SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2
In recent years, gaming mice have been piling on tons of new features—and tacking on more dollar signs along the way. Some even flirt with $200, far out of reach for buyers on a budget. For those folks, there's the SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2, a new iteration of the company's least-expensive mouse, the original Rival 3 . At $34.99 for a wired model and $59.99 for a wireless, the Rival 3 Gen 2 proves that you don't need to overspend to get a quality gaming peripheral. Both versions are attractive choices for cost-conscious gamers, even though the wired version isn't quite as good as the Editors' Choice-winning HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 , our top pick for budget wired gaming mice.
Design: Just the Basics
The Rival 3 Gen 2 features an ambidextrous, six-button design, presented in a matte ABS plastic shell that measures 1.5 by 2.7 by 4.8 inches (HWD). It has a 1,000Hz polling rate, which is rather low but acceptable for a budget gaming mouse.
A few differences set the wired and wireless versions apart (aside from the obvious, of course). The wireless model comes in black, white, Aqua, or Lavender (the latter two newly added for Gen 2). With the wired version, you only get the monochromatic options.
The wireless version of the Rival 3 Gen 2 can connect to Windows devices via a 2.4GHz dongle, which is housed inside the mouse's shell when not in use. You can also use the mouse with Android, iOS, PlayStation, or Xbox devices, pairing via Bluetooth by using a small switch on the underside of the mouse. Bluetooth connectivity, however, limits the polling rate to just 125Hz, compared with the maximum 1,000Hz available when using 2.4GHz wireless mode.
Just like the original Rival 3 wireless, the Gen 2 wireless is equipped with an 18,000dpi optical sensor. While many competing flagship models easily surpass that number, it is more than sufficient for most gaming and productivity applications. The wireless Gen 2 also features a single RGB indicator light built into the scroll wheel, but it only activates when pairing the device via Bluetooth or when changing DPI settings, which helps preserve battery life.
Unlike the vast majority of premium wireless gaming mice on the market, which have built-in batteries, the wireless Gen 2 uses a pair of AAA batteries (included with your purchase), which are rated for up to 400 hours of use. These add some substantial heft to the mouse, which totals 3.7 ounces fully loaded. The mouse can work with just a single AAA battery installed, which provides some weight savings but costs battery life. While the Rival 3 Gen 2 accepts rechargeable batteries, and a single pair of AAAs will likely last you several months, the lack of a wired connectivity option means you're out of luck if your batteries die at an inopportune time.
The wired Rival 3 Gen 2 is substantially lighter than the wireless version, weighing just 2.7 ounces, but its sensor tops out at just 8,500dpi. At least it features addressable RGB lighting built into the base. SteelSeries has also replaced the original plastic cable on the first-generation model with a slightly longer braided version, a small but welcome improvement.
Feature-wise, the closest equivalent to the Rival 3 Gen 2 lineup is the $40 wired Logitech G203 , and its $60 wireless sibling, the G305 . The G305 has a sensor that tops out at 12,000dpi and is limited to 2.4GHz wireless connectivity—no Bluetooth.
Performance Testing: A Grippy Texture That Feels Good
As an admitted mouse maximalist who mostly uses larger, claw-shaped models like the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro and Logitech G502 X Plus , the Rival 3 Gen 2 is a bit small for my liking. However, I could see the benefit of a smaller mouse for anyone who prioritizes portability over performance.
The matte plastic shell feels good in the hand with a slightly grippy texture, while all of the inputs are satisfying and responsive. In testing, the smaller profile of both mice took some getting used to, but the lower polling rate and less accurate sensor had little impact on my overall experience, compared with my usual daily driver. You're unlikely to notice the Rival 3 Gen 2's lack of bleeding-edge hardware unless you regularly play competition-style games at an extremely high level.
Software: Beware the Bloatware
Much like Razer and Logitech, SteelSeries relies on a proprietary utility to configure its peripherals. SteelSeries GG isn't a particularly resource-intensive application and shouldn't adversely affect your PC's performance. However, the software comes with several standalone tools that I find unnecessary, such as a rudimentary aim trainer and a tab full of promotional material for SteelSeries, which makes the UI somewhat cluttered. Otherwise, GG is a competent suite for configuring your accessories.
GG features the typical collection of options to fine-tune the performance of your mouse. This includes adjusting the sensor resolution and polling rate, remapping inputs, and, in the case of the wired version of the Rival 3 Gen 2, changing the RGB lighting. These changes can be saved to different profiles for each device, allowing you to switch among your preferred settings. By default, the Rival 3 Gen 2 has no dedicated button to switch among profiles, but you can remap any of the existing inputs to that function if you need to.
