SteelSeries is a Danish company specializing in gaming peripherals and is one of the most recognized names in the world of eSports and gaming professionals.
Their mice often stand out for their high build quality, good comfort, and exceptional performance. They are highly customizable and have great software support for Windows and MacOS. We’ve tested 9 SteelSeries mice and here are our recommendations for the best SteelSeries mice you can buy.
Top Picks for 2024
1. SteelSeries Rival 3 – Best SteelSeries Mouse
The best SteelSeries wireless mouse we’ve tested is the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless.
It feels incredibly well built, with a body made entirely of solid plastic, and is very comfortable, with six well-placed buttons that can be reprogrammed within the exceptional SteelSeries Engine 3 software.
You can easily connect it via Bluetooth or with the USB receiver, and it uses two AAA batteries, which are advertised to last up to 400 hours, although we do not test for this.
It is best suited for a claw or fingertip grip with any hand size, but smaller hands may have a difficult time reaching all the buttons with a fingertip grip.
The PTFE feet slide very well on a mouse pad or desk, but unfortunately, the mouse is quite heavy for its size and cannot be used with a cable.
That being said, it has a very good optical sensor, with a wide CPI range and a high adjustable voting rate that should give you a smooth gaming experience.
Click latency is good too, and it feels responsive enough for everyday use or casual gaming. It has a total of eight programmable inputs, and the software and mouse are fully compatible with Windows and MacOS, which is great.
Overall, this is a very good wireless gaming or office work mouse that most users should be happy with.
Main features :
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Type: Standard
2. SteelSeries Rival 500 – Best Budget Steelseries Mouse
The best SteelSeries gaming mouse for MMO games we’ve tested is the SteelSeries Rival 500.
It’s a right-handed wired mouse with a whopping 17 programmable inputs, including ones for fast CPI and profile switching.
It is very comfortable to use due to its ergonomic shape and soft silicone coating, and its wide profile helps prevent your hand from dragging on the desk.
Fits most hand sizes for palm or claw grips; however, it is not suitable for a fingertip grip unless you have very large hands.
It has a wide IPC range, a high voting rate, and an extremely low take-off distance.
Personalization is done through the software, where you can also change the performance settings and macros of the program.
Unfortunately, it is quite heavy and lacks weight optimization, and its rubberized cable is not detachable.
The silver lining is that it feels very well-built and solid and should be comfortable enough for long gaming sessions.
Overall, this is a feature-rich model with enough buttons to meet the needs of most MMO gamers, making it one of the best SteelSeries series gaming mice out there.
Main features :
- Connectivity: Cable
- Type: Standard
3. SteelSeries Rival 650 – Best Budget Steelseries Mouse
The best budget SteelSeries mouse we’ve tested is the SteelSeries Rival 650.
It feels very solid and has impressive build quality for the price, while also being very comfortable and light enough for FPS gaming.
Most hand sizes should easily reach all buttons while using a claw or fingertip grip but may be a bit too small for larger hands using a palm grip.
It has excellent performance with almost no CPI drift, very low click latency, and a high peak polling rate resulting in smooth cursor movements.
Additionally, the mouse and accompanying software are fully compatible with both Windows and macOS.
It has a total of six buttons, with an additional two on the left side, but these side buttons start flush with the body and rise slightly in the center so they can be difficult to press.
That said, all the buttons are programmable, and there is built-in memory to save your settings in case you want to switch to another computer.
Overall, it’s a great budget option that should satisfy most gamers, and it’s the best budget SteelSeries gaming mouse we’ve tested.
Main features :
- Connectivity: Cable
- Type: Standard
Factors to Consider
In the world of gaming, there is no denying it – having the best mouse makes all the difference. But with so many choices on the market, it can be a daunting task to decide which one is right for you. To make selecting your new SteelSeries mouse easier, we’ve compiled some factors to keep in mind when shopping around! So let’s dive into the world of SteelSeries mice and see what makes them stand out.
- What features does the mouse offer?
- How comfortable is the mouse?
- What is the mouse’s durability like?
- What type of sensor does the mouse use?
- How much does the mouse cost?
Different Types of SteelSeries Mice
SteelSeries mice come in a range of types and sizes to suit your individual gaming needs. Before you buy it’s important to consider what type of gaming or work you intend to do with the mouse. We’ve outlined some of the main factors below:
Optical-Laser
SteelSeries optical or laser mice feature one of two types of tracking technology. Optical means light beams detect movement, whilst laser mice use infrared technology for more precise movements. Choose either depending on your gaming nuanced requirements. Additionally, optical and laser mice usually have higher frames per second (FPS) as well as higher resolution settings than other models, meaning they can track even minimal hand movements more quickly and accurately.
Ergonomic
Ergonomic SteelSeries mice feature sleek designs specifically designed for comfort and convenience. They typically include comfortable grooves and curves that fit any user’s grip type, be it claw style or palm style. Additionally, some ergonomic models are wireless and have adjustable weights so that they are comfortable no matter the task at hand.
Wired/Wireless
Wired SteelSeries mice offer high-speed data transmission thanks to the connection from the computer’s USB port providing an almost instant response time between mouse clicks or movements in a game or work. Wireless mice allow freedom from wires but come attached with slower response times (e..g laggy mouse pointer during gameplay).
These are just some features to consider when looking through the range of SteelSeries mice available!
Features to Look for in SteelSeries Mice
For the best gaming experience with a SteelSeries mouse, it is important to take the time to determine which model is right for you. This article outlines some of the features that should be taken into consideration when selecting a SteelSeries mouse, including grip, weight and size, sensor type, buttons and customization options.
Grip
A good ergonomic shape and grip can improve user comfort. Different shapes can fit different hand sizes and grip types such as palm, claw or fingertip. A good mouse should be comfortable for extended periods of use.
