SteelSeries Rival 3 review: An excellent budget-friendly gaming mouse

Steelseries Rival 3 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

More affordable PC hardware often comes with a serious flaw or 2 often resulted from cuts fabricated to proceed the toll low. SteelSeries tried to become downwardly a different road with the Rival 3, creating a gaming mouse that you actually feel comfortable using and doesn't let yous down in heated sessions.

It's largely a success, but there are a few minor improvements that would brand this a compelling recommendation, fifty-fifty against more than pricey pointers.

Budget Gamers

SteelSeries Rival 3

$thirty

Bottom line: Overlooking a few minor complaints, the Rival 3 is a killer entry-level gaming mouse with plenty to offering.

Pros

Groovy sensor
Affordable
RGB lighting
Solid build quality

SteelSeries Rival 3 specs

Category	SteelSeries Rival 3
Sensor	TrueMove Core Optical
Sensitivity	100 - 8,500 CPI
Polling rate	1,000 Hz
Programmable buttons	6
Software	SteelSeries Engine
Profile storage	-
Dimensions	4.75 x 2.3-2.64 ten 0.85-one.49 inches (120.7 x 58.4- 67.1 x 21.6-37.8mm)
Weight	77 g (0.169 lbs)

SteelSeries Rival 3 has a killer sensor for the price

Steelseries Rival 3 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Primal

The Rival 3 looks like a SteelSeries mouse. All the Rival pointers share blueprint elements and the entry-level Rival 3 is no exception. RGB lighting is — of course — nowadays, though, similar other SteelSeries mice, information technology'southward not obnoxious and tin exist disabled entirely. Aside from the ii side buttons, ii top buttons, gyre wheel and main left- and right-click, it'southward a gaming mouse equipped with all the essentials.

Interestingly, the SteelSeries Rival three looks much similar the Sensei 10, released just final year. This makes sense since the Sensei Ten is an excellent gamer-focused mouse and is a good foundation for a more budget-friendly pointer. Accept away some buttons, supercede the sensor, trim some of the fat off and you've got the Rival 3.

A budget-friendly mouse with a solid gaming sensor.

The ergonomics of the Rival iii are designed with a right-handed bias, making this not such a neat pick for lefties. There's not much in the course of texturing on the mouse, but SteelSeries did add together more than enough for grip on both sides, and there are no pesky adhesive side panels. The unit is pretty light too, coming in at just 77g, though you won't find yourself flinging information technology beyond the room.

The integrated USB cablevision cannot exist removed, which is to be expected at this price, simply it'due south not braided and as such tin exist a slight hurting to utilize. Speaking of using the mouse, the CPI (counts per inch) can be configured between 100 and 8,500, which isn't as flashy as more premium mice, only does allow for some degree of personalization to get the Rival 3 feeling simply right in-game.

Steelseries Rival 3 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Primal

And in plenty of games, the Rival 3 performs admirably. Between trying out PlayerUnknown'due south Battlegrounds, ARK: Survival Evolved, Terraria, GTA V, and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, I experienced no tracking issues or functioning hits with the sensor. Regardless of what type of titles you adopt to play, the Rival three has enough guts to handle what you tin can throw at it.

Similar other SteelSeries mice, the Rival 3 works with SteelSeries Engine, the company's software package that allows 1 to manage all accessories. With the Rival 3, information technology's possible to modify CPI, lighting, button mapping, and other configurations. Unfortunately, because there's no onboard storage, yous'll need to install and run the software to make changes.

What you might dislike virtually the SteelSeries Rival 3

Steelseries Rival 3 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

The sensor, while bang-up for the toll of the mouse, isn't as good as other mice out there. You shouldn't expect pinnacle-level functioning, but fifty-fifty budget-friendly mice these days have vastly improved sensors compared to years agone. Y'all likewise can't customize the mouse as much every bit others allow, including weight.

The not-braided, non-removable cable is besides a minor gripe.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Rival iii?

Steelseries Rival 3 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

This isn't the best gaming mouse effectually and one shouldn't wait just that when buying the Rival 3. Withal, the sensor functioning is very good when used in-game, making information technology a compelling option for those seeking an entry-level, affordable pointer. You've got RGB lighting, a decent design, and fantabulous build quality.

While in that location are a total of six programmable buttons to help map in-game functionality, you won't detect whatever profile storage for LAN use, nor can you alter the weight of the device. Nevertheless, with a polling rate of upwardly to 1,000 Hz and a configurable CPI of between 100 and eight,500, the Rival 3 has some keen features for the price tag.

Solid Arrow

SteelSeries Rival 3

1 of the all-time entry-level gaming mice

Information technology's difficult to trounce the SteelSeries Rival 3 on price and operation, rocking a trimmed down TrueMove sensor, but a few pocket-sized flaws forestall this from being a truly great PC accompaniment.

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