design, and customizable buttons, all at a good price compared to other wireless options. If you favor a simple design with just a touch of RGB aesthetic and the right tech to excel in gaming, this could be the mouse for you. If you're specifically in the market for a wireless gaming mouse over the more tried and trusty wired variety, this one is an excellent value with more than enough performance and customizability for most people. However, if you're looking for the ultimate in capability or bling in a wireless mouse and don't mind spending around double the money, there are even better options. Your options are even more wide and wonderful if you can live with a wire, which is more common among the elite gaming mice.