Weight and size
A lightweight option would be better suited for FPS games due to its quick response time but if you’re more into strategy games then a heavier-weighted mouse could be preferable because of improved accuracy with longer sweeps across the screen.
Sensor type
An important factor to consider is the type of optical sensor on your mouse – as this will determine accuracy and precision when gaming or working on projects that require precise movements and clicks over long gaming sessions with less fatigue or discomfort to your hand or arm muscles. SteelSeries has various sensor types ranging from Optical Sensor Dome Technology (that block out dust) to TrueMove Pro Tracking (which tracks speed without acceleration).
Buttons
The number of buttons affects what actions can be done within an application or game without having to move away from the game/application itself as well as helping improve control capabilities over a certain action (e.g. switching weapons). It also might increase efficiency depending on how many specific functions are desired within each game but too many buttons might prove difficult to remember during gameplay especially once more than two hands are needed on-screen so choose wisely how many extra buttons are needed from your SteelSeries mouse before purchasing one.
Customization options
SteelSeries mice offer customizable settings that include DPI levels for speed control, RGB lighting options plus other software-based shortcuts like macros which can execute combos in game quickly via programmed keystrokes – all of these features allow an enhanced gaming experience tailored specifically towards your preference which can add an increased level of excitement as well as give competitors an unfair advantage so think carefully if any customization would truly benefit yourself before using it!
Comfort and Ergonomics
Whether you are looking for gaming mice or productivity tools, ergonomics should be one of your top priorities. A good way to determine the comfort level and ergonomic shape of a mouse is to physically handle it.
Look for a snug fit in your hand with easy-access buttons that are responsive and easy to find without hunting around. Ergonomically designed mice are contoured to fit the natural curve of your hand, providing extended periods of use with minimal fatigue.
Some mice have adjustable weight systems that allow you to choose how heavy you want the device to be, while others come preconfigured with various weights suited for different types of users. Specialized grips and pads are also available that provide enhanced comfort during extended gaming sessions or extensive computer usage.
It’s important to ensure that your mouse has enough programmable buttons so that you can assign tasks as needed without straining your fingers or having them in awkward positions all day long. Programmable buttons will also help reduce muscle memory from overusing certain functions on screen and give quick access shortcuts for faster workflows when you need them most.
Additionally, many modern gaming mice sport “lift-off distance” allowing you to adjust the lift-off threshold height so that the device does not move until it is moved deliberately or taken off its surface. Look for features such as customizable DPI (dots per inch) settings if precision movements are especially important.
Durability
A good mouse should be able to withstand everyday wear and tear and serve you for many years down the line. To look for these qualities, focus on materials like aluminum alloy frames or hard plastic surfaces, which resist scratches and dings. Other durable materials to consider include rubber inserts that provide a comfortable grip.
SteelSeries mice are also known for their lightweight construction, often under 4 ounces without batteries fitted. A lower weight ensures your hand will comfortably bear its weight while giving you better accuracy over long periods of time. Additionally, look out for rugged construction features such as metal or rubber-coated scroller wheels or joystick risers that won’t get stuck when you use them regularly. SteelSeries mice are designed with robust build actions in mind – they’re made to last long!
Pros and Cons of SteelSeries Mice
When exploring the wide variety of gaming mice available, a SteelSeries mouse is a popular brand to look at. This type of mouse is designed with the needs of professional gamers in mind and offers great performance for an array of genres including first-person shooters, role-playing games, real-time strategy and MMOs. Here are some pros and cons to consider when purchasing a SteelSeries mouse:
- Pros:
- SteelSeries mice are generally well-built and durable due to the high-quality materials used in their construction.
- Many SteelSeries mice come with adjustable weight systems that allow you to customize your gaming experience by tailoring it to your needs.
- They are designed for precision and accuracy so you can perform better in your video game sessions.
- Cons:
- SteelSeries mice tend to be more expensive than other brands because they offer more advanced features than other gaming mice.
- Some would argue that they feel too light when the weight system is set too low but this depends on preference so it would be difficult to provide an accurate opinion on this without trying them firsthand.
- They do not come with a large range of side buttons which makes them not ideal if you require many shortcut keys while playing certain games.
FAQ
Is SteelSeries better than Razer?
When it comes to features, both SteelSeries and Razer offer a variety of options that cater to different types of gamers. For example, SteelSeries’ Rival 600 is a great choice for FPS gamers thanks to its customizable weights and modular sensor system. On the other hand, Razer’s DeathAdder Elite is a good option for MOBA and MMO gamers due to its comfortable ergonomics and high DPI range.
Build quality is another area where both brands excel. Both SteelSeries and Razer use high-quality materials in their gaming mice, so you can expect them to last for many years of intense gaming sessions.
Which is the fastest SteelSeries mouse?
The SteelSeries Rival 310 is the fastest SteelSeries mouse. It has a max CPI of 12.000 and a polling rate of 1000 Hz. This means that it can track your movements with extreme accuracy and responsiveness. If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line gaming mouse, the Rival 310 is the way to go.
Is SteelSeries owned by Logitech?
No, SteelSeries is not currently owned by Logitech. SteelSeries is a Danish company that was founded in 2001. They are known for their gaming peripherals and accessories and have won multiple awards for their products. In 2024 it was acquired by GN Store Nord.
Conclusion
When shopping for a SteelSeries mouse, there are several factors to consider. Factors such as size, shape, weight, adjustable settings, tracking type and wireless technology all play into the right fit for your gaming needs. While there is no one perfect mouse for everyone, evaluating your individual preferences and assessing what features best match your gaming experience can help you make an informed decision about which SteelSeries mouse is the best option for you.
